Published: September 2021
Pages: 739
Summary
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 could not 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 thoughts
This book delivered a visceral and unforgettable reading experience. This is a dark fantasy novel that plunges you into a world consumed by a vampiric plague, where humanity teeters on the brink of extinction.
I’m not a huge fan of vampires, there’s only so many ways you can write a vampire but Kristoff has proven me wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed these vampires, they were different and truly terrifying. No matter how dark or messy the story got, Kristoff masterfully crafts a world of gothic horror, where every shadow holds a chilling threat. The prose is sharp, poetic, and utterly captivating, drawing the reader into a world of blood, betrayal, and breath-taking action.
Kristoff’s characters are complex, driven by their own demons and grappling with the moral complexities of their existence. Gabriel, in particular, is a compelling protagonist, haunted by his past and struggling to find redemption in a world consumed by darkness.
There’s no misery so deep as one you face by yourself. No nights darker than ones you spend alone. But you can learn to live with any weight. Your scars grow thick enough, they become armour
I have read some reviews about the “misogyny and sexism” etc but I think that’s why context is so important. This world is rife with religion in a world where humanity is dying. People are desperate and clinging to whatever hope they have. People are terrified and religion is their saviour, what they lean on with the future so uncertain. It feels a bit cult-like at times but with such a heavy religious setting, traditional gender roles are infused throughout this world . And in that, the women being treated differently to men is not surprising, we see this in real life.
Faith is also a huge part of this story and we see it in our main characters. Their growth and development is tied to their faith. For some, the horrors they see in this land sees their faith weaken. How could they have faith when there is so much destruction and death, what god would allow such a thing? For others, that only strengthens their faith.
This book is brutal, unforgettable, and a triumphant novel. This will be a trilogy and I’ll be reading book two closer to book three’s release date in November 2025.
We carry the greatest burdens not on our shoulders, but in our hearts.
Would I recommend?
Yes, if you love epic fantasy and enjoy darker elements, then you’ll love this one. Grimdark fantasy, and gothic horror especially! Give it a bash and see what you think.