Reviews with content warning for Violence - Empire of the Damned

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.

Content Warnings

thebookkeepers's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

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

Content Warnings

avialaeleigh's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.25

I am really loving the series, but for me it takes a long time to read them because of the way that the books are written. Because it's written in a way that our main character is telling the story to someone else, the story embs and flows with the way they are telling the story, so of course just when everything is getting exciting and I just keep turning pages to figure out what happens next "the narrator" just back to present to make some quip to the person they are telling the story too.

Also I am a little upset that the author killed off Dior but then also brought her back at the last moment but ended the book at that moment. That should be considered cruel and unusual punishment.

Again all the bickering and fighting in this book just makes it so good. I love all the weird insults that they all come up with and of course their weird mix of British, French and Scottish.

I also lived for the spicy moments between Gabriel and Pheobe, there banter during it all was the best. And also the way it all started was honestly kinda fun and sad all at the same time. I also am a little sad that Connor (phoebe husband) was found to not be dead and then he died like wtf. Why..

I also like the budding relationship between Dior and Reyne. I am hoping that something actually become of that because I think that they are cute together.

Also is Dario a traitor, is he working with Gabriel and Celine? Is he Joaquin the hound boy? Am I thinking correctly. Are they all there on purpose, did they set this up on purpose? I need answers I have so many of them. I know this book just came out and I won't get any for a while but I need them like immediately.

Nikita and Lillidh were both killed in the fighting as well and the Twin Terrors. I can't remember what happened with Fabien Voss, he is most likely still "alive". I am just trying to figure out why being inside the Chaissan keep will help them end the endless night. I also need to know what happened to Dior, she died then seemingly came back. But from the sounds of the first two books they make it seem like she is dead so what happens next. Is she actually dead or is this all a ruse to get into the keep and end everything or what is going on. I have way too many questions and not enough answers.

Content Warnings

missmali's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

jessie_the_bibliophile's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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

Content Warnings

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