Carissa Broadbent

Love is a sacrifice at the altar of power. In the wake of the Kejari, everything Oraya once thought to be true has been destroyed. A prisoner in her own kingdom, grieving the only family she ever had, and reeling from a gutting betrayal, she no longer even knows the truth of her own blood. She’s left only with one certainty: she cannot trust anyone, least of all Raihn. The House of Night, too, is surrounded by enemies. Raihn’s own nobles are none too eager to accept a Turned king, especially one who was once a slave. And the House of Blood digs their claws into the kingdom, threatening to tear it apart from the inside. When Raihn offers Oraya a secret alliance, taking the deal is her only chance at reclaiming her kingdom–and gaining her vengeance against the lover who betrayed her. But to do so, she’ll need to harness a devastating ancient power, intertwined with her father’s greatest secrets. But with enemies closing in on all sides, nothing is as it seems. As she unravels her past and faces her future, Oraya finds herself forced to choose between the bloody reality of seizing power – and the devastating love that could be her downfall. Full of heartbreak, redemption, bloody intrigue, and heart-pounding action, The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King is the gutting second installment of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, and the conclusion of the Nightborn Duet 

The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King

alexys <3

"Everything has just gotten interesting," I said, "and you think I'm just going to run away? When there's a fight to fight? When that piece of shit has 

"You are so impossibly beautiful," he murmured in my ear.

And then I spread my wings, and we hurled ourselves over the edge of the balcony.

“So should I be afraid? Are you going to kill me, princess?”

"I already did. I don't know why you keep giving me chances."

“I’d spend a lifetime at the tip of your blade, and it would have been worth it.”

Maybe I just imagined that the entire world stopped when my wife wallked into the ballroom.

He chuckled and leaned closer, his face only a few inches from mine, and murmured, "You sound so disappointed, my murderous queen.”

“Your father, Oraya, felt all those things, too. He was just as broken as the rest of us, and he was so determined not to acknowledge it that he flayed you with those sharp edges and then berated you for having skin instead of steel."

"You were fucking dying," he snapped. "I had more impartant things to worry about than your father's games.

I hated these dreams, the ones where I dreamed of the way Raihn had once looked at me, when we fought together in the Kejari. Like his heart was outside his body.

i hope this is elaborated on later bc lmfaoooo

If you are, I thought, you'd better help me here. You owe me that. 

That's a rude way to speak to your father Vincent replied

And I missed him too much to hate him the way I wanted to.

"You are too precious to be taken away by such a mundane danger, my little serpent," he said gently. "I wish it were different.”

"Do you remember, " he whispered, "that time you threw me out of the window?"

He gave me a firm, forceful push, and then I was falling.

When Mische pulled back the covers of her bed and several roaches ran out, she simply stared down at it with a look of utter disgust on her face, threw the covers back into place, and said brightly, "This can be Septimius' room.”

His gaze flicked over her impassively before returning to me. Dawn's coming," he said. "Forgive me if I need to steal my wife away, Lady Evelaena."

"A king shouldn't leave his queen unguarded, either, especially not one as prone to getting into trouble as you." He gave me a sly grin. "Besides, if you think I'm going to miss the chance to get out of this damned place and go get my hands dirty, you don't know me at all." 

At my flat stare, Raihn laughed. "ly, how you've adjusted to royal life, Your Highness."

But I would always regret this. Brealking Oraya. That was a sin that I'd never be able to atone for.

But none of those reasons bothered me as much as the others-not protecting my crown from Oraya, but protecting Oraya from my crown. 

"Fine. I admit it. You keep me on my toes, too. I've never beer better than I was when I was with you." 

He was offering me every thing I needed to destroy him.

He extended his hand. "But," he added, softly, seriously, "you are one hell of an ally."

Another paradox I couldn't reconcile. Raihn had murdered my father and taken my kingdom and imprisoned me, but he had done it all to save my life.

Sometimes, I felt like I knew Oraya better than anyone I had ever met. Sometimes, she was the most confounding mystery.

"You're dying to kill me," I murmured. "So what the fuck are you waiting for?"

Esmé Mackaay

The political aspects were a bit all over the place, but I liked the character development.   

Jenny Engel

This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I liked this one better than the first one. I thought the political impact of everything that happened in the first book, along with the emotional impact on the characters of those same events was very compelling. I liked seeing how Raihn and Oraya had to deal with that fallout and how it affected their relationship. I also liked how we got more information about Vincent and the rest of Oraya’s family. I really liked how to gods and goddesses played a role in this story. 

I definitely thought parts of the story were a bit slow and repetitive, especially some of the phrases Raihn liked to say, like “there she is.” I thought that phrase was cute in the first book, but I become annoyed by it in this one. 

I also really liked the ending Raihn and Oraya got. I think they got what they deserved in a way that remains true to who each is as a character. Even if I did get annoyed with Oraya at times. 

Kendall Deranek

This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I liked this one better than the first one. I thought the political impact of everything that happened in the first book, along with the emotional impact on the characters of those same events was very compelling. I liked seeing how Raihn and Oraya had to deal with that fallout and how it affected their relationship. I also liked how we got more information about Vincent and the rest of Oraya’s family. I really liked how to gods and goddesses played a role in this story. 
I definitely thought parts of the story were a bit slow and repetitive, especially some of the phrases Raihn liked to say, like “there she is.” I thought that phrase was cute in the first book, but I become annoyed by it in this one. 

I also really liked the ending Raihn and Oraya got. I think they got what they deserved in a way that remains true to who each is as a character. Even if I did get annoyed with Oraya at times. 

Better paced than the first one, but also still doesn’t outgrow its “booktok”-ness, which what I hoping for.

Rabia Sitabi

Better paced than the first one, but also still doesn’t outgrow its “booktok”-ness, which what I hoping for.

Solid Romantasy nonetheless 

I really loved this book and seeing the progression of the characters, I actually think this was much better than the first 

The plot line of a war/ politics of the world and the relationship between Oraya and Raihn being rekindled is what I live for in fantasy books- there was actually a few twists and turns in here that I didn’t see coming and made the story so much more interesting 

the romance depicted in this book is described so beautifully and I have never highlighted so many quotes that just showed Raihns love for Oraya so well 

Also the character development of Oraya is so special and I love to see how she’s gone from thinking she’s weak to the strong queen she is in 2 books 

Holly Lake

I really loved this book and seeing the progression of the characters, I actually think this was much better than the first 

The plot line of a war/ politics of the world and the relationship between Oraya and Raihn being rekindled is what I live for in fantasy books- there was actually a few twists and turns in here that I didn’t see coming and made the story so much more interesting 

the romance depicted in this book is described so beautifully and I have never highlighted so many quotes that just showed Raihns love for Oraya so well 

Also the character development of Oraya is so special and I love to see how she’s gone from thinking she’s weak to the strong queen she is in 2 books 

Definitely enjoyed it better than the first, despite it having some of the same issues (repetition, for instance). I'm glad that Broadbent is expanding the 'religious' side of things. It's exciting to see more of the deities of the universe, and what they offer. Furthermore, I cannot hate Septimus, he an evil little mink and I love that. 

Kiersten

Overall, I think the story was good but I feel like dragged on a bit and had a few slow spots throughout. 

Hannah Williams

Everything I could’ve dreamed for and more. If I hadn’t rated the first one five stars as well, this one would be higher. 

Jillian Roberts

This book is everything the first book could have been and so much more. The description of love and everything that comes with the emotion is so deep and meaningful and heartbreakingly accurate that I felt it in my soul. 10/10

Camille Mounce

AHHHHHH I forgot how good this storyline was. I took like a 8 month gap between reading the first in the series and this one. But SO HAPPY I read it. Seriously amazing story and the love between Oraya and Raihn is just devastatingly beautiful. Like no spoilers but here’s a dialogue between oraya and raihn that destroyed my soul:

“You have nothing but me,” I said. “And yet, you’d let me go?”

“I have nothing but you,” he murmured. “So I am letting you go.” 😭😭😭

I literally cried when I read that line because in that Moment you could see how much Raihn loved Oraya and how everything around it was destroying him.

I’m soooooo excited for the next book even though this was the official end of Oraya and Raihms story. Love this world and all its concepts 

Jordan Leatherdale

AHHHHHH I forgot how good this storyline was. I took like a 8 month gap between reading the first in the series and this one. But SO HAPPY I read it. Seriously amazing story and the love between Oraya and Raihn is just devastatingly beautiful. Like no spoilers but here’s a dialogue between oraya and raihn that destroyed my soul:

“You have nothing but me,” I said. “And yet, you’d let me go?”

“I have nothing but you,” he murmured. “So I am letting you go.” 😭😭😭

I literally cried when I read that line because in that Moment you could see how much Raihn loved Oraya and how everything around it was destroying him.

I’m soooooo excited for the next book even though this was the official end of Oraya and Raihms story. Love this world and all its concepts 

I love this series and this world. I haven’t read really any books that have vampires but I ended up really enjoying this one. This particular book was a little bit slower to get into but I understand it because of how the first book ended. This world  is so easy to understand and the plot is very enjoyable. I really enjoy the characters and think they are both so strongly written. I honestly can’t wait for the next book and part of me is happy that waited to read it but another part is mad at myself for not reading it sooner. 

Priscilla Stanfield

Listen, i really do not think their story had to have two books about their story, or maybe it did, but this second book was very unecessary. I don't know how tk feel about this book like i cant tell if i even enjoyed it at all, it was just addicting to read and i couldn't put it down. The books plot was just basically pretty basic and it may be because book one was amazing, but likeeee this one was so average I don't even know what to think about it. I didnt like the idea of the war, and the random god blood was just so spontaneous i was so confused. It wasn't bad it was just over done. 

surtified™

such a perfect ending to this part of the series, I really enjoyed the enemies to lovers part ii of it all, I docked half a point because I was really hoping for some more political tension and the first quarter really gave it to me, I was hoping this one would have a little less blind fighting and more scheming and coming together through that way because the first one was them fighting and falling in love through their shared love of fighting and their violent pasts without regard for the larger political consequences, I thought the second would maybe have them reconciling with that, and it did mostly! which is why it was very very good, I was just hoping for more rebellious scheming on oraya’s part. however I was truly gripped by this series and this was an amazing end to this part, I am so excited for more! 

fris🐝

Love is a sacrifice at the altar of power. In the wake of the Kejari, everything Oraya once thought to be true has been destroyed. A prisoner in her own kingdom, grieving the only family she ever had, and reeling from a gutting betrayal, she no longer even knows the truth of her own blood. She's left only with one certainty: she cannot trust anyone, least of all Raihn. The House of Night, too, is surrounded by enemies. Raihn's own nobles are none too eager to accept a Turned king, especially one who was once a slave. And the House of Blood digs their claws into the kingdom, threatening to tear it apart from the inside. When Raihn offers Oraya a secret alliance, taking the deal is her only chance at reclaiming her kingdom-and gaining her vengeance against the lover who betrayed her. But to do so, she'll need to harness a devastating ancient power, intertwined with her father's greatest secrets. But with enemies closing in on all sides, nothing is as it seems. As she unravels her past and faces her future, Oraya finds herself forced to choose between the bloody reality of seizing power - and the devastating love that could be her downfall. Full of heartbreak, redemption, bloody intrigue, and heart-pounding action, The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King is the gutting second installment of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, and the conclusion of the Nightborn Duet - perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

rhegan🧋

loren

kels

Both books in the series made me sob like a little baby

hailee filmon

What a great close to Oraya and Rhain's story. Unlike many other fantasy books pushed on TikTok, the writing/world building is actually GREAT in this! Can't wait to read more about these two in the background, and see what adventures Mishe takes us on next <3 hopefully more revenge for my girl!!!!

(Bre)anne✨

TW to be added later

What a great close to Oraya and Rhain's story. Unlike many other fantasy books pushed on TikTok, the writing/world building is actually GREAT in this! Can't wait to read more about these two in the background, and see what adventures Mishe takes us on next <3 hopefully more revenge for my girl!!!!

I loved the first book and I went into this expecting to love this one as well but unfortunately did not. The pacing was off and also plot threads randomly dropped. Every time something got interesting it would abruptly end. If you thought the first book was a slow burn it starts allll over again in this one which makes me wonder what was the point. I love their relationship and their individual characterizations but it wasn’t enough for me with how the plot unfolded. Pretty bummed honestly that this ended up not being for me. 

Abigail

Ashley vatafu

becky oh

holy water is desperately needed to sprinkle (more like dumped) on this book

freya.nightwolf

I loved this book so much. I can't put it into words. Simply PERFECTION. I see I have a pattern of having the second book of a series becoming my favorite book :))) and I can see why. "The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King" is my favorite book of this year so far.

This review contains some spoilers. Some are hidden, but others aren't because I don't consider them spoilers. For the ones that haven't read the first book but heard and read other reviews, my review might have spoilers.

This book broke my heart and restored and broke it again and patched it back up. The pace is perfect. It has a lot of action, A LOT (which is perfect for me). The world-building is intertwined with the plot twists and every time you find something new. The history of the characters is beautifully written, and every time you find something new about them, you get to understand them more (Vincent's actions for example). 

The romance is perfect. I love Raihn and Oraya, and I think with the betrayal in the first book, they got a second chance in this one: to really know each other, to understand each other, and most importantly, to accept each other with their vulnerabilities, griefs, and past. To give themselves a second chance at happiness and to be willing to risk anything and everything for one another. 

I love Carissa's writing a lot, and the way she put the "Interludes" there is perfect. The way she created this world and the interactions between characters are perfect. I loved the side characters. Vale, Lilith, and Mische are my favorites from their inner circle. I would've loved to see more of them, but we got a full book for Vale and Lilith (Six Scorched Roses), and I have a feeling we will see more of Mische in future books/duologies. 

The backstory of Vincent is just wow, and I'm so happy that, even if power was still a priority to him, he still gave himself a chance to feel something different, something that changes his heart. The moment he found Oraya, we get his perspective of how things went out, and what he felt in those moments is perfectly written. Maybe he didn't know how to show Oraya his love, but he damned well loved her, and I think he "trapped" her in her weaknesses because he was scared that one day he will lose her. And for his "immortal" life, the death of someone who allowed himself to love, will literally kill him and make him an even more dangerous thing to everyone. No matter what everyone will say about Vincent, good or bad, he made Oraya strong and gave her the tools to protect herself and believe in herself. He did love her and he showed her that in his own way.

Septimus is the same slime bastard, even worst. I didn't like Simon one bit, but the atrocities that Septimus did to him... literally turned him into a monster, a killing machine. I don't know about the next books, but I think Septimus will remain the worst of all the worst. 

I can't wait to see what Nyaxia will be preparing for them, but I think it will be ugly. I hope the other Gods will take their heads from their asses and do something other than nothing (something for the greater good, not something worse). The fighting scenes are incredibly written, and if for humans and vampires is this well written, I would love to see how the gods would fight. 

Now. I agree will all the readers of this book. CHAPTERS 44-45 killed me!!! Fans of ACOMAF, you better read this series and you will find yourselves another two chapters that will stick in your heads for eternity. The emotions and the passion in those chapters are perfect!!!! For me, chapter 63 is also a killer. (view spoiler)[No boundaries, no regrets, only pure love, and everything was written on their faces, on their bodies, on their movements, in their eyes. I actually think I love this chapter more than 44-45 because they let down their guards, even if they aren't saying the words. The emotions are much bigger than the words. (hide spoiler)]

Also, the history of Oraya's mother is heartbreaking. I really wished that she somehow survived, but if this was the case, Oraya would've been too distract by the situation they were in. 

EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED FROM (view spoiler)[CHAPTER 74 (hide spoiler)] AND ON KILLED ME!!!! I screamed and cried and cursed Nyaxia and then cried again and then screamed for happiness. This whole book is a masterpiece and a rollercoaster. From the first page till the last. Everything is perfect. 

Thank you Carissa for creating this amazing world. I can't wait to see what's coming next.

ariah west

It was pretty good, satisfying ending. I don’t think I liked it as much as the first book. The first book I read so quickly and the second one I kind of dragged through the last 30%. Still really good considering everything!

The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King

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