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brylieandbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Jay Kristoff’s bloody sequel to Empire of the Vampire exceeded my expectations on every level. Despite its length, Empire of the Damned is a true page turner. It was impossible to even guess at what was going to happen next as the main characters were thrown curveball after curveball. This read was more action packed and gruesome that its predecessor.
Empire of the Damned is seriously dark, yet Kristoff somehow makes even the most horrific scenes humorous. The writing is ingenious, and I love the ‘interview’ style of the narrative. Kristoff makes the style completely his own in this novel by pushing boundaries and creating entirely unique action sequences. This book is in no way weighed down by the way that it is told and in fact, I would say it is one of the book’s greatest strengths.
But the true highlight of this book for me was its characters. Sure, I liked them all in Empire of the Vampire. But in Empire of the Damned, I love them all. The development, the banter between characters and even the newly introduced characters were perfect. I am well and truly invested in this story and these characters now and I am very excited to see how everything progresses in the next book.
Empire of the Damned is seriously dark, yet Kristoff somehow makes even the most horrific scenes humorous. The writing is ingenious, and I love the ‘interview’ style of the narrative. Kristoff makes the style completely his own in this novel by pushing boundaries and creating entirely unique action sequences. This book is in no way weighed down by the way that it is told and in fact, I would say it is one of the book’s greatest strengths.
But the true highlight of this book for me was its characters. Sure, I liked them all in Empire of the Vampire. But in Empire of the Damned, I love them all. The development, the banter between characters and even the newly introduced characters were perfect. I am well and truly invested in this story and these characters now and I am very excited to see how everything progresses in the next book.
tyzaa's review against another edition
5.0
Whereas I enjoyed EotV, Empire of the Damned just brings this universe, these characters and this story to the next level in pretty much every dimension possible.
Do I usually read gory and dark books? No. But this had me wanting more.
Do I usually like highly emotional books? No, because I usually read to just shut my brain off and escape to lalaland.
Did I read this solely because Jay Kristoff wrote it, and I trusted him? 100%. Although that trust is only based on his ability to write a good story, not necessarily for a happy ending or sanity of his characters.
Should you read it even if it's very different to your usual style? Yes, just as long as the prospect of reading very detailed and graphic descriptions of bodily fluids that aren't a result of a spicy intercourse doesn't put you off.
Do I usually read gory and dark books? No. But this had me wanting more.
Do I usually like highly emotional books? No, because I usually read to just shut my brain off and escape to lalaland.
Did I read this solely because Jay Kristoff wrote it, and I trusted him? 100%. Although that trust is only based on his ability to write a good story, not necessarily for a happy ending or sanity of his characters.
Should you read it even if it's very different to your usual style? Yes, just as long as the prospect of reading very detailed and graphic descriptions of bodily fluids that aren't a result of a spicy intercourse doesn't put you off.
kathrinreads's review against another edition
5.0
Woah this book really does not hold back its punches.
I really enjoyed this second book and while it suffered a bit from middle-book syndrome, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved that we get a second POV in this book as this gives the book a bit more depth and us as readers a bit more perspective.
I loved that basically, every character in this has a lgbtqa+ representation.
The cliffhanger in the end shocked me but at the same time, I saw it coming. Therefore I would love to have the third book immediately.
I really enjoyed this second book and while it suffered a bit from middle-book syndrome, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved that we get a second POV in this book as this gives the book a bit more depth and us as readers a bit more perspective.
I loved that basically, every character in this has a lgbtqa+ representation.
The cliffhanger in the end shocked me but at the same time, I saw it coming. Therefore I would love to have the third book immediately.
liketheirishcream's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
5.0
cryptidamara's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
margaux_gdb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
maddiehendrie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
singlecheeseburger's review against another edition
4.0
He had me for a minute. He really did. But I knew for the story to actually end Dior had to live. Also, poor Phoebe. The revelation about the last words of the Redeemer and the original vampires did get me. Dang.
trubad0urex's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-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
5.0