Thrilling

The Deadliest Game The Blood Tournament Book 2

Daniela A. Mera — 2023

When The Prison Healer and The Hunger Games meet… "Thirst for power makes people monsters far quicker than the insanity associated with love." Running came easy to Carmen. When her hometown was destroyed, she fled. And now she was attempting to vanish under the gaze of the Chancellor of Arrebol. She thought that the most important thing in her life was survival at any costs, but she soon found out being on her own was deadly. After being captured by a Night Merchant and sold to a faraway land, Carmen managed to escape and return home. But her reprieve is short-lived when it became clear that she would still face the brutality of the Blood Tournament. To make matters worse, a marriage announcement threatened to shatter any hope of a normal life. As she struggled to keep her head above water in a world full of intrigue and betrayal, she discovered that even her closest peers were not who they seemed. In a world where trust was a rare commodity, survival was never guaranteed, and danger lurked around every corner, Carmen's only way out was forward.

Reviews

Ariel Johnson@ariel790

Jul 7, 2023

A few notes:

The Deadliest Game is a sequel. Beginning right after the harrowing ending of The Gilded Survivor. The prior book must be read to adequately follow the plot line.
The story does end in a cliffhanger. Not the completely annoying type though. Enough plot is resolved with teaser for book 3.

If I had to sum The Deadliest Game into one word, I think simply "tragic" would be fitting. So much happens that turns Carmen's world upside down.

On the run, she has no one to turn to. Making her desperate. Open for others to take advantage of her, and that they do. Her world is ruthless and refuses to let her forget it.

Daniela A. Mera uses this second tale to expand the world of The Blood Tournament series. Introducing fae and dragons into the mix, adding more elements in on the magic system. All while opening Carmen's eyes to the bitter truth that not everything or everyone is as they initially seem. Her political woes are not over yet, and avoiding the deadly tournament and vicious elite doesn't seem to be in her cards.

Compared to Book 1, The Gilded Survivor is more of an introduction to Carmen. Slower paced, character focused to build her personality and the world as she saw it. Book 2, The Deadliest Game, is more adventure oriented and plot driven over character development without sacrificing what has been established. Does have a faster pace, but the writing matches. They flow as sequels and feel congruent. Told from Carmen's point of view, but adding Antonio for a couple of chapters. Spanish put into the mix from time to time. In both, Carmen's symphony of strife slowly builds to crescendo near the end. Even more epically in The Deadliest Game. So, they are different, yet I feel, complementary.

What I loved from the first book is still there; Carmen's strong personally and bold temper. She is still at odds with Antonio, who is fighting his own demons, if only for the sake of appearance. Carmen is still torn on whether or not to trust him. Book 2 only takes Carmen further by throwing her constantly into the fire. Testing, and proving her will to survive.

So far, I am really enjoying the series. Hunger games with fantasy and magic mixed in. Bold, clearly defined characters. Totally a chosen one trope that I am here for. Highly recommend if you are into the same.