The Serpent and the Wings of Night, Crowns of Nyasia #1 by Carissa Broadbent

Hello dear book readers,

I recently read The Serpent and the Wings of Night, the first novel in The Crowns of Nyaxia series, and it definitely lived up to the hype. It’s been highly recommended on social media, and after giving it a try, I can say I’m not disappointed at all. The book is lengthy, but I read it on Kindle Unlimited due to space constraints for physical copies.

Review:

The story immerses you in a dark, mysterious world filled with vampires—a sinister setting with plenty of plot twists. It has a bit of a Hunger Games vibe, but with a unique twist since the protagonist, a human, becomes the ultimate prey in a world dominated by vampires. The story begins 20 years prior when the Nightborn King, who later becomes her adoptive father, rescues her during a rebellion that devastated the land. He raises and trains her, constantly reminding her that in a world of vampires, humans are nothing more than prey, which forces her to always be on guard.

The plot thickens when she enters a tournament that feels very much like The Hunger Games, where participants must survive five brutal trials after vowing allegiance to the goddess who created the vampires. Unlike the traditional arena in The Hunger Games, this one has an interesting rule: participants can leave the arena between dusk and dawn but must return before dawn, or they’re disqualified. This element plays a crucial role in the story, especially considering her motivations, which unfold as you progress through the book.

What truly set this book apart for me was the unexpected plot twist toward the end, which was absolutely mind-blowing and made the book a 5-star read for me. It even brought me to tears. The characters are morally complex, with no clear-cut villains—everyone has their reasons for their actions, making them feel more real and relatable.

Overall, it was an amazing read, the kind that grips you so tightly that you can’t put it down. I finished it in just two days because I was so engrossed in the story. This book is the first in a duology, and I’m eagerly awaiting the second book, which is already on my TBR list. I'll definitely be posting more about it as I continue my reading journey.

Plot:

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 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.