The Lion & the Deathless Dark: Book 1 of the Bloodborn Duet

Crowns of Nyaxia #5

by Carissa Broadbent

From New York Times bestselling author and BookTok sensation Carissa Broadbent returns with a brand new novel in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, The Lion & the Deathless Dark – the first book in the Bloodborn Duet.

Some blood tastes like vengeance. Some blood tastes like grief. Some blood tastes like nothing at all.

Under an eternal night, the world has been ravaged by ten years of war between humans and vampires. Kyrene scrapes by as a bounty hunter, bearing a blessed sword from the goddess of justice. But in the wake of a devastating loss, Kyrene commits a crime that makes her a target for mortals and gods alike – and she is still desperate for vengeance.

Her only chance at survival – and revenge – is making a deal with her enemy, the silver-tongue vampire prince, Septimus, who offers her one final to slay the gods themselves.

Together, Kyrene and Septimus must hunt the ultimate marks, all while navigating a web of prophecies and curses. Septimus is calculating and mysterious, masking secrets bloodthirsty enough to consume them both. Yet, most dangerous of all, Kyrene finds an unexpected kinship in him.

But their growing attraction is deadly in a world where the only currency is blood. And Kyrene will stop at nothing to fulfill her ultimate to kill the goddess of vampires, even if it means sacrificing love for revenge.

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

560 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2026

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

[SK · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMGGGG I THINK THE LAST 10% HAD ME ASCENDED INTO MY PERSONAL HELL CAUSE HOW BRILLIANTLY PAINFUL WAS THAT ENDING

4.5 stars ✨

This is the book that reminded me why I loved Serpent and the Wings of Night so much. I'm still gonna pretend book 3 and 4 do not exist cause I genuinely did not like those two. But there has always been a charismatic aura about Septimus that has drawn me in since book 1. And I had a feeling he was going to deliver. He did. He abso-fucking-lutely did.

The book had me instantly hooked with Kyrene's cold armor she hides behind. And I do admit, she's not the most easiest fmc to like. She's difficult, she's meant to be. But it was the reckless arrogance in her that frustrated me multiple times. Sure, there's growth and a learning curve with lots of ups and downs. There's pride... And there's Kyrene level pride... It did not agree well with me, which at one point in the second half had me wondering if this was just going to be four stars. I do respect her and the woman she's becoming though.

But then Septimus, oh how I love him. This series gave me Raihn. Vale. Atrius. And now Septimus who stands out in his own manner. He's gorgeous, he's cunning and the world is his chessboard. But he's always a sassy vampire who is blunt and pays attention to detail. Someone who tends to your wounds while also telling you to humble yourself. I can respect that balance.

The slow burning romance is so good. There are surprisingly a lot of raw, tender moments that feel wholesome before it gets spicy towards the end. As much as I had hoped for more spice from Septimus, I think Carissa giving him a heart was much better take on his character especially when it was being set up for that particular ending.

The action and the plot were great. I was on the edge of my seat so many times. The gods and goddess had everything coming their way. Not once did the book lose it's rhythm. And yet, even I couldn't predict the outcome of that ending. I sat there jaw on the floor, so much to process, screaming, traumatized and completely lost for an hour. Sure, I have theories and I do suspect how the finale is going to be but for now, if I ignore Kyrene's arrogance? This is a work of art 😭

Brb now I'm gonna go cry.


~•~•~
IT'S HEREEEEEEE
I just know Septimus is gonna deliver. I've had my eye on this man since book 1. I'm coming for ya, boo 🤍

[Ali L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many of you, I am a slut for a self-destructive pretty boy, and they don’t get prettier and any more self-inflicted-suffering than Septimus, the hot snarky chain smoker who has been infuriating and arousing the masses (me) since he first appeared in Serpent. This book isn’t just about him, though: meet Kyrene, the special-sword-wielding conductor of the Hot Mess Express. She’s an absolute disaster on two legs so of course Septimus is into it because everyone here is in need of therapy like, yesterday. Septimus has a job to do and he needs Kyrene’s help to do it, so if you squint, this is kind of like a buddy-cop road trip romance! But with, like, a lot of murder and petty, vengeful gods and vampires being all bitey. 10/10 would be part of their throuple. Ending is super satisfying, no cliffhanger (I’m lying).

[Esta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I didn't expect a book about vampires and zombie vampires to rip my heart from my chest, tear it straight down the middle, then put through a meat grinder till it's nothing but a pile of bloody emotional mulch and much of it within the first 20%, but here we are.

If you like cute animal companions, sorry you won't get that here, but you will get a motherly sentient talking sword so there's that, and trust me, Zefiah (the sword) is brilliant in all the literal and figurative ways.

Septimus + Kyrene's story delivered big time. Raging cliffhanger, wouldn't expect any less.

Is this my favourite book of the series yet? Possibly equal tie with Serpent.

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

Let's be real, the Septimus artwork in the newsletter summoned us (beastmodeactivated)

[ଘRory]

is it too early to give that book five stars 😋?

[ariyel ⟡ [semi-ia]]

i’m seated. the barnes & noble employees are scared and asking me to leave because it’s “not august 2026 yet” but i’m simply too seated.

[Maddy ✨ ~The Verse Vixen {AFK}]

Vampire’s Game. Hunter’s Strike. - A War Written in Blood..


One pact. One prophecy.. One spark that could ignite everything.
Will love survive when the night devours all?Or will destiny demand its ultimate sacrifice!?

The war has burned for a decade under an eternal night.Ten years of war have left humans and vampires at each other’s throats, and in the shadows of the eternal night, survival is a crime—and vengeance is the only law.

-One bounty hunter with grief carved into her bones
-One vampire prince with secrets sharp enough to bleed kingdoms
-A deal so dangerous it could burn the gods alive..

🔮Return to the realm of Nyaxia...

Enters -
⚔️ Kyrene — lion-hearted bounty hunter, armed with a blade blessed by a goddess. She hunts for vengeance, and vengeance alone.

🦇 Septimus — silver-tongued vampire prince, dangerous as the shadows he wears. He hides secrets sharp enough to bleed the world.

-She wants revenge.
-He wants survival.
-Together? They’re about to hunt death itself.

When loss drives Kyrene to commit an unforgivable crime, she becomes prey to mortals and gods alike. Her only chance at survival—and revenge—lies in a bargain with the very monster she swore to kill.

Some blood tastes like vengeance. Some blood tastes like grief. Some blood tastes like nothing at all.

~WHAT TO EXPECT: and spiral over-

🌬️ Enemies turned uneasy allies — every glare a threat, every touch a promise
🦇 The Vampire Prince Trope — sharp teeth, sharper secrets
🕯️ Blessed Blades & Doomed Prophecies — destiny doesn’t play fair here
💔 Grief as fuel — revenge is her heartbeat, vengeance is his language
⚔️ Deadly banter — “I should kill you” / “You should kiss me instead” energy
🔥 Forbidden attraction — the kind where love is more dangerous than war
👑 Gods, monsters, curses — all bleeding together in shadows
🌑 A world where blood is currency and devotion gets you killed🕯️ Prophecies, curses, and gods who demand too much blood
⚔️ “Touch her and die” but make it prophecy instead of bravado
🤺 Morally grey bargains in moonlit ruins
🦇 Fang-filled banter. “I hate you” tension. And kisses that taste like sin
🔥 A war where love isn’t salvation—it’s the final weapon.

The Fallen and The Kiss of Dusk left me wrecked… and now Carissa really said: here’s more pain, more blood, more yearning...
I LIVED for the last book, and now I can’t wait to dive headfirst into this deadly duet. Gods, vengeance, curses, enemies bound by blood?? Inject it straight into my veins. 🩸

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! This was a fantastic and heartbreaking fantasy romance about betrayal, power, love, survival, courage and revenge. The Lion and the Deathless Dark follows Kyrene, a bounty hunter who carries a powerful sword from the goddess of justice. Kyrene kills a god after facing a terrible loss and now is in trouble from gods and mortals. Kyrene makes a deal with her enemy Septimus, a vampire prince in order to survive. When she becomes closer to Septimus she must decide whether to stay on the revenge journey or find love.

Thoughts
I was completely immersed in this deadly fantasy world from the very first page. The plot was engaging and action-packed throughout the book! There were several plot twists and betrayals that had me truly shocked. I loved that this book didn't include trials like many other fantasy books instead focused on a bounty hunter on a journey to kill gods and goddesses. I also appreciated that while the main character wields a powerful sword, she is strong in her own right and knows how to fight. The pacing was perfect, it wasn't slow or too fast. The world building was excellent, the author put a tremendous amount of detail into the history of the world, the land, the languages and the mortals as well as the gods. The author also explained the differences between the mortals, vampires and the gods/goddesses. The magic was interesting especially the magic from items that gods crafted such as the sword that Kyrene wields, healing magic and blood magic. The writing was beautiful, descriptive and immersive. The storytelling was amazing, the author brought the characters to life by telling their story and emotions. I felt so many emotions while reading this book including happiness, sadness, anger, and heartbreak. The ending was exciting and also so devastating. I'm going to be thinking about this book and the characters for a long time

Characters
I loved Kyrene, she was a flawed character who made mistakes, but she was strong, resilient, fierce, protective of the people she loved, and didn't give up when she was on a certain path. I was in awe of how determined and resilient Kyrene was even after all of the heartbreak she went through. I adored Septimus as well, he was mysterious, sarcastic, strong, resilient, protective and had a soft side. Septimus' character development was great, I loved seeing the softer and caring side that he showed to Kyrene. The scene where he read to her made me swoon so much! Also when the nickname that he gave to her, I loved it. I loved that that there were some funny and heartwarming scenes alongside the deadly world they lived in. The side characters were intriguing and complex as well especially Zefiah, Valentina, and Mirie. I loved the interactions between the side characters and the main characters in particular the banter.

Romance
I loved that the romance was true enemies to lovers, they actually hated each other in the beginning. The chemistry and the tension was amazing!! I could feel the deep connection and similarities between the main characters. I also loved that the romance was slow burn, it took them a while to show their feelings. The banter was great and there were several scenes that made me laugh. The romantic scenes were spicy and made me blush. My only critique I have for the romance was they showed that they cared for each other, but didn't say the words out loud.

Thank you so much Bramble, Carissa Broadbent and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Carissa's assistant does have its advantages. I read the first draft of this book (not edits at all) and I can safely say that this is the book that topped Serpent for me, and that's saying a lot because Serpent was always number 1 in my heart. Lion was dark, gritty, devastating, emotional, surprising, shocking, sexy, very sexy and genuinely a masterpiece in plotting. Did I mention that Septimus has a dirty mouth?

[Tahls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another banger from vampire queen Broadbent!

I devoured this in like 24 hours and the conclusion was non-stop jabs to the heart and a barrage of breath-taking revelations... I don't know how I'm going to get through the finale in one piece.

Super early on I knew this was going to be an epic, gruesome, gut-wrenching adventure and I was totally locked in. I loved the gritty, post-apocalyptic vibes right off the bat, and as always, the writing and setup captured me immediately. The world is brutal, and the revenge driven storyline instilled instant investment and anticipation. Kyrene is a total badass, a smart and merciless one at that, and Septimus steals every scene he’s in—a cunning, magnetic presence.

The first cameo made me gasp so hard I choked. And I knew Carissa’s been working some magic with all these plotlines and characters, but man was she playing the loooong game. I was blown away by what I learned in this. The overarching plot of this series is actually insane—SO meticulously planned out and delivered masterfully. But the themes and plot devices of this particular book are genuinely so fucking heart-breaking. I sobbed multiple times. And as the story progressed and pieces fell into place, it became all the more significant and poignant. There was no holding back. Just one devastating gut punch after another.

I really applaud how well developed and unique each of the romances in this world have been. The slow burn between Kyrene and Septimus is delicious and like all couples in this world, their connection is built from deep mutual trust, vulnerability, and respect—after a decent amount of bickering and deception of course. This romance feels different to the others though... their pairing is like a conglomerate of everything that's come to pass so far.

“Any soul would be lucky to have a lion like you fighting for them. Anyone. A warrior, a priestess, a machinist, or a child.” The corner of his mouth slanted. “Even a vampire prince.”

There is something about the writing, as with all of Carissa’s work, that feels so natural but intentional. It’s smooth and effortless to read—like every word fits together seamlessly—while creating such intense vividness and emotion intended for a specific purpose to be felt at a specific moment for the most visceral impact. And somehow Carissa just keeps going above and beyond with each instalment; I am seriously reeling from this book. I want to go back and reread all the others now!

-

this somehow flew under my radar but now I have to stop everything else and start it!!

[Bea27x · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone always looks at their heroes like that, in the end.

This is why Carissa Broadbent is one of my top authors, because every book of hers is amazing. I cannot emphasize enough how much I love her writing, not can I give justice to how beautiful it is; I just feel every single sentence, every emotion and how can every quote be so intense and impactful, I don’t know. Some books I prefer to others, but all have such complex, real, well written characters, who have to make terrible choices and there’s never a simply good one, and such felt stories, I mean, the events, the situations, the feelings, just hit so much.

“We have failed so many people. The one thing we have left to offer their memories is blood.”

(There'll be some spoilers about characters but not events)
This story is so captivating, with moves, turns and shocking moments; the book jumps straight into the action and there’s a lot of it, it's gripping and there are many heavy moments that carry emotional weight and it fits with the stakes and the type of character Kyrene is. It’s always the more reflective scenes tho, the ones that show the complexity of a situation, the reality of the world and people, character psychology and moments of confrontations that shine for me.

Leave the tears. Bring the anger. Only one is useful to you now.
[…] Her tears remained there in the bloody dirt, but she would carry the rage with her for the rest of her life.

This book continues from the previous duet to show the selfishness, entitledness and disregards toward anything except their own power the gods have, and doesn’t shy away from showing the violence and cruelty people are capable of, being vampires or humans; this never-ending war between them, we look at it from both sides and see that both are capable of acts of unspeakable cruelty. This quotes I think says it all Vampire children, yes. But a mind never gets used to seeing little bodies broken that way. Under all the blood, it was hard to tell the difference.



“We share a propensity for making the right beings bleed. So let’s make them fucking bleed.”

Kyrene is a different fmc than the ones before, she’s not easily likable and I had to warm up to her, but true to CB fashion, she is complex, layered and I understood and felt for her. She is jaded, disillusioned, reckless, impulsive, her answer to everything is killing; she tends to act without thinking with tunnel vision, just charges ahead bullheaded. She runs from emotions and reflection, covering hurt with aggression and throwing herself into anything that can numb her, because at the core of it all she’s full of pain and anger, crushed by loss, and believes her only worth is in killing with that sword.

Happy endings only existed between those pages. But I let myself believe in them—that anyone could be a princess, or a fairy, or a fucking hero. That maybe, I could rip the face off the woman I’d murdered ten years ago and pretend I was her, instead of no one at all.

But throughout this journey with Septimus, she smacks her head against uncomfortable truths, stats to see a bit beyond the “attack anything that’s in front of you” and has to reevaluate what she thought she knew. I enjoyed how she ends up here and I think by the end she’ll have had a very satisfying arc.



“They were noble. What a kind thing to say at their graves. What a nice story to tell their grieving families, if there’s even anyone left. All my other brothers, all five of them, fell chasing that. But I’ve never been like them. I’m the last resort.”
“I will be the last Bloodborn to suffer this curse. I think of that, every time I bow to her, every time I jump to her call. My brothers failed. I will not. And I will make any sacrifice to that end. Even, divine hero, terrible ones that were never mine to make.”

Septimus, what a character. Him, his story and all the House of Blood story was definitely the peak of the book for me and what had my heart, I found it all so powerful and heart wrenching.

“I know I will not live to see the world that will come after this. But goddess fucking help me, Kyrene, this will end with me. This will end with me.”

Septimus is someone who looks always put together, who shows the world only what he wants them to see, but underneath he cares so much and is fucking furious, determination made steel by hatred and grief. He’s cunning, manipulative, everything he does is thought out and planned, he has been playing the long game, shifting pieces, and making the tough decisions, all in order to reach the objective that the whole House of Blood is working toward, sacrifice after sacrifice, working for a common objective with Septimus at the helm: for the suffering of his people and his family to be paid back in blood and a chance for a future for his House. He dedicated all of himself to this, because failure for him is not an option, he’ll do whatever needs to be done to end this and he’s too angry to die before succeeding.



I wondered if anyone in my entire life had ever looked at me like this. Not with the reverence of a divine warrior. Not with the disgust of a shameless bounty hunter. But honest, genuine affection for exactly who I was.

Kyrene and Septimus are a great couple and slow burn, as always, with such tragic elements and with the development of the relationship being realistic, completely believable and incredibly done. Those two started with a very clear idea of the other, but as the book went on discovered each other little by little and saw beneath the mask they present to the world and found out they have much more in common than they thought.

But here, in this pained, messy version of Septimus, I saw myself. I saw more of myself than I had ever seen in another person.

Both are for sure people who love a challenge and never back down from it and they push each other’s button to get the upper hand; but most of all they share and understand the other same deep anger, hatred, pain and determination, they are both driven by a burning want for retribution. They also have a lot of great chemistry and sexual tension, but they shine the most in what CB always does superbly, slowly building a connection between two people who recognize the same thing in each other.

“I’m so angry. Angry at Nyaxia for making us suffer this way. Angry that I was ready to sacrifice my life for nothing. Angry that I thought I’d watched you die, and angry that even after, even when I thought you had betrayed me, even though you lied to me, even though I failed my people because of it, I felt like someone had ripped me apart.”
“I’m so angry, Kyrene,” he breathed. “And I should be angry at you. I know it, just as I know you. I know that you’ve wanted to cut out my heart from the first minute we met. Well, you’ve gotten your wish. You have it, and I don’t even mind. My chest is wide open, and all I want to do is lick the blood from your fingers and offer you more.”



And what a freaking ending!

I had expected to come to this place and find some great immortal magic. Something so ancient and powerful that it was wholly alien.
But the mundanity of the truth was so much more horrifying.
A cycle that went on and on and on. In this world, you were either the one with the open throat or the one with the full stomach. But all those full stomachs once had teeth at their throat, too.

I think it’s way past time that Oraya, Rahin, Mishe and Asar work with Septimus, Kyrene, Atrius and Sylina, and if all of the couple don’t get some sort of happy ending in the final book I’ll riot.

He was nearly unrecognizable from the pristine vampire prince I had first met. The man who used his beauty and dignity as a shield against the future he knew would one day come for him. That future was here, and it had taken so much from him. And yet, looking at him now, the words unfurled so clearly in my head:
You are perfect.
Because he had fought so hard. Given so much. All those sacrifices now shredded his defenses, leaving behind only the suffering they had hidden. And I knew that suffering. I felt it, too. And in this moment, I loved him for it, for all those failures in lockstep with mine. All those shattered hopes, so precious for having existed at all.

[✨sofia✨]

Edit: OMG THE COVER IS ✨STUNNING✨

”Septimus very much liked to be the solution to a problem.”

oh yeah…septimus is definitely daddy material

[Ri ♡]

SEPTIMUS IT IS!!! i can never not love a messed-up, morally grey character with a tragic backstory 😩

[☀️Meg- · Rating 4 out of 5]

⥼~-✰-~⥽ ☽ ˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚＊☾ ⥼~-✰-~⥽






I wasn’t at all thinking how much I was going to remember of this book from the last one! When you go back into series it does come back to you! Like yes okay the other books were a bit tediously slow… but can understand why all the characters flooding back especially with the voice it does get you immediately hooked when you understand the main plot of this aswell.





˚┊✦kyrene
It does take a while to like her character I found her really frustrating to enjoy when she just so belligerent at times aswell especially when it comes to vampire attacks like girl get a grip 🤦‍♀️I do feel like she is trying to grow into herself but still makes stupid decisions that can cause herself harm

˚┊✦septimus

Good lord how obsessed I was with him I loved how cheeky and really such a good sweetheart that he is he’s so hot 🥵 the way he cares for kyrene. Even though he such an arrogant vampire but he does know the right and wrong when things are very getting very wild and intense. This man just melts my heart in so many pieces he made the book what it was.




The romance:
The romance was very much of a slowburn throughout the entire book. Like yes okay there was so many good action don’t get me wrong that had you yearning for more. I loved how spicy it got half way through when things are about to take a turn why not release some steam? 🤣I loved how strong the characters got in this one despite there struggles to save there realm etc they did put up a good fight!


The ending :
I did love the book don’t get me wrong it took longer than I hoped it did there was so many action that had you gasping for more wanted to carry on reading ! At least aswell during the book considering how much in depth it was took a while to get into that ending had me jaw dropping though like what the fuck was that???! Now I need more answers than ever 😭😭
I wanted to give this 5 stars but 4 is decent enough for me I still really enjoyed it.

Cannot wait for the next book see how it all unfolds next!



﹏﹒✦﹒✶﹏﹒✦﹒﹏✦﹒﹏﹒✦﹒✶﹏﹒✦﹒﹏✦﹒


𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋🍉⋮ ⌗ pre read ⋆˙⟡
⤷ ゛ ˎˊ˗ Started August 2026

Before i start getting fomo with everyone reading thiss book im reading this over weekendgetting my plans reads done hehe trying to get better reading the new releases without the fomoLOL
cant wait for this one !! been loving the series so far so hopefullly it will be good !!



Omg we have a new one??! I still need to read the newest one why does this have to be next summer 😭cannot wait!!!

[julkahap · Rating 5 out of 5]

To właśnie mam na myśli, jak mówię że chce przeczytać dobre romantasy - jest ciekawa fabuła, rozbudowane i krwawe sceny akcji, bohaterowie, którzy mają charaktery, swoje motywacje, no i do tego wątek romantyczny, który aż chce się śledzić i czekać te 70% książki aż wydarzy się coś więcej (i HOT scena picia krwi) 😌 Dziękuję Carissa, że jak zwykle nie zawiodłaś! 💖

[enqi ☾⋆˚*̣̩✩]

actually need this more than i need oxygen

[Lucie V.]

Apparently, Septimus has a dirty, dirty mouth, and I am here for it. 😏


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 & the Heart of Stone ⭐⭐⭐.5
4. The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Maeghan 🦋]

Just in time for my birthday 😂 this book was preordered so I was supposed to get it on August 5th. I got a notification the day of saying it couldn’t be delivered. Messaged the company, never got an answer. Messaged the bookstore, no answers. It randomly showed up yesterday I was so surprised 😅 better late than never I guess?😂

[Fariha Taskin]

Pre-read
⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
Finally the fifth book, I could cry in peace now🫂

[Anila]

I just finished the fourth book and now we have an announcement for the fifth book🙈😱

[Alexandra_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carissa did it again!
A fast-paced, intriguing, emotional, and witty book with 2 MCs that gave me bi-panic 😅

This series just keeps getting better and better if that is possible because it was perfection since the first duology (so happy to see my babygirl Oraya being a badass queen in this one, even if an antagonist).
I fangirled so hard at every cameo or appearance of characters from the previous books, I hope the last installment does a big Avengers Endgame moment and everyone teams up to defeat the big baddie.

I love how the lore gets richer, the world building more intricate. For example, the bloodborn curse and the reason why Nyaxia did it was intriguing and not at all what I expected.

Septimus and Kyrene are exactly the reason why I read romantasy. Their banter was top tier, the way they came closer (and yes, their spicy tension too, good lord 🥵).
They were fleshed out, well developed, and we saw their arcs progress and eventually converge. I liked that we didn't have a Septimus pov in this book, it kept his mysterious allure and ulterior motives hidden, but I hope the next one will be dual pov.

Honorable mention for Zefiah, she's a God tier sentient object, in the company of Mort from ToG

I did not expect some major plot twists, I thoroughly enjoyed being surprised because, let's be honest, sometimes romantasy can get repetitive or predictable.

I cannot wait for the last book of the series, I know it's gonna be epic, but also bittersweet... I hope Broadbent will revisit the world of Nyaxia at some point.

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⚠️ 𝐌𝐀𝐉𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐒 ⚠️
only read this if you’ve read the entire book


𝐊𝐲𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞 🗡️
I feel like I’m so used to characters secretly being lost princesses or being special because of some innate magic, I was worried with the “chosen one” trope it would be like this, but Kyrene completely comes from nothing and builds herself into someone really powerful. Her character development is so well done, she reminded me a little bit of Aelin with how she never gives up with anything. I really liked how her and Septimus worked together. It was really interesting seeing all the other characters from her perspective. I also loved how action packed the story was with all the fighting scenes, I low-key think she’s my new favorite fmc character in this series.


𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐩𝐲 😘
Maybe unpopular opinion: from the start I’ve always really liked Septimus, when this book was announced I knew he’d probably be a favorite. He reminded me of Jacks (OUABH) and Lestat (IWTV) both morally questionable hot blonde vampire guys. I always felt like he was more of a caricature in the earlier books, but this one gave him so much more nuance and made him feel three-dimensional. I really hope there’s a novella of with parts of his childhood, I’m super curious how he was raised and what his relationship was like with his brothers. He was pretty funny and I’m glad he got so many cool moments. I feel like we’re so used to the guy being the fighter or protector, so I really liked that his strength came more from his magic and wit while Kyrene’s came from her fighting.


𝐒 + 𝐊
I loved Septimus and Kyrenes relationship and how it developes, when I heard this book was “super dark and spicy” I was worried it would be just kinda cringe and lustful but it’s definitely a very slow burn. They don’t even kiss until like 400+ pages in.

I get annoyed when love interests argue for basically no reason (cough cough Voilet and Xaden) but anytime Kyrene and Septimus were mad at each other it was always pretty justified—and they always ended up talking afterwards like adults (Rebecca Yarros please take notes) I think it’s so dumb that in a lot of books when one character betrays the other they hold it against for hundreds of pages, (bridge Kingdom 🙄) just bc the author wants to delay them being together but when Kyrene betrays Septimus they’re able to move on after she explains everything.

I also liked how there wasn’t a huge power imbalance between them. Septimus hiring Kyrene for a job could’ve made for a creepy boss x employee relationship but once they excape Egrette’s kingdom, they’re basically just partners working together for the rest of the book.


𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐬
Ik you can technically read this as a standalone but it’s so much better if you’ve read the other books, so many of the important characters are from the previous books. It was interesting seeing the characters we already knew: Slyina, Atrius, Erekkus 💔
I also liked the new characters, I was super curious that Septimus has a sister and was worried she wouldn’t be in this but I’m glad she was included. I liked most of Kyrenes friends but really liked Valentina in particular bc she added so much to Kyrenes character development. I kind of have mixed feelings about Zefiah, I know she was supposed to be sassy, but I feel like most of the time she was just mean to Kyrene.

Omg I feel so bad for Oraya but it was kinda hilarious how much she gets her ass kicked. Imagining Oraya seeing Septimus and the Vindica Ultis getting along must have been so weird lmao. (I’m pretty sure there’s a special edition with an Oraya chapter in her pov so I’ll def be looking forward to that) also Kyrene and Septimus literally get freaky for the first time RIGHT after Kyrene leaves Oraya for dead, they were still in the temple, so Oraya could have literally come back at any moment 😭


𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞
There is a LOT of repetition, the phrase “like shattered glass” was used to describe SO many things. There was also a time when Kyrene is fighting where she looks to Septimus and it says “he was no longer smirking” when she had looked at him multiple times before this, and he was not smirking! Another time Septimus mentions giving her food or feeding her offhandedly like they had done that even though that had literally never happened so it seemed like there was a scene that was cut out maybe and then they just left all of those lines in. SO many chapters end with “then there was nothing”. All in all an amazing book but it needs a little editing.


𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠
What was that bro 🙏🏻
That plot twist was shocking and SO well done, genuinely thought that was going in a completely different direction. I was glad that more things got resolved than I expected but how tf am I supposed to wait for the next book?? I listen to the audiobook, partly, and Septimus’s narration at the end was a jump scare. His voice was a literal Dracula voice. Also I was so happy when I thought it was Seppy coming back but it was just Atrius 😒


𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬

“Vampires were all beautiful, but this was one of the prettiest I'd ever seen.” (34)

“She loved this. Because Shiket was the goddess of vengeance, and vengeance was useless with nothing to avenge.” (89)

“Sometimes, I could understand why vampires saw us as animals. Because the sounds that humans made when they were locked up with their own inevitable demise were the same ones that animals made at the slaughterhouse.” (180)

“I shrugged. "No great loss. Not much beauty left in this world, anyway.”
Septimus's gaze lowered, dancing over my body before returning to my face—so quick that perhaps I might have missed it if I hadn't been watching him so closely.” (209)

"You hired me because I'm very good at what I do, Seppy.” (223) SEPPY 🙏🏻

“a bit wrinkled at the collar and the cuffs, like he'd been fidgeting with it.” (237) awww 🥰

"You came to a seedy pleasure house in the middle of nowhere and then left your god-forged sword alone in your room?”
Oh, I didn't appreciate that judgmental tone.
"She didn't go with the outfit," I ground out.” (245)

"We all have bad dreams, lyri, I prefer to replace mine with better endings, even if books are the only place left to find them." (256)

"I know what I see when I look at you. But none of those qualities, admirable as they are, are ones typically appreciated by the gods." (259)

“in this pained, messy version of Septimus, I saw myself. I saw more of myself than I had ever seen in another person.” (274)

"It would have been a girl," Ix said softly. "A beautiful little girl. And she would have looked just like you. She would have thrived" (289)

“he had always seemed so inhumanly beautiful, and yet now. I was struck by all the fascinating imperfect edges of his appearance. The only solid thing in a world of dreams.” (291)

"Let us dispose of your captor, and-"
I stepped in front of Septimus.
"No," I said quickly. Then slower, "No. I would like to keep him." (291)

"You would have destroyed your daughter, just like you destroyed the other” (298)

“He had dragged her to me, I thought dimly. Even though he was on the edge of death himself.” (304) awwwww

“Wheres Septimus?" I gridded out.
She sighed. "Sun take me, don't give him the satisfaction of finding out those were your first words. He'll be insufferable."
Somewhere behind me, another door opened. "Too late." (317)

“one by one, all my older brothers fell—to failure or carelessness or bad fucking luck. But not me. This ends with me." (324)

“Surely you cannot think that your aloof act is all that good, lyri. Because anyone who is with you for any stretch would quickly learn that you're far more than that." (325)

“It's selfish that I care what you think of me, after everything I've done. But I want you to know why I did this. I want you to know that I’m sorry it led to so much pain for you. And I—“ He looked away. His hand twitched, as if reaching for me before he thought better of it. "I wish it hadn't." (333)

"Kyrene, meet Alric." He paused, just for a split second, the next words heavy despite his forced nonchalance: "This is my brother" (336)

"Careful, Septimus," I said. "You're talking like a hero." (347)

“he was magnificent. No—he was monstrous. He didn't even have a sword. He wielded blood and bodies like they were fine instruments, primed to be used against themselves.” (361)

“I was afraid. I was afraid of this curse. I was afraid that it had already taken something that would never come back. But I was not afraid of him.” (354-375)

“After all of this, after I had damned him and betrayed him and lied to him, he still reached for me.” (430)

"You say that you came back because it's what the hero would have done," he said. "But the only person I see here is you." (465)

“I began to unbutton his shirt, but he caught my hand. “You are about to see something that I have never let anyone else witness.”
I chuckled. “Full of yourself, aren’t you?”(465)
That’s not what he meant 🥀

“You’ve won, lyri,” he ground out “If I’m your mark you’ve taken me long ago” (479)

"Ready to fly, dove?" (496) her calling him dove 🥰

“his hand slid up my back, squeezing my shoulder. A reminder that we started this together, and we would finish it together, too.” (503)

“Just as he had told himself he did not believe in fairy tales, but read them every night, anyway.” (511)

“It occurred to me that it really could be beautiful, that blood. Red and black intertwined, like hands threading together.”

“what a curse to be so deathless." (520)

“You are perfect.” (523) started crying when I read this omg

“wish I could give you more than an end, lyri. I wanted to. I wanted to." (523)

[carolina (semi ia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The night that she became a divine hero, the girl was covered in blood. Some of it was hers. Most of it was not.

4.5 ★

This book raised my blood pressure and triggered my anxiety, but it reminded me exactly why I fell in love with this series. It was such a wild ride from start to end (the stakes are SO HIGH), but it’s a beautifully, cleverly executed story and I wouldn’t change anything about it. I love that we can see all the pieces that were laid in place to get the characters to this moment.

This duet gives us a new point of view, taking us to a world hungry for vengeance and blood. We’re no longer on the brink of a war, we’re fully in it, and hope is a fragile thing, easily shattered by powerful hands. There are no heroes left in the end, only monsters.

Septimus is the common thread that binds all the duets together and I’ve been eagerly anticipating seeing him as a protagonist. He’s had many faces throughout the series, and has taken on various roles, but to truly see him as he is for the first time felt akin to a holy sighting. Not a villain, certainly a schemer, perhaps a bit of a monster, a true mastermind, but definitely someone worth having by your side.

Female rage is a powerful thing and Kyrene has it in spades. She’s beautifully flawed - reckless and oftentimes brash, but a lioness nevertheless. Her past is a heavy burden, her grief a noose around her neck, but her pain fuelled anger helped her survive.

In a world consumed by anger and revenge, there are tiny little cracks where tenderness blooms. Septimus and Kyrene’s alliance is born from a common goal, but it slowly, painstakingly slowly, turns into something more. Before they even acknowledged it, it was already there for everyone to see. The way they cared for each other and fought together until the end was achingly beautiful to witness.

As it is to be expected in this series, there are plot twists, betrayals, lots of angst, and a devastating cliffhanger that makes one want to scream into the void until the next book magically appears. I’m eagerly anticipating the last book in the series, but I’m not ready to say goodbye to this world.

🗡️🗡️🗡️

The blade glowed gently. The girl felt it in her heart. Light, in freshly eternal darkness. Warmth, in an endless cold night.

It was like looking into a mirror. It scared me, actually scared me, how deeply I saw myself in that expression.

“We all have bad dreams, Lyri. I prefer to replace mine with better endings, even if books are the only place left to find them.”

The gods loved us when it suited them. Resented us when it didn’t. And it was so very easy to wipe us away once we stopped being useful.

Funny how we all hold on to things that hurt us. Markers of those who saw us as a savior.

A smile bloomed over his mouth. Not a smirk, but an actual smile—slowly, like the unfurling of a blossom in the springtime, rare and precious and the kind of beautiful that felt like a stolen gift.

It was just me, and Septimus, and all our wants, so close and so far away. Finding in each other depraved pleasure in a depraved world.

“I’m so angry, Kyrene,” he breathed. “And I should be angry at you. I know it, just as I know you. I know that you’ve wanted to cut out my heart from the first minute we met. Well, you’ve gotten your wish. You have it, and I don’t even mind. My chest is wide open, and all I want to do is lick the blood from your fingers and offer you more.”

I wondered if anyone in my entire life had ever looked at me like this. Not with the reverence of a divine warrior. Not with the disgust of a shameless bounty hunter. But honest, genuine affection for exactly who I was.

[anovelaccount (Kayla) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book secured itself a spot in my top reads of the year. I couldn’t be more OBSESSED. Thank you so much, @torbooks, for gifting me a copy 😭

To start, this is book 5 in the Crowns of Nyaxia series. But each set in the series is a duet (books 1 & 2, books 3 & 4, and eventually books 5 & 6), so this book is the penultimate book in the series. That said, and from the Queen’s mouth herself (@carissabroadbentbooks), this book was written from the POV of a new character, so the world is revealed through her eyes. I think you’d have no issue whatsoever reading this book without reading any others, although you’d be missing fun context. But I’m OF COURSE going to recommend you start from the beginning because this is one of my favorite series ever.

This book is MUCH grittier and darker than its predecessors, and I was here for it. I’d even say this is horror-adjacent fantasy (I’m sure someone has a better term for it than me), because there are many horror elements included. This book packs a SERIOUS punch early on and absolutely never stops. A rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish and in typical Carissa Broadbent fashion, just go in expecting the end to completely gut you. 😩💔

I need to talk about two of my favorite characters ever ever ever. I loved Kyrene immediately. She is unapologetically fierce and independent, yet also a bit of a hot mess (relatable). But her growth trajectory was powerful and emotional to watch. And phewww 😮‍💨 what can I say about my man Septimus?! After seeing his character appear in the other books never thought I would say this, but he 👏🏻 is 👏🏻 easily 👏🏻 my 👏🏻 favorite 👏🏻 I adored him!! Masterful storytelling taking this villainous character and unraveling him in this book so that readers not only sympathize with his backstory, but understand him. Context you will only fully grasp if you read the whole series 😉 I’m a Septimus lover FOR LIFE.

Ugh, this is a book I could gush on and on about! I finished last night and it will be living rent free in my head for a long time. Could not possibly love it more.

[Val (piano semi ia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book of this series that I’ve rated with 4 stars… all the rest, 5 stars. For me, this sounds more like an extra book, like Slaying the Vampire Conqueror, but not as good. I wouldn’t have put this one as the first book in the last duology. It isn’t a bad read, but it’s not what I was expecting for one of my most anticipated reads.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is by far the best crowns of nyaxia book to date. i'll be the first to say that i liked the first duet enough, and wasn't the biggest fan of the second, but this one pulls everything together in such a satisfying way. i love both septimus and kyrene as characters, and their romance develops so well.

it does, however, have some hints of the repetition i noticed in the first two duets (the second especially), but not nearly to the same degree.

i am beyond eagerly anticipating book 2 to this duet, and part 1 of this book is genuinely insane.

**thank you to Bramble for the ARC copy**

[Taylor K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally loved every damn minute of this book

[Samantha Gaudious · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute PERFECTION!! 👏
Carissa said you guys thought I was good before? Please just wait!!!
I loved everything about this book!

This is the perfect balance of fantasy and romance.
Carissa is easily one of my favorite authors, her writing truly is like no other and in The Lion she incorporates high risk, heart aching moments, a romance with banter and HIGH tension PLUS a stunning twist!

I love how the Gods were MEDDLING!! I feel like we are getting deeper into The Crowns of Nyaxia series and I am beyond excited for the next book in this duet!

Also..anyone else feel that Tisaanah spirit?! 🤭 ⚔️

Cannot recommend ENOUGH!! ⚔️

[brittany:)]

This is not a want….but a NEED✨

[Gyula · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most ambitious book in this world so far

5⭐️
2/5🌶️
Single/first person POV
Book 1 in a duology (last duet in this series)
Format: hardcover
Check the trigger!

Spoiler free

CB is truly in her own league. What a home run. No notes. Perfection. My favorite aspect here is that she is clearly trying something outside her comfort zone & the gamble paid off. The writing style this time around while still evocative & descriptive, is more all the things: risqué, bold, provocative, sexy. I am obsessed with how biting this story is overall; how she chose not to play it safe & anything goes really. I guess it had better be since this end is everything we’ve been moving towards over the course of this series.

& all of the above is so fitting too because this is the beginning of the end to the world of Nyaxia & how perfect that it’s Septimus as the MMC?! I have always had my eye on him; he’s always had that perfect side character energy of being slick & slippery 😏what a presence he carries even though we’re not in his POV. He may be the male lead here but he’s still consistently himself to the person we met all those books ago but so, so much more.

Now listen, I came for him but this FMC is the star. Don't be put off by her at the beginning. This may not make sense until you finish the book but she’s such a badass but in the most unsavory way. I don’t find a single part of her personality pleasant in the slightest but I absolutely love how she’s the most fitting MC for this particular plot. She comes off as reckless & shameless & thoughtless but as the story progresses, she’s so uncomfortably raw & real & human.

I want to scream at this romance. The slow burn is real here. Or unreal😉They don’t start out insta anything but just great chemistry. They’re both so morally dark grey but written so real it hurts. The way these 2 bloomed unexpectedly & amongst so much agony & destruction is gorgeous writing.

I was nervous getting to this book after the dud that was the second duet but this book OVER delivered IMO. I also think, while it may not be necessary to know the world of Nyaxia before reading this book, it’ll of course be an elevated experience if you read the entire series prior. But so far, for this book in particular, I can’t say that the second duet is a must read. All I know is I’m a sucker for the cameos😂Also, there’s a sentient sword that’s got the best dry dark humor at the most inopportune times.

The world building, even after so many books, continues to expand & be descriptive & still have original elements even though vampires are like old news at this point😅The plot is clear & easy to follow. Like, I thought I knew where the overarching plot could end eventually but this book really surprised me with its direction. & messaging too: nothing is ever black or white or good or bad; there’s so much in the in between that requires patience & love & courage🥹what a book!!!

*Just being nitpicky: 1. I still feel like this author does have a bit of a pacing issue. Even though it’s greatly improved with each book, it’s still prevalent here on some occasions. 2. I wish we got to know the FMC’s past more. I feel like we don’t know nearly as much as the plot tricks us into knowing about who she was before the big thing happened.

[handy.hannahbookishrecs · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ and desperate for book 2
Kyrene is a bounty hunter that wields a sentient blade from the goddess of Justice herself. Kyrene was such a likeable FMC to me she’s fiery and witty and doesn’t hide who she really is.
Septimus who we all know is clever and always working behind the scenes buys the help of Kyrene to kill multiple gods in order to save his people, the bloodborn. Kyrene has lived through many losses and she learned early on begging the Gods for help in life is fruitless. Because of this she has no love for the Gods and uses her rage to enact justice by accepting Septimus’s offer.

The tension between these two was so thick. I loved their cat and mouse game and when the tension finally broke they burned hot together.

Also Getting to know these characters and why they are so driven to their goal because of all they have endured and lost broke my heart at times. But, I loved how these two were able to relate to one another so well and find someone that was finally able to understand the other and in some ways see themselves in the other as well.

I cannot wait to see where book 2 goes I just know Kyrene is gonna burn it all to the ground as she should.