Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The final chapters reveal that Gabriel’s and Celene’s entire testimonies were a deception. How did this twist at the end reshape your understanding of the entire story you had just read? Did it make you want to go back and look for clues you might have missed?

2. Empire of the Dawn is a notable example of grimdark fantasy, a genre known for its moral ambiguity and bleak settings. How did this aspect of the book shape your reading experience? If you’ve read other epic fantasy series, such as George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, how did Kristoff’s world and characters compare?

3. Looking back on the novel, which scene or moment has stayed with you the most? Was it a huge battle, a quiet character interaction, or a shocking plot twist, and what made it so memorable for you?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Gabriel’s journey begins as a quest for personal vengeance but transforms into a mission to protect Dior and, ultimately, the world. Think about a time in your life when a new relationship or responsibility caused you to re-evaluate your own goals or priorities. How did that shift in focus change you?

2. The bond between Aaron and Baptiste is portrayed as a rebellion against a world that seeks to corrupt or destroy it. What do you believe allows love and loyalty to survive in the face of extreme hardship or societal pressure?

3. Celene’s arc involves being indoctrinated into the Esani faith, only to become disillusioned upon discovering its true, apocalyptic goal. Have you ever had an experience that led you to question a long-held belief or loyalty? What did you learn from that process of re-evaluation?

4. Gabriel’s sword, Ashdrinker, is a broken but fiercely loyal companion whose fragmented mind mirrors his own trauma. Do you have an object in your own life that, while perhaps worn or imperfect, holds deep personal meaning or connects you to a specific time or person?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The novel critiques monolithic religious institutions, showing how the One Faith has become dogmatic and the Esani cult has twisted faith into a tool for annihilation. What commentary do you think the author is making on how belief systems can be used to control people or justify extreme actions?

2. The ancient vampire aristocracies, led by figures like Fabién Voss and Empress Margot, view mortals as expendable resources for their own power and entertainment. How does this fantasy framework serve as a lens for examining real-world systems of class, power, and exploitation?

3. Knowing the author has faced criticism for his handling of cultural and religious themes in past work, how did you receive the deconstruction of messianic figures and organized faith in this book? Did it feel more like a critique, a subversion, or something else to you?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. What is the effect of using a nested, unreliable narration? How did filtering the story through the biased perspectives of Gabriel, Celene, and their captor, Jean-François, shape your experience and trust as a reader?

2. Blood is the novel’s most complex motif, representing corruption, divine power, lineage, and sacrifice. How does the story contrast the parasitic nature of vampiric blood with the redemptive, and ultimately destructive, power of Dior’s blood?

3. Gabriel de León is a classic grimdark anti-hero, defined by his flaws and moral compromises. In what ways does his character challenge the conventions of a traditional fantasy hero, and what does this ambiguity add to the story?

4. What significance does the “strangled sun” hold as a symbol? How does the perpetual darkness of “daysdeath” influence the characters’ motivations and the story’s overall mood, and what does the slow, gradual return of daylight at the end signify?

5. Kristoff’s vampire lore, with its distinct bloodlines and complex social structures, is a departure from more classic depictions found in works like Bram Stoker’s Dracula. What did you find most compelling or innovative about this modern approach to vampire mythology?

6. Dior’s character undergoes a significant transformation, moving from a girl shaped by prophecy to a woman who actively commands her own destiny. Which key moments or decisions were most critical to her evolution as a leader?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were tasked with adapting this novel for a television series, which storyline or character arc do you think would be the most difficult to bring to the screen? How would you approach that challenge to capture its essence?

2. Imagine you could have a brief conversation with one character at the very end of the book. Who would you choose to speak with, and what is the one question you would ask them about their future?

3. Picture yourself as a historian or storyteller living a generation after the events of the novel. How would the legend of Gabriel de León, Dior Lachance, and the end of daysdeath be told? Which parts of their story would become myth, and which details might be forgotten?