Jay Kristoff once again weaves a brutal, breathtaking tale—one that explores not just war and sorrow, but the fragile, stubborn resilience of the human spirit.
Empire of the Damned picks up just six days after Empire of the Vampire, with Gabriel suffering the consequences of his attack on Jean-François. But now, it’s time to resume the tale of the Graal.
In the present, discontent brews in the Chastain court. The househeads are gathering, and Gabriel must finish his story before they arrive. More importantly, Margot’s reign is under threat, proving that Gabriel was right—his tale is paramount to the Empress. Meanwhile, Gabriel and Dior, fresh from their ordeal at San Michon, search for a way to end the Sinedie without sacrificing Dior herself.
A Shift in Tone and Narration
While Empire of the Vampire was steeped in despair, Empire of the Damned carries an undercurrent of something new—hope. Gabriel’s tale remains one of failure, grief, and missed opportunities. He openly laments his shortcomings, the people he has disappointed, and everything he has lost. And yet, his demeanor in the present is more resilient. Soon, we learn that one of the key figures in the war against the vampires is inside the Château, preparing to launch an attack on the gathered enemy forces in just a few nights.
Unlike its predecessor, this book isn’t divided between two different points in Gabriel’s life but rather between two perspectives after he and another key character are separated. The second voice belongs to Gabriel’s sister, Celene, offering a crucial look into events Gabriel himself wasn’t present for. When their narratives converge, both siblings have their own versions to tell—missed opportunities laid bare, their complicated relationship, scarred by death and betrayal, brought into sharp focus.
Gabriel and Celene’s relationship is fraught with resentment. Celene feels abandoned by Gabriel, blaming him for leaving home when he was sixteen and, ultimately, for her death and subsequent transformation. Her pain runs deep, and while healing might be possible, it requires time and trust—two things in desperately short supply.
Character Development and Relationships
The interactions between Gabriel and Jean-François, once built solely on distrust and animosity, now lean toward something more layered—witty banter, reluctant understanding. They remain enemies, but there’s a deeper recognition between them. Jean-François, shaped by his own painful past, seems to have developed a soft spot for Gabriel, and their moments together hint at a connection that the romantically inclined might see as something more. His teasing, open admiration, and flirtatious innuendos certainly add to the tension.
Gabriel’s relationship with Dior also evolves. In Empire of the Vampire, they were unwilling companions on a perilous journey. But after the events at Saint Michonne, everything shifts. Gabriel now sees Dior as his second chance at fatherhood. She will never replace Passions, but she gives him something beyond vengeance—something worth living for.
However, the relationship that struck me most was the one between Gabriel and Phoebe. Both have suffered immense loss, yet they have dealt with it in vastly different ways—Gabriel closing himself off, consumed by revenge, while Phoebe has tried to move forward. When they finally find solace in each other, their responses reflect this contrast. Gabriel resists, clinging to the belief that allowing himself to care will only lead to more pain. Phoebe, on the other hand, embraces their connection without hesitation. The absence of Dior plays a crucial role here—alone and searching for her, Gabriel is forced to confront just how isolated he has become.
For so long, Gabriel has kept himself at a distance, not because he believes he is unworthy of love, but because he refuses to endure the pain of losing someone again. His relationship with Phoebe challenges that instinct, forcing him to acknowledge the loneliness he has buried beneath his rage. And yet, even when he allows himself this fleeting connection, he does so with the bitter knowledge that nothing lasts—not in a world that takes more than it gives.
Though their relationship isn’t deeply explored on the page, Celene’s observations at the siege of Dun Maergenn hint at a growing bond between them.
The Weight of Loss and the Road Ahead
Yet death and sorrow are never far behind. Friends are lost along the way, and with each loss, another piece of Gabriel is chipped away. How much more can he endure? How much more can he lose?
The final chapters, told from both Celene’s and Gabriel’s perspectives as they reunite, lay Gabriel bare. The Graal is lost. The only woman he felt close to after his wife’s death is grieving, having seen and lost her husband once again. His sister has betrayed him. His revenge, once the driving force behind everything, suddenly feels meaningless.
That final death—while tragic and heartbreakingly written—wasn’t entirely unexpected. But what followed? That, I never saw coming. The last two chapters explode with possibility, setting the stage for something far greater. Kristoff has set his pieces on the board, and the endgame is near. If Empire of the Damned is any indication, the grand finale will be nothing short of devastating.
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