Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff Book Review & Reaction | Taking the Vampire Genre Back!

Mike heads into the twenty-seventh year of daysdeath in the realm of the Forever King to talk the brand new releases from Jay Kristoff, Empire of the Vampire.
Purchase Empire of the Vampire here:
amzn.to/337LxMF (physical, US)
amzn.to/3rQcaAg (physical, UK, edition shown in this video)
amzn.to/3IADQis (digital)
amzn.to/3oCLlgU (audio)
Channels mentioned in this video: ‪@slowlyred2082‬
Check his Empire of the Vampire review here: • Empire of the Vampire ...
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0:00 Introduction & Reading Excerpt
2:10 Background Info & Why I Decided to Read It
4:02 What Is It About?
4:58 What Makes It Good or Bad?
19:06 Why You Should Read It
22:18 Final Thoughts
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Excerpt music provided by Vivek Abhishek
/ @vivekabhishek
Music used: "Hannibal" originally composed and produced by "Vivek Abhishek"
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Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0(CC BY 3.0)
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#MikesBookReviews #JayKristoff #EmpireOfTheVampire

[@Kris-dh9oj]

I never liked book reviews on youtube. They always seems to spoil the book a bit. I have to say... you are the master of non spoiler reviews.... this book just jumped to the top of my TBR thanks!

[@mikesbookreviews]

In the end, my goal is to get more people to read the book I'm reviewing. So I'll always try not to spoil anything.

[@faizrabbani]

@@mikesbookreviews darn it! I bought the book based on your video alone! Loved the book and now I’m fiending for the sequel.

[@arifulalam16]

If I remember correctly, he used to make only spoiler reviews .. mostly .😅😅

[@slowlyred2082]

Yes!!! An incredible book, hits you from all angles. Funny, horrific, tragic and more. Can't wait for the interview 🙌

[@ErikGuin]

Ayyee slowly red!! I just finished this book and totally agree with you. Funny im on Mikes channel replying to your comment on his channel after just leaving your channel before this one. Some inception s*** going on here!!

[@katieamarsh]

Dude. I just bought it based on what you read in the first 2 minutes.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha excellent!

[@snakemtt]

Yep, same 😁

[@nahmean7045]

That's exactly how I feel about it 😅

[@Ytnzy250]

Did it live upto his (Mike's) hype?

[@michaelevans4515]

Same! And recommend it to a customer who also just bought it.

[@Jaeno311]

Audiobook narrator is really great for this book.

[@xcBlackDiamond]

I found the audio quality kinda bad. Like, the narrator was good, but it sounded muffled or distorted at times.

[@flyingninjamimejr]

I agree, even if Liathe sounding german was a little surprising lol

[@CamilaGo]

This book is amazing!! Its my 2021 favourite read. And it went up to the top 5 books of my entire life. Trust me when I say its good.

[@Theonlykirby]

This intro is my favorite you’ve done! You’ve captured how I felt about the world. Destroyed and lost in ruin. Gabriel de Leon is what the young ones would say, the GOAT!

[@Kopenianogamerpress]

I opened the book maybe 2 days ago.... Now I'm more than halfway into the book. The hook got me good!! I almost called in sick to work just to finish the book.

[@spencerainsworth269]

This quickly has become one of my go to channels. Keep up the great work Mike.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Happy to entertain!

[@ANT96-x8d]

Someone on Amazon complained about the book for “lacking lgbt.” 🤦‍♂️

[@joycerollins2582]

@@ANT96-x8d but it doesn’t at all!!!!

[@ANT96-x8d]

@@joycerollins2582 But the cancel culture doesn’t even realize that just because they have a right to reject or criticize an author’s work, doesn’t mean they have a right to force in or demand changes that only they want in an author’s work. Right?

[@joycerollins2582]

@@ANT96-x8d I don’t even know what that means. You may be overthinking this topic.

[@alltheaces89]

Bought the book on your recommendation Mike and finished it in 5 days. You're always my go to for recommendations and youve not been wrong yet. Well met Silversaint

[@mikesbookreviews]

So glad you liked it!

[@SyniStar616]

Best way I've described the book so far, "30 Days of Night" crossed with "Vampire Chronicles" set in "A Song of Ice and Fire" while following "Blade."

[@olesyakovyrshina3582]

Don't forget some Witcher and BloodBorne.

[@theimperfectscrapper5313]

I met Jay K yesterday at Oz Comic-con! He was very friendly. Can’t wait to read this book, as I purchased the special Barnes and Noble edition and had it shipped to me in Melbourne

[@campo870]

I’m not usually enamoured at all with vampire genre but the comparisons to both castlevania and the Witcher have me intrigued. As an Aussie I feel I need to support a local author writing something other than Australian drama books. I’m also partial to cool illustrations in my books

[@whatMickreads]

Getting this book for Christmas, haven't read any of Jay Kristoff before but really looking forward to it!!

[@Shelbyproductions]

My plan too

[@melissagreenwood2008]

My plan as well!

[@bookaholicgameaholicvlogah4191]

Your in for a real treat it’s amazing

[@danielpatton7834]

Mate, it’s the best.. fucking great

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

This book reminded of Vampire Hunter D in a lot of ways, the light novels are a ton of fun to read!

[@osoisko1933]

I got the same vibe.

[@sublime053]

Saw this book mentioned on another book tubers top 10 and I wanted a break from epic fantasy. I was going to send this as a recommendation for you to do a video on only to find out you beat me by 2 years! This was such a fantastic book. About to begin book 2. Cheers Mike!

[@MarieTudorr]

THE dark fantasy book at its peak... I'm currently reading it and I truly love it! Looking forward to read more of Jay Kristoff's books.

[@Maria-lt2tk]

I got castlevania and witcher vibes, it was the first book I read from Jay Kristoff, I absolutely loved it, made me laugh, cringe at the horror, and cry, I just ahh can't bloody wait for the sequel.

[@chrisgoods]

Just finished the book.. I absolutely loved it, one of my all time fave reads. I love the characters, the setting, world building the lore the action everything about it is soooo soo deliciously good. I agree it's good to FINALLY have real dark fantasy vampire story... none of this YA or romance novel.. real dark, gritty and viscerl vampires. Oh, and great review too... you nailed this one. Loved the intro too !

[@katrinapowers1939]

I am waiting on the UK edition that I ordered! I am now even more excited to read it. Great review.

[@julienwood577]

This book was fantastic. Never read Jay Krystoff before glad I just pick it up at book store. One of my fav reads

[@Chadstephen2005]

I loved this book. I also love his collaborations that ended in Illuminae and Aurora Rising. This book though made me want to give another shot to his other solo works.

[@pattic6077]

You are really making me want to get into the vampire realm again!

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

I'm a third into the book and absolutely loving it! A definite top 10 for year, possibly top 5 depending on how the rest of the book goes.

[@miriamhernandez9703]

Just finished this and loved every minute of it. One of my fave reads in the last 2 years.

[@JessTree]

I’ve been going back and forth on getting this book for a while now but I think you’ve convinced me to do it!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

If you want more brutal vampire books I'd definitely recommend Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist. I thought Empire was YA Fantasy but you got me interested in trying it for myself

[@mikesbookreviews]

That one is on my Halloween list next year.

[@cipriansirbu3699]

I've had the pleasure to read this book with you (on discord),and I can confirm everything you said it's true.The fight scenes,sensual scenes,dialogue,were all awesome.Big candied to my book of the year.

[@alynam82]

If I didn't ask for this book for Christmas, I'd have read it already. It first came on my radar on the Brothers Gwynne video when Jay Kristoff did a plug for his new book, and now that you've read it and enjoyed it... well, it cranked up my enthusiasm!

[@CharlieM99]

Glad to hear you enjoyed this Mike! I've had it on my radar for a little bit and will probably start it early 2022! Kristoff's swearing sounds like something I can get behind! I did a quick search on Mr Kristoff and when I realised he was Australian it all made sense because, as a fellow Australian, we fucking love swearing and we have a ton of weird different curses to fling at each other (but hey, what can you expect from a country where 'hey c**t' is a pretty regular way of greeting your friends 🤣) Can't wait to see what you think of his other work!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I do love my Awesome Aussies.

[@karinakassim]

I loved it! And I tried to get people to read it but the size of it frightened them 😢 I’m a huge fan of Jay Kristoff and I hope he writes that dang sequel soon!

[@paulcain548]

Mike. Thank you thank you thank you. You sold this book so well. I bought it on the strength of this review (and previous that have paid off) but OMG!!!! Have the same edition and after reading it this will have pride of place on my shelf. Such a fantastic world, characters, writing style. I don’t have enough words. Wonderful, wonderful book. I adored it. Bravo Mr Kristoff. So excited for the next volume. Jay is now the Forever King for me now. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@KrohnosOW]

Mike - even if you're the 2000th YTer to make a video over this book, I'm still interested in YOUR thoughts! I actually haven't heard another YTer (that I'm subbed to) chat about the book yet.

[@j0n4th4nd4n13ls]

Loved this book. Re-reading it now, in prep for EotD. 2 things which I really enjoyed - one: the relationship between Gabe and the historian and how they kind of banter off each other a little; and two: the fungus-rotted world. I love the way it feels and "looks". Fields and fields of mushrooms and fog, and the general vivid mankiness of the world. It's wonderfully disgusting.

[@crowz6247]

My friend talked me into reading this now rather than later, and I was so glad I did. I haven't plowed through a book this fast since I was a teenager.

[@metalgearsenshi]

The KZbin algorithm knew what it was doing when it showed me your channel a year ago. You opened with one of my favorite quotes from the book. Still not done with it, but I needed to go back and see your video.

[@bookMark2967]

I've been waiting for this video! I'm halfway through and liking it a lot so far. That intro was epic, and I can't wait for your chat with the author!

[@aspiretoinspire9679]

There is a lot to enjoy here in Kristoff’s horror-tinged, vampire-laden, epic fantasy tale. In fact, it was the most I’ve enjoyed a fantasy novel for a long time. I thought it was very well written, being descriptive enough for my mind to fill in the blanks, crafting some impeccable imagery, and adrenaline-fuelling grand set-pieces. 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

[@campo870]

Is it a traditional vampire story or more a fantasy book with vampires? ie does it have battles etc?

[@Theycallmemusicole]

I truly have never been into the genre. Or read a book like this. The first book Empire. The vampire was so darkly beautifully Written that I just could never stop reading it and it is My favorite vampire novel ever even over Twilight, And now the new one comes out next month. I cannot wait.

[@06Yvonne06]

I loved the book and it is competing for the best book of the year I read in 2021. And Jay Kristoff has read The Vampire Chronicles and he referenced that as well in interviews! So you are getting the correct vibes. Can't wait for the sequel to be published.

[@joycerollins2582]

I loved this book! And I love the Nevernight Chronicles too! That series is adult but some of his others are YA. The Illuminae chronicles is fun to read. Very different. Thanks for the review!

[@shanneahuckeba8122]

I've never read a vampire book. Not even Dracula. This makes me want to read this book mainly because of the language. I love a good cussword! Thanks for the review!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha then Kristoff has you covered. He is a master at it.

[@RevengenceRaven]

Definitely sold me in it. Had the book downloading before the video was over. You have me so excited to check this out. Keep up the great work Mike!

[@charleyboy6942]

I have the exclusive cover edition from Indigo/Barnes and Noble with whole red background instead of black. I think it looks gorgeous, as all the illustrations inside, definitly worth the HC edition. About 150 pages in. Love it so far. Thanks for sharing this great author!

[@mitch8948]

Saw it at the book store today and decided to give it a go off your recommendation. Just a couple chapters in but really enjoying it so far. It’s refreshing to get into a new genre, I’ve done nothing but epic fantasy for close to a year straight. The narrative style via conversation isn’t one I’d have expected to like but it’s working for me so far. He writes nicely, It would be easy for dialogue heavy in swearing or that’s somewhat pretentious (as befits the vampire characters he’s writing) to miss the mark but like you said it just seems to work and come off natural here.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's definitely a good change of pace from medieval Europe inspired epic fantasy.

[@davidskoland4518]

Hadn't read any Jay Kristoff or vampire stories before, but gave Empire of the vampire a shot after this video. Loved the book, and can't wait for the next one!

[@noname3609]

What an incredible book ! Absolutely loved it ! :)

[@lukemaxfield5240]

Picked this book up the other day due to your recommendation and boy am I glad I did! Great video.

[@deelak2329]

Ross and Rachel hahaha. Love it. The wife and I are on our second run through of Friends. Bout ti finish. Great review btw. I'm a digital reader these days. But your praise had me walk 5ks about 4 miles to get a physical.

[@Riverpeth]

You get an immediate like for shirt choice alone. Up the irons! (The review is also fantastic and I've added it to my TBR)

[@mirzunayedali1724]

The cover art is gorgeous. Instantly reminded me of Christian Easter Europe fantasy full of creatures of the night and vamps ofc. I like it's resemblance to Castlevania too. And finding a world where vampires are scary again? Yay.

[@FirstLadyReads]

Just finished this last night. Loved your review! Great job. You nailed this book spot on.

[@Wruce_Bayne]

I've been into vampire movies and video games for a long time but for whatever reason never got into books about them so lucky for me this came out recently, this really sold me on getting it and it not being YA trash.

[@GemReadsALot]

I only needed to watch the intro and first quote to be convinced to read this book, great review

[@stephanyyohanne5938]

Less than two minutes of video and I already purchase the book. Congratulations my man, you really know how to get to the audience lol

[@mikesbookreviews]

I always try to hook you guys with the dramatic reading ha ha

[@bjlowe85]

Awesome review. I picked up a copy after I heard you were reading it can't wait to jump into it

[@nsabins]

Like the review! Need to read ASAP!

[@CRohrscheib]

Never expected those words out of your mouth. I'm here for it 😂 Empire of the Vampire and have moved quickly was up my TBR because of you!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha, you'll add some choice words to your vocab after reading this one.

[@NAFUSO1]

Thanks to your review and interview with the author, I just spent some of my Christmas gift money on it and I'm fast forwarding it on my TBR.

[@georgebush7629]

Was it as good as you thought it was going to be?

[@Keck_YT]

Author an Anne Rice fan... "Gabrielle DeLion" maybe a nod to the vampire Lestat DeLioncourt? 🧛‍♂️ Maybe I'm reaching.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I thought the same.

[@gabelarsen4375]

I got it off Amazon because of your recommendation and it just arrived today. Going to start it tonight. Very excite! 🤣👍

[@georgebush7629]

Was it as good as you thought it would be?

[@gabelarsen4375]

@@georgebush7629 Honestly it was way better than I thought it would be. Probably my favorite read of the year so far

[@gabelarsen4375]

One of my Favorite books period for that matter.

[@HandlesAreStupid2024]

This sounds interesting. Thanks! Got the audiobook, 5 local shops don't have physical copy so I'll have to keep searching for one!

[@Ulmo90]

Great review, I picked up the book thanks to you and enjoyed it a lot!

[@Fahnah]

Definitely agree, this book was bad ass and definitely has all the Castlevania vibes and the setup of Interview. But if you want the best looking edition look up the Illumicrate version, it's a variation on the UK cover.

[@peribabbles8603]

He convinced me and I'm reading it right now. Just passed the middle. It's surprisingly good!

[@likewaterforcoffee1570]

I love you Mike. Your reviews are always wonderful to watch

[@Nubbdy]

that "fuck my face" incapacitated me for a minute. funniest intro yet

[@nodrarb140]

I agree, the cover art is one of the best. Very enticing. I'm planning to start with The Nevernight Chronicles and I'll get to this. So many good books to look forward to😁

[@gegamst7323]

Thanks for this, I'm hyped now! I've been waiting for an adult vampire book as well. Loved the first three books of the Vampire chronicles, read a few more but didn't find them that good, some were even boring.

[@ScottnCarol4JC]

I’m 40% in and loving it so far.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Excellent!

[@randolph84brown]

Vampire Hunter D influenced him as well. Ash Drinker is a combination of D's hand and Bengi from the Barboroy clan. And of course the Sliversaints being half vamps like Vampire Hunter D. I appreciated those subtle touches! Very good story. My favorite kind of Vampire story

[@annetteanderson7482]

I just picked up the book, unfortunately US edition, and am looking forward to getting into it.

[@ScipioAfricanus1992]

My top book for 2022 so far. Blew my mind. What a book my god!

[@OfJaggedRisings]

Best books I’ve read in a long time! The regular covers are very misleading. I also would’ve avoided them had it not been for book tube.

[@esliet]

Fab intro !!!! Asked for this book for Christmas

[@TrafalgarL4wyer]

The Foil effect of the UK cover I think is all it has going for it. Otherwise I think the US version is hands-down the better cover. I ended up getting the Indigo exclusive red-hardcover (same art as US cover) which is signed by the author too. One thing for certain, I'm looking forward to the covers of the future books!

[@oscarwind4266]

I finally have something that I can wait before Winds of Winter comes put next decade.

[@alancotaes]

I’m half way through. All the other books I was reading went to the back seat. This book is amazing.

[@alynam82]

Reading this now, just started this morning!! Only on pg 50, but it's everything you've described, so far

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@Grossermizuti]

I saw the book today in the shop, but I am not sure to buy it. Now after your rewie i am sure to buy it. Nice shirt. 🤘

[@daddystabz]

Does this book take a negative view on religion? Does good eventually triumph over evil?

[@jacktheyeager6174]

Really hope that the sequel comes out soon, but not rushed. Better to be slow than rushed

[@MrHehj]

This wouldn't even be on my radar but snapped up the audiobook halfway through the intro (I read 95% but I feel like this will be great).

[@paulaclark9729]

I loved it , too. Can't wait for the sequel thats coming out soon.

[@calista3371]

hahaha 'Twatgoblins' is so funny. OMG!

[@dalmo8340]

Absolutely Epic and the best book of 2021 imo. So glad that you’ve enjoyed the ride. And for the swearing, please ALL hail master extraordinaire Talon De Montford 😎🤘

[@Hellsing7747]

Awesome intro !

[@inocanandrei6950]

Very nice review. I am about 45 % in on audiobook.

[@zdenkadobrovolna1372]

i loved the book and had it for a long time in e-book format but finally ordered hardback and yeah, the US cover. The UK I do not like as much as Gabriel on the front page 🙂 and OMG I have so many theories for next books on sooo many subjects that was not told and I just can´t wait for next books!!!

[@DemmyD]

Great recommendation! I loved this book, but man, the wait between books is gonna kill me

[@user-lc4xh7ts7h]

I'm writing an Adult Vampire novel of my own, and I'm always trying to find new good Vampire reads. It is so hard to find good Vampire fiction when so many writers just want to copy Anne Rice or the Blade Movies and that was what ruined Vampire for me in the 90s. I know a lot of people are fans of Anne Rice's Vampires, they are just not the cup of tea for me. I prefer my Vampires to be just evil terrifying Monsters. I get my inspiration from horror Authors like Brian Lumley who wrote the Necroscope books, heavy metal music, goth rock music, and video games like Legacy of Kain and Vampire the Masquerade. I've been trying to find ways to help me craft a Vampire Horror story that would scare me as an Adult and if this book is a book for Adults then I will give it a shot.

[@mrsnaythomas9773]

Awesome intro. I really enjoyed this book.

[@PsyKotyK]

This book has popped up alot in rhe last few days . Im on a book buyinhg rampage. Hey you really should just grab a copy of cleric quintent and give it a read you could prolly finish it pretty darn quick . Booknone is amazing

[@Ecotectpestexpert]

I really enjoyed this book! Hopefully he will write another book

[@darrengaroutte7744]

It is hard to find a good vampire book these days. I have this one in my queue of audiobooks to listen to. A series with an interesting take on vampires is the Kate Daniels series. They aren't the main focus but vampires in that series work like drones with a human piloting their minds. I was a fan of the Anita Blake series, but much like Mike with the Vampire Chronicles, I keep reading mostly because I've stuck with it this long. I tried in my own book, Blood Hunt, to balance the power level of vampires to make them a threat, but not so much that you wonder why they haven't taken over the world. It's been a few years since I did the math but something I found interesting when doing research for vampires was I looked up the caloric value of human blood and found that if a vampire needed to consume the standard 2000 calories a day that they would have to drain like two to two and a half full adult humans to achieve this. That was the reason I changed the need for blood in my book from a food requirement to blood provided a limited immunity to light as without it a vampire would die from any light exposure.

[@arifulalam16]

I'm 21 but I hated stories like twilight. So, I'm really excited about this book. I have been waiting for a vampire story such as this. I must try this one.

[@robpaul7544]

Have read some Kristoff before, and I liked it. But had no idea he is already up to 16 books, wow! When I came across this novel the one thing holding me back from picking it up was the title. On first glance Empire of the Vampire sounds cheesy as hell 😆 Which can be a good thing.. And you're saying all the right things, so this one will find a place on my stacked tbr. 🙏 That edition is beautiful.. but I hate hardcovers.. decisions 😣

[@Flowriter]

I will say that not showing the illustrations is a bad choice in my opinion, especially when you can just look at another reviewer who will. Seeing a couple pages of artwork, I think, is also helpful in making a decision.

[@boosey87]

That intro alone has made me want to pick this up.

[@saeedajaib]

Amazing book. Excited for the next installment.

[@brentasmith]

Oh man intro and reading was so goof on this one.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I’m hoping you meant good. Because goofy certainly wasn’t what I was going for 😂

[@brentasmith]

@@mikesbookreviews Guess I made a good