Empire of the Vampire continues to captivate with its dark, rich world and complex characters in this highly anticipated sequel. Jay Kristoff’s signature blend of high-stakes action, intricate politics, and gritty emotional depth makes this a thrilling follow-up to the international sensation. Gabriel de León’s journey is filled with both external battles and personal turmoil, as he struggles with his own rising bloodlust while navigating deadly alliances and threats from every corner. The lore surrounding the Holy Grail and the ancient vampire factions adds layers of intrigue and mystery. Fans of epic fantasy won’t want to miss this gripping continuation.

I adore Jay Kristoff and this series and will recommend it til I'm blue in the face. His ability to write interesting characters that you love despite them having flaws and is so human and comforting. Then those characters doing things for the better of others gives a lot of hope.

I love Jay’s writing style and this was just as fantastic as EOTV. It was a surprise to start with a different POV than Gabriel but it was also interesting to another side to the story. The cutoff for the sample was a brutal place to stop but very on brand for a Jay Kristoff book.

Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff is a thrilling, dark, and intricately woven vampire story that dives headfirst into blood-soaked intrigue, power struggles, and moral ambiguity. Set in a grim world dominated by a vampiric empire, Kristoff crafts a narrative that balances sharp action, political schemes, and personal betrayals with his signature blend of wit and emotional depth.

The vampire lore here is fresh and layered, blending magic, immortality, and power with complex hierarchies and shifting alliances. The characters are morally grey, deeply flawed, and utterly compelling, caught in webs of loyalty, revenge, and ambition. Kristoff builds their relationships—both friendships and betrayals—carefully, and the tension between them drives much of the narrative’s emotional weight.

The story moves at a lightning pace, with Kristoff blending brutal action scenes, clever strategy, and philosophical musings on immortality, power, and choice. The world-building is impeccable, creating a vampire-centric society that feels sprawling, dangerous, and alive with history and conflict. The fight scenes are visceral and well-executed, paired with moments of reflection and sharp, biting prose that keeps the story both grounded and unpredictable.

I just finished reading Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff, and I’m beyond excited to share my thoughts with you!

This book is an absolute rollercoaster of emotions, filled with jaw-dropping twists, intense action, and deeply complex characters. Kristoff's writing is nothing short of brilliant, and he masterfully builds a dark, immersive world that you won’t want to leave.

One of the standout scenes for me is when the protagonist, Ashen, confronts the shadowy council in the heart of the empire. The tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife! Kristoff’s descriptions are so vivid, you feel like you're right there with Ashen, every heartbeat matching his as he challenges the council’s power. The dialogue is sharp and electrifying, revealing secrets that will leave you gasping.

What I love most about Empire of the Damned is the intricate plot and the way Kristoff interweaves themes of power, betrayal, and redemption. The characters are richly developed, each with their own motives and backstories that add depth to the narrative. Plus, the world-building is just phenomenal—Kristoff has created a realm that’s both terrifying and mesmerizing.

If you’re a fan of dark fantasy and epic adventures, Empire of the Damned is a must-read. Trust me, you won’t be able to put it down!

Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff is an intense, action-packed ride from start to finish. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t hold back—full of blood, betrayal, and dark magic. The story picks up right where the first book in the Empire of the Vampire series left off, and trust me, it’s just as wild, if not crazier. You follow Gabriel, the vampire hunter, as he tries to figure out how to take down a seriously dangerous empire of vampires that are practically ruling the world.

What I really love about this book is how gritty and immersive it is. Jay Kristoff’s world-building is top-notch, and the setting is so dark and twisted,it’s like stepping into a nightmare where the stakes are sky-high. Gabriel is such a complex character, and watching him struggle with his own demons while fighting literal demons is one of the best parts of the story. There’s also a ton of action and plot twists that will keep you on your toes.

The pacing is fast and amazing, but it’s also emotional at times, which makes you feel for the characters despite all the chaos around them. Plus, the writing is sharp and often filled with witty moments, even when things are at their darkest. The book definitely doesn’t shy away from tough themes, but it makes you want to keep reading to see how Gabriel and the rest of the characters deal with it all.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This sequel to Empire of the Vampire dives deeper into Gabriel’s epic journey as he joins forces with Liathe on a dangerous mission to deliver the Grail to the Blood Esani.

The story is rich and multi-layered, with each character becoming more complex as the plot unfolds. The shifting POVs add depth and fresh perspectives, while the blend of backstory, gore, and romance keeps the narrative engaging and immersive.

There’s so much happening in the series that it feels like a story best experienced in one go, so I am eagerly waiting for the next one.

This was just as densely packed, and just as sad as the first in the series! I can't wait to find out the end of the trilogy next book, though, even if it will make me sad I imagine!

Kristoff does it again! an AMAZING sequel to the first book. I'll admit with how the first one ended I wasn't sure what this would be. But once again, it was thrilling, exciting and I loved every SECOND.

This was just a teaser for the book and I’m devastated. I cannot get enough of this series and this second book seems like it somehow could be even better than the first?! I love the different POVs and can’t wait to read the entire book.

This review is for the first half of the Empire of the Damned. For the most part, this feels like a solid continuation of the first novel in the series. Gabriel is still himself, a character who feels intentionally imcomplete. which is a byproduct of the novel's framing device. Usually, I am huge fan of an older character retelling their journey, through life. I think it creates a great way for the character to express themselves through reflection, however, I don't think I enjoy it nearly as much in this story as I do in other novels. Older Gabriel simply isn't as interesting as the one being told in the story. Every time we flashback to the present, I feel like I am left longing for being back in the actual plot of the book.

That being said, I truly enjoy the story being told. The violence comes fast and well written, the dialogue is consistently engaging and the mystery of what is going to happen next is constant. Kristoff knows how to maintain suspense and create a sense of dread of what is to come. It's a very easy story to binge and I think the climax of the first half of the book sets up the rest of the series to go in an interesting direction.

EOTD is a far cry from the EOTV. It took me eight months of trying to read the first two books of EOTD provided by NetGalley. Each of those months were spent with me desperately trying not mark EOTD as DNF.

I’ve finished book one and two now so, there’s that. Now to decided if I still want to commit to completing the whole series, knowing full well that that will require at least a twelve month period of trying to read the remaining five of the seven books in EOTD.

Saints save us.

This is the sequel to Empire of the Vampire and picks up with Gabriel in an alliance with Liathe on a quest to deliver the Grail to acients of the Blood Esani.

There is so much going on in this story. Each of the characters seems to become further developed throughout the story, and the POV switches to multiple characters throughout. There is more back story explained, along with some gore and romance sprinkled in.

I wish I had waited to read this so I could read all the books one after the other since there is so much going on in this trilogy. At times, I felt like this dragged on. It was so very long, but it was a great story to continue this series, and I'm looking forward to when the third book arrives!

loved the sneak peak!!
Full review and links to social will be posted as soon as possible.

I'd like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

An absolute ride from start to finish! If you’re a fan of dark fantasy with intense world-building, morally gray characters, and plot twists that leave you breathless, this book is for you. Kristoff once again proves why he’s a master storyteller, weaving together a brutal yet beautiful narrative that’s impossible to put down.

The world he’s crafted is vivid and immersive—full of danger, intrigue, and secrets lurking around every corner. The characters are complex, flawed, and oh-so-human (even the not-so-human ones), and you can’t help but root for them even when they make questionable decisions. Every page is drenched in tension, with high stakes that keep you on the edge of your seat.

The writing is lush and poetic, yet gritty, perfectly capturing the dark, atmospheric tone of the story. Kristoff doesn’t shy away from the brutality of his world, but he balances it with moments of heart, wit, and surprising tenderness.

Empire of the Damned is the kind of book that stays with you long after you turn the final page, leaving you craving more. Highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a dark fantasy epic that delivers on every level!

Let me start by saying this book absolutely wrecked me—in the best possible way. Kristoff’s world in Empire of the Damned is so beautifully dark, haunting, and full of unexpected twists, yet it's peppered with just enough glimmers of hope to keep you completely hooked. Just when you start to believe things might work out for these characters, Kristoff reminds you who’s really in control, tearing your heart out without mercy.

This middle book in the series is anything but filler. To me, it’s exactly what a good second book should be: a deep dive into the characters, their histories, and the twisted world they’re trying to survive in. Gabe, our rugged and jaded Silversaint, just kept growing on me, and I loved watching him try to wrestle with his trauma while slowly contemplating a future he’d never thought he’d have. The introduction of Phoebe was perfect. She’s fierce, layered, and her chemistry with Gabe feels so natural that it’s clear they’re exactly what each other needed.

Plus, we get some epic new additions to the lore, like the duskdancers, Kristoff’s unique spin on werewolves. This new culture adds depth to the already rich Vampire vs. Werewolf trope, making the world feel even more expansive and immersive. The Dyvok vampires, meanwhile, might just be the perfect villains—brutal, seductive, and unsettling in all the ways vampires should be.

And don’t even get me started on the action. Kristoff builds up the story beautifully, only to hit you with an intense, almost cinematic climax that left me literally holding my breath. The last 100 pages were a whirlwind of emotions, with wild battles and devastating twists that made it impossible to put the book down. It's intense, brutal, and somehow still hilarious with Gabe’s snark and the biting exchanges with Jean-Francois, the vampire historian.

If you're looking for queer representation, you’re in for a treat; it’s seamlessly woven into the world and characters. The diversity adds even more richness to a story that’s already packed with heart, humor, and heartbreak.

So, if you loved Empire of the Vampire, Empire of the Damned is here to raise the stakes—quite literally. Kristoff has crafted a stunning sequel that’s both fantasy and horror, a real rollercoaster of dread and hope. Now, I just need the next book…like, yesterday!

Holy shit!! Jay Kristoff does it again - and this is only a sample!! This duology was my first time reading Jay Kristoff, so forgive me if this is just the way he writes all his books but, the prose of this whole duology was so clearly "vampire" to me..the vampiric vibes/atmosphere were definitely there and just the way this story was written really made me feel immersed in this monstrous world! I can't wait to finish the rest of book 2 in the duology!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it.

Empire of the Damned is a thrilling, dark fantasy ride that grips you from page one and doesn’t let go. The author weaves a world teeming with magic, danger, and morally complex characters that keep you guessing. It’s a story where the line between hero and villain is as thin as a well-honed blade—sharp, deadly, and full of unexpected turns.

The plot is relentless, with twists you won’t see coming, but it’s the characters that truly steal the show. Each one is layered and nuanced, making even the most ruthless among them someone you can’t help but root for… or at least, understand. The dialogue crackles with wit, and the pacing is fast enough to keep you glued to the page without sacrificing depth.

If you’re a fan of intricate world-building, clever banter, and a plot that feels like a rollercoaster through a haunted house, Empire of the Damned delivers in spades.

Thank you Publisher and Netgalley for this advanced copy

An absolute blast!! One of the best books I've read this year