This book takes the brutality of Hunger Games to a new level and adds Vampires to the mix. There is way more blood spilled (and drank) in this world, shared by humans and vampires.
I missed this feeling so much- that I might lose my job because of a book. When I forget to eat, I don’t want to go out, I’m enamored, trapped in the world, the author has created
The surprises never ended, even until the last page. The plot kept unraveling, and the characters and the enemies-to-lovers love story were amazing. There are no heroes or villains in this book. You just have to decide by yourself if the character deserves justification or not.
Enough of my blabber. Let me introduce this marvelous world to you, and then you can decide if you agree with me or not.
*The books are listed in the recommended reading order
Book 1: The Serpent and the Wings of Night
The Serpent and the Wings of Night is the first book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series and a Nightborn Duology. So far, this is also the best book in the series. The author, indeed, started out strong with this one.
Set in a world divided by Vampires and humans, Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn Vampire king, has to fight twice as hard to prove herself.
However, an opportunity arises during the Kejari, the tournament held by the goddess of death, Nyaxia, every once in a century. Vicious warriors from all three vampire houses will fight for the goddess’s favor; everyone has something they desperately wish for.
Amongst the bloodthirsty vampires, Oraya has no choice but to make a temporary alliance with her rival.
Behind the cocky and easy-going attitude hides a deadly warrior. Raihn draws Oraya’s attention right from the beginning. He might be the enemy of her father’s crown, but together, they might have a chance to win. Meanwhile, Oraya has to guard her back and, most importantly, her heart.
Romance in the book was so fun to read. It was true Enemies to Lovers. No bullshit there. These two are enemies in every sense. I loved their bickering and watching how carefully and slowly they gave each other their trust. And how easy it is to lose it.
A dead lover can never break your heart
― Carissa Broadbent, The Serpent and the Wings of Night
The surprises never ended, even until the last page. The plot kept unraveling, and the details I never paid attention to surfaced when I never expected anything. I pride myself on predicting what happens in the book. Here, I got my socks knocked off.
My favorite character was Vincent. His story was amazing, and even after book one, there are still so many mysteries about him. I loved seeing his two sides, the Father and the King. I loved that he was a monster to some, but he was still capable of this great love towards his daughter.
Perhaps I didn’t share his blood, but I was his child in every other sense of the word, and he loved me the only way he knew how. At the edge of a blade.
― Carissa Broadbent, The Serpent and the Wings of Night
Oraya, was very interesting, too. She was strong but also lonely and closed off. It was nice to see her human side and how hard it was for her to let people in.
Raihn was your traditional brooding immortal warrior type, but his story was still full of mysteries. I loved his attitude when he wore the mask, but also his raw vulnerability.
Overall, the first book of the series was so well written and a hell of a page-turner that it left me starving for more.
Book 1.5, a side novel: Six Scorched Roses
Six Scorched Roses is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. It can be read as a standalone novel or with the Nightborn duology after the first book before you start the second one. You can also tandem-read the first few chapters of the second book and this novel, which is what I did because there was no way in hell I could wait for the second book.
With the cliffhanger in the first book, I understand that you might be tempted to skip this one altogether, but the characters from this novel play a major part in the next book.
Aside from that, the novel itself is very pleasant to read. If the Nightborn duet is set in the Vampire’s part of the continent, this one takes place in the human lands. The vampire fugitive general, Vale, has been hiding in a huge mansion near the small town for two hundred years.
When the God of Plenty sends a plague that ravages the town, a young scholar tries everything in her power to come up with a cure, including making a deal with a vampire.
Six roses. Six vials of blood. Six visits to the vampire in hopes of finding a cure. This is the deal Lilith negotiated with the vagabond general Vale. But when she sees the mansions filled with objects from around the world, she can’t help her curiosity and desire to learn more about the mysterious creature.
Gods in the human lands despise Nyaxia and her children. In a place already suffering from the god’s rage, it’s dangerous to associate yourself with a vampire. Even more dangerous to fall in love with one.
Because I want only you, Lilith. Whatever of you I can have. I’ll take one night. One hour. One minute. Whatever you want to give me. I’ll have it.
― Carissa Broadbent, Six Scorched Roses
My favorite part about this book was that the characters were very mature. Lilith was in her early thirties, and you could see that maturity in her character. I think Vale was the only immortal character I’ve read about who had the patience that would be brought by knowing that you have the luxury of time. I loved the dynamics of these two and their passion to explore and discover new things. Despite the novel’s short length, I loved that the characters were so deep and interesting.
The novel stays true to the original classic’s plot. I can surely say that this is the best Beauty and the Beast retelling that I’ve read so far.
Book 2: Ashes and The Star Cursed King
The epic conclusion to the fantasy romance duology does not disappoint.
After the Kejari, Oraya is lost. In a short span of time, she faced heartbreak, betrayal, and grief caused by the people she loved the most. She can’t trust anyone. She doesn’t know who she is while facing a revolution, and her whole world benign turned upside down.
Raihn is struggling to keep his newly acquired power. The nobles look down on him, the rebels cause upheat, and his own court doubts him. The worst of these is Oray’s inevitable hatred for his betrayal.
You have nothing but me”, I said. “And yet, you’d let me go?
I have nothing but you,’ he murmured. So I am letting you go.
― Carissa Broadbent, The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King
The situation at House of Nigh is getting worse day by day, and despite the mistrust and hurt between Oraya and Raihn, they have to unite to save the House of Night and each other.
The author expands the scenery in this next book and shows us new places and cities. Vincent continues to be the coolest character despite his “absence” in the second book. The mysteries are solved, and did I mention the epic battle?
Conclusion
Clarissa Broadbent is a rising author, and these series have everything necessary to become the next ACOTAR.
The way she weaves a story is truly fascinating. From the first page, you are entrances in her books until the end, and you enjoy every part of her. Complex moral values that will make you doubt your own and villains that make you fall in love with them have made this series one of the best books I’ve read this year.
I can’t wait to continue this amazing journey in the Crown on Nyaxia series.
