Very equal parts plot to romance. I love a good romantasy and carissa broadbent knows how to deliver. I do think there is some importance to reading serpent and the wings of night first for more in-depth understanding of the world though

“Slaying the vampire conqueror” is a novella in the Crowns of Nyaxia series. It is recommended to read after book two if you want to read in the timeline order; however it works as a stand alone and you can read without having read any other books in the series and still enjoy it / understand what’s going on.

If you are looking for hardcore enemies to lovers, this is not it. If you are looking for longing and angst, this is also not it. I found that Atrius and Sylinas relationship is built on mutual respect, even though they have different goals they appreciate each others honesty, straight forward ness, talents and inner strength. Despite coming from different origins they are both very similar people and their respect for each other lays the foundation for a gentle compassion and trust. I actually loved this aspect about the book, it differs from the typical enemies to lovers trope which was a refreshing change of pace.

Honestly the first 30% of the book was a bit too slow burn for me, although the book as a whole kept my interest throughout, I found myself really getting into the plot around the 30-40% mark when Atrius army started raiding kingdoms and over throwing corrupt kings.

Erekkus is a fun side character although I would of liked to see him get more spotlight overall because I think he had potential to include a lot more banter and funny quips I think the author missed an opportunity here.

Overall thoughts - I liked it!

Thank you to Tor publishing and Carissa Broadbent for the EARC!

Carissa Broadbent has some of the most beautiful prose I've ever read and I need to get that across in my review first and foremost. Her writing is insightful, and filled with beautiful lyrical metaphors.

I'm pretty sure all of her books will get at least a three from me just on prose alone. I'm obsessed with it.

Now to the review,

This is the fourth book of hers that I've read. I flew through the first two books and novella in the Nyaxia series first. And loved the duet with my entire soul, and really enjoyed the novella.

This is a standalone sent in that same world but elsewhere. I really enjoyed the expansion we got in this one about the gods and the white pantheon.

But sadly I just didn't vibe with our MC.

We follow Sylina who is an acolyte of Acaeja. In order to gain power from Aceaja our acolytes give up there eyesight (they are blinded when young). But throughout this story I don't think this added anything. Sylina could see, she just did it in another way that I still don't fully understand. If you are going to have a blind character. I want some good rep. The author often mentioned her "seeing" things like the smirk of his lips. I wish we had relied on our other senses, maybe she felt his lips move into a smirk, instead.

I also just found her a character who didn't really grow and then bam all of sudden her motives change. I wanted a little more nuance in her arc. In the brainwashing of the cult and her realizing these things. It just felt like too easy of a switch for me.

I did really enjoy our love interest he is a little bit more of a vanilla and brooding character then I normally like. But I loved the small jokes he made.
However I do wish in general the two of them had more chemistry.

BUT I did still really enjoy this story. It has some of my fav lines so far I've read from Carissa. And also so many fun Easter eggs for serpent and I think we will be seeing these characters again. Even though this is a standalone.

I will be recommending especially to ppl who don't like as snarky of an MC as I prefer. Or as logic driven as I am (because a lot of other ppl buddy reading with me barely noticed the times that things were described as seeing)!

I love this world so much! It was so fascinating to be in the same world as Serpent & The Wings of Night but to have totally different characters and a completely different storyline. This one was wild from start to finish. I really enjoyed Sylina and her background as well as the self journey she went on. There were times I felt like I couldn’t breathe while reading. As always, Carissa told a fantastic story that had me intrigued from start to finsih. I already can’t wait for more!

Carissa Broadbent can do no wrong.

I devoured Slaying The Vampire Conqueror in one sitting-- the writing is beautiful, the characters intricate and the romance is lush.

Carissa Broadbent writes everything I could ever want from a romantasy and more. Sylina is the sheltered nun we can all root for, while Atrius is the perfect misunderstood hero and together they are an incomparable duo. If you're looking for a hot new romantasy in a world we all know and love then this is it for you!