The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk

Crowns of Nyaxia #4

by Carissa Broadbent

Mische made the ultimate sacrifice to save those she loves – and plunged the world into an eternal night. Now, imprisoned by the gods and obsessed with revenge, Asar is desperate to find her again.

When a goddess offers them a final path to redemption – and back to each other – Asar and Mische embark on an extraordinary mission. Together, they must seize the power of the god of death so Asar may do the ascend to true divinity.

Their journey will take them through mortal and immortal realms, alongside both old friends and ruthless enemies. But as the underworld teeters on the brink of collapse and the gods prepare for a war, Asar and Mische must decide what they are willing to sacrifice for the power to defy death. In a game of vengeful gods and ancient betrayals, there are some debts that even love may not be able to repay.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Vampires, Fantasy Romance, Fiction, Audiobook

512 pages, Hardcover

First published August 5, 2025

About the author

I've been concerning teachers and parents with mercilessly grim tales since I was roughly nine years old. Since then, my stories have gotten (slightly) less depressing and (hopefully a lot?) more readable. Today, I write fantasy novels with a heaping dose of badass ladies and a big pinch of romance.

When I'm not writing, I'm working at my day job in cybersecurity marketing, watching too many movies, or drawing. I live with my fiance, one very well behaved rabbit, one very poorly behaved rabbit, and one perpetually skeptical cat in Rhode Island.

Reviews

[Esta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here comes the vaguest review in the world so I don’t spoil this book and previous books in the series for anyone.. I will, however, vaguely talk about my feelings. Sorry.

I think there’s a tendency for some folk to write off romantasy as a genre unworthy of serious critique. Stories about love in a fantasy setting, especially with a mostly female readership, are often underestimated as trivial, when they can actually be a brilliant lens for exploring empowerment, oppression and morality. Case in point, this series. That’s part of what makes these Crowns of Nyaxia books so satisfying for me, it reminds me that we can have love, danger and profound ethical complexity all at once, even within a single chapter, without compromising any of it.

If you’ve read Carissa Broadbent before, you already know she’s a master of character complexity. She writes 3d characters, neither good, nor bad. Some have done bad things and you don’t agree with those things. And then, a few chapters later, you’re wondering when you started rooting for them because you understand their motives and their childhood trauma, because Broadbent has sneakily rewired your empathy. Fallen is no exception.

This one might be Carissa’s most ambitious, sprawling instalment in the Crowns of Nyaxia series so far. It’s a love letter to Obitraes and to all the characters within it that we’ve met so far. Familiar faces abound, and my advice is to make sure you've also read Six Scorched Roses and Slaying the Vampire Conqueror too, besides the main books, so you can fully appreciate every friendship, relationship, cameo and moment of emotional payoff. Without naming names, I’ll just say there was catharsis and there were tears. Happy or sad? You’ll just have to read it to find out.

That brings me to the romance. To be honest, in a lot of stories, the minute the couple finally gets together, my interest evaporates. I acknowledge that might be a "me" problem. But anyway, the “will-they-won’t-they” is now more of a “oh… they will, they did and now here comes the miscommunication trope or third act breakup to keep the tension alive.”

Thankfully, that’s not the case here. The stakes stayed sharp without cheap tricks. The romance was tender, the emotional component had me invested. Mische and Asar are possibly my favourite couple* (*subject to change).

Finally, Luce is the goodest girl in the world, possibly the universe. I adore her so much.

1. The Serpent and the Wings of Night ★★★★★
2. Six Scorched Roses ★★★★☆
3. The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King ★★★★★
4. The Songbird & the Heart of Stone ★★★★★
5. Slaying the Vampire Conqueror ★★★★☆
6. The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk ★★★★★

〰〰〰〰〰

It's time. We can all stop rocking now.
﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

If you need me, I’ll be in the corner, rocking back and forth until August 2025.

[SK · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars ✨

I'm pretty sure I'm going to be in the minority here but that was an exhausting read. I really think it's a 'me issue' since everyone seems to be loving it but it took me a lot of effort to push through and not just skim over it.

My issues from book three carried into this one as well. I did not connect with Mische and Asar. Their romance and their character arcs just did not interest me. I basically liked everyone around them but them. Sure, the action and world building is interesting. The gods are complex and it gives it a little bit of substance but the main characters not working for me wasn't enjoyable. I was mostly bored tbh.

I loved the cameos though. They saved this book and not letting me dnf it. Raihn, Atrius and Vale, my big three vamps of this series had me in a chokehold. Their scenes were far better written too or maybe that's just me. Oraya was a bit dimmed down tho. It made me realize that I still feel strongly for the characters from previous book and still found them far more interesting than Asar and Mische.

Mische in particular was very dull and slightly bratty for me. I preferred her as a side character. Asar on the other hand, yeah he's there. Got a little interesting but I'll forget him in the next few hours. Their romance was alright I suppose. Didn't have me smiling or giggling.

Nyaxia is by far the most complex character written in the series and I absolutely adore that. She's morally grey and so messed up, I love it. Which brings me to how I actually liked the ending in this one. It had action and perfect balance of drama. I'm looking forward to reading Septimus' book next. I just know it's going to be far more interesting, darker and he has the book boyfriend factor.


~•~•~
My sister is reading (hoarding) my paperback so now I'm feeling territorial. I mean, would I give her my kidney? Sure. But does she have to take my stuff and treasured possessions when I need it too?

Thanks for letting me rant. But anyway, reading it on kindle 😑

[♥︎ Heather ⚔ (New House-Hiatus)]

Me waiting for this book after being disappointed with the last installment... I really hope I love this one. But still... 😩🤞

[anh · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I finished The Songbird and the Heart of Stone, I walked away feeling very conflicted because Mische who had always been a bright presence in Raihn and Oraya’s duology, read like someone I didn't recognise. She had once been the heart of the story’s darkness who made every scene lighter simply by being in it and I had been very eager to see her step into the role of a protagonist.

In book three, that spark was muted because it felt like she had been rewritten into someone else entirely. Despite this, I gave the book grace. I convinced myself that her arc was unfinished and that book four would restore balance and deliver the emotional payoff I had been anticipating.

After finishing The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk, I can say with absolute certainty that every flaw I excused in book three not only remained but intensified. The weaknesses in pacing, characterisation, and the whole narrative execution made this reading experience increasingly exhausting and boring.

Mische remains the deepest point of disappointment. In book three, even if she was not the same character I had initially connected with, there was still a fragile flicker of her left. A thread of hope, an optimism she desperately clung to that kept me tethered to her story. In this book that connection simply did not take hold. She remains largely the same as in book three, but I found myself emotionally disconnected from her journey. What once made me invested, her presence, her personality, the nuances that gave her life, no longer resonated with me. I could follow her story but I felt no pull, no real engagement, and by the end I found myself caring far less about her experiences than I had hoped.

Asar was another point where I had hope. After book three, I described him as intriguing but underdeveloped, and I hoped that giving him the spotlight would allow him to finally come alive. It did not. Asar still remains very distant and vague to me. His motivations are unclear, his emotions are locked behind an impenetrable wall and his romance with Mische never feels real. I waited for a moment of raw vulnerability that would ground their connection, a single scene that would make me feel them, but it just never came. Page after page, their dynamic remained hollow. Yes, we are told they love each other, but I felt nothing, and at no point was I convinced by their relationship. By the end, I cared more about side characters than about the two leads who were supposed to carry the story which shows how completely their dynamic failed for me.

The pacing makes these issues even worse. Book three was already agonisingly slow and repetitive, but at least it had moments of emotional and religious depth that gave it weight. This book is massive, yet it does far less with its length. The narrative spends hundreds of pages circling the same ground, repeating itself until all sense of urgency disappears. It is the same problem as book three, only worse. The story becomes increasingly dull and drawn out. When the major plot points finally arrive, they feel rushed. Instead of leaving the reader with catharsis or even bittersweet anticipation, I closed the book drained and restless.

The writing itself adds to the frustration. I did not notice this problem as much in book three, but here it is impossible to ignore. I don’t know if it’s just me but the overuse of dramatic one-liners clearly crafted to be quotable and shared is relentless! This is not only a problem with Carissa Broadbent; it is something I have observed across many romantasies these days. The prose is often flat and repetitive and then out of nowhere, comes a sweeping, attention-grabbing line that screams for recognition. These lines create emotional whiplash and feel like a patch over weak writing. This tendency makes it even harder to care about moments that are supposed to be significant because the prose is asking me to feel something that has no foundation in the narrative. It is a recurring problem I have noticed in the romantasy genre, where authors try to paper over shallow characterisation or poor pacing with dramatic statements that are designed to look good on a page rather than resonate with the story.

The most frustrating part is that the foundations of this world remain compelling. The gods, the lore, the mythology, and the sheer scale of it all remain fascinating in theory. This book even teases a darker arc for Septimus, a character who clearly has a story of his own coming in the next book. That might excite the version of me who once devoured the first duology, but I am not that reader anymore.

Perhaps the hardest truth to admit is that it may not only be the series that has changed; perhaps it is me as well. If I were to reread the first duology now, I am not sure I would find it as compelling as I once did. Perhaps the flaws I am noticing now in pacing, character arcs, and writing were always present, and only now, with my taste having evolved and with more experience as a reader, do I see them so clearly. That is okay. Stories do not have to stay with us forever. Sometimes they belong to a specific version of ourselves, and when we change, our feelings toward them change too.

Looking at the series as a whole, the decline is unmistakable. The first book, The Serpent and the Wings of Night, was engaging and compelling, and I gave it 4 stars. Now, with this book, I am giving it 2 stars. It reaches the lowest point so far, leaving me frustrated and highly unlikely to continue. What began with excitement and curiosity has ended in disappointment. Instead of closing this one with anticipation, I closed it with relief, and that, more than anything, tells me it is time to step away from this series.

[Maddy ✨ ~The Verse Vixen {AFK brb} · Rating 4 out of 5]

ೃ ⁀➷ Pre-view:🎯

🔮Steps once more into the shadows of Nyaxia...Where-
– Vampires rule broken thrones
– Dead gods whisper from forgotten tombs
– Magic bleeds through sacred ruins
– And monsters remember everything

In this blood-soaked continuation of The Songbird & the Heart of Stone,
the girl who once carried the sun in her hands is now a vampire.
The man who walked through the underworld for her? He’s becoming a god.

🌒 She broke the world to save it.
🌑 Now he’ll break the heavens to bring her back.

🕯️AN OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION FROM THE NIGHT COURT ☾

Sealed in blood, signed in shadow, witnessed by the gods we no longer serve.To all beings of dusk and dominion, Let it be known: the Sun-Touched girl walks again. And with her, the fallen god stirs.

I completely forgot about this ARC! now—
the blood moon rises, and the story demands to be read.

🎭What Awaits / Tropes & Vibes:

🔮 Mische — Light-touched. Once the sun’s chosen. Now? Hunted, hollowed, haunting.
⚔️ Asar — “Doused in that almost sickening vampire perfection…”
The fallen god of death, grief sculpted into grace. Scars like glowing thorns.
One eye, a smokestorm.He’s cursed. He’s chaos.His power once raised empires. Now, it exists for her alone.

➤ 𝓗𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓬𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓷𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓪𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓮—
➤ 𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓪 𝓯𝓵𝓪𝓶𝓮 𝓼𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓲𝓭𝓷’𝓽 𝓬𝓱𝓸𝓸𝓼𝓮—
...𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚’𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 & 𝒇𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒔.

✔️ Enemies? No, worse—lovers once, now cursed, wrathful, ruined.
✔️ He’s the ex-prince of Night, imprisoned, vengeful, thirsting for revenge—and her.
✔️ She’s the girl who shattered the world to save him, now damned.
✔️ Age gap? Try a few lifetimes. (He's older than the chandelier.)
✔️ Touch her and die is not a threat. It's prophecy. 🩸
��️ Reunited for a divine mission: kill death, become gods, maybe kiss again?
✔️ *Vampires, gods, ancient monsters, immortal betrayals—*pick your poison.
✔️ Morally grey, god-tier MMC who would tear through the underworld for her.
✔️ World: Gothic, cruel, decadent—where the moon never rises without mourning.
✔️ Tropes:
  • “I’d burn eternity to find you” energy
  • Immortal angst + banter so sharp it draws blood
  • Desperate lovers, divine wars, magical chaos
  • Forbidden longing x destiny x doom
✔️ Slow-burn so torturous, it might actually be illegal in Nyaxia
✔️ Final girl x final god—just casually rewriting fate in the ruins of the world
✔️Gods at war. Monsters unbound. Magic that tastes like rot and roses
✔️ A quest to steal death’s throne—and the cost of touching divinity.


🕸️ Blood drips, secrets rot, and the only way out... is deeper in.
~ “Let the cursed rise, and the holy fall.” ~

[Krysta ꕤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“But I’d know her anywhere. I’d memorized her soul. I’d pressed her final moments into my heart like preserved rose petals.”

Asar has easily become one of my favorite characters, this man carried this book on his shoulders and complained not one bit. he would stop at nothing to get Mische back and the fact that he literally became the god of death, doing Nyaxia’s bidding, all just to allow the focus to shift from Mische proves how much he loves her. his character development was incredible and this brings me to another character who’s development was also amazing and i love the death: Vincent. he’s the definition of a flawed man, who’s unpredictable and has the most questionable of morals but there’s still that sliver of good in him that made him want to redeem himself and make amends with Oraya.. im so upset that we didn’t get to see what he wrote her in that letter 😭

”Mische Iliae would be remembered by the bones of time itself, and I knew it because I would write her story there with my blood if I had to.”

i adore Mische and her personality, but i honestly felt like she was fumbling around too much in this book and she was getting on my nerves. i just wanted her to get it together sooner than she did, i don’t love when everyone has to come to her rescue all the time. i also wasn’t feeling the way she acted towards Raihn and the disregard for their friendship and keeping him in the dark, a lot of the other characters didn’t necessarily need to be in the book. Lilith and Vale especially, were completely random and useless here? i’m very intrigued by Septimus though and can’t wait to see where the story takes him in the next two books. the romance between Mische and Asar was everything to me. considering how highly anticipated this was, i did enjoy it but i prefer songbird and the heart of stone more.

”As if the gods had seen some beauty in mortality but failed to realize that the imperfection of it was what made it remarkable.”

———
thanks to my bestie Deepak for the buddy read🖤

[Fairuz ᥫ᭡. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!

🩸 The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk by Carissa Broadbent
🥀 Crowns of Nyaxia #4

This book? It’s a whole cosmic ride. Not just a story — an event. A resurrection. A reckoning.

Mische broke the world. Asar’s out here about to break the gods. And honestly? The stakes feel so immortal that mortal problems seem like child’s play now. It’s slow-burn vengeance wrapped in a love story that’s basically tearing apart reality — or maybe saving it? Honestly, I don’t know, but I do know it wrecked me in the best way possible.

Vampires, gods, monsters, ancient prophecies, and a war that’s bigger than anything you can imagine. And at the heart of it all? Two people too cursed, too powerful, and way too stubborn to stop loving each other.

The world-building here is insane. Carissa Broadbent doesn’t just create settings; she breathes life into them. Political intrigue, divine battles, hidden magic — every corner of this universe is dripping with danger and wonder. The gods? Selfish, vengeful, and honestly terrifying. Yet somehow, they’re also fascinating because you see how much their immortality is a curse wrapped in power.

Mische and Asar’s relationship is everything. It’s messy, raw, and slow-burning, but it feels so real. They don’t just fall in love — they fight through hell and back, and the way their bond evolves is so deeply emotional it left me with my heart literally in my throat.

Sure, the pacing drags a little in the middle — but when the action hits? It hits hard. Surprises, cameos from characters I adore, and twists that kept me flipping pages like a mad person.

What really got me was the emotional depth. This book isn’t just about gods fighting and epic battles — it’s about what it means to be human, to be worthy, to love even when everything’s falling apart. Mische and Asar learn that you don’t have to sacrifice your whole self to be loved or to be powerful. That message? So important.

Also, can we talk about how the narration by Amanda Leigh Cobb & Aiden Snow perfectly captured every mood? The tension, the tenderness, the chaos — they nailed it.

This is not just a book — it’s a masterpiece of fantasy romance, dark magic, and godly drama. If you’re here for slow-burn romance, fantasy worlds that make you feel every second, and characters you root for with everything you’ve got, this one’s for you.

I’m already itching for the next book because this finale set the stage for so much more madness and magic.

If you want an epic, emotional, slow-burn fantasy romance that’ll leave you breathless, jump into The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk right now.

[HawkHatesYou · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’m honestly happy i read this after my concussion because im so excited to forget so much and basically read it for the first time again. 10/10 experience while reading. loved.

[Kristina Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was really excited for this book after how the last one ended, and it definitely delivered in so many ways. I love all the characters, and it was such a treat seeing familiar faces make cameos throughout this story. We also got our beloved four-legged friend Luce back 🐾, which made my heart all warm and fuzzy!

The atmosphere was dark, romantic, and dripping with tension—I was hooked on the forbidden vibes and the way Carissa Broadbent built an eerie, almost gothic mood that matched the story so well. The chemistry between the characters was addictive, full of yearning and push-and-pull dynamics that kept me turning the pages. I especially loved the way Carissa Broadbent blended romance and supernatural elements without it ever feeling overwhelming—there was always just enough mystery woven throughout to keep me intrigued.

The only reason this was a 4-star read instead of a full 5 stars is because of something I’ve noticed in a lot of Carissa Broadbent’s books—the pacing can drag at times. When the world-building takes center stage, the plot tends to slow down a little too much and the momentum stalls. A bit of condensing would have made this a flawless 5-star read. Still, the emotional payoff and the unraveling of secrets we all waited so long for, made it so worth it.

That being said, I love Mische and Asar's story so friggen much. Their chemistry was perfection—the spice never felt forced; it was natural, well-written, and genuinely hot 🥵 AND the story did not rely on spice for heated romance, which I always really appreciate.

It wasn’t a perfect read, but it was absolutely a memorable one. Highly recommend for readers who enjoyed Daughter of No Worlds and to anyone who loves dark, gothic-vibe romantasies like Rachel Gillig's One Dark Window or Keri Lake's Anathema. I’ll definitely be continuing with this series and can’t wait to see where it goes next!

[Laura (Hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite in the series!!

The Serpent and the Wings of Night: 4.75
Six Scorched Roses: 4.25
The Ashes and the Star Cursed King: 4.5
Slaying the Vampire Conqueror: 4.5
The Songbird and the Heart of Stone: 4.75!
The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk: 5

Overall Rating: 4.62

An amazing score!
....
Let's goo! The cover is so beautiful 💓
__
GIVE IT TO ME RACHELLLLL

[Anila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.25⭐️

I really wanted to love this one, but it ended up being just meh for me😫

I was completely disconnected from the plot and the romance in the third book and sadly that didn’t change with the latest addition to the Nyaxia series. For some reason, I have never been invested in Mische and Asar, whether as individual characters or as a couple. I find them to be rather boring. As for the plot, it felt less repetitive compared to the previous book, which I appreciated, but I just didn’t care too much about what was happening. Maybe this is more of a me thing and I’ve simply lost interest in the series. If that’s the case, it honestly sucks because I was so obsessed with the first duology.

I won’t name the characters to avoid spoilers, but I did really love all the cameos we got. It just made me so happy to see them all back. But although it was great to see them all again, I did feel some of the appearances were underwhelming and that they didn’t really get to do much in this book. However, it was definitely more of a positive aspect of the book than a negative one. I also did really enjoy how the author wrapped up Mische and Asar’s story. It was satisfying and a great setup to the next duology.

All in all, I didn’t hate this book but I didn’t love it either. I’m hoping the next book will be the one to bring back the excitement I initially had for the series.

(Side note: I need to find out what was in that letter!!!🫠)

————————

Pre-read: IT'S TIME!!!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

a perfect, utterly devastating conclusion to Mische & Asar’s story. if “I would tear the world apart to get to you” was ever embodied in a story… jesus f**king murphy it would be this one.

the character development in this book was UNPARALLELED, and I am so thankful we got to see Mische embrace the darker parts of herself without sacrificing any of what makes her, her. 😭😭 these characters feel embedded in my DNA - I genuinely felt like I couldn’t breathe with how hard I was rooting for their happiness. UGH!!!!! Carissa will continue to blow my mind with her writing ability for the rest of time. GIVE ME THE BLOODBORN DUET NOW💥💳

[ariyel 𝄢 · Rating 4 out of 5]

── ⋆˙⟡ 4 stars! ★
﹒⌗﹒ contains spoilers﹒౨ৎ˚₊‧

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “for whatever of your mistakes, for whatever of your faults, for whatever unintended pains you may bring this world, i will love you anyway.”

﹒ ⋆ ꩜ ⋆ 𓂃 ₊ ⊹

⟢ ⌗ ⋮ my thoughts♟️ ིܳ ﹾ ⸝⸝
ৎ sooo this was great. like actually… we are so back.

i had the worst time with the first half of this duet—rereading book 3 made it even worse—but this one? so much better. this book saved the duet for me. i still don’t think anything will top book 1, but this one actually felt closer to what i loved about the series in the beginning. the vibes were good. the writing was good. and i had fun.

now don’t get me wrong, i still had issues. mainly… pacing. because oh my god this book is so long. and while i was interested in the plot and characters, there were definitely stretches where it dragged. like the relic retrieval storyline? conceptually fun. execution wise? dragged. and the last 25% especially felt like it was doing too much all at once. but even when i was confused, i never checked out. i was engaged.

and honestly? i didn’t go in expecting that. the only reason i read this at all was because of the ending of book 3. vincent’s return was the one thing that actually intrigued me and i knew i’d regret skipping the final book. but i liked this way more than i thought i would.

the world-building continues to be my favorite part—i just think it’s so cool. the underworld being cracked and corrupted because of mische’s return? the veil weakening across realms? the lingering chaos from the destruction of the relics? it’s all so messy and intricate and i loved it. and i liked how the fallout from killing atroxus kept expanding. we saw so much of the consequences in this one. the gods, the realm shifts, even the political setup for future books. it was a lot. maybe too much. but also?? fun.

this also fixed a huge issue i had with book 3. disconnection. i felt so detached last time. but here? i actually cared again. not just about mische and asar, but the mission itself. the consequences were clear, the stakes made sense, and i was invested. i was confused a lot, but i still wanted to keep reading. and the ending??? ten years later??? the setup for house of blood’s duet is insane. i don’t even know what to expect but i’m so curious.

﹒ ⋆ ꩜ ⋆ 𓂃 ₊ ⊹

⟢ ⌗ ⋮ characters♟️ ིܳ ﹾ ⸝⸝
ৎ mische really won me back. i still don’t feel super strongly about her as a protagonist, but i liked her so much more here than i did on the reread of last book. she felt present. she had a mission. she had guilt and grief and hope and stubbornness. and she kept choosing to fix things, even when it would’ve been easier to give up. her scenes with vincent were some of my favorites. she pushed back. she was angry. and she still helped. she had to help, because the mess was partly hers. and that desperation to make things right really worked.

ৎ asar!!! okay i really liked him here. he honestly won me back a lot too. he’s so dramatic and emotionally wrecked and that’s honestly when he’s at his best. he’s furious about the gods. devastated over mische. stuck in this weird god/mortal in between. and even after all that, he still wants to fix the underworld. he still tries. the ascension stuff was really good for him. the flashbacks to his childhood? the glimpses of his time training under gideon? all of it just made him feel more layered. he was intense in the right way this time.

ৎ side characters were mostly great. first of all, oraya and raihn!!! they showed up. they actually showed up!!! i did not expect that and i absolutely loved it so much. they were only mentioned in the previous book so seeing them actually involved here was so fun. and vincent! absolutely carried! his dynamic with mische was really good. i liked him already but seeing them work together after everything in book 3 was such a surprise. also the fact that she was literally dragging a dead vampire king through the underworld and they still had bickering banter? yeah. fun. sylina and atrius were there too and… yeah. i will not be reading their book. the gods continue to be The Worst. i hate all of them obviously. but nyaxia is unfortunately so compelling.

﹒ ⋆ ꩜ ⋆ 𓂃 ₊ ⊹

⟢ ⌗ ⋮ romance♟️ ིܳ ﹾ ⸝⸝
ৎ i liked the romance a lot. they actually felt in love. like you could see how much they meant to each other through the way they acted—not just what they said. the constant devotion from both sides, the slow build back to each other, all of it worked for me. there were pacing problems here too but i still really enjoyed it. especially asar’s side.

﹒ ⋆ ꩜ ⋆ 𓂃 ₊ ⊹

⟢ ⌗ ⋮ extras♟️ ིܳ ﹾ ⸝⸝
— realm travel galore. i was lost but having a great time
— ten years later WHAT.
— i will never know peace from the pacing in this series
— vincent being mische’s dead quest buddy was insane and it worked
— house of night and house of death being protected by acaeja? loved that.
— nyaxia sending egrette and septimus off to cause problems… can’t wait…
— egrette needs to disappear
— the amount of information here… yeah. maybe too much. cool concepts, but i can’t lie, it was a lot to keep up with.
— loved the relics concept but i also blacked out during half the relic hunt scenes
— again. pacing. i have no idea why these books are this long. and it’s starting to feel like every new installment is gonna have the same problem.
— still don’t know what’s going on with house of blood next but i will be there

﹒ ⋆ ꩜ ⋆ 𓂃 ₊ ⊹

⟢ ⌗ ⋮ overall♟️ ིܳ ﹾ ⸝⸝
ৎ was the pacing bad? yes. was the plot too long and convoluted? also yes. but i had a good time. the writing worked. the characters mattered again. the ending made me care. this saved the duet for me. and now i’m stressed about what the next one’s gonna do.


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ── ⟢ ・⸝⸝ ‎ ‎ entry 0331 ❞


☆ 🖇️ pre-read 𖥻 ＜꒱
thought the last book broke me but noooo let’s just keep going. this definitely won’t make things worse. thank you to the ending for being the only reason i’m still here. really appreciate it.


⟢ ﹒ crowns of nyaxia ﹒ 🗝️
⌗﹒ 01 the serpent & the wings of night — 5 ☆
⌗﹒ 1.5 six scorched roses — 3.25 ☆
⌗﹒ 02 the ashes & the star-cursed king — 4 ☆
⌗﹒ 03 the songbird & the heart of stone — 2.75 ☆
⌗﹒ 04 the fallen & the kiss of dusk — 4 ☆
⌗﹒ 05 the lion & the deathless dark — ?? ☆

[✨sofia✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!!

”Because I’ve learned that you can’t live on grief,” I said. “It’s poison. It festers on bitterness and hatred. If you have nothing else to offer a heart, grief will just hollow it out until that’s all that you are. A dangerous thing for a god, no?”

Damnnnnn
That book was pretty good!!
But to get it out of the way I will say that I was a bit disappointed in it. Idk why, but it just didn’t hold all of the things that made The Serpent and the Wings of Night so addicting. That said, it was also amazing in its own ways.
One thing that I can always count on from Carissa is her writing skills. I always know that it will be amazing and poetic. The same with her settings and storyline. Usually characters too, and romance, but I’ll get into that later.
This book was honestly really good, and I liked it a lot more than The Songbird and the Heart of Stone.

~spoilers ahead (from The Serpent and the Wings of Night)~

🫂 Characters 🫂
⤷pretty good. It was nice to see old faces again

☀️ Mische Iliae ☀️
⤷so cute

”I love you,” she whispered. “I love you, Asar Voldari, Warden of Morthryn, king of the underworld, heir of Alarus. I love you, and in this life or the next, worlds mortal or divine, I will never let you go.”

Don’t get me wrong, I think Mische is an amazing character. Her growth throughout the Shadowborn duology was truly astonishing and powerful. I’m so glad she found her worth and learned how to be strong without anyone to help her. But she didn’t really feel…like herself, if you know what I mean. It’s still very hard for me to see her as a main character. And this is so wrong, but I feel like she didn’t feel enough remorse for the ending of Songbird, if that makes sense.
I LOVE her though, and I hope we see her in The Lion and the Deathless Dark.

💀Asar Voldari 💀
⤷I love him

”For whatever of your mistakes, Mische Iliae,” he said, quietly, firmly, “for whatever of your faults, for whatever unintended pains you may bring this world, I will love you anyway.”

Asar, while still not a fav, was so interesting to read about. I love his devotion to Mische and how he would do anything for her, even become what he never wanted to be. His backstory was so sad and what happened was even worse. It broke my heart but was also sweet at the same time yk because of what his heart knew. He’s not one of my favorites and doesn’t stand out a lot, but I still liked him a lot. He’s very interesting to read about, his povs are my fav.

⚔️ Others ⚔️
⤷Raihn & Oraya were absolute baddies, I missed them so much.
⤷Sylina & Atrius were great too I loved their role it was so them
⤷Septimus MY NEW DADDY OML I LOVE U I CANT WAIT FOR UR BOOK (side note go like my pre-review pretty pretty plzzz)
⤷Vincent my love I’m so glad I’ve seen you again u might just be my favorite character in this series I almost cried when I thought u disappeared then I realized im slow and you would be ok IM SO GLAD YOUR OKAY
⤷Nyaxia is like the most insane character in the series I like hate her but like her at the same time??? Like I feel sympathy but also I just want her to be gone 😭😭😭
⤷the other Gods are worse I hope they die in the next one EXCEPT Acajea (is that how u spell her name???) she’s an absolute BADDIE

💕Romance💕
⤷cute

”I don’t regret it,” I said again.
“Which part?” she murmured.
“Any of it, Mische.”
And then I kissed her.”

It was rlly cute!! I really enjoyed their dynamic and how they were together. It was a little strange that they had absolutely zero fights throughout the book (not including small arguments) but that was okay. I’m glad they got the ending they did they deserved it. Also the smut was smutting oml

🌌 Plot/Setting/Writing 🌌

”Billions of threads,” she murmured, “and yet not a single one where you say no.”

PLOT
⤷scrumdiddlyum. I always know that Carissa will deliver in the plot. I was at the edge of my seat bro what the frickety it was amazing. Tho idk how the whole sun thing wasn’t addressed a lot. But oh well
SETTING
⤷I also know Carissa will always deliver in this. I could picture everything perfectly in my head and it was absolutely gorgeous. It was spooky and vampiric and utterly amazing.
WRITING
⤷UHG HER WRITING!!! Best I have ever read tbh. It just makes u feel so much and omg it’s just so amazing. Like she is what I aspire to be it’s crazy

✍️ Quotes ✍️

⤷ ”This is the tale of how a fallen one ascends.”

⤷ “Anger was a fool’s emotion. It made you slow and stupid.”

⤷ “Mische Iliae would be remembered by the bones of time itself, and I knew it because I would write her story with my blood if I had to.”

⤷ “Mische Iliae, Dawndrinker or Shadowborn, living or dead, I will never let you go.”

⤷ “A bad lie still finds its purpose so long as everyone agrees to believe it.”

⤷ “We should all be afraid of power. Anyone who isn’t doesn’t deserve to wield it.”

⤷ “You are an event, Mische Iliae,” he murmured. “God slayer. Dawndrinker. Shadowborn queen. And I would die to taste your skin.”

⤷ “She must be so lonely,” I murmured.
Asar was still staring up at that chain, clink, clink, clink-ing against the gate.
“She must be so angry,” he said.”

⤷ “Maybe greatness should come not from the sacrifices you make, but the ones you refuse to.”

⤷ “No matter what’s ahead, never sacrifice the messy parts of your mortality, Asar. I like those best.”
“Then take them,” I murmured. “They’re for you.”

⤷ “The journey from death to life, like everything else, was merely a path to walk. You only had to know the steps.”

⤷ “I don’t regret it,” I said. “I would do it a thousand times over. A thousand times, if it means that I get to hear you berate me for it here rather than imagine those words over your corpse. You are the sacrifice I will not make, Mische. You. Don’t ask me to apologize for that.”

⤷ “He makes me want a happy ending.”
When I finally forced myself to look at Raihn, he was giving me a quiet, serious stare.
“Is that silly?” I said.
He shook his head. “No. It’s not silly at all.”

⤷ “Grief has a way of sanding down all the complicated parts of a person in the eyes of the living. It freezes them to a single moment.”

⤷ “The underworld is not the territory of the gods,” he said. “It is the kingdom of the dead. And the dead have chosen you.”

⤷ “And I knew: this was true ascension.
My queen. My light. My darkness. My future. The answer to every question. The ending to every sentence.”

⤷ “In the darkness, I found solace.
In the underworld, I found hope.
And here, in this twin soul, in this love we built together, I finally found it:
Home.”

✨Overall✨
⤷a worthy ending to a fun duology. It wasn’t as good as the Nightborn Duet, but I liked it all the same. I recommend.
I can’t wait for The Lion and the Deathless Dark!!

~even in the biggest lies, there is something real~

[✩ Yaz ✩ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I wanted to bury myself before her. I wanted to cut myself open for her, let her take whatever she wanted, and treasure the scars for the rest of my pathetic life.

This is how a book ascends into the pantheon of god-tier books... with an epic finale that shattered and pieced me back together.

Mische and Asar's journey was beautiful as much as it was tragic, but I did not anticipate how much of a wreck I would be by the end of it.

I thought I figured out how the upcoming events would play out, but to my delight at every corner I was hit with new plot twists and reveals and it just kept me on edge to the point I had to make a conscious effort to not bite my nails (and I'm not even a nail biter).

On the fantasy front, Carissa Broadbent impressively expands the world-building and the lore, and being the nerd that I am, I gobble up lore treats. She crafted such a exquisite dark world and managed to enrich it and make it feel more tangible that I kept saying as I came closer to the final chapter that I feel like I haven't had enough of this world—to my delight there is a new separate installment that will follow different characters.

On the romance front, if Mische had an altar dedicated to her then Asar be it's most devout worshipper. Mische loves Asar with every part of her, but Asar's love almost feels like worship. There is so much pure love, longing, and tenderness between them that truly radiated from the pages. They are by far my favorite couple in the Crowns of Nyaxia series.

Every conclusion is bittersweet, but this is not a final goodbye as the series continues and I will revisit their story one day. I am very hyped for the next book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series called The Lion and the Deathless Dark!

P.s., this book will give you a few hints and the set up for the new book *wink*

[Gillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. The first 300 pages of the book had uneven pacing and the plot was boring and I lost interest. The last 200 pages were great, the pacing was better and the plot was interesting. The world building was lacking, I enjoyed learning about the gods but didn’t learn anything new about the history of the world. The writing was okay in the beginning, but by the end the writing was descriptive and flowed better. Additionally, in the first half of the book the characters felt flat and I didn’t connect to them. The characters felt more rounded and relatable at the second half. Mische felt flat in the beginning and I didn’t connect to her, but she showed strength and resiliency at the end that I liked. I was inspired by her determination and grit at the end. Similarly, Asar didn’t have much personality at first but then near the end you could see how much he cared about Mische and that he would do anything to safe her. I loved seeing the cameos of Raihn and Oraya. I loved them both so much and it made the book more bearable in the middle. The romance between Mische and Asar wasn’t great at first. I didn’t feel a connection between them but then near the end the chemistry was developed and I saw how much they cared for each other. The development of their relationship was uneven but the ending made of for it. The ending was well done, it was sad but also healing. Overall, this book was okay but the first half of the book had uneven pacing, the plot was boring and the characters felt flat.

[Alina ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan | Tor Bramble for this ARC.

☆☆☆☆.25

The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk by Carissa Broadbent is an immersive fantasy that pulls you into a world full of political intrigue, hidden magic, and deeply complex characters. The story is driven by the fascinating dynamics between Mische and Asar, both of whom are compelling and multifaceted protagonists.

Mische is a character who, from the start, feels layered and real—her struggles, motivations, and growth are engaging, and her connection with Asar only deepens the emotional impact of the story. Asar, in turn, is equally intriguing, with his own complex past and evolving relationship with Mische. Their journey together unfolds at a measured pace, allowing their bond to develop naturally without feeling rushed.

The world-building in this novel is rich and well-crafted, setting the stage for a plot full of twists and turns. There’s a balance of action and quieter moments, and Broadbent skillfully keeps the tension high throughout. The romance is understated but powerful, supporting the larger narrative without overwhelming it.

One of the highlights of the book is the emotional depth it offers. There are moments of vulnerability that really elevate the stakes and add an extra layer to the characters’ relationships. That said, there are moments, particularly in the middle of the book, where the pacing dips slightly, which results in this not being a full 5-star read.

Overall, The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk is an exceptional fantasy novel that blends action, emotional depth, and strong character development. If you enjoy fantasy with complex characters, slow-burn relationships, and a touch of suspense, this book is definitely worth your time.

[Books_and_Crafts · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPOILER FREE! Thank you to the queen herself for personally sending me this ARC, I quite literally screamed out loud in my own home and scared my cats!

To say I am amazed would be an understatement. I was not sure I could love anything more than the books Broadbent has already written but here I am, fresh off of this beautiful story completely at a loss for words that would do this review justice.

The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk was everything I never knew I wanted this story to be. The tension, the yearning, the fighting tooth and claw for what you love no matter the cost. The entirety of this book was action, emotion and commitment. I could not put it down!

There is so much more I want to say about this story but I shall refrain from spoilers and wait patiently for the rest of the world to experience this masterpiece!

A note to Broadbent fans: make sure you have read Slaying the Vampire Conqueror (and highly encouraged to read Six Scorched Roses already) for reasons <3

[Deepak · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Very rarely, there are souls that, no matter the thread, become the continuation of each other’s tales”

Ecstatic to pronounce this as my favorite read of 2025 thus far, and even more so, my most beloved books that my eyes had the honor of unraveling.

Cause, wow. Beginning To End, every chapter was blissfully purposeful. Poetic even. Nothing dragged. I was getting upset as the book thinned out in my hands and that’s when I knew how deeply obsessed I became to every word.

The dynamics between Asar and Mische was mesmeric. Asar being a broodily relatable, “ I’ll damn all, for her” entity, had me highlighting quote on top of quote. He for real completed this book.

Mische with her soft tenderness, gave the fantasy elements a hopeful optimism.

On top of that, we have lots of honorable appearances from the previous books 👏.

On an end note, the writing made everything magical. So many moments hewn into my soul with awe.

I refuse to talk about em since this review would go on and on.

I shall be hungrily waiting for book five. 🥀

TY my bestie flame , Kryst 🖤 🔥.

[vicky ꨄ︎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*

I don’t want to talk about it
rtc









———————————————-
𐙚⋆°. preread

I’m so so grateful to have received an arc for this book even though it comes out tomorrow but like at least I don’t have to wait

[brittany:)]

just got approved for this arc🥹✨

[purlpur · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
я все ще в любові до цієї занепалої пари, і вони мої улюбленці в цій серії 🥹 хоча перша книга цього дуету прям в серденьку, ця мені сподобалась трііішки менше 🤏

за темпом оповіді 4 книга відрізняється від 3. тут одразу починають нестися події одна за одною - воно й не дивно після вибухового фіналу попередньої частини 😅
сюжет щільний протягом усієї книги, але разом із цим вона виявилась трохи затягнутою. деякі моменти я б спокійно викинула, аби історія не просідала.

фінальні твісти непогано балансують. деякі вгадуються наперед, бо все до цього веде, але на цьому пані карісса не зупиняється, треба дивувати іншими поворотами та ще більше підіймати ставки для історії всього всесвіту. ох, ці боги зі своєю любов'ю до помсти та влади, які не можуть узяти справу у власні руки, і натомість для своїх війн використовують людей і вампірів. такі янголятка 😇

‼️спойлер абзац‼️
стосовно повороту з міше змішані відчуття. не вистачає об'єктивних причин, чому мертві обрали саме її, коли є асар, який стільки часу піклувався про підземний світ і їх жителів. тому цей хід від авторки виглядав дуже зручним, і я його соу-соу зацінила. як і те, що всі головні пари дуетів повинні правити, тож для цього ще й забутий дім оживимо. мало ж нам воскресінь 💀😁

із приємного - повернення героїв із минулих книг. тут уся банда на місці 😎
райн і орайя, атріус і силіна, ліліт і вейл, ну і звичайно ж трохи дедді семпімуса 😈
вони всі полюбилися мені ще в попередніх частинах, тож я щиро раділа кожній їхній появі, навіть короткій. а взаємодія міше та райна.. ох, як я сумувала за цією дружбою й жартами 🤭

і нарешті, нарееешті міше й асар отримали свій заслужений хе після стількох випробувань 🤧
кохання асара до міше - у кожному слові, погляді, дотику - це просто🤌
✍️ - мільярди ниток, - прошепотіла богиня, - і жодної, де ти скажеш «ні».

я точно буду сумувати за цією парочкою, але впевнена, що ми ще їх побачимо, як і інших. ставлю на фінальну 6 книгу 🤓

p.s. лист для орайї 💔 аааа, карісса, як ти могла! дай нам прочитати цього листа і ніхто не постраждає 🌚

[Lucie V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

✅ 2 POVs
✅ Writing
✅ Characters (✅✅ just for Luce)
✅ Romance / I will burn down the world for you
✅ Some smut
✅ Vampires
✅ Self-healing journey
✅ Action and twists
✅ Vengeful Gods and Goddesses
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: gore and blood, mild torture, imprisonment

This is the tale of how a fallen one ascends. Long ago, I told you a tale of a chosen girl who fell to the darkness. Now I will tell you the tale of a boy who was born within it.

I enjoyed this second book in Mische’s duology more than the first one. This sequel was solid, beautifully written, and a good conclusion to Asar and Mische’s story.

The stakes are higher in this book, and they made more sense to me than in the Songbird. Mische’s action at the end of The Songbird and the Heart of Stone had catastrophic consequences, and now Asar and she need to find a way to restore the balance in the world by healing the Underworld before it collapses completely. Meanwhile, the Gods are on a mission to find and kill Asar, and he cares about nothing but saving Mische and keeping her alive.

I liked both main characters more in this book. Mische had more drive, and I feel that she had more depth in this book. She was angry and hopeful at the same time, and never stopped trying to fix her mistakes, even when it would have been so much easier to just give up. She grew so much in this duology, and I loved seeing her become stronger and more confident. Asar was broken and messy, but it made him more relatable and likable. I liked it well enough in the first book, but in this one, I felt more connected to him, his mission, and his feelings.

The world-building is still vivid and gorgeous, but since Mische and Asar didn’t spend as much time in the Underworld as in the previous book, the setting was less abstract. It was easier for me to visualize it, making it more enjoyable. The pace was also more consistent in this book, making it easier to read and finish quickly. I also like the fact that the Gods were more present and active in this book. Too often, I read fantasy novels where the Gods are mentioned, but never have an active role in the plot, so this was a nice change.

As always, Carissa’s writing is beautiful. It is lush and immersive, and the narrators did a wonderful job with this book. The atmosphere in this book is dark, and we can feel Mische and Asar’s despair, but also their love and hope, and their willingness to do anything to protect each other and try to right their wrongs. That being said, I also feel that sometimes the world-building and immersive writing take the spotlight, moving us away from the plot for a while and making the pace drag a little. It was more noticeable in The Songbird, but it was still there in this book.

"You are the sacrifice I will not make."

Mische and Asar’s romance is not the healthiest because they would both burn down the world to save the other, but it is also what makes it swoonworthy. I liked reading about them and their romance. Sadly, though, even though I enjoyed this book more than the previous one, I still didn’t care about Asar and Mische as much as I could have if I’d been more invested in their romance in The Songbird and the Heart of Stone. I adore Mische, and Asar is a great morally gray love interest, but for some reason, I didn’t fall in love with them as much as I did with Oraya and Rhain.

The chemistry between Asar and Mische is perfect. Even though I didn’t love them as a couple as much as Rhain and Oraya, I have to recognize that the sexual tension, smut, and overall chemistry between those two is hot and amazing.

It was nice to see glimpses of Rhain and Oraya in this book. I love that they were involved in the plot, too, and that they showed up for Mische and had her back no matter what. Sylina and Trius were also part of the story, for a little while, and I loved seeing all the characters we grew to love meet each other and interact.

The final chapter of this book gives us a glimpse of what awaits us in the next duology, and I can’t wait to get more of Septimus and his smoothness and silver tongue.


1. The Serpent and the Wings of Night ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.5 Six Scorched Roses ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
2. The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.5 Slaying the Vampire Conqueror ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
3. The Songbird and the Heart of Stone ⭐⭐⭐.5


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[shaelinslibrary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sigh.

Firstly, thank you Netgalley for the ARC, in return for an honest review.

I am 60% in and DNF’ing. I tried so hard, but unfortunately this duet is not for me. However, I did read over half this book so I am rewarding myself by marking it as “read”, lol I don’t wanna hear about it.

I had a really tough time with Mische, in book 1 she was almost unbearable to me. She was like a 12 year old mentally despite being a 50+ year old vampire. That personality trait did bleed over into this book too, which was tough at times for me to read.

The altercation had with Raihn made me upset too.

The pluses in this book are that Asar is just as dreamy as he was in book 1, and Luce is adorable and I am obsessed with her.

The major qualm I really have overall with this duet is that this is labeled the “Shadowborn duet”, yet we are actually barely in the Shadowborn court. We’re in the underworld and other courts a majority of the time, which makes no sense. I also feel like the atmosphere was *almost* fleshed out, but not quite. I couldn’t quite picture anything, and some descriptions of places and creatures genuinely made no sense to me.

This pains me to do, as Carissa Broadbent is one of my favorite authors of all time… but this one, put plainly, was just not for me.

[Saba · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE TWISTS!? THE TURNS?! THE EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER!? I might need spiritual healing, because THIS wrecked my soul.

I’m afraid every book in this series gets five stars, it’s just perfect, the characters are amazing (ESPECIALLY Raihn, I love this man), and the story line is so captivating, you get so invested it just sucks you into a world of injustice, heart break and sacrifice, it’s worth every minute I spent reading it, I just have to say that I lost my motherfucking medulla seeing Asar make the dumbest decisions again and fucking again, but I love him still!!

[carolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

࿐ This is the tale of how a fallen one ascends. Long ago, I told you a tale of a chosen girl who fell to the darkness. Now I will tell you the tale of a boy who was born within it.

ᝰ.ᐟ 4.25 stars

Utter chaos, that’s what this book was. And I say this as a compliment. From start to finish, the stakes are at an all time high. There’s not a moment to take a full breath and rest, because the worst possible things kept happening and I felt like I had my heart in my throat the whole time. But that’s part of what made this book fantastic. Actions have consequences, war is not a child’s game and gods are vengeful and care about nothing but themselves.

.✦ This was what it was to be a god. A constant game of possession and destruction and competition. A thrill up one’s spine with every burst of conflict. Gods had long, boring existences.

There’s not much I can say about this book without spoiling the plot, but there were surprises, some familiar faces and a much anticipated reunion. The world expanded even further and we get to see more of the gods and their home. They’re selfish beings, treating everyone else as pawns in their game. Yet there’s something so incredibly fascinating about them.

.✦ He did not doubt that she had told him lies. But the truth in every wound they healed together was absolute. A connection so intrinsic that it rendered all else meaningless.

Mische and Asar went through hell and back, without a moment's respite. Just when they thought they were close to ending the war, something happened that forced them to take three steps back and almost start again from scratch. The journey they were forced to undertake was challenging and painful, demanding so much of them physically and mentally. However, it made them much stronger, and I think they finally realised how much power they have within them. I’m not talking about their actual powers; I’m talking about the power that comes from believing in yourself and knowing that you’re worthy of life. For so long, both Mische and Asar thought they had to be martyrs; they believed they had to sacrifice themselves for a higher power, or for the chance to be worthy of praise and love. But that was never true, and this journey showed them that they didn't have to sacrifice the parts of themselves that make them whole and human to be valuable.

.✦ “For whatever of your mistakes, Mische Iliae,” he said, quietly, firmly, “for whatever of your faults, for whatever unintended pains you may bring this world, I will love you anyway.”

Throughout everything they experienced, Mische and Asar’s love remained an unwavering force, keeping them tethered to each other and fuelling their determination to keep fighting. As I said in my review of the previous book, Mische truly is the light to Asar’s darkness. They are the sun and the moon; one cannot exist without the other. They complement each other perfectly; their souls are intertwined. They’re one of those couples who I believe would've found each other in every lifetime because they are destined to be together.

.✦ In the darkness, I found solace. In the underworld, I found hope. And here, in this twin soul, in this love we built together, I finally found it: Home.

Carissa never fails to amaze me. The way everything is coming together is stunning; all the little threads she’s been weaving since the first book are slowly forming a complete tapestry, and I cannot wait to see the final result.

I am very excited for the next book because Septimus is such an interesting and complex character, and I need to find out more about him. I will be preparing for the worst because the gods are angry, and there’s no telling how they will assert their power now that they have seen that they can be challenged.

thank you so much netgalley and pan macmillan for the e-arc🫶🏻

─── ⋆⋅☆ quotes:

.✦ As if the gods had seen some beauty in mortality but failed to realize that the imperfection of it was what made it remarkable.

.✦ She looked at me with such abject, undeserved affection. It made me think of how a sunrise I’d never witnessed must feel.

.✦ Funny, how I’d never experienced the sensation of the sun falling over my face. But every time, I was so certain that it must feel something like Mische’s presence. - the way he keeps comparing her to the sun 😭😭

.✦ I wanted to bury myself before her. I wanted to cut myself open for her, let her take whatever she wanted, and treasure the scars for the rest of my pathetic life.


・・・・・
I got the arc 😭🫶🏻 I’m so happy! This is one of my most anticipated releases of the year!

・・・・・
I CAN’T WAIT TO READ THIS 😭 it comes out one day after my birthday 🥹

[Saga ☾ (semi-hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ★

“Mische Iliae would be remembered by the bones of time itself, and I knew it because I would write her story there with my blood if I had to.”

The fallen and the kiss of dusk was an epic conclusion to this duology. I really wanted this to leave a bigger impact on me but it unfortuntley didn't. That to say, it dosen't mean I didn't love it, because I did. I just honestly thought it would leave more of an influence on me.

After having read four of Carissa Broadbents books, I've noticed why I haven't rated them five stars yet even though I love them. Carissa Broadbents writing, nonetheless beautiful have a tendency to sometimes, be kind of a drag to read, if you know what I mean. It can really slow down or feel too much in some instances, like she's trying a little too hard.

That is honestly the only thing keeping me from giving the books five stars. All else, the characters, romance and story is always magnificent. And The fallen and the kiss of dusk was no exception.

Mische and Asars love story was so tragic in this book, I almost thought it would end horribly but the last 100 pages were so heartbreakingly beautifully written especially the last scene with them 🥹 I hope we see them in the next duology too.

Speaking of the next duology, I'm so excited for Septimus story, I honestly knew he would have some sort of bigger impression on this world, he was a little too interesting in Raihn and Orayas books. He is giving too high walls and a certain someone is going to have an easy time tearing them down, hihi.

—————————

Pre read:
The way I've waited so long for this 😩 Please don't be disappointing.

[Kaven Hirning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death. Gods. Yearning. A familiar face. A very good dog.
And an avengers level team up?

The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk is Carissa’s best work to date, in my humble opinion. The world is so beautifully crafted, and the gods in this book?? Well… GODTIER. Unironically.
Mische is MY Persephone and I love her so much.

Expect a lot of pain and a lot of UWWWUUUS 💕 and some special cameos from our beloved characters we’ve missed.


I cannot wait to see what miss Broadbent comes up with next!

[AndaReadsTooMuch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guys, why did this one hit so hard? Why? Poor Mische. I am still not over what happened to her in the last book and then this one just HAD to take my heart and stomp all over it some more. Mische broke me all over again, seeing how she was dealing with her current predicament. How much she bet on being able to bring Asar back to her… the way she sees the best in everyone, no matter how hard their heart has become. Especially the parts with Luce. Dammit, I love that ghost dog. This whole book had me weeping.

(There was a part near the middle that got a little convoluted for me, but I will note that it could have been because I was bouncing between reading and listening. Not a dig at either format, just sometimes switching back and forth, I get a little lost.)

And don’t get me started on Vincent. Can I tell you how glad I was to see that we didn’t get a whitewash version that absolved him of his bullshit? He still had to grapple with everything he had done to Oraya and that felt right. He didn’t get a pass. He didn’t even get forgiveness. But it just felt… right. It was right.

Once again, this entire series has blown me away with the way that Broadbent deals with complex topics like death, devotion, forgiveness, and even grief. (And yes, death and grief are different.) There’s an incredible sensitivity she brings to those themes and the way they are dealt with that speaks to my soul. If you’ve been hesitating on this one, I’m here to say it’s worth the read. (Also the audiobook is amazing, please do yourself a favor and check it out!)

[Bea27x · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+

“Together,” I said. I wasn’t sure if the word was spoken aloud, in my own mind or his. But it was the only thing I could think now—that I wanted him to fall with me, over this cliff and all the others to come.

Amazing. I loved it. ❤️ Carissa Broadbent never disappoints. I don’t even know where to begin, this book is so beautiful that either I didn’t write a review at all, or I did and to try and mention everything I end up with an insanely long gushing… sorry and here we go.

A wonderful, beautiful emotional story, book and duology, I really liked the Nightborn duet, but the Shadowborn duet is my favorite, and this book is even better than The Songbird, with excitement, romance and more than one scene that gave me misty eyes.

“Forgive me,” I said. “I can’t help it.”
“Can’t help what?”
“Arguing with you so I can listen to you breathe.”

Praises first to the writing, because it’s superb. CB is in my top 3 favorite authors, I adored all of her books, some got me more than others but all hit, with writing so good it makes me want to go back and reread every paragraph. I love the impactful and profound way she portrays all situations and themes, and impeccably writes characters so real and layered, complicated and captivating that I always end up understanding and knowing them.

Plotwise, there’s a lot happening, the stakes have never been this high. Mische and Asar are in a race against time and gods to try and save Mische and the world, travelling through the fascinating world CB created and meeting familiar faces while messes hit them, enemies on all sides chase them and everything around them crumbles. We are in the thick of the gods moves for power and preparations for war, so the gods become central, and the more we learn the more I’m disgusted by them and the horrors they commit, callously and uncaringly, their cruelty and selfishness. They use people, like pawns, playthings, then discard them when they’re done. And people, humans or vampires, can commit the worst atrocities too. This story shows the cruelty, the horrors, the world and its people are capable of, but also the love, the hope, the kindness and strength.

Now the characters: I fell in love with Mische and Asar.

“Maybe greatness should come not from the sacrifices you make, but the ones you refuse to.”
Yes. I agreed with her. There were some sacrifices I would never make.

Mische shines in this duet, I loved her journey, she feels lost, so much of what she was raised to believe in has proven untrue, her faith has always been so important to her and she has to figure out what it means to her now. She grows and finds herself and her place. She has incredible strength, even in the face of horrors, of everything she believed crumbling down, no matter how much wrong she sees and endures, she never stops fighting, never stops hoping and believing and trying, because helping is part of who she is and she never loses her kindness, her selflessness, because even if you can help just one person that it’s worth it. And the closure with her sister was moving and needed.

I wasn’t sure anymore what I was—human, vampire, wraith, living or dead. Did it matter? I was Mische, I decided. That was all I could be.

And Asar, well, I already loved him in the previous book, but here, with his pov, I really got to see him in all his wonderfulness. Max will always be the best CB mmc, but Asar comes right after him. I love how he’s serious, controlled, but with a streak of sarcasm and dry humor, that he detests social occasions and can’t help but wanting to be salty. He’s a tormented soul, worried that he could never make up for his past and he’ll destroy all he loves; life made him a cynic, but underneath he has a compassionate heart and he can’t help but keep trying, hoping, keep wanting to fix things. He doesn’t let people in easily, but for the few he does, he cares about so much, he really would move heaven and earth.

“Go get her!”
I almost laughed as I ran by him, shadows collecting at my heels. Because did he think I needed or wanted his permission? Did he think that he, or any king, or any god, could have stopped me?

That brings me to the wonderful romance, the deep love and connection Mische and Asar have is at the center of the story, it’s felt in every page, it’s wholesome, unshakable, vital, and is romantic af ❤️. Mische and Asar are two people who deeply understand one another, different but also very similar, both carry a lot of guilt and struggle to make peace with their lives, both feel a deep need to fix things, to help, and share similar trauma from childhood, that’s why it’s so meaningful for both to have a person who sees them, accept them and love them, mistakes and all, and reminds them of their worth.

“I’ve learned over the years that people think they want absolution. But that’s not what they really need to hear.”
“What do most people need to hear?”
“They need to hear, ‘Even if it is your fault, I will love you anyway.’ ”
[…]
“For whatever of your mistakes, Mische Iliae,” he said, quietly, firmly, “for whatever of your faults, for whatever unintended pains you may bring this world, I will love you anyway.”

I felt how much they mean to each other and the length they would go to for the other, Asar especially really is a man down bad! He would do ANYTHING for Mische; and what makes it even more impactful is that he’s an intelligent, careful person, he understands exactly the potential consequences of his actions, but he does whatever it takes anyway and hell with everything else. For that very few he loves he’s not strategic, he acts. He’s the definition of I would let the world burn if it’s needed to save you. That’s why there was never any doubt that Asar would accept sacrificing himself to save Mische, all of his mission to become a god is not driven by desire for power for himself, and only in a smaller part for power to save the underworld (he does care about doing that), what he wants most of all is to save Mische, at any cost. How could his devotion not have my heart and not be hot as hell when he goes into badass “I’ll do whatever is necessary” mode? 🥵😍🫠

“I don’t regret it,” I said. “I would do it a thousand times over. A thousand times, if it means that I get to hear you berate me for it here rather than imagine those words over your corpse. You are the sacrifice I will not make, Mische. You. Don’t ask me to apologize for that.”

I spent most of the book expecting that sacrifice, yet when it happened, among all of that messiness and bloodshed, with him doing it for Mische and then becoming something that did not recognize her anymore! And then Mische reaction to losing him! It shook me. It was a pivotal and peak moment of the book, done so well, and so heartbreaking. 😭

We had created a god, just as we had intended to. And though it had saved us, it had also damned us.
But I wasn’t thinking about any of that.
I was thinking about the love of my life, and that heart I had so treasured falling into the sea.

And Mische, she loves him so much, he’s the one person who feels like home and makes her want a happily ever after, so she fights to get him back.

“No matter what’s ahead, never sacrifice the messy parts of your mortality, Asar. I like those the best.”
“Then take them,” I murmured. “They’re for you.”
“Yes, please.” Her words were warm with a smile. “I’ll have it all.”

The scene where she finds little Asar in the underworld is beyond beautiful and emotional, it probably is my favorite of the entire book and one of the moments where I teared up the most.

I saw myself in him. An eight-year-old version of myself who had been told the same lie that he had been.
Give me your heart, and you will never hurt again. Give me your heart, and your soul will be pure.
“You will make mistakes,” I murmured. “And I will love you anyway.”
“I never told you how much it meant to me,” he said.
I smiled. “Yes, you did. Not with words. But with something even more valuable.”
He shook his head. “It wasn’t enough to save you.”
“Then we’ll try again. Together.”


The confrontation between them is another book’s peak, the love they share so strong and real and deep that she brings him back and finds a way to save him.

“I love you,” she whispered. “I love you, Asar Voldari, Warden of Morthryn, king of the underworld, heir of Alarus. I love you, and in this life or the next, worlds mortal or divine, I will never let you go.”

And how can I not mention their song, every time it comes back it made me 🥲
There’s also same very nice steam emoji, the chemistry between them… The tension when they couldn’t touch and then the fireworks when they finally could.

“I’m not grieving anything,” he murmured.
Liar, I thought. My eyes, heavy lidded, fell to his mouth.
Because I was grieving, too.
I was grieving fiercely.
🔥 🔥

Other characters I want to mention:
Luce. The best girl. Such a brave loyal friend. Animals, dogs most of all, always get to me and Luce' bonds with Mische and especially with Asar, is pure and beautiful and deep. When Luce dove after Asar when he lost himself, that broke me, I knew tears would be brought forward eventually and that did it, and when Mische found little Asar with Luce, always together, I teared up there too… she followed him in the underworld to guard his heart. 🥲
“You have a very good friend there,” I said.
“I know,” the boy said. “I’ll never let her go.”
“No, you won’t. She’ll never let you go, either.”

I was so excited to see Oraya and Raihn! Oraya has been a character I loved from the start and I’m fond of Raihn, he’s not one who ever left a strong impression with me, not as much as Asar and Vincent, but I really like him and Oraya together and his friendship with Mische deserves an honorable mention, their bond comes out here much more than ever before, they had a scene together that was really beautiful. I could not wait for their reaction to what happened and Raihn meeting Asar, and it was worth it.

Now, I have to say something about my absolute favorite character, complicated and always so interesting: Vincent🖤. His appearance at the end of book 3 was already everything and here he had a much more important and recurring role that I dared to hope! And he helped so much, he and Mische were a duo I didn’t know I needed, and if the queen of the dead ever needs an army, I agree, call him. Chapter 68? This is where I cracked and cried 😭. But of course Vincent made me cry, holding true to pattern, he has since book 1.

“Do you think I don’t know what this is like? To lose the—” His voice caught. “The greatest love you’ve ever known? I do know this. And it was the fault of my own mistakes. No one else’s. No, Mische Iliae. I’m not here to earn Nyaxia’s favor. I am here because someone I once loved very much believed in the power of fate. The power of even the most inconsequential person to change it. Her goddess sent me to you, not my own. And I know that there is nothing I can ever do to right the terrible ways I wronged her. Not in life, and certainly not in death. But.”
He leaned closer, fury burning in the cold ice of his stare.
“Her daughter, our daughter, is up there still, at the mercy of this game of gods. I will not allow her to suffer the consequences of it. And I do not care if the goddess-damned underworld collapses around me, but I will not allow it to take her with it. I didn’t protect either of them in life. Not the way I should have. But I will be damned if I don’t protect them now. So get up.”

His love for Oraya’s mother, his love for Oraya! He dedicated all of his life to power and yet in death, just like he showed in the end of his life, his daughter is the only thing that matters. And the letter?! At little serpent I cried.


Now I have new Vincent quotes to obsess over.
“She knows, I hope. How much I love her. I know that in life, it was not enough.”

Septimus and the epilogue: very intriguing for what it teases of the next duet, like a time jump that bring us into a changed world, in the middle of a years long war, and a character, Septimus, who I think will be great, he has been playing the long game and arranging pieces to make Nyaxia pay for what she has done to his people I think and I’m very curious to see inside his mind and what he’ll do (high potential, cunning bastard playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers is one of my favorite mmc types), and also of course, how the over whole story will conclude.

End: All the book is amazing, but the last 200 pages are wild! And the conclusion with the heart, Acaeja and the new/old kingdom is great. Mische and Asar have the perfect ending, they are where they belong, where they can help and have found their home; the dead chose them because of how much they care about the descent, the underworld and its souls, new king and queen of the dead and a resurrected kingdom, perfect. I was shocked and awed. The last chapter is the perfect ending for their story, a wedding beautiful and perfect for them.

And when it was all done, Asar would take me back to our room. He would play one final song for me—a song that sounded like me, and like him, and the future we once had thought would only belong to the ghosts.
Later.
But now, my husband, my partner, my ally, kissed me again, deep and soft and full of hope. As the lines of our spell dissolved into our kingdom, he lay me down in the poppy field, and here, in this moment, I understood what it was to feel complete.
In the darkness, I found solace.
In the underworld, I found hope.
And here, in this twin soul, in this love we built together, I finally found it:
Home.