Six Scorched Roses

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Raihn? What can I say about him?! This sweetheart of a vampire was all about Oraya. 😭 Seeing him walk his own path after his struggle of being a Turned slave was a delight. He deserved a kingdom to rule. All of it was true at once. That he had saved me. That he had crippled me. His selfishness and his selflessness. i enjoyed oraya's character more in this one (she kind of glowed up throughout the story, yay!), all of the characters, actually--they felt remarkably multifaceted, which i think is where carissa shines. the world building was decent, even if the settings are lovely, but her characters are funny, likable, and still complex. It was beautiful seeing them falling in love even after all the betrayals and heartbreaks they endured and the way they fit so well together in each other's life and how they both understand each other's flaws and imperfections and yet loved each other fiercely and all consuming. I mentioned it before, but Oraya’s feelings when it came to Vincent were conflicted too. She was grieving the loss of her father, but on the other hand, she started to realize just how much he lied to her and how much he controlled her and prevented her from achieving her full potential. She started to see that she’d been living in a cage, and she hated him because of that, making her grief even more intense at times. I love that this book showed that it is possible to grieve part of a relationship, while also being angry at the person, grief is not just one sad emotion that erases everything else, it’s a process and it’s messy.

When they say there’s a fine line between love and hate, these two encompassed that. The slow-burn romance between them was the sweetest kind of torture. Every interaction between them had me on the edge of my bed. I was tense. I was pining for them! I could not get enough of them. I am writing this review a day after finishing it, and I don’t know if I am prepared to still close our chapter of Oraya’s and Raihn’s story. However, I am pleased to say that this story ended in a way that doesn’t leave me disappointed with their outcome, but only more eager for the world of Nyaxia’s Crown and what else is in store. There's still so much left to Raihn and Oraya's story and I can't wait to see more of them as the king and queen of the Nightborn Kingdom. I mean, I have to talk about Raihn and Oraya. Have to. 🥹 Favourite new characters, without a doubt.After Lilith and Vale’s novella, I expected to see them more but they barely had any scenes which was disappointing. (I also suggest that we get a novella like Six Scorched Roses about Vincent and Alana’s past. It would be beautiful and devastating.) But I was powerless now, just as I was then. A human in a world of vampires. An Heir with no teeth. A daughter with no way to avenge her father. The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King is the sequel to the Serpent and the Wings of Night and the last born in the Nightborn Duet, although it is part of a larger series (the Crowns of Nyaxia). Without any spoilers, this book follows Oraya and Raihn as they battle the enemies surrounding them on all sides, face traitors and deadly plots to overthrow the throne- and must figure out their complicated feelings for each other.... i highly highly recommend this entire duet, because the writing, the characters, the plot and VINCENT my love are what made this so different from other fantasies. 💗

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. I think this is what I loved most about this story, how the author was able to explore complicated human emotions and relationships, and its costs. Oraya is so, so, so angry in this one. Mad at herself for letting someone in and them breaking her trust. Mad at herself for loving people even though they’ve hurt her. And even worse, mad at herself that even though she’s furious, she can’t stop herself from loving these people. It’s agonising to watch and read about. Because although you scream at her to fight, you know you would feel the same. She felt so real, I felt her anger. Her hate. It was insane. it was beautiful, seeing him opening up to Oraya. about his motivations, his loneliness, the way he'd do anything for her to just be okay again. this isn't a particularly interesting or all-encompassing review, i didn’t feel like writing one of those so it’s just a few of the thoughts bouncing around through my brain.

Reviews

To my gorgeous and lovely friends Lyra and Vio. I had so much fun reading this book with you 💗 we were crying, screaming and fang-girling in our group and It was chaotic but I enjoyed every minute of reading this book with you. Can't wait to do more BRs with you and I love both of you so much 🫶 the way this book has a clutch on my heart it's not even funny 😭 devastated. Carissa Broadbent never lets me down. 🥺

My downfall and my most valuable supporter. My weakness and my strength. My worst enemy and the greatest love I had ever known.” Technicalities, really. Overall, I was very satisfied with all of this, and I'd read it again if I wasn't so afraid of my TBR murdering me in my sleep.I wanted to take him far away from this mess and keep him somewhere safe and maybe beat some sense into Oraya too, for him I'd choose violence anyday. I won't lie that I didn't think Vincent's diplomatic side was top-tier; he practically forged her as the strongest weapon but that's the issue, he never let her be anything other than a weapon, he made her forget what it is like to be anything other than a weapon.