Take all the stars. Five isn't enough.

My review will be based off the sample arc-first 15 chapters.
I will update later when I've had an opportunity to read the rest.

This is my most anticipated read this year. I can honestly say the beginning delivers on everything I could have hoped for.

It may be a good thing I have to wait until November to finish because I don't know if my heart can take it.

This is hands down the best vampire trilogy I've ever read. It's a complete masterpiece. (at least to this point) Jay Kristoff's writing style just speaks to my soul.

I wasn't aware this was a sampler when I requested it, so I can't really give a rating. But I think if you liked the first two books of the series, the third starts off pretty decently and will definitely leave you wanting more!

**Sampler Review**

Empire of the Dawn is my most anticipated read of the year, so even though this ARC request was just for a sampler of the book, I couldn’t resist reading the first 15 chapters.

Because this is not the completed book, I can’t give an accurate review, but I am currently rating it 5 stars based on my reviews of Empire of the Vampire, Empire of the Damned, and the love I have for Kristoff’s writing style and dry, sarcastic humor. From what I’ve read so far, this book is in line with everything I love from the first two books, and I enjoyed hearing Gabriel’s POV following the events at the end of Empire of the Damned. Kristoff doesn’t hold back, and the first 15 chapters jump right into the turmoil, tragedy, and treachery, I’ve come to expect from the previous books.

I am looking forward to the rest of the story and will provide a full review, once I have had a chance to read the completed book.

Like other reviewers, I was not aware that this is a sampler: I see that this description is updated now, but it was not marketed as such when I requested the position. I prefer to read and review my books in one sitting, so I'd have to re-read this sample when reading the full release anyway. I thank St. Martin's for sharing this sampler but wish they were more transparent about it from the start.
I'm excited to read this conclusion to a trilogy nevertheless and the fragment I got was engaging!

This was not disclosed as a sampler when I requested nor when it was downloaded as it said full book. I was so excited for this but would not have requested if I had known it was a sampler.
I am giving it 3 stars because I was misled, if I had the entire book I know it would be a 5 star read because as this is the 3rd book, I am obviously a huge fan! Wish I had the entire thing and I cannot wait to finish this!

Beginning of the book 5 stars. This is a ride or die series for me and obviously I loved this.

0 stars for the teaser bamboozle. I have nothing kind to say about that!

I’m incredibly frustrated that I was misled into requesting and downloading what turned out to be a sampler. This was portrayed as the full book, and there was zero mention of sampler *anywhere*(although I see that someone has very recently changed the description. Likely because everyone else who requested what appeared to be the novel in its entirety is as irritated as I am). Very much NOT okay. It’s impossible to accurately review the entire book based on the small portion I received, and I’ll update my review when I’m able to read the entire book.

I read this in one sitting and need the rest NOW. I wasn't aware I requested a sampler until I got to the end.

An amazing repeat foray into the fantasy world of Jay Kristoff! Could not tear myself away and would love to read the full novel!

Wait.... a sampler!? What am I supposed to do now!? This was an incredible start to Empire of the Dawn.

When I requested this book it was not listed as a sampler. When I received the email the text in the email even said that this was the full book, so imagine my surprise when it stops abruptly in the middle of the book. I love Jay Kristoff’s writing, so I’m sure I’m going to love the rest of the book, and what I’ve read of this so far has been a solid 4 stars. However, this is probably only a portion of the entire book so anything can happen from here.

Well, well, well if it isn't another undiclosed sampler of Mr Kristoff's work! Don't get me wrong as soon as I downloaded it and found it was only 186 pages instead of the 800 I was expecting there to be I realised but BOOOOOOO!!! Dirty tricks guys!!

That being said, I still couldn't wait to get stuck in even though this is only the first 15 chapters of the book and I don't know whether I'm more excited for the release of the full book now or mad at myself for starting something I can't finish for the best part of six months?!

During the first (almost) quarter of the book then we're back in familiar territory, with Gabriel being interviewed by John Francois and Liathe/Celene being held in essentially an oubliette. Gabriel continues the story of his travels with his brothers from the Silversaint and his other close friends, Lachy, Aaron and Baptiste. After the ending of Empire of the Damned you KNOW there is a plot bubbling but it's still there in the background trying to get you to forget about it and distract you with other tales.

Gah it's so good! The atmosphere, the tension being constantly ratcheted ever higher, the memories of dead wives, friends, lovers, children, the HUNGER of our man Gabriel as he tries his best to not be a complete bastard. Roll on November and shame on you for only uploading a sampler!!

I wasn’t aware this was a sample, I was very disappointed when I got to the end and found out it was a sample. I wouldn’t of requested it if I had known.

It’s hard for me to give a review of a book I haven’t finished. I will say so far I liked and am looking forward to reading the rest.

What a great tease! I'm absolutely feral for this book release and can not wait! I know I'm signing up for more heartbreak and torment, but I need it in my life!!

I was unaware that this was a sample so you can imagine my the way my eyes have might look once I got to the end… I am highly anticipating this and can’t wait not for the full book to release! I already have it preordered from Waterstones so it will match the rest and can’t wait to get it to continue.
Thank you to St Martin Press for the preview!

I wasn't aware this was just a sampler, so I do wish that was noted somewhere in the description or title.

What I was able to read I really enjoyed and I'm looking forward to the rest of the book.

I knew I should have resisted requesting this sample and Empire of Dawn because now the wait for the full release is going to seem even longer. But I just couldn't resist. Of course given how much i enjoyed the first two books in the series it should come as no surprise that Jay Kristoff has most definitely delivered and Empire of the Dawn is most definitely going to be another 5 star experience.

I received this sample about four hours ago. I read it in one sitting… and I’m not satisfied. It was such a disappointment to realize it was only a sample, about 200 pages, more or less. I’m so frustrated!

That being said, what I read was good (not that I had any doubts). I was especially sorry not to see Monolime’s drawings in this volume. I really love her art, it helped bring the story together. But… what can we do?

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A worthy successor to Empire of the Vampire and Empire of the Damned. Empire of the Dawn promises to finish Gabriel de León’s story in an exciting and almost certainly heartbreaking way.
Surprised to realize this was only a brief sample. But based on that, the rest of the book should be fantastic. Cannot wait to discover all the twists and turns lurking ahead.

I didn’t realize this was a sampler when I requested but definitely makes me even more excited to read it when it comes out later this year!