Disappointed it was just a sampler- but can’t wait for the full tale! I’ll read anything and everything this author writes.

I don't usually agree with 5 star reviews. I've left several over the years, but only on the books I grew up loving or the books that shook my soul or transported me to a new world. The first of this series, Empire of the Vampire was a five star read for me and from this sample... this is also going to be five stars.
I'm not going to write any spoilers, so if you are glancing at my review to find them... keep moving. I'll probably come back to discuss the real content of the book after is released and I've finally found out how it all plays out. I want to write today about the feeling of this sample without giving away the journey this took me on.
So, you know this book is about vampires and a vampire hunter and a very brooding gentleman named Gabriel if you know nothing at all and while this concept alone sounds pretty great, it's isn't the important parts of this book. This story is horror and thriller and romance and fantasy... hell, I'd even let it fall under epic journey, but it isn't just a vampire book. I've seen so many jokes about sparkling vampires when referencing this book and the lack of them in this series, so go into this series knowing it isn't a sparkly love story... but also appreciate that without the sparkling vamps of the past you might not be reading this book or thousands of others might not be reading it.
When I write a review, I try to find a book you might have read that reminds me of this story...
Have you read Salem's Lot? Have you read The Dark Towers? And yes, I know those are both Stephen King books, but this series has always felt like a love letter to those novels and the real body tightening scares within them. Kristoff knows how to make you not only feel FOR his characters, but how to make yourself see yourself in them. You don't have the typical horror tropes with the girl walking alone in the dark while you are screaming at her to look behind her because you just KNOW she's getting eaten, instead you have characters who think through their decisions, even the bad ones, and you can relate to the decisions and the craziness and you NEED them to succeed because you know you would have made the same choice (or you hope you would have made the same choice). I hope that makes sense and it gives you a real idea of what you are in for with this book and this series.
Over the past year, I've jumped from sci-fi to romance to historical fiction to horror, but I kept finding myself in the need of MORE. This story brought back my love of reading in a fierce way I had almost forgotten the experience of sitting alone and safe in my house while my heart raced and my tension drove me from comfort. I have always been a reader. I always have a book with me, but in the past year or so it felt more like a habit than a true pleasure. This book was a pleasure in the most decadent sense and I can not wait for the rest in this book and in the series. I need to know what happened! It's a desperate need at this point, but until the release date I will have to make due with my own fantasies.

Now to the point I always want a review to get to - Do I think YOU should read this book? YES! If you have any love of horror, read this book. If you have any love of an epic journey, read this book. If you have any love for worlds outside our own, read this book. Kristoff built a world unlike our own, but one we can all see ourselves in and it is some kind of magic to see yourself in a world you've never known. So, I recommend this book without hesitation. The journey is wild and I now have sooo many new terms for people who annoy me (thank you for all of those Mr. Kristoff), but most importantly I have a whole new fantasy world waiting for me to fall into it whenever I damn well please!

Without spoiling anything from book 1, I can say that book 2 wastes no time throwing Gabriel back into the thick of things. No rest for the wicked very much applies to Gabriel it seems. In this sampler, we get more blood, more loss, more betrayal and tons more questions. Unlike book 1, the story doesn’t meander as much with only two timelines to follow. We learn a bit more about the vampire bloodlines and what Dior’s role may really be. But as always, Jay Kristoff leaves us with more questions than answers. March 2024 can’t come fast enough, because I am hoping that we will get some answers by the end of Empire of the Damned. Although, I wouldn’t put it past Kristoff to leave this one off on another killer cliffhanger. Highly recommend picking up this series if you are a fan of epic fantasy or are just looking for your next incredible vampire read

"Empire of the Vampire" has become a beloved favorite of mine. The author skillfully evoked intense emotions that nearly moved me to tears and made me deeply invested in the characters. It's truly remarkable when a book can elicit such strong reactions, a testament to the author's masterful character development.

Having read this sample, the anticipation for "Empire of the Damned" has become almost unbearable. I find myself torn between the desire to delve into the story immediately and the temptation to wait until I can fully immerse myself in it.

I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Jay Kristoff for the opportunity to experience this sample, even though it has heightened the anticipation for the full release.

I loved the first book in this series so I had really high expectations for how this one was going to go. It still is an entertaining story, with an interesting framework however it felt like this first part was almost rushed through to get to the next portion of the story. As if the author was getting bored with Gabriels point of view and was ready to switch, but it ended up being more of a drag to get through. That to say, I am still going to be buying this book to finish it. It still was entertaining and I am genuinely curious on how they are going to finish this book/series. I rated it a four star because objectively, still a really great beginning, I just lost some of that same push that the first one had.

I stopped after chapter 1 but I think fans will be very pleased, an easy four to five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Such an amazing book that will always have a special place in my heart along with the first book. The take continues with our lovely vampire and his trials of life.

I have to give this book three stars because it was not the full book but just a sampler. They gave me a little tease and left me to wallow until the release date. This series is a combination of The Witcher and Castlevania. From what I read I loved and my obsession has grown, but NOW I have to wait. I will hate my life until the full book is published.

I devoured this sample! I absolutely cannot wait to read the rest of the book. I loved Empire of the Vampire and was so excited to read this sneak peek. It cracks me up when people review Kristoff's books (especially on sequels) complaining about the language. Like, are you new here? Kristoff's voice is unlike any other I've read. His stories are captivating, funny, heartbreaking, shocking, and the swearing is just *chef's kiss*.

I was sad to see this was only a sample of the book that is to be released. That being said, I devoured this and can't wait to read the rest. I was hooked from the first book, Empire of the Vampire and I can't wait to see how tis world is going to end up. Very good and though it is dark, I really liked it.

Fans of Kristoff or fans of EotV will truly be rewarded with Empire of the Damned. It is a book that gives so much context to the world that these characters inhabit and puts time and energy into developing a satisfying build-up to the final book. Patience is rewarded in spades, and Kristoff's hyper-approachable and readable writing style makes what could have been a very dry plot into something vibrant and devourable.

I loved receiving this sample, It just left me wanting the rest of the story. I do wish I could have received the entire book because I'm so addicted to this story and characters.

Enjoyed the snippet of the second book as much as I liked the first books in this series. Cannot wait for it too come out.

Being able to read just a snip it of this book was amazing I loved it so much I can’t wait to buy it’

OH MY GOD I NEED MORE NOW WTF IM OBSESSSED I NEED THE FULL BOOK TO BE RELEASED ASAP I'm begging you!!!!!!!!

Empire of the Vampire is one of my favorite books. The emotions the author made me feel were so intense and several times I came close to throwing the book with tears in my eyes (but we do not do that because books are precious and we do not hurt them). I think it's amazing when an author can get strong reactions like that out of readers. It shows how well they have developed the characters that we as readers care so much we want to dive into the book and protect them.

Reading this sample has just made the wait for Empire of the Damned even more painful. I was torn between wanting to read it and satisfying my hunger for more and holding off until I could consume the whole thing.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Jay Kristoff for letting me read this sample, even if the wait is now worse!

Empire of the Damned (EotD) cements Jay Kristoff’s place as a modern-day master storyteller.

Continuing the events from Empire of the Vampire (EotV), we find the last Silversaint, Gabriel de Léon, recounting his tale to vampire historian, Jean-Françoise. Told with the unique Kristoffian blend of bluntness, suspense, twists and turns, gory details, and dark humor, there is no choice but for the reader to continue turning the pages, devouring the story with the hunger of a newly birthed vampire.

Another great novel by Kristoff. I enjoyed it as much as I did the first one. I think I read this one faster than the first book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read. All opinions are my own.

I loved Empire of the Vampire and was excited to have the chance to read Empire of the Damned. It continues Gabriel's story and develops several other characters along the way. I knew this wasn't a complete text, but dang! That cliffhanger where the ARC stopped! Good thing I'd already planned to buy this because now I *have* to know what happens.

This is my most anticipated read of 2024 and damn it if the sampler only made the wait harder - this book is just as awe-inspiring and fantastic as the last! It truly is a blessing to be gifted with vampires who are terrifying and protagonists that are complex.

I will continue to consider Jay Kristoff books an instant buy and look forward to what he imagines next.