Carissa Broadbent has quickly become one of my top 5 must read romantasy authors. The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King is book two in the Crowns of Nyaxia duology. It is filled with action, romance, and spice. Broadbent finds a great balance in the writing. It reads like a fantasy book with romance instead of a romance book that happens to also be fantasy. I love this about the series. The word building is well done. Not only is the backdrop of the story filled with vivid images, the magic system is really well thought out and developed. The characters also have a lot of depth. Oraya is a strong and well developed character. Following her emotional journey was interesting and fun to read. Broadbent brings the reader right along with the pain and grief that it's easy to feel them along with her. I also think Raihn is also a solid character and an amazing counterpart to Oraya. The story is told through different points of view, giving the reader a full rounded reading experience. This is one I will definitely add to the shelves of our library and my own personal library as well.

I am so ridiculously obsessed with this series! This is book 2 of the Nightborn Duet but thankfully Carissa Broadbent is expanding the Crowns of Nyaxis universe and this won’t be the last we see of Raihn and Oraya!

I could go on and on about what I love about this book but that would absolutely dive into spoiler territory and I’m not the one! Just know if you love Serpent and the Wings of Night, you’ll love this one as much, if not more! If you haven’t read Serpents yet, you need to get on it! Especially if you’re a fan of enemies to lovers, centuries old vampire feuds, and a Hunger Games type setting…but with much more bloodshed.

Ashes is told in multiple points of view and we get more background info on all the main characters. Even though the Kejari is over, this book has just as much action as Serpents! An overthrown kingdom, untrustworthy nobles, and the infiltration of Bloodborn keep Raihn and Oraya fighting for their lives.

I loved this duet so much! It’s up there with SJM, Fourth Wing, Divine Rivals for me. Book 1 was an easy 5 stars for me and this one so good but not quite 5-star status. Overall, I loved the storyline and highly recommend reading this duet!

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘺
𝘝𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴
𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯
𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦

Oraya and Raihn are both trapped in the house of night after battling out of the Kejari. Raihn as the new king confronting his past as a slave, having to force people to give him the respect his position deserves. While struggling with Oraya’s loss of will.
Oraya is trapped by the grief of losing Vincent and the betrayal she feels Raihn lured her into. She is given more freedom than she had previously been allowed in the house of night leading her to believe that Vincent had deliberately restricted her.
But the opportunity to unite both of their people and make a better kingdom could bring the fight out in both of them.
Carissa Broadbent definitely changed how the series was paced with part two. The first one we were locked into the way the trials were moving along but in this book we have more space between battles. I think that really helps you to get to know more about both Oraya’s and Raihn’s feelings. But not just for each other, their views on the tougher moments of their lives and how they overcame difficult obstacles. . I am excited to see how the world will expand beyond them.

Carissa Broadbent did such a good job with this duology, I enjoyed both books tremendously! Romantasy is my favorite genre, and this delivered on what I love about Romantasy. It had the perfect about of plot and spice. The action was fantastic, really this book had the whole package. Well done! I look forward to reading the next book; The Songbird & the Heart of Stone, when it comes out in November!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you so much for sending me the E-ARC of The Ashes & the Star Cursed King!
I love this world that Carissa Broadbent has created and these characters she has gifted us to hold so close to our hearts. I loved learning more about Oraya's past, Vincent's secrets, and Raihn's heart. Such a perfect sequel to a jaw-dropping first book of the series, and I can't wait to get more from this world and I will be grabbing everything with Carissa Broadbent's name on it!

So when I started my journey into fantasy romance, I wasn’t expecting much to be honest. Thankfully I have been pleasantly surprised by the genre. I’ve read acotar, crescent city, fourth wing and others. Each one has been enjoyable enough to read but I’m pretty sure I’ve found in the crowns of nyaxia a series with the potential to beat all of them. When I read the serpent and the night of wings, I can say that in terms of fantasy romance, it was excellent and a better first book than all the other fantasy romance series. The second is no different and it’s just as good as the first. I can’t wait to jump into the third book and see if the series sticks the landing. My expectations are high but after these first two books, I have no doubt that the author will deliver.

Carissa Broadbent can do no wrong! Hard to beat the war of lost hearts trilogy but this duology certainly comes close. Just as fun as the first one!

Carissa Broadbent is an incredible writer and story teller. This duology came at a time in my life where I desperately needed an escape, and Carissa delivered. Oraya and Raihn’s story is beautiful and exhilarating. This book has everything a romantasy reader could want. Spice. Drama. Deceit. Epic battles! Literally everything! The bonus chapter just fits perfectly, too! I cannot wait to see what’s next for this world and for what Carissa does next! Thank you to Carissa Broadbent and the publisher for the arc on NetGalley!

There were things I liked and things I didn't like about this book. Parts of it felt like a slog to get through and it was! I think I would have really enjoyed it if I read it right after the first one. I did like the POV switches as it let us explore more than just one POV. But I felt very info dumpy at time and was hard to figure things out if I didn't know them or not from the first book! I do enjoy the world build here but I worry about reading another book in the word and struggling to figure out what I missed .

Thank you @brambleromance #partner for the gifted copy of this spectacular book!

Ahhhhh! I am so in love with these characters and the adventures of Raihn and Oraya. This is the second book in the Nightborn duology but don’t you fret because we will still get more of the Crowns of Nyaxia story! I am so thankful because I am 💯 not ready to let them out of my life just yet. This book gets all the stars from me!

If you loved Fourth Wing and ACOTAR you should absolutely be adding these books to your TBR. There is no shortage of vampire fights, forbidden love, some angst, spice, a tormented father and daughter relationship and non stop action. The writing is on point and Carissa has made me care so much or Raihn and Oraya it’s hard not to feel all the feels for them. Oraya is the perfect tough as nails MC and Raihn you cannot help but love his patient love her. I am so excited for the continuation of this journey and to unpack more of Mische and her journey. I am wholeheartedly impressed with these books and absolutely think you need to give them a try! They are perfect for romantasy lovers!

Well, Goddess damned. Loved it. More of this for sequels please. This started slow but once it got moving it was moving. I enjoyed the growth of both MCs. The world building continued in this and it was great learning about the character's backstories. The inclusion of Raihn’s POV was perfection and Broadbent made his transformation so much better by adding his narration in. I am sad that Oraya and Raihn’s story is over but there will be four more bookings coming in this series so I will definitely be looking out for those.

First I want to thank NetGalley for providing an Advanced Reader Copy for my honest review of The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carrisa Broadbent!

Please read the trigger warnings! I didn’t find the content difficult, but you may be more sensitive to certain things.

This book had me feeling all the feels. The pain, heartbreak, and love. Carissa broadbent has such GOOD writing. This was just so freaking good.

With our ending of book 1, I knew and needed a redemption arc with some grovelling. Oraya’s journey through, her emotions was so incredibly satisfying. My favourite thing is when a fantasy is able to successfully tackle themes and topics we see in daily life, and Carissa executes that so well here. Oraya is one of my favourite FMCs and continues to pop off.

I need more people to talk about Carissa Broadbent. Her books aren’t hyped up enough. SHE IS SOOOO GOOD.

Also the bonus chapters were chef’s kiss 😘

WAS EVERYTHING I WANTED AND MORE!!!!!
I need to process it all. But man did this book make me laugh and sob all in one. The pacing was a weeee bit off but I understood why was we crack open the rest of the world and dove deeper.

Really a 3.5! I’ve enjoyed the Nightborn Duet, and adora Boradbent’s characters. Oraya is so strong willed, even when she isn’t confident in herself and Raihn is such a fun-loving tease, they make a great pair with great chemistry!

Serpent and The Wings of Night definitely had the added bonus of having the structure of the Kejari games. This book was essentially one major battle after the other. The action was great, but there was a lot of it and at one point it felt like a bit much/dragged on. However, this is a nice and satisfying close to Oraya and Raihn’s story and a good transition into the next part in this series about the House of Shadow with the lovely Mische as FMC!

This book is an absolute gem in the fantasy genre, a spellbinding tapestry of adventure, intricate world-building, and characters that will grip your heart from the very first page.

I couldn’t put this book down! From the gripping opening to the heart-stopping cliffhanger, Carissa Broadbent weaves a tale that resonates with passion and depth. The protagonist’s journey to confront the enigmatic Star-Cursed King is not just a quest; it’s a visceral experience that had me turning pages late into the night, eager to unravel every mystery and share in every triumph.

Carissa Broadbent’s world-building is nothing short of breathtaking. Each landscape is vividly painted, each magical system intricately woven into the fabric of the story. I felt transported to a realm where magic pulses with life, where every decision carries weight, and where danger and wonder coexist in mesmerizing harmony.

But it’s the emotional depth of The Ashes and The Star-Cursed King that truly sets it apart. Themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the enduring power of hope resonate powerfully through the characters’ struggles and triumphs. I found myself cheering for their victories, shedding tears at their losses, and ultimately, feeling enriched by the profound journey they undertake.

I really enjoyed this book and the series has wrecked me in the best way. When reading it Carissa Broadbent will lead you through a journey of adventure, heartbreak, trauma, grief, love, and so much more. The highlight of this book for me was the main character and the way the author depicts her emotions in a way that makes them feel like your own. The experience of grief from Oraya’s character is so raw and had be sobbing time and time again. I do however this the first book was stonger but I would definitely recommend to others.

You know it’s a good book when you can’t put it down for a second. This book had me at the edge of my seat the whole time! The plot, the writing, the main/side characters and the chemistry were AMAZING. The beginning was dragging a little in some parts but it kept getting better and better the more I read it. It was so good and Raihn and Oraya were just so perfect! I finished this book and I wanted more of them! I’m sad that their story is over but I’m SO excited to read Mische’s story next. This series has become one of my favorites and I cannot wait to read Carissa’s next book! Overall this was a great and enjoyable fantasy book!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love this series so much. It's beautifully written, a fun plot and romance. It's a vampire book I didn't know I needed.

Every book this woman releases I’m absolutely obsessed with! There was not one time throughout this book that I didn’t bawl my eyes out, she ripped my heart out and then put it back together. The pining, the groveling, EVERYTHING was 10/10. I cannot wait for the rest of this universes books.