Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

Empire of the Vampire - Jay Kristoff

September 14, 2021.
Requested by Charlie.

IN! :)

Excellent

I am intrigued by this, I might possibly join too...

I'm aiming to try this too. It's been a long while since I've read something with vampires in it.

I'd like to get in on this one too.

I'm in!

I don't read a lot of vampire books, but I am SO in for this one. Kristoff cracks me up.

I'm so tempted by this one.

I, too, have fallen prey to the hype and am planning to read this as soon as possible! 🧛‍♂️

My book arrived today!!

I got mine yesterday, also today saw Mr Kristoff sell the book on the Brothers Gwynne YouTube channel.... Sounds like it gonna be good.

I read the blurb, and my first thought was "no sunlight sounds like a frozen planet"... I wonder what the in-world reality will be...

I'm gonna wait a bit and check reactions before I give it a go...

Illuminae Files and Nevernight Chronicles were mixed bags for me...

Now that I write that, it seems funny he went from a Nevernight series to an "Alwaysnight" series...

Welcome Rachel!

@Iain Ha I thought that too, clearly he has issues with the regular sun cycle and his worlds get abused for it :D.

I've been reading incredibly slow recently and this one will likely take me about a month to get through so I've started a little early.

Chapters 1 & 2 (view spoiler)[ Okay so that was an awesome start. Gabriel's poor sister, her end was so tragic.

The writing is a winner for me, everything is so vivid in my mind, I can practically feel the chill in the air and the dark.

I think I'm going to love this. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 - I have questions! (view spoiler)[ Poor Gabe, what is he?! I'm guessing some sort of half breed? Maybe his mother was raped by a vampire? (hide spoiler)]

Just got the audiobook! =)

Gonna start later today or tomorrow.

Just read what I presume is the prologue..... Good start.

I think I'll leave this for now, still in the middle of another read and wanna read other stuff. I'll keep an eye on how you guys find it too.

First 2 chapters done 34 pages in, these seem to be proper Vampires.

@Jason they really do, scary mean bastards!

Yep chp 2 was raw

Chp 7 this really good so far, enjoying this one. Flows really well.

Hope it arrives soon Rachel!

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[

Ooh Gabe's got a new brotherhood, a mentor, a rival and a pretty sword, I'm loving this. I was also right in thinking he was a half breed too, so that's cool, I'm never right! (hide spoiler)]

Seraph Talon has a potty mouth..... Luv it lol

Just added this to my to-read list. Hope you all like it. Look forward to seeing what you think.

Really enjoying this one. I like the way it cuts back and forth across the time line.

@Jason I'm not convinced I like the change yet. Usually I quite enjoy a change in timelines but I was quite invested in the story of baby Gabe.

so far this is really good.....

I thought I commented the other day after I finished part 1, copying my thoughts from my notes:

Book 1 complete (view spoiler)[ Okay so the first part of the story was awesome and I'm definitely hooked.

The order are brutal bastards though, I don't like them at all.

So Gabe has no special gifts, that must suck, being surrounded by those who have them.

I don't want to skip ahead, I want the story to continue here. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ The order are brutal but i suppose they have to be, but I dont dislike that. I feel that they would have Gabes back when he needs it. As to powers I think he may just be this books Kwisatz Haderach. I like the timeline hopping it sort kneads the story all together for me. I dunno it just clicks for me (hide spoiler)]

I thought the same Rachel, after the prologue good start

Yeah the Prologue was awesome!

Wow Laurie Voss is a bad ass

A Few Drunkards Short of a Bar Fight

Just finished can honestly say one of my favourite reads this year.

I'm a bit late, but although I had pre-ordered, my copy arrived just a couple days ago....

I startet yesterday and read the first two chapters and even if I'm not far yet, I think this could be my new favorite book!

I finished Book I today

I really love the writing! It's so immersive and atmospheric. I think Kristoff tried this in Nevernight too, but there the descriptions often don't make sense or are so odd, you get thrown out of the story (at least that's my impression). Here it all fits and it creates a specific atmosphere/ sets a tone.
and the dialogue is so enjoyable. I love the character interactions, especially between (view spoiler)[ Gabriel and Aaron. Aarons such a snob! (hide spoiler)]


(I hope I put it in understandable terms, having a hard time finding the correct english expressions to say what I want)

(view spoiler)[
It's also interesting, that the framework story (with Jean-Francois) isn't abandoned. Most books that I know that start with such a framed narration (from the perspective of the main character after the events of the book), just have them as a prologue/epilogue.
Here we are constantly reminded of Gabriels current situation (in a cell with JF) and what he achieved (killed the Forever King, is the last Silversaint etc). If this had been only mentioned in the prologue I think I would've forgotten it (or at least wouldn't have it on the forefront of my mind). And this way it's possible to structure the story more freely (as opposed to a strict chronologic order). And it's a constant reminder that JF wants/needs something from Gabriel.
(hide spoiler)]

Jason wrote: "Just finished can honestly say one of my favourite reads this year."

Glad you enjoyed it! I haven't read much more, still slowly getting through it but really enjoying what I've read so far.

Franziska wrote: "I finished Book I today

I really love the writing! It's so immersive and atmospheric. I think Kristoff tried this in Nevernight too, but there the descriptions often don't make sense or are so odd..."


I really like the structure, I'm enjoying the reminders of where Gabriel ends up, makes me more excited to discover how he got there.

Started yesterday (long wait at library). I am enjoying it immensely right now at about 100 pages in. I am not a vampire book aficionado but this is keeping my attention.

@Brian that's great! I'm not usually huge in vampires either but this is awesome.