There are elements to this book and its writing that just aren’t what I’m looking for these days in my fantasy.

The writing I do think works with the setting. We’re surrounded by vampires and vampire hunters who are absolutely obsessed with themselves (whether from self-loathing or just self obsession it depends) and there’s a frame story here where a legend tells his own story, which is often full of unreliable narrators (which I find highly entertaining). I think that characterization works here, and is to be expected, and I was honestly excited to see how it would play out.

However, in the first portion of this book, we come across a romantic scene in a fantasy book that includes something along the lines of ‘she protested, but her body was already responding and she pulled him closer’ and I’m personally a bit tired of the cliché and everything that comes with it. Even couched in a very interesting start, I found myself a bit fatigued by the number of old-school fantasy tropes playing out here.

I really wanted to give this a solid chance and finish the book beyond this sampler, but I have so many books I’d like to read that I’d rather pick something up that doesn’t do this age-old male led fantasy cliché. I do love my grey-morality, but I’d love for it to be couched in something a bit fresher! This is a deeply personal response - if this doesn't bother you or is something you're willing to move past and you're desperate for more grey-morality and vampire villains, this seems really promising! I decided it wasn't for me.

While it took me a little bit to get into, once it got going I was hooked. I really loved how dark and dangerous the vampires truly were. This is not your typical happy ending, everything works out kind of book. There are some triumphs but they come at a high cost and times you wonder if they were even worth it. It’s a very violent read, in world that isn’t kind to anyone but if you can get through the violence and depravity, then yourself immersed in a pretty interesting story. I’f you like Interview With a Vampire, Queen of the Dammed, Underworld, and works with dark Knights Templar vibes- then this might be up you alley.

I did not realize at the time when I initially requested this that it was a sample and not the actual full length book. I wish that caveat would’ve been in the title itself.

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff is a thrilling, gritty fantasy that reimagines the vampire genre in a way that feels fresh and intense. The story follows Gabriel de León, a vampire hunter, in a world where the sun has disappeared and vampires have taken over. As he’s held captive, Gabriel recounts his past, filled with battles against the vampire empire, personal losses, and his quest for vengeance.

The world-building in this book is one of its strongest points. Kristoff paints a dark, bleak world where the sun is gone, and humans are struggling to survive under the rule of ruthless vampires. The vampires themselves aren’t just monsters—they’re powerful, calculated, and often morally complex. The mix of horror, magic, and political intrigue creates a world that feels both dangerous and fascinating.

If you’re into dark fantasy, complex characters, and epic world-building, Empire of the Vampire will definitely draw you in. It’s a heavy, brutal read with a lot of twists, but it’s also a story that sticks with you long after you finish it. Definitely a great choice for fans of gritty, high-stakes fantasy looking for something both thrilling and thought-provoking.

I was so excited to read this book after reading previous works from this author. Sadly this one was not for me. It was a great disappointment. If I had not picked it for a competitive reading challenge it would have been a dnf for sure. In addition to the numerous problematic themes throughout the choice of language and amount of derogatory outbursts from the characters made it impossible to enjoy. It really distracted from the plot and I just became totally bored.

Jay Kristoffs writing is always so amazing. I am not a fan of the story telling choice as an interview. It made it harder to follow for me and lost interest a couple times. The story is good. I just wish it weren't told in this particular way.

SCREAMING. CRYING. THROWING UP.

I read 222 pages when this first came out, and then put it aside for whatever reason. Partially because I think a different book I wanted to read even more was published, and partly because she is dense and I was just not feeling it. I just got back to it and started from the beginning, and I was hooked!

Yes, parts were still a bit dry and dense (especially given the premise of him telling his story, so that impacts the writing style and has things broken up) but I loved it.

I was genuinely so interested in each story line/timeline and was so eager to read about what would come next.

I really love Gabriel as a character and I think it's so fascinating to see him younger, with so much faith, and then older with all that faith gone. I'm so interested to see where his story goes next.

Dior is probably my favorite character! What a badass and spitfire! And I love that Dior is so selfless and self sacrificing. And funny.

And I love the relationship that Dior and Gabe have!!! It's so beautiful and pure! (It also really reminded me of Joel and Ellie from TLOU, among other things in this book.)

I also really loved Aaron, and I think had he been in it more, he'd also be my favorite character, but as it is, Dior squeaked by him. I'm so interested in his past and what happened with his first love. DEVASTATING. And the guilt he must feel! I love that we got to see the growth and him stand up for what he believes in! I hope we see more of him in book two, but I sadly doubt it.

I also really liked Astrid and Chloe. Astrid especially, and how she was so ballsy and confident.

The last 40 or so pages just blew me away and I can't wait to see what happens in book two given everything! And too see the tragedy of how Gabe gets to his present day. Even though I hope it's all a trick.

I tried my hardest to get into this one but I sadly couldn't. DNF @130 pages into the book just too much cussing for my liking which sucks because I loved Jay Kristoff writing but this one made me question him

This was an interesting take on vampires! Excited to continue the series. I gave it 4 stars because it was still missing something for me

While I did enjoy Empire of the Vampire while reading it, this story unfortunately falls into the category of fiction that I enjoyed reading while I was reading it and will probably never think about again. There just wasn't much about it entirely new or interesting to captivate me, but though it overworked the same common aspects of high fantasy that are seen in most adult fantasy series, it was still a fun read.

A great breath of fresh air in the Vampire genre with an epic dark fantasy setting. This will be an easy sell to any fans of Dark Fantasy or anyone looking to scratch their Vampire Hunter itch. The writing style really draws you in with the alternating timelines and the interesting characters really make you want to stick around.

This was so very underwhelming. I was bored. There were so many 'and were walking' moments. I was expecting so much more action and was severely let down. The story itself was fine. It left off on a pretty good cliffhanger to keep the reader interested, just not me. There were so many cliche pieces that it was easy tobpredict along the way. Very underwhelming for my first Jay Kristoff book.

This was only a portion of the book but it’s very dense and I had no clue what was going on to be honest lol. It didn’t feel like much was happening but I definitely will be giving it a better try maybe via audio in the future!

Jay Kristoff sure knows how to write a grim and grisly fantasy that has you on the edge of your seat and utterly unable to look away. The world building and history of this empire is what really took the cake in this one. The narration style mirroring that of Ann Rice was phenomenally done, and despite it not being my favorite stylistic choice in a novel, it was incredibly enjoyable in this case. I can tell that this is only the beginning of a gripping fantastical tale and I cannot wait to embark on it in the next installment.

I purchased the full book based on this sample, thank you! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jay Kristoff's "Empire of the Vampire" offers readers an exclusive and enthralling glimpse into a world consumed by darkness in this over 400-page sampler. The first illustrated volume of an upcoming dark fantasy saga, this sampler sets the stage for a mesmerizing tale of vampires, holy orders, and a quest for humanity's last hope.

The poetic and evocative opening lines immediately draw readers into a world where the absence of sunlight has spanned nearly three decades, leaving only scattered sparks of light in a sea of darkness. The premise of vampires waging war against humanity, building their eternal empire, sets a compelling stage for the narrative that follows.

Gabriel de León, a silversaint, emerges as a central figure—a lone defender against the creatures of the night and the last remaining member of the Silver Order. The story unfolds as Gabriel, imprisoned by the very monsters he swore to eradicate, recounts his experiences. Kristoff skillfully weaves a tale of legendary battles, forbidden love, lost faith, and enduring friendships, creating a rich tapestry that captures the essence of the Wars of the Blood and the quest for the Holy Grail.

The sampler introduces readers to a world steeped in lore, where the struggle for survival is intricately linked with the mysteries of the Holy Grail. The promise of epic battles and the exploration of complex themes, such as faith and friendship, add depth to the narrative. Kristoff's prose is masterful, immersing readers in a dark and atmospheric setting that is both haunting and captivating.

The inclusion of illustrations enhances the reading experience, offering visual cues that complement the vivid descriptions in the text. The combination of visual and narrative elements creates a fully immersive experience, allowing readers to envision the dark and fantastical world that Kristoff has crafted.

While this sampler serves as a tantalizing introduction, it leaves readers eager for more. The world-building is rich, and the characters are intriguing, leaving room for the full novel to delve even deeper into the complexities of this dark fantasy realm. "Empire of the Vampire" holds great promise as a captivating addition to the fantasy genre, and fans of epic tales with a dark twist will likely find themselves eagerly anticipating the release of the complete work.

This books exceeded my expectations! Not only was the story captivating, but the writing was phenomenal. I loved the world and the pacing. The dark gothic atmosphere escaped throughout the pages. Definitely my top 3 favorite vampire book that I have ever read.

This book just kept getting better and better as I got through it. I have really enjoyed many of Kristoff’s books - particularly the Nevernight series, but this book is so much different in style than those books. Such good world building and relationship building. I’m so excited for the next one!

While I definitely understand why a lot of people love this series and this author, this book just wasn’t for me.

I was intrigued by the vampire mysticism and world building and the prose wasn’t bad either but a lot of the dialogue felt repetitive as well as the end journey for almost every single female in this book.

After the 10th prostitute joke and the plethora of female death, violence, or use of underage characters to push the plot forward I was pretty much done. The excuse of “this book is historical fantasy so we have to show misogyny and mistreatment of women’ just doesn’t work when there’s literal vampires.