You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
calton's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
If there is one vampire book in this world, it's this one.
Truth be told, initially I bought this book simply because I love vampire stories and a look at the illustrations inside told me that there is a ravishing main character at play. And when I started reading it, I understood from the first fifty pages that this book was so much more. I've read a lot of books in my twenty-something years of life, and there are books that come to mind when I am asked to name a favourite, but I'm pretty sure that from now it, this will be the name that will be on my tongue. It's simply incredible. It's brutal, cruel, and cold like the word that it's set in, it's filled with hatred, contempt, pain, loss and grief like Gabriel is. But it's also full of hope and love, of faith that's so often the last thing a person clings to and that saves him.
I've lost count of the times I've audibly laughed at the jokes, gasped at the plot twist (I couldn't see ANY of them coming) and cried. Dear gods, I've cried rivers over this book, it seems. Jay Kristoff really does know how to slam a knife into your heart and twist it.
The world-building in this book is simply incredible. The last time I read something so richly imaginative and unique was probably "The Witcher" series and that is simply beyond all words. The concept of vampire hunters that are half-vampires themselves, the different ranks of vampires, the four bloodlines and a mysterious fifth one. The concept of daysdeath and the religion based on Christianity yet very different, with the Holy Grail that's not a chalice at all. Absolutely astonishing.
The mysteries that are drawn through the whole book and that only start really dawning on you by the end, before they're fully revealed, are done expertly. Figuring everything out yourself and then seeing the final confirmation is what really makes your heart race and your jaw drop. The way I broke into tears after "They're home because that is where you buried them" will probably never be forgotten by me.
Moreover, this book features one of my favourite tropes of all time: a tired, broken man and a troublesome teenage girl that he comes to love like a daughter despite himself and becomes ready to not only let the world burn to save her but to set it alight himself. This trope always gets to the very bottom of my heart (The Witcher, The Last of Us, Logan) and here, it's done perfectly.
There are a thousand things that I could say about this book and this review would be half as long as it is, but they would all sum up to simply perfection. I've heard some people say that this book is full of red flags but in that case, I'm fucking colourblind and I don't give a single shit. It's cruel and brutal, full of blood and gore and strong language and that is just how I like it. I truly don't know where I will find the patience to wait for the next two instalments of this.
Finally, I'd like to add that I listened to the audiobook as I was reading along, and Damian Lynch is an incredible narrator for this story. I hope with all my heart that he will also read the next two books because his Garbiel is the Gabriel I fell for.
P.S. If the raw tension between de Leon and Jean-Francois doesn't get resolved in the next two books, then gods help me.
Truth be told, initially I bought this book simply because I love vampire stories and a look at the illustrations inside told me that there is a ravishing main character at play. And when I started reading it, I understood from the first fifty pages that this book was so much more. I've read a lot of books in my twenty-something years of life, and there are books that come to mind when I am asked to name a favourite, but I'm pretty sure that from now it, this will be the name that will be on my tongue. It's simply incredible. It's brutal, cruel, and cold like the word that it's set in, it's filled with hatred, contempt, pain, loss and grief like Gabriel is. But it's also full of hope and love, of faith that's so often the last thing a person clings to and that saves him.
I've lost count of the times I've audibly laughed at the jokes, gasped at the plot twist (I couldn't see ANY of them coming) and cried. Dear gods, I've cried rivers over this book, it seems. Jay Kristoff really does know how to slam a knife into your heart and twist it.
The world-building in this book is simply incredible. The last time I read something so richly imaginative and unique was probably "The Witcher" series and that is simply beyond all words. The concept of vampire hunters that are half-vampires themselves, the different ranks of vampires, the four bloodlines and a mysterious fifth one. The concept of daysdeath and the religion based on Christianity yet very different, with the Holy Grail that's not a chalice at all. Absolutely astonishing.
The mysteries that are drawn through the whole book and that only start really dawning on you by the end, before they're fully revealed, are done expertly. Figuring everything out yourself and then seeing the final confirmation is what really makes your heart race and your jaw drop. The way I broke into tears after "They're home because that is where you buried them" will probably never be forgotten by me.
Moreover, this book features one of my favourite tropes of all time: a tired, broken man and a troublesome teenage girl that he comes to love like a daughter despite himself and becomes ready to not only let the world burn to save her but to set it alight himself. This trope always gets to the very bottom of my heart (The Witcher, The Last of Us, Logan) and here, it's done perfectly.
There are a thousand things that I could say about this book and this review would be half as long as it is, but they would all sum up to simply perfection. I've heard some people say that this book is full of red flags but in that case, I'm fucking colourblind and I don't give a single shit. It's cruel and brutal, full of blood and gore and strong language and that is just how I like it. I truly don't know where I will find the patience to wait for the next two instalments of this.
Finally, I'd like to add that I listened to the audiobook as I was reading along, and Damian Lynch is an incredible narrator for this story. I hope with all my heart that he will also read the next two books because his Garbiel is the Gabriel I fell for.
P.S. If the raw tension between de Leon and Jean-Francois doesn't get resolved in the next two books, then gods help me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content and Torture
lifeonasofa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Empire of the Vampire š§š¼āāļø Review
āFinally, he retrieved a tarnished royale from his pocket. 'Here.'
'What is that for?' Jean-FranƧois demanded.
'I want you to take this coin to market, and buy me a fuck to give.ā - Jay Kristoff šŖ
āļøāļøāļøāļø 4.5 Stars
If youāre looking for an adult vampire world to live in for the foreseeable futureā¦this is it. At over 700 pages, this is only part one and Jay Kristoff is taking his TIME telling Gabrielās tale. But for an opening, this book was art š
It took me some time to get through this. Itās definitely not a relaxing read, itās an experience. Having said that, when I did read it, the plot still moved pretty quickly. The book jumps everywhere along the timeline so it keeps it interesting š¤
I LOVED Gabriel, his character was so fleshed out. He felt so real. The whole silversaint thing, so interesting. Surprisingly, the religion side of this was probably my favourite part. Particularly, the loss in belief and light - it really helped flesh out the history of the worldšš»
Heads up, itās a blood bath so if youāre put off by blood, death (some pretty sad) and foul languageā¦Iād be wary š itās definitely not a kids book. I really loved how Kristoff combined such a classic story telling writing style with the relaxed banter dialogue, it somehow kept it light šš»
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Homophobia, Misogyny, Torture, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
caroline_wavesandpeanuts's review against another edition
I only have read a few bit of the book but I can already tell that I donāt like it. I donāt like the characters, none of them, I donāt like the narrative style (I think it doesnāt flow), I donāt like the writing style (I didnāt count how many times there was the f word but oh god, there was A LOT!). Nothing in this story brings me some sort of enjoyment or intrigue. The only thing I liked was the coverā¦
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
hannaws's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thereās no misery so deep as one you face by yourself. No nights darker than ones you spend alone. But you can learn to live with any weight. Your scars grow thick enough, they become armour.
It took me 507 days to read this book. It was my most anticipated book for 2021 and I preordered two copies of it. I started reading immediately when it arrived at my doorstep. BUT IT IS A BEAST OF A BOOK! IT IS A BRICK YOU CAN HURT SOMEONE WITH! Yes, I do read big books, that is not the main problem. The reason it took me over a year to finish, is that it felt unnecessary for it to be this long. I finished it today just by doing my plant chores and listening it on audio. I really like the narrator.
To be completely honest, even though I tapped the life out of this book when I was reading the physical copy, I don't remember much of the start. I have to admit, I had a year long reading slump where I only read couple books and this one every now and then.
But I didn't like the multiple timelines. Mostly because there were so many of them. We jump from present to the past but multiple different times of the past. I'm fine with back and forth but if there's too much to keep track of, it takes all my will to keep things straight in my head.
With the timelines, there came so many people! Some of them stuck with Gabriel and his adventure, some of them didn't. And those who didn't, might pop up sometime later.
I don't really care about the characters in this book. Though my heart goes out for Gabriel, he didn't have it easy. Well, none of them does.
But I'm a little baffled by the fact that the females don't make it in this world. No matter how kickass they may be, they simply die a horrible death at some point. Men's world.
What else. The historian, whatever his name was, has no manners. I hate it when someone interrupts someone else, and with this book, it was no different. Why do you make someone tell you their story, IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LISTEN?! Gosh, that dude irritated me the most. Just shut up and listen.
All in all, this was a journey. This book has definitely been one to go with me over a year. I didn't want to DNF it, in hopes that it would pick up and pique my interest enough to devour it. It never came. And I'm a little sad about it. I really wanted to love this book! I mean, I have never kept on reading a book for over a year. Never.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Homophobia and Sexual content
xwritingstoriesx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? Yes
3.75
A beautifully written high fantasy novel. The only issue I had with it was how long it was coupled with how slow-paced it felt. I did find the anachronistic structure interesting but I was much more interested in the earlier stages of Gabriel's journey at San Michon rather than the journey with Dior. It wasn't until I'd reached the middle of the book that I felt connected to Dior, Chloe and the other characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism
aseel_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
While I liked the narrator style and the world we were in, it was super long for no reason? The amount of detail for someone recounting their life was absolutely ridiculous. I also can't believe there are going to be 5 books
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
ferouz's review against another edition
I stopped reading Empire of the Vampire when I crossed the 200 page mark. I wanted to try something different and it didn't work for me. I can see the appeal for this book, after all, it's been a very long time since we've had a vampire - fantasy story. Three things bugged me : the use of french language was a bit childish and didn't make sense ; the "blood" kink (if you know, you know) and the way the story is told. I strongly dislike jumping from time period to time period when it comes to the narration of the story.
A miss, unfortunately.
A miss, unfortunately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Gore, and Blood
thecourtofreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
4.5
this only took me so long because a) itās massive, and b) i realise i have a very short attention span. regardless, this book was such a rich, dark fantasy book and i love the worlds jay creates. canāt wake for book 2!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death and Blood
amethystofblackrose's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death and Blood
taryn_g's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug use, Gore, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Torture, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Self harm, Slavery, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Outing