Empire of the Dawn

Jay Kristoff is one crafty bastard. And a master storyteller. EMPIRE OF THE DAWN ends one of the best series I have ever read. No one book of the trilogy fumbles the narrative. Instead, the story keeps improving the further along you get. The ending is as explosive and emotional as you can imagine times 1000.

As one of two new releases about which I was absolutely giddy with excitement, when I finally obtained my first copy of EMPIRE OF THE DAWN, I hesitated to start it. For months, Mr. Kristoff was warning fans that we were not ready for what was to come. His warning didn't concern me about the book's excellence, but it did make me wonder if I was willing to have my heart torn out again, after he tore it out in each of the two previous show more books.

Also, I didn't want the story to end. Gabriel de Leon and his endless plight have all but consumed me since the release of the first book. I've reread the first two books multiple times, even though it is one of the rare series where I did not forget a single detail. The characters are larger than life, and the world of Elidaen is so vivid that it makes it difficult to forget them. Plus, never have I read a novel that is so quotable or even relatable. Sure, the series may be about vampires and half-vampires, but each of the characters manages to impart some wisdom or bon mot worth remembering.

I eventually opened EMPIRE OF THE DAWN and treated it as I would a glass of fine wine or two fingers of the best bourbon. I enjoyed it slowly, over the course of a month. I savored each sentence and let the story build around me. Doing this, I was able to catch a few things I know I would have missed had I sped through the story in an effort to get to the end. Also, the slow absorption of the story meant I felt Gabe's emotions much more deeply because I wasn't reading superficially this time. I was reading to consume it in its entirety.

There is no doubt EMPIRE OF THE DAWN is a brutal journey. Gabe has never been able to catch a break, and it seems that any inkling of luck he had in the previous two books has completely left him alone in the finale. The sheer weight of burden and loss he suffers, driven forward only by the thought of a promise of revenge for one loved one and a promise of safety and support for another, is staggering. Mr. Kristoff warned everyone that we were not ready, and even though I had an inkling of what the finale would entail, he was right. I wasn't ready, not by a long shot.

There is a point where you can no longer savor Gabe's tale and can only strap in for the ride. And what a ride it is! The grand finale is indescribable. To say that it exceeded my expectations isn't lauding it enough. There is no other way the story could end, and yet you are still surprised. Plus, Mr. Kristoff has a few more tricks up his sleeve for his audience that will have you gasping in shock. EMPIRE OF THE DAWN, and the entirety of the Empire of the Vampire series, is brilliant. Masterful storytelling with unbelievable world-building, even better characters, and a story that sticks with you for years. Bravo, Mr. Kristoff. Bravo. show less

I'm gonna have to process this for a bit before I write a review. Mr. Kristoff, the way you have toyed with my emotions!
Update: OMG-WTF JUST HAPPENED!?
So Empire of the Dawn continues where book two ended. Jean-François Chastain continues getting his story between Gabriel and his sister Celene. New characters are introduced, who you will come to love. Then, at some point (no spoilers) Gabriel finds himself in the dungeon across the river from his sister. Both taking turns telling the story to Jean-Francois because Mama Chastain is in a hurry for this story. Let me tell you, Mr. Kristoff is right, you are NOT ready for this books ending. AT ALL.

Bloody great read. Satisfying conclusion to a hugely enjoyable trilogy.
2 & 3 both initially lacked the drive of book one, but both got there by the halfway point.
Just a cracking adventure, well constructed, clever, dramatic and bombastic.

Wow. Just wow. I'd give this 6 stars if I could. This is surely my favorite fantasy I've read in the last decade at least. If you like your fantasy grim, filled with memorable characters, darker than sin, full of twists, and splashed with almost as much black humor as blood, this is your series!

Vampires retelling their stories. Vampires telling truth or lies, no one knows.

I really like the overall setup, even if the details are blurry as soon as I close the book.

This book broke me. 5 ⭐️s is not enough. It was sad to see this series end.

TBC