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The Serpent & the Wings of Night: The Nightborn Duet Book One (Crowns of Nyaxia, 1) Hardcover – December 5, 2023

by Carissa Broadbent (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 123,507 ratings
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An Instant New York Times and USA Today Bestseller

This new hardcover edition of the bestselling The Serpent & the Wings of Night features new case art, and a detailed map!

The Hunger Games meets vampires in this heart-wrenching, epic fantasy romance of dark magic, and bloodthirsty intrigue from bestselling author Carissa Broadbent.

For humans and vampires, 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 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 & the Wings of Night is the first book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series.

This edition features beautiful, brand-new case art and a detailed map of the Obitraes.

Crowns of Nyaxia Reading Order:
The Serpent & the Wings of Night
The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King
The Songbird & the Heart of Stone

Crowns of Nyaxia Standalones
Six Scorched Roses (short novel)
Slaying the Vampire Conqueror

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  1. Book 1 of 4
    Crowns of Nyaxia
  2. Print length
    480 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Bramble
  5. Publication date
    December 5, 2023
  6. Dimensions
    5.9 x 1.45 x 8.6 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1250343178
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1250343178
  9. See all details
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  1. “That wasn’t how I’d imagined making you come for the first time,” he remarked.
    Highlighted by 34,730 Kindle readers
  2. And then I realized. I realized that fear, when embraced, hardens and sharpens. That it becomes rage. That it becomes power.
    Highlighted by 25,437 Kindle readers
  3. “Don’t be so quick to throw away your humanity, Oraya,” he said. “You might find you miss it once it’s gone.”
    Highlighted by 19,890 Kindle readers
  4. The king did not know then that his greatest love would also be his ruination—nor that either would come in the form of a tiny, helpless human child.
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From the Publisher

The Serpent and the Wings of Night Carissa Broadbent
The Serpent and the Wings of Night Carissa Broadbent
The Serpent and the Wings of Night Carissa Broadbent
The Serpent and the Wings of Night Carissa Broadbent
The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King
Six Scorched Roses
The Songbird & the Heart of Stone
Customer Reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars 89,815
4.4 out of 5 stars 30,697
4.3 out of 5 stars 19,870
Price $15.99 $12.49 $20.99
Epic fantasy romance of dark magic and bloodthirsty intrigue between vampires, mortals, and gods. Love is a sacrifice at the altar of power in the gutting second installment of the Crowns of Nyaxia series. A standalone short novel set in the world of the Crowns of Nyaxia series. An epic fantasy romance of love and treachery between mortals and gods.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the Crowns of Nyaxia series:

"Majorly addicting" - Marie Claire on The Serpent & the Wings of Night on The Serpent & the Wings of Night

“Fans of dark romantasy won’t want to miss this.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review

“[A] haunting, action-packed political fantasy with a doomed romance at its center, full of heartbreak and intrigue.”– Library Journal, starred review

"This fast-paced romantasy... [is] perfect for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and the Vampire Diaries series by L. J. Smith." – Booklist, on The Serpent & the Wings of Night

“Vampire romance lovers will drink this series down to the last drop.”– POPSUGAR, "The 18 Best Fantasy Romance Books"

“Danger, intrigue and a hell of a lot of blood are splashed across the pages of Carissa Broadbent’s gripping fantasy romance” – Bookpage

"A heart-pounding, ultra-slow-burn romance." – Bustle

"Slow burn that pays off" – Vulture, "12 Romantasy Authors to Know"

"Carissa Broadbent's The Serpent and the Wings of Night has all the fun of A Court of Thorns and Roses, but it will also appeal to Twilight fans." – Insider

"This suspenseful, unputdownable novel is perfect for fans of The Hunger Games ― with a fantastical vampire twist!" – Woman's World

"If you are a fan of dangerous fantasy worlds, bloodthirsty vampires, swoon worthy romance and a completely terrifying deadly competition, The Serpent and the Wings of Night is going to be a book you will love." – Book Briefs

"Unputdownable!" – FIRST for Women

About the Author

Carissa Broadbent has been concerning teachers and parents with mercilessly grim tales since she was roughly nine years old. Since then, her stories have gotten (slightly) less depressing and (hopefully a lot?) more readable. Today, she writes novels that blend epic fantasy plots with a heaping dose of romance. She lives with her husband, her son, and one perpetually skeptical cat in Rhode Island.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bramble (December 5, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250343178
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250343178
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.9 x 1.45 x 8.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 123,507 ratings

About the author

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Carissa Broadbent

Carissa Broadbent

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I've been concerning teachers and parents with mercilessly grim tales since I was roughly nine years old. Since then, my stories have gotten (slightly) less depressing and (hopefully a lot?) more readable. Today, I write fantasy novels with a heaping dose of badass ladies and a big pinch of romance.

I work as a cybersecurity marketing professional during the harsh light of day, and am also a visual artist. I live with my fiance, one very well behaved rabbit, one very poorly behaved rabbit, and one perpetually skeptical cat in Rhode Island.

To keep up with my work, join my mailing list at www.carissabroadbentbooks.com!

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
123,507 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoyed the storyline and character development. They found the book engaging and easy to read, with a great flow and not being dull at any point. The characters were described as strong and morally gray. The book was described as captivating and addictive, leaving readers hooked throughout the whole journey. Readers appreciated the well-written, descriptive writing that made them visualize everything clearly. The pacing of the book was also appreciated, with it moving along quickly and drawing them in from the first page.

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StorylineReadabilityCharacter developmentEntertainment valueWriting qualityPacingRomanceWorld building
1,265 customers mention "Storyline"1,148 positive117 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline. They find the plot twists engaging and the storytelling captivating. The book has plenty of action and drama, making it a must-read for fans of vampire/fantasy romance.

"...Every page of this book is filled with action. You won't get bored, you won't get tired of it. THESE VAMPIRES HAVE WINGS!..." Read more

"I lived the storyline in this book. Such a fun read. The plot twist was one i did not see coming which was a pleasant surprise! Great plot...." Read more

"...and her storytelling skills make this a must read for fans of vampire/fantasy romance." Read more

"...Loved the end. Quite exciting and in some ways, unexpected. Will read book 2" Read more

1,173 customers mention "Readability"1,163 positive10 negative

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable. They describe it as an amazing, beautiful read that captivates them from the start. Readers praise the well-crafted fantasy story with its well-developed characters and flow. Overall, they consider it one of their favorite books of the year.

"This is one of my favorite books of this year. I loved it. It's full of action, danger, plot twists, magic, and weapons...." Read more

"...This was a wonderful surprise, a dark, dangerous, vampire tale with intricate world building, great characters and a little bit of spice...." Read more

"...Descriptive and unique. It flows and not once was the book dull. The character development was well done...." Read more

"...I have no idea how she did it, but book 2 was even better than book 1! I couldn't put it down!..." Read more

621 customers mention "Character development"596 positive25 negative

Customers enjoy the book's character development. They find the characters well-written, strong, and likable. The main character Oraya is fierce yet fully aware of her humanity. Readers appreciate the author's narrative voice and find Oraya's passion and humanity stand out.

"...✅ Plot twists ✅ Full of action ✅ Extraordinary written characters ✅ Magic ✅ Vampires and Gods..." Read more

"...Great plot. Lived the banter between the main characters. I will definitely be re reading." Read more

"...There are a lot of great side characters as well. Mische is the sweetest vampire in the story, and her friendship with Raihn was wonderful...." Read more

"...It flows and not once was the book dull. The character development was well done...." Read more

539 customers mention "Entertainment value"508 positive31 negative

Customers enjoy the book's entertainment value. They find it thrilling and fast-paced, capturing their attention from start to finish. The story transports them into an immersive fantasy world full of action and intrigue. While some readers would have liked more romance, the plot provides memorable moments.

"...Every page of this book is filled with action. You won't get bored, you won't get tired of it. THESE VAMPIRES HAVE WINGS!..." Read more

"I lived the storyline in this book. Such a fun read. The plot twist was one i did not see coming which was a pleasant surprise! Great plot...." Read more

"...As for the Kejari, it was thrilling and scary, and the trial scenes had me holding my breath, I was so worried about Oraya, Raihn and Mische...." Read more

"...I did not see this one coming; the cover is so pretty and inviting. Don't let it fool you...." Read more

474 customers mention "Writing quality"424 positive50 negative

Customers find the writing quality engaging and descriptive. They appreciate the vivid descriptions and world-building that keeps them eager to explore every detail. The characters, plot, and world are well-written and easy to understand.

"...The writing is magnificent and it's very natural. Nothing is forced upon the reader and you discover everything with the characters...." Read more

"...This is a lush, complex world, and the author does a very good job of introducing it in this first book, even though I’m certain she’s only..." Read more

"...The writing is well done. Descriptive and unique. It flows and not once was the book dull. The character development was well done...." Read more

"Carissa is a genius at storytelling. I could visualize everything she described. My heart was racing with every battle!..." Read more

425 customers mention "Pacing"311 positive114 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find the world-building easy to understand, and the book flows smoothly. Readers say it's an engaging read that they finish in one day.

"...The writing is magnificent and it's very natural. Nothing is forced upon the reader and you discover everything with the characters...." Read more

"...The writing is well done. Descriptive and unique. It flows and not once was the book dull. The character development was well done...." Read more

"...Don't let it fool you. This book is going to suck you right in, anchor you in place, rip you to pieces and not bother to loosen its grip or put..." Read more

"...The start was slow but once the games started, it drew me in and left me hooked, letting me finish it in almost two days...." Read more

375 customers mention "Romance"370 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the emotional rollercoaster of the book. They find the banter charged with all sorts of emotions, and the scenes make them feel. The brutal world the characters live in creates a tense, high-stakes atmosphere that pulls them in.

"...I loved it. It's full of action, danger, plot twists, magic, and weapons...." Read more

"...But their banter was so much fun, charged with all sorts of emotions, and I loved how the author gave them time and space to get to know each other..." Read more

"...I could visualize everything she described. My heart was racing with every battle!..." Read more

"...And it was terrifying and wonderful...." Read more

265 customers mention "World building"254 positive11 negative

Customers enjoy the intricate and well-developed world in the book. They appreciate the characters, magic, and added bonuses like vampires and a deadly competition for a wish from a goddess.

"...I loved it. It's full of action, danger, plot twists, magic, and weapons...." Read more

"...I couldn’t put it down. I read it voraciously. It’s passionate, smart and has intelligent banter, I loved it...." Read more

"...Crowns of Nyaxia series delivers a high-stakes tournament, an intricate magical system, and a love story that is as dangerous as it is captivating...." Read more

"...Broadbent delivers an intoxicating mix of action, romance, and world-building, crafting a story that had me completely hooked from page one...." Read more

If Hunger Games had vampires!
4 out of 5 stars
If Hunger Games had vampires!
Enemies to Lovers, Slow Burn, Vampire vs Human Conflict, Badass HeroinePersonal Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️Human or vampire, the rules of survival are the same: never trust, never yield, and always – always – guard your heart.If you like Hunger Games with the sexiness of vampires, then this book is for you.I tried reading this book months ago but had such a hard time getting into it. The prologue was what drew me into the book, but as Chapter 1 hit, it had a different feeling. The start was slow but once the games started, it drew me in and left me hooked, letting me finish it in almost two days. I thoroughly enjoyed Carissas’ writing. My favorite character was hands down my favorite character. He had his fair share of misunderstandings and has a violent streak, but it is clear in his actions that he loves Oraya and wants nothing more than for her to stand by his side. (We find out later why) He tries his best to help as much as he can through the trials, as he won way back when. I wished we got more of Vincents' POV, as his story intrigued me more than either of the books in this duology. Now, who I originally liked but decided that I couldn’t stand was Orayas’ love interest. Raihn. In this book, he is what we want him to be. He gives Rhys (A Court of Thorns and Roses) vibes, but is more mysterious. The main problem with Raihn and Mische, his companion, is that their character development is lacking. I wish we got more from them throughout this book but it sets it up for the last book in Raihn and Orayas’ story. SPOILER: I had an itch that something was going to happen to Vincent at the end, there was a build-up to it, but I did not like him dying…Overall I give this book about a 4.2 as it was one of the better ones I’ve read this year. The sexual tension between Raihn and Oraya could be felt through the screen, and the moment that something happened between the two felt necessary. Vincent and Oraya are definitely what made me like this story!I recommend this book to someone just starting in romantasy and I can not wait to see what else Carissa Broadbent comes out with!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • freya.nightwolf
    5.0 out of 5 stars I NEED ALL THE NEXT 5 BOOKS NOW!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of my favorite books of this year. I loved it. It's full of action, danger, plot twists, magic, and weapons. If you're a fan of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout, this book is for you, and if this is the first book you read from Charissa, she will immediately become one of your favorite writers. I loved how she wrote this book and I can't wait for book2. What am I saying?! I NEED ALL THE NEXT 5 BOOKS!

    ✅ Age: 16/17+
    Be worn ❗️❗️ a lot of blood, a lot of death, sexual abuse, torture, and descriptive wounds/cuts/deaths ❗️❗️
    ✅ Plot twists
    ✅ Full of action
    ✅ Extraordinary written characters
    ✅ Magic
    ✅ Vampires and Gods
    ✅ Tournament to the death => doomed romance and tough decisions
    ✅ Sexual tension
    ✅ Smut
    ✅ Magnificent ending

    Every page of this book is filled with action. You won't get bored, you won't get tired of it. THESE VAMPIRES HAVE WINGS! The night is a dangerous place, but also one of the most magical places in the course of 24h. I loved Raihn from the start, from his first appearance when his name wasn't even mentioned. I loved him. I love how his relationship with Oraya starts and how it evolves. The writing is magnificent and it's very natural. Nothing is forced upon the reader and you discover everything with the characters. You, sometimes, have your doubts and intuitions, and it helps you question some decisions of the characters, but also understand their motives. I even liked Vincent, and at some point, I wanted to see him dead. Well... Yep...

    I hope we'll see more of Mische in the next book because I loved her and I think she will be the one who will temper the tension between Oraya and Raihn. I have no doubt, that there will be a lot of tension and uncertainty.

    The Kejari... well this tournament is a bloody and deadly one. I liked how the trails were written because you can also learn the history AND the story of the main GODDESS. And I think those trials were not just trials for the ultimate goal, for winning a tournament, but also trials for the souls, especially for Raihn and Oraya: trials of trust, creating a strong bond, and life. You can see the similarities between Nyaxia's history and the present events of Raihn and Oraya.

    I loved every single page. Charissa has created a magnificent and complex world and mythology. I can't wait to read more about all three houses and see their stories, and also, to learn more about their past because I think a lot of things will blow in our faces in book 2 of House of Night! Besides, at the end of this one, I came to the conclusion that nothing is what it seems in the case of these Houses, and I'm really intrigued to learn about all of them.

    Thank you Charissa for this wonderful world you've created. I have a feeling this is only the beginning and everything will escalate and blow our minds.
    35 people found this helpful
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  • Kirstie Smith
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I lived the storyline in this book. Such a fun read. The plot twist was one i did not see coming which was a pleasant surprise! Great plot. Lived the banter between the main characters. I will definitely be re reading.
    One person found this helpful
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  • T. Sparks
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling, romantic and charged with emotion
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I hadn’t even heard of this book when I was offered a review copy, but a few glowing reviews caught my attention and I agreed to read it. And I’m so glad I did! This was a wonderful surprise, a dark, dangerous, vampire tale with intricate world building, great characters and a little bit of spice. Even better, this is the first book in a series, and I’m so excited to see what comes next. Yes, there are some familiar tropes at work here, but I found the combination of all the different elements to work surprisingly well. If you love The Hunger Games or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I guarantee you’ll find a lot to love in The Serpent & the Wings of Night.

    Oraya was only seven when her village was destroyed and her entire family killed. Plucked out of the wreckage by a vampire king named Vincent, Oraya has been living in the House of Night, one of three vampire factions in the land of Obitraes, for the last sixteen years. Vincent has raised her as his daughter, teaching her how to survive in a land ruled by vampires, and it turns out, preparing her to complete in a once-every-hundred-years competition called the Kejari.

    The Kejari is made up of five brutal trials, each one winnowing the contestants down until only two remain. Only one victor can be crowned at the end, though, and Oraya is determined to be the last one standing. The reward for victory is sweet: any wish you want, granted by the goddess Nyaxia. Oraya’s wish? To become a vampire herself and fight side by side with her father in the war against the Rishan, a rival vampire clan within the House of Night.

    But once the trials start, Oraya realizes it's going to be hard, if not impossible, to win. Luckily, she meets a vampire named Raihn who asks her to ally with him and his friend Mische. Oraya and Raihn work surprisingly well together and they become a formidable team against the other contestants. But, as Oraya must keep reminding herself, only one of them will survive the Kejari, and the more she gets to know Raihn, the less she wants to kill him.

    This is a lush, complex world, and the author does a very good job of introducing it in this first book, even though I’m certain she’s only scratched the surface. At first it was a little hard to keep everything straight. There are three main vampire “houses,” but within those there are smaller factions. Each house has its own types of power and magic derived from different gods, and the houses don’t usually intermingle with each other, although the Kejari is the exception, because vampires from each house are allowed to join the competition. And it isn’t just vampires in this world. Humans live among them, although they are mostly treated as servants or even food. Because Oraya is under the protection of a vampire king, she’s safer than most, but she still has to watch her back at all times.

    In addition to the competition plot, which is the main focus of the story, there’s a war brewing in the background that will most likely take on a bigger role in the next book. There’s a lot of Shakespearean drama and tragedy going on too. Vampires will kill their parents to take over as leader, and then they’ll kill their children so they can’t do the same to them. This isn’t a happy world by any means, but luckily there are bright spots in the plot.

    Which brings me to the characters. The focus of the story is the slow build relationship between Oraya and Raihn, an enemies-to-lovers romance that I thought was very well done. Oraya, who spends her free time stalking vampires and killing them, is horrified to find she's starting to like and respect one, especially when she discovers he’s one of the Rishan, her father’s enemy. Oraya has a prickly personality, which I quite loved, although she eventually starts to warm up to Raihn. But their banter was so much fun, charged with all sorts of emotions, and I loved how the author gave them time and space to get to know each other before (yup) hopping in bed together.

    There are a lot of great side characters as well. Mische is the sweetest vampire in the story, and her friendship with Raihn was wonderful. I was rooting for the three of them to be OK, but wow, some of the scenes in this book were so stressful! Vincent was an interesting character as well. I didn’t really like him in the beginning, but you can tell Oraya loves him, even if he’s the one who took her away from her home. I liked him less and less as the story went on, and by the end of the book I hated him, lol. Still, it was interesting to see Vincent and Oraya interact, even if I didn’t always understand her complicated feelings for him.

    As for the Kejari, it was thrilling and scary, and the trial scenes had me holding my breath, I was so worried about Oraya, Raihn and Mische. I loved that the actual trials felt different from other “fight to the death” stories I’ve read, although don’t worry, there’s plenty of bloodshed!

    As the end of the last trial approached, I started to get very nervous. After all, there’s only one winner, right? The author managed to completely surprise me with her ending, making me even more excited to read the second book, The Ashes & the Star Cursed-King. And I can’t say enough about Carissa Broadbent’s writing. Her prose breathes life into her characters, and her storytelling skills make this a must read for fans of vampire/fantasy romance.
    54 people found this helpful
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  • A.S.G.
    5.0 out of 5 stars well written
    Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Yes, it’s vampires. Perhaps overdone? Yet this story was so different from any vampire book I’ve read. The writing is well done. Descriptive and unique. It flows and not once was the book dull. The character development was well done. The king one of the more complex and interesting ones I’ve read in some time. I did like both the mmf and mmc. There was a lot of rawness about both. Each from such tortured backgrounds. The kejari is like gladiator games with a mix of hunger games. To survive you must defeat all enemies, for there can only be one winner. But how complex it gets is what drives the story on, for it’s not that simple when real emotions get involved.
    Loved the end. Quite exciting and in some ways, unexpected. Will read book 2
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Tina Geller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Um feriado com The Serpent and the Wings of Night.
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 5, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    É um livro gostoso, despretensioso para se ler. Li rápido e já sabendo que iria encomendar o segundo livro do dueto. Vale a pena.
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  • Karla
    5.0 out of 5 stars what a ride
    Reviewed in Mexico on January 28, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I started this book with low expectations, but I am amazed at how vivid the characters and world exploration of this book were. I am hooked and I put this book, at least until I read the entire series, as one of my favorites
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  • Cailea
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dark, Captivating & Beautifully Written
    Reviewed in Canada on April 4, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This book...wow. I experienced so many things reading this. Joy and laughter, sadness, grief and tears, anger, frustration, shock and betrayal, desire, hatred. You name it and this book probably made me feel it in all the best ways.

    This story is a dark, grim and emotional tale that follows a human girl who was adopted by a vampire king as a child and has had to learn to live in a world where she is prey surrounded by predators. She enters a competition ruled by a Goddess so that she doesn't need to keep living a powerless life filled with fear and ends up meeting a turned vampire who helps her to realize she is so much more than prey.

    Throughout the story we explore the impacts of nature vs nurture, what it means to be strong and brave. We see how the toxic, harmful and abusive things that are said and taught to us by parental figures stick with us even when we know they don't make any sense. We as readers can see the flaws in the way Oraya has been taught to live and her refusal to question these things shows us the blind devotion she has to her "father". We see how hard it is to seperate the parent you love from the parent who hurts us and experience the duality that comes with familial abuse - on one side of things you're angry, on the other you still feel so much love for them. This is all written in so beautifully.

    The love that forms between Raihn and Oraya is also such a beautiful thing. The way they just SEE eachother, the safety she feels with him, the devotion he shows to her up until the end. Even when her mind screams for her to stop trusting him, to run from him, to hate him...her heart can't help feeling love and trust and safety when she's around him. The heartbreak at the end of this book was absolutely devastating and I hope that in the next book there's some redemption because I know they could make eachother so incredibly happy and be such a powerful force together.

    The side characters were equally interesting. We were given a bubbly happy sunshine best friend, an underdog with so much trauma that he should have given up on life who still pushed to come out on top until the end, a strong female warrior who loved her people and died for a cause she believed in, another devoted female warrior who never gave up her feminity to fit the role of a soldier but still made it to the top ranks of the army and was devoted to her country above all else, a human who came across as a bit of an eccentric auntie who taught our MC to allow herself joy and light and color into her life and not to lose her humanity.

    The world building was done so well. By the end of the story we get a clear and detailed understanding of the politics in the world as they truly are, something we evolve to understanding with the main character as she throws away her childhood beliefs of how things work and experiences the world for herself. Each scene was crafted so well and fully immersed me in the dark, gothic, magical world that the author built.

    The plot was constantly evolving, rarely predictable and the end of this book...sheesh. I will be thinking about these plot twists and what they mean until I can finally read the next book. The end of this book left me a MESS.

    Overall this is one of my all time favorite reads. Perhaps it's my absolute favorite, above all else honestly. I absolutely wholeheartedly recommend checking it out.
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  • Anais Miguel
    5.0 out of 5 stars I didn't see that coming
    Reviewed in Spain on February 28, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This book was good from the start to the end. I did see a lot of things coming but that ending? Not on a million times.

    I love the characters, the main and the side ones, I really love them and I can't wait to read more about them.

    It's a good story, good development of the pace and of the characters and always surprises you.

    If you love fantasy, vampires, the hunger games and a big development, just read it
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  • Beate Powdrack
    5.0 out of 5 stars Super Buch
    Reviewed in Germany on January 29, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Schnelle Lieferung (Thalia sollte 6 Wochen dauern wegen Auslandsimport). Meine Freundin hat sich gefreut und liest es mit Spannung
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