The journey through Carissa Broadbent's dark and enthralling world of The Serpent and the Wings of Night was just the beginning. With the release of The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King, the Crowns of Nyaxia series has cemented its place as a powerhouse in the fantasy romance genre. This evolution from a deadly tournament to a kingdom-shattering war showcases Broadbent's masterful storytelling, deepening the lore, intensifying the romance, and expanding a universe that has captivated millions of readers. For fans who devoured the first book's brutal trials and simmering tension, the sequel is a triumphant and devastating escalation that delivers on every promise.
At its core, the Crowns of Nyaxia duology is a masterclass in the enemies-to-lovers trope, but it transcends the label. In The Serpent and the Wings of Night, we met Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, and Raihn, her mysterious and formidable competitor in the Kejari—a tournament held by the goddess of death. Their relationship was forged in blood, betrayal, and a reluctant, bone-deep understanding. The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King picks up in the devastating aftermath of the tournament's conclusion, where the fragile trust between Oraya and Raihn is shattered. They are no longer just rivals in a game; they are monarchs and adversaries on opposite sides of a brutal war for the throne of the House of Night.
This shift from a contained, high-stakes game to a full-blown, kingdom-wide conflict is where Broadbent's world-building truly shines. The political machinations, the ancient history of the vampire houses, and the terrifying power of the gods are explored in far greater depth. The scope of the story expands exponentially, introducing new factions, deeper magic systems, and higher stakes that threaten not just the characters we love, but the very fabric of their world. The "dark" in this dark fantasy series becomes even more pronounced, grappling with themes of power, sacrifice, inherited trauma, and the heavy cost of vengeance.
Character development is the beating heart of this sequel. Oraya's journey is one of seismic transformation. Stripped of her former life and reeling from betrayal, she must confront what it means to be human in a world of predators, and what she is willing to become to reclaim her power and agency. Raihn, now the reluctant Star-Cursed King, is burdened by a crown he never wanted and haunted by the choices he made to win it. Broadbent expertly delves into his perspective, revealing the complexities of his motives and the weight of his new position. Their dynamic is a turbulent storm of hurt, anger, desperate longing, and a love that refuses to die despite it all. The push-and-pull is agonizingly good, satisfying the deep emotional investment built in the first book.
The romance in Crowns of Nyaxia, Book 2 is not for the faint of heart. It is raw, painful, and intensely passionate. Broadbent does not shy away from the emotional fallout of the first book's climax. Every interaction between Oraya and Raihn is charged with history and unsaid words. This is a story about rebuilding trust from ashes, about love existing alongside profound hurt, and about two broken people finding their way back to each other in a world actively trying to tear them apart. It exemplifies why the series has become a bestseller fantasy phenomenon, offering a romance that feels earned and epic in scale.
Carissa Broadbent's writing continues to be a standout feature. Her prose is visceral and evocative, making every fight scene crackle with tension and every emotional moment land with devastating precision. The vampire fantasy elements are refreshed with unique lore—the blood magic, the different vampire houses with their distinct cultures and powers, and the terrifying deities that govern them. It's a world that feels ancient, dangerous, and utterly absorbing. The pacing is relentless, balancing large-scale battle sequences with intimate, character-driven moments that will leave readers breathless.
For readers who fell in love with the deadly dance of The Serpent and the Wings of Night, the sequel is an essential and satisfying continuation. The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King takes everything that worked in the first book—the intense romance, the brutal action, the compelling characters—and elevates it to a grander, more emotionally complex narrative. It confirms Carissa Broadbent as a leading voice in fantasy romance, an author capable of weaving tales that are as heart-wrenching as they are thrilling. This duology is a complete and masterful story, a journey from cunning survival to epic sovereignty that will linger in your mind long after the final page.
