Reviews with content warning for Slavery - The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5

This sequel to The Serpent and the Wings of Night did not disappoint. If anything, it left me even more eager to continue reading stories from this world.

Oraya's entire world has fallen apart, and it's all due to one person: Raihn.

The one person she thought she could trust but who betrayed her in the most horrendous way.

Oraya barely knows who she is anymore, and as she lives in the heart of enemy territory, that makes her even more vulnerable. The last thing Oraya wants to do is work with Raihn, but in order to save her kingdom, she just might have to create an alliance with the person she trusts the least.

I know this is somewhat controversial, but I loved this novel! I thought it was a great continuation of book 1 and allowed Oraya and Raihn growth as individuals and as a couple. Their slow burn into trusting each other again was so sweet. I loved having both their POVs to see how each one felt in the aftermath of the Kejari. I also found it intriguing to see how much of an influence Vincent truly had on Oraya and was cheering her on as she discovered herself through finding out more about her mother.

I love how Carissa Broadbent is doing a full series of books but releasing them as "duets" so we get to see multiple books focused on a certain character or two but still get to read about them as side characters in upcoming novels. And, while you don't necessary have to read the novella Six Scorched Roses to understand either book in this duet, I highly recommend reading it before or after The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King.

This world is so rich! I thoroughly enjoyed exploring it in this novel and can't wait to dive into it even more as Carissa expands it.

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literarymary95's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

3.5

This felt a little better than the first book for sure, but it didn't wow me.

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radiergummi15's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I didn't expect to like this more than the first book, but here I am. Love the way this story does not shy away from complicated emotions while still making the characters pretty loveable, something I would not have thought possible after the ending of the first book. Again, I think this series is especially good with its themes (which I would describe as emancipation and identity) and the parent-child dynamic is still a 10/10.

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spatterson7's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

5.0

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mj_86's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional 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

4.25

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paperbacksandsnacks's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

This book started off a little slow for me. I think because I loved the romance of the previous story I found it hard when they became enemies 🥲 and I had to wait for the love story to properly enter the building again. Although don’t get me wrong I loved the simmering tension underneath the hatred.

When this picked up about the 50% mark though my goodness. It did not stop. I loved the journey of self discovery in this book for Oraya. The way Raihn started uncovering details of her family and the connections she made were a great wrap up element of this duology. The friendships like the previous book were also beautiful, and honestly I just can’t fault the romance. The bond between Raihn and Oraya was gorgeous and made my heart so warm. The way he loved her and would do anything to see her succeed or happy. Honestly what a dreamy man.

Again, fight scenes though usually not my thing were executed well throughout this. I found myself holding my breath and getting really close to the page as I was so absorbed and anxious to see what would happen.

The ending too, I just adored it! I liked that there was still a bit of mystery and tension for us to read about in the other duologies (I hope). And I’m excited to read about some of the other side characters as the series as a whole progresses.

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khymihr's review

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

3.75

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romywrites's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-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

4.5

I was able to get a copy before it's official re-release through Edelweiss. I was absolutely ecstatic.

While there were a few technical issues I found to be perplexing or frustrating, I still enjoyed this journey. One issue I did not have was likeable characters. I'm still excited to read more. I read and needed to know more.

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