A review by midnightrose_reads
The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Ashes and the Star Cursed King is the second and final book in the Nightborn duet by Carissa Broadbent. It is in the Crowns of Nyaxia series. This was a good sequel but not the five star read I had expected. I had hoped that the enemies to lovers revenge plot Oraya had towards Raihn that was hinted at at the end of The Serpent and the Wings of Night would last longer than it did.  Instead it sort of fizzles out unfortunately. Oraya and Raihn are a fine couple, if a bit boring.  Having Oraya and Raihn’s POV’s eliminated a lot of the potential tension this book could have had with just Oraya’s. Vincent continues to be the most fascinating and multilayered character in the story. *HIS STORY WITH ORYA’S MOTHER WAS SO INTERESTING* The conflicting emotions Oraya has over the course of the novel about her father the more she learns about his past was really the highlight of the novel for me. The interludes of Raihn’s past  felt repetitive, since we were already told this story by Raihn in the previous book. In the end I felt that the angst and tension in the book was really between Vincent and Oraya and not Oraya and her love interest Raihn.

I’m curious about the next duet in the series (the Shadowborn duet; The Songbird and the Heart of Stone is the name of the first book.) Which is obviously going to be about Mische (Raihn’s friend). I’m interested in seeing what her personality is like away from him. Also Septimus, if I had to guess, is going to be the main character of the last duet which has me VERY excited as it has the possibility of being my favorite duet of the whole series! 

Even though this book wasn’t a five star the first book in this duet certainly was (The Serpent and the Wings of Night) Which is more than enough reason for everyone to definitely pick up this duet! I’ll be checking out the standalone ‘Slaying the Vampire Conqueror’ which is out on April 27 and Six Scorched Roses the novella about Vale and Lilith.
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