Empire of the Damned - Sampler by Jay Kristoff is the sequel to the phenomenal Empire of the Vampire.
And I knew I probably shouldn’t have requested this because now it left me in a state of anticipation.
This is going to be such an epic story and I can’t wait till 2024!
I already know EofD is going to be a FIVE STAR READ! I’m calling it here…. Now!

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

"Empire of the Damned - Sampler" by Jay Kristoff, the highly anticipated sequel to the #1 international bestselling sensation "Empire of the Vampire," takes readers on an enthralling journey into a world of darkness and mystery.

Following the events of the previous book, Gabriel de León has saved the Holy Grail from death but faces a new challenge. Teaming up with the enigmatic vampire Liathe, he must deliver the Grail to the ancients of the Blood Esani to unravel the truth of how Daysdeath might be undone and bring an end to the endless night.

As Gabriel navigates this perilous quest, he finds himself entangled in conflicts between the Blood Dyvok and the duskdancers of the frozen Highlands. The Last Silversaint is pursued by the terrors of the Blood Voss and battles his own rising bloodlust. The journey is fraught with danger, both external and internal, and the fate of Gabriel and the world hinges on the revelation of a truth that may be too dreadful to contemplate.

Kristoff's storytelling prowess shines in this sampler, offering readers a glimpse into a dark and captivating world where ancient prophecies, vampire lore, and epic battles converge. With richly woven narrative threads, the author sets the stage for a thrilling continuation of the Empire of the Vampire series.

Damn it. I knew I was going to regret falling prey to the vampire's call and immersing myself in this early sampler of Empire of the Damned. The first book was so bloody amazing, and I've been so anxiously awaiting Jay Kristoff's sequel, that I surrendered myself to the thirst for more blood ... for the Grail ... for it all ... and now I fear I may go mad waiting for the rest of it.

This sampler captures, as near as I can tell, the first half of the book. It picks up right where the first left off, takes us through several new set pieces, thrusts us into increasingly deadly battles with the undead, twists the silver blade just a bit deeper into Gabriel's heart, unveils new layers of mythology, and leaves us with not one, but two cliffhangers.

There's not much I can say without spoilers, but this is a book that's heavy with consequences. There's the bloodbath that ended the first book, the loss of Gabriel's birth family, the fate of friends and allies, and (more than anything) the choices made that have led us here. That's not to say it's all doom and gloom - the wit, the banter, and the morbid humor of the first book is still here - but the more we know of the world and its characters, the more we feel the significance of every action.

Here's hoping I manage to land an ARC of the entire book before release but, if not, I'll be in line at the bookstore on release day with everyone else.

Just when you thought it was safe to read another Kirstoff book without being surprised,,, or recognizing the possible twists... you are mistaken. Empire of the Damned brings us farther into Gabriel and Dior's story. And while it's easy to get lost in the doom and gloom of a perpetual cat and mouse game between Paleblood and a murderous death, Jay Kristoff is still able to sneak in a few light hearted moments and quips between characters to give readers just a slight break from the heavy ending we all know will eventually will come.

All I know is that I continue to torture myself by reading and requesting titles like these knowing the wait for the next book is that much longer for reading it early.

Damn you Kristoff...

So good!!!! I need the full book now. I can't wait to see what happens next. Going to somehow be better than the first!

I am a huge fan of the first book and this sampler of the second one has me eagerly anticipating reading the rest of the book and seeing what happens next! I can't wait!

Fantastic sequel sampler. I cannot wait for the full book next year. This was epic in every sense of the word. Highly recommend and will be impatiently waiting for 2024.