Carissa Broadbent

Human or vampire, the rules of survival are the same: never trust, never yield, and always – always – guard your heart.

The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself.

But winning won’t be easy amongst the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival.

Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father’s crown… and her greatest competition. Yet, what terrifies Oraya most of all is that she finds herself oddly drawn to him.

But there’s no room for compassion in the Kejari. War for the House of Night brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone – but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love.

The Serpent and the Wings of Night is the first book in a new series of heart-wrenching romance, dark magic, and bloodthirsty intrigue, perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

The Serpent and the Wings of Night

alexys <3

For the rest of my life, I would wish I had said something to my father as he died in my arms. He was a terrible person in so many ways. And yes I loved him. 

"I love you. I loved you from the first moment." Bubbles of blood formed at the corners of his mouth. His gaze drifted past me, to the night sky. Then it dragged back to methe movement slow, laborious, like he was working very hard to make sure I was the last thing he saw. "So many mistakes in the end," he choked out. “Never you.”

No, I did not look away as I watched Raihn kill my father. 

The weight below me slackened. I opened my eyes. 

The sheer terror on his face as he tried to get her off of me—terror on my behalf—startled me. 

this is so unfair die ibrihim i would’ve married you 

“I’m glad it was you,” he said, quietly. 

And I made sure my aim was true as I slid my blade right into his heart. 

"I would beg," he murmured. "For you, I would. You have fucking destroyed me, Oraya. Do you know that?"

His eyes softened as they flicked back to me. I really did try not to notice, or care, that they drank me in the same way he drank in sunshine.

I wanted to put my hand over that wound in his heart, even when my own threatened to tear me apart.

He’d be the wings. I’d be the teeth. 

"You are the most stunning thing I've ever seen, Oraya."

Kisses over the fresh scar I had asked for. Kisses over the old one I had not.

"One more song," he said, quietly, "and then I’Il let you go, my little serpent.

say what you want but he tries to be a father 

"I recall," he said softly. "It was the first time I saw you smile since I brought you here."

“You worried me for a minute there," he murmured against my hair, his voice rough. "I should 've known better."

He was on his knees, staring up at me. And that-the way he looked at me-was the first thing that felt real.

Don't forget those teeth of yours, little serpent. You will need them." 

"Do you want to change this world, little serpent? Then climb your cage until you are so high no one can catch you. Break its bars and make them your weapons. Nothing is sharper. I know because I did it." 

"Don't let them take her," I begged again. 

And Raihn leaned very close to me-closer than I ever allowed anyone-as he murmured, solemn as a vow, "I won't."

It struck me, all at once, exactly how much Vincent loved me.

Maybe because we had always seen something familiar in each other, even if we never acknowledged it.

Katie Roberts

I loved the romance, but I felt like the writing was a bit weak overall.

Keira Ostrosser

I would give this a 3.5-4 stars. I enjoyed it but it was a lot of what I would expect for a book from this genre. I felt that the world had potential, but the book felt very sandboxed into a small area that was like a tiny square when it kept alluding to this expansive world/history that I feel it didn't really stop to explain. Maybe that was the intention, but it feels there's so many cities/gods it is a bit sad that you don't learn them at all or just see a name in passing. The characters were also what I would expect from this genre, and in the end they seem to decide against the decisions they make at the very last second. I get that's the story though it just felt like a bit of a diservice to how I viewed the protagonist.

Don't get me wrong though, I enjoyed it and started reading the next book immediately! I do reccomend this book! It had everything I wanted - I was craving a vampire book and literally stumbled upon this title since I was googling for novels that had characters that were similar to Astarion from Baulders Gate.

Ashley Denktas

I would give this a 3.5-4 stars. I enjoyed it but it was a lot of what I would expect for a book from this genre. I felt that the world had potential, but the book felt very sandboxed into a small area that was like a tiny square when it kept alluding to this expansive world/history that I feel it didn't really stop to explain. Maybe that was the intention, but it feels there's so many cities/gods it is a bit sad that you don't learn them at all or just see a name in passing. The characters were also what I would expect from this genre, and in the end they seem to decide against the decisions they make at the very last second. I get that's the story though it just felt like a bit of a diservice to how I viewed the protagonist.

Don't get me wrong though, I enjoyed it and started reading the next book immediately! I do reccomend this book! It had everything I wanted - I was craving a vampire book and literally stumbled upon this title since I was googling for novels that had characters that were similar to Astarion from Baulders Gate.

i can’t tell if it took me so long to finish because of school, fear of what i knew was gonna happen, or if i didn’t enjoy it that much. i have daddy issues. that’s all. 

Linsey Mombert

a pretty predictable magic system and not super original world building but I loved the pacing and the last 100 pages completely pulled me in. I look forward to the next one! 

Alissa 

I couldn't put this book down.  Fast paced, interesting world.  Looking forward to the next one.

Jenny Engel

Overall, this a solid romantasy read. I liked the vampires and the magic system. I’m getting a little tired of the fantasy books where there’s some sort of games/trials the  characters have to partake in, but I thought the concept of these trials were cool, like how each trial was based on a different part of Nyaxia’s story. 

I thought Raihn was a great character. There’s depth and complexity in him that you glimpse through the book, but it comes together in the end. I thought part of the twist was predictable though. I think Oraya is a really good character too. She has a complex relationship with Vincent that it’s displayed well throughout the story. I liked watching her relationship with Raihn grow. I thought that was done well based on how both of the characters are. 

There were a few plot points that didn’t make sense to me. Like how Oraya was able to use magic. That one was hard for me to understand. I think it does make more sense at the end, but it was hard to believe that while reading.

Kendall Deranek

Overall, this a solid romantasy read. I liked the vampires and the magic system. I’m getting a little tired of the fantasy books where there’s some sort of games/trials the  characters have to partake in, but I thought the concept of these trials were cool, like how each trial was based on a different part of Nyaxia’s story. 

I thought Raihn was a great character. There’s depth and complexity in him that you glimpse through the book, but it comes together in the end. I thought part of the twist was predictable though. I think Oraya is a really good character too. She has a complex relationship with Vincent that it’s displayed well throughout the story. I liked watching her relationship with Raihn grow. I thought that was done well based on how both of the characters are. 

There were a few plot points that didn’t make sense to me. Like how Oraya was able to use magic. That one was hard for me to understand. I think it does make more sense at the end, but it was hard to believe that while reading.

big ab

didn’t find this FMC annoying!!! found her to be delightfully human, the ending was a little messy for me. i foresaw most of the big twists, but still really enjoyed it

Carolina

TOO GOOD!! i really need to read that sequel right now cause i need oraya and raihn to never suffer again and just be happy

I feel like everyone really slept on this book because wow! The plot = amazing, the twists = shocking, the characters = lovable,… . This felt like a sarah J maas book and i loved it

Femke

When I found out it was similar to a hunger games type vibe I was sceptical because I’m not a fan of that series but it was so worth the read! I was intrigued to see how the ending would play out with only one, Rhain or Oraya, winning overall but the twist was so worth it. The link with the politics of the world and sections of vampires was also a great part of the book and was easy to understand whilst being enjoyable to read 

I’m definitely going to be picking up the second book and seeing how it plays out with their relationship and where the story goes! 

Holly Lake

When I found out it was similar to a hunger games type vibe I was sceptical because I’m not a fan of that series but it was so worth the read! I was intrigued to see how the ending would play out with only one, Rhain or Oraya, winning overall but the twist was so worth it. The link with the politics of the world and sections of vampires was also a great part of the book and was easy to understand whilst being enjoyable to read 

I’m definitely going to be picking up the second book and seeing how it plays out with their relationship and where the story goes! 

Carissa does twists so well!!! I just love her writing but this didn’t hit quite like Daughter of No Worlds

Caroline Piephoff

“I can’t handle this rn– oooh the banter heh heh–wHAT–why are you hurting me?”

sophie <3

ouch.

my thoughts while reading this: ahem

“I can’t handle this rn– oooh the banter heh heh–wHAT–why are you hurting me?”

Okay, I’m obsessed with this one! There are so many different elements from different series but this one really made its own along the way. I was to intrigued by the events happening. I really enjoyed all of the characters in the book and only makes more excited for the second with that ending. I definitely didn’t anticipate one part of the plot but absolutely love what happened and am so excited for more!

Priscilla Stanfield

I need a good day or two to process that ending

Manda

Overall this story was super addicting but man oh man those last few chapters were absolutely insane! I’ll be very interested to see what happens in the next book!

Hannah Williams

loved this book. but that ending.. ouuff, I’m pissed. Raihn better have a huge redemption arc to get me to like him again OR.. Oraya can end up with someone else and the story unfolds to her taking her Kingdom back from Raihn. I guess we’ll see what happens.. 

Lexi Vazquez

Hunger Games but with fantasy and vampires. It’s not perfect but it’s a steamy enemies to lovers and that’s five stars in my eyes. 

Danielle Blandina

drewbee🐝🍯✨

I don't know about you but these kind of books get me EVERY TIME. I love them so much they are always so good, and with this one involving VAMPIRES, which I love very much but rarely read any books about them, I love it even more. Started it  randomly and could not put it down, hence it was 3:10 in the morning and I've finally finished it and was just so excited to start the next one. The characters are amazing, I love the atmosphere and I'm a sucker for books where there are trials which add up to a prize. I must say the trials weren't very creative or unique or anything, which I mean fair enough because the amount of books which have this plot line is RIDICULOUS. But the atmosphere of this book was great, which is why I loved it so much. The characters chemistry was perfect, and the dialogue was pretty good. When I started to approach the end and something quite big happened, my hand was literatly over my mouth the whole time I read it, because even though I saw one aspect of it happening (involving Raihn), I did NOT expect the rest.  So I'm so excited to start the next book in this series because I know it's going to be good. Would definatly recommend.

surtified™

Selin Igten

aleksandra

3/5 

Finally a fantasy book I enjoyed. What an exciting feeling. After being in a slightly reading slump caused by the Fourth Wing, because I hated this book, this one felt like a breath of fresh air. It’s not that I loved the plot, but the characters were amazing. Literally amazing. 

To be honest, my relationship with the story in this book was quite shaky. I had a hard time getting into it from the start, but by the time I got to thirty or forty percent of the book, I was hooked. Almost, because later I was either really into the action or I was contemplating dnfing it. The three stars rating is mostly because of the ending. Specifically the last six chapters, because suddenly I was extremely invested into what was going on. I was even crying. I won't say why because it's a huge spoiler, but I shed a tear or two. 

Moving to the main characters. They stole they show here. Especially Oraya. I can't remember the last time, probably last year, when I read about a heroine I liked so much. I love when main characters are smart, powerful , don’t take shit from anyone, are not gullible (especially towards men), are powerful, not easily manipulated, but at the same time are a good person with a huge heart. She was a human raised by the vampire king, living among vampires who literally wanted to kill her, but she always got her way and was just badass.


  
    "I didn’t need them to know that I wasn’t even aware of my own abilities. Give them yet another weakness to take advantage of. Let them be a little afraid of me, for once."

"Raihn staring at me. 
My smile disappeared, and he laughed. 
“There she is.” 
“What?” I snapped. 
“You just looked so pleased with yourself.” 
I shrugged. Fine. I was pleased with myself."
  


I adore her. She was the star of the show here. I almost forget to mention her dad or more like daddy, Vincent. Their father/ daughter relationship was amazing. The fact that this man was one of the most powerful vampires out there, but had a soft spot for her and would do anything for her, made my heart melt. 

Her love interest, Mr. "I liked him at first, but then he screwed up and needs to grovel" Raihn, was fine. Honestly, he wasn't bad, but at the same time he wasn't memorable. He definitely won’t be add to my 'favorite fantasy men' category, but he had some moments when I was blushing and kicking my feet. Like here for example. 


  
    “I would beg,” he murmured. “For you, I would. You have fucking destroyed me, Oraya. Do you know that?”
  


or here 


  
    “You were fucking magnificent, Oraya,” he murmured. “I hope you know that.”
  


or here 


  
    “You are the most stunning thing I’ve ever seen, Oraya.”
  


Although I hate the word "thing" in these types of sentences. A "person" would be much better. 


  
    “Don’t be so quick to throw away your humanity, Oraya,” he said. “You might find you miss it once it’s gone.”
  


I know this quote might seemed deep and all, but my only thought while I read it was ACOTAR. It sounds damn similar to the thing Rhys said. Very similar. Just my opinion though. 

I will definitely continue this series, because I am really curious to see how the relationship between Oraya and Raihn develops in the second book after this ending. Meaning, I will start the second book tomorrow. 


  Crowns of Nyaxia series:

1. The Serpent and the Wings of the Night 3 stars
2.  The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King tbr

The Serpent and the Wings of Night

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