Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
Against all odds, former geneticist Benny White has survived the first Wave of the Game of Souls. But the rewards have come at a cost, and the games are far from over. New enemies have been introduced with eyes set on those calling the Blackstone Keep home. Not only do the contestants have to struggle against the Arketh-Takshi—a group of intergalactic vampiric pirates residing within scattered portals—but also with private outworlder factions whose motivations are anything but clear. Not to mention some threats that originate a little closer to home. With the board stacked against him, and a target on his back, will Benny have the strength to pay the price of survival to become a powerful cultivator and a bulwark for his people? Or will the cost prove too high, leaving him nothing but a rampaging monster, devoid of humanity? The stage has been reset. The contestants stand ready. The galaxy watches on. Welcome back to the Game of Souls.
Tags
Body Horror: content & age rating
Intended for adult readers (18+).
This adult sci-fi features body horror transformation elements, survival game violence with intergalactic threats, and explores dark themes of losing one's humanity in pursuit of power to protect others.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, no sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include graphic violence, death, and body horror (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Adult readers will appreciate the high-stakes progression system and morally complex survival decisions.