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A review by tjack22
Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
"Empire of the Damned" is yet another high fantasy book in Jay Kristoff's incredible repertoire. The buildup was a bit slow, but this allowed for the impressive building up of the world. Kristoff's attention to detail and furnishing of the fantasy setting with so much depth is remarkable.
The character development in this book is exemplary. Their growth together as individuals, as well as the growth of their relationship, was so well done. Their evolving dynamic and eventual downfall felt real and compelling; thefinal scene in which their fight leaves Dior undefended encapsulates the complex sibling love, hate, and rivalry beautifully.
However, some parts weren't very successful with me. Some of the plotlines seemed a little hokey and went in more of a romantic direction that I wasn't quite expecting after reading the first book in the series. Another point that bothered me is whenLachlan supposedly appeared out of nowhere in the final battle. There was no indication of why or how he even got there with the children if previously he abandoned them.
There were a couple of kind of hot scenes that I could have done without, but that is just me.The beginning of the book, how it started with Gabriel and his fighting the Silver Order, was so powerful and sad simultaneously. That's what I like in a story, to be so captivatingly sad right from the get-go. Still, the whole "trial after trial after trial" repetitive structure has bugged me in other series as well. Yet it was all balanced out by Kristoff's stellar writing, creative world-building, and innovative old vampire-based fantasy novel.
To sum up, despite some clichés and personal dislikes, "Empire of the Damned" is an excellent entry into the series and superb for characterization and world-building. I look forward to what direction the plot takes from here on. I recommend this book if you are a fan of high fantasy in which there is wonderfully elaborated world-building and good character work.
The character development in this book is exemplary. Their growth together as individuals, as well as the growth of their relationship, was so well done. Their evolving dynamic and eventual downfall felt real and compelling; the
However, some parts weren't very successful with me. Some of the plotlines seemed a little hokey and went in more of a romantic direction that I wasn't quite expecting after reading the first book in the series. Another point that bothered me is when
There were a couple of kind of hot scenes that I could have done without, but that is just me.
To sum up, despite some clichés and personal dislikes, "Empire of the Damned" is an excellent entry into the series and superb for characterization and world-building. I look forward to what direction the plot takes from here on. I recommend this book if you are a fan of high fantasy in which there is wonderfully elaborated world-building and good character work.