Six Scorched Roses: A Crowns of Nyaxia Novella

emilyburnell_

Another amazing story from Carissa Broadbent

"Overall Score: 4.5/5⭐️ Plot: 4/5⭐️ Character Development: 4/5⭐️ Ease of Reading: 5/5⭐️ Overall Enjoyment: 5/5⭐️ Set in the same Crowns of Nyaxia Universe as The Serpent and the Wings of Night, Carissa Broadbent’s novella Six Scorched Roses is truly delightful and ticks all the boxes for a whirlwind romance. Lilith has been destined for death since the moment she came into the world. She uses the time she has remaining to try and find a cure for the god-sent disease that has plagued her city for years. Her last remaining option- the mysterious vampire who resides in a nearby town. For six vials of blood, Lilith promises to bring him six roses. Six roses for a cure. But time has never been on Lilith’s side, and it’s catching up to her. As I expected from a novella, plot isn’t going to be fool proof or overly complicated. That’s the point of a novella- nothing too heavy or complex that will confuse or disinterest a reader. They need to be quick and to the point and that is exactly what this book is. With that being said, Six Scorched Roses did so MUCH in such a short span of time to get you invested in the plot, the characters, the romance, and makes you feel so many things. The main characters are so well-rounded and you understand them and their motivations without having to read five hundred pages or have tons of backstory. The romance is sweet and quick and damning and warmed my heart from the start. There were some editing issues I saw here and there but nothing crazy and nothing that interferes with the story itself. And per usual, Broadbent does a beautiful job painting a picture with her words and making you feel completely submerged in a story. It was an easy, quick read that I could not put down and enjoyed so much! I loved it and think it’s a great addition to the series, especially knowing that we will see some of these characters in subsequent books for the Crowns of Nyaxia. ["

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April 7, 2023 Verified Purchase

@abigailrachelreads

A great Novella “1.5” before jumping into book 2

"A great Novella “1.5” before jumping into book 2 in the Crowns of Nyaxia series. Great story and plot, loved the insight into some of the other Gods in this world since we didn’t see much of them in book 1, and love how it tied in with where we left off in book 1! Onto book 2! ["

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March 16, 2026 Verified Purchase

Kristin M O'Donoghue

Incredible fantasy with rich world building, smart pacing and well crafted prose!

"Another 5-star read for me! Broadbent strikes again. After finishing Book 1 in Carissa Broadbent's Crowns of Nyaxia series, I was excited but also slightly nervous to jump into this novella story, which is meant to be read in between books 1 and 2. I enjoy novellas but given the richness of the world Broadbent created in book 1, I wondered if a shorter form style would work well. All I can say is, it 100% DELIVERED and Broadbent once again blew me away. In Six Scorched Roses, we are introduced to Lilith, a human woman whose entire life has been overshadowed by death and the knowledge that her time in this world is limited and uncertain. However, Lilith uses the cruelty of her harsh reality to fuel a tenacity to make her life count and work to save those in her village, including her younger sister, who are being ravaged by a disease at the hands of a spiteful and neglectful god. Lilith's singular focus to find a cure brings her to the doorstep of Vale, a recluse vampire, whose curious nature and inherent thirst for knowledge draw her in, almost from the start. Lilith bargains her only possession of value, six eternal living roses, in exchange for Vale's blood. With time against her, Lilith's frantic research to tap into the magic of Vale's blood accelerates. Yet as Lilith and Vale spend more time together, they come to find a quiet understanding and respect for each other and an attraction that becomes too intense to ignore. Ultimately, however, their actions do not go unnoticed and a price must be paid if the lives of Lilith's community are to be saved. Broadbent crafts an incredible story with prose whose description leaves you reeling and feeling emotionally gutted. She also has a beautiful way of setting up juxtaposition and counterpoints that are delicately woven throughout the story as the ultimate conflict between life and death sits at the very core of this world. The novella structure of this book lent itself perfectly to the pace of the story and actually tied seamlessly to Lilith's one major challenge--the lack of enough time. The way that Vale and Lilith's relationship so quickly evolves makes perfect sense within the context of this book because again they are both conscious of their limited time together and it made for refreshing honesty and directness in how they revealed themselves to each other and communicated their feelings. This book can be read as a standalone but if you have read book 1 of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, there are a lot of wonderful easter eggs and connections that set up what may be to come in book 2. Without giving away any key spoilers, in particular, Vale's history with the House of Night and his perspective on what is happening politically in this universe was also something that I really enjoyed. I have to say that I may have even liked this book ands its characters more than those in book 1 and I really appreciated how Broadbent gave us such distinct personalities in Lilith and Vale. Broadbent has made a fan out of me and I cannot wait to dive into Book 2 and see what has been happening in the House of Night, since the absolute shocking cliffhanger from Book 1. If you have not read this series and love fantasy that has rich world building, incredible character development, smart pacing and well crafted prose, check this out...it will NOT disappoint. ["

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November 19, 2023 Verified Purchase

This Nurse Reads

a thought-provoking standalone fantasy-romance novella

"⭐️4.0 “Time, Vale,” I said. “Time is the most valuable resource of all, and some of us are perpetually short.” Carissa Broadbent has brought us a thought-provoking standalone fantasy-romance novella in only 180 pages. The eyes flow past her words like a knife through butter on a warm day and this is easily a book that can be read in one sitting. This is book 1.5 of her A Crowns of Nyaxia series that is a story following two characters, Lilith and Vale: There is Lilith, a women tormented by death and there is no hiding from it. Either the death that surrounds her brought on by a curse from a God, causing the lands and people to rot away, or the impending death of her terminal illness, that walks with her like a shadow. Lilith is a scientist and like many scientists, she is a driven, obsessive, workaholic that places her cause at the forefront of her life. Lilith hopes to find a cure to save the ones she loves but in order to do that she must go against the Gods. We meet Vale, a brooding 🔥 vampire that lives alone on the outskirts of town. He is reluctant to assist but there is just something so curious about Lilith and Vale is a curious man. They strike up a deal, 6 of Lilith’s black roses for 6 vials of Vale’s blood. These two are brought together in the name of science but it is another type of chemistry all together that keeps them coming back 😉 Pros: -Quick read -Female heroin -Representation of neurodiversity -Sprinkling of spice -Incorporation of science in fantasy -Death as a character Cons: -Repetitive for a book only 180 pgs. -I just wasn’t obsessed with it, well written and fun but I wasn’t sitting there thinking THIS IS THE BEST THING IVE EVER READ -Kind of felt I HAD to read it because I loved the first book in the series so much All that being said, I am still SO VERY EXCITED for her next book in the series! ["

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April 25, 2023 Verified Purchase

trudiecreads

A Dark, Intense, and Addictive Fantasy Masterpiece

"Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent is nothing short of phenomenal. If you’re a fan of dark, gritty fantasy with morally complex characters and an emotionally charged plot, this book will absolutely blow you away. From the very first page, I was hooked—and by the end, I was left craving more of this haunting, beautifully woven world. The characters in this book are, without a doubt, one of its greatest strengths. The protagonist is strong-willed and fiercely determined, but she’s also deeply flawed in a way that makes her incredibly relatable and engaging. She’s not your typical perfect hero, and that complexity makes her journey all the more compelling. The development of the character arcs is subtle yet powerful, and the way they evolve over the course of the story is one of the things that kept me turning the pages. Then there’s the world-building. Broadbent creates a world that’s rich with history, intrigue, and danger. It’s dark and brooding, yet so vibrant and intricate that I felt completely immersed in every setting, every scene. The world’s magic system, the politics, the factions—everything is woven together so seamlessly, you can’t help but get lost in it. But what really sets this book apart is its emotional depth. Six Scorched Roses isn’t just about battles and magic—it’s about sacrifice, love, loss, and the cost of power. There are moments that will make you tear up, moments that will have you gripping the edge of your seat, and moments that will break your heart. Broadbent doesn’t shy away from difficult themes, and she pulls no punches when it comes to the emotional rollercoaster of the story. The pacing is perfect—never too fast, never too slow. The tension builds steadily throughout the book, with each chapter leaving you desperate to know what happens next. And just when you think you’ve got a handle on where the story is going, Broadbent throws in a twist that will leave your jaw on the floor. The romance, while dark and complex, is utterly captivating. It’s a slow-burn that doesn’t feel forced or rushed. The chemistry between the main characters is electric, and I found myself completely invested in their dynamic, both the tension and the tenderness. Six Scorched Roses is an unforgettable journey—one that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. It’s gritty, intense, and beautifully written, and Carissa Broadbent has truly outdone herself with this book. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy with high stakes, morally gray characters, and a twisty, emotional plot, this one’s for you. I cannot wait for the next book in the series! ["

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September 1, 2025 Verified Purchase