The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King continues with the world and romance from The Serpent and the Wings of Night. We are graced with themes of revenge, betrayal, political dynamics, power struggle and character growth. Whilst exploring the complex love between Raihn and Oraya which was marked by heartbreak and trust issues, we are expertly navigated towards their redemption. This story epitomises the following tropes; enemies to lovers then lovers to enemies and back to lovers.

The betrayal marked the turning point between Oraya and Raihn, it formed one of the book's compelling arcs which has taken the story to an unpredictable stance. We were taken through both of their emotions from the heartbreak, whilst Oraya is also going through the stages of grief and is rightfully cautious of her lover and everyone around her. Raihn's ambition has severely driven a knife through his relationship and he now struggles to win back Oraya's trust and love.

Broadbent's strategic writing has avoided simple resolutions to reunite the centrepieces of the story. She has taken us all towards the edge invoking compelling emotions to rekindle their love through trials and near-death experiences. The eventual reunion felt bittersweet and laced with hope and scars of what they had endured together.

The frequent twists within this book make the plot unpredictable, and the multiple battle scenes are so vivid you're transported to the realm - living the worries and anguish of the characters. Speaking of characters, you just don't know who's next to stab you in the back on this one. Not only do Oraya and Raihn face external political enemies but also their internal circle struggles add another layer of antagonism to the story.

What I am most impressed about is the lore within the book. How Obitraes was founded and the mythology of Nyaxia. The myth is not decorative in this book, it is deeply invocated (quite literally) in the political machinations and power is sought through divine interventions - hello, Kejari. The relatability comes when the book delves into the theme of playing god, mortals seek power to defy the gods. This avenue aligns with what we have seen in famous myths and legends.

Overall a solid conclusion to Raihn and Oraya's story. I thoroughly enjoyed the goriness of every battle. I am hugely grateful for the dual POV, a strategic approach to humanise Raihn and put the foundations for his redemption. Carissa Broadbent is now becoming one of my favourite authors. This story is entertaining, heart-pounding and unputdownable.

I enjoyed these two books. I've read this author before & her books are quite epic, not quick reads but world building & full. I liked the two main characters & Vincent was interesting. Just enough romance & emotional at times.

I am so unbelievably obsessed with the world that Carissa has created in these books that i've been left with massive book hangover.

Ashes picks up right from where we left off in The Serpent and the Wings of Night and the story is non stop from the get go, at no point during this book did i become bored. Only eager to get deeper into the plot and to Raihn and Oraya finding their way back to each other.

The tension and humour between our two main characters was just as fantastic as angsty as it was in book 1 and i felt like the main part of their story wrapped up really well by the end. I am however chomping at the bit to find out what will happen next and hope that we still get to see plenty more of them throughout the rest of the series.

Although i loved both the plot and romance element of this story the real star of the show for me was the character development of Oraya and the ongoing development of her relationship with her father even though he is no longer.

So many parts of things books had be consumed with so much emotion i didn't know what to do with my self and that is rare to find in an author.

This book was absolutely sensational and i cannot wait for my books from Carissa in this world.

After reading book 1 I was really excited to see, where the plot would take Raihn and Oraya and while I did finish and enjoy the book. I understand why others didn’t.

The plot is quite politics heavy, and while there were a lot of unanswered questions that book 2 had to answer, sometimes I did struggle to get through it.

This book dives in deeper about Vincent and his past which I really enjoyed. The TWIST I didn’t see coming. After learning more about Vincent, we get a better understanding of Raihn’s actions. But my heart did break again, because it becomes clear that Vincent truly loved Oraya and made me miss there relationship all over again.

Raihn and Oraya😩 I’m so sad there story is over and we won’t have another book solely with them as the mc’s because I loved them!! We didn’t have as many scenes of them happy together as book 1 and I did wish there was more but I’m glad they got there happy ending.

While I did defiantly enjoy book 1 more, this book does answer some of the burning questions left after the ending of book 1. This series is deffo a must read!!

Very enjoyable read, good character building and a very satisfactory ending to the first of the Nyaxia duology's. The book is well written. It was nice to have a female lead who wasn't a whiner and was tough as old boots, that girl took a lot of beatings! Rhain was suitably brooding and gorgeous with a well hidden heart of gold. I enjoyed the fact you got the story from both leads. Looking forward to reading Mische's story in the next couple of books. Not quite in Sarah J Maas's league, but if you love her books you will enjoy this series.

This book was an amazing follow on, I honestly couldn't recommend it enough!! It left me utterly speechless and I loved every minute!

If you enjoy fantasy novels, this is amazing.

This is the second book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, and it picks up right where The Serpent and the Wings of Night left off—with plenty of tension, danger, and slow-burn romance. The world is rich, the stakes are high, and Oraya and Raihn continue to be a compelling pair. Their relationship deepens in ways that feel earned, and there’s a lot of emotional weight in how they try to navigate power, loyalty, and love.

That said, I have to admit—I grew a bit bored around the halfway point. The pacing started to drag, and some of the court politics and internal monologues felt repetitive. I found myself wanting the story to move forward faster, especially toward the end. Still, the writing is beautiful, and the final chapters do bring everything together in a satisfying way.

The spice was spicy (there is something about a vampire spice that I still havent got over from twilight ifykyk) so that at times when it was building was hot. Also Rahin is a score in my book, loved how both of the love between him and oraya grew towards the end.

✨ Non Spoiler Review ✨

My heart is so full right now. I can’t believe Broadbent managed to rip my heart out, stomp all over it and repair the damage in only TWO books?? She achieved so much without having to drag it out. So much worldbuilding, character development and just raw emotion in only two novels. I am devastated that these are the only two novels we get with Oraya and Raihn, however, I also have this overwhelming sense of calm and fulfilment from these two characters.

Broadbent has quickly worked her way into my top 10 fave authors. Her writing is just so easy to digest, and yet still packed full of depth. I cannot wait to read her The War or Lost Hearts series. I am also so interested to see how Broadbent will continue this series with the other houses. And how it’ll be with a new set of characters.

There’s really not much else I can say without some spoilers. It was just perfection. *chefs kiss*

✨ Spoiler Review Below ✨

Oraya & Raihn

Oraya begins the novel completely broken by Raihn’s betrayal. It was like we were back to square one and they were enemies while simultaneously still denying the feelings that remained there. God the angst just killed me as I completely understood why she couldn’t trust Raihn but got damn was it hard. The fact that we had to go through ANOTHER slow burn nearly killed me but made the endgame completely worth it.

I absolutely loved how it was almost like the first novel and they agreed to form another alliance again. It was like we came full circle by the end.

I loooooved how this novel definitely kicked up in the spice and it was absolutely divine seeing Oraya demand authority and control over Raihn in those moment. We are constantly reminded that Raihn is nothing without her. And she is in fact in control. The fact Raihn always ensures that she safe because he is aware of the past trauma she has suffered just made me fall in love with him that much more 🥰.

Raihn

The interludes of Raihn’s past was so well done and added great depth to his character. I loved how it was broken and non-linear and we would learn more about him as the novel progressed. I felt great satisfaction that he finally got to rise above those same nobles who treated him as a slave in the past.

Oraya & Vincent

Not only do we see Raihn grapple with his past but also Oraya’s relationship with her dad. Even in death, we learned more about Vincent. I felt the same anguish and confusion about the secrets he kept. I felt like I was constantly switching between loving and hating his character. The slow unravel of his history and past with Oraya’s mother was so clever. We were slowly fed these flashbacks when Oraya would encounter the artifices they found. The crafting of this story was so well thought out and seamless. It is clear Broadbent has put in so much work.

Overall my mind is a mess, and this duet is easily in my Top 10 favourite fantasy series. Cannot wait to get my hands on the hardback 😌.

Perfect

50 cents of a 40-year-old mom 💭

Just finished The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent… and this one stayed with me. ✨

Oraya… you feel her grief, her anger, that deep ache of loss that doesn’t just go away. And Raihn… the kind of love and choices that aren’t simple, that come with consequences that cut deep. This wasn’t just a story about power and kingdoms, it was about trust, betrayal, and learning to love again when your heart has every reason not to.

I felt the pain of losing, the fear of opening up, and that quiet strength it takes to keep going anyway.

It made me think… how do you trust again after being broken?

This one hurt… but in a way that heals something too.

Love,

Valdine @sanctuaryreads

Amazing books and this edition is super pretty as well, looks great with my set

Llegó en perfectas condiciones.

El libro es una maravillosa historia, la disfruté muchísimo.