Category Dark Fiction

The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North @penguinrandom #NetGalley #dark #thriller #suspense #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North. This is a very tense murder mystery with a strong psychological theme.

My huge thanks to Penguin Random House for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

You never forget the day you meet a serial killer.

Dan was just a teenager when he saw the man made of smoke, silent, watchful, vanishing into the mist. He was too scared to move, too scared to stop him. He’s carried the guilt ever since.

Now a criminal psychiatrist, Dan spends his life trying to understand the darkest minds.

But when his father disappears, he’s pulled back to the remote island he once called home, where something unsettling is waking.

A body has been found. The past is reaching through the fog. And the man made of smoke might never have left.

This time, Dan has to face what’s been waiting in the dark.

MY REVIEW

This is a very tense story. Dan is a psychologist. He gets a call to say his father, a retired police chief, is missing and possibly committed suicide. Dan discovers some old cold cases when he arrives at his childhood home, which his father was working on. His father was the one who found the body of a woman in some woods on his daily walk.

The father and son connection is good with this book, but there are things from Dan’s past that have lingering effects, and these are brought to the forefront of the story. The relationship between them is not what you would understand as being loving, there is a distance, although there are telephone calls.

Dan is filled with guilt; he could have done something as a child, but didn’t. He has never forgotten his, and the author uses it to great effect. Coming to terms with the death of his father, catching up with old friends, and trying to get some sort of progression leads Dan along similar lines to those of his father.

This is one of those stories that you just know is going to be tough. It does involve crimes that involve children, but the author does not go into details. There is enough detail to give the merest of details to let the reader know what happened.

The story is one that definitely gives you the sense of something bigger going on, that there is someone watching and that there is a lot that the reader just will not understand or realise until the closing chapters of the book.

There are several characters, and they have a role to play; some have a larger presence, but on the whole, these characters have problems of their own, mostly fearful of repercussions. This fearfulness leads to questions not being answered or not fully answered, the feeling that something’s being missed is ever present.

This is a crime thriller that has a huge psychological thriller aspect to it. It is a serious storyline, and it is quite complex. This is one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

The Vengeance (The Vampires of Dumas Book 1) by Emma Newman #NetGalley #vampires #pirates @Solarisbooks #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review of The Vengeance by Emma Newman. This is the first book in The Vampires of Dumas series, and I adored it.

My huge thanks to Solaris Books for accepting my request to read this title via Netgalley.

Morgane grew up at sea, daughter of the fierce pirate captain of the Vengeance, raised to follow in her footsteps as scourge of the Four Chains Trading Company. But when Anna-Marie is mortally wounded in battle, she confesses to Morgane that she is not her mother.

The captain of the enemy ship reveals he was paid to kill Anna-Marie and bring Morgane home to France and her real family. Desperate to learn the truth about her lineage, Morgane spares him, leaving the Vengeance and everything she knows behind.

Her quest reveals a world of decadence and darkness, in which monsters vie for control of royal courts and destinies of nations. She discovers the bloody secrets of the Four Chains Trading Company, and the truth about her real mother’s death, nearly twenty years before…

MY REVIEW

Now and again, it is nice to dip into the world of vampires, and I have to admit, when I saw this book’s cover, it caught my eye. I mean a skull and crossbones with swords, cutlasses, ships and various other bits, it is distinctive.

So obviously, this is not a straight-forward swashbuckling action adventure story; it does have vampires. The main character is Morgane, who sails with, who she thought was her mother on The Vengeance. Anne Marie is the captain, and it is on her deathbed that she drops this revelation. This sets Morgane on a path that will change her life. She is not aware of vampires, like I was when it is mentioned in the title, so it also goes that she is not aware of any others’ plans, plots, schemes, and shenanigans to either help or hinder her on the search for her real mother.

This is a fabulous book and just what I needed, it is a dark book that is the first in the series.. There is a good amount that is not mentioned until a lot later in the boo,k and while this may put some readers off I liked it. It meant I got to know Morgane’s thoughts, expectations and how she had been brought up on as a pirate on a ship in the Caribbean. After the death of her aunt, Morgane travels across the world to France, where she is unaware of how society expects women to dress, act, or speak. She is supposedly from a moneyed family, but not having access to the education that young ladies would have had, she was brought up with drinking, cursing, climbing the rigging and wearing practical clothing.

Her arrival in France is not straightforward. It is fraught with danger, and no sooner does her foot touch land than she is in trouble. She gains a friend, however, when she is rescued, but who her rescuer is and his role are something she is not fully aware of.

A good amount of this book deals with Morgane, giving the details of her life. I really enjoyed this as it meant the culture shock was more prominent and gave a sort of credibility to the way she behaves. Luckily, she gains an ally, and between them, they can travel, learn more about Morgane’s family, but also hear some strange mutterings about things lurking in the dark. This adds to the suspense of the story and the danger that seems to follow Morgane, although the full reasoning behind this is not revealed until much later.

This is the first book in the series, and it ended well; it gave closure to one part of the story while leaving it open for the next in the series. This is an action-packed adventure story, a thriller and a fast-paced plot. It has a lot going on and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is one I look forward to continuing with and one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Donate – Eyes Forward Book 1 by Emma Ellis #dystopian #scifi #fiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Donate by Emma Ellis. This is the first book in the Eyes Forward series and I discovered it on Kindle Unlimited. It is a dark, unsettling dystopian novel that is so very addictive.

Mae finds herself pregnant in a world where the global population has hit twenty billion, and governments decree that no child may be born without a life being sacrificed in return.

With growing unrest and violence towards pregnant women, Mae must navigate a hostile world to secure a future for her unborn child — no matter the cost. When the stakes are so high, how far would you go to protect your family?

MY REVIEW

I am a fan of dystopian novels, especially those that you can all but imagine happening. Donate is just that sort of book, but it gets very dark as consequences, opinions, and political alliances all think they are right—no different from the society we live in today!

Mae’s society reminds me very much of 1984 or countries with a regime where people were encouraged to report any infringement to the law. The world is overpopulated and by some miraculous event, all the countries have decided that the only way to reduce the population is by limiting births. For those already pregnant there is a very small window to register the pregnancy. If you fail to register in time there is a clause that allows you to progress with your pregnancy. An older person must be willing to sacrifice their life for that of the baby. Another rule is that anyone over the age of 90 will not have access to any medication.

The announcement of these new rules is brought in just as Mae and her partner discover she is pregnant. The website crashes, and there is panic about what will happen, maybe they can get an exemption, but what happens if they can’t? There are a couple of elderly relatives, but that is not something they can sanction, so the alternative is what. Stay where they are and have their baby terminated or do something else!

The realisation hits Mae as she and her partner try to work out what to do for the best, what will give them all the best outcome where they all survive. The author takes the story down some very dark roads and for some, this may be very upsetting. I think this is part of the story however and as horrible as some of the atrocities become, it is unfortunately very believable. As a race, humans have committed atrocities that are unimaginable in the past, and some continue to this day. So is so far-fetched to think that the things the author brings into her book will not happen?

As the author takes her characters in a direction they never would have considered, it gives her the chance to add more variables and opinions from others. Bringing in new laws will always divide people and there will be groups that are more active, vocal and in some cases violent. The groups the author forms are, in some cases, taken to the extreme and some of the acts are horrible. But, as I mentioned earlier, it is all part of the story and is within context.

I do like a dystopian novel that really tests me as a reader, this one did that. It is imaginative but also very dark. Showing extremes people will, may and have gone to as a wa7y to protect themselves and their way of life. Status, society norms, politics, perspectives, views and opinions are all tested in this book and I thought it was a very addictive read. I started this book around 10pm and finished it at some daft hour in the early hours of the morning, that says just how addictive I found it. My next book to read is the second one in this series and I am looking forward to another brilliant story.

This is one for those who like a more darker style dystopian novel that takes the reader down some very thought-provoking and alarming events. Fabulous story and one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Small Fires by Ronnie Turner @OrendaBooks #fiction #gothic #mystery #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for Small Fires by Ronnie Turner. This is the third book by this author and it is amazing 😍

My huge thanks to Orenda Books for getting in touch to see if I wanted to read and review this. My review is unbiased and completely my own thoughts and opinions.

Midsommar meets Midnight Mass in a folk horror, modern gothic masterpiece.

Evil runs through this cursed island

And these wicked sisters are about to make it burn…

When sisters Lily and Della Pedley are persecuted for the shocking murder of their parents, they flee from their home in Cornwall to a remote and unnamed island in Scotland – an island known for its strange happenings, but far away from the whispers and prying eyes of strangers.

Lily is terrified of what her sister will might do next, and she soon realises that they have arrived at a place where nothing is as it seems. A bitterness runs through the land like poison, and the stories told by the islanders seem to be far more than folklore.

Della settles in too easily, the island folk drawn to her strangeness, but Lily is plagued by odd and unsettling dreams, and as an annual festival draws nigh, she discovers that she has far more to fear than she could ever have imagined. Or does she…?

Chilling, atmospheric and utterly hypnotic, Small Fires is a contemporary gothic novel that examines possession, generational trauma, female rage, and the perilous bonds of family – an unsettling reminder that the stories we tell can be deadly…

MY REVIEW


I really don’t know where to start with this book, apart from saying it is absolutely amazing! While it is a mystery and does have a sense of a thriller, it is also a fabulous work of fiction, the author has woven in many other elements. This gives it a strong gothic vibe, which, by the way, I adore.

Two sisters travel from where they lived in Cornwall up to a remote island in Scotland. They are warned about going to the island as there is a general perception that people who live there are mysterious and isolated and it is somewhere people go to disappear or be forgotten about. It doesn’t even have a name.

The story is told and my goodness the author has brought folklore, myth, fairy tales and a good amount of creepiness to this story. This is one of those stories that just captures your attention, as the author weaves her words, they weave their way into your head.

The sisters are like chalk and cheese, they had a traumatic experience which is why they have chosen to travel away. Away from the rumours and the whispers, but even out on an island, their story follows them.

There is a mix of past and present and also that of the sisters. The rumours of the island and what its history is, well that is something else entirely. But as much as it is different, it is also very fitting for the characters that have a part to play. There are different thoughts, opinions, experiences and expectations. As much as this sounds it could be quite confusing, the author has kept the flow and the story running beautifully. But, she did take 5 years and several rewritings to get to this wonderful book.

The way the author chooses her words, phrases and the overall feel of the story is lyrical, she creates some wonderful images from her writing. The sisters are portrayed so well, I suppose I should mention that they are called Della and Lily, and they have their own traits and behaviours.

This is a gothic mystery that at times broaches into fantasy, horror and supernatural, but it is a thriller with crime mixed amidst the pages. It has such a wonderful; flow between the chapters and the characters and the island comes alive as you read the book.

I adored this one so much, it is enchanting and bewitching, about good and bad, a fabulous mix of genres and an absolute delight to read. I would definitely recommend this book, it is amazing.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Devil’s Door: Haunted #2 by Lee Mountford #KU #horror #occult #ghoststories #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Devil’s Door by Lee Mountford. This is the 2nd book in the Haunted series and it takes the reader back to the fateful night in 1982.

Halloween night, 1982. Many people were brutally killed or simply vanished at the Blackwater Hotel—formerly Perron Manor. The events of that night have always remained a mystery.
Until now…
Ray and Rita Pearson, along with their daughter, Chloe, move into the hotel to help with its renovation and grand opening. All under the watchful eye of the mysterious owner, Marcus Blackwater.
But as they move closer to the opening date, things begin to happen in the hotel that are unexplainable. And Rita herself begins to change.
Unbeknownst to the family, there are other plans in place, and Marcus Blackwater has his own agenda—one started by his grandfather many years ago.
The story culminates in a horrific turn of events that changes everything you think you know about the house… and its inhabitants.

MY REVIEW

This is the second book in the Haunted series. The first book was a great introduction, gave some information about the house/ manor/ hotel, and was set in the present. This second book goes back in time to the 1980s, when it was turned from Perron Manor to the Blackwater Hotel.

The manor has had a lot of history and there are rumours that it is haunted. Rita Pearson has been invited by her brother Vincent to work at the manor. He is a close friend of the current owner, Marcus Blackwater. Looking for a new position anyway, this could be the solution that she, her husband Ray and daughter Chloe are looking for.

Marcus is wanting to drop the name of Perron Manor and in doing so turn it into a hotel but also to try and get away from the stigma, rumour and reputation that has gradually surrounded the place, which is understandable. Bringing in a family to run and oversee the changes is a good idea.

As the changes are taking place, there seems to be an ok feel about the place, but as the hotel opens there is a lot more stress, interrupted sleep patterns and odd smells and cold spots. Initially, it is explained away as it is an old building, but there is a feeling of something else going on. I know I would want to stop in this place and this is a feeling that Ray is beginning to get, also it makes him think about how safe is his daughter. He and Rita are becoming less of a couple and spend most of the time ignoring each other, she has something to prove so tensions are running rife.

As tensions between the family grow, so do the atmospherics and eeriness of the house. The house is in some ways a character in its own right, but then there are the “other” characters, you know the unreal, supernatural creepy as hell ones. They have a “presence” obviously, and there is some indication that something else is going on. Vincent is not much help, and he pootles away in the background, almost unseen, while Marcus is the star of the show.

Everything that goes on in the book is toward the culmination of what happens on Halloween of 1982. This is creepy and has a fabulous spooky and climactic feel. It also then gives more details that were missing from the first book. I know this may sound odd, but this flipping back and forth across two books has worked so well and I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book.

This is one for fans of supernatural, horror-style thrillers, mystery, occult and ghost stories. A fabulous story and one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Books 5 and 6 of The Spread – Turning Point and Annihilation by Iain Robb Wright #horror #scifi #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my reviews today for books 5 and 6 of The Spread series – Turning Point and Annihilation by Iain Robb Wright.

I have read these books via Kindle Unlimited making the most of the free trial I had.

Survival is about to get tougher.

Aaron Cartwright is not the young boy he used to be. He is something else now. Something not quite human. His friends no longer look at him the same way. But the mission hasn’t changed. The enemy needs destroying. The Earth needs reclaiming.

The problem is…

A new threat is about to arrive, and everything mankind thought it knew is about to be proved dead wrong.

MY REVIEW

This series is so good and with only one more book to go, it is getting dramatic.

Aaron with his friends, has successfully dealt with one problem only to be met by another. This is still a race for survival and the odds of surviving did seem to be getting better. But with one step forward, it seems there is another step, or more back.

Rachel and Nancy have arrived in Edinburgh, it is not what they thought it would be and while they feel safe from the alien fungus, it is the humans they have to be wary of once again.

These are so easy to read and get caught up in, each book is around 200 pages and each one has been read pretty much in one sitting. As this series is getting towards the end, I am reluctant to give too much in the way of details, but the drama and tension are increasing.

This book sees the groups still trying to work to do what is best, trying to break the lock the fungus has on the land and anything it comes into contact with. There are still going to be serious injuries and deaths of close people. With the population change, there is the obvious change in leadership and this brings its own problems.

Another fabulous book in the series that pits friends against the threat of humankind and the world as they know it. This book falls into the sci-fi, thriller and horror genres and I would recommend this book.

The end of the end has begun…

Aaron Cartwright and his friends have walked through hell and come out of the other end changed in ways they could never have imagined. But they are still human. They are still prepared to fight.

And fight they must as mankind’s deadly enemy unleashes a new weapon designed to end humanity once and for all.

In order to stop the extinction of all life on Earth, Aaron must do something next to impossible. Return home and face the enemy one last time. He will just have to hope that home still exists.

MY REVIEW

This is the series’ final book, and my goodness, does it finish with a bang!

Aaron has gradually made his way through huge disasters and losses. He has changed, not just in his perspective but also physically. He has lost friends and family, but he still carries on towards his final goal: destroying the invaders.

He is not alone, he still has some of the original group he left Scotland with, some have joined, some have died. But life has changed and it is now vital that he get back home.

This has been a fabulous journey with Aaron, Cameron, Helper and various others. As with any series, but especially one that has a lot of destruction, death and invasion, there are going to be characters that you lose along the way. The author, in my opinion, chose the right way to end the book, albeit very sad, but it did seem fitting.

This final journey for the group sees a lot of emotion, and as a reader, I was pleased to see this in this book. It would not have been right to just finish and not feel some sort of loss as the characters did. I think the author got the balance of this just right.

Overall this has been a fabulous series and I will miss it. I have had recommendations from other readers about some of their personal favourites from this author and they are already sitting on my Kindle waiting for me to read.

If you are a fan of dystopian, sci-fi, alien apocalypse and thrillers then this is a series you should look at. I read it via Kindle Unlimited and I am so glad I came across this author as I will be reading more. I would definitely recommend this book and the series.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

The Mercy Chair by M.W. Craven #thriller #crime #darkfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Mercy Chair by M.W. Craven. This is the 6th book in the Washington Poe series and my goodness this one is devious, compelling and very dark. I adored it so much.

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin . . .

Washington Poe has a story to tell.

And he needs you to listen.

You’ll hear how it started with the robber birds. Crows. Dozens of them. Enough for a murder . . .

He’ll tell you about a man who was tied to a tree and stoned to death, a man who had tattooed himself with a code so obscure, even the gifted analyst Tilly Bradshaw struggled to break it. He’ll tell you how the man’s murder was connected to a tragedy that happened fifteen years earlier when a young girl massacred her entire family.

And finally, he’ll tell you about the mercy chair. And why people would rather kill themselves than talk about it . . .
Poe hopes you’ve been paying attention. Because in this story, nothing is as it seems . . .

MT REVIEW

This is the 6th book in the Washington Poe series and is very dark. The author does mention it was darker before he sent it for edits and the like!

This book differs from the previous books but also has the same sort of complex thriller and crime vibe as earlier books. Poe recounts his time on a previous case, but he is relating the story to another person. The author manages two timelines in this book, one being the case he is talking of the other is the relationship with the person he is talking to. I can’t say much as this is a big part of the overall story and it took me by surprise.

The case deals with some sensitive subjects, again the author does tell some details and this is something that needs to be told as it gives essential context later on. He does not glorify details bt gives enough to get the message across to the reader.

Poe is joined once again by the fabulous Tilly, Flynn, and Doyle and there is another person who is thrust upon them. I did like the author’s sense of humour as he gives Poe his voice in regard to this interfering person. It does fit in so well with Poe’s carefree attitude and standard response to things he does not agree with.

the story is twisted, and convoluted, when you think you have a handle on things, especially in the latter parts, the author just knocks the story into another gear and sends it in a different direction. I enjoyed the way Poe laid out his telling of his previous case, some things were mentioned but not fully explained until he was ready to tell them, or when they became relevant. This meant the listener as well as this reader was constantly waiting for the bigger picture to emerge. This adds to the suspense and tension and believe me when I say it becomes extremely addictive reading.

If you are a fan of this series then I think you are going to love this slightly different Poe story, it is darker than the previous ones and I have to say it is by far my favourite of the series so far. So I would definitely recommend it.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Shaking Hands with Elvis by Paul Carroll @paulcarrollink #darkfiction #speculative #humour #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of Shaking Hands with Elvis by Paul Carroll. This is a brilliant dark fiction and at times, humorous book. It is not the first book I have read by Paul and it was a pleasure to read this one. The cover may look random, well I thought it did when I first saw it. It was only after I had finished the book I realised the significance of it.

My huge thanks to Paul for getting in touch about reading and reviewing this book. My thoughts, opinions and review are my own.

Check Out Any Time You Like at the Grand Euthanasia Hotel

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS…

When assisted dying is legalised following the government’s sell-off of the NHS, where does the killing stop?

The sick and the old no longer have to feel they’re a burden on society and a nuisance to their families, the nation’s healthcare budget is slashed at a stroke, and there is money to be made in offering ever more inventive ways to lawfully shuffle off your mortal coil.

When Geraldine, Dawn, Jeffrey and Woody, each having a different reason for giving up the ghost, book appointments for their final journeys, they discover not everything at Go Gently’s state-of-the-art Charon House clinic lives up to the brochure.

As the clock ticks down to their appointed hour, is it really the end of the line for the gang of four, or is there life in the old dogs yet?

MY REVIEW

What a fabulous book this is, a sort of dark fiction blended with speculative fiction and done to create such an amazing story. The author brings the idea of euthanasia into this story. The NHS is not as good as it was and a new bill has been passed to help those wanting to leave their lives on their own terms. Hence the reason for Charon House, a facility whereby those who can, choose a package so they don’t have to suffer their lives any longer.

The book is set around just a few characters and the author gently brings them together, allowing their stories to emerge and their reasons for wanting to “Go Gently” into the ether. Along with these, there is also a worker, some family, an owner and of course a government minister. Each character has a very good reason for being in the book as you will discover. The author brings various arguments for and against euthanasia into this story and also gives some other things that, while making sense, also allude to a much darker side.

There is a brilliant reference from The Eagles and as soon as I read it, it stayed with me throughout the book, ironic, on point and very suitable. Even now I am still humming it to myself.

The book gives food for thought and brings the idea of how euthanasia can be used. We often tell ourselves that we wouldn’t let an animal suffer and be in pain when referring to a loved one. The author uses this effectively in his book as an argument for and against. He also brings in some emotions, there are the obvious ones, but then there are also some that the characters suddenly become more aware of.

The story is one that I absolutely adored. Yes, I suppose it has that morbid sense to it as it does concern how people could potentially choose how they want to die. But it is also about more than that and this is something that emerges through the reading and getting to know the cast. There is also a wonderful dark humour nestled and I had to snigger and smirk on the occasions when it occurred.

This is one for those who like a book with something different, it is not fast-paced or a thriller as such, but moves along at just the right pace. There is so much more I want to express about the story and what happens, but that would just ruin it for others. It is a book that book clubs would be able to have a great discussion about. It is one I would definitely recommend.

About the Author…

Paul’s novels consistently let fly at the latest social trends in an entertaining mix of cutting observation, human drama, dark humour and compassion.

Born and brought up in Leeds, Paul has a degree in English Language and English Literature from the University of Manchester, and worked in PR for many years before becoming a full- time author. Paul lives in Altrincham, Greater Manchester.

A marketing gamekeeper-turned-poacher, Paul is to be found peering behind the curtains of ‘the next big thing’ when he’s not writing.

Shaking Hands with Elvis (2024) is Paul Carroll’s fifth novel, following Don’t Ask (2021), Trouble Brewing (2017), Written Off (2016) and A Matter of Life and Death (2012).

Many thanks for reading my post,a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Empire of The Damned Jay Kristoff #NetGalley #horror #fantasy #supernatural #vampires #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today for Empire of The Damned by Jay Kristoff. This is the second book in the series and it is another fabulous book. I would recommend reading the first book in this series. My full review of that book, Empire of The Vampire, can be read HERE

My thanks to Harper Voyager for my e-copy of this book via NetGalley.

Gabriel de León has saved the Holy Grail from death, but his chance to end the endless night is lost.

After turning his back on his Silversaint brothers once and for all, Gabriel and the Grail set out to learn the truth of how Daysdeath might finally be undone.

But the last Silversaint faces peril, within and without. Pursued by children of the Forever King, drawn into wars and webs centuries in the weaving, and ravaged by his own rising bloodlust, Gabriel may not survive to see the truth of the Grail revealed.

A truth that may be too awful for any to imagine.

MY REVIEW

This is the second book in the Empire of The Vampire series and I would recommend reading these in order as the first book gives a lot of background information.

In this second book, the story continues, well, Gabe’s recounting of his story continues. He is protecting The Grail and trying to find who can help unlock the secrets of how The Grail can end the darkness that hangs over the world the author has created. Gabe is a silversaint and is sworn to protect and kill vampires and their spawn. He is on the edge; if you have read the previous book, you will know how this makes him dangerous. He is still in control but there are other forces that are testing his resolve.

This is another brilliant installment in the series and once again the author has created a tense and atmospheric thrill to the book. While he continues the journey there are more things that are brought into the equation. There is The Grail and what people think is the right thing to do, will The Grail end the darkness and the vampires? It is still unclear, and there are only a couple of people alive who can potentially solve the mystery.

This is a fast-paced story and it never lets up, the chase is continuous and there is little respite for the characters. The danger lurks everywhere and the battles they have are ferocious. I adore how this is all brought together and the author has a brilliant way of creating some very vivid imagery.

This is a series that is a mix of horror and fantasy, mystery, suspense, action, danger and supernatural thriller. I adored this second book as much as the first and I cannot wait for the next one. I would definitely recommend it.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff #fantasy #horror #thriller #vampires #bookreview

yvonnembee 1 Comment

I am delighted to share my review today of Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff. This is the first book in the series and one that I bought last year but just got to. I do have the second book to read from NetGalley so I wanted to read these in order.

From holy cup comes holy light;
The faithful hands sets world aright.
And in the Seven Martyrs’ sight,
Mere man shall end this endless night.

It has been twenty-seven long years since the last sunrise. For nearly three decades, vampires have waged war against humanity; building their eternal empire even as they tear down our own. Now, only a few tiny sparks of light endure in a sea of darkness.

Gabriel de León is a silversaint: a member of a holy brotherhood dedicated to defending realm and church from the creatures of the night. But even the Silver Order couldn’t stem the tide once daylight failed us, and now, only Gabriel remains.

Imprisoned by the very monsters he vowed to destroy, the last silversaint is forced to tell his story. A story of legendary battles and forbidden love, of faith lost and friendships won, of the Wars of the Blood and the Forever King and the quest for humanity’s last remaining hope:

The Holy Grail.

MY REVIEW

This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I can definitely say it will not be the last. This is the first book in the Empire of the Vampire series, the second book is due at the end of this month(Feb 2024).

The story is about Gabriel de León, Gabe is a half-breed and is taken from his home to train as a Silversaint. His mother was human and his father was a vampire. He is not the only half-breed in this book but he is slightly different to the others. Most have a special gift, yet, Gabe doesn’t seem to have one. He is looked down upon, and he must make an extra effort every stage of his training. He is deemed to be worthless and from peasant stock.

The story of Gabe, his time before going to the Silver Order Brotherhood, and his battles against monsters and other enemies. It is not told in the usual way, instead he is relating history to another. The scribe he is dictating to is a vampire, they are enemies but Gabe has no choice but to divulge his story.

This was a fabulous read and I am so glad I eventually came to reading this one. The story is of family, friendship and serving a higher order. This is a story of how Gabe found and then lost his faith but also of how he has become the feared man he is known as.

The author gives a huge amount of detail to Gabe and those he gradually befriends. A mix of mystery and murder with horror and paranormal aspects to it. It is not a straightforward fantasy novel but one that mixes a lot of things into it. This in some ways gives it a historical fiction feel but it is obviously fantasy as there are the vampires! Mentions of knights, grail, secret orders, and inquisition, give it knights templar-style, but a darker and definitely a lot more dangerous.

The vampires do have some things that are an accepted version of how they can be killed but the author takes it a lot further. The world in which he sets this story is one where the darkness is taking over, the sun is not as bright as it used to be and the tie of dark days and darker nights give vampires an extra edge. This does not mean that the silver order is without power, they have their own powers, and they can fight and kill.

Gabe is a character who comes across as a loner, secretive and also an angry character. There is not much about him that you like as such, but that does not mean he is completely unlikeable. The further I read about him the more I was able to get to understand him. His story is one of fights, flights, battles, and secrets and every step of his journey is full of action, adventure, revenge, determination and there is a lot more as well.

After reading this first book I cannot wait to get to the next one. I will also be looking at other books by this author and I am so happy to add another fantasy author to my list. A brilliant start to a series and if you are a fan of high fantasy then this is one you should have a look at. I adored this and I would definitely recommend it.

About the Author…

Jay Kristoff is a #1 international, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. He is the winner of eight Aurealis Awards, an ABIA, has over two million books in print and is published in over thirty five countries, most of which he has never visited. He is as surprised about all of this as you are. He is 6’7 and has approximately 12,000 days to live.

He does not believe in happy endings.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx