miss_seagull's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
swift234's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
rebeccareads08's review against another edition
1.0
Yikes.
Lets' get straight to it. This book was not for me. I have never read this author before and I saw some recs for it and decided to give it a try, it did not go well.
It's hyper violent, riddled with misogyny and violence towards women. It weirdly hyper sexualizes underage characters our romanticizes that ideal.
I felt like the characters are one dimensional and just follow a stereotype.
It's also not very original, I feel like I have read many versions of this story already. This just grazes the surface of the problems I had with this book but I don't want to spend any more time on it then I already have.
Ultimately this book just made me feel super uncomfortable. Will definitely not be continuing the series.
Lets' get straight to it. This book was not for me. I have never read this author before and I saw some recs for it and decided to give it a try, it did not go well.
It's hyper violent, riddled with misogyny and violence towards women. It weirdly hyper sexualizes underage characters our romanticizes that ideal.
I felt like the characters are one dimensional and just follow a stereotype.
It's also not very original, I feel like I have read many versions of this story already. This just grazes the surface of the problems I had with this book but I don't want to spend any more time on it then I already have.
Ultimately this book just made me feel super uncomfortable. Will definitely not be continuing the series.
januaryt123's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Outing, Bullying, War, Sexual content, Body horror, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Blood, Torture, Murder, Grief, and Homophobia
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Abandonment
wildflower030's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Gore, Religious bigotry, Torture, Violence, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Abandonment, Homophobia, and Cursing
zoekatereads's review against another edition
5.0
EOTV is 700+ pages of some of the most compelling storytelling I’ve read. Gritty, raw, incredibly atmospheric. This book had me in a chokehold the entire time I was reading it. I’m actually a bit sad it’s over.
This is a dark story. I cannot emphasise this enough. The world is bleak. Evil lurks everywhere. Everyone is somehow morally questionable (or completely corrupt).
This is way more than a vampire story. It follows characters exploring (and losing) their beliefs, ever-evolving moral compasses, navigating grief, found family, and finding a purpose in life.
The banter between the characters was brilliant and had me laughing out loud (and honestly I’ve been taking notes, some of this stuff was GOLD) and made room for some light in an otherwise very dark novel.
I found myself completely enraptured by these characters, this world. Empire of the Damned is absolutely one of my most anticipated reads for 2024.
This is a dark story. I cannot emphasise this enough. The world is bleak. Evil lurks everywhere. Everyone is somehow morally questionable (or completely corrupt).
This is way more than a vampire story. It follows characters exploring (and losing) their beliefs, ever-evolving moral compasses, navigating grief, found family, and finding a purpose in life.
The banter between the characters was brilliant and had me laughing out loud (and honestly I’ve been taking notes, some of this stuff was GOLD) and made room for some light in an otherwise very dark novel.
I found myself completely enraptured by these characters, this world. Empire of the Damned is absolutely one of my most anticipated reads for 2024.
devinelybookish's review against another edition
4.0
This book is not for the feint hearted. Not only is it decidedly grotesque and gruesome, but its also a monster of a book, coming in at 725 pages with another book on the way.
But if gruesome adult fantasy is your thing, then you will definitely enjoy this book. The world and character building is phenomenal.
The story follows Gabriel De León, the most famous Silver Saint demon slayer to exist. After his capture from the Vampires that now rule the world, he tells his story of what lead him to his capture and how he tried to find the one thing that might save the human world from the grips of the Vampire's.
The story is in non- chronological flitting between the present (while he is in prison), to the very beginning (his origin), and to the more recent future (him as an adult Silver Saint). Though there are different time zones, it was still relatively easy to keep up.
The banter was dark and hilarious. But it definitely isn't for everyone. Nor is the level of detail depicted in some aspects of the book.
Read if you like:
Adult fantasy
Legendary battles
Blood and gore/violence
Religious occult
Dark humour
Don't read if:
You are not an adult
And dont like:
Prolific swearing
Sexual Content
Violence
Religious Themes
Misogyny
Trigger warnings:
Anything mentioned above
Drug addiction
Child abuse
Homophobia
It reminds me of Interview With a Vampire meets Van Helsing
But if gruesome adult fantasy is your thing, then you will definitely enjoy this book. The world and character building is phenomenal.
The story follows Gabriel De León, the most famous Silver Saint demon slayer to exist. After his capture from the Vampires that now rule the world, he tells his story of what lead him to his capture and how he tried to find the one thing that might save the human world from the grips of the Vampire's.
The story is in non- chronological flitting between the present (while he is in prison), to the very beginning (his origin), and to the more recent future (him as an adult Silver Saint). Though there are different time zones, it was still relatively easy to keep up.
The banter was dark and hilarious. But it definitely isn't for everyone. Nor is the level of detail depicted in some aspects of the book.
Read if you like:
Adult fantasy
Legendary battles
Blood and gore/violence
Religious occult
Dark humour
Don't read if:
You are not an adult
And dont like:
Prolific swearing
Sexual Content
Violence
Religious Themes
Misogyny
Trigger warnings:
Anything mentioned above
Drug addiction
Child abuse
Homophobia
It reminds me of Interview With a Vampire meets Van Helsing
thesmuttyalex's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In this fantasy and dystopian world, Gabriel de Léon recounts his adventures as a silversaint (an order tasked with eradicating vampires) to his jailer turned historian. His story is told in a not linear fashion.
Okay this was giving Kingkiller Chronicles immediately and even Jay admits it’s like if Kingkiller Chronicles had vampires but also make it smutty because Jay Kristoff is a man who knows how to give us a good time.
Jay’s turns of phrase and way of describing things is so unique and delightful.
I can’t believe I waited two years to read this book. Yes, it’s long and dense but it’s an epic fantasy and that shit comes with the territory. Now let’s hope I can remember the contents until March, when Empire of the Damned comes out.
Jay Kristoff tears your heart out and decimates it, doing it so skillfully you thank him for the privilege.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
POV: Solo 1st
untitledlullaby's review against another edition
4.0
This certainly had its problems. It’s written like it’s vampire hunter D, creepy minor descriptions included, but written by a fifteen year old edgy Reddit user. The story did drag in parts especially near the end and I really don’t have the will (or the patience, get it?) to read the sequel. Some of the dialogue was cringe especially when using modern language in a ancient setting. However, the way the vampires speaks is so fun and the world and story itself is a good time. There are strong female characters (I feel that other reviewers aren’t exactly correct when saying any female in this is pick me) that being up some standard issues. There’s LGBT representation and I found the friendships in this to be entertaining and cute. I have the special edition and the book truly is gorgeous and the artwork inside can be a bit same same but still cool. I praise this book for giving me a lot to talk about with it.