Empire of the Vampire – special editions roundup
Empire of the Vampire | Collector's Guide
Jump to: Series at a Glance | Quick Picks | Collector's Notes | Empire of the Vampire (1) | Empire of the Damned (2) | Empire of the Dawn (3) | Illustrators
The edition comparison roundups on this site compare all the different editions that are out there for titles with particular buzz to help you in your collecting journey.
At a Glance
Daylight has failed, and vampire armies wage war against humanity in the endless night. All hope lies with the last remaining silversaint, Gabriel de León, awaiting execution for the murder of the vampire emperor.
Author: Jay Kristoff
Series: 3 book trilogy (complete). US first edition covers shown above.
Vibe: Grimdark Fantasy.
Reading order: Publication order recommended.
Collector's Notes: Beautifully Illustrated by Bon Orthwick, hidden cover designs on first printings. Special editions include the Illustrated Collector's Editions, Retailer Exclusives (Waterstones, Barnes & Noble, Goldsboro), and book boxes (Illumicrate & the Librarian Box).
Daisy's quick picks:
- First edition hardcovers – both the US and UK editions have gorgeous covers, first printings have hidden designs and first printings of the US edition of the first book were signed.
- Illustrated editions – a later release, these look fabulous on the shelf and have bonus illustrations, what's not to love?
Collector's Notes
Empire of the Vampire is the first book in a new illustrated dark fantasy series for author Jay Kristoff, who is best known for his popular Nevernight series. He sold the novel with the description of it being “the bastard lovechild of Interview with the Vampire, The Road and The Name of the Wind,” so it has high hopes riding on it (which early reviews support).
This novel tells the story of Gabriel de León, last of the Silversaints, a holy order dedicated to defending realm and church from the vampiric “coldbloods”. Imprisoned for the murder of the vampiric king, Gabriel's tale spans from his youth in the monastery of San Michon, to the forbidden love that spelled his undoing, and the betrayal that saw his order annihilated. Most importantly, Gabriel will tell of his discovery of the Grail—the legendary cup prophesied to bring an end to the eternal night. But now, the Grail is shattered. And with the cup of the Savior destroyed and the last Silversaint awaiting execution, what can bring an end to this unholy empire?
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.
The first book includes almost forty illustrations by Bon Orthwick. The UK cover illustration is by Kerby Rosanes with cover design by Micaela Alcaino, and the US cover art is by Jason Chan, typography by Meg Morley and cover design by Young Lim. If you are interested in collecting Jay's books, you should definitely consider following him on Twitter and Instagram as he is very active on social media and often runs give-aways as well as providing early notice for upcoming special editions.
First printings of the hardback editions include a “hidden” design (or case stamp) on the boards under the dust jacket, featuring a family crest from the book. Most editions of Empire of the Vampire will have the de León crest in silver foil. The Goldsboro limited edition has the Chastain crest in purple foil and the Illumicrate edition has the Voss crest. Other bloodlines have crests as well (Dyvok and Ilon) that are likely to be explored further in later books in the series.
Book 1: Empire of the Vampire
List of Editions: Special 2022 Illustrated Edition | Standard Editions | Bookstore Exclusives | Book Clubs and Boxes | ARCS | Custom Designs | Other Merch
Special Illustrated Edition
Special Illustrated Edition
UK hardback. HarperVoyager, 9780008581190. 736p. Released Oct 27, 2022.
The illustrated special edition includes a stunning new cover, illustrated endpapers and bonus illustrations from Bon Orthwick.
➤ Find it at Amazon | Waterstones | Abes | eBay
Standard Editions
UK Paperback
HarperVoyager, 9780008350451. Released Jan 19, 2023. 736p. 12.9 x 4.5 x 19.8 cm.
Special features: UK edition with exclusive blue cover, black boards with silver foiled de Leon crest on the front and motto on the back, purple stained page edges, signed by the author. Numbered limited edition of 2000 copies.
➤ Buy from Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
UK Standard Edition Hardback
HarperCollins Publishers, 736p, 9780008350437. 16 x 24 cm. Released September 7, 2021.
All US edition preorders were signed by the author.
➤ Find it at Amazon | Waterstones* | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
*Waterstones preorders were eligible to win an ARC and print.
US Standard Edition Hardback
St Martin's Press, 752p, 9781250245281. 15.5 x 23 cm. Released September 14, 2021.
All US edition preorders were signed by the author.
➤ Find it at Amazon | Blackwells | Abes | eBay
Bookstore Exclusive Editions
Barnes & Noble - Signed Blood Red Exclusive (US)
US Hardback. St Martin's Press, 9781250280213. Release price USD$29.99.
US hardback exclusive edition with alternate red cover, all are signed by Jay (some will include a doodle), and 4 full color endpapers from Bon Orthwick.
Dymocks - Blood Red Foiled Edition (Australia)
Australian Paperback. HarperCollinsxDymocks, 9780008478988. Release price AUD$32.99.
Australian paperback exclusive edition with alternative red cover with embossing and foil. All pre-ordered copies will be signed by Jay Kristoff.
Goldsboro - Signed Platinum Edition (UK)
UK Hardback. Harper Voyager. 9780008350437.
Special features: UK edition with exclusive platinum cover design, silver boards with purple foiled Chastain crest on the front and motto on the back, purple stained page edges, signed by the author. Numbered limited edition of 2000 copies.
Indigo - Signed Blood Red Exclusive (US)
US Hardback. Macmillan, 9781250280725. Release price CAD$39.99.
US hardback exclusive edition with alternate red cover, all are signed by Jay (some will include a doodle), and 4 full color endpapers from Bon Orthwick. (Same as the B&N Edition, apart from the Indigo sticker.).
QBD - With Signed Print (Australia)
Paperback. HarperCollins. 9780008350444. Release price AUD$22.99.
Standard Australian paperback edition comes with an exclusive artwork print (some signed).
➤ OOP. Check availability at QBD
Waterstones - Signed Sprayed Edges Exclusive (UK)
UK Hardback. HarperCollins, 2928377053420. Release price £16.99.
UK hardback exclusive edition with black stained page edges, all copies are signed by Jay.
➤ OOP. Check availability at Waterstones | Abes | eBay
Book Subscriptions Clubs & Boxes
The Librarian Box (US)
Special features: First US edition, signed by the author. Dust jacket by Salome Totladze, in a book box with a leather journal, bath bomb, wooden bookmark, holographic sticker, pint glass, book sleeve, necaklace, soap art print and a bag of chips.
➤ OOP. Check availability at The Librarian Box | Etsy
Book Addiction (Australia)
Includes the Australian Dymocks exclusive edition along with themed bookish merch items from Marshmallow Moon Store and Wickstock Candle Co. Release price AUD$90.
➤ OOP. Check availability at Book Addiction
Fox & Wit (US)
A special US edition signed by Jay Kristoff, with sprayed edges and an exclusive dust jacket illustrated by Daniela Nairn. Also comes with a ‘curio of key' skeleton key inspired by the book designed by Blissfully Bookish. (Notes: originally advertised with stencilled edges, and owner has advised matching editions for future books in the series are unlikely.) Release price USD$51.
Good Choice Reading (US)
Includes the Barnes & Noble exclusive edition (listed above), virtually signed and personalized by both the author and the illustrator on a special bookplate, along with a variety of vampire-themed goodies. A limited number of signed book-only orders are also available. Release price USD$64.
➤ OOP. Check availability at Good Choice Reading
Illumicrate Edition
Released 2025. 646p.
Special features: UK edition with exclusive white cover with gold accents and gold spine, gold foiled boards (Voss crest), decorative sprayed page edges with a castle design, foiled endpapers, signed by the author.
➤ OOP. Check availability at Illumicrate | Abes | eBay
Librarian Box (US)
A special US hardback edition with exclusive dust jacket by Salome Totladze. Additional box items include custom stationery, snacks, bath item, drinkware, jewelery and more. Release price for deluxe box US$90.
➤ OOP. Check availability at The Librarian Box | Abes | eBay
Obsidian Moon Crate (US)
A special US edition signed by Jay with black sprayed page edges and silver stencilled stars, an exclusive reversible dust jacket featuring art by @warickaart and @niru.sky, along with a full tarot deck with art from @monolimeart, a candle from Blue Forest Black Moon, postcards from main characters written by Jay himself, and an author letter. There is also an add-on blanket option featuring an illustration from the book. Release price US$80.
Advance Reader's Copies
St Martin's Press (US)
There were four differently colored US arcs released, each one featuring a different crest from the four great vampire bloodlines: The Voss, Dyvok, Chastain and Ilon.
HarperCollins (UK)
One very shiny red-foiled UK arc was made available to UK-based reviewers.
Note that the ARCs do not have all the illustrations present in the final copies.
Custom Designs
Custom sprayed edges - Soledads Atelier
➤ Check out Soledads Atelier on Etsy for more details
Custom sprayed edges - Inky Fox Books
➤ Check out Inky Fox on Etsy for more details
Custom dust jackets - MistyLuna
➤ Check out MistyLuna on Etsy for more details
Custom leather rebinding - Vellichor
➤ Check out Vellichor Bindings on Etsy for more details
Custom sprayed edges - Stenciled Books by Ana
➤ Check out Ana on Etsy for more details
Custom sprayed edges - Crafty Reader
➤ Check out The Crafty Reader on Etsy for more details
Other Merch
Book Gizmo - Book Sleeves and Accessories (US)
A ‘prep' box (no book) including a double sided booksleeve with art by witchlingsart, enamel pin by BrioandBrandish, a candle from Blue Forest Black Moon, wine tumbler, and more.
➤ Check out Book Gizmo (website for US) and Etsy (for international)
Limited edition packs of signed prints (supanova)
Jay handed out 100 limited edition packs of signed prints at supanova in May 2021.
➤ Check out Jay's Instagram for more pics
Book 2: Empire of the Damned
Special Illustrated Edition
UK Hardback. HarperCollins, 9780008764937. Released Dec 4, 2025. 672p.
Special features: New cover design, full-colour illustrations by Bon Orthwick, head and tail bands.
➤ Find it at Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells
UK Paperback
UK Paperback. HarperVoyager, 9780008350505. Released Feb 13, 2025. 672p. 12.9 x 4.6 x 19.8 cm.
Special features: None.
➤ Buy from Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells
The Librarian Box
Special features: Dust jacket by Salome Totladze, two page overlays by Gonzalo Mendiverry, a Silverstaint spirit jersey with art by Felix Green, and signed bookplate by the author.
➤ Check availability at The Librarian Box | Etsy
The Big Book Box
Special features: UK edition with decorative sprayed page edges
➤ Check availability at The Big Book Box
Forbidden Planet Blue Edition
HarperVoyager, 9780008350482. Released Mar 1, 2024.
Special features: UK edition with exclusive blue cover, signed by the author.
➤ Check availability at Forbidden Planet
Goldsboro Edition
Released Feb 29, 2024.
Special features: UK edition with exclusive platinum cover, purple foiled boards with Voss crest on the front and motto on the back, purple stained page edges, signed by the author. Numbered limited edition of 2000 copes.
Illumicrate Edition
Released 2024. 646p.
Special features: Exclusive cover, foiled boards, decorative sprayed page edges, foiled endpapers, signed by the author.
➤ OOP. Check availability at Illumicrate | Abes | eBay
Book 3: Empire of the Dawn
The Librarian Box
Special features: Dust jacket by Salome Totladze, slipcase, two overlays, and signed bookplate by the author.
➤ Check availability at The Librarian Box | Etsy
Forbidden Planet Blue Edition
Released Nov 21, 2025.
Special features: UK edition with exclusive blue cover, signed by the author.
➤ Check availability at Forbidden Planet | Abes | eBay
Goldsboro Platinum Signed Edition
Released Nov 6, 2025.
Special features: UK edition with exclusive platinum cover, black boards with silver foiled de Leon crest on the front and motto on the back, purple stained page edges, signed by the author. Numbered limited edition of 2000 copies.
Illumicrate White Signed Edition
Released 2025. 646p.
Special features: UK/US editions with exclusive white cover, white boards with gold foiled Chastain crest, decorative sprayed page edges, foiled endpapers, signed by the author.
➤ Check availablity at Illumicrate | Abes | eBay
Barnes & Noble Exclusive
St Martin's Press, 9781250421418. Released Nov 6, 2025. 767p.
Special features: Exclusive cover, case stamp, and illustrated endpapers.
➤ Find it at Barnes & Noble
Waterstones Exclusive
HarperCollins 9780008781576. Released Nov 6, 2025. 800p. 24 x 15.9 x 0.52 cm.
Special features: Black sprayed page edges, signed by the author.
➤ Find it at Waterstones
First UK Edition
HarperCollins 9780008350536. Released Nov 6, 2025. 800p. 24 x 15.9 x 0.52 cm.
Special features: Illustrated by Gonzalo Mendiverry.
➤ Find it at Amazon | Waterstones | Blackwells
First US Edition
St Martin's Press, 9781250245373. Released Nov 4, 2025. 800p.
Special features: Illustrated by Gonzalo Mendiverry.
➤ Find it at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Blackwells
Illustrators
Cover designers
The US cover art is by Jason Chan and the UK cover art is by Kerby Rosanes with design and art direction by Micaela Alcaino.
Illustrators
Internal illustrations are by Bon Orthwick for the first two volumes and Gonzalo Mendiverry for the third volume (the illustrator changed because Bon was unavailable to meet the printing deadline for the last book).
Maps
Maps for all books are designed by Virginia Allyn.
14 Comments
Roxanne · 18 September 2021 at 3:30 am
You say some copies of the B&N exclusive and Indigo exclusive will include a “doodle.” Does this make it more or less valuable?
Daisy · 19 September 2021 at 4:13 pm
Yes, books with something additional to a signature, like a line from the story, or a small picture drawn by the author/artist are usually considered more valuable than a plain signed edition. The specific terminology is “remarqued”, although that usually means something a bit more detailed than a doodle 😃
Priscilla · 15 July 2021 at 3:21 pm
I am getting The Librarian Box edition as I subscribe to that, though just the regular box rather than the deluxe. This books sounds really good, and I’ve seen some reviews that have left me quite excited. But I’ve never read Kristoff before, so I’m happy with my one copy, lol. Still, really cool to see all the other editions. The Waterstones elegant black sprayed edges with the UK cover looks like the best one to me, but I’m excited to see what my own exclusive cover will look like when it finally ships out.
Daisy · 28 July 2021 at 8:59 pm
It’s always fun waiting to see what the covers will look like in person! (And I have to say EotV looks massive, so you guys collecting all the editions are going to need to clear a whole shelf!). Hope you love it… Dx
Shona · 2 July 2021 at 5:12 am
Wow! This was super helpful to get all the special editions in one place, I’d lost track and was really excited to find them all listed here 🙂
Daisy · 8 July 2021 at 8:07 am
Hi Shona – it’s crazy how many editions there are to keep track of! Hope you have some fun ones preordered 💕
Kim · 26 June 2021 at 9:56 am
I will have seven under my belt: US, BN, Dymocks, Waterstones, Goldsboro, Obsidian Moon Crate, and Illumicrate.
Also you misspelled Bon’s name the beginning of the article.
Daisy · 26 June 2021 at 10:12 am
Ahhh, perils of autocorrect – thanks so much, I’ve fixed it now. And I’d love to know which edition is your favourite when they arrive 💕
Pearl · 25 June 2021 at 7:45 pm
I have 6 special edition books. Plus I’m subscribed to Illumicrate so that’ll make it 7 special editions.
Daisy · 25 June 2021 at 7:53 pm
Awesome 💕 Would love to hear back which is your favourite when they arrive!
Pearl · 25 June 2021 at 7:59 pm
Daisy, I I had the money I’d be buying an arc from eBay. But they’re selling for US$600+, which is AU$800+. People must be rich!!
Daisy · 25 June 2021 at 8:03 pm
Wow – definitely too many other books to spend that $ on… Btw – Jay has given a few copies of ARCs away on his Instagram account, so make sure you’re subscribed and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that one finds its home with you…
Daisy · 26 June 2021 at 2:00 pm
Ps – here’s and arc sweepstakes on right now! Good luck 🍀
https://read.macmillan.com/promo/smpeotvsweeps21/
Daisy · 26 June 2021 at 2:01 pm
Ps, here’s a link to an arc sweepstakes on right now – good luck 🍀
https://read.macmillan.com/promo/smpeotvsweeps21/