Jay 1
Four legged friends that say Neigh - 0

One day I'll learn my lesson about wanting to read these samplers, and prevent myself the pain of having to wait months after getting a drop of water.

The beginning has a lovely refresher of characters and where we are, I absolutely LOVE how this story is told with Gabe and the historian - it's so fun reading this way (read fun as torturous and painful) and I cannot wait for more.

I know Jay says it's not going to end well but I have delusional hope (says through tears).

The break in the sampler is mean and cruel and I should have expected it since that's what happened for book 2 as well but STILL I WANT MORE.

Thank you so much for this and just know I'm bereft without more to read.

I love love this story and the sample I got to read is no exception. The story is beautiful and I can not wait to read the rest of it! I will say that the new "illustrations" leave a lot to be desired. But ultimately it's still a 5 star read so far. Thank you net galley for the arc

I want to thank you for giving me an opportunity of reading this first few chapters in this final book of Empire of the Vampire world. I was so excited to see where we left off and to feel at home, seeing what Gabrielle was going to say and do. I can tell just by the small sample that Kristoff is going to bring the depth and emotion to this book that we know him.

This is only my rating for a sample of the book. I doubt it will change when I finally get to read the whole thing, as I rated the first two books five stars. I'm almost glad it's still a few months away, as I am not prepared for this to end. The artwork is stunning. I cannot wait to see it in print.

**Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ebook. All opinions are my own.**

I am so excited for Empire of the Dawn and happy to read this sampler. I appreciate that the book starts with an overview of the cast of characters, it is a nice refresher if you need one but also has some funny comments and really gets you back into the tone of the story. I really enjoy how the story is being narrated and our historian interjects with his own questions and comments. The book starts off with a bit of action right away and as we get back into Gabriel's tale a new setting. It is always so interesting to see new places in this series and learn more about how different cities have survived this long. I can't wait to read the rest of this book.

Full disclosure, I haven’t actually read this yet. I screwed up and requested without realizing this is only a sample. If I read this sample this far out from the release date it might kill me. So I’m going to wait. Giving 5 stars because I know I will anyways. Love this series

I'm extremely annoyed that when this book was first made available here on NetGalley it didn't say ANYWHERE in the title or description that it was only a sampler (that has since been changed, but the original page misled me into thinking the entire book would be available). I wouldn't have requested or downloaded it if I'd known that it was only a partial! Especially since I plan to reread the first two books before I review the final volume and I had already started rereading the first one, and now have to wait until the end of October because there's no way I'm rereading half a million words twice. Which means I just wasted time rereading part of book 1 that could have been spent reading and reviewing another ARC instead, on top of being disappointed because I was looking forward to being able to read the entire trilogy now. This isn't the first time this has happened on NetGalley, so obviously I need to be better about remembering to wait and check out other reviews first before requesting things--but I was just excited for this book, and now I am much less so. I really wish we could trust publishers to be more detailed oriented with regard to things like this, and particularly when it comes to popular titles they know people will request right away!

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.