The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King (Crowns of Nyaxia Book 2)

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I wanted to capture him like rainwater. I wanted to savor him like blood. I wanted him to open me and touch everything within me that I had hidden away from the world.” Oraya the things I would do for you…🧚‍♀️ The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself. I was so immersed with the plot and even though it was long and very detailed but it didn't made me feel impatient because I enjoyed every part of this book from the start till the end.

Please read the pin post and the full version of the epub before deciding to spend money to buy these books. Thank you!I am really happy that we got more information about Vincent’s past. I was so curious about his character after finishing the first book, and as I said in my review of the first book, I loved his complexity when it came to his thirst for power and his love for Oraya. I desperately needed to know more about him, and I am glad for all the glimpses of his past we got. the only travesty is that we didn't get more of this bc forget Raihn's grovelling, forget Oraya's badassness. i loved that, but THIS. this is what made the book for me. it was the part that made me sob uncontrollably. whether or not Vincent was alive/dead, it made no difference because he was always with Oraya, in her mind, whispering thoughts. I adored watching them finally put their cards on the table and face each other for real, without masks or secret agendas, and go from enemies to allies to more, again. The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King is the sequel to the Serpent and the Wings of Night and the last born in the Nightborn Duet, although it is part of a larger series (the Crowns of Nyaxia). Without any spoilers, this book follows Oraya and Raihn as they battle the enemies surrounding them on all sides, face traitors and deadly plots to overthrow the throne- and must figure out their complicated feelings for each other.... my forever favorite badass fmc. she so delivered in this book i was so happy she didn't forgive him right away even though i love him but what he did was unforgivable. the way she became the most powerful while dealing with grieve and betrayal.

The romance was angsty, the banter was fun for the most part, and the begging was hot. I loved the fact that Raihn gave Oraya space when she needed it, but still empowered and encouraged her. The way they take care of each other and support each other made their relationship progression feel genuine, and I think the author wrote a really sweet love story for them. I mentioned it before, but Oraya’s feelings when it came to Vincent were conflicted too. She was grieving the loss of her father, but on the other hand, she started to realize just how much he lied to her and how much he controlled her and prevented her from achieving her full potential. She started to see that she’d been living in a cage, and she hated him because of that, making her grief even more intense at times. I love that this book showed that it is possible to grieve part of a relationship, while also being angry at the person, grief is not just one sad emotion that erases everything else, it’s a process and it’s messy. I'm in love with Raihn, he is charming, very handsome, protective, stubborn, sweet, and will do whatever it takes to protect Oraya. I loved that even though Raihn acted tough around other people, he was always so sweet and protective of Oraya. Raihn's character development was great, I enjoyed learning about his past through his perspective and watching him as he faced new challenges.

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Raihn. My downfall and my most valuable supporter. My weakness and my strength. My worst enemy and the greatest love I had ever known.' Of course it was love. What else could it be, for someone to see that much of you? To see so much beauty in the parts of someone that they hate in themselves?" Oraya will have to reach for the stars, to take everything and go head first into battle to seize power.

The great and the not-so-great aside, I really do think this series is worth a read. The characters are easy to like and relate to, and the romance is fun. I am looking forward to the next duet, especially after reading the author's note and the hint about book 3.Before bedtime: Many people find that reading before bedtime helps them unwind and relax, which can promote better sleep. i enjoyed oraya's character more in this one (she kind of glowed up throughout the story, yay!), all of the characters, actually--they felt remarkably multifaceted, which i think is where carissa shines. the world building was decent, even if the settings are lovely, but her characters are funny, likable, and still complex. She said it so simply. Like it was just a truth, nothing to be judged or disagreed with. I knew that she believed it, and in this moment, I loved her fiercely for that. Warning! This review will involve a lot of cursing and spoilers for the first book. The first portion of the review will be spoiler free, the second part will involve minor and big spoilers for this book but I’ll put up multiple warnings before that part so you can avoid it. (Honestly, you should let me spoil this book for you and save you the trouble because it is not worth it.) The House of Night, too, is surrounded by enemies. Raihn’s own nobles are none too eager to accept a Turned king, especially one who was once a slave. And the House of Blood digs their claws into the kingdom, threatening to tear it apart from the inside.