If book one of Jay Kristoff’s latest series gave you chills, then book two, Empire of the Damned, will leave you breathless.
Author powerhouse Jay Kristoff is back with his next instalment in his cut-throat, vampire dominated world. Gabriel de León, last Silversaint and lost cause, must make an uneasy alliance with the vampire Liathe in a last-ditch effort to undo Daysdeath, and free the human population from their endless nightmare. Faced with troubles both within and without, Gabriel recounts the next heart racing chapter of his tale to his vampire captor as he faces enemies of the Blood Voss, deadly conflict with the Blood Dyvok, and encounters ancient magics in the frozen Highlands, all while battling his own rising bloodlust. Supported once more by beautiful illustrations by Bon Orthwick (@monolimeart), Empire of the Damned is a masterclass on how to successfully continue, and build upon, an epic fantasy series.
Kristoff gives this book everything it needs to be a success. We get to explore new areas on the map, learn more about different magics only briefly mentioned in book one, experience epic action sequences, and see new characters come to life on the page. Readers will love sinking their teeth into the meat of this story, as Kristoff provides more of our favourite things: mythology, bloody conflict, heart-wrenching moments, and new relationships, just to name a few. Paired with our favourite swearing pessimist, Gabriel, this book is a worthy addition to the series.
Narratively speaking, this book feels more linear and cohesive than the first instalment, as we settle in to hear more of Gabriel’s story. This is supported by having an additional point of view character coming forward. While the character themselves isn’t new, seeing events happen through their eyes assists in uncovering certain mythological aspects of the world. The play between them and Gabriel, as well as the vampire historian, Jean-Francois Chastain, creates both hilarious and heart-wrenching moments, and keeps the reader wanting more.
Damned also features a bunch of new characters to both love and loathe. Kristoff shares Robin Hobb’s (author of the Realm of the Elderlings novels) ability to make you hate a character to the extreme, while also showing how the monster was made in the first place.
Tension is also maintained brilliantly throughout, as plot strings pull tighter and funnel the story towards an intense climax. And while the author very cleverly orchestrates a huge pay-off moment, he also promises an epic conclusion brewing in the next book. This is easily Kristoff’s best work, as he once again delivers in all aspects of story.
This series is not for the faint hearted, with graphic scenes depicting the use of human lives as cattle, and bloody conflict between creatures that only value their own eternities. But it is this raw, unflinching look at the fabled vampire in relation to the last of humanity that makes this book tick. Through the vicious portrayals of the different Blood factions and their war games, Kristoff weaves tiny threads of hope. By slotting heart-warming moments in between the violence, we see humanity hang on, reminding us all that there is always hope in the darkness.
Damned comes with a handy summary of book one at the start of the novel, so it isn’t completely necessary to do a re-read of Empire of the Vampire before diving in. Pace and pay-off will have you finishing this book in a few sittings, and wishing for the next already while you wipe your tears away after that ending.
Empire of the Damned is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of March 5th in the UK and Australia, and March 12th in the US.
Will you be picking up Empire of the Damned? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Nevernight Chronicle, Jay Kristoff, comes the much-anticipated sequel to the #1 international bestselling sensation EMPIRE OF THE VAMPIRE.
From holy cup comes holy light;
The faithful hands sets world aright.
And in the Seven Martyrs’ sight,
Mere man shall end this endless night.
Gabriel de León has saved the Holy Grail from death, but his chance to end the endless night is lost. Drawn into an uneasy alliance with the mysterious vampire Liathe, Gabriel must now deliver the Grail to ancients of the Blood Esani, and learn the truth of how Daysdeath might be finally undone.
But the Last Silversaint faces peril, within and without. Pursued by terrors of the Blood Voss, drawn into warfare between the Blood Dyvok and duskdancers of the frozen Highlands, and ravaged by his own rising bloodlust, Gabriel may not survive to see the Grail learn her truth.
And that truth may be too awful for any to imagine.
