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marieby's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, War, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, and Slavery
booksalacarte's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Empire of the damned- 4.75⭐️ 3🌶️
Dark Epic Fantasy
Second book
Vampires
Dual POV
Storytelling narration
Catholic inspired religion
War
🏳️🌈 representation
Character recap!!!
My confusion is why the first 2 sections of this book weren’t included in the first book. It would have been a full arc of a story. The break in storytelling would have been very natural due to where “book 3” starts/picks up. But I understand the shift in narration necessary to go onto section 3… interesting.
But putting that aside, I loved this book!! It was a great second book that didn’t suffer the sophomore slump. I was engaged and invested and excited for what was revealed through this part of the story. I really enjoy Jay Kristoff’s writing style. I was worried about the addition of a second storyteller, but it worked out!
Messy characters make me love it even more. Give me all the drama and messy relationships/friendships. Make me gasp. And this author delivers. I enjoyed side characters becoming main players.
The things that I didn’t enjoy include misogyny standard to European medieval feudalism centered around religious orthodoxy. If you thought a book that was inspired by medieval Catholic Europe was going to be without it being present, I don’t know what to tell you. But it’s there, it’s never fun to have to read in excess. But it’s an adult fantasy, with cursing and I get.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the eARC of sections 1 & 2 of this book. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Alcohol, Cursing, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Misogyny, Cannibalism, Classism, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Torture, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and War
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