Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

67 reviews

mariahlynnpeck's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense 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

5.0

Just when I thought Oraya and Raihn story couldn’t get any better. This book has a slower burn in the beginning but it ended so well. This book kept me on my toes. Dare I say it’s better than the first? 
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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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jordan_welch's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.0

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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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whittiebee's review against another edition

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adventurous 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? Yes

4.0

Loved that even though there are 6 books in this series (2 published and 4 to come + two off shoot but still related (six scorched roses & slaying the vampire conquer)) it felt like a lot was resolved in this book. A common gripe I have with long series is the inevitable dragging of some plots and I feel as though Carissa Broadbent’s decision to focus on other main characters stories through the remaining books while still keeping Raihn & Oraya in the books to come just not as our narrators will be a good chance to keep the story fresh as we see the perspectives of other characters. Really excited for Mische’s book!
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romywrites's review

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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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nikkissaw'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? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Loved it! Better than book 1.
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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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sbordo's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

4.5

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