Scan barcode
A review by amanda_reads13
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
dark
tense
fast-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
4.0
Oraya lives in a world designed to kill her. Rescued and adopted by Vincent, the Nightborn King, she is a human living amongst vampires. In hopes of becoming more than prey, she enters the Kenjari, a tournament held by the goddess of death. During the tournament she meets Raihn, a ruthless and dangerous vampire.
The vampires in this book are savage, bloodthirsty, and brutal. Humans are merely livestock providing a constant flow of blood.
I found Vincent to be a very interesting character. On one hand he was a ruthless killer responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths. Yet on the other hand, he was a protective and caring father. He taught Oraya how to survive in a world that wants her dead.
Oraya wasn't a super original character, but she was very interesting. I enjoyed her arc through the book as she struggled with her feelings about Vincent and Raihn. She loves her father but knows he is a terrible man. She was a strong, clever badass. She was underestimated every step of the way, but showed everything just how brave she was.
Raihn was a confusing character. He came across kind of bland at some points in comparison to the other characters in the book. He was a vampire, yet very unlike any of the other vampires. He was very human like in his behaviour. This is why he and Oraya worked so well together. They balanced each other. She gave him space to embrace his humanity where he spured her to fight harder.
I am interested to see how their relationship progresses into the next book.
I was not a huge fan of the ending. Starting with Oraya winning and onwards. She just betrayed her father like it was nothing. Yes, she had been wrestling with the knowledge of what he had done, but she made a huge decision based on her limited knowledge and feelings for Raihn. Seemed slightly out of character.
Also I would have liked more backstory as to why the two Nighborne Clans were always at war. We got a bit of the history near the end of the book, but I think having that knowledge near the beginning would have been beneficial.
Tropes: vampires, slow burn, badass FMC, forced marriage, enemies to allies to lovers, forced proximity
The vampires in this book are savage, bloodthirsty, and brutal. Humans are merely livestock providing a constant flow of blood.
I found Vincent to be a very interesting character. On one hand he was a ruthless killer responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths. Yet on the other hand, he was a protective and caring father. He taught Oraya how to survive in a world that wants her dead.
Oraya wasn't a super original character, but she was very interesting. I enjoyed her arc through the book as she struggled with her feelings about Vincent and Raihn. She loves her father but knows he is a terrible man. She was a strong, clever badass. She was underestimated every step of the way, but showed everything just how brave she was.
Raihn was a confusing character. He came across kind of bland at some points in comparison to the other characters in the book. He was a vampire, yet very unlike any of the other vampires. He was very human like in his behaviour. This is why he and Oraya worked so well together. They balanced each other. She gave him space to embrace his humanity where he spured her to fight harder.
I am interested to see how their relationship progresses into the next book.
Also I would have liked more backstory as to why the two Nighborne Clans were always at war. We got a bit of the history near the end of the book, but I think having that knowledge near the beginning would have been beneficial.
Tropes: vampires, slow burn, badass FMC, forced marriage, enemies to allies to lovers, forced proximity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Blood, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, and Sexual content