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4.53 AVERAGE
4.53 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found this book to be a step down from book one. The introduction of Celene as a character and a co-narrator did not appeal to me much. It is also a middle-book-of-a-trilogy and so there's a lot of questions left unanswered and probably some bloat.
But overall, I still like most of the characters, the world, and the overall story. Book 3 title reveal is in three days and I believe it will be released in Nov. '25.
But overall, I still like most of the characters, the world, and the overall story. Book 3 title reveal is in three days and I believe it will be released in Nov. '25.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I absolutely loved Empire of the Vampire Book 1, so I was pumped when Book 2 came out.
I will start with what I think worked really well. Dior and Gabe's relationship gets more space to grow and evolve in this book. Dior has some amazing moments where she does some major stuff on her own which I really appreciated.
The cast in this book is expanded with two great new entries some of my favorites, Lachie, Gabe's old apprentice, and an awesome shapeshifter from the highlands. Both of these characters were effective, fun, and enhanced the story.
The last 1/3 of the book was phenomenal with the fast-paced action and brutality of this dying world that book 1 delivered so much.
I also really loved that this book explores another vampire bloodline more in the terrifyingly strong Dyvok.
However, I think this book really failed to live up to book 1 for me in a few ways.
First, the pacing felt off. Book 1, in part due to its narrative structure, bounced back and forth frenetically, delivering a lot of great moments, but also development for the cast. Book 2, particularly in the first half, gets bogged down in both exploring the ramifications from book 1, and also exploring options Celene, Gabriel's vampire sister, brings to the table.
This means a lot of bickering, going back and forth, and weird pacing with not as clear focus for the characters. This would have been fine for a bit but went on far too long. The second half of the book found its footing better.
Despite them being explored quite a bit, I don't think the Esani and the 5th vampire bloodline are clearly explained. I get this history, but don't understand their current goals.
On the neutral point, I also noticed this book really ramped up the sex scenes, tripling the count from book 1. I think they were done in a way that worked, and I didn't mind them, but I am guessing some people will love this change, others be disappointed by it.
Overall, I liked Empire of the Damned, but didn't love it.
I will start with what I think worked really well. Dior and Gabe's relationship gets more space to grow and evolve in this book. Dior has some amazing moments where she does some major stuff on her own which I really appreciated.
The cast in this book is expanded with two great new entries some of my favorites, Lachie, Gabe's old apprentice, and an awesome shapeshifter from the highlands. Both of these characters were effective, fun, and enhanced the story.
The last 1/3 of the book was phenomenal with the fast-paced action and brutality of this dying world that book 1 delivered so much.
I also really loved that this book explores another vampire bloodline more in the terrifyingly strong Dyvok.
However, I think this book really failed to live up to book 1 for me in a few ways.
First, the pacing felt off. Book 1, in part due to its narrative structure, bounced back and forth frenetically, delivering a lot of great moments, but also development for the cast. Book 2, particularly in the first half, gets bogged down in both exploring the ramifications from book 1, and also exploring options Celene, Gabriel's vampire sister, brings to the table.
This means a lot of bickering, going back and forth, and weird pacing with not as clear focus for the characters. This would have been fine for a bit but went on far too long. The second half of the book found its footing better.
Despite them being explored quite a bit, I don't think the Esani and the 5th vampire bloodline are clearly explained. I get this history, but don't understand their current goals.
On the neutral point, I also noticed this book really ramped up the sex scenes, tripling the count from book 1. I think they were done in a way that worked, and I didn't mind them, but I am guessing some people will love this change, others be disappointed by it.
Overall, I liked Empire of the Damned, but didn't love it.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
N/A