This was such a great sampler and I can't wait to dive into the full arc!!! I have loved this series so so much and seeing the story continue in this one will be amazing!

This is a review of the Sampler edition, which appears to end at the end of "Book 1" in Empire of the Dawn.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher St. Martin's Press for the Arc Sampler; the views are my own.

This should be called a "Teaser" not a Sampler, because all I want now is the rest of the book, & I'll be haunted by it (& all the possible ways it can hurt us) until November.

Our story is drawing closer together as we're getting closer to present day & learning what will happen as opposed to what has happened, but in true Kristoff fashion, everything has to fall apart (epically) first.

In under 200 pages, we have potatoes, named horses (all Kristoff & EotV fans know where that leads...), a few teary moments, some brushes with death, & a whole lot of cursing.

We also have incredible new artwork by Gonzalo Mendiverry. Bon Orthwick's touch is missed, but Gonzalo has his own stylistic approach that is different but still appreciative of the choices she made when first drawing the characters.

I wasn't aware that this was just a sample when I requested it so I won't be leaving a full review, however I did really enjoy what I read!

I loved the recap and character descriptions because you bet I forgot some things since reading Empire of the Damned. The writing style was on point with the prior books and the story felt just as detailed, complex, and intriguing.

I can't wait to be able to read the complete version of Empire of the Dawn!

I didn’t realise this was only a sampler when I requested it as it wasn’t made clear in the description at all, so I don’t feel like I can give an accurate review of only a section of the book. That said, the first two books in the series were 5 stars for me & I have no doubt this will be also!

I honestly can't wait for the full book of Empire of the Dawn. Jay Kristoff is going to knock all of our socks off.

I'm so glad I knew this was only a sample going in, because I would have FREAKED out if I was expecting the entire story when it cut us off.

We are reunited with Gabriel in grave despair, as he did not know the true fate of Dior. Kristoff has a way of tearing through my emotions unlike any other author. Gabriel's grief for loved ones lost, sometimes roaring like a lion, yet other times so subtle, one could miss the meaning. Both had me ugly crying early on.

From the beginning, you know the end is near, yet you cannot predict the road it will travel. Will the story primarily take place in the present, with only a few chapters devoted to historical recollection? I'm terrified to learn who will survive!

This has me itching to reread books 1 & 2, which I will likely do before I'm able to dive into the entire story. My heart is not going to be ready for the Dawn.

Thank you, NetGalley & St. Martin's Press, for this sneak peek.

The "Empire of the Dawn" sampler by Jay Kristoff serves as a tantalizing precursor to what is undoubtedly set to be a monumental conclusion to the acclaimed Empire of the Vampire series. For fans of Kristoff's signature dark, gritty, and often unflinching fantasy, this sampler will likely deliver a potent dose of the visceral action, intricate world-building, and morally complex characters that have defined the saga thus far.

Kristoff's writing is known for its intense atmosphere, sharp prose, and a willingness to explore the darker facets of humanity and fantasy. The sampler highlights this, with descriptions of "deadly treachery" and legions marching, setting the stage for a grand, climactic confrontation.

A key element Kristoff excels at is crafting a sense of dwindling hope and overwhelming odds. The sampler emphasizes this beautifully.

For those already invested in the Empire of the Vampire saga, the sampler is an unmissable taste of the grim, action-packed, and emotionally charged finale awaiting them. For new readers, while it's part of a continuing story, the sheer power of Kristoff's writing and the evocative imagery should provide enough of a hook to pique interest in the preceding volumes.

I’ve been dying to get my hands on book 3, so this sampler was exactly what I needed to hold me over.

The story picks up seamlessly from where book 2 left off, and the transition is so smooth. Kristoff’s writing continues to impress—layered with emotional depth and nuance, every character interaction feels meaningful and rich with subtext. You can sense that each moment is building toward something bigger, adding to the anticipation for what’s to come.

This sample leaves you deeply intrigued and hungry for more, in the best way possible. I have a strong feeling that the conclusion to this series is going to be nothing short of epic. I absolutely cannot wait to devour the rest of this book. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC sampler!

Jay kristoffs tagline "you are not prepared" is apt. I found myself on the edge of my chair the entire time reading this hefty sampler.

I don't know whether to laugh in delight I was able to read this ahead of time or cry in woe that I can't have the rest of it now!

*** Sample Review***

Will you be emotionally invested? Will you be left questioning life and your sanity? .. Yes.

I am angry that I got the sampler.. grateful, but also devastated that I have to wait for the rest.
We are given the best of Kristoff's characters, humor and prose. If you liked the previous two, you will love this one. If the first 15 chapters were any indication of what's to come... this is going to be devastating in the best of ways!

Thank you to Jay Kristoff and St. Martin's Press for giving me just enough to make sure I am feigning for more.. and Netgalley for making it happen! Why did I do this to myself?!

Ugh I can’t wait for the rest of this to come out! The sampler was amazing as expected based on the first 2 books

Mayhaps, this is going to finish me when I get my hands on the rest of it.
"The Dead feel as beasts, looks as men, die as devils."

I loved the recaps, it helped me remember a few key tidbits from the first book. Jay Kristoff's writing is always stellar, funny and clever.

When this started slowly with the bickering boyband, I was a tad bit worried. And then I remembered what a tricky, unreliable narrator Gabriel is! I like that we finally get to see the history of the Lion.

I also somehow forgot about one of the most important character, our interviewer Marquis Jean-François. He's so conveniently forgettable! Until you realize he's a major part of the story. Although the beginning sampler of this book isn't as devastating as the first two, I just know Jay is going to finish this with a bang.

"It helps to hate the things you fight. But it’s far better to love the things you defend."

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The ARC for this book only included the first part of the book that will come out in November. I will be updating my review after I have read the whole book. But so far:

LOVED IT. It hurts so good. It takes place right where the last book left off. This book if going to be DARK and I can tell none of my favorite characters are going to have a good time. It's hard to say much else without spoilers but I can say that Jay Kristoff gave us more of what we have loved in the past two books. November cannot come fast enough.

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.