The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk: Crowns of Nyaxia, Book 4

trudiecreads

A Dark, Thrilling Fantasy Epic You Won't Want to Put Down

"The Fallen and The Kiss of Dusk by Carissa Broadbent is an absolute masterpiece. I was captivated from the very first page, and by the time I finished, I was left breathless, emotionally wrecked, and desperate for more. This is one of those rare books that seamlessly blends dark fantasy, high stakes, complex characters, and a slow-burn romance that leaves you aching for every moment. The world-building is nothing short of phenomenal. Broadbent has created a world that feels both hauntingly beautiful and deeply dangerous. From the gods who have fallen from grace to the intricate political and magical systems that govern the land, every detail feels well-thought-out and immersive. The world itself is a character, alive with history, tension, and an undercurrent of looming peril that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Whether it’s the dark forests, ancient cities, or the mystical magic that powers everything, I was constantly in awe of the depth of this world. The characters are where this book truly shines. Mische is a fierce, complex woman who has been shaped by both trauma and a desire for vengeance. Her emotional journey is raw, real, and utterly compelling. But it’s her relationship with the enigmatic love interest—Asar—that steals the show. The chemistry between them is palpable, the slow-burn tension building in such a way that you can feel every glance, every touch, every moment of emotional conflict. Their relationship is intense, frustrating, and beautiful, and I found myself completely invested in their journey, both as individuals and as a couple. The romance in The Fallen and The Kiss of Dusk is far from simple—it’s layered with trust issues, betrayal, and a deep, aching connection that transcends everything else. The way Broadbent explores their evolving bond, from distrust to something more profound, was masterful. Their emotional struggles are so well-written that I felt every joy, every heartbreak, and every moment of doubt along with them. The plot is fast-paced and full of twists and turns that kept me constantly guessing. Just when I thought I had a handle on where the story was going, Broadbent threw in a twist that left me gasping. The stakes are incredibly high, and the tension between the characters, the magical forces at play, and the looming threats from every direction kept me hooked from start to finish. The action is intense, the stakes feel life-or-death, and the emotional rollercoaster left me utterly invested in the outcome. What truly elevates this book, though, is the emotional depth. The Fallen and The Kiss of Dusk is more than just a fantasy adventure—it’s a journey of self-discovery, sacrifice, and love. The characters’ growth, especially in terms of trust and vulnerability, is handled with incredible nuance. Broadbent doesn’t shy away from difficult choices or the harsh realities of life in her world. The moments of heartbreak are devastating, and the moments of hope feel earned. Every chapter builds on the last, adding layers to both the plot and the characters. If you love dark fantasy with complex, morally gray characters, a slow-burn romance that will have you holding your breath, and a world that feels as real as it is dangerous, The Fallen and The Kiss of Dusk is a must-read. Carissa Broadbent has crafted a tale that will stay with you long after you finish it, and I cannot wait to see what happens next in this incredible series. It’s an unforgettable journey, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. ["

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September 2, 2025 Verified Purchase

L. Osborn

It’s bleak to, but so good

"I knew this was a “cozy” read without a lot of plot but wow, the sheer lack of plot was surprising to me. And I’m not sure how cozy it was either. Interesting premise of the dream world existing in a state where sleeping people come to buy dreams but I couldn’t stop wondering if the dreamers are the real people, then how are the dream makers and the dream sellers real people too?? ["

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May 9, 2026 Verified Purchase

Chloe Barkow

Better than the last book, but not by much

"It really is unfortunate that I didn’t love this duet as much as the first, especially because I thought Mische was great as a side character in the first books. I feel like both her and Asar were just boring and I couldn’t connect at all with their relationship throughout either book. I gave this book 3 stars because it was better than the first book in the duet (which I gave 2 stars), but still pretty average in that there were some parts I enjoyed and a lot of parts I didn’t. I still have hope that the next duet will be better, since I’ve liked the other 4 books in this world. I did get to a point about 30% in where I was not motivated to keep reading this and would have probably dnfed it if I wasn’t already so invested in this world. I took a solid month and a half break before I mustered up the energy to come back and read the rest of it. Luckily, I think the break helped and after 30-45%, the plot did pick up a lot and became more fun for me to read. I was pleasantly surprised to see Atrius and Sylina (from Slaying the Vampire Conqueror) appear in this book. They did leave very abruptly though and I kind of expected to see them pop up again later. After finishing the book and not seeing any more of them or finding out any of their motivations for helping Mische and Asar, it did kind of feel like they were thrown in unnecessarily just to say they were there. We didn’t really see any of their personalities and they were little more than tour guides through the bloodborn kingdom. Still, I love their characters and will have to reread their book now that I know a bit more about Atrius to see if there are any references I missed originally. Despite not liking this duet, I am still very interested in Septimus’ duet next, especially since this book started to show him in a new light. The epilogue from his POV really solidified that, and I am curious to see what all has happened in the 10-year time gap. Other thoughts in no particular order: - I don’t agree with Nyaxia’s war, but betraying Nyaxia after she did hold up her end of the bargain felt a bit wrong. I think they probably could have worked something else out. I do like Aceja and how she is fighting for peace, but that is beside the point. - I only barely understand why Mische has heir marks now. I am assuming the same thing will happen in the next duet. It made sense with Raihn and Oraya, but feels unnecessary here. Same thing with both of them becoming demigods. - A majority of the spice was unnecessary, boring, and did not improve the story. I got to a point where I was just skipping over it. - Despite Asar’s sister hating him and her goal of being the sole ruler of their kingdom, she just goes along with his plan to not kill him/Mische and become teammates instead, all for a very weak argument that Asar made. On the other hand, one line I thought was very powerful was when Asar realized that he was the villain in his sister’s story, and I think that Egrette could have her own POV novella showing her story and her lover dying due to Asar. It would be sad but I think it could make a good story. - One of the same problems I had with the first book is that there were too many parts that were just confusing. I feel like the author had a vision in her mind but then didn’t write it in a way that I could also see what she’s seeing. I didn’t have this problem at all with the first duet or any of Carissa’s other books, but had this problem with both books in this duet. ["

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January 28, 2026 Verified Purchase

Emily J-H

an emotional rollercoaster

"This book did not stop. It took me through every emotion there is waiting to find out how it would all end up. Mische is one of my favorite FMCs. Through tragedy and battles and overall terrible situations, she manages to show up in a loving manner. She always has a cause and strives to do the best in the face of adversity. I love her friendship with Raihn and his big sad puppy dog face. There was a severe lack of Raihn and Oraya in the last book and this was just barely met the mark of almost enough. Raihn and Oraya loving Mische so much that they welcomed and were civil to Asar (for the most part) spoke buckets of Mische. Asar’s struggle with figuring out the path of most impact without losing everything he loved (even when sacrificing himself for them) really made my hesitations towards him dissipate. Mische and Asar’s depth of love and willingness to sacrifice themselves for the other was a regular theme in this book. It was frustrating and heartwarming and the best/worst. I’m speculating who the third couple will be in the final two books. I am looking forward to seeing how it all wraps up. ["

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August 8, 2025 Verified Purchase