I don’t remember this being a sampler when I first got it, but regardless, this is literally one of my favorite series of all time, and I cannot wait to see how this ends! A great sampler, if the rest follows suit (which I know it will) it will easily be a five star read for me. This was such a teaser!

Empire of the Dawn opens with gut-wrenching emotion and relentless momentum. Gabriel’s grief hits like a freight train, and yet the moments of sardonic humor cut through the darkness in the best way. Beyond the grief, beyond the addicts-to-despair atmosphere, the characters are heartbreakingly real and heartbreaking all the same. Even this sampler leaves me desperate, breathless, and utterly unprepared for the fallout. A savage, stunning return to form leaving my heart in pieces and begging for more.

Micro Tropes:
Reluctant Dad Energy
Romance… but make it tragic
Prophecy, but make it gaslighting
Found Family that stabs back

Had no idea this was a sampler! But the sample I read was amazing! Cannot wait for the book to release!

FIRST OFF: This was NOT A SAMPLE when myself and others signed up for it and it was the full book when I signed up for this. This was incredibly disheartening as I looked forward to the entire 800 page book to binge and finish off the series. I love his writing. I have been waiting patiently for this book.

That being said the sample was great. Exactly what I expect from Kristoff: brutally written scenes, TONS of tension. The author set up for this final novel in the series sets it up so strong that I honestly can’t wait to see what he’s got up his sleeves for the epic end to this book.

So much fracturing, a ton of politics and a world that continues to amaze me, I can’t wait for the full book.

But i also cant lie and say I feel like we were done dirty with the edits made to the listing after we signed up for assumably the full book where no mention of a sample was stated. No fault to the author, all of it to the publisher.

5 stars to the book so far, 1 star because when we initially requested this it was NOT a sampler.

Oh we are in for a goddamn treat with this finale. Jay Kristoff, I bow down to thee. Sad this was just a sampler of part one and I think I’m going to have trouble waiting until November for the rest, but it will be well worth the wait.

I swear this wasn't listed as a sampler when I requested it, even though the second book was served up in the same fashion. I was looking forward to bingeing the end of the series, so I was more than a little disappointed to discover that this was only an excerpt, cutting off abruptly.

That said, what I did read was exactly what I’d expect from Jay Kristoff: beautifully written, brutal, and brimming with tension. The setup for Gabriel’s final confrontation is strong, and if the rest of the book carries through, it’s sure to be an epic conclusion to the series.

Looking forward to the complete story in the fall, but I wish it had been made clearer from the start that this was just a sampler.

I was sent a sampler of this book and I cannot wait for the release of this. I'm a big fan of the world building of this series and the overal authorial voice.

Didn't realize this was only a sampler and not the full book but I absolutely love what I've read so far! I simultaneously want to devour the end of this series and for it to never end. Gabriel continues on from the end of book 2 with one goal in mind. He's joined by Baptiste, Aaron, and Lachlan, all of whom are fracturing slowly. Meanwhile, in the present, vampire politics are escalating which is just as interesting. Once again, I would love a short story of all the vampire beef and history with the 5 houses. So excited for the release date now!

Didn't realize this was a sampler and not a full ARC - I don't want anything spoiled for me if I can't read the whole thing! Appreciate the opportunity though. Going to give 4 stars because I have loved his other books in the series!

I received the first half of this as an ARC and I am SO MAD I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NOVEMBER!! It left me right in the thick of things and I am chomping at the bit to finish this...

I already love these characters and the more I read about them and their actions (noble or nefarious) the more I fall in love with them.

It's very rare for me to find a high fantasy world that 1) has characters I cannot get enough of and 2) has a world built up to the degree I want it to be that's not completely overwhelming. Jay Kristoff does a fantastic job at creating such a dark, despairing atmosphere that carries through the entire series, which is WHY when they go to the seat of his family, you can feel the wrongness of the situation and you're waiting for the other shoe to drop the ENTIRE time.... I can't wait to read the rest dude

Also, the artwork in this book is STUNNING 😍 I CANNOT wait to own this book!!

I initially thought this ARC would be for the entire book, but this was just a sampler for the first quarter or so. As such, I'll be saving my full review for when the book comes out in November.

After reading this sample, I'm once more completely engrossed by Gabriel's tale and Jay Kristoff's storytelling style. Gabriel's encounter with Ilon in Léon, his growing bloodlust, and the fractures slowly building amongst Lachlan, Aaron, and Baptiste as the four of them start on their journey to kill Fabién Voss were so engaging to read and left me even more excited for the full release, even if the author has promised a lot of pain and suffering for his characters in this thrilling end to the trilogy.

The book is an absolute masterpiece, and fitting conclusion to one of my favorite series of all time

It’s hard to fully review as I did receive a sampler copy of the book which was about 1/4th of the whole but from what I read a few things I really enjoyed as follows:

1. Big fan of the recap of all the characters and events of the previous books. Wish more authors would include things like this especially when there are so many characters and storylines happening!
2. I love dark humor and this had it in spades.


That’s about all I can say with it being a sampler of the book and not the whole book. However as always grateful for the opportunity to read the sampler. And thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for my ARC copy of the sampler of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I posted a goodreads review and instagram story with highlight to my ARC review on my profile on 8/17/25

(Joining the masses in not realizing this was a sampler before requesting lol)

Anyway, from what I've now read of the book - I'm obsessed. It's difficult to keep such a complex story and intense plot alive for this many pages but Jay manages it flawlessly.

I don't feel qualified to truly review the book without the next 2/3 of it but from what I've read I predict this is going to be an epic ending (which is no easy feat)

I shall return once the book is released and I can read the full amount!

I was able to read a sample from NetGalley and cannot wait to read the rest. Empire of the Dawn is 3rd in the Empire of the Vampire series by Jay Kristoff. Read these in order.

I enjoyed the book. However its only a sample so its only part of the book. So now I have to wait and get the book to see what happens

Sampler review.

Jay Kristoff's Empire of the Damned is shaping up to be my favorite installment in what is already my favorite series of his. Although I only received the sampler from NetGalley, I can confidently say that I'm going to love this final book.

The story picks up once again with Gabriel de León, the last Silversaint, as he continues recounting his harrowing journey
—all while vampires gather to witness his execution. From just the opening chapters, Kristoff's trademark dark, gripping storytelling is in full force.

While I can't give a full review yet, based on what l've read and how incredible the first two books were, this is already a five-star read for me. One standout element was the review section at the beginning of the sampler-it brilliantly summarizes the world, characters, and events so far. I wish more epic fantasy series with sprawling casts and intricate lore included something like this.

I'm eagerly counting down the days until the full release in November. This series continues to be a dark, brutal, and beautiful ride-and I can't wait to see how it ends.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for my ARC copy of the sampler and honest review.
Expected publication date: November 4, 2025.

I'll be honest I forgot this was a sample so I was a little devastated when I realized this was only one part of the book. But this was an amazing start to the final book in this incredible series! Short review with little spoilers since this is only a portion of the book. I am so excited for the rest of this book! I can't wait to see how this story will wrap up!

Full review to come

Honestly St Martins press it is DIABOLICAL to only give me half of the book, because now I am in utter distress not knowing what is going to happen. This can no end well! Jean Francois continues to be my fave morally grey character and Gabriel is fierce as always. Cannot wait to read the rest in November. Ugh my heart can’t take it

Oooooh man, silly me, didn't realize this was a sampler until it just...ended. Now I absolutely need the whole book. I love what I've read so far, and I can't wait for the full release.