While it's incredubly difficult to rate this, with it being only a sampler, I will do my best!
I'm rating 5 stars. I know what this book is going to be, I've read the other two lmao.

AAAAAHHHHHH!!!! This is one of my most anticipated releases this year and I'm SO excited for it to come out! I fear that reading this has made the wait until November even harder. Thank you SO much to the publisher and to NetGalley for approving my request to read this!!!!!
The world is so immersive, and the characters are so incredibly relatable. None of these charcters are 100% "good," or 100% "bad."........Well besides the vampres and I fear that is the whole point. Jay Kristoff has done an amazing job of getting you to feel for these characters and truly make you feel like you are witnessing everything with your own eyes. It is truly a testament to the effort he has put in to the story and his craft.

If there is not at least a semi-happy ending for Baptiste and Aaron, Jay Kristoff will be on the list of my mortal enemies. Their love story is so wonderful, and it breaks my heart that the incidents of the previous book have placed them so at odds. NOT TO MENTION what happens in the small portion that is available within the sampler.
Listen, and just hear me out on this, if Jean and Gabreil don't break the tension between them soon, I may revert to my fifteen year old self and start writing fanfic.

On a serious note, I can tell with the way this series is progressing that there will be an unfortunate fate that meets one of the main charcters. It has been hinted at so much, and after everything they have gone through and lost, it would be deserved. I can only imaging that they will be surrounded by the loved ones they have lost when that time comes and I will shed enough tears to fill a moderately sized lake. A selfish part of me wants that to not happen though.

I'm terribly attatched now and the end of this series is going to HURT.

First off, THANK YOU St. Martin's Press for allowing me to have early access to this sample of Empire of the Dawn. I had an incredible time seating myself to listen to the tale of Gabriel De Leon. I continue to be fascinated by the creativity of Jay Kristoff and how many ways he can tell a tale. I audibly gasped when I got to the end of this sample without being able to continue to Celene's POV (rude). I can feel in my bones that this is going to lead to an epic finale to an incredible series with no lack of emotion, gruesome action and vampire deliciousness. I look forward to seeing all lines being tied together in a way that only Kristoff can accomplish.

When I asked for this book I didn't realize that it was just a preview. I need to read the fine print better.
I enjoyed the hell out of what I had to read. I loved the first two books and this one was just getting good but then guess what, the sampler is over. I would talk more about it but I didn't get the full book so I haven't got as much to say. I'd recommend it from the sampler and just from enjoying the first two novels.

This was provided by NetGalley, only first 184 pages as a teaser. I wish I could give it infinite stars, anything written by Jay will always be perfect. Cannot wait for the full version land on my porch in November!

Sampler Review of Empire of the Dawn by Jay Kristoff

I was lucky enough to receive a sampler edition of Empire of the Dawn (about 200 pages or so of the ~800-page finale) from St. Martin’s Press/NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The sampler opens with a line that immediately sets the tone:

“Time is no friend to mortals, dear reader, and who knows how many seasons have withered since last we spoke. Memory is an unreliable narrator at best, and at worst, a lying fiend.”

This quote perfectly frames one of the strongest parts of the sampler: the Dramatis Personae. Instead of a throwaway list, it gives readers a vivid, character-rich recap. We’re reminded of Gabriel de León, “the Last Silversaint, the Black Lion of Lorson, and Sword of the Realm”, and his haunted past. Dior Lachance returns with her miracle blood and destiny to end daysdeath. Even Celene, Gabriel’s treacherous sister, is laid out with sharp, memorable detail. It’s both a refresher and a prologue, giving you enough context to dive in without flipping back to earlier books, not that a reread of those books wouldn’t be well worth the time.

Kristoff also continues to expand the vampire lore in dazzling (and terrifying) ways. The sampler details the bloodlines with mythic precision:
“Blood Voss - the Ironhearts… Blood Dyvok - the Untamed… Blood Ilon - the Whispers… Blood Chastain - the Shepherds… Blood Esani - the Faithless.”

Every lineage carries its own curse, gift, and horror. It’s worldbuilding that’s dense, yes, but endlessly compelling.

And then there’s Kristoff’s dialogue, still razor sharp and unflinchingly funny in its gallows humor. One moment between Gabriel and the historian Jean-François captures that perfectly:

“You’re about to start listing all of your accolades again. Slayer of Whatshisface. Victor of the SuchandSuch. Hung Like a Rogue Wildebeest. Bangs
Like a Privy Door in the Wind.”

That’s Kristoff at his most playful, dark, irreverent, and perfectly in-character. I live for those laughs.

First Impressions:
The sampler promises a finale that will be sprawling, emotional, and merciless. The recap grounds you, the new lore hooks you, and the characters, scarred, broken, and still fighting, remind you why this series has gripped so many readers. My only hesitation is the same as with the earlier books: the density of detail can feel overwhelming. But the payoff is that every page feels like it matters.

If the rest of the novel delivers like this sampler, we’re in for a conclusion that’s every bit as epic, devastating, and unforgettable as promised.

November 4th can’t come soon enough!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a sampler of the ebook

Ok i can’t wait for the full release now! The sampler was such a tease and I cannot wait to get my hands on the full published book!

Super excited!

Jay Kristoff's Empire of the Dawn is a masterfully woven tapestry of gothic grandeur and moral ambiguity. The narrative unfolds with a deliberate pace, allowing the intricate world-building and complex character dynamics to take center stage. Kristoff's prose is both elegant and evocative, capturing the essence of a world teetering on the brink of ruin.

The characters, particularly Gabriel, Dior, and the enigmatic Celene, are portrayed with depth and nuance, their journeys marked by internal and external conflicts that resonate with authenticity. The thematic exploration of power, sacrifice, and the human condition adds layers of richness to the story, inviting readers to reflect on the broader implications of the narrative.

While the novel delves into darker territories, it does so with a sense of restraint, ensuring that the emotional impact is both profound and poignant. The sampler I was given (thank you so much!) is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving an indelible impression on the reader's mind.

For those who appreciate a narrative that balances grandeur with introspection, Empire of the Dawn stands as a testament to Jay Kristoff's storytelling prowess and I am absolutely NOT OKAY.

My most anticipated finally doesn’t disappoint! The sampler provided to me by Netgally and the publisher ( Thank you! ) has me on the edge of my seat waiting for the books fully release! Full of characters I love and am terrified for in peril, and with an addicting writing style that pulls you in from the very first page. So to get my hands on this!

Gaaaaahhh! This series! I continued to be amazed by Jay Kristoff's ability to weave a heartbreaking tale. This book (and series) continue to keep the despair ever present, the action rising and the smallest glimmer of hope alive. It is not for the faint of heart.💔

I was as smitten as ever with our MMC, Gabriel, and his troupe of faithful companions, even with this sampler. I was immediately re-immersed in the world of the Vampires and Elidaen and the pages were turning! I was aggrieved to come to the end of this short sampler and I'm left akin to Jean Francois-salivating for the remainder of the story!

It sound be outlawed to only give a part of a book ARC! 😩😂 Can November 4th get here any quicker?!😩🫠

On the real though: Thank-you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press (Macmillan) and Jay Kristoff for this sampler ARC!

I thoroughly enjoyed the sample and I absolutely cannot wait to read the rest of the book!! It’s gripping and terrifying.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Jay Kristoff, and St. Martin’s Press for an arc sample of Empire of the Dawn in exchange for an honest review.

Just like the first two books in the series, I am addicted to the first person linear storytelling from the main character, Gabriel. And just like the first two, this book so far is also very dark, very gritty, and bleak. Unlike the first two books though, I feel like this book is more tightly paced and more high stakes. I also am looking forward to seeing if we get a second POV to help tell the story of the Holy Grail and the end of the Forever King. Eager to get the full version of the final installment on release day and to update my review upon completing it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a sneak peek of one of my most anticipated reads of 2025! As soon as I saw the sampler for Empire of the Dawn by Jay Kristoff, I knew I had to get my hands on it. And let me be the first to tell you, it did not disappoint.

In less than two hundred pages, we get a taste of Kristoff’s signature worldbuilding and that sharp, immersive writing style that immediately pulled me right back into this world. Even with just this small glimpse, you can already feel the scope, tension, and epic energy building beneath the surface. It’s dark, it’s gripping, and honestly… finishing the sampler felt like a mistake because now I NEED more.

I have zero doubt the rest of the book will not only live up to this preview and the rest of the series as a whole, but also surpass our expectations and deliver something truly unforgettable. We’re absolutely in for something incredible here. Now all that’s left is to wait for the full release, and I’m counting down the days!

In the final installment of the Empire of the Vampire trilogy, tensions are running high and hope is wearing thin as Gabriel and crew seek vengeance upon the Forever King. In the ARC sample (186 pages), Gabriel and company are struggling with thirst, feelings of abandonment, identity, and whether love or revenge should be their guiding light through the endless night. In book 3, Gabriel’s wit and sarcasm is sharper than ever, and the recounting of his tale as Jean-François records is riddled with foreshadowing and passion. It’s hard to say what the conclusion of the series with hold, but I’m hopeful that this story could be the best enemies to lovers (or allies) book we’ve ever read.

Vampires
Found Family
Religious Trauma
Dual Timeline

I'm hoping I can come back after I've read the full book to finish my review!

8/23/2025: I'm so happy I got to read a sample of this. This book is one of my most anticipated reads of the year. And these first chapters did not disappoint. If anything, they only stoked the fire of anticipation. The way Kristoff tells this story is breathtaking and down right criminal with how hard it is to stop reading. While it hasn't happened with this book yet, I'm fairly certain tears will be shed when its over.

I first want to say thank you for considering me for even a sample of this amazing story.

When I read Empire of the Vampire and Empire of the Damned in the end of May, I had to make an apology video to all the people who begged me to read these books and I just kept putting off for over a year.

When I got the email for this ARC, I took the rest of the day off to be able to dive in. These books mean something to me and are featured prominently on my shelf at home. That being said, here's my feedback:

Jay Kristoff does it again. Kristoff weaves words together like the greatest wizards weave spells. There is something enchanting and memorizing about these books that as soon as the first word is read, you can't put them down. I (unfortunately) have not seen how to book is going to be put together, but I appreciate the recap in the beginning. With so much happening in book two, it was great to have that.

Once again the relationships between characters, friend or foe, leave me searching each word for hidden meaning. Knowing that, just like Gabriel and Aaron's plot, those words can lead to a plot twist.

This is my most anticipated book of the year and having the ability to edge myself on just a taste of the sweet words has been the highlight of my book review career.

Thank you again.

Received the ARC Sample
- Sample being the 1st 1/3rd of the book so I can’t say my review won’t change.

Note on Samplers at the end of the *Netgalley review.

The books starts off by catching you up on the previous two books, it’s rarely done but always helpful when it’s written in an interesting way opposed to a glossary. It works really well in this case since it’s done within the story from the historians perspective.

When we get to the story it starts a bit slow though. Weird thing to nitpick but I’m not much for the portions of stories that involve details about people traveling and about how grueling the journey is as it reminds me of going through the TSA. With that said when the story gets going it really takes off. The intensity of the action matches the previous book so you won’t be disappointed, however this is a sampler so it’s only for a few chapters. I’d be comfortable betting it gets much more intense.

Only negative is there’s nothing from Celene YET. This is why samplers are annoying. She’s probably my favorite character (atleast the version of her who’s locked up showing absolute contempt for the historian with Choclat’ eyes) but I guess I’ll have to wait to hear more of her insults.


Note about the audiobook:

When I think of a horrific world I also imagine that everyone in it is french - glad the author seems to agree. It also means I’ve mispronounced almost every name and place in this book but It does make me look forward to listening to the audiobook. Now if you listen to the audiobook for the Empire of the Damned the Dyvok vampire’s all use french pronouns in a Scottish accent. Just curious if anyone else picked up on that and if it's going to continue?


I've written a much longer review but don't want to post it before reading the rest of the book.


***Regarding Samplers: Posted on Netgalley only***

Don’t get me wrong I always want to get started on the story as soon as possible so ARC’s are amazing but this Sample thing isn’t fun. Now we have to wait a few months and either reread this section or start in the middle, neither is very appealing.

Getting a story piecemeal means I can’t say my review is accurate since the story can drastically change. Same thing with Joe Abercrombie’s “The Devils” and like a *moth to the flame I read that one also. After speaking with a few reviewers about this marketing trend they’ve all said they don’t read samplers anymore. I don’t know if I’m jumping in that boat yet but pls, No more Sanctum for me just blood straight from the Jugular.

Thanks!

This sampler was such a tease! By the time I finished, I was dying for more!

But to also know this trilogy is coming to an end, I’m not ready for it.

Because this is a sampler- it’s hard to write a full review without giving away too many spoilers. Everyone just needs to know is to have a box of tissues ready and hold on for a wild and tragic conclusion. I’m saying tragic because it’s a gut feeling.

Thank you, St. Martins Press for my gifted sampler ARC 💕

I am terrified to read the rest of this book. I don’t even know what to say, really, other than that I will be reading it immediately after I get it (I already have it pre-ordered), even though I’m sure I’ll be sobbing by the end of it. I love the characters in this series so much, truly, and I am going to be absolutely devastated if anything happens to any of them (that hasn’t already). I’ll admit that I’m not ready for this trilogy to be over, as it’s become one of my favorite fantasy series ever, but I do trust that Kristoff won’t let us down. I just hope my heart won’t be completely shattered by the final page.

Kristoff continues to impress with the last installment of this trilogy. I can't wait to read the rest of the book and see where our Silversaint ends up.

A quick thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Jay Kristoff for the SAMPLER in exchange for my honest SAMPLER review.
I am so disappointed that St. Martin’s Press tricked us into reviewing a SAMPLER. This is very disheartening to say the least!! When we all signed up for the first time, this was the FULL book and not a SAMPLER.

However, this SAMPLER was very good. An awesome start to get to the finale. Jay Kristoff is one of my favorites. This trilogy has been so very delicious!!

I will be waiting to give my full honest thoughts and opinions until I can read the FULL BOOK. I’m sitting on the edge of my seat waiting until November to read the rest of the book.