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

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Vincent is dead and Oraya discovered that he hid so many things from her. She doesn’t know who she is anymore. Vincent loved Oraya and yet he allowed his vampires to feast on living humans presented like offerings at banket tables. He saw human life as little worth, even if he always protected Oraya. 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'd hidden away from the world. Maybe the king always knew that his greatest love would be his ruination. Maybe he knew it the moment he met her. I won't lie that I didn't think Vincent's diplomatic side was top-tier; he practically forged her as the strongest weapon but that's the issue, he never let her be anything other than a weapon, he made her forget what it is like to be anything other than a weapon. The action sequences were breathtaking. I was in complete awe with the way it was written and they were such powerful scenes. I could not put the book down towards the end. It was so intense, I got goosebumps.

Afraid of you and what you could do to me. Afraid of the world that could kill you so easily. Afraid of myself, gifted with another fragile heart that I know I cannot keep. 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…🧚‍♀️ Also, the fact that this was dual pov?! OMGGG 🤭🤭🤭 Seeing his obsession with Oraya through his thoughts was just TOO GOOD 😩🤌 i wanted it to be enjoyable but i dreaded reading up to 40% of this and this book is LONG. very, unnecessarily long. i love carissa's writing sm but i feel like she did way too much with this book and an editor was desperately needed.I was so torn up on what I should rate this book but eventually I settled on four stars because I personally felt like this one was just so dragged out and unnecessarily long, I couldn't help but feel extremely bored throughout some of the bits. And i was also mostly skimming somewhere in the middle because of all the political and warfare talks but maybe thats just my lazy ass 🥲🤚🏼 Is she drier than a pool in the middle of a desert? Yes. But also super hot and badass while being just that? Absolutely yes. We see girls turning into women, princesses turning into queens but Oraya turned from a girl scared and catious of the world into a freaking goddess who makes the world scared and catious of her. She became everything she wanted to be and I'd be lying to myself if I said that wasn't satisfying. She's violent, mean and hateful, intensified tenfold in this book; she hated humans, she hated vampires, she hated herself, she hated everything because she needed all that hatred directed at something for not being able to hate the ones she should. She was so bad with words and expressing herself; I understood her so much that I felt bad for her. 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 has dug 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 seeking her revenge against the lover who betrayed her. But to do so, she’ll need to harness an ancient power, intertwined with her father’s greatest secrets. I craved honesty the way a flower craved sunlight. I even craved the pain of it, driven deep into my heart.'

The slower pace in this book allowed me to see our main characters grow as individuals and together as a couple. The author also put more focus on the world building here, which really helped to fill in the gaps about the setting and history of Obitraes.

Septimus - ”I don’t bite, dove. I promise.” I don’t think there was one moment where this man didn’t have a cigarillo in his hands lol. I love to love him and love to hate him. That’s all I’ll say, but Carissa, if you are listening, I need more of him please and thank you!!! Raihn was right in front of me, so close the Nightfire surely had to burn. If it hurt, he didn’t show it." (a lot of shit you did hurt him and he didn't show it, for your information.) 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.) Raihn. My downfall and my most valuable supporter. My weakness and my strength. My worst enemy and the greatest love I had ever known."

Mische still more than has my entire heart. 💘 and with everything that went on in this book, all i'm going to say is - poor Mische. and 👀 i have so many questions with her omg.

The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King

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.