Jay Kristoff’s Empire of the Damned plunges readers into a dark, richly crafted world where the boundaries between hero and villain blur, and survival often comes at a steep price. As a follow-up to his acclaimed Empire of the Vampire, Kristoff delivers a sequel that is as thrilling and immersive as its predecessor.

Set in a universe where vampires have risen to dominate the world, Empire of the Damned continues the epic saga with its signature blend of gritty realism and fantastical elements. The story picks up with a sense of urgency and tension, driven by complex characters and high-stakes conflicts. Kristoff excels at world-building, and this installment deepens the lore of his universe, weaving intricate plotlines that keep readers on edge.

The novel is marked by its dark tone and morally ambiguous characters, a hallmark of Kristoff’s writing. The protagonists are flawed, their motives often tangled in personal demons and the harsh realities of their world. This complexity adds depth to their journey and makes for a compelling read. The action sequences are intense and vivid, showcasing Kristoff’s knack for creating visceral and gripping scenes.

One of the standout elements of Empire of the Damned is Kristoff’s ability to infuse the narrative with emotional weight. The stakes are personal as well as global, and the author’s exploration of themes like power, betrayal, and redemption adds layers to the story.

However, the novel’s dark atmosphere and sometimes graphic content may not be for everyone. It’s a book that demands a strong stomach and a tolerance for bleakness, but for fans of Kristoff’s previous work and those who appreciate a darkly immersive fantasy, it’s a rewarding experience.

Overall, Empire of the Damned is a powerful continuation of Jay Kristoff’s saga, offering a thrilling and thought-provoking adventure that will resonate with readers long after the final page.

Jay Kristoff delivers an absolutely stellar sequel in the **Empire of the Vampire** series with this latest installment. The world-building is dark, intricate, and utterly immersive, making every page a gripping experience. Gabriel de León’s journey continues to be both epic and deeply personal, as he faces new threats, internal struggles, and alliances that push the boundaries of trust and survival. Kristoff’s writing shines with its brutal beauty, perfectly capturing the tension between hope and despair in a world ravaged by eternal night. The stakes have never been higher, and the twists are jaw-dropping—this book is a masterpiece for any fantasy lover.

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Nevernight Chronicle, Jay Kristoff, comes the much-anticipated sequel to the #1 international bestselling sensation Empire of the Vampire, EMPIRE OF THE DAMNED! This book was a page turner from the first few pages! It was soooo good and just what I was waiting for after reading book one! It had all the dank fantasy feels, including an uneasy alliance with a new mysterious vampire. If you are a fantasy reader this will be your cup of tea, I promise!

So don't walk run to your local bookstore today and pick this one up!

You won't be disappointed I promise!

Great follow up to Empire of the Vampire. The plot was exciting and fast and the writing was beautiful. Can't wait for the third book!

This was an epic book. I laughed, cried, swooned, and squealed throughout. Kristoff is really a master storyteller who has come into his own after years of co-writing. I can't wait to read book 3 in the trilogy! 🔥

Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff is an amazing follow up to Empire of the Vampire. The plot was engaging, fast paced, and full of unexpected twists. The familiar world was so easy to fall right back into. The writing was absolutely beautiful. I loved how easy it was to immerse myself in the story. The characters were phenomenal. So unique and full of flaws. I loved getting to know them throughout the story. This one just blew my mind and I can't wait for the next installment.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this second installment. I am anxiously awaiting the 3rd book. This book picks up on the same night as the first book with Gabriel telling his story. However, we also hear chapters from Liathe perspective too. The writing is beautiful and the story is so interesting.

Absolutely loved it! I've been a fan of Jay Kristoff for many years but this series has me wanting to watch twilight and interview with a vampire asap! I love his no bars hold writing style!

A great preview! Can't wait to read the rest of the story and it's proceeding sequels. This is definitely going to be intense.

This is sadly not as appealing as the first book, really struggling to make my way through it! I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to try it early though!

This 2nd installment of The Empire of the Vampire series was action-packed and did not disappoint. Kristoff knocked it out of the park with this book and expanded on the dark unforgiving world we were introduced to in book 1. The relationship between Gabe and Dior reached new heights and together, they have become one of my favorite duos in fiction. As long as this book was, the pacing was fast and you will fly through this tome of a book in no time. Overall I was wary going into this middle book since my expectations were so high after the Empire of the Vampire. But I have to say, this exceeded all of my expectations and was just as crazy of a ride. This is how a vampire story should be. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book. My opinions and thoughts are my own.

Good teaser for the full book. Though I wish that was more clear when requesting it as I didn’t know until opening it. I m not deducting stars for that though and still liked what I read a lot

"Empire of the Damned" picks up seamlessly where the first book left off, continuing the saga with a strong emphasis on dialogue. The majority of the story is dialogue driven, which was difficult to stay engaged in for such a lengthy book. The dialogue between Gabe & Dior was the highlight of the book and provided much needed entertainment.

Despite its considerable length, the book does not seem to advance the plot significantly and often feels like a filler. Fans of the series may find enjoyment in the character development, but the pacing might leave others wanting more.

Jay Kristoff always delivers top teir reads in the fantasy genre, and this book didn't disappoint. I highly recommend this for genre fans of any and all ages.

It hurts. It hurts. It hurts.
idk what it is about his writing style, but Jay Kristoff can have me laughing and crying and eagerly turning pages like no other author. When I tell you this book had me SOBBING... I'm confident that I will never recover.

If you loved the first book, prepare to love this one even more. All the immersive worldbuilding, deep character development, sass and snark, engaging lore, but all diving even deeper and amplified tenfold. I loved getting to spend more time with favorite characters and watch as their dynamics evolved and unfolded. There are so many twists and turns and I often didn't know what was coming next (or found myself blindsided when I foolishly thought I did). If you thought the first book got dark, you haven't seen anything yet. No one escapes this volume unscathed and I can't wait to see what happens next. I'll be screaming crying throwing up every hour on the hour until book three is in my hands.

I dnf book 1 & 2 of this series sadly!!! I couldn't get into book 1 at all cause the writing of this author that I thought I knew and loved changed alot and didn't love that aspect

I thought I got lucky and got an early copy of this book. LOL. No, it was just a few chapters. That's okay, it's still epic.

it’s going okay so far.

i’m not enjoying it as much as the first one. it’s lacking some of the oomph that the first one has.

A beautiful sequel to Empire of the Vampire. I loved the complex world building the dynamics of the characters. This book is definitely hefty for a reason.

I liked the setting--a world ruled by vampires in endless night and cold, caused by some magic they performed decades before that shrouds the sky in thick clouds. The last vestiges of free humanity huddle in walled cities that fall one by one as time goes by. The characters are complex and interesting, although the main character is so flawed its hard to feel much for him. There is a reluctant savior character--a teenage girl who grew up in the gutter--who offers the only hope of the vampires' defeat in the form of prophecy.

There is quite a bit of description of the horrific things the vampires have done to the humans and a lot of cursing. Lots of blood and guts in the battles and aftermath as well.