Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff was an incredibly engaging read. From the richly detailed world to the morally complex characters, it pulled me in and kept me invested. Gabriel de León’s story is raw and brutal, yet has moments of unexpected tenderness that make it feel balanced. The narrative structure, switching between Gabriel’s past and present, added depth and kept the story interesting.

That said, the book isn’t without flaws. The pacing felt uneven at times—some sections were gripping, while others dragged under the weight of world-building or lengthy descriptions. The grimdark elements occasionally felt excessive, leaning into shock value more than necessary. While I enjoyed the humor and sarcasm in the dialogue, the modern tone didn’t always feel consistent with the setting.

Despite these issues, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It’s bold, immersive, and emotionally intense. If you’re a fan of dark fantasy with layered characters and intricate lore, this is well worth the read.