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theromantasyresearcher 's review for:
The Serpent and the Wings of Night
by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
dark
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
Title: The Serpent & the Wings of Night
Author: Carissa Broadbent
Genre: Dark Romantasy
Age Category: Adult
Publication Date: Aug 2022
Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king Vincent, learned how to survive in a world where she is nothing but prey. Her only chance to becoming something more than that is to enter the Kejari, a tournament held by the goddess of death herself. To win she must not only survive, but she is forced to make an alliance. Raighn is a ruthless vampire, enemy to her father's crown, and her greatest competition. Yet she finds herself drawn to him. There is no room for compassion in the Kejari and as war brews for the House of Night, Oraya is shattered by what she learns. Raihn may understand more Oraya more than anyone else, but their growing connection could be her downfall in a world where love is the deadliest thing. There is a reason this series is so hyped and it is valid.
This was my first Carissa Broadbent book and I loved her style. The prologue and interludes leave you with so many questions that she slowly answers (but there are others that she has left me hanging with still, grr). The pacing in the beginning was a bit slow, but it is a new world she is trying to introduce you to so it makes sense that it takes some time. As soon as the Kejari started though, the pacing exponentially increased. Raign is such a good MMC. I love that while he is your typical tall, tattooed MMC, he isn't broody and that was perfection. His sarcastic, witty personality is such a good change of pace for dark romantasy books. The twists at the final third of the book had me shook. The final 100 pages were a complete sprint. I honestly don't know if I moved for those last 100 pages.
I was apprehensive about how this book was going to be. I wanted it to be fun yet dark with some good action. It was that and more. If the plot of a book doesn't shake me to my core and make me feel all the emotions, then it simply wasn't a good book. This was an amazing book. I was hooked early on, couldn't bring myself to set it down at some points, and genuinely was shocked by the crazy twists. I do not know what will happen next and that is the literal best thing I can get from a book.
I wholeheartedly recommend this series. This book is compared to the Hunger Games meets Twilight and it so is. You can't help but love the characters and want them to get a happy ending. Not only that but the plot hooks you and doesn't let you go. Definitely a fun read and very worth it.
No context quote #1: "Nothing matters but this, Oraya. Nothing. Step over temporary barriers. Once you win, the world is yours. That is the time for dreaming. But this? This is the time for conquering."
No context quote #2: "I would beg for him, too. Cut myself open like an animal for dissection. He held me open that way, not just my body but my soul, too."
Rating 4/5