Twiddling my thumbs until I can officially have this on my shelf. I was a little worried that I would feel lost having not read EOTV in a while but this picks up right where the other left off with a few added details in case you forgot anything. As always I was on the edge of my seat for the most emotionally taxing, gripping, action packed story of all time. I honestly can’t remember the last time I was sucked in the way I am by these books. The story that doesn’t at all feel like a recount but like it’s happening right in front of you, So much more felt at stake reading this and more will be revealed come release day. As always excellent work from Jay Kristoff.

Jay Kristoff sure knows how to take your heart and absolutely shred it. What little bit was left from Empire of the Vampire has been completely eviscerated at this point. Despite being a sampler, this was a pretty decent chunk into the book and gave plenty of insight into the difficult choices that Gabriel and Dior faced at every turn coupled with betrayals and shocking revelations. I also found the banter between Gabriel and Jean-François fascinating when they pull back from Gabriel’s story and snipe at each other. I can’t wait to get the full book in my hands to see where the story goes with Jean-François’s other captive. I’m really interested to learn more about that character in general. I’m also incredibly curious to find out how Gabriel ended up in Jean-François’s clutches and whether it was a calculated move or just more of Gabriel’s unfortunate luck. Overall, this story is setting up to be every bit as good as the first in the series, possibly even better based on the sampler.

What a teaser this was! I have not read anything by Jay Kristoff before, and now I definitely want to read the rest of Kristoff's work. This snippet was atmospheric, humorous, suspenseful, and everything else you'd expect in a sci-fi/fantasy novel. I am looking forward to reading the whole book once it's published in a few weeks.

Cannot wait to read the whole book…. This was a tease lol! I have the first book as well! I will be purchasing this one when it comes out.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martins press for the sampler to review!!

I did not realize that this was a sampler and not the full book, so my full full full thoughts will come once I have this massive chonker of a book in my grubby little hands, HOWEVER!! We are starting off VERY good.

We begin as we left off and thank goodness for that because I just finished EotV and I could not wait to find out what happened next. We have drama, we have humor, we have heart-wrenching, gut-clenching, fudge my face moments that just made me wanna collapse in a heap on my bed for a few years.

I really got into Jay's writing style more this time around. It took me a bit to get used to it in the first book but now I am fully in and fully loving everything about it.

For now, let me just say... I need the whole thing. Currently my review is sitting around a 4 / 4.5 stars. 95% of the time, it's the last 1/2 to 1/4 of a book that determines the rating for me. LEMME AT IT!

Again, will post full review on my goodreads once I have read the full book! :)

This taste of Empire of the Damned makes me wonder why I have not been reading dark fantasy lately - the blood, gore and destruction of all that is good was spot on. The eGalley sampler starts with the historian and continues with the tail of the Grail going well into Book 2 of the novel. For those that enjoyed the first novel you will be pleased with the start of the second - it picks up with the right amount of storytelling, banter and sexual tension. Hoping that the remainder doesn’t disappoint and looking forward its release in a couple weeks! 5 stars so far!

Review based on an eGalley SAMPLER (not the entire book) provided by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. Thank you!

The preview section of Empire of the Damned will surely be a hit for fans of the first book in Jay Kristoff's latest series. After a quick prologue giving the readers insight into the character of Jean-Francois and the new vampiric Emperess, Gabriel de Leon dives right back into his tale where the first book ended. I found myself hooked back into this world from the very start.

Kristoff's writing is just as bloody and vulgar as it was in Empire of the Vampire, so if you were turned off by either of those things than this book will likely not change your mind on this series.

As this eARC is not the full novel and only covers the first third of the book, I am not comfortable giving a rating higher than 3 star rating as I have no insight into how the rest of the novel will land for me. That said, from what I was able to read, I am eagerly awaiting the full release of Empire of the Damned to see how this next entry ends and, barring any major issues that pop up for me in the final two thirds, I expect the full novel to land a 4 or 5 star rating from me.

One last note, NetGalley and the publisher St Martin's Press in no way communicated that this was merely a preview instead of a full eARC. The lack of transparency surrounding this left a bad taste in my mouth, but I will not hold this against Mr Kristoff or let it hinder my final review score after I am able to read the full version of the novel.

I don't even know where to start! This book did NOT disappoint! The reader is immediately immersed in Gabriel's story telling but we also get to see a little bit of the historian's view, which I loved. There is so much more adventure in this book when compared to book 1. While book 1 did a flawless job with laying down the foundation of the characters and the society, book 2 gives us a deeper dive into the personalities of the characters. I loved seeing the evolution of the relationship between Gabriel and Dior. If you are familiar with Kristoff's writing, then I am sure you already know that the characters you love will not only die....they will die in the worst way! Be prepared!! I give this sequel a 5/5! I recognize that sequels don't always hold the same kind of magic as the first book, however I feel that the storytelling mixed with the character building made this sequel seem just like an extension of book 1...almost like Kristoff just couldn't fit all this story into 1 book so he split it into 2. If you loved Empire of the Vampire then you will LOVE Empire of the Damned.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Empire of the Damned" presents a riveting continuation of a vampire-centric series, delving deeper into the intricate relationships among its characters while navigating the tumultuous landscape of a world under siege. The dynamic between Celene and Gabe receives well-deserved attention, adding layers of complexity to an already rich narrative tapestry.

Central to the book is the exploration of the vampire threat and its profound impact on the enslaved Thralls. The author intricately weaves together themes of power, control, and resistance, offering readers a compelling glimpse into a world teetering on the edge of chaos.

Despite the external struggles dominating the storyline, the novel doesn't skimp on the beloved character interactions that fans have grown to anticipate. While adhering to a more traditional story structure, "Empire of the Damned" lays the groundwork for what promises to be a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.

One noteworthy aspect of the book is its unapologetic embrace of diverse sexual orientations. The narrative boldly affirms the bisexuality and homosexuality of nearly every character, presenting a refreshing and inclusive portrayal of relationships. For readers seeking authentic queer representation, "Empire of the Damned" delivers in abundance, serving as a beacon of celebration and acceptance.

However, it's worth noting that the novel's unequivocal stance on LGBTQ+ representation may not resonate with all readers. For those harboring prejudices or discomfort toward gay individuals, the book's unapologetic stance may prove challenging or disappointing.

In summary, "Empire of the Damned" transcends the typical middle installment of a trilogy, offering a thrilling narrative brimming with intrigue, passion, and social commentary. With its compelling character dynamics and progressive portrayal of sexuality, this installment cements its place as a standout contribution to the genre. For fans of vampire fiction and those seeking diverse representation, "Empire of the Damned" is a must-read.

a great fantasy preview of a series i can’t wait to get into. from the tease that i got, im truly invested in this world and the characters.

I need the rest! I love it. Just like the first, the actions pulls you along the story. It's hard to put the book down.

My only complaint: the opening scene. It felt very much sex for sex sake and added absolutely nothing to the story. I was disappointed because not only did it start the book off on the wrong foot, thus far I haven't felt like those scenes were gratuitous. This scene just felt unnecessary and really made me struggle to connect to the story in the beginning.

This is a great sequel to a great series even if I did not enjoy it as much as I did the first book.

If you liked the first book 100% read this one. If you haven't tried the series and in any way enjoy vampire books (particularly if you want second world vampires), monster hunting, dark fantasy

Partly I didn't like the book as much is because it had some of that middle syndromeness. It doesn't tell as much of an arc, it's mostly more scenes of them travelling and surviving without much feeling like it's changed since the end of the first book excepting maybe the last couple chapters as part of setting anticipation for the sequel. (Though all of those scenes were fun!)

Partly it's because the book has less of a focus on an aspect I was looking forward to (his relationship with his sister) and more of a focus on aspects I'm personally less fond of (lots of travelling, heightening the unreliable narrative aspects) — so if you like those things, get ready to enjoy!

But I still love vampires, and I love how Kristoff does vampires. They're both human and yet creepy/monstrous just how I like them. I feel like Kristoff enjoyed all the very same vampire media I did. And I don't just say this because there is a dearth of second world vampire books,

I really wanted to like this one, I think my issue is with the series as a whole more so than this book. Book one was so misogynistic and cringey but the story was good so I pushed through, I gave book one a 3.5 this one was better than book 1 but I think I’m giving up on this author and series sadly. Just because it’s not my cup of tea doesn’t mean I won’t recommend this to others who may enjoy!

An excellent follow up to the addicting Empire of the Vampire. Getting the story from multiple points of view was a nice touch and helps add, perhaps, a second possible unreliable narrator. What Kristoff is doing with this world and these characters should not be slept on. It truly feels like he is taking the vampire genre back from the lovesick Twilight fans.

Can't wait for more!

A follow up that somehow manages to feel even more action packed and wilder than the first. I can’t wait to read the full book which I know will completely blow me away. Thank you for this arc sampler to get me excited for the sequel!

Kristoff is a sorcerer who continually takes the fantastical and create a cult following with each release. I would beg him for scraps of book three, but it would go unheard over all the fans begging. The Chalice, Gabe.....I will watch the fan art and reread this book again until I get more.

The style of writing for this book reminded me of Princess Bride. We have the Historian listening to the Last Silversaint telling a tale of his past while we, the reader, read along with what's shared. I really enjoyed the switching between present and past tense. The writing was masterful! This sequel has action, adventure, and humor. The characters have deep bonds that can only come from shared experience and it makes the reader invested in what happens. I liked the glossary of sorts at the beginning of the book that gets you right into the action. Oh, and the artwork, the artwork in this book is nothing short of stunning. I bookmarked every one of them to return to. I can't wait for book three.

I received this advanced reader copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press to provide an honest review and these opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this preview of Empire of the Damned and CANNOT WAIT for the full book. Where has Jay Kristoff been all my life? I'm not sure, but I do know that I definitely want to devour all of this book.

I feel so lucky to have gotten to read this sneak peek of Empire of the Damned! I love Jay Kristof’s work and this sequel promises to be equally as devastating as Empire of the Vampire. I love the dynamic between Gabriel and Jean-Francois. I’m looking forward to learning more about his sister, Celene. March can’t come soon enough! Thank you to Jay Kristoff, St. Martin’s Press, and Netgalley for a free sampler in exchange for honest feedback.

Wow. If heartbreak ever needed a new definition, it would be this book. How much more pain and suffering can poor Gabriel handle? Like the first book, this one has a journey, but this time it is a quest to find Dior and what a journey it is. There are lighthearted moments, but this book makes you feel like your heart was ripped in two over and over again. I do love the cantor Gabe holds onto throughout the book, and cannot wait for the next one!