A Journey of Black and Red

Waking up chained in a dark cellar, Ariane must struggle to survive and escape the strange fortress she finds herself in. All those around her play by rules she does not understand, and there is also this strange thirst that water cannot sate...

Leaps at you like a vamp from a coffin.

The plot sinks its teeth into you from page one. The characters have supernaturally strong personalities. What makes this series truly extraordinary? The author's ability to fly over 99% of pitfalls that do in writers of progression fantasy novels. Unfortunately, the author does trip one trap in the second-to-last book. Even so, I've recommended the series.

Who should read this series

You. Your friends who like traditional fantasy. Your auntie who loves romantasy and isn't shy of a little gore. Your weird uncle who's super into vampires who don't sparkle in sunlight. Your Discord friends who adore progression fantasy stories.

Stats

Progression: Slow burn
System complexity: Low, vamp powers are easy to grasp
Stats: n/a, zero gamelike elements
MC power: Weak to Strong
Crafting: None
Romance: Moderate
Humor: Moderate
Audiobook: ??
Series status: Complete

Infrequently asked questions

Who would win, the MC or 100 tiny elephants?
Ariane would rip those elephants apart with her teeth. Next question.

Why did you reluctantly drop this series?
The author finally triggered a pitfall trap and fell into it headfirst. Without spoiling, the second-to-last book is a completely new setting that wasn't properly foreshadowed and divorces Ariane from all the settings and characters the reader has (surely) fallen in love with. It was a slog to finish. I've taken a break from the series. Might return, one day.

Are the historical elements well-researched?
Don't ask me, I'm no historian... but yes. It's all historically accurate, except the wrong parts. This is based on a gut feeling and nothing else.