A book review: Empire of the Damned

Title of the book: Empire of the Damned

Author: Jay Kristoff

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Publication Date: 29th of February 2024

Genre: Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal

Why I picked up this book:

I believe there is a saying out there that says something along the lines of, “no single human experience is truly unique”. Following that logic, I am sure that some of you have experienced the same as I.

That sudden urge - when you have not thought about food, a piece of music, a creative endeavor or in this case a book - in ages, and suddenly it is all you can think about. That was the case with Empire of the Vampire for me recently, and by extension, its sequel Empire of the Damned.

I didn’t even like the first book all that much, I cared little for Kristoff’s style and felt though there was great potential, but ultimately the final form was lacking.

So tell me - pray tell me, why was it all I could think about for weeks until I read both damned books!

About the author:

Jay Kristoff is a #1 international, New York Times, and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. He is the winner of eight Aurealis Awards, an ABIA, has over two million books in print, and is published in over thirty-five countries, most of which he has never visited. He is as surprised about all of this as you are.

He is 6’7 and has approximately 11,000 days to live.

He does not believe in happy endings.

Synopsis:

Gabriel de León has saved the Holy Grail from death, but his chance to end the endless night is lost.

After turning his back on his Silversaint brothers once and for all, Gabriel and the Grail set out to learn the truth of how Daysdeath might finally be undone.

But the last Silversaint faces peril, within and without. Pursued by children of the Forever King, drawn into wars and webs centuries in the weaving, and ravaged by his own rising bloodlust, Gabriel may not survive to see the truth of the Grail revealed.

Review of the book:

“ I am a trice damned fool” ~ Gabriel de Leon, at some point in this book, probably. This sums up my feelings if not eloquently then certainly succinctly. 

I knew going into these that it wouldn’t be high prose. Certainly not the next diamond in the rough, the next classic to stand the test of time. In all honesty a lot of the time I think of these books more like junk food. Now don’t get me wrong I don’t mean that in a negative way. 

Junk food fills a void. It is quick, it is easy, and a lot of the time also nostalgic for a lot of us. Do I expect it to be of incredible quality? No. I expect it to be filling, warming, quick, and bring back some pleasant memories. If I am lucky (and I am aware this is terrible) it may bring me some temporary happiness.

All of this - is what Jay Kristoff’s books (Empire of the Vampire and Empire of the Damned) do for me. It’s a little bit trashy, it is bad for me but dammit do I want to drown it in mayonnaise and make it my bitch.

The one thing I could do without though the EDGING! I swear Kristoff must have a hard-on for edging more so than your average fintech bro. The number of times he comes close to a climax, whether sexual, violent, or other, just to rip it at the last second - unbearable.

It would also be nice if there were just one or two characters in these books that weren’t drop-dead gorgeous. Seriously? Could we get an old crone or a poor battled hardened general, a child with a genetic defect - I don’t know. Just a single person who does not make your heart sing at the sight of it. Just so we lowly wretches don’t feel well exactly like wretches. 

On a more positive side - I found the character of Gabriel more bearable this time around. Hard as that may sound to believe. He’s less of a heartless curr, and more a man on a mission. The cast of side characters all were interesting, well-rounded, and believable too. Yes, even the woman who can change into a she-lion.

The story took a more interesting turn, though some of it was rather predictable in the end.

All in all, it isn’t quality but it’s damn filling for sure. 

This review also posted on Goodreads and Amazon.