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Those wanting an unspoiled read of this novel may want to look elsewhere as spoilers may follow. Also, by way of introduction, I have not read the original ordered series so I would not be able to point out the new material or the change in feeling stemming from the reordering of the series. The Clan Novel saga compilations combine all thirteen individual Clan Novels (plus anthology) and arranges the chapters in strict chronological order.

Eye of Gehenna continues the story of the vampires met in Fall of Atlanta, developing the story as characters enter and exit the stage set up to follow the discovery of the Eye of Hazimel, Ravnos Methuselah, and the continuing stages of conflict between Sabbat and Camarilla forces after the loss of several cities along the East Coast.

The change in focus to the Eye plot was a change from the building strife in the first volume, with several interwoven chapters covering minor (or, so far minor) characters (the Giovanni and Tremere) and the long breath before the war (in the form of a dualistic view on the two major vampire sects war plans, though nothing major occurs).

With the multiple author work, its hard to pin down character development and descriptive strengths, though some of the work may come across as oddly worded with the order presented. The neonate Gangrel’s problems with her leaders lack of orders after she came to accept the actions happening around her in the previous chapter. Also like it seems that someone in the Sabbat has information about an assassin being hired to eliminate sect war leaders before the assassin is hired. Minor flaws of an overall well developed story, but some that may give readers pause.

This volume of the combined work will definitely have some readers wondering what is happening, as the Sabbat attacks the Camarilla’s European advisor hints at more active events to come, the Setite’s embrace of his antiquarian and somewhat lover will lead down a ruinous road (or it might not, vampire’s plans are often mislaid).

Overall, the Eye of Gehenna has the feeling of a long, second act that is about to revert the world back into its accepted ways before the attack on Atlanta. Not that getting the world back into that shape will be easy, it just feels as that will be the end results from the events taking place over the course of the novel. (Barring, of course the return of the shilmulo to their glory, thank you Week of Nightmares–which takes place in this volume.)

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