The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King: Crowns of Nyaxia, Book 2

freya.nightwolf

PERFECTION

"I loved this book so much. I can't put it into words. Simply PERFECTION. I see I have a pattern of having the second book of a series becoming my favorite book :))) and I can see why. "The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King" is my favorite book of this year so far. This review contains some spoilers. For the ones that haven't read the first book but heard and read other reviews, my review might have spoilers. This book broke my heart and restored and broke it again and patched it back up. The pace is perfect. It has a lot of action, A LOT (which is perfect for me). The world-building is intertwined with the plot twists and every time you find something new. The history of the characters is beautifully written, and every time you find something new about them, you get to understand them more (Vincent's actions for example). The romance is perfect. I love Raihn and Oraya, and I think with the betrayal in the first book, they got a second chance in this one: to really know each other, to understand each other, and most importantly, to accept each other with their vulnerabilities, griefs, and past. To give themselves a second chance at happiness and to be willing to risk anything and everything for one another. I love Carissa's writing a lot, and the way she put the "Interludes" there is perfect. The way she created this world and the interactions between characters are perfect. I loved the side characters. Vale, Lilith, and Mische are my favorites from their inner circle. I would've loved to see more of them, but we got a full book for Vale and Lilith (Six Scorched Roses), and I have a feeling we will see more of Mische in future books/duologies. The backstory of Vincent is just wow, and I'm so happy that, even if power was still a priority to him, he still gave himself a chance to feel something different, something that changes his heart. The moment he found Oraya, we get his perspective of how things went out, and what he felt in those moments is perfectly written. Maybe he didn't know how to show Oraya his love, but he damned well loved her, and I think he "trapped" her in her weaknesses because he was scared that one day he will lose her. And for his "immortal" life, the death of someone who allowed himself to love, will literally kill him and make him an even more dangerous thing to everyone. No matter what everyone will say about Vincent, good or bad, he made Oraya strong and gave her the tools to protect herself and believe in herself. He did love her and he showed her that in his own way. Septimus is the same slime bastard, even worst. I didn't like Simon one bit, but the atrocities that Septimus did to him... literally turned him into a monster, a killing machine. I don't know about the next books, but I think Septimus will remain the worst of all the worst. I can't wait to see what Nyaxia will be preparing for them, but I think it will be ugly. I hope the other Gods will take their heads from their asses and do something other than nothing (something for the greater good, not something worse). The fighting scenes are incredibly written, and if for humans and vampires is this well written, I would love to see how the gods would fight. Now. I agree will all the readers of this book. CHAPTERS 44-45 killed me!!! Fans of ACOMAF, you better read this series and you will find yourselves another two chapters that will stick in your heads for eternity. The emotions and the passion in those chapters are perfect!!!! For me, chapter 63 is also a killer. No boundaries, no regrets, only pure love, and everything was written on their faces, on their bodies, on their movements, in their eyes. I actually think I love this chapter more than 44-45 because they let down their guards, even if they aren't saying the words. The emotions are much bigger than the words. Also, the history of Oraya's mother is heartbreaking. I really wished that she somehow survived, but if this was the case, Oraya would've been too distract by the situation they were in. EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED FROM CHAPTER 74 AND ON KILLED ME!!!! I screamed and cried and cursed Nyaxia and then cried again and then screamed for happiness. This whole book is a masterpiece and a rollercoaster. From the first page till the last. Everything is perfect. Thank you Carissa for creating this amazing world. I can't wait to see what's coming next. ["

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April 22, 2023 Verified Purchase

Mandi

Such a strong second book, full of heart, pain, and promise!

"Seriously, Vincent... your poor daughter. 😩 The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King is an emotional, intense continuation of Oraya’s journey, and wow—it hit hard. This book dives deep into themes of power, identity, and what it means to be truly strong. Oraya shines in this one, showing us that vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength, no matter what Vincent tried to teach her. Her growth is raw, powerful, and honestly inspiring. And Rhainn… I just love him. His unwavering hope for a better world—one where both vampires and humans have a place—is so moving. Even after everything, he never lost his humanity, and that quiet strength makes him such a standout. The way he sees Oraya, the way he dares to dream—ugh, my heart. The ending leaves us with plenty of unknowns, but there’s this thread of cautious hope running through it that makes you believe maybe, just maybe, something beautiful is still ahead. Such a strong second book, full of heart, pain, and promise. ["

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May 29, 2025 Verified Purchase

Jennie_reader

Carissa did not disappoint me

"Carissa Broadbent’s The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King is the heart-pounding sequel to The Serpent and the Wings of Night, delivering an intense continuation of Oraya and Raihn’s journey in a world where survival is never guaranteed. This installment deepens the political intrigue, explores the emotional toll of power and betrayal, and raises the stakes for its characters. With a story that blends action, romance, and gothic fantasy, Broadbent masterfully builds on the foundation set in book one, crafting an immersive experience filled with devastating choices, slow-burning tension, and a protagonist forced to redefine her identity in a world that refuses to let her belong. Following the brutal conclusion of the Kejari, Oraya is left reeling. She has lost everything—her place in Vincent’s kingdom, the security of knowing her father’s strength protected her, and the fragile sense of control she had over her destiny. Worse, she is now bound to Raihn, the very man who helped dismantle everything she once knew. Now queen of a kingdom that does not want her, Oraya must navigate the treacherous politics of the vampire court while struggling to hold onto her identity. With the vampire houses still divided and war looming on the horizon, she is forced to decide whether to embrace the ruthless power she has fought so hard to claim or risk being destroyed by those who see her as nothing more than a weakness to exploit. Meanwhile, Raihn, now king, must prove his own worth while grappling with the blood-soaked legacy of his rule. As tensions rise and enemies close in, Oraya and Raihn’s fragile alliance is tested, and their trust is shattered by secrets, betrayals, and the weight of their past choices. With survival at stake, Oraya must ask herself—who is she without Vincent? And can she truly trust the man who stands beside her, even as war threatens to tear them apart? Oraya’s journey in this book is both painful and compelling. In The Serpent and the Wings of Night, she was a survivor, navigating a world that was never meant for her. Now, she is forced to become something more—a ruler. But claiming power does not mean she has truly secured it, and her struggle to balance strength with vulnerability makes her character arc deeply emotional. What makes Oraya so captivating is her internal conflict. She has spent her life believing she was an outsider, and now, even as queen, she remains isolated. Her grief over Vincent is raw and consuming, and she wrestles with the idea of whether she was ever truly loved—or if she was merely a tool Vincent shaped for his own ends. Raihn is a more layered and complex character in this book. While in The Serpent and the Wings of Night he was largely seen through Oraya’s wary perspective, here we get deeper insights into his motivations and regrets. He carries the weight of his violent past, haunted by the choices he has made. Now, as king, he must navigate a world that sees him as an usurper while trying to keep Oraya by his side. His relationship with Oraya is even more complicated in this book. While their romance was built on survival and trust in book one, here, that trust is shattered multiple times. They must learn what it truly means to stand beside each other—not just as allies, but as equals. The tension and angst between them are palpable, making their dynamic even more gripping than before. Even in death, Vincent’s presence is a force in the novel. His legacy shapes Oraya’s every decision, forcing her to question whether she is capable of ruling without his guidance—or if she was merely a weapon he sharpened for his own purposes. The court dynamics in this book are far more intricate, with various houses scheming for power. Oraya must learn who she can trust, and those choices do not come easily. The tension between the vampire factions escalates, and Oraya and Raihn find themselves at the center of a kingdom on the brink of collapse. One of Broadbent’s greatest strengths is her ability to create a world that feels immersive and fully realized. The setting in The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King is darker, more politically charged, and even more dangerous than in the first book. A Court of Betrayal & Power Struggles – The vampire world is no longer just about survival—it is about ruling. The court scenes are filled with tension, manipulation, and the constant threat of assassination. The Expansion of Vampire Lore – This book delves deeper into the different vampire houses, their unique abilities, and the history that divides them. We also learn more about Nyaxia’s influence and the weight of the gods’ power. A More Intimate but Still Brutal World – While The Serpent and the Wings of Night had the Kejari tournament driving the action, this book’s tension comes from the political intrigue and emotional turmoil. There are still battles and deadly encounters, but they are more calculated and personal. Broadbent’s prose is stunning, with poetic descriptions that bring Oraya’s emotions to life. Every interaction between Oraya and Raihn is laced with underlying emotion—pain, longing, fear, and desire. The book balances action with deep character development, making every moment feel important. Oraya’s journey is one of self-discovery—learning who she is beyond Vincent and whether she can truly be a queen in her own right. The court’s scheming and betrayals highlight the dark nature of power and what it takes to rule. While book one built their romance on survival, this book forces Oraya and Raihn to choose each other, despite their doubts and fears Strengths ✔ Deeper Character Exploration – Oraya’s grief, rage, and struggle to find her place make her one of the most compelling fantasy heroines in recent years. ✔ Intense Romance – The dynamic between Oraya and Raihn is even more angsty and layered than before, with moments of heartbreak and tenderness. ✔ High-Stakes Political Intrigue – The vampire court is ruthless, and Oraya must learn to navigate it without losing herself. ✔ Beautiful Writing – The prose is atmospheric and emotional, making every scene feel immersive. ✔ Satisfying Continuation – This sequel does not suffer from middle-book syndrome—it deepens the story and sets up the series’ next phase. The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King is a dark, emotionally charged sequel that delivers on character depth, political intrigue, and romance. Oraya’s journey from an outsider to a queen is breathtakingly painful yet beautifully written, and Raihn’s struggle to balance power with love adds another layer of depth to their relationship. With its gothic atmosphere, morally gray characters, and heart-wrenching choices, this book is a must-read for fans of The Crowns of Nyaxia series. ["

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February 26, 2025 Verified Purchase

Momsterwithanosering

Would read again

"4/5 Overall 3/5 Spice I devoured this book in two days, it was that good. The beginning was a little annoying but understandable. I enjoyed that it was in both the main characters points of views, it was nice to see Raihns side of things. There were some things that I found boring to read near the ending parts of the book that honestly seemed irrelevant but I assume it was for closure to Oraya... I do admire the love that the main characters have for each other and look forward to the next book in the series. Overall, I would definitely read this again! ["

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April 17, 2026 Verified Purchase

DragonCeres

Too slow. Lacked the excitement of the first book.

"I'm so sad that I didn't love this book as much as the first one. The first one was such a delight, with a strong, badass heroine and plenty of fast-paced, heart-pounding action. But this? This one was slow as molasses and quite repetitive. First of all, this book is over 600 pages, and it can probably be 200 pages less. I honestly could've done without Raihn's POV. Normally, I like some pages devoted to the male love interest's POV but this one had way too much, and most of it was overly sappy. Like I get it, he's in love with Oraya and would do anything for her, but do I need to be reminded of that half a dozen times? No, not really. He's simping a tad too hard for Oraya. As for Oraya, her tough times are more understandable. She literally revived the person who ended up killing her father, who's lied to her her entire life. Her relationship with Vincent is the saving grace for this book and why it has three stars. I kept flipping the pages just for any hint of more Vincent and his past and his story, and at the end, his love for Oraya broke my heart. He's honestly the perfect example of someone who's not perfect but who tried his best, even if that best hurt Oraya terribly. The plot moved at a snail's pace honestly, and nothing really picked up until the last twenty percent, and the worldbuilding was almost nonexistence. It's kind of hard to care about the kingdom when we don't know much about it. The world, and the cities, just don't have that lived-in feel. Everything feels a little too convenient whenever it happened. I'm glad though that Raihn and Oraya's main storyline is wrapped up and the author didn't drag it out over four books. Anyway, highly recommend the first book, but this one, not as much. ["

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May 16, 2023 Verified Purchase