Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff Book Review & Reaction | a Stellar Follow Up!

Mike ventures into Daysdeath to discuss the second book of Jay Kristoff's epic vampire fantasy series with Empire of the Damned.
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ℙ𝕦𝕣𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠:
Empire of the Damned amzn.to/3wMCsrv (US)
amzn.to/43e5ix6 (UK)
ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕝𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕖𝕡𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕕𝕖:
𝕎𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕄𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘? 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕕𝕠 𝕤𝕠 𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕨 𝕒𝕕𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤:
Mike K.
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Cypress, TX 77433
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0:00 Introduction & Background
1:31 What is it About?
2:17 What Makes it Good?
3:55 Listen on Audible
5:00 What Makes it Good (continued)
10:55 What Makes it Bad?
13:54 Final Thoughts
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Music used: Epic (No Copyright Music)
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#MikesBookReviews #JayKristoff

[@mikesbookreviews]

Welcome back to Daysdeath, everyone! I hope you love the story. If you're waiting for the audiobook, get this one with your free trial on Audible by going to audible.com/mikek or text mikek to 500-500

[@JAKandtheBookStack]

I just choked on my water: Thank you Jay Kristoff for making Vampire literature accessible to middle aged men.

[@mikesbookreviews]

“Again.”

[@hudawm7]

When says middle age better than describing hardcore sex scenes as "copulating"😂

[@spencercorpuz]

WOAH Mike did a sponsor thing!! Thats awesome!! Good for you Mike, happy to see you working with Audible!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Gracias!

[@Hellsing7747]

Omg ! That book series is amazing.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm enjoying it.

[@markb3534]

Great review! Congrats on the relationship with Audible, btw. You make videos because you love doing it. It is very obvious. Thats why we watch! Glad there is an opportunity for a little more fun money for upgrades to the studio/T Shirts/ coffee mugs. ;)

[@mikesbookreviews]

I figured this was the perfect time to get my resume in their hands ha ha

[@NobuhikuObayashi]

Reading Dune right now because of you (and because of how great the second film is). I’m completely obsessed. Thanks!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm so glad!

[@AGreenG]

Me too!! Loving Dune so much!

[@deadslugs]

Same. ❤ started Dune thanks to this channel

[@cvmo666]

Literally same here lmao

[@philippburnett6045]

I preferred first movie more

[@HenkaReadsBooks]

Congrats on the audible deal! Excited to meet you and Jay this Friday!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Can't wait!

[@esmayrosalyne]

Well, I was already excited, but now I really can't wait anymore. I am very intrigued by the prospect of a new additional POV, and I have a feeling Jay will nail it. Have fun chatting with him during the meet-up, that is sure to be a great time! 🤩

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you love it!

[@rnjohn45]

I read the first book after your review and bought this one on release day. Had an absolute blast with it. I love how it just leans into everything.

[@ravenbellebooks5665]

I was sold on this series as soon as I read the opening epigraph of book one (my favorite Lamb of God song!), and I can't wait to pick this one up! Sounds like it will be a great continuation.

[@VoorNuNogVerandern]

I hadn’t visited your channel in so long but I just saw Shogun has been adapted to a miniseries and immediately remembered you, because you were the reason I bought the beautiful hardcover edition of the novel. Now I’m glad it brought me back to this channel. Keep de good work going💪🏼

[@mikesbookreviews]

Welcome back!

[@mandyhuybregts3235]

Oh i love this story! I am at 42% now and hooked on every word! I hope more books are to come in this series ❤

[@Ulmo90]

Looking forward to read this one!

[@angelicpatel123]

This is my favourite series of all time. Love love love it.

[@akellerhouse83]

I'm watching these reviews while on vacation in Peru. This is one of my most anticipated books of this year. Just bought it!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy your trip!

[@likewaterforcoffee1570]

I was so happy when I was able to download it to my Kobo

[@formulaeternal]

Thank you. Great review

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@binglamb2176]

I am picking up my Indigo exclusive edition this afternoon. Yet another great series you put on my radar. Thanks!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Have fun!

[@Talking_Story]

Awesome sponsorship! Makes perfect sense for you. Gonna start this 1 as soon as I get mine in the mail.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you like it!

[@BobShacklock]

Great review Mike. I was on the fence with this one after reading the first book. I'll be adding it to my TBR

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you like it!

[@Hellsing7747]

Guys, I was talking to the book series to my wife, and she told me that Gabe and Dior reminded her a LOT of the relationship between Joel and Ellie in" the last of us". Plus, the people they were supposed to help also tried to kill them for the better good. But, their father figures took care of them... But anyway, I don't think think it's a case plagiarism, I think there are a few similarities. By the way, the empire book series is amazing

[@kimmy0307]

Totally agree with you ! Great review for a great book !

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BenjaminKnepp]

Mike, I’ve been a constant listener to this channel for over a year now. Thank you for sharing your passion and knowledge of books with us. Question: Where did you get your shirt in this video? I read Something Wicked This Way Comes when I was 18. It was the first time I realized how magical books could be. It’s still my favorite book even now in my thirties.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Oh man. It was sent to me by someone. I can’t recall now. I’m so sorry!

[@musicgenius1948]

Cool book and cool that you got the audible sponser

[@ryandberry1]

Happy to see Mike get a sponsor!

[@mikesbookreviews]

🍻

[@littleaussierippa]

As a fellow Aussie it pains me to say that as much as I wanted to like Empire of the Vampire I just couldn't get into it so I won't be picking this one up. I do love his NeverNight series though.

[@mikesbookreviews]

No one series is for everyone!

[@toshirojira]

Dude, I pre-ordered the UK Edition and the crimson cover is GORGEOUS, the pages are thick like a true "tome". Had to do some stretches and training to hold the damn book, but damn so worth it. The last 200 pages were a classical SANDERLANCHE lol. Haven't been watching as much, but mostly because you've given me such a LONG, awesome list of recs, I'm heads down, buried in story :-) For Empire of the Damned, I was wanting even #MOAR grim dark, the latter half the book fulfilled that. Jay Kristoff's take on the physical characteristics of the ancien is so fresh and terrifying. LOVED THIS, can't wait for Book 3.

[@Hotmenudo]

My man Mike has a sponsored video! Nice! I know you've had many opportunities before but it's still cool to see. Great content per usual 🤙🏽

[@mikesbookreviews]

This one seemed applicable to my audience

[@kaiju_k5042]

The second the notification for this popped up on my phone I ran to my laptop to watch 🤩

[@TreySaunders88]

same! i need more of this Gothic style fantasy

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you liked it!

[@kaiju_k5042]

@@mikesbookreviews One of your best Mike! Hope you have a great time chatting with Jay, lucky!!

[@benconlin3557]

I’m currently reading it and it really does expand a story and worked that I wondered if I had much more to tell before I started. Particularly the vampire courts

[@mikesbookreviews]

Definitely a larger world out there

[@JesseRad]

I'm going to Jay's book signing next Monday in Portland. Can't wait!

[@mikesbookreviews]

🤘

[@paulbird5492]

Best book I've read this year. Cannot wait for book 3. I also really enjoyed the romance in this book. Its a fairly unique take in the genre and its one I found myself really rooting for. But with Jay Kristoff i should never hope...hope only leads to more despair. Great review!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha right? He's clearly setting us up for more heartbreak because THATS WHAT HE DOES.

[@kaiju_k5042]

@@mikesbookreviews Breaker of hears for sure! I tagged him a few times on IG reading the Nevernight series and being on verge of tears in book 3 and he always would reply in a DM about being sorry but also really enjoying my pain lol. His Illuminae trilogy with Amy Kaufman was also intense, I actually listened to it all on Audible, those audiobooks are like movies, full cast too. It is YA but still brutal.

[@markshepherd4791]

I absolutely loved both books and would quite happily keep reading more books in this world if it was more than a trilogy

[@mrpopodopalis1056]

Sweet free Audible credit!

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

I got my Audible and physical copies today!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy!

[@Erny_Epley]

Never in my life did I think I would be at the dawn of my 40s and obsessed with a vampire trilogy…thanks a lot Mr Kristoff 😂 all jokes aside this series if fucking amazing!!!

[@Deon41100]

The twists in this got me. Enjoyed this just a sliver more than the 1st, because of the expanded cast.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad to hear it!

[@stevenstewart782]

My copy of Empire of the Damned came today. Can't wait to dig into it

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you dig it!

[@gunneratijuf8915]

It was great book. I didn’t have a single problem with it. Definitely a page turner and I think it improved on the first one which was already really good.

[@TreySaunders88]

I ordered the UK version bc it looks better. i got it 8 days early bc i got it from london. its badass. Keep up the great work, Mike

[@kaiju_k5042]

I ordered my copy, the US B&N Exclusive Edition - ( Ordered on June 30, 2023) ahh what a long wait :D

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, I got the Waterstones one from the UK.

[@zackerygreer2715]

I got the one from Waterstones and got it early!

[@bethbaskett3]

Gabriel was young during most of the first book, I think that's why he was so brash. I received this new one yesterday, and I can't wait to read it! I also love Gabriel and Dior's relationship. The first book was excellent!

[@mikesbookreviews]

This is true

[@seandalton44]

Thanks Mike. awesome stuff as usual. I'm 15% into Empire of the Damned and loving it. Do you know how many books Jay plans for the series? I'm hoping he goes for more than 3 because I love this world

[@mikesbookreviews]

I plan to ask him on Friday.

[@dubhmoore575]

Just got it, one chapter in, so excited 🥳🥳🥳🤠🤠🤠

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy!

[@jadapandy]

Other than Brian Lumley:s Necroscope series, this is the BEST vampire fantasy in literature.

[@JARHuygebaert]

Currently re-reading Empire of the Vampire to read the second book!

[@mikesbookreviews]

🤘

[@neondemon5137]

100 pages in at the moment, looking good so far.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy!

[@kerstinharold5420]

Just finished the book yesterday. I loved the 1st one, I liked the 2nd one. I've been a bit disappointed as for me it was a bit slower paced, which made me lose reading pace from time to time. There were many scenes with "talking/thinking," which slowed it down for me, and I think not all of them were 100% necessary. All other parts have been very good and interesting.

[@user-lc4xh7ts7h]

To all of those who love vampires, Horror, cosmic horror, gothic horror, science fiction, post-apocalyptic, gory splatter, and all things heavy metal, punk, and goth rock. I hope you will love the book that I am working on when I release it. All I can say is that I have all kinds of Vampires and none of them are romantic. They are sadistic, twisted, and evil.

[@BunnyLemons-7]

I’m currently reading it! Good stuff so far with our cast of characters. I just don’t know how I feel about the new romance…yes I saw it coming a mile away but I was hoping it wouldn’t come to it. I’m probably the only one who didn’t vibe with the love interest. Everyone else was great though. Almost done so excited!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I just want Gabe to be happy ha ha

[@BunnyLemons-7]

Me too! But I prefer the father and daughter bond. I just love Astrid😭

[@NostalgiaNetwork]

I’m just finding out about this series. Going to read the first book

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy😀

[@NVMCgames]

So I bought both of the hardcovers from Amazon, absolutely love the first book. The second one came in today and the books aren’t the same size?!?!? Anybody else have this same problem??

[@mikesbookreviews]

I’ve heard a couple folks say that. I have the UK versions and they match.

[@gunneratijuf8915]

Oh and he is working on book three. But you probably know that by now. So as a book two I think it’s great. Gotta break the fellowship all that.

[@TommyBoyB]

Really enjoyed this book! I only wish we could have gotten some more young Gabe again, really enjoyed those parts in book 1. Maybe in book 3 but with how everything is set up I doubt it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah I’ll agree with that one

[@JAKandtheBookStack]

Can you tell me if this one is written like the first? What did NOT work for me was the interview style, where every paragraph started with quotes. I couldn't tell if we were in present day, or if we are in the story he is telling, or if it was dialogue between characters. That might be what people think of as 'edgy'. That was disorienting and I couldn't connect as much as I wanted, but reflecting back I enjoy the world and the plot. YES waiting to see how many are in the series!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I am afraid that continues here, as Gabriel is still a prisoner.

[@RRW276]

I'm saddened. I've gone to Waterstones online but the signed version with the sexy painted edges is only available for pickup, no ship. At least the regular one was available for purchase because I do not care the American release cover with the anime dude (again). But the UK cover art is quite slick!

[@mikesbookreviews]

That sucks!

[@aleksandervadla9881]

Are there any good werewolf books you would recommend?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Nothing comes to mind.

[@Severian1]

All I want to say is I love Kiara. She's my kinda crazy.

[@mikesbookreviews]

She was something ha ha

[@mvinson8706]

I'm gonna ask a dumb question. Is this only gonna be 2 books? Jw if I should start before the series is complete

[@mikesbookreviews]

It is just book 2 of a series and not yet compete.

[@heretic124]

Think he mentioned on Twitter that he's half way done with the sequel and that it should come along faster than EotD.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That would rock

[@J.R.Carrel]

I'm glad he has toned it down a little bit on the Edge Lord agile

[@samuelleask1132]

Quick update my man, Jay confirmed it’s going to be a trilogy

[@VampGirlPrague]

So I went for US covers for the book and my copy is late 😢😢😢 instead tomorrow it will arrive next Friday. damned 🤣🤣🤣 I will wait and hope I can devour it over the weekend. Can not wait.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That’s a bummer

[@VampGirlPrague]

@@mikesbookreviews it is, but i´ll wait impatiently 🙂. I gave Vampire a chance because of your review! I don´t comment much but when I got back to reading it was because i loved your stormlight and red rising videos. I read the first 3REDs so quickly and loved it. im rereading way of kings so i can go all the way b4 this december :-) so it´s not like i have nothing to read. And im still gathering courage to read salem´s lot and the stand . I vibe a lot with you because you are one of more mature reader which i love (im in my 40s ). thank you for all your work and enjoy your date with Mr. K

[@robertocatrone715]

I pre-ordered the U.S. Amazon version I got it a few days ago. Quality in a word "Shit"!!! Thin cheap paper, the binding is crap ( paperbacks have better quality). I was able to get a UK Hardcover that is superior quality. Now, for the storyline, very well done. I do think this could be more than a trilogy, though. Possibly 4-6 books If Jay Kristoff wants it to be. Time will tell. I do agree 2yrs between books is to long to wait. Come on, Jay Kristoff, don't be out done by old man Stephen King. 😂

[@zazazaza133]

So is everyone under the assumption that there will be another book? The ending could be seen as a very open ending which I was concerned about.

[@currangill430]

Edgy means over the top

[@vol94]

If it's nearly as good as the first I am screamin

[@mikesbookreviews]

I think you’ll be happy.

[@conservativecarnage3783]

It's listed as a trilogy on goodreads

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'll try and get a straight answer from him this weekend.

[@Claudia-ff3up]

I loved it too, but i didnt Reality get it, what there happened too the end.

[@mikesbookreviews]

🤔

[@brilicusgaming6922]

Not gonna lie I'm glad to find out there's a vampire book that doesn't have romance as the forefront. I mean i don't mind romance in books but I want to read a vampire or potentially werewolf book that doesn't have romance as the main focus.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Nah. Theres some but it’s less than 5% of the book.

[@mirzunayedali1724]

Spoiler I didnt get what in gods name happened at the end Gabriel going to escape woth joacquin sneakily? Celene somehow met Maryn? Dior Dead????

[@bradschwartz9084]

Is that an iced earth shirt?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ray Bradbury.

[@christiesherry8830]

I just finished the book and I liked it at the beginning but then it dragged I would not recommend it stick with the first book

[@ArlynChanel]

I personally don’t like when authors go into explicit detail with sexual scenes in books and did feel he was too explicit and It took me out of the story in Book 1. But other than that it was a very good book and I will be reading Book 2.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Huh. I found it tame compared to Nevernight.

[@MarcoTulio-mi1ov]

its makes some time i read the firts book, who the hell is pheobe? ahahahahahaha i cant remember who that is

[@coryleekoch3659]

Okay Mike. As someone who is also still stuck with middle school humor, which is worse or better actually, "Fuck my face" from this series or "Fuck a Nun" from War for the Rose Throne?

[@mikesbookreviews]

This is like asking me to pick my favorite son.

[@justinroberts8043]

200 pgs in and so far i think i liked the 1st book better. It just seemed darker with the addiction feening and Gabriel's backstory. This one, so far anyway, just isn't grabbing me like the 1st one did

[@mikesbookreviews]

I’m usually a sucker for book 1s

[@justinroberts8043]

@mikesbookreviews finished it loved it, but I would love for someone to have a spoiler discussion on it. There's alot to unpack

[@reggieswilliams]

Sup

[@mikesbookreviews]

Howdy

[@scottanthonyweidner8692]

Second…

[@mikesbookreviews]

verse, same as the first

[@azraelzephon9130]

Efing amazon doesnt have the hard cover yet!!😡🤬😡🤬😡🤬😡

[@mikesbookreviews]

Really? Huh.

[@csd8204]

SMH. Regarding your opinion on male authors writing sex scenes, you obviously just have way that appeals to you more than others vs those authors just not knowing how to do it. I'll refrain from commenting on your gushing over the use of profanity as a positive. Emboldened by the positive comments from book 1, Kristoff just indulges himself this time. Still, I enjoyed this one more than the first and his descriptions of action have greatly improved.

[@michaelkibble740]

Vampires should not sparkcle

[@mikesbookreviews]

Correct.

[@currangill430]

Did you....just do a sponser? 🤯

[@michaelsquires1177]

Just got the book in the mail and wow the quality of the book is so much worse then the first. The paper quality is absolutely horrible and feels like when I turn the page I'll rip the page out.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Sorry to hear that. Mine seems normal.

[@michaelsquires1177]

@@mikesbookreviews yours seems like some kind of special edition which is prob why the paper doesn't feel like high school toilet paper

[@shilohjohnson6920]

DO NOT BUY THE BOOK FROM ST MARTINS PRESS! ITS DISGUSTING THIN PAPER HOW SAD. THEY TRIED TO PRINT ON ONION PAPER THATS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE.

[@aaronstehbens8662]

Three years in-between books f that I hate waiting more than a year for instance I refuse to read another fire n ice till it's completed if even then it's a pity I was interested in this series too