I enjoyed Mische’s story even if it did take me a bit to get into it. The first half was slow, and I wasn’t as interested in the overall underworld journey story like I was the plot in the Nightborn duet. I also expected there to be more of Raihn and Oraya, and was bummed they were only merely mentioned at times. Once I got to about the half way point I started feeling slightly more invested in the story. Especially once we started to see that slow burn romance start burning and Mische and Asar’s relationship building. I do wish that we had gotten Asar’s POVs though. I feel it could have made the story even stronger. I Also have to mention Luce, because I just loved her and thought she was a fun additional character.

At the end of the book I didn’t find myself blown away or totally enthralled by the story. It was good, and at times dark and emotional. But it wasn’t my favorite. I’m not entirely sure that I will continue with the next book, although that cliffhanger did make me say “oh shit!”.

How do you review perfection?
I am truly at a loss for words (in the best way). I never thought I could immerse myself in a series like this, but I grew fangs and I'm screaming for more. The standalones are perfection, too.

I love the duology aspect. The switching of the Main Characters and their stories has really captivated me and kept my interest piqued. I love the different houses, and learning how everyone is connected. Mische has been my favorite character leading up to this book, so being able to follow her in this story was remarkable. The Songbird and the Heart of Stone has been my favorite in the series to date! I'm not sure how I can't keep my composure while I waited for the next one.

I loved this book so much. It was a great continuation on the previous duology while also telling an entirely new story. I loved Miche so it was so fun to learn more about her and her past as the book went along. I loved how subtle the romance was and the slow burn, along with the cliffhanger at the end. I can not wait to recommend this book and for the next one to be released. As with any arc there were a few noticeable typos but nothing significant. It was amazing!! Thank you for the opportunity to read it!

Six Scorched Roses is a Beauty and the Beast retelling set in the same world as A Serpent and the Wings of Night. This novella tells the tale of Lilith and Vale. Individually, she is a human with impossible questions, and he is a vampire recluse who has the answers in his blood. Together, they work to find a cure for what ails the townsfolk. A slow romance develops, and within the pages of this book, a love story unfolds. This is a charismatic story with a well-developed plot and two characters who fall in love through letters. Loved this story then, and still love this story now!

3.25 stars! Honestly it PAINS me to give this book and any Carissa Broadbent book a rating under 5 stars. I'm low-key disappointed by this one, and I hate that I am because Carissa is one of my all time favorite fantasy authors. Though it wasn't bad at all, I just expected a bit more.

I was so excited for Mische's book, and her character development did not disappoint. I wasn't really sure how I felt about her in the first two books, though I absolutely loved her in The Songbird & the Heart of Stone. Her personality and growth was amazing. She was a lot more sunshine-y than I expected, which I loved, and she complemented Asar so well. I also liked how the story went into her complex past as an acolyte and how her god chose her.

And Asar. LOVE a scarred man with a tragic backstory. This man was so attractive, and any man that has a dog is immediately on my good side. His and Mische's tension, chemistry, and slow burn were perfection. There was a scene that gave False God by Taylor Swift, and I'm obsessed. I also loved all of the "who-did-this-to-you" energy. I think the author does a great job of making each main couple in her books unique.

However, I was not a fan of the plot and the pacing. It felt like all of the energy went into the character/relationship development. The plot absolutely dragged and felt incredibly repetitive. Honestly it felt like nothing was happening, and the excellency of the characters couldn't save the slow pacing. Somehow it felt like this book had middle-book syndrome even though it's a duology. But after that cliff-hanger, I will DEFINITELY be reading the next one. I have much higher hopes for the plot of the next book.

Thank you so much to Tor for sending me an ARC of The Songbird & the Heart of Stone. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)

First of all, thank you for trusting me with an ARC of The Songbird and the Heart of Stone. I know and understand that these copies have grammatical errors and are not the final version, but there were so many that it felt a little overwhelming at times.

As for the story, I really enjoyed it. I loved Mische in the first two books and I was very excited to get her story. It is a sad one, there is no doubt about that. The first 25% of the book were great, I thought it did a good job of prepping us for what's to come and introducing us to grumpy old Asar - who didn't turn out to be so grumpy after all. For the next 50%, I went back and forth. I liked the direction of the plot but often times the parts felt a little big dragged on. I was also a little bit disappointed in the lack of development or backstory we got for all the side characters, including some of the ghosts. There was a little plot twist at one point and it was so quick that I didn't even have time to feel the emotions of it before they were moving on. I also felt like each new section of the afterlife felt a little repetitive of the previous one. Explore, tension, fight the same battle with a ghost, more tension.

I did like the last 25% and once the tension faded away I did really love Asar and Mische, like a lot. I loved the ending and now can't wait to read the next part of their story but I will say that overall this book didn't bring me the same fulfillment that her other books have. I know this is just the first book in a duology and some of my complaints may get addressed in future books so this review may mean nothing at that point.

I am also SO excited to get some more time with one of, who I believe, to be the best characters she has ever written 😏

This book absolutely blew me away. Carissa Broadbent’s genius is on full display. How she made a side character even more compelling than the original lead from the first 2 books? Absolute perfection.

Asar, the disgraced Shadowborn Prince, was the dark, brooding shadow daddy anti-hero I didn’t know I needed. His dynamic with Mische and their descent into the Underworld? So clever and brilliantly done. I adore the way the Descent was described. Absolutely genius.

Huge thanks for trusting me with this ARC! I’m dying to talk to everyone about it once it’s out!

The third book in Carissa Broadbent's Crown of Nyxia series follows Mische, a follower of the sun god who was forcefully Turned against her will and thrust into the life of a vampire. Now, hundreds of years later after her Turning, she finds herself sentenced to death for killing the vampire prince who Turned her. Her only source of redemption in being saved is found in an unlikely ally - Asar, the bastard brother of the man she murdered. Soon Mische finds herself on a journey to the underworld with Asar to resurrect the god of death himself.

I found this book in the Crown of Nyxia to be more compelling then book two and I was very interested in following Mische. I'm glad we got to know a bit more about her background through flashbacks, including the heart wrenching way her sister met her end that most certainly affects Mische now. I am not a usual fantasy reader, but I've found Broadbent's worlds to be more digestible and inviting to read for someone who is not typically interested in the genre. However, that being said while palpable - I did at times find myself and my brain wandering, not quite following the story as closely as I had the first book in the series. I found my brain to be more active in the beginning of the book as well as the end, but having trouble focusing in the middle. Another thing about the story is I found there to be some repetitiveness in the writing with a lot of the chapters ending the same - "being plunged into darkness," or "the darkness swallowed me whole," and "consumed me as the darkness did." While I understand that the setting of the underworld is well... dark, I just felt that ending each chapter with this kind of finite, ambiguous darkness was a little uncreative.

The relationship between Mische and Asar could have also been worked on a little bit. By the time it was "revealed" they had feelings for one another it felt a little out of place based on how it was developed. It just felt very sudden rather then natural that it felt as a reader you were just pulled into this thread of the plot and told, "okay go along with this because this is what's happening." That being sad, I loved the structure of the book and them encountering each "level" or "part" of the underworld. That once again helped me - someone who is not a fantasy reader - stay more engaged with the story then I would have been otherwise. I will definitely reading the next book!

✨ 𝐑 𝐄 𝐕 𝐈 𝐄 𝗪 ✨⁣
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𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘥 & 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦 by Carissa Broadbent⁣
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First of all, I want to say a HUGE thank you to @brambleromance for sending me a digital ARC of this glorious book. Seriously. Y’all have no idea how much this means to me.⁣
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Holy freaking cow. I was worried that I wouldn’t love the 𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘕𝘺𝘢𝘹𝘪𝘢 series as much, once the focus was taken off of Raihn and Oraya, but I definitely should have had more faith in Carissa Broadbent and her absolutely amazing talent.⁣
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This book is wonderfully heart-wrenching and wickedly dark. I found it much darker than the first two books, and I freaking loved that about it.⁣
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At first, I didn’t really see chemistry sprouting between the MCs, but once again, I need to have more faith in Broadbent. She is so freaking good at what she does.⁣
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Not only that, but the writing is so melodic and tragic and beautiful. Much like with the first two books, I felt like I was highlighting the whole damn book. There are so many passages that I want to treasure forever. 🫶🏼⁣
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𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘥 & 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦 publishes 11/19! You’ve still got time to read the first 2 books if you haven’t already!⁣
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#thesongbirdandtheheartofstone #crownsofnyaxia #carissabroadbent #brambleromance #romantasy #theserpentandthewingsofnight #theashesandthestarcursedking #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookreviewblog #vampirebooks #vampirathon #raihnandoraya

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Mische killed a Prince. Not just any Prince, but the Vampire Prince who turned her into a vampire. So, it isn't a surprise when his sister has her hunted down and them presented to the King of the Shadowborn vampires. What is a surprise is Asar, the illegitmate son of the king, stepping in to save her. But then her makes her join him on his mission into the underworld and she finds out that he has enlisted her to resurrect a God.

Fast paced and heartrending, it makes you believe that everyone should have a chance at redemption. I always enjoy Carissa Broadbent's writing and have yet to find one that I didn't enjoy immensely.

First I wanna say thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced copy.......I love Carrisa Broadbent's books and I was so excited to go back to the world of The Crowns of Nyaxia! I love Mische as a side character and I was so excited to get to see her have her own story...and it did not disappoint!!! This story is so much about Mische and her growth and development as she journeys through the levels of the Underworld with Asar by her side as well as the slow burn between these two amazing characters. The cliffhanger has me so excited and I cannot wait to see where this story goes from here. Could not put it down and I will highly recommend this to anyone who loved the first duet in this series!

I had the pleasure of reading this at the very start of spooky season. Preparing for Halloween with a journey to hell with a priestess of Sun and warden of wraiths definitely set the tone. I love how the characters processed trauma, and how the romance supported the quest and not the other way around. Who knew I could read a book that would make me view purgatory as lush and beautiful.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bramble and Carissa Broadbent for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Carissa Broadbent is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her stories feature rich worldbuilding, filled with lush details and descriptions. She masterfully creates main characters who feel real and flawed, making them protagonists you want to root for.

In "The Songbird and the Heart of Stone," it was great to dive back into the world of *The Serpent of the Wings of Night*. I found myself wishing for more scenes with Oraya and Raihn, but I appreciated the focus on Mische's story. Her character arc really stood out, especially with its exploration of religious trauma and internalized shame.

Asar was a nice complement to Mische, and I enjoyed how their relationship developed gradually. I would be remiss not to mention Luce, who was such a lovable companion. However, I wasn't as invested in the other two characters in their group. The story did feel a bit repetitive in the middle, and I think more emphasis on their bonds could have made the eventual betrayals hit harder. As it was, I didn’t feel much connection to them, which took away some of the emotional impact.

I did like the parallels to Dante's Inferno and the different stages of the underworld, but again, it started to feel a bit drawn out. Overall, though, I really enjoyed the book, and that cliffhanger at the end has me excited for the next one, especially since my favorite character made another appearance!

After reading the first two books back to back, I was so excited to start this book. The author did an excellent job of fleshing out the character of Mische - we get to know more of her background, her wants, how she struggles with pleasing the God she's been brought up to serve or learning more about herself as a vampire. At times I was a little confused as to why she was so obsessed with Atroxus when he seemed like he was just using her, but I also will say that I enjoyed the journey to the end and Mische's reasonings behind so much of what she does. Even though I was confused, I should have known to trust the process, much like the first two books!

Asar is a great character as well, and without going into too much, I think he has many of the same qualities we all loved in Raihn. However, one of my favorite additions to the book was Luce. Mische is right, we really don't deserve dogs.

All told, there were a few times that I felt the writing could have been a little more clear, as well as the pacing could have been a little better because it felt like we were making a race to the finish at the end and some of the middle parts dragged on, and times where I absolutely was not on board with some of the choices Mische was making, but it was an excellent book. My official rating would be a 4.5/5 if that was an option. I will of course be reading the sequel as soon as it's released - and I'll be buying and recommending this to the student's in my library.

This review has also been posted on Goodreads (with a spoiler tag to not reveal anything) and will be posted on amazon after it is published.

“I’d burn with you till the end of it all"
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during her mortal life, Mische was a devout servant and Bride of the Sun God, Atroxus. in return, she was favored and adored. her devotion didn’t change when she was turned into a vampire. if anything, her drive to serve only increased, but her god went silent on her.

when she’s captured by the family of her vampire sire and commanded to go on a journey into the depths of the underworld to collect relics in order to resurrect a long-banished god, Atroxus appears to her again with instructions to sabotage the mission and promises to be with her along the way.

as Mische sets off with a fellow devotee of Atroxus, a vampire solider, an exiled Shadowborn Prince, and a faithful ghost dog, she’s intent on completing the mission for Atroxus. but the further she descends, the more her doubt creeps in. the more revelations she has about her unwavering devotion to a god who abandoned her when she needed him most, the more she questions if she’s ever been cared for. the more time she spends with the shadow-shrouded prince, Asar, the more she begins to embrace the nature of her vampire magic. the more she she sees of the lost souls in the underworld, the more she wonders if her mission is worthy or if she should take a different path. the more she uncovers the hidden parts of Asar others don’t see, the more she craves of him and his beauty. the more she allows herself to question and wonder, the more she realizes what she thought was love all along was really control. and the longer she walks in shadows with her grumpy companion, the more she starts to believe she could find out what true love actually feels like if she’s brave enough to plummet.

will Mische complete Atroxus’ mission and one day wield the power of the sun again, or will she descend further into the darkness and embrace the nature of who she is now…the power that will actually embrace her back? either way, she’s going to anger one god or another. the question is…what happens to the world when an angry god is set loose?

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I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Mische’s adventure because journeys through realms and Dante-style trips into the depths of the world are always hit or miss for me. but I never should have doubted because, as with the other books in this series, The Songbird & The Heart of Stone was incredible. there was never a single moment that was wasted. it was full of such atmospheric intrigue and tension.

I especially loved how we experienced Mische’s conflicting emotions as though we were right beside her. the guilt of her doubts and desires for things she’s always been disallowed, alongside her regret and grief was so visceral, and experiencing her growth was so incredibly rewarding. I love how unique she is in relation to stereotypical vampires. she’s so sunshiney and such a delight even in the darkest of situations.

I also loved the mystery of Asar and the satisfaction of Mische unraveling him bit by bit. I understand that ultimately it’s her journey, but I do think this story would’ve been even better if we’d had both points of view.

oh, and this is the kind of cliffhanger I live for. yes, there is a cliffhanger, and it has left me equal parts excited for the next book and devastated that I have to wait!

if you’re a fan of the other Crowns of Nyaxia books, prepare for a different type of story, but know it’s just as appetizing and immersive as the others!
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this and that:
♡ a banished, bastard prince x a religious vampire
♡ cliffhangers
♡ dancing with ghosts
♡ forbidden romance
♡ forced proximity
♡ grumpy x sunshine
♡ journeys through realms of the underworld
♡ open door spice
♡ pianists
♡ quests with mismatched companions
♡ self-discovery and growth
♡ shadow magic
♡ soul anchors
♡ tortured male mc
♡ vampires x mortals x gods
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triggers:
☞ an abundance of death
☞ blood and gore
☞ grief
☞ grooming / child abuse (discussed)
☞ murder
☞ torture
☞ violence

I am a really big fan of the Serpent & the Wings of Night, so I was super excited to get my hands on an an arc of the latest instalment!! And I was not disappointed. I thought this was a really rewarding follow up to the original duology. Mische is such an easy character to love and I was really looking forward to hearing more of her story. And what an absolutely heat wrenching story! I felt for her so much. Mische's character arc is the star of the show for me here.

BUT - also Asar!! Whew!!! Literally what's hotter than a vampire. IDK. A dark necromancer vampire prince?? Yeah. Carissa delivered there as usual!

Any fans of the Crowns of Nyasia series will absolutely adore Mische's story! And the ENDING??? HELLO? What will I do while I wait for the next book????

4.5 stars

I love Carissa Broadbent's writing, so I was super excited to read The Songbird & the Heart of Stone. I will admit that it's been a while since I finished books 1 & 2 of the series so I was a teeny tiny bit confused in the beginning. But Carissa does an amazing job letting us get to know the main characters in this story - Miche and Asar.

Miche is captured by the House of Shadow and she has some pretty resentful feelings towards these vampires. Their vampire prince was the one who turned her and in doing so damned her from her God - the God of Light - ruined her relationships with her family and lost her the only home she had ever known. When Miche had the opportunity to kill him she did. So she's not a very well liked prisoner. But right when Miche thinks she's about to die - she's saved by Asar. The bastard prince of the House of Shadow. He has a mission sent from Nyaxia herself and he needs Miche and her light in order for the mission to work.

Carissa Broadbent doesn't shy away from dark themes in her books and The Songbird & the Heart of Stone might be one of her darkest books yet. This book felt like a cross between Dante's inferno x fantasy romance. I will admit that parts of it were very hard to read and I think it's supposed to make you feel uncomfortable. And yet, I couldn't stop reading it. I loved delving deeper and deeper into Miche's backstory. The slow way Asar and Miche turned from strangers to friends to lovers was so so sweet. I just wanted them to be happy together, but of course this is a Carissa Broadbent book and we're left with a cliffhanger (AAAaaaahhhHHHhhh).

I cannot wait for the next book in the series! Overall, I highly enjoyed The Songbird & the Heart of Stone and would rate it 4.5 stars.

A Songbird's Redemption: A Review of The Songbird & The Heart of Stone
Carissa Broadbent's The Songbird & The Heart of Stone is a captivating tale that seamlessly blends fantasy, romance, and a touch of darkness. This installment in the Crowns of Nyaxia series introduces us to Mische, a former sun priestess turned vampire, who finds herself entangled in a dangerous mission to the underworld.

The novel's setting, a richly detailed world of gods, vampires, and mortals, is both enchanting and terrifying. Broadbent expertly crafts a world filled with intricate politics, ancient lore, and breathtaking landscapes. The underworld, in particular, is a place of both dread and allure, with its shadowy depths and treacherous inhabitants.

At the heart of the story is Mische, a complex and compelling protagonist. Torn between her love for the sun god and her newfound vampiric nature, she grapples with identity, loyalty, and the consequences of her past actions. Her journey is one of redemption and self-discovery as she navigates the treacherous path to the underworld and confronts her inner demons.

Mische's relationship with Asar, the god of death, is a highlight of the novel. Their dynamic is filled with tension, attraction, and a forbidden love that threatens to consume them both. Asar's enigmatic nature and Mische's conflicted emotions add depth and complexity to their connection.

The Songbird & The Heart of Stone is a thrilling and emotionally resonant read. Broadbent's writing is vivid and immersive, drawing readers into a world of magic, danger, and forbidden love. With its captivating characters, stunning setting, and gripping plot, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Michele R.
Written with the help of AI

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

For this story set in the Crowns of Nyaxia universe we follow Mische. She has left her friends for adventure and to find herself again, but will she like what she finds?

I loved this book. It has a very similar feel to the first two Crowns of Nyaxia books but with a new original idea. Mische was an amazing side character and I was so excited to see she was getting her own story and it did not disappoint. There was adventure, passion, intrigue and a surprise ending I couldn't get to fast enough. I loved the new characters of Asar and Luce and can't wait to see what happens in the next book! A great choice of a romantasy for anyone needing that fix!

This book was a whirlwind of emotion. I absolutely loved it. Super fast read and could not put it down. CARISSA! You have outdone yourself. I thought I was going to be upset that it wasn't about Rhain or Oraya but hell no! I was so obsessed with Mische and her story and Asar omg! Talk about a slow burn enemies to lovers! I loved their story and was absolutely so surprised by the ending. You didn't miss a beat with this book and it one of my fave reads ever now. Can't wait to see how this story evolves in the next book