This is a very interesting sampler. We get to see some chapters of EOTD and tehy certainly make you excited about the book!
I'm very curious about Jean-François's feelings for Gabriel. They're enemies, but he desires him in a strange way.

Jay kristoff could send me his grocery list and I would read it.The man is a genius and I'm so excite for the full release of this book. I'm only giving this 4 stars though because netgalley and the publisher did not clearly communicate that this was only a sampler .-

This book wasn’t for me!! I couldn’t get into it no matter how hard I tried. I picked it up several times but I just couldn’t stick with it. I put it back down permanently.

Wish I would have rad clearly lol. But this sampler def got me wanting more. I’ll def be pre ordering this soon as I can!

Jay Kristoff once again artfully tight ropes the line between eloquence and vulgarity painting imagery and realistic characters. This will not be a book for passive readers and it's definitely not your normal vampire novel. This is high fantasy, a Tiramisu of politics, characters, plot. It is a concentration read, but a delectable one.
A fantasy novel you can truly sink your teeth into, if you dare.

This is just a sampler, but I already know this book is going to destroy me… Jay Kristoff is a master storyteller, and he’s absolutely one of my top favorite authors. This series is just proof that he’s building his skills, but also that he knows how to tug at heart strings.

I can’t wait for the full book, I’m screaming after just reading a portion!!!!

I really enjoyed read this sample and I am looking forward to reading the full book. The world building in the series is amazing. And I enjoyed it a lot.

This is a great sampler for Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff and has got me excited all over again as I await the full release in 2024.

What I Appreciated in this sample

1. The nice reminder of story beats/characters before being dropped back into the flow of events was incredibly helpful.

2. Jay Kristoff's writing style and authorial voice continue to shine brilliantly through character interactions and tension building moments.

3. This was a really nice size sample allowing me to really sink my teeth into what I expect to be one of next year's great reading hits .

Who I would recommend this title for

Empire of the Damned is a sequel that definitely requires reading its first book empire of the vampire. As Such fans of the first installment will be happy to know this story is continuing forward with everything we love still present and building stronger than before.

This sample was but a taste for book 2 and I cannot wait until it comes out because it was bloody marvelous!
Filled with sarcastic humour, thrilling action and breathtaking artwork we are once again with Gabriel de León as he recounts his tale to Jean Francois. I loved the fight scenes, the pacing was fast but easy to follow...How dare you end the sampler with a new pov reveal!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this sampler.

Empire of the Vampire was good, but this sampler for Empire of the Damned has me convinced it will be great. I am hooked. My preorder is immediately in. The Interview with a Vampire vibes are immaculate, but darker.

I am so grateful to have been able to read the sampler provided, and I cannot wait for the full book release to see where this story is heading. Jay Kristoff is an amazing writer who has built an incredible world and atmosphere.

I was so excited to receive this Sampler ARC and I couldn't get enough. I love these flawed characters so much. I cannot wait to read the full version. Also looking forward to audiobook version as the narrators for the first book were excellent! The writing in this is just as good as Jay's other works and the storyline is great thus far.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jay Kristoff, and St. Martin’s Press for a sampler of Empire of the Damned in exchange for an honest review.

What a tease. I can't wait for this to be released! Empire of the Vampire was one of my favorite books and it seems like this one is going to be right up there with it.

I really enjoyed this sampler. I thought it was very atmospheric and the characters were great. I really enjoyed the dynamics between them. I also could tell that this was a well thought out story. I honestly can’t wait until the book comes out.

It's giving "Pedro Pascal escorts a very special child across a given space only for him to become said child's father figure" and I am HERE FOR IT!

Some thoughts.

1. Can Gabe and Jean-Francois bang already because damn
2. It's giving The Witcher vibes and that is A-Ok with me
3. "So the enemy of my enemy..." "Is usually just another enemy." Incredible.
4. "East shit, you cask-gargling twatgoblin." Immediately adding this phrase to my vernacular.
5. Gabe has so many useful uses for a book
6. "there was an old woman who ran a fine inn..." 10/10 would not stay at this inn. Thank you so much, Ash.
7. PHOEBE! KITCAAAAAAAAT!
8. Jean-Francois and Gabe's eyebrows. Lol.
6. Phoebe :(

I thought this was the whole book. Obviously I didn't read it correctly but in any event I've already preordered multiple copies of this and loved EOTV dearly. I can't wait to get it in hands.

I am so looking forward to reading this book. Following up on the first book. I absolutely loved the characters in the first book. The story is gripping and thrilling and dark.

I was provided the sample from NetGalley, then screamed for joy when a full ARC showed up in the mail. I stayed up until 1AM to finish. Now I have that bereft feeling you get after reading something so amazing you just don't know what to do with yourself.

This is a very bloody but still hopeful story. The different POVs between Gabriel and his sister worked perfectly to tell the tale, and was a clever way to show the reader all that happened during this epic adventure while still keeping the storytelling aspect of the writing. The characters were all amazing, including the despicable vampires. Some mysteries are revealed, yet others remain. And based on some hints at the ending, not all is as it seems.

A saga that keeps you enthralled with the poetic writing style, this is an epic journey of a literary phenomena. The kind of book you will remember long after you've read it. And even though each book is gloriously super long, I will reread both the first and second books before the 3rd comes out. I've already pre-ordered my hardcover copy for this one so I can own the physical aspect of this magic, and to get a look at the amazing artwork tucked in between the pages of the tale.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the sampler! I’m now impatiently waiting for release. I loved Empire of the Vampire so I am so excited to see what Jay does with the story!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jay Kristoff, and St. Martin’s Press for a sampler of Empire of the Damned in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed many novels by Jay Kristoff and was excited to be approved but I did have a hard time getting into this series but I’m hoping once the novel is out I could review it properly!