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

Favorite Quotes…

“He was just as broken as the rest of us, and he was so determined not to acknowledge it that he flayed you with those sharp edges and then berated you for having skin instead of steel.”

“Maybe the king always knew that his greatest love would be his ruination. Maybe he knew it the moment he met her. He’d know it the second time he died, too.”

“Let me make you the queen that you are. Let me guard your body, your soul, your heart. Let me spend the rest of my fucking pathetic life at your mercy. If I need to die, then let me do it by your hand. Please.”

“Pain was simple. Pleasure was complicated.”

“That’s what happens when one person gets to shape your entire world. They can make it into whatever they want, and you’re stuck inside those walls, whether they’re real or not.”

“Men and their secrets,” she said. “We spend a lifetime trying to unravel them, and once they’re gone, we’re still at their mercy.

“It’s something,” I said. “Isn’t it?” “Yes,” Raihn said softly. “It’s really something.” But when I glanced over my shoulder back at him, he wasn’t looking at the sun at all.

“I treasured those moments, when my nightmares had faded but they’d yet to be replaced with the grim shadow of reality.”

by Carissa Broadbent

5 out of 5 stars

"Love is a sacrifice at the altar of power," and never has a phrase so perfectly encapsulated the emotional and thematic richness of a book. Carissa Broadbent's sequel to the Crowns of Nyaxia series is a masterful tapestry of emotion, intrigue, and the complexities of power dynamics.

Our protagonist, Oraya, returns in a post-Kejari world that has shifted beneath her feet. The stakes are higher, the enemies more cunning, and the choices more devastating. Her relationship with Raihn, a character as enigmatic as he is compelling, serves as both the story's beating heart and its most intricate puzzle. Their chemistry is electric, a volatile mix of love, distrust, and a desperate yearning for something more.

The political landscape in this installment is a labyrinth of shifting alliances and simmering tensions. Broadbent's skill in world-building shines as she crafts a setting that is as complex as it is captivating. The House of Night, a cornerstone of power and influence, is a character in its own right, reflecting the internal and external struggles that our heroes face.

What sets this book apart is its nuanced exploration of the costs and consequences of power. Oraya is not just fighting external foes; she's wrestling with her own moral compass, forced to make choices that blur the lines between right and wrong. Broadbent's storytelling expertise elevates these dilemmas, making them resonate on a deeply personal level.

The pacing is perfect, balancing heart-pounding action sequences with quieter moments of introspection and emotional depth. Each twist and turn is expertly plotted, keeping you on the edge of your seat while also giving you pause for thought.

If you're a fan of series like "From Blood and Ash" or "A Court of Thorns and Roses," prepare to be obsessed. "The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King" is not just a sequel; it's a statement—a bold declaration of the storytelling heights that fantasy can reach when it combines emotional depth, intricate plotting, and a keen understanding of human nature.

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