A review by rg9400
Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff

adventurous dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

Empire of the Damned is probably the best book I've read in 2024. Let's get the quick minor quibbles out of the way first. It dragged a bit in the middle, and the sex scenes remain a bit cringey. Everything else? Holy hell. Everything in the book, from the prose to the different voices of each character to the two distinct narrators and the framing story to the terminology and setting, all of it drips atmosphere. And it feels like a style that I don't think I've really come across in fantasy, this sort of French Gothic steeped in Judeo-Christian lore. It's the aesthetic of Castlevania, and specifically Castlevania Nocturne, but elevated through strong writing. There are memorable villains, fascinating character dynamics (especially between our twin POVs), and oh so much blood. It is gory, it is pulpy, it is fun, and it is a package of emotional damage and tension. I love the way religion is weaved throughout this particular entry. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: this series feels like the pinnacle of the vampire genre.

And to top it all off, the audiobook is top tier with two excellent narrators.