I really enjoyed being back in the Nyaxia universe and was so excited for Mische to get her story. This book follows on from the events of the original duology (and novellas) and is best read after these although the events and storyline are separate but will all tie together. The first half of the book is a little bit slow as we set the scene and get to know the characters backstory and the build up of their relationship. It really picks up in the second half and I couldn't put it down. Really looking forward to the next instalment as this one ends with quite dramatic scenes that set up the continuation of the series really well.

Absolutely beautiful!!!! ‘The Songbird and the Heart of Stone has shown me once more why I love reading stories about vampires!
.This is romantasy at its finest, in all its swoony and fantastical elements. I recommend giving this book a try if you love forced proximity, enemies to lovers and morally grey mmcs. Also, if you want a read that will truly transport you, with beautiful writing and layered characters, this is it! Pick this book up right now, please.

BEWARE: EMOTIONAL TURMOIL AHEAD.

BUT...

You will love it, trust me.

I personally didn't enjoy the book as much as I thought I would. Misches and Asars story was my favorite and I loved the tension. Unfortunately I felt like the story was a bit dragged out and I got a little bit bored in some parts, I also couldn't really picture many scenes well, since I felt like it wasn't so well described. Still I enjoyed a lot of it, especially the last 50 pages, and I am very interested about the next book.

We are finally back and this time with Misches story. While I did like this book and enjoyed it, there was just something that didn’t drag me in completely and I got bored at times. I will probably still read the next one to see where this will go as I really enjoyed the previous books.

3,5⭐️

I had extremely high expectations for this one and I was kinda let down. I really enjoyed the book, but for some reason I was bored because all of the plot was happening in "hell"? I don’t know, something felt off hah

If you’ve ever wondered what might happen if Greek mythology threw a masquerade ball and invited vampires, tortured anti-heroes, and a love story that burns brighter than the sun, The Songbird and the Heart of Stone is your answer!

Carissa Broadbent has crafted a tale as sharp as fangs and as intoxicating as a forbidden kiss in the dark.

Meet Mische: a former sun god devotee turned reluctant vampire, condemned for slaying her Turnmaker. Life’s already messy for her, but it gets delightfully complicated when she’s saved from execution by Asar, the brooding, scarred bastard prince of the House of Shadow. Their mission? No big deal, just a perilous journey to the underworld to resurrect the god of death. You know, typical Tuesday stuff.

Oh, but there’s a catch. (There’s always a catch.) Mische is under orders from her sun god to betray Asar, which, let’s be honest, would probably be a lot easier if Asar weren’t so infuriatingly compelling. Cue the slow burn romance that will have you rooting for this enemies-to-lovers duo as they face lethal trials, angry gods, and their own haunted pasts.

Broadbent’s prose is nothing short of dazzling, every page feels like a song, weaving heartbreak, temptation, and danger into a story that will grip you like a god’s curse. The series in itself is so addictive and I was completely hooked in every single book. The lore is rich, the stakes (emotional and literal) are razor-sharp, and the romance? Let’s just say it left me swooning and screaming into the abyss.

The Songbird and the Heart of Stone is a mythological fever dream of epic proportions, where light battles darkness, gods meddle mercilessly, and love dares to defy fate itself.

Perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash or Circe, this story will steal your heart and leave you begging for the next verse.

I absolutely loved this. It’s an add on to the crowns of nyaxia duology and although reading that helps it’s not essential as this is focussing on other characters stories.
The writing is so immersive and I got completely lost in the world, can’t wait to see where this goes next.

Loved it. I enjoyed every page of this book. I loved reading Mische story. It was emotional. Slow burn allies to lovers. Just perfect. Thank you

I was so excited for this book I love the crown of nyaxia series and to delve deeper into this world is amazing. I loved t all.

- 3 stars

I wanted to know more about Mische since Oraya & Raihn's story and we finally got more about her and her story made me sad. Her background story is so sad. She's one of these character that hides behind a smile, but actually feels so lonely.

The storyline wasn't as interesting as the first Crown of Nyaxia, but it got me towards the second half. The end got me so excited for the next book! I need it now.. Mische better be okay!

If you’re not already in love with Mische, there is a good chance you will be by the end of this book.

2024 has been the year of collecting fictional besties: Xiala (Between Earth & Sky trilogy), Sirsha (Heir duology), and now, Mische (Crowns of Nyaxia series).

Oraya? Love her, but she’s all sharp edges and armour. Mische, though, feels grounded, relatable.

This book, The Songbird & the Heart of Stone, is where Mische takes centre stage, after the events of The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King and it was magnificent. While the tropes were troping, they felt distinctive and self-aware:

🔹 Deadly trials... sort of. Imagine a sentient god-touched magical prison with five ominous levels. Morthryn is a grand, malevolent delight.
🔹 Sunshine FMC vs broody exiled necromancer shadow daddy prince. Meet Asar, The Wraith Warden.
🔹 Slow-burn reluctant allies to lovers AND forbidden love. The yearning. Immaculate.
🔹 Not exactly Hades x Persephone, but the vibes are there.

But what really got me was the substance beneath all the tropey goodness. It’s messy, it’s angsty and unflinching. It digs into power imbalances, and questions what we’re willing to sacrifice in the name of love—or survival.

Consequently, Mische and Asar’s backstories broke my heart. Each revelation pulled me deeper into their painful history, making their growth all the more impactful.

Additionally, a heads-up: there are some very intense and disturbing themes explored, so check the content warnings Broadbent includes upfront. Read them, take them seriously and proceed with caution.

Finally, I can’t say too much else without spoiling the entire series so I guess if the sound of a magical prison that leads to the underworld, a mysterious necromancer shadow daddy with layers upon layers to peel back, and tortured yearning appeals to you, this book is worth your time, especially if you enjoyed the first two instalments. Heads up though for a brutal cliffhanger ending. My jaw hasn't left the floor.

Oh yeah, also, Luce is the goodest girl across all dimensions. Protect her at all costs.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan | Tor Bramble for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review, this one was a doozy.

In short: Just finished. Dying. This book totally revived the series for me. The first book was wow, the second was okay and I had to convince myself to read this one. And thank Acaeja that I did, because damn, the whole book was perfect, right amount of adventure, romance, and plot twist. That ending has ended me, second time that Carissa Broadbent has done that to me. First time being the first book in this series.

The story follows Mische, a vampire who lost everything when she was turned. Facing execution, Mische is saved by Asar, the scarred bastard prince of the House of Shadow. Together, they embark on a perilous mission to the underworld to, all while navigating the complexities of their growing bond and the danger of angering the gods.

I was thoroughly invested in this book, Broadbent weaves a perfect blend of fantasy and romance with complex, layered characters.

The epilogue left me speechless, I can’t even imagine what’s going to happen in the next book, eagerly anticipating the next installment. Broadbent has solidified her position as my favorite Romantasy author of this year, and I highly recommend this book to fans of the genre. Please note, this can be read before the first two books, but the epilogue will hit harder if you read the first two.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for the ARC.

Mische, a sun goddess, was turned into a vampire, and her whole life changed. She is sentenced to death for killing the vampire prince who turned her. However, Asar saves her from a certain death and forces her into a mission to the underworld.

I just want to say that I haven't actually read the first duology in this series. You can start reading from this book. The author does a great job of making it completely understandable without reading the first 2 books. That being said, I'm definitely going to go back and read the first duology, I'm desperate to know what happened in the lead up to this! But I wasn't at all confused, having not read the first duology.

Honestly, this book was so full of adventure, I absolutely loved it! The trek through the underworld was so full of twists, turns, and surprises that I was constantly enthralled by the plot.

I thoroughly enjoyed Mische'a character development. She was a force to be reckoned with on multiple occasions throughout the quest!

The last 10% had my hooked! I just couldn't put it down. I am so excited to read the second book in the duology and see where this goes.

This book was really exhilarating. I loved how there was more world building for the series and a deeper dive into this vast universe Carissa Broadbent has created, more of the lore and a better understanding on the dynamic between the Gods. There was danger lurking around every corner, I didn't know who to fully trust and I was in an a rollercoaster adventure.

All the characters were really interesting. I felt really bad for Mische in the beginning but she turned out to be a really enjoyable character that was a force to be reckoned with. I really loved her inner turmoil, especially with her circumstances and magic it was very unique. Asar was amazing, he really intrigued me and he just continued to get even more awesome as the book progressed.

Overall, this was a great entry into the series and I'm excited to see where we go from here after that incredible cliff hanger.

Carissa Broadbent has once again proven why she’s one of the most exciting voices in fantasy today. Diving back into this world felt like coming home—but with a fresh edge that kept me on my toes. If you’ve followed the series, you’ll be thrilled to know this installment doesn’t just live up to its predecessors; it deepens and expands the story in ways I didn’t expect.

Mische, who felt a bit underdeveloped in the earlier books, truly comes into her own here. Her growth is palpable, and I loved finally getting a deeper look into her psyche, her complex relationship with Atroxus, and her ability to rise to the challenges thrown her way. Some of the twists about her character and the larger world were genuinely surprising and refreshing.

The romance, too, stood out in a way that felt distinct from the previous books. Mische and Asar’s connection was both raw and real, set against a backdrop of haunting trials and a heavy task that would crush most. Despite the supernatural setting, their bond felt deeply human—like the one real thing in a world full of gods, ghosts, and horrors. That balance of emotional depth, action, and romance is one of Broadbent’s greatest strengths, and she wields it masterfully here.

The worldbuilding continues to shine, with an even richer exploration of the gods and their natures. However, I’ll admit the underworld was occasionally a bit confusing to navigate—though perhaps that’s fitting for a place meant to unsettle and disorient.

That said, the book isn’t without a few hiccups. There’s a slight lull in the middle where things felt repetitive, but it didn’t overshadow the overall experience. Plus, a heads-up: the cliffhanger is brutal. Be prepared to throw the book across the room—before immediately picking it back up to reread your favorite moments.

I also want to stress the importance of checking content warnings, as this book delves into heavy themes that might be triggering for some readers. Broadbent handles these topics with care, but they’re worth noting for those who need them.

All in all, this is a gripping, emotional, and beautifully crafted entry in the Crowns of Nyaxia series. Broadbent’s ability to balance fantasy and romance with equal weight is something to admire. While I’m impatient for the next book (the downside of traditional publishing!), I’m thrilled to see her receiving the recognition she deserves. If you haven’t started this series yet, do yourself a favor and dive in—but don’t skip the first two books!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars—almost perfect, with just a touch of drag that keeps it shy of a full five.

Carissa Broadbent is one of my favourite authors and Songbird and The Heart Of Stone didn’t disappoint, her characters are always so rich, raw and complex and her writing is beautiful, I always love the journey her books take me on and this one was so good.

I loved Mische from the first two Crowns of Nyaxia books and I just knew I was going to love her even more in her own story. To learn more about her backstory and what led her to where she is now was so heartbreaking to see her inner turmoil of loyalty and her struggles was so beautifully written ..she is such a fierce character but also so relatable. As for Asar my heart broke for him to see what he has been through and why he now finds himself as the warden of the underworld was also so heartbreaking, to see him and Mische go through processing all the emotions of grief and discovering so much about themselves and each other was so well done and I loved how their relationship slowly built from beginning to end, their banter was perfect!

The pacing was brilliant and I loved the underworld setting it was dark and haunting. I knew there was probably going to be heartbreaking ending but it set up so many interesting things for the next book and I’m so excited to see where it takes us next!

Let me start by saying that I should have reread the first two books in the Crown of Nyaxia series before getting into The Songbird and the Heart of Stone because even though, last year, I read and adored the first two books, there is a fair amount of things that I didn’t remember about it, especially about the character of Mische, as then I was more focused on its two protagonists, Oraya and Raihn. So, when I was initially reading The Songbird & the Heart of Stone, there were a few things that left me confused or lost. Despite this, I really enjoyed it and I found myself completely immersed in the story, especially after I started to catch up.

I really liked the two protagonists, Mische, one of the brides of the god of sun, recently turned into a Vampire, and Asar, the bastard prince and now new heir of the House of Shadow. They have a slow-burning and sexy enemies-to-lovers romance as they travel to the underworld to bring back to life the god of death. They are complex, engaging, and courageous characters, both haunted by their past, their grief and guilt over the loss of the people they cared about, and they are both caught right in the middle of a game of revenge and scheming among the gods.

If you loved the first two books, you are going to adore The Songbird & the Heart of Stone. Addictive, dark, intriguing, and full of surprises, it keeps you glued to the pages until that final explosive cliffhanger that makes you eager for more.

What an absolutely incredible book.

I have loved everything I have read from Carissa Broadbent which means when I pick up something new from her, I feel this bizarre mix of excitement alongside a fear that this might break the spell but there was nothing to fear here.

This was an incredible follow on in the Crowns of Nyaxia series.

Mische is a great character to follow and I am so glad we are getting to read her story. She’s complex and messy, a mix of good and bad and that makes her such an interesting character to read about.

Asur is the perfect mmc. He’s a character who had me intrigued from the beginning and I grew to love as the book developed.

The thought and attention to detail that went into this world building and story development is simply perfect. It’s a wonderful follow on to the rest of the series and I’m not sure I’ve ever read anything with a magic system quite like it.

I was absolutely gripped and just couldn’t wait to keep reading to see what was going to happen next. Filled with plenty of twists and turns that I couldn’t predict.

And the ending has broken me. I don’t know how I’m going to cope with the wait for next book.

Amazing work by Carissa Broadbent (again!) - a 5⭐️ read

The Songbird and the Heart of Stone follows the journey of Mische who we all know and loved within the first two books of the series. Originally a great mystery as a side character, it has been a thrilling development to learn more about Mische and her past. This book has stinky continued to strengthen my love and adoration for her character as we witness her continue to grow and develop alongside the expanse world that we reside in.

The setting of this book was vastly different to what we have known from the Crowns of Nyaxia series. The atmospheric world and lyrical writing style masterfully set the tome within my mind as I enjoyed unveiling new hidden corners to this ever growing world. However I will say that I did find the flow of the new setting within the Underworld to begin to muddle as the plot progressed. There seemed to be a disconnect as the specific setting of a scene seemed to jump around and feel inconsistent. In some moments they’re deep within the Underworld, just to find themselves within a room/house very swiftly. It made it difficult to keep up with the events and dialogue between our cast of characters which is a shame because I so desperately wanted to remain invested.

I do have a deeply rooted love for slow burn romance as it is something that has me feeling more connected and appreciative of the romantic journey from beginning to end. However I will say that the slow burn within this one was in a sense, too slow, as I began to feel frustrated with the too often “close moments” which would then amount to nothing. A slow burn can still be a slow burn with a small amount of giving, whilst awaiting for the inevitable joining to happen.

Whilst this book hasn’t been my favourite of the series, I definitely still had a good time and can see avid fans of this series devouring it with ease. I’m excited to see what comes next after that jaw-dropping ending to this book, and I hope to see a steadier flow within the setting and a more significant emphasis on the growing relationship between Mische and Asar in the final instalment to their duology.

I absolutely loved this one!
Carissa Broadbent never misses, but this might have been my favorite book of hers yet, definitely in this series so far.

I really love how she is turning this series into a universe with the standalones and duologies focused on different main characters. It keeps the story fresh while you can still enjoy the world you've grown to love.

Mische and Asar are such a great pair of main characters. In a way, they're opposites, yet they still fit together so perfectly and are so similar.
The romance was amazing, but I loved them on their own just as much.

As a fan of Dante's Inferno, I thought that the concept of the plot and the descent into the underworld was so cool and I love how the author twisted it to make the story fit. I love a good quest and this made it even more enjoyable for me.

While I enjoyed the first duology a lot, I already know that this one will top this one, mainly because it has necromancy and I'm ALWAYS down for necromancy. Especially when it's combined with vampires though, I ate the worldbuilding and magic system up in this.

What I really enjoy about this series is the involvement of the gods, yet there's still a large part that is just focused on the main characters doing their thing in their world. Sometimes I can find it a bit overwhelming when gods are involved and everything gets incredibly epic, but in my opinion, it is very well balanced here.

Overall, I adored this book and I cannot wait for the sequel, especially after that ending!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.