Carissa Broadbent has ruined me again. This story is epic in scale, but the beating heart of it is so painfully intimate. It’s about grief and rage and desperation, but also about how love keeps choosing even when it’s broken and bitter and furious. The writing is lush and sweeping, full of this lyrical violence I’ve come to crave from Broadbent. The romance is jagged and aching and god-tier in every sense. Mische’s fire, her devastation, her choices; they destroyed me. Asar’s longing, his ruthlessness, his quiet moments of tenderness when you least expect them—I wanted to bottle it and never let it go. They burn for each other in this quiet, feral way that feels both divine and completely human. I’m in love with it.

✨Book Review✨

The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk - Carissa Broadbent

🌟 I am in love with this series! It’s such a unique world with intricate magic that is a bit unlike anything I’ve encountered elsewhere. Carissa Broadbent does a fantastic job creating a world that I want to explore and learn more about. She doesn’t fall prey to cliche fantasy molds and continues to make her stories gripping. I stayed up well past my bedtime to finish this one. If you haven’t started this series yet - here’s your sign!

❗✋🛑 If you haven’t read The Crowns of Nyaxia Series, then you need to circle back and do that! Start with Serpent and the Wings of Night. If you have read this series - including The Songbird and the Heart of Stone - then keep reading for my thoughts. ❗✋🛑

📖 The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk picks up right where the previous book left off. Asar is desperate to escape the Gods to find Mische. Mische, who made the ultimate sacrifice to save the ones she loved, finds herself in the underworld with Vincent as her unlikely guide. Asar and Mische need to find their way back to one another and then survive mortal and immortal realms, friends and foes, and the gods preparing for war. One goddess will offer them a path to redemption, but the stakes are high and seemingly out of reach at every turn. Asar and Mische will have to decide what they’re willing to sacrifice, and they may have to learn that there are some debts that even love cannot repay.

📚 I am such a fan of this series. The last 30% of this book had me in an absolute chokehold. Carrisa has built out a world where there are plenty of characters to watch and be wary of, while also wanting a closer look at them. She has creatively given us a glimpse into the world of the gods and has unrolled more of their history in a captivating and stunning way. She’s brought back old favorites (wink wink) and newer, still somehow favorites as well. This book might be my favorite in the series so far!


🌟 If you’re invested in The Crowns of Nyaxia series, then preorder this immediately. It’s worth your time!

A special shoutout to @NetGalley and @CarissaBroadbentBooks for the advanced reader copy! It’s set to publish August 5th - and I’ve already got my preorder in because I need it as a shelf trophy!

#BookReview #TheFallenAndTheKissOfDusk #CarissaBroadbent #CrownsOfNyaxia #Asar #Mische #BookRecommendation

The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk delivered everything I could have hoped for and more. The author crafted a breathtaking continuation of the Crowns of Nyaxia series—equal parts heart-wrenching romance, high-stakes adventure, and divine reckoning.
Mische and Asar’s love story burned with intensity and hard-won hope, set against a backdrop of crumbling realms and vengeful gods. The writing was rich and lyrical, the worldbuilding deeper than ever, and the emotional weight? Devastating in the best way. I was hooked from page one and didn’t want it to end.
A powerful tale of sacrifice, redemption, and the terrifying strength of love—Broadbent has outdone herself.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Loved the story, felt really mythological and loved the path that Mische and Asar follow. I felt like there was a ton of action which made the story move quickly, but I did miss the slower moments from the previous book.

<i>Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC</i>

After reading <i>The Songbird and the Heart of Stone</i> , Mische and Asar became my favorite characters of the Crowns of Nyaxia series. I fell in love with their story and was struck to the core and racking my brain trying to understand what their ending would be. <i>The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk</i> gave me everything and more.

Potential Spoilers Ahead:

With every release from Carissa Broadbent, whether it be side story novellas or the main novels, her storytelling and world building only improves. I find that every new story release becomes my favorite only to be replaced by the following installment. <i>The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk</i> is no exception. I was enthralled while reading. Completely captivated and plagued by what ifs, trying to understand where our story was going, and trying to make sense of the implications of a looming war amongst the White Pantheon. Most of all, trying to figure out how our beloved Asar and Mische would transcend the confines of their mortality (or their lack their of) to reach one another .

Their love quite literally transcends. Transcends time, mortality, immortality, divine intervention, and on and on and on. Asar and Mische are genuine, I relate that much more to their relationship than previous stories of the series. They have a cosmic bond that not even the greatest God could attempt to sever, but this comes with far greater repercussions that I cannot wait to read about in books 5&6. Their love and their actions means so much more to the world of the Nyaxia series, there are great troubles ahead and its going to be interesting to see how Septimus and the House of Blood continue it all.

- This book was a long read, I read her in bits to be able to enjoy it and soak it in as much as possible. Took a while but was worth the wait. I cannot wait to re-read with a physical copy in August

The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk is the perfect continuation and conclusion to Mische and Asar's story. After their journey to the depths of the underworld, Mische and Asar have found themselves now teetering the lines between death and immortality, forced to decide if their love was truly worth all of the gods given consequences.

I have never been more impressed by Carissa's ability to transport her readers into this mythical world of Obitraes, tying the story of these individual characters into the series in a way that makes it not only incredibly cohesive, but also leaves you a little dumbfounded, jaw literally on the floor, when you realize there are ideas reintroduced from book one (that I can say for one that I completely forgot about), given all new meaning and relevancy.
Add in all of the supporting characters from previous books, some of whom I NEVER would have imagined being as significant as they were, made me the happiest little camper with their little cameos.

The gods, infinitely more complex and nefarious than ever, quite literally had me sitting on the edge of my seat. If I didn't have my nails done they would've been bitten right down to the quick. Anticipating their next move was near impossible, and that right there is Carissa's beautiful brain at work.
(If for any reason you decide to reread any of the previous books, let it be for them. These damn gods.)

I felt every single emotion while reading this. Happiness, sadness, laughing and guffawing at the insane banter, the lone tear streaking down my cheek while my heart was being torn from my chest. I just simply will never move on.

I wouldn't even know where to start with my babies Miche and Asar and the love they share, aside from this insane character development and the way Asar is quite possibly the MOST obsessed, the most ABSOLUTELY DOWN BAD male Carissa has ever created. They survive all of he odds, even when you think they might not make it (this is a romance after all, heas are almost guaranteed)

This book was amazing!!! I loved every second of it! It took me on an emotional rollercoaster. The worldbuilding is phenomenal and so full of depth. Carissa’s writing is amazing, so immersive it makes every moment intense. I can’t wait to reread it! And that epilogue?! Sooo good!!
I’m blown away!! 🏹💌

-

Ce livre est fantastique ! J'ai adoré du début à la fin ! Je suis passée par toutes les émotions possibles. L’univers est incroyable et hyper profond. L’écriture de Carissa est géniale, tellement immersive qu’elle rend chaque moment intense. J’ai déjà hâte de le relire ! Et l’épilogue ? Trop trop fou !!!
Je suis époustouflée ! 🏹💌

one word:

WOW!!!!!

if you've loved the first five books in this series, i promise you're going to LOVE this one too!!! this book is full of heartache, romance, action, chemistry, suspense, plot twists!!! sooooo many plot twists that genuinely had me stresssinnggg out!! i love asar & mische both so so much, and we really get to dive into both characters in a new way this book. you feel so much closer to them & understand them so much better. & let me tell you something, these two? they would do ANYTHING for each other!!!!!!!!

carissa also explored the complexities of the gods in this book in a way that was so impressive! we see & interact with more gods than the other books & things are CRAZY, bonkers, stressful. & i just love carissa's brain so much bc WOW!!!!!!!!

anywho... if you haven't read this series, pick it up right now & thank me later ❤️

VERYYYYY excited for the next book & to learn more about a certain someone . . .

thank you so much Bramble & Netgalley for the arc! this is my honest review.

Wow, The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk really leaves an impression! That mix of emotions, from heartbreak to humor, was so powerful in this book. This is a story that will linger long after the last page. It was a whirlwind.

thank you mommy carissa for granting me this arc. i love the crowns of nyaxia series and this book was no exception. the drama and despair of an orpheus and eurydice retelling mixed with vampires was beautiful and painful and everything i love about ms broadbents writing. the revisiting of Sivrinaj and old friends and my favourite troubled father vincent was so heartbreaking but genuine. i feel like i am tumbling off a cliff as i write this. i am heartbroken and amazed.

Thanks for the advanced copy of this book! Really enjoyed this installation in the world of Nyaxia. It see’s the return of both old favorites and brings new depths to other characters. This one wrapped up the fmc and mmc story nicely while still leaving room for new adventures to be had by all! By the time one reads this installation the two additional stories should be read as well. Can’t wait to see what happens next duology!

I will literally read anything Carissa Broadbent writes. I was on the edge of my seat how the last book ended, and this book did not disappoint!

Netgalley Reviews

5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
After Mische sacrificed everything to save her loved ones, the world was cast into an eternal darkness. Now trapped by the gods, Asar is consumed with revenge and determined to find her. When a goddess offers them a slim chance at redemption, Asar and Mische must embark on a dangerous mission to harness the power of the god of death, giving Asar a shot at achieving true divinity.

I just know I am going to be bereft when this series ends. Carissa Broadbent continues to build a complex world with characters you can’t help but love (most of which we see here!). The Underworld can be a bit hard to fully grasp at times, and I had some difficulty visualizing their journey through its layers. However, I think this actually highlights Broadbent’s unique storytelling style. A must read series, for sure!

Absolutely phenomenal! Carissa Broadbent, as always, crafts a incredible story. “The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk” is the conclusion to Mische’s story that I was looking for. I was quite disappointed with how “Songbird…” played out, but would do it all again if it meant that I got to experience “Fallen…”.

This book is dual POV between Mische and Asar, and while I didn’t like the choice at the beginning – I wanted to sole focus to be on Mische – I very quickly appreciated seeing both sides of the story. It added a layer of complexity and a view of the world we wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

If you want to avoid spoilers, skip reading the contents pages. I think people can assume what will happen, but chapter POVs and Part titles give away the plot near the end.

We see a lot of characters from the Nyaxia universe on page in this book, but it actually feels meaningful and not fan service. The ending sets the stage well for our next Bloodborn duet. I highly recommend the Crowns of Nyaxia series to every fantasy reader.

Rated 5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC ebook.

This was an ARC I was absolutely dying to get my hands on—I’m such a huge Carissa Broadbent fan, and I’ll read anything she writes.
I’ve loved the entire Crowns of Nyaxia series, but Mische & Asar have a special place in my heart. (Grumpy x Sunshine forever!) I love them. I really, really do. This novel wrapped up their story so beautifully and showcased Carissa Broadbent’s writing at its absolute best. I genuinely can’t recommend it enough and cannot wait for you all to get your hands on it!

Make sure to check out her other titles from this series: Slaying The Vampire Conqueror (recently rereleased with a stunning new cover!), The Serpent & The Wings of Night, Six Scorched Roses (also recently rereleased), The Ashes & The Star-Cursed King, and The Songbird & The Heart of Stone.

This world will completely SUCK you in. 🖤

Carissa is gently slipping her way onto my favorite authors shelf... This was exquisite. Seamlessly crafted, and beautifully realized. And the PROOOOSE! This was an absolute delight, thank you.

This may be my favorite! . The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk is an absolutely perfect follow up to The Songbird & the Heart of stone. Yet, it was also just a wonderful standalone book. It's fast paced. The world building is spectacular! I'm ready for the next one.

Carissa Broadbent delivers another masterclass in fantasy storytelling with The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk—a lush, tension-filled sequel that effortlessly weaves divine stakes, heart-wrenching sacrifice, and a slow-burn romance that simmers with intensity. From the first page, I was absolutely immersed in this dark, beautifully crafted world where love and vengeance collide in the most epic of ways. I devoured it in one sitting.

Mische has quickly secured her place as one of my all-time favorite heroines. Fierce, resilient, and driven by loyalty, her journey in this installment is both harrowing and inspiring. Her dynamic with Asar is electric—layered with longing, pain, and that irresistible pull Broadbent writes so well. Their bond, tested by gods and destiny, is the emotional core of the story, and it had me completely invested.

The world-building is breathtaking, expanding with rich lore and intricate realms that feel both vast and deeply personal. Broadbent’s prose is sharp yet lyrical, and the pacing is flawless—there’s never a dull moment. Twists and betrayals hit hard, and every chapter delivers new tension and urgency as the stakes rise not just for Mische and Asar, but for the fate of all mortal and immortal realms.

This book masterfully balances action, character development, and plot, with each twist adding depth to the narrative. The underworld’s looming collapse, the volatile politics of the gods, and the quest for divine power create a gripping backdrop for a love story that defies fate itself.

Broadbent once again proves why this series is a standout in the romantasy genre. I was hooked from the start, and now I’m desperately counting down the days until the next book—because this series is nothing short of phenomenal.

*oof* this one is going to take awhile to recover from, unless Carissa wants to finish and release book 5 like immediately? haha

Songbird struck such a chord within me, and so when given the opportunity to read Fallen early, I about *fainted*. Carissa has such a talent in writing about trauma and grief and growth and morality. Reading just felt like a masterclass in epic fantasy writing that still hits you in the feels. I swear i basically highlighted the entire book.

Fallen picks up where we left off with Songbird, brings friends that I was thrilled to see, parallels a story that has stuck with me since Serpent, and sets us up for the character I've been wanting to see more of since we met him in book 1. 10/10 - preorder this, obsess over it - cuz it's worth it.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"Luce just nuzzled my cheek. As if to say: You. I came for you."

"It was hard to question what kept you alive, even if it did terrible things with the life it gave you." (ouch Carissa)

"We should all be afraid of power. Anyone who isn't doesn't deserve to wield it."

“Are you going to tell me it’s not my fault?” I shook my head. “No. I’ve learned over the years that people think they want absolution. But that’s not what they really need to hear.” “What do most people need to hear?” For some reason, I had to speak past a lump in my throat. “They need to hear, ‘Even if it is your fault, I will love you anyway.’”

Carissa Broadbent delivers another epic and addictive fantasy romance in the Nyaxia series with “The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk” — and somehow it’s even better than “The Songbird & the Heart of Stone.” Mische has easily become one of my all-time favorite FMCs! This book is filled with the signature tension, rich world-building, and slow-burn romance that Broadbent does so well. The pacing is spot-on, with plenty of plot twists to keep you hooked from start to finish. Fans of “From Blood and Ash” will absolutely devour this series, and any dark fantasy romance lover should add this one to their TBR immediately.
Thanks to NetGallery and Tor Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.