Mes amis, what can I say - this is another bloody ride full of tears, terror and torn limbs, with a side helping of wholesomeness before it's wripped away again.
We continue almost seamlessly where we left off in Book 1 and Gabriel de Leon continues telling the story of "how he lost/broke the Grail" after saving Dior at San Michon from his former fellow Silversaints.
Unlike the first book, we get some more insight into Francoise, the historian, and a glimps of the machinations at the castle the Chastaines keep Gabriel. Moreover, we also get another point of view for Dior's story as (who would have guess) almost nothing goes according to plan and paths split up before they cross again.

I know, this is very vague, but I do not want to spoiler anything.
We get more details and information on the vampires, this time the Dyvoks are in the spotlight - and what can I say? They are as terrible as book 1 and Gabe's haunted memory of his time in Ossian fighting them let's us assume - and they are just as unhinged.

I can't wait to see where all this is leading and how all those things will come together in the end. Because one thing I realized when I was re-reading the first book again was that history and what actually happened can be two different things - and it all depends on who's telling the story. 

So, what of Gabe's story can we really believe and what might be ... misleading for the vampire ears wanting to hear his/Dior's story?

 

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.

The story/action beats get repitive 

Devastatingly brilliant followup to Empire of the Vampire! Now begins the agonising wait for part 3...

This is one of the most stressful books I've ever read. Most fantasy I read, even epic and high fantasy, have the "oh my god I'm so scared whats gonna happen" mosts then their balanced with some calmer moments. This - I was on edge the entire book. It's a quieter scene but... who is coming out of the bushes to murder everyone? Please don't let this happen. Maybe it won't. It does. But its nothing like I imagined. It equally makes it very engaging but exhausting. I still had an amazing time. 

I was a bit worried how the format would follow up to the first with switching back and forth between Gabriel's past and.. further past. But the next twist

of having Celene's POV

was surprising and yet a great follow up.

I always wondered if she was still alive and wanted to know more about her. She's fascinating and infuriating all at once.

 

Gabriel's sister Celene added such an interesting dynamic to the main cast. No idea if I love or hate her. Her hatred for her brother seems so unfounded because everything that happened to her, he had no control of and it seems absurd to blame him.

Also still not sure if I trust the Esani.

Gabriel himself continues to grow in depth. And I remain immensely curious how he ended up where he presently is. And just HOW he killed the Forever King. His relationship with Dior is wonderful and shows the complexity of a father/daughter dynamic. The war between a teen girl wanting independence and a father's need to get them to listen when he knows better. Despite being a rash and slightly arrogant girl, Dior more than proved her mental in this one. She was the one I was most stressed about. Likely because she's the only main character where we're uncertain of her fate.

The ENDING has me stressed and hopeful. Her imprisonment by the Dyvok's was terrifying. Not knowing if she would be thralled or how she would escape.

And AARON. I'm furious. My favorite character and he's just being TORTURED.

I'm devastated he's Dead. And for what he was forced to endure. His scenes where by far the most disturbing to read. I do have hope for him but you can't cure being a vampire...

The action and worldbuilding continue to be a highlight. Going even deeper into the politics of a vampire clan. Understanding more aspects and history of the empire before daysdeath. The moonmaid/shapershifter culture was my favorite bits. To see how every type of magic has been effected by daysdeath. Also the deepening of the religion itself.

I lost my MIND when it was revealed that the Redeemer himself created the vampires of the Priests who murdered him.

The battle at the end was by far the best part of the book. So many moving pieces and plot twists that were executed so well. I cannot tell you how much I love a book that uses character/lore/worldbuilding/plot in balance. And Jay has that talent in abundance. 

I'm still so curious where the present timeline is going.

What do the Chastain's want and think they can do with the Grail? It obvious humans are becoming scarce. How are they going to deal with that? What is Gabriel's role? Will daysdeath end since it seems that Dior is alive in the present? How does she end it? What is the next book about and how accurate are Celene and Gabe's stories since they are clearly lying about Dior to the Historian?

Such an intricate web and I love it. I know it'll be years before I get the next book but I hope I can remember enough not to have to reread again when the time comes. 

This was so hard for me to review! I'm a huge Jay Kristoff fan and his storytelling is phenomenal. This book however was very hard for me (personally) as someone who doesn't like to read heavy gore or animal death scenes. This book was HEAVY with some dark elements and it's hard to say I enjoyed reading it because of that. However, I do love the characters and see the reason for making this book as dark as it was for the plot. I enjoy Gabriel's POV chapters the most because he usually adds humor that helps lighten the tone. A few portions of this book were predictable for me, but there were still lots of reveals that literally made my jaw pop open. Overall, I do enjoy this series and will for sure be reading book 3! While I may reread book 1, book 2 will be one I skip for future rereads haha. 

LGBTQ+ rep: lots of sexual fluidity within the world including m/m and f/f relationships