Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

218 reviews

natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Vampires are back with a bang in this breathtakingly pacy and deliciously addictive fantasy from Carissa Broadbent. Blending heart-stopping action and slow burn romance with a plot twisty, Hunger Games style premise that had me utterly HOOKED! 

The world-building was (to paraphrase Mary Poppins) practically perfect: vividly descriptive without slowing down the plot with unnecessary exposition, but also not too fast that the story (or our characters’ progression) feels rushed either— an impressive feat that even the most well established authors often struggle with. 

But not Broadbent, who navigates her way through intricately woven character arcs and shocking plot twists like a literary Machiavelli; pulling strings and stealing hearts with her evocative prose. 

I’m also happen to be a sucker for well written characters so loved the attention to detail (and three dimensionality) we see in protagonists Oraya and Raihn as they navigate the complex and brutal vampire hierarchy, it’s never ending power struggles and life-threatening court intrigues. 

As a human raised by a Vampire King (after the death and destruction of her entire village), Oraya has learned to survive in a world that only sees her as prey. So exploring her compelling & resilient journey, alongside the scorchingly intense attraction building between her and rival contestant Raihn was marvellous! 

The enemies turned reluctant allies were both in depth and engaging characters who, surprisingly, have waay more in common than I first thought. But I also loved some of the supporting cast too, particularly Mische, whose perky, sunshine-y demeanour had me rooting for them every step of the way too! 

I don’t want to spoil anything (particularly Raihn’s heartfelt disclosure of his past) so all I will say is that I enjoyed getting to explore both of their poignant backstories, flaws and conflicted inner feelings - as they attempt to fight their way to victory.

Overall, an enthrallingly intense, vampire centric Romantasy that fans of Hunger Games, True Blood or Buffy The Vampire Slayer should definitely consider checking out. 

And also, a huge thank you to Pan MacMillan and Bookbreak for the stunning PB copy.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Torture

Minor: Slavery, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Self harm

shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, Gore, Body horror, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence

Moderate: Torture, Ableism, Slavery, War, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Confinement, Grief, Self harm, and Child death

username_niika's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Violence, Death, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Death of parent and War

mj_86's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Death

Moderate: Murder, Sexual assault, and Rape

Minor: Death of parent and War

tabeahaefliger's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really don‘t know how to explain my feelings towards this book 😭 
Somehow I loved every second of it and I wasn’t bored at all but otherwise something was just missing idk 😩 
This book had so much potential and like I said I loved it none the less but to me personally the story and characters felt pretty shallow like there could’ve been sooo much more input and so much more to the romance as well! It felt rushed sometimes 
Still I also really enjoyed the writing and the plot over all (can never go wrong with vampires excuse me???)

Also I might have shed a tear here and there🙃

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death, and Blood

Moderate: Torture, Death of parent, and Sexual violence

maddiegrace2002's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Death, and Blood

Moderate: War

_verena_'s review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I loved this book, I simply couldn't put it down.
Oraya emotional journey was so raw and relatable, I'm so heartbroken for her!

I hated the ending tough! Wtf!

I mean, why the fuck did they get married? He lied to her, made her feel safe, just to abuse her confidence like that!
I really need a serious relentless + brutal revenge arc in the next book!

Plus: I need to know more about Vincent, whose story we learn almost nothing about. To me he was the most interesting character, I loved the mystery that surrounded him.
I request a prequel about Vincents life, pretty please 🙏

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Genocide, Violence, Body shaming, Colonisation, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Medical trauma, Murder, Slavery, War, Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Torture

andieobrien99's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I absolutely loved this book!! 
I think this could be the first fantasy book where I actually liked pretty much majority of the characters! 

It’s definitely a fantasy book in every sense of the word. Vampires, Humans, Magic. The story kept you intrigued and it kept you wanting more. I don’t know how many nights I ended up staying awake because I didn’t want to put it down! 

I loved Mische, Oraya, Raihn, Vincent etc. 
I’m excited to read book 2! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Rape, Murder, Death of parent, Violence, and Blood

tabea1409's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, War, Blood, Death, Murder, Rape, Genocide, Slavery, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Grief, Kidnapping, Self harm, and Sexual content

juliesleseecke's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Torture, Sexual harassment, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Self harm, Sexual assault, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Alcohol