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The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

39 reviews

jnterhune's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Found this one really fun and invested in. Really enjoyed it. Big developments and plot twists that never saw coming really wraps up the stories and plots. Gave everything the first was missing. Excited for the third. Only complaint I felt there was a lot of build and then the ending which was a good ending I just felt it hit fast and kinda killed it but was still really good

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scoto435's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious 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

4.5

2.5🌶️
This book was what I wanted the first book to be. There is still a lot that could be expanded on (with the gods) but the world building finally was in reach.
I loved the character arcs, banter, quotes and story twists throughout this book, and was much more invested than the first.
This book to me had a lot more action being enacted v. Telling people about actions that “could happen” which was a nice change from book 1. Instead of hearing about raw power it was seen and used.

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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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chasie_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

So fucking good. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6315097254

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lauracatereads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

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

4.0

Oh Raihn Ashraj 🥰

I’m going to be completely honest, it wasn’t with great anticipation or enthusiasm that I picked up TAASCK. Don’t get me wrong, I loved TSATWON, but I wasn’t chomping at the bit for a sequel. Two things got me though: a) the cliffhanger & b) the magic/mythology system that Charissa has designed. I’ll say c) the characters, too, because how great are Mische & Raihn?!?

Oraya continued to annoy me a lot, although her grief was certainly appropriate in the first 1/5 of the book. I’d be mad as hell to find out I was half-vampire and my father lied to me all olong to protect his own grasp on power. Her squane with Raihn, however, was outright annoying. You either hate him because he killed your dad, or you don’t. And let’s be honest here, you don’t! So quit trying to be self-righteous when it comes to the hottest vampire king on the block.

That being said, I liked the way this one was wrapped up! The full circle back to Nyaxia and the Coriatis bond was great and I LOVED the addition of this new goddess, Acaeja. I also thoroughly enjoyed the background we got to see of Oraya’s mom and family, but did wish it could’ve been explored a little more. Perhaps not leaving the introduction of Oraya’s aunt Alya until the pivotal eleventh hour would’ve been nice. Just saying.

I’m excited for Mische’s story, and wish she hadn’t been criminally underused in this book. I felt like she had a much larger role in TSATWON? Maybe that was just my perspective though. Her story is tragic and I’d thoroughly enjoy more from her. While I can’t say I have any significant interest in reading further Nyaxia books from Vale or anyone else’s perspective, I’d pick up a Mische story! She gives me great Medusa vibes, but like if Medusa was a ray of the purest sunshine.

Honestly don’t have much else to say, other than OMG we got another goddess of the White Pantheon!

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_verena_'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad 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 was hoping for a major revenge arc. What I got was not exactly what I was hoping for, but it was AMAZING.
I couldn't put this book down, and when I did, I picked it up again soon. It was like I was hypnotized. Carissa Broadbent is a FUCKING SORCERESS!

Book 2 confirmed this Series as one of my all time favorites! The emotions, the heartbreak, the character development!!! 😭😭 I'm just so into it and with them, every step of the way. It feels like I'm so involved in this.
What I'm trying to say:
WELL DONE CARISSA BROADBENT
(well done doesn't even do it justice though)
However: I'm about to soak up every other book this brilliant woman wrote. She definitely made it into the elite clique of my all time favorite authors.

Back to the book review:
⚠️ There will be SPOILERS ahead ⚠️
You've been warned! ⚠️

I'll start with the things I didn't like (yes there have been some, although they were far too minor to taint this 5 star review):
- the map: while it's beautifully illustrated and all - Whats the point of a map, when there many of the places are missing? Like for example Lahor! Why is it not on there?
- the use of "There she is" was just too much 🙄 #sorrynotsorry
-

Oraya asking to be granted the Coriatis Bond, with half dead Raihn. Why didn't she ask Nyaxia for him to survive/be healed? Plus: shouldn't that be a decision made by BOTH of them, I mean it's this super grand forever bond... And yes, he told her he loved her and she couldn't stand the thought of a world without him, but still...
The non-consensuality about this, is what doesn't sit right with me. Especially when Raihn always asks for her consent (which I LOVE about this series - don't worry, I'll talk about the spice in a minute), even when he senses her arousal, he still asks...

Now to what I LIKED aka a mix of thoughts and quotes:

- The Coriatis Bond: I'm not the biggest fan of the trope of fated bonds between people (although there are some well executed ones, looking at you ACOMAF). However, I love idea of a bond like that being created between two hearts, two souls, BY CHOICE. It just combines the best of both worlds: being bonded to the person you love more than anything, but by your free will

- This was the moment I realized, maybe they can be together:

... Oraya didn’t need to be saved. She just needed a soul beside her on the dark walk to her own potential...
(36% - Raihn)

- Oraya. ORAYA. just everything. Badass, kickass queen. That's all I'm gonna say, she's my girl 💪

- the spice is SO next level in this book, I can't 🥵🥵 and the mixed in heartbreak 😭 omg, please give me a paper bag to breathe into:

... “Let me make you the queen that you are. Let me guard your body, your soul, your heart. Let me spend the rest of my fucking pathetic life at your mercy. If I need to die, then let me do it by your hand. Please.”...

... “And for fuck’s sake, princess, I’m begging you, let me go to my knees for you.”...

... He worked at me like his singular purpose in life was to wring the most pleasure from my body...

... “I hate you,” I choked out. But the words weren’t an admonishment. They were weak, sad, bare.
They did not say, I hate you because you killed my father.
They said, I hate you because I let you hurt me.
I hate you because I grieved you.
I hate you because I don’t...

- Raihn: I wanted to see him dead after book 1. But the way Carissa (can I call you Carissa?🙏) weaved this love story so delicately from pain, heartbreak and hatred to desire, friendship and biggest love, was just amazing. So emotionally comprehendable and satisfying!

- In general: I love the (emotional) complexity of this series. It's not just black and white, it's all kind of shades of grey

- Vincent: I'm glad we got more of his (and by extension Orayas) back story. However, I still feel like something is... missing? I don't know, maybe I still need a POV Vincent book 🙏

- Jesmine: another character I'd like to have a standalone book, such a badass 💪🙏

I could write so much more about this, I highlighted so many quotes (which I usually don't do a lot), but I just want to go ahead and start the "Slaying the Vampire Conquer"...

One last quote aka one of the many definitions of True Love:

... A week without touching him, and I missed him. Months without his friendship, and I missed him.
It wasn’t about a week. It wasn’t even about sex...

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hollymileham's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional slow-paced

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

3.25

god this sent me into a slump i dont really know why i really liked it at first but i was just so busy and then every time i went back to read it i was bored but at least its done now. i feel like the first book was loads better this was so slow paced for a fantasy book with this much action, i'll still read the rest of the series but idk

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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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savvyrosereads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

Rating: 5/5 stars

Oraya and Raihn’s story continues in the sequel to THE SERPENT AND THE WINGS OF NIGHT.

I loved this one and was entertained the entire way through! I feel like I can’t say a ton about the plot without spoilers, but RAIHN, my HEART. He was such a standout here, and getting a dual POV kept me so invested. I also loved the glimpses of Vale and Lilith after being introduced to them in SIX SCORCHED ROSES.

Overall, I really like this duology and the world Carissa Broadbent has created—it has romance, action, and political intrigue, and I was super invested by the end. I’m intrigued by what with come next with book three (which starts off the Shadowborn Duet) and I’m excited to read that one in November!

CW: Violence; blood/injury; death of parent

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howboutjane's review against another edition

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challenging emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book was so beautiful 🥹

Carissa said she wanted to bring the main story to a satisfying & emotional close and she DID THAT 😫👏🏽. Character development was top notch, the emotions were emotioning. I cried..mutiple times.. happy tears + sad ones. There were some bffr moments, but honestly overall it was a vibe. 10/10.

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