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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent
⭐️ 3.5 stars
This sequel didn’t quite live up to the first book. The pacing dragged with too much politics, and the romance leaned heavily on frustrating miscommunication. They were way too horny even in the middle of a war, and the constant enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers felt like whiplash. I did like how Raihn treated Oraya as his equal, but Oraya could’ve pushed harder to sabotage him to really lean into the “enemies” part.
The real highlight for me was her morally gray father—someone who loves deeply but is still capable of terrible things. That conflict hit hard, and going through it with Oraya was such a good experience.
Now I’m just curious what’s going to happen when Nyaxia finally decides to cash in on that revenge.
⭐️ 3.5 stars
This sequel didn’t quite live up to the first book. The pacing dragged with too much politics, and the romance leaned heavily on frustrating miscommunication. They were way too horny even in the middle of a war, and the constant enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers felt like whiplash. I did like how Raihn treated Oraya as his equal, but Oraya could’ve pushed harder to sabotage him to really lean into the “enemies” part.
The real highlight for me was her morally gray father—someone who loves deeply but is still capable of terrible things. That conflict hit hard, and going through it with Oraya was such a good experience.
Now I’m just curious what’s going to happen when Nyaxia finally decides to cash in on that revenge.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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:
Complicated
I loved the first book, so continuing the series was an easy choice. I was excited to see how this story unfolded, and I wasn’t let down.
The pacing worked well for me. I prefer fast moving books, and Carissa’s writing style makes the story easy to follow and engaging. The dual POV across chapters was perfect. It gave me a real sense of what Raihn and Oraya were feeling and thinking. I only wish we had chapters from other perspectives, especially Mische, as I love her character!
The ending landed hard. It was satisfying but left a dark, worrying cloud hanging over the love story. That tension makes me even more eager to see where the rest of the series goes.
The pacing worked well for me. I prefer fast moving books, and Carissa’s writing style makes the story easy to follow and engaging. The dual POV across chapters was perfect. It gave me a real sense of what Raihn and Oraya were feeling and thinking. I only wish we had chapters from other perspectives, especially Mische, as I love her character!
The ending landed hard. It was satisfying but left a dark, worrying cloud hanging over the love story. That tension makes me even more eager to see where the rest of the series goes.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️.5
I enjoyed the first book, but the second part of Raihn & Oraya's romance was even better. I loved the romance, the action and intrigue, the side characters, and excellent world building. It was the perfect balance of fantasy and romance. I think Carissa Broadbent is one of my all-time favorite fantasy authors. She is brilliant!
I also enjoyed how complex Oraya's feelings were for her father. It was such a complicated relationship. He really loved her, but he did some horrible things and wasn't the best father. There were so many reveals about Vincent that made it even more heartbreaking. I really appreciated Oraya's character arc in this book.
I LOVED Raihn!!! He is such a cinammon-roll vampire and the way he adores Oraya was beautiful.
I can't wait to continue the series.
🌶️🌶️.5
I enjoyed the first book, but the second part of Raihn & Oraya's romance was even better. I loved the romance, the action and intrigue, the side characters, and excellent world building. It was the perfect balance of fantasy and romance. I think Carissa Broadbent is one of my all-time favorite fantasy authors. She is brilliant!
I also enjoyed how complex Oraya's feelings were for her father. It was such a complicated relationship. He really loved her, but he did some horrible things and wasn't the best father. There were so many reveals about Vincent that made it even more heartbreaking. I really appreciated Oraya's character arc in this book.
I LOVED Raihn!!! He is such a cinammon-roll vampire and the way he adores Oraya was beautiful.
I can't wait to continue the series.
I had read a review and expected to be saddened by this book, as the reviewer was shall we say not impressed. I actually loved it! I loved how Oraya's Journey was emotionally based, how the author showed grief and guilt and rage and anger and fear, but still love. I am being vague, because it is the 2nd book, and I have been known to give spoilers. I loved Rhains, relationship with Miche, their bond, as two turned Vampires who still had their humanity, but also had the animalistic urges of a Vampire. Both of them are a testament that just because you had awful, acts done to you, you can make better choices. Also I love the addition of Vale, and i am excited to read the novella and the third book in the series.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
This was such a wonderful conclusion to the duology of Oraya and Raihn! I was obviously NOT looking forward to the fact that we had this beautiful arc in book 1 where these two were falling for each other only to have Raihn's truth come out and break what they had started. My heart FELT for Oraya. There were so many betrayals towards her at the end of book 1- Raihn and then of course Vincent. Her father who she thought she knew but she really didn't. Oraya was on the literal struggle bus of emotions at the beginning of this one. Back in her old house that has now been taken over by the rival vampire clan- the clan that she now happens to be Queen over. Watching her learn, understand and then overcome her truths was a sight to be hold. And then we have Raihn- whose heart was broken because of what he had to do. Raihn who still loved Oraya and wasn't sure if he would ever get to experience what he had with her. Raihn who realized he had another shot. Watching these two come back together to fight a common enemy. To stand up for the right thing. To create a revolution of sorts was perfect. There was still a great amount of adventure in this one. We learned a lot more about the other Kingdoms. I felt like Carissa did a great job of opening up the world even more. And once again the yearning between these two was FIRE!
Oraya feels lost. She thought she had endured a lot. She thought she had overcome a lot, but then her heart was basically ripped out of her chest. The man she was falling for. The man she sacrificed herself for betrayed her unlike anything she has experienced. And then to top it off her "father" Vincent also hadn't told her her whole truth- like the fact that she was his heir. Now Oraya is married to her would be lover and queen of a clan of vampires that have been her enemies for YEARS. How did this happen? How is she supposed to act like all is well when she is in a room with her enemies? Except despite everything Raihn has done she still cares for him. She still wants him, but they can't go there. But the more time she spends in the castle, the more she realizes all is not as it seems. Raihn seems to be uncomfortable with his court. Like there are things going on behind the scenes that could be detrimental to what he is trying to achieve. And then the unthinkable happens- a coup. And Oraya realizes she would stop at nothing to save Raihn. Once again sacrificing herself if she needed to. And now they are a team again. Things are feeling right with the world minus the fact that a god like object is now in the hands of their enemies. The ones that are trying to take over. Luckily Vincent left a trail of a secret weapon for Oraya. One that will save them and maybe give her and Raihn a chance to make the kingdom how they had dreamed it could be.
Raihn is at a loss. By doing whta he did at the end of the Kejari, he has lost the love of his life- Oraya. And yet she is here. She is his but only in title. He wants her to be his because she wants to be. He doesn't know if that will ever happen, but he knows that he will not make her feel more like a prisoner than she already feels. So he lets her in. He lets her be part of the discussion of their broken kingdom. He lets her in on his vision for what he wants. How he wants their clans to be united. But he doesn't tell her that there is an undercurrent from the nobles in his clan. People who don't see him as queen. And then when he thinks he is finally making progress, betrayal hits and he finds himself at their mercy once again. Until Oraya comes to save him. And now things have really shifted between them. It is clear she cares for him and she wants things with him, but he has given her space to process all that has changed. Now with her by his side for real he feels that they can conquer the evil that is coming for them. He realizes the mistakes he made. He just wants to make them right so he can love her in a peaceful place.
I liked the amount of adventure in this one! Again I felt like we got a wider shot of the world. I LOVED how patient Raihn was with Oraya. He was as sweet as he could be without her getting a little vicious at him. And when she finally gave him an opening watching them reconnect was magical. The world wasn't right here without them in it together. I liked the setup for the next duet and am excited to read all about Mische's journey. If you haven't read this duet or any book in this world- I highly recommend it! It's the perfect blend of forbidden love and adventure with mythology thrown in.
Oraya feels lost. She thought she had endured a lot. She thought she had overcome a lot, but then her heart was basically ripped out of her chest. The man she was falling for. The man she sacrificed herself for betrayed her unlike anything she has experienced. And then to top it off her "father" Vincent also hadn't told her her whole truth- like the fact that she was his heir. Now Oraya is married to her would be lover and queen of a clan of vampires that have been her enemies for YEARS. How did this happen? How is she supposed to act like all is well when she is in a room with her enemies? Except despite everything Raihn has done she still cares for him. She still wants him, but they can't go there. But the more time she spends in the castle, the more she realizes all is not as it seems. Raihn seems to be uncomfortable with his court. Like there are things going on behind the scenes that could be detrimental to what he is trying to achieve. And then the unthinkable happens- a coup. And Oraya realizes she would stop at nothing to save Raihn. Once again sacrificing herself if she needed to. And now they are a team again. Things are feeling right with the world minus the fact that a god like object is now in the hands of their enemies. The ones that are trying to take over. Luckily Vincent left a trail of a secret weapon for Oraya. One that will save them and maybe give her and Raihn a chance to make the kingdom how they had dreamed it could be.
Raihn is at a loss. By doing whta he did at the end of the Kejari, he has lost the love of his life- Oraya. And yet she is here. She is his but only in title. He wants her to be his because she wants to be. He doesn't know if that will ever happen, but he knows that he will not make her feel more like a prisoner than she already feels. So he lets her in. He lets her be part of the discussion of their broken kingdom. He lets her in on his vision for what he wants. How he wants their clans to be united. But he doesn't tell her that there is an undercurrent from the nobles in his clan. People who don't see him as queen. And then when he thinks he is finally making progress, betrayal hits and he finds himself at their mercy once again. Until Oraya comes to save him. And now things have really shifted between them. It is clear she cares for him and she wants things with him, but he has given her space to process all that has changed. Now with her by his side for real he feels that they can conquer the evil that is coming for them. He realizes the mistakes he made. He just wants to make them right so he can love her in a peaceful place.
I liked the amount of adventure in this one! Again I felt like we got a wider shot of the world. I LOVED how patient Raihn was with Oraya. He was as sweet as he could be without her getting a little vicious at him. And when she finally gave him an opening watching them reconnect was magical. The world wasn't right here without them in it together. I liked the setup for the next duet and am excited to read all about Mische's journey. If you haven't read this duet or any book in this world- I highly recommend it! It's the perfect blend of forbidden love and adventure with mythology thrown in.
adventurous
emotional
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:
Complicated