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adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Sylina and Atrius were a good team. She is sent to infiltrate his war camp and kill him, but as they learn to trust and get to know each other, their hate turns to affection. I did wish there had been a little bit more romance.
I liked how they had a different strategy to take each City, it made the fighting more interesting and not so repetitive. Sylina and Atrius were both great warriors. Atrius learned to take advantage of her strengths/abilities instead of expecting her to sit around the camp doing nothing.
The plot twist at the end was a little unexpected. I’d figured there was something weird going on with the Arachessen, but the full extent I hadn’t guessed. Their group was an interesting aspect of the story. Their abilities were cool. Wanted to see more of them working together.
Wanted to see the vampires doing more vampire things. At one point I forgot that Atrius was a vampire. Sylina was the human, but she had/used more powers than Atrius.
Overall this was fast paced and enjoyable. It was a good standalone. Heavy on the fantasy/war and light/medium on the romance. It was slow burn with a couple spicy scenes.
I liked how they had a different strategy to take each City, it made the fighting more interesting and not so repetitive. Sylina and Atrius were both great warriors. Atrius learned to take advantage of her strengths/abilities instead of expecting her to sit around the camp doing nothing.
The plot twist at the end was a little unexpected. I’d figured there was something weird going on with the Arachessen, but the full extent I hadn’t guessed. Their group was an interesting aspect of the story. Their abilities were cool. Wanted to see more of them working together.
Wanted to see the vampires doing more vampire things. At one point I forgot that Atrius was a vampire. Sylina was the human, but she had/used more powers than Atrius.
Overall this was fast paced and enjoyable. It was a good standalone. Heavy on the fantasy/war and light/medium on the romance. It was slow burn with a couple spicy scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
I really loved this book. I received it as a book fairy gift from a TikTok friend, and what a delight it was. I was so pleasantly surprised to find that it was set in the same universe as the crowns of Nyaxia series. It has me wanting to go back and read those books to see if there are any crossovers.
Broadbent’s writing has a lyrical quality to it that had my heart aching with emotion at certain moments. The basic outlines of the plot are fairly predictable but the details on how we get there were enjoyable to read. The action scenes are clear and well-plotted - impossible to out down.
The FMC, Sylina, is sightless, but an incredibly strong warrior and assassin, burdened by a traumatic past. Atrius, the MMC, is the eponymous vampire conqueror: a ruthless warrior with traumas of his own. I really love nothing more in a book than when two characters can see all of the broken edges and sharp angles of one another and, rather than turning away, acknowledge the beauty of the person with all their flaws. There is banter, there is longing, protectiveness… *swoon*
There are two secondary characters that have some nuance. But for the most part, the plot focuses on Sylina and Atrius.
In terms of diverse representation, it is a bit complicated. To the best that I can recall there is no racial diversity. I honestly can’t recall much about how Sylina is described. Sylina is without vision, having sacrificed her eyes as part of the requirements to join the sisterhood that serves her goddess. I’m unsure whether it is appropriate to call this disability representation but it is definitely in that realm. The book spends a lot of time emphasizing how she can still “see” having developed other senses. We also get a brief mention of some sapphic exploration among the sisterhood, though this is not really developed.
From the moment Sylina and Atrius meet, you know where things are headed and the slow burn is quite delicious as they start to let down their guards and fall for one another. When the spice hits, it hits. Chapters 34 and 35 take the reader on such a rollercoaster, through emotional depths to seggs fueled by vulnerability and grief. I read those chapters twice as my partner was home the first time and kept talking to me and I wanted to experience them again the next day with my undivided attention. 😄 The remainder of the book didn’t have much spice as it is focused on action and bringing this standalone plot to a conclusion. But what is there is sweet and spicy. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Broadbent is now an auto-read author for me. If she writes it, I will read it. I can’t wait to read her Daughter of No Worlds series, and anything else she’s written. This book is part of a multi-author series, From Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers, and I definitely want to read the rest of those too. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Broadbent’s writing has a lyrical quality to it that had my heart aching with emotion at certain moments. The basic outlines of the plot are fairly predictable but the details on how we get there were enjoyable to read. The action scenes are clear and well-plotted - impossible to out down.
The FMC, Sylina, is sightless, but an incredibly strong warrior and assassin, burdened by a traumatic past. Atrius, the MMC, is the eponymous vampire conqueror: a ruthless warrior with traumas of his own. I really love nothing more in a book than when two characters can see all of the broken edges and sharp angles of one another and, rather than turning away, acknowledge the beauty of the person with all their flaws. There is banter, there is longing, protectiveness… *swoon*
There are two secondary characters that have some nuance. But for the most part, the plot focuses on Sylina and Atrius.
In terms of diverse representation, it is a bit complicated. To the best that I can recall there is no racial diversity. I honestly can’t recall much about how Sylina is described. Sylina is without vision, having sacrificed her eyes as part of the requirements to join the sisterhood that serves her goddess. I’m unsure whether it is appropriate to call this disability representation but it is definitely in that realm. The book spends a lot of time emphasizing how she can still “see” having developed other senses. We also get a brief mention of some sapphic exploration among the sisterhood, though this is not really developed.
From the moment Sylina and Atrius meet, you know where things are headed and the slow burn is quite delicious as they start to let down their guards and fall for one another. When the spice hits, it hits. Chapters 34 and 35 take the reader on such a rollercoaster, through emotional depths to seggs fueled by vulnerability and grief. I read those chapters twice as my partner was home the first time and kept talking to me and I wanted to experience them again the next day with my undivided attention. 😄 The remainder of the book didn’t have much spice as it is focused on action and bringing this standalone plot to a conclusion. But what is there is sweet and spicy. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Broadbent is now an auto-read author for me. If she writes it, I will read it. I can’t wait to read her Daughter of No Worlds series, and anything else she’s written. This book is part of a multi-author series, From Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers, and I definitely want to read the rest of those too. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, War
Minor: Child death
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, War
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Stars ⭐️=3.5
Spice🌶=1.5
Plot/Tropes📚= Romantic Fantasy, Sent to Kill You, Take over a Kingdom
Pov🧍♀️🧍♂️=Single first person
Recommend👍👎=Yes
KU or Bought🆓💰=KU
TW⚠️💥= Violence, Death, Drug Addiction, War, Violence against children (not graphically depicted), Sexual Content
I enjoyed this book for what it was, it took us on a journey but I feel like it could have gone abit deeper. I got why both the main characters were doing what they were doing I just didn’t feel it as deeply I have in this authors other work.
I felt like some things were just repetitive and I never felt like there was much conflict anywhere even though we were trying to overthrow a whole kingdom. Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed the story and I wanted to see where it went but I don’t think I was fully invested. Maybe it’s because we didn’t get the MMCs perspective so I didn’t really understand his thoughts and feelings throughout, it was just a given and there was no conflict within him (because we didn’t get his POV) so I didn’t understand his feelings towards the FMC that much.
3.5 stars because I had a good time reading, the writing is good and the story is easy to follow, will be helpful if you’ve read the Crowns of Nyaxia series before this though because if not I imagine it would be confusing. Highly recommend those books though, they were my top reads of 2023.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Violence, War
Moderate: Child death
adventurous
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
Now I understand why people love Carissa Broadbent's books. She has a beautiful writing style that is also easy to understand. The recent books I read lacked excitement or were even cringe-worthy, but this one was beautifully written. I would have given it a 5-star rating, but I have to admit that I wasn't initially invested in the story. It took me almost a month to finish because I only became interested when I reached about 40% of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Torture, Vomit
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"Slaying the Vampire Conqueror" is a standalone and an installment of the Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers series. I won't read the other books in the series, but this one caught my interest.
Sylina is part of the (cultish) Arachessen, who devote themselves to the Goddess of Fate, Acaeja, and 'sacrifice' their eyesight in order to see "the entire world". Despite not seeing, Sylina experiences the world through threads, which allows her to see more than the naked eye can. When a vampire conqueror, Atrius, arrives on Glaea's shores, Sylina is tasked with earning his trust, becoming his seer by infiltrating his army, and killing him.
Sylina is part of the (
All of us at the mercy of fate - the mercy of the unknown.
Right away, I was delighted to meet Sylina. She's a little lost and unsure about her place in the world, struggles internally, but is also absolutely badass - a trained assassin. Talk about duality! It was a complex journey for her: the past, her struggles and beliefs, the sisterhood and Sightmother, the war and her mission, and of course Atrius and her growing feelings.
A complicated mess that would cost everybody involved a lot, regardless of what Sylina decides to do.
Atrius was actually surprisingly refreshing; he wasn't your typical "villain", he had his reasons, and he was more... soft? Perhaps not the right word, but he was more human than some others.
You see too much, seer.
I see just enough, conqueror.
There was a lot of action, a few funny bits, a whole lot of tension, and too much heartbreak. Atrius and Sylina had a good connection; something was lacking, but I can't put my finger on it. I liked their "too many?" and "not for us" moments; they were such an entertaining and slaying fighter duo. Who needs an army when you've got these two?
I would've wanted to know more about their future: what happens to Nero, the Arachessen, how is everyone doing, and what about their work ahead? The ending could've been a little more, but it wasn't terrible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Death, Drug use, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Drug abuse
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
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
adventurous
It was good, an easy read. 3.5 is not an insult to me, it means it was a good book. I’m happy to read a good book. I’m also comparing it against the Other Nyaxia books which get 5 stars, so it’s hard to compete! I’d recommend this one to my friends.
I’d say the spice is 🌶️🌶️
For my TW of animal death: At one point the FMC is asked by a supporting male character if they have cats where she is from. Skip a couple paragraphs down when you read that line so you skip that topic.
Every time the FMC needs to seer, she has to do a blood sacrifice so tao times it’s a small woodland creature and one time a lizard. You’ll get a little bit too much detail about the second one, the rabbit. It’s mentioned twice during the seering so I don’t know how to advise you skip it, since the content of the seering is rather important.
As this book includes vampires, there are multiple times that deer are used for their blood for the vampires.
I’d say the spice is 🌶️🌶️
For my TW of animal death: At one point the FMC is asked by a supporting male character if they have cats where she is from. Skip a couple paragraphs down when you read that line so you skip that topic.
Every time the FMC needs to seer, she has to do a blood sacrifice so tao times it’s a small woodland creature and one time a lizard. You’ll get a little bit too much detail about the second one, the rabbit. It’s mentioned twice during the seering so I don’t know how to advise you skip it, since the content of the seering is rather important.
As this book includes vampires, there are multiple times that deer are used for their blood for the vampires.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, War