1 out of 3 ain't bad

Started out unsure. Finished glad I spent my credit. Third story and overall performances made up for the first two stories being a little lacking.

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Strong performances, but slightly cheesy stories

The performances are brilliant, and the stories are very enjoyable, with surprising twists and turns. Suitably dark for the World of Darkness. The stories have their cheesy moments, though - which can be more or less enjoyable depending on your tastes.

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Good (not great) for fans

The stories are decent mood pieces for fans of the roleplaying-game, but I’d wager they’re near inaccessible to those who aren’t. However, they’re all suffering from various degrees of predictability and anticlimaxes.

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goose bumps

it was abit hard for me to follow or get into in the beginning because i found it hard to identify or relate to the characters but the second and specificly the ending of the third story gave me goose bumps the wide expressions and emotions of the characters was amazing and scary

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1 person found this helpful

Great listen, if you know the setting.

This is a great trio of audio shortstories for those who enjoy the world of Vampire: The Masquerade, the performances are amazing, writing is equally so. The voices suit the characters and emphasis and emotion add fuel to the gritty story. Shocks and twists are aplenty.

The only real critique I have is that these stories rely on understanding of the setting to hold their weight. I recommend investigating the lore/backstory of V:TM before listening to these as it will add a lot of missing information that isn't provided, or is glossed over for the sake of story (I appreciate this however, as trying to fit in these details would not make an exhilerating listen.)

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Three good stories of varying quality.

Overall this anthology book is great. Though i wouldn't call it a traditional Vampire the Masquerade story, so if you're expecting something like what you've read in source books, or seen in video games or actual plays like L. A. by Night or Stitch of Fate, you'll likely be dissapointed listening to this. That doesn't make this book bad, however.
The best way i can describe these stories after listening to them are as "NPC stories". They're not the typical hero or anti-hero, or even villian stories that grip you with incredible drama and stunning action. They're more a window into the background world of the World of Darkness. A deeper look into all the little pieces that make this gritty dark world the setting we love so much.


SPOILER AHEAD FROM THIS POINT!!!


The first story gives us a look at a mortal that is taken advantage by Kindred trying to recruit mortals into causing trouble for their rivals, and the main protagonist falling for their scheme as her social anxiety and crippling insecurities are exploited for that purpose. Though things eventually take a turn for the dark when she starts to find out there is more to this social-justice-scheme-masquerading-as-community-get-together than meets the eye, and starts getting glimpses of the vampiric world behind the facade. It reads like a classical young adult coming over one's insecurities and shortcomings story, about not letting oneself be bullied or exploited by others.

The second story starts off with the main character already talking to some ghouls, possibly-very-likely-actually-Kindred, and discussing the terms and conditions of his Embrace into clan Ventrue. It's a simple story about learning the value of not being a prick, but more worth the listen for his it explores how an overconfident and naive and ignorant fledgeling is so very outmatched by the centuries old vampire with seemingly infinite resources, and how dark and terrible that realization can be.

The third and final story is interesting. It gives us an atypical toreador who sees artistry in farm work and managment, rather than the classic good looks and skills in art-and-crafts. It's a story about this toreador trying to make this "humane and ethical" source for blood a viable option for feeding, but has to struggle against risks against the masquerade, as well as Camarilla rivals trying to either take away her farm for their own gains, or straight up shut down her operations. Though it can seem slow and boring at times, there is always the lingering feeling of tension, that there is something wrong in the background that the main character is just barely not able to see. Adding to the drama.

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Absolutely love WoD

Best stories are 1 and 3, but they way 3 ends OMG, but audible needs more Vampire the Masquerade and World of Darkness books.

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3 people found this helpful

Brilliant Introduction for New Players

All three stories are well performed. Each gives insight into the World of Darkness. My favourite is the last, but the second is truly horrifying. Recommended.

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Good narrator's and good stories

The two first stories were great the last one got a little sloppy but all in all a good collectiom of short stories on the world of darkness univers. I wish they went a little deeper into said lore but still worth the listen.

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Two excellent stories

The first and third stories in the collection were excellent. Well acted, good plot and very relatable, believable characters. Their struggles make you care for them, even though they are monsters. It's that moral ambiguity which makes so many tales told in VTM compelling.

I can strongly recommend this book, just based on those two.

I found the second story not to be on par with the others. While the overall plot was intriguing, I found the character of Duke to be very hard to engage with. He, and the frat house network he belongs, aren't really relatable, or realistic. He has no redeeming qualities, no insecurities, no doubts. More could have been done with this one.

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