The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by. Carissa Broadbent | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King (#2)

Author: Carissa Broadbent

Format: ebook (KU)

Pages: 665

Publication Date: 4/14/2023

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Vampires, New Adult

Love is a sacrifice at the altar of power.

In the wake of the Kejari, everything Oraya once thought to be true has been destroyed. A prisoner in her own kingdom, grieving the only family she ever had, and reeling from a gutting betrayal, she no longer even knows the truth of her own blood. She’s left only with one certainty: she cannot trust anyone, least of all Raihn.

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.

When Raihn offers Oraya a secret alliance, taking the deal is her only chance at reclaiming her kingdom–and gaining her vengeance against the lover who betrayed her. But to do so, she’ll need to harness a devastating ancient power, intertwined with her father’s greatest secrets.

But with enemies closing in on all sides, nothing is as it seems. As she unravels her past and faces her future, Oraya finds herself forced to choose between the bloody reality of seizing power – and the devastating love that could be her downfall.

Content Warning: violence, death

I’ve been waffling back and forth on how to rate this book because I loved it but also I had some issues with it (not major) so maybe it’s more like a 4.25 rating? I loved the first book because it was pretty ruthless and there was a competition, so it was a fast moving story.

After the events of book one, Oraya and Raihn are a bit broken. Raihn has gotten what he wanted but has hurt Oraya beyond belief. He’s killed Vincent, to become the new King of the House of Night. What I really love about this book is the struggle Oraya and Raihn have to deal with. Raihn is trying to be a better king, but how when there is no one he can really trust. And how does he mend things with Oraya? As for Oraya she has to reconcile all the lies and truths she knows of Vincent and deal with her grief at the same time. She loves him, but she hates him too and she needs to figure out how to move on in his life without him. Then there is the problem of Raihn, her husband, her best friend really, but also her enemy. He has broken her heart. The shining star in this book are the relationships between Raihn and Oraya, and also Oraya’s memories of Vincent.

Speaking of Raihn and Oraya – yes she has been so hurt by him, but under the hurt is the friendship they built in book one and I loved when that side of them would peek out from the pain between them. It’s quite a love story and one that shows no matter how times were going to get…even if they couldn’t say the words and even didn’t know it was love, that ultimately it was heading towards it. They are a great couple. They have each other’s back and I love that they are not fated mates. I like that they had to do very hard work and fight for their bond and love. I’m also glad we get two perspectives because the whole situation between them is complicated.

I love that Mische came back into the story because she’s a ray of sunshine in such a dark story. And yes, Vincent is a bad man, but he is one of my favorite characters. He was a ruthless king, saw humans as beneath him but his half-human daughter does something to him. And I liked all the complicated feelings Oraya has about him and I was so so sad for her and with her.

I did hear that this series is now going to be a 6 book series but that Raihn and Oraya’s story is concluded. With that said, there are some loose ends in the story, especially when it comes to Septimus and I’m sure he will be dealt with in the future books. I think Mische’s story is next though so that will be exciting to read. She deserves a great love story of her own.

As for the story-telling, I think there was a few lulls in the story because Oraya is in grieving mode and Raihn is in rebuilding mode. But I did love the action when it was there – especially when they visit Oraya’s cousin.

Tropes: enemies to lovers

Why you should read it:

• you liked book one and want to be immersed in this world again
• Oraya and Raihn
• Oraya and Vincent (heartbreaking)

Why you might not want to read it:

• didn’t enjoy the first one
• some loose ends but it’s going to be a 6 book series

My Thoughts:

I’m sad that Raihn and Oraya’s story is over but super excited for Mische to get a spotlight because she deserves one. I think this was a good conclusion for Riahn and Oraya – I mean these two really battled it out between one another, between enemies and traitors, and each time they came back together. I’ll miss Vincent but I did feel like Oraya got closure about her feelings about him. Oraya found herself and learned to become powerful without him – which is what she deserved. This was an awesome book, some issues here and there but overall it was entertaining and it met my expectations!

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by. Carissa Broadbent | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️