The story is a vast apocalyptic canvass, reminiscent of Justin Cronin’s THE PASSAGE or even Stephen King’s THE STAND, yet Kristoff’s work stands on its own ruthless merit as the opening gambit of a richer tale yet to unfold. There are so many things to like about this book, so tell me – please tell me – why I’ve been left with such a foul taste in my mouth!

Aside from the mature themes and creatively gory violence, the protagonist de León and his pals are hella ribald. E. Schwab 'A ripping read' Joe Abercrombie Gabriel de Leon has saved the Holy Grail from death, but his chance to end the endless night is lost. And yes, Gabriel is still telling this epic story to Jean Francois the vampire as he's held prisoner.I have always been a fan of vampires in the fantasy genre, and although I am glad many people loved Twilight, I have to say that I am slightly saddened by how it changed the way vampires are portrayed and assessed in the masses. But one of my biggest pet peeves is a fictional fantasy world that either doesn’t include LGBTQ+ characters or includes homophobia.

Gabriel’s mother, his love interest, his close friend, an authoritative figure at the monastery, every female vampire, women he barely knows who pass through the story. It’s only in faerie tales that everything works out for the best with a magik spell or a prince’s kiss. Since its announcement, especially after hearing it will be an illustrated novel, I was undoubtedly excited to get to reading Empire of the Vampire. Like the fact that we spend hundreds of pages, listening to Gabe explain why he will never touch a drop of drink. The book was well received by critics, who praised its exploration of vampire lore and the character of Gabriel.But it is crucial to have something about them (determination, unflinching bravery) that drove me to like a part of them enough to continue reading or at least feel invested in their story. A huge thank you to Harper Collins for an early proof of this book - I have never been more excited to receive post! Everyone has a limit, and while some may completely disregard an author after their behaviour, for some that line may not have been crossed. Gabriel is a half vampire, half human ‘silversaint’, sworn to protect humanity from the vampires that have taken over after the sun stopped rising…or something. How a book coated in an empire of blood and carnage can foster so many truly heartfelt, deeply moving, funny, and also beautiful moments is a feat that makes me love it that much more.

Empire of the Vampire is a 2021 illustrated horror-fantasy novel by Australian novelist Jay Kristoff. My dude, if the first book is this long (I'm half way through exactly and have been at it literally all day), then how chucky will the trilogy be? I feel like writing a review for this is pretty redundant because everybody and their mother knows its going to be awesome, it was one of my most highly anticipated releases of this year and I'm so grateful I got an early copy, it did not disappoint, Empire of the Vampire is my favourite fantasy book and this sequel was incredible, I don't want to post spoilers but get ready for more potato hating, bloodshed, betrayal, tears and spicyness, maybe all at the same time.But instead, 458/739 pages in, I’ve realised this is likely to be the last time I read a book by Jay Kristoff. You’ve read my rants on the book, and if I were to give a rating based only on the first half of the novel, it would barely be a 2 stars rating.