Plot Overview:
"The Serpent and the Wings of Night: Crowns
of Nyaxia" by Carissa Broadbent is an enthralling blend of dark fantasy
and romance set in a world where vampires and humans are unreconciled and
precarious in their balance. The story revolves around Oraya, a human adopted
and raised by the Vampire King, in a world full of danger, betrayal, and power
struggles. Oraya must survive a deadly tournament known as the Kejari, in which
participants fight to the death to earn the favor of the goddess Nyaxia, using
her intelligence, strength, and complex relationships.
The plot is full of intrigue, with unexpected twists and turns, and simmering romance that captivates the reader. Broadbent creates a terrifying and fascinating world, where survival often comes at a high cost.
Why You Should Buy The Serpent and the Wings of
Night: Crowns of Nyaxia by Carissa Broadbent
If you're a fan of dark fantasy and romance, then
The Serpent and the Wings of Night belongs on your shelf. The novel has it all
in equal parts: rollicking adventure and deep emotional character development.
Oraya, human but raised by a vampire king, finds herself running a gauntlet of
trials and treacherous alliances, bound with an enemies-to-lovers slow burn
that will keep readers up late at night and reaching for more.
Rich, immersive worldbuilding—particularly one that
furnishes a complex universe in which vampires, humans, and gods dance such an
intricate dance of power—is intertwined intricately with the nail-biting
tension of the Kejari tournament to compose a story both exhilarating and
deeply engaging.
Beyond sheer action and romance, themes of identity,
loyalty, and self-discovery bind this all into something more than your usual
fantasy read. Carissa Broadbent's evocative writing style fleshes out this
dark, danger-laden world, and with all the twists and turns in the plot, you
will be sighing for more, awaiting the next installment in the series.
Character Analysis:
Oraya is a strong and determined protagonist but
very vulnerable in the quest to find her place in a world that views her as an
outsider and a threat. Hers is a journey toward self-discovery while learning
to work through the concepts of identity and loyalty to her adoptive father,
with feelings for Raihn, a vampire warrior with secrets and dark experiences.
Raihn himself is also complex, torn between his
intense nature and the humanity that Oraya brings out of him. The novel has
their blooming relationship at its core, and it grows slowly in an organic way
that is just incredibly satisfying.
It's beside these potent supporting characters that
the flesh-out works to add further to the narrative. Take the vampire king: an
intriguing figure of a ruthless ruler who has brought up Oraya, mixing cruelty
with tender care and, from that, creating a tension that drives much of the
story.
Writing Style:
Carissa Broadbent has a lush, evocative writing
style that allows the reader to really be in a world full of vivid description
and intricate detail. Her prose is at once poetic and precise, grasping the
dark beauty of the world she has created. The pacing is well done, with
instances of purely action-oriented points alongside quieter character-driven
scenes for emotion and character development.
What is marvelous is how Broadbent weaves fantasy
with a really deep emotional core. The world-building is intricate, yet it
wouldn't overwhelm; the mythology of Nyaxia and the Kejari is an added layer to
lore that is quite deep for the story.
My Findings
I've read *The Serpent and the Wings of Night:
Crowns of Nyaxia* by Carissa Broadbent, and it would not be a lie to say it is
a very interesting book for every lover of dark fantasy with traces of romance.
What I like the most is that it is action-packed, romantic, and emotionally
charged—a nice twist of words, especially because I did not expect anything
relating to this book. I don't think it would be hard to imagine the richness
in world-building and character development from that key, easily making it
stand out in the crowded genre and calling into memory both *The Hunger Games*
and *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*.
Taking Oraya, a girl saved and brought up by a
vampire king, wouldn't seem hard to imagine her growing into a strong
contender, one of the deadliest in the Kejari Tournament. Her journey is
compelling and gripping. The stakes were high, the tasks she was put through
thrilling yet terrifying, keeping me at the edge of my seat the whole series.
It is not only the characterization for the book, but it also provides themes
of research around trust, family, and the need to find oneself within stark
competition.
Part of the charm is the relationship between Oraya
and Draihn, her unlikely ally and eventual love interest. Their slow-burning
romance comes with a lot of clever repartee and emotional depth, woven
together. The enemies-to-lovers trope works so well in the journey that it ends
with the reader gutted yet satisfyingly filled.
This is really what marks the book as a standout:
all this action, romance, and suspense amid the fully evolved world of vampire
politics and lore. The writing is exquisite, the pacing immaculate—this plot
barreling along like a runaway train. All put together, the trials, the war
that was always simmering on the back burner, the Shakespearean drama between
the characters, everything added together to make this read truly epic.
If you are a fan of richly developed worlds, complex
characters, and a story that keeps you hooked from start to finish, The Serpent
and the Wings of Night is a book you simply can't miss. It is an amazing
combination of fantasy, intrigue, and romance, unusual but terrific in its own
way, and left me longing for the next one in the series.
Narration:
The narration is excellent, really bringing
everything in Nyaxia's world to life. The narrator imbues her narration with
tension, emotion, and a feel of dark undertones running beneath, which further
adds an extra dimension to the experience. All the voices of the characters are
different and well done, helping the listener to become immersed in the
narrative.
YouTube Review of The Serpent and the Wings of Night: Crowns of Nyaxia, Book 1
1. Detailed World Building:
One of the things this book did well was create a
huge detailed world with the coexistence of vampires, humans, and gods. An
intricate vampire hierarchy, magical systems, and the history of the world are
fleshed out, bringing depth to the story.
2. Well-Woven Characters:
The characters, especially Oraya and Raihn, are
multi-dimensional and intriguing. Oraya's rise from vulnerability to strength
and her relationship with Raihn were put so exquisitely that it got one rooting
for their fates.
3. Gripping Plot:
Kejari tournament supplies a high-stakes,
full-of-action narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The
trials are ruthless, so unexpected, which raises the urgency and excitement.
4. Strong romance element:
The enemies-to-lovers element in Oraya and Raihn is
just outstanding. That slow build-up across the novel seemed so realistic and
real, and with them, there was so much emotional depth within the story.
5. Excellent Writing:
Carissa Broadbent has evocative, immersive writing
and well-balanced storytelling that gives space for action, character
development, and world-building. Prose is engaging, easy to read.
6 Unexpected Twists:
There seem to be endless unexpected turns the story
takes, from the tournament itself to the relationships between the characters.
It keeps the reader on their toes, wondering what might be the next step in
this multi-layered story.
7 Series Potential:
This will be the first of a series, and it does set
up future installments quite well. Making a reader crave more of your world and
characters is a remarkable achievement.
Cons:
1 Familiar Tropes:
Yes, it does support some familiar tropes, for
example, the "fight to the death" competition, and enemies-to-lovers
romance. Some readers might find these elements very predictable.
2 Complex World-Building:
One of the strengths that nevertheless became a bit
tiring was the intricate world-building. With so many houses of vampires, gods,
and such a rich history, it will take quite a while for a reader to be
comfortable with this setting and its nuances.
3 Pacing Issues:
The book's length and detailed descriptions often
slow down the pacing, especially in the chapters toward the beginning where the
world and characters are being introduced.
4 Limited Spiciness:
This might be, therefore, a little tame for readers
who are more into a high level of romance or sexuality in what they read. While
it's romantic in its own right, the romance focuses more on the emotional
connection rather than the physical intimacy.
5 Secondary Characters Development:
While Oraya and Raihn are well developed, other
secondary characters like Mische could have been given more depth and screen
time to really make them have an impact on the story.
6 Dark and Violent Themes:
The novel's dark themes of violence, death, and
betrayal will turn off readers who enjoy lighter or more optimistic stories.
The world is brutal, and that may not be to the taste of some readers who go in
for lighter or more optimistic stories.
7 Cliffhanger Ending:
It isn't a painful cliffhanger ending, although
there certainly are a few plot threads that aren't tied up, which frustrates
readers who like more definite endings.
About The Author
A lifelong passion for storytelling, CarissaBroadbent has been mercilessly grim as far back as about nine years old—in the
making of tales that concerned teachers and parents alike. Now, many years later,
these stories have evolved to something less dark and quite engaging. Broadbent
is adept at funneling complex worlds together with compelling narratives that
join epic fantasy plots with a rich dose of romance. In *The Serpent and the
Wings of Night: Crowns of Nyaxia*, she does just this: building with dexterity
a dark universe, immersive and complex in characters going through high-stakes
drama. Vivid storytelling and writing that resonates with emotions pull readers
into a world where love, loyalty, and survival are constantly tested. She lives
in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and a cat who still hasn't forgiven her
for the catnip incident. Carissa continues to write novels that haunt, enchant,
and captivate readers.
Conclusion:
The Serpent and the Wings of Night: Crowns of Nyaxia
is a must-listen for dark fantasy lovers with a dash of romance. Developed
characters, an exciting plot, and a thoughtfully constructed world ensure it to
be a very engaging and immersive audiobook. Carissa Broadbent has written a
novel that touches your emotions and thrills you at the same time; the kind of
book that leaves a mark on its genre. Whether you are a long-time fantasy lover
or one who has never come across this genre, this audiobook will prove
engrossing from the very beginning.
Listen to the Author's Other Audiobooks for Free on Amazon
