Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Empire of the Damned - Holtbirodalom by Jay Kristoff

6 reviews

rizzo9o9's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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chaptermaggot's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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booksalacarte's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Empire of the damned- 4.75⭐️ 3🌶️

Dark Epic Fantasy
Second book
Vampires
Dual POV
Storytelling narration
Catholic inspired religion
War
🏳️‍🌈 representation
Character recap!!!


My confusion is why the first 2 sections of this book weren’t included in the first book. It would have been a full arc of a story. The break in storytelling would have been very natural due to where “book 3” starts/picks up. But I understand the shift in narration necessary to go onto section 3… interesting.

But putting that aside, I loved this book!! It was a great second book that didn’t suffer the sophomore slump. I was engaged and invested and excited for what was revealed through this part of the story. I really enjoy Jay Kristoff’s writing style. I was worried about the addition of a second storyteller, but it worked out!

Messy characters make me love it even more. Give me all the drama and messy relationships/friendships. Make me gasp. And this author delivers. I enjoyed side characters becoming main players.

The things that I didn’t enjoy include misogyny  standard to European medieval feudalism centered around religious orthodoxy. If you thought a book that was inspired by medieval Catholic Europe was going to be without it being present, I don’t know what to tell you. But it’s there, it’s never fun to have to read in excess. But it’s an adult fantasy, with cursing and I get.


Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the eARC of sections 1 & 2 of this book. All opinions are my own.
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karapillar's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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fairyfluffcake's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Devastatingly brilliant followup to Empire of the Vampire! Now begins the agonising wait for part 3...
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avialaeleigh's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I am really loving the series, but for me it takes a long time to read them because of the way that the books are written. Because it's written in a way that our main character is telling the story to someone else, the story embs and flows with the way they are telling the story, so of course just when everything is getting exciting and I just keep turning pages to figure out what happens next "the narrator" just back to present to make some quip to the person they are telling the story too. 

Also I am a little upset that the author killed off Dior but then also brought her back at the last moment but ended the book at that moment. That should be considered cruel and unusual punishment. 

Again all the bickering and fighting in this book just makes it so good. I love all the weird insults that they all come up with and of course their weird mix of British, French and Scottish. 

I also lived for the spicy moments between Gabriel and Pheobe, there banter during it all was the best. And also the way it all started was honestly kinda fun and sad all at the same time. I also am a little sad that Connor (phoebe husband) was found to not be dead and then he died like wtf. Why.. 

I also like the budding relationship between Dior and Reyne. I am hoping that something actually become of that because I think that they are cute together. 

Also is Dario a traitor, is he working with Gabriel and Celine? Is he Joaquin the hound boy? Am I thinking correctly. Are they all there on purpose, did they set this up on purpose? I need answers I have so many of them. I know this book just came out and I won't get any for a while but I need them like immediately.

Nikita and Lillidh were both killed in the fighting as well and the Twin Terrors. I can't remember what happened with Fabien Voss, he is most likely still "alive". I am just trying to figure out why being inside the Chaissan keep will help them end the endless night. I also need to know what happened to Dior, she died then seemingly came back.  But from the sounds of the first two books they make it seem like she is dead so what happens next. Is she actually dead or is this all a ruse to get into the keep and end everything or what is going on. I have way too many questions and not enough answers.
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