About this deal
The first is that it uses a framing narrative where the story is being told by the main character to someone else (think: Name of the Wind). While this style ruins some of the suspense because you already know the fate of some characters, it was a joy to read the interactions between the main character and the person he is telling the story to - with routine jumping in/out throughout the book.
All my theories, the unanswered questions I have after the events of book #1.0, and the status of all the characters introduced thus far. Trigger Warning: Gore, violence, vulgar language, nudity, bloodsmut. NOT SUITABLE FOR YOUNGER READERS!⚠️ And, again, I just find it hilarious how serious this book tried to take itself, because if it was a satire or a comedy?? Absolutely here for it. I mean, how can you have something like this— 'spirits that strong will burn like a trencherman’s fart in a candleshop'—and other various phrases and expect this book to be viewed as something edgy, something dark, something just so gruesome and unique and whining about how your magnificent "magnum opus" didn't make GR Choice selection blah blah WHEN YOU WRITE LIKE THIS??? I never thought I'd find such peace in simple reading. The words were a kind of magic, taking me by the hand and sweeping me into lands unseen, times unremembered, thoughts unimagined. Through all my years in San Michon, all the blood and sweat and darkling roads I walked, I learned one of my greatest lessons sitting in that Library with those girls in the still of the night.
Books
It’s the biggest book that I’ve written. It’s definitely the hardest book that I’ve written,” Kristoff says, whose previous works include the Nevernight trilogy, another massive fantasy shot through with violence, corruption, and complex stakes. “Now that I’m at the tail end of it, [I think] it’s the best book that I’ve ever written. I’m more proud of this novel than anything I’ve ever written in my life, and that’s against some pretty stiff competition.” It should surprise absolutely no one at this point that rape is also a favorite plotline. I count at the very least 4 named female characters who were raped in this book. Again, just more violence against women. Dior reveals that she discovered her powers as a young orphan when she and a friend tried to kill a bishop for molesting children, and Chloe saved her from being executed for witchcraft and heresy. Gabriel in turn reveals that after being excommunicated, he and Astrid married and had a daughter named Patience. For over a decade, they lived happily as a family, until Fabien Voss arrived at their home. Seeking revenge for Laure, he murdered Patience, turned Astrid into a vampire and left Gabriel for dead in a shallow grave. Gabriel survived and swore to kill Fabien and his entire bloodline in retaliation for his family's deaths. Leído en inglés, será publicado por Nocturna el 19 de Septiembre, en unos días. Os animo estimadas amistades, encarecidamente, a leer esta joya. Le auguro muchísimo éxito, como ha tenido en su lengua natal.)
There’s a beast in all men’s blood, Gabriel. You can starve him. Cage him. Curse him. But in the end, you pay the beast his due, or he takes his due from you. A huge thank you to HarperVoyager for sending me an ARC copy of 'Empire of the Vampire' by Jay Kristoff. Las ilustraciones que acompañan al libro le dan otro toque acorde. Hace de su lectura algo más completo. EMPIRE OF THE DAMNED is nothing short of mind-blowing. Honestly, it hit every item on my wish list, and I have zero criticisms. Me ha dejado con ganas de más. Una historia y un mundo envueltos por un manto de misterio y acción. La intriga de saber más sobre el origen de los misteriosos vampiros o la razón por la que el sol se vuelve negro.
Empire of the Vampire
Throughout the book, we see a compelling exploration of Gabriel's faith. It's a raw, honest look at a man pushed to his limits, reflecting on past battles and sacrifices, powerful foes, and a love that's as alluring as it is forbidden. We witness the slow erosion of Gabriel's faith and, interestingly, the author uses this to delve into the complex nature of belief and how it can take different shapes for different people. And even though we know Gabriel must've survived to tell his tale, Kristoff still manages to keep the suspense high and the atmosphere heavy with anticipation. Para mi esta es su obra cumbre. Y cómo escribe, esos toques de cinismo y humor, me recordó a Abercrombie. Let's begin with the usual caveats: I received an Advanced Reading Copy of this book, for free, from the publisher. I think Jay Kristoff is a nice person. And I think that neither of those two things will affect my honest review of this book. I think what I am most impressed with is Kristoff’s ability to capture the modern vampire, who is erotic and sexy at times with the monster inside lurking underneath, just beneath the surface. While other times it’s the monster who is front facing, sexuality pushed to the side. But it’s also the fact that the author is able to work in the sarcastic, snide, sometimes-witty, often-crass writing style he is known for.
In justice and hope, no hope there be, In mercy and bliss, no bliss for thee, In death and truth, no truth I see, Through blood and fire, now dance with me.” Empire of the Vampire" is a riveting, multi-layered narrative set in a world plunged into eternal darkness by a vampire-led apocalypse. The protagonist, Gabriel de Leon, the last of the Silversaints, is compelled to recount his life's tale to Jean-Francois, a vampire historian. The narrative oscillates between Gabriel's teenage years, his life as a disgruntled addict in his thirties, and the 'present-day' narrative. As a young man, Gabriel grapples with familial relationships, the escalating threat of the vampire empire, his infatuation with blood, and his peculiar abilities that lead him to the Silversaint brotherhood. Years later, Gabriel, now a jaded and disgruntled addict, finds himself unwillingly entwined in a prophecy and part of an unconventional fellowship. In the present timeline, a war-weary Gabriel faces his captor, resulting in a compelling exchange of tales filled with forbidden love, dark menace, power struggles, and the complexity of faith. This saga is a testament to survival and resilience in a world dominated by terror and uncertainty, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the sequel. Third, and this should probably have been a caveat. I'm not big on vampire stories. But this was from Jay Kristoff, so I gave it a try. It's still not my favorite sub-genre, but I would say Empire of the Vampire is much more than a vampire story. And I am grateful that, for all of their fine manners and sartorial elegance, these vampires are still nasty, evil, horrific villains. As vampires should be.The root of all these first world problems is simple to identify, of course: Three books is a LOT to bring out in a single year. And the solution to these problems is also simple: Es muy agradable de leer, y pinta el paisaje con detalles que realzaron la emoción y elevaron las apuestas de un mundo gobernado por vampiros. That being said, some of the things are loosely based on or inspired by Christian and Catholicism beliefs. As a Christian (am not a Catholic), some of the things felt slightly uncomfortable to read. There's mention of Almighty God, Redeemer, some of the things and perspectives are Biblical in nature. So when they're used in vain, and to act in vain..it's not an easy read for a Christian. There are more complexities to the events that happened in the book biblically, but I won't get it into that cause if it's Almighty God's Will, He will reveal it to others. Those aren’t generally the sorts of vampires we tend to see in much contemporary fiction nowadays, however. From The Vampire Diaries and True Blood to the Twilight franchise, recent mainstream pop culture has embraced the idea of the vampire as a version of the ultimate bad boy boyfriend, a secretly romantic figure still searching for true love after centuries of loneliness. This POV also gives us additional insight into the vampire hierarchy, both providing them with much-needed character work and also proving indeed that the lot of them are bastards.