First Lines Friday – 14/11/2025
Today’s First Lines Friday features a HIGHLY anticipated new release. The third and final book of a much-loved trilogy, it’s one in both excited and scared to read. I’m confident I’ll love this book.
If you haven’t guessed which book I’m referring to (my monthly TBR might give it away), then take a look below to find out more!
IT WAS THE twenty-seventh year of daysdeath in the realm of the Forever King, and his murderer was still waiting to die.
The killer stood again at a thin window, watching his finale arrive. Tattooed hands were clasped at his back, stained with blood, both fresh and merely remembered. His room stood high in the reaches of his lonely tower, battered by a tempest just as sleepless as he. His door remained locked like a secret. His heart, locked tighter still.
From his vantage, the killer studied the procession below, his eyes the grey of the storm above. The figures wending towards the gatehouse were few, antlike; tiny black spots crawling on a plain of frost. But their coming was a portent, shaking the stones beneath him like no earthly thunder could, and their arrival told him that his departure was not too distant now. That this game, like all good 
things, must soon see its end.
Empire of the Dawn – Jay Kristoff
Genre: Gothic Fantasy
Pages: 768
Audience: Adult
Publisher: HarperVoyager
Publication Date: 06 Nov 2025
Goodreads – Empire of the Dawn
From New York Times bestselling author of the Empire of the Vampire and Empire of the Damned, Jay Kristoff, comes the epic conclusion to the #1 internationally bestselling series.
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.
Gabriel de León has lost his family, his faith, and the last hope of ending the endless night—his surrogate daughter, Dior. With no thought left but vengeance, he and a band of loyal brothers journey into the war-torn heart of Elidaen to claim the life of the Forever King.
Unbeknownst to the Last Silversaint, the Grail still lives—speeding towards the besieged capital of Augustin in the frail hope of ending Daysdeath. But deadly treachery awaits within the halls of power, and the Forever King’s legions march ever closer. Gabriel and Dior will be drawn into a final battle that will shape the very fate of the Empire, but as the sun sets for what may the last time, there will be no one left for them to trust.
Not even each other.
My Thoughts…
I don’t pick up many books immediately after publication, but Empire of the Dawn is an exception. I loved Empire of the Vampire and Empire of the Damned. They are well written and I love the length of the books. They’re long, but immersive!
They’re also darker than a lot of other fantasy I’ve read. The narrative style also suits me. Naturally, with the being the final book of the series, I’m both keen (and nervous) to reach the conclusion. It’s one of those where I’m worried it won’t live up to expectations, but I probably shouldn’t be. Jay Kristoff hasn’t let me down yet! The synopsis promises drama as well.
Thanks for reading today’s First Lines Friday post. Have you ever picked up a book as soon as it’s released? If so, what was it?
As always, I want to hear your thoughts – on this book – or any other you’ve been so excited to read you picked it up straight away!
Top 1% in Epic