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adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Potential spoilers for the Crown of Nyaxia series.
I enjoyed this story, I liked how it was different from the other books that take place in this same world but still felt connected.
The magic system for the Arachessen was interesting and kept me engaged.
I didn’t feel as satisfied at the end of this book compared to other books from the same author. The ending felt almost the same as The Ashes of the Star Cursed King.
I liked that this book was set in a different location than the other books, giving more world building to this universe as a whole.
I’m confused though how this is going ti be a stand alone book when it the other books in this universe are centered around the idea of humans and vampires living together.
I enjoyed this story, I liked how it was different from the other books that take place in this same world but still felt connected.
The magic system for the Arachessen was interesting and kept me engaged.
I didn’t feel as satisfied at the end of this book compared to other books from the same author. The ending felt almost the same as The Ashes of the Star Cursed King.
I liked that this book was set in a different location than the other books, giving more world building to this universe as a whole.
I’m confused though how this is going ti be a stand alone book when it the other books in this universe are centered around the idea of humans and vampires living together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, War
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
No
Important to note:
- This book #2.5 in the Crowns of Nyaxia series and is also part of the Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers - a collection of standalone novels by various authors
- I have not read the any other book by Carissa Broadbent, but I will
- I have not and, likely will not, read any of the other Mortal Enemies books
I came across this book while browsing for new releases on this website. I have always had a weak spot for vampire fiction and fiction involving fierce assassin heroines, so a combination of that (including sexual content) sounded like something that I might enjoy when in the right mood. And that was true! While I was a bit slow to get into it, but I was hooked after about 100 pages.
Funnily enough, the first novel from the Crowns of Nyaxia is on my TBR list (and has been for a bit), but I did not register that this novel was set in the same universe/series. So, this novel had to set up the entire world for me in order to understand what was happening. Enough is explained in this novel for it to work as a standalone, especially as you are experiencing it all through Sylina's perspective, who has a limited knowledge of Obitraens, the Houses, their politics and internal strife. is set in Glaea, while book 1 and 2 are set in Obitraens, which is a different continent, divided into three kingdoms: House of Shadow, House of Night, and House of Blood.
That being said - this book is not that special. That is not to say that I did not thoroughly enjoy it. In fact, I stayed up reading it, which rarely happens these days (due to work and other responsibilities). But I have read a lot of similar narratives at this point, where some of those have managed to surprise me or provided twists, this one was wholly predictable and reminiscent of other narratives. This is not bad and doesn't even really matter as I did enjoy it, but that is the explanation behind my rating. Furthermore - this book has a lot of points where I was internally screaming 'Show! Don't tell!' - especially in the sex scenes. At times, this completely threw me out of the story. Also, it would be really helpful to have a map of the world Broadbent created, but I don't think there is one (sad!).
Reading and The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King prior to this novel would probably have provided me with a lot of information about the gods - specifically Nyaxia. But I wonder whether it would have lessened the 'enemies to lovers' aspect of it.
Anyway, I read this book in kindle version, but I will be buying it in hardcover as well, to give it a nice spot in my book collection. Take from that what you will :)
- This book #2.5 in the Crowns of Nyaxia series and is also part of the Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers - a collection of standalone novels by various authors
- I have not read the any other book by Carissa Broadbent, but I will
- I have not and, likely will not, read any of the other Mortal Enemies books
I came across this book while browsing for new releases on this website. I have always had a weak spot for vampire fiction and fiction involving fierce assassin heroines, so a combination of that (including sexual content) sounded like something that I might enjoy when in the right mood. And that was true! While I was a bit slow to get into it, but I was hooked after about 100 pages.
Funnily enough, the first novel from the Crowns of Nyaxia is on my TBR list (and has been for a bit), but I did not register that this novel was set in the same universe/series. So, this novel had to set up the entire world for me in order to understand what was happening. Enough is explained in this novel for it to work as a standalone, especially as you are experiencing it all through Sylina's perspective, who has a limited knowledge of Obitraens, the Houses, their politics and internal strife. is set in Glaea, while book 1 and 2 are set in Obitraens, which is a different continent, divided into three kingdoms: House of Shadow, House of Night, and House of Blood.
That being said - this book is not that special. That is not to say that I did not thoroughly enjoy it. In fact, I stayed up reading it, which rarely happens these days (due to work and other responsibilities). But I have read a lot of similar narratives at this point, where some of those have managed to surprise me or provided twists, this one was wholly predictable and reminiscent of other narratives. This is not bad and doesn't even really matter as I did enjoy it, but that is the explanation behind my rating. Furthermore - this book has a lot of points where I was internally screaming 'Show! Don't tell!' - especially in the sex scenes. At times, this completely threw me out of the story. Also, it would be really helpful to have a map of the world Broadbent created, but I don't think there is one (sad!).
Reading and The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King prior to this novel would probably have provided me with a lot of information about the gods - specifically Nyaxia. But I wonder whether it would have lessened the 'enemies to lovers' aspect of it.
Anyway, I read this book in kindle version, but I will be buying it in hardcover as well, to give it a nice spot in my book collection. Take from that what you will :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Blood
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, War
adventurous
dark
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
It got bumped to a 4 stars because of the second last chapter with Nero. It's a good novel but the romance is like one of its weaker points. I would say to read this book if you're looking for good fantasy book with worldbuilding and high stakes.
Also I wish there was some god-slaying in this
Also I wish there was some god-slaying in this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, War
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use
Minor: Child death, Death
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, War, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Abandonment
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Vomit
Minor: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Kidnapping, Grief, Alcohol
Ritual blinding and dismemberment, drowning
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use
Minor: Child death