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emilywemily6's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Death, Excrement, Gore, Grief, Body horror, Murder, Sexual content, War, Blood, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
wy_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Tournament stories aren't really my jam which is why I struggled to get in the first book, but this second book was much more my speed. Full of unanswerable questions and seemingly impossible choice, Broadbent managed to tie everything together in a satisfying bow that makes me want to stay with these characters forever. Oraya's journey throughout this book dealing with all of the hardships from the first book was intricate and well-woven. I love Raihn and Oraya so much, and I'm so glad they've found each other by the end and so sad that this is the end of their story in their POV.
Graphic: Murder, War, Death, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Blood
hannahp95's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Gore, Grief, Death, Slavery, Rape, Sexual content, Torture, Cursing, and Vomit
fayemh's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: War, Violence, and Death
Minor: Rape
lexim's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death, War, and Murder
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King" is the sequel and conclusion to the "Crowns of Nyaxia" duet. Following Raihn's brutal murder of Vincent, Oraya's father, he has taken over as king. In an effort to save Oraya's life, he marries her, and he begins his plans to restore the kingdom to a place of harmony and balance between the vampires and the humans. Oraya is livid, and wants nothing to do with Raihn, but she does appreciate the freedom he has granted her. She can finally explore the castle and learn more about herself and all of the things Vincent kept hidden from her. But there are sinister vampires at work who are hellbent on taking Raihn down and keep things the way they have been.
First and foremost, this book took me way too long to get into. The first 350 pages took me two months to read, and I found that very disappointing. I just never wanted to pick it up because I was so bored by everything that was going on. Where the first book dove right into the plot from the beginning, this one attempted to lay a lot more groundwork, which I did not appreciate in a sequel. At this point in the story, I felt like we were ready for action, not meticulous political planning. This book's saving grace is that the last 250 pages I devoured in a morning because I fell back in love with the characters.
The first half of this book, Oraya's character drove me crazy. She acted way too immature, and she lost all of the qualities that made her such a strong female main character. She was blinded by anger at Raihn because he killed Vincent, and I empathize with that. But Raihn gave her countless ways out, and she never took them. She chose to stay in her castle and sulk over Raihn even though she was so clearly in love with him. To that point, Raihn's character was no better. I get that he was trying to appease Oraya and make things better for her any way he could, but he felt too perfect. Oraya continued to push him away every time he showed her kindness, and I feel like at a certain point he would have given up on her.
I normally really enjoy when we get both points of view, especially in a romance, but I am conflicted with this one. We do get the addition of Raihn's perspective in this book, but I do not think it added a ton to the story. I think the book may have been stronger and more engaging if we focused solely on Oraya's point of view.
The second half of the book was EXACTLY what I wanted, and I really did enjoy the ending.
I am still curious about this world, and I will likely pick up the next book when it comes out.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Blood, Gore, Sexual content, Grief, Death, Toxic friendship, Violence, Stalking, Murder, Torture, and War
Moderate: Death of parent and Child death
apolen's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, War, Murder, Death, Grief, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content, Confinement, and Child death
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Slavery, and Death of parent
headinthepages's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
The pacing, scene setting and plot itself are brilliant and engaging in this. It didn’t feel like a longer book and I was riveted the whole way through.
I love the character development that continues from book 1 into book 2, I love these characters so much and hope I get to see them in the other books of the series!
If you love vampires, action & enemies to lovers then get reading!
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Gore, Murder, Slavery, Alcohol, Animal death, Body horror, Kidnapping, Medical content, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, Cannibalism, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Torture, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Violence, and War
casey05's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, Violence, Death, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, War, and Confinement
Minor: Excrement
bzliz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Some dialogue felt clunky and heavy handed with reveals that shocked no one (re: Mische in the wedding party scene). The refusal/inability of Oraya and Raihn to discuss feelings went on for too long in my opinion and it was no longer serving a purpose by the time confessions were made. The buildup to the final battle was well done but
Overall I’m glad I read this and I’m interested in reading more from this author in the future. Mind the content warnings!
Content warnings:
Blood, body horror, death, gore, injury, murder, violence, fire injury (on page):
Grief (on page):
Sexual content (on page):
Emotional abuse, domestic violence, physical abuse: (off & on page):
Alcohol (on page):
Child death (off page):
Death of parent (off page):
Infidelity (off page):
Rape, sexual assault (off page):
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Violence, Body horror, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Rape, Alcohol, Child death, and Death of parent