Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

At this point I'm not even surprised with how much I adored this story, every time I start a new Carissa Broadbent book I know I'm in for a glorious ride, and this was nothing short of mesmerizing.

The start of this new duology in the Crowns of Nyaxia series has a very different atmosphere from the prevous two books, and this change of scenery gives even more the feeling of a fresh start, a new chapter that despite being centered of new characters does feel coherent with the central plot that connects all the different stories.

This new world is dark, eerie and sinister, but at the same time is still so full of beauty and magic that almost feels magnetic, leaving you torn between fear and curiosity, and as you embark in this journey with Asar and Mische you're left wondering what new terrors - and wonders! - await you at every page.
And speaking of Mische, I must really applaude the author on her development, not only when it comes to the construction and the personality that we finally got to explore on different levels, but her growth and her introspective journey really made this story much deeper. I loved seeing her interactions with Asar, how they shared their pasts and slowly found comfort in each other's scars, I think they work so well as a couple especially because they have so much in common, even if in two unique ways. And can we talk about how satisfying it was to have a slow burn that for once feels actually slow?

I can't wait to discover what the next book has in store for us, - especially after that ending! - this series gets better at every new release, so excited!

I absolutely loved the earlier books in this series (especially Serpent & the Wings of Night and Six Scorched Roses!), so I was so excited to dive into Songbird!

𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧…
🕊️ vampires & gods
💫 deadly underworld quest
🕊️ enemies to lovers
💫 grumpy x sunshine

𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨…
After murdering her Maker, shadowborn Prince Malach, vampire Mische leaves the House of Night… only to be captured by Malach’s sister. However Wraith Warden & bastard Prince Asar interrupts her execution, claiming he needs her help on a quest given to him by the goddess Nyaxia.

𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨…
This book is a very different style of book to the first three in the series! You dive straight into the underworld quest with very little build up, and there’s a lot of impressive world building - this means it’s action from chapter one, but on the flip side you are also stressed from chapter one 😅

If you are more of a plot driven person this is definitely a book for you, there is SO much going on at all times! Personally character-driven stories are my favourite, so it took me a while to become invested because you don’t really get to know Mische or Asar for a long time.

I did absolutely love what we saw of Asar though! He is so grumpy and direct, but once Mische gets to know him she realises how gentle and steady he actually is 🥹 Also I absolutely love an MMC with a furry best friend, Luce was such a wonderful addition 🐺🫶🏼 I can’t wait for more of these characters in the next book.

The ending was great and I didn’t see it coming! Buut it’s a horrendous cliffhanger 🫣 So I’ll be picking up book 4 up as soon as it’s released!

“𝘐 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦. 𝘏𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 - 𝘯𝘰 ‘𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳’, 𝘯𝘰 ‘𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳’. 𝘕𝘰 𝘴𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯, 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘪𝘵.”

4⭐️- it was so good to be back in the Crowns of Nyaxia universe! I’ve been so excited for Mische’s story since finishing Serpent & the Wings of Night and it didn’t disappoint.

Mische has left the House of Night and the people she loves behind to regain the love she’s lost from the god she is bound to. Only it’s led her straight to the underworld and under the care of Asar, bastard prince of the House of Shadow.

This had a much slower pace to it and the stakes are completely different, but I still absolutely loved it. Carissa writes such perfect slow burn romantasy and never throws in unnecessary scenes for the sake of including every trope possible. Her characters are complex and whatever I thought about Mische from reading the previous books went completely out of the window after reading her own story. There is so much sadness to her backstory from how she was groomed into the life of a priestess from such a young age, to being turned in such a truly horrific way. There was so much depth to her character and I feel like we’ve only seen the beginning of what she’s capable of.

Asar was such a great MMC and whilst he was the total opposite to Mische in a lot of ways, their broken pieces really ended up completing one another. I was captivated by the underworld he watches over and completely won over by his canine companion, but Asar’s own backstory was so unexpected and provided another layer of excitement to the plot. The slow burn of his relationship with Mische was perfectly executed and had me sat there rooting for something to break the tension. At first, Mische is just a means to an end, but it develops into him seeing her in a way she’d always dreamt of being perceived by someone.

The ending was CRIMINAL, I cannot wait to get book two in my hands after that last paragraph?! This is one of my favourite fantasy series and I can’t recommend it highly enough. If you like slow burn romantasy, words ruled by gods and perhaps (like me) you never truly left your Twilight phase, this is a book for you,

Wow what a ride this book was!
Devastatingly good! It’s my favourite out of the 3 books so far!

I knew I would be head over heels as soon as Asar walked in with his black marks and scars.

This book follows Mische after she leaves to travel and save the fate of her friends from the wrath of the Blood born, because she killed their heir. The blood born find her and mark her execution for this crime. Asar comes in and asks to take her into the underworld for a quest.

The slow burn and unraveling of these two is just fantastic to read. The hard denial and yearning, the vulnerability of each of them as they unpack their pasts and torments. How they start to choose each other over and over in each part of the underworld.

This unpacks a lot of emotional turmoil with past decisions and healing.

I found this a beautiful story of love and sacrifice and is now one of my favourite books!

'Mische is sentenced to death for murdering the vampire prince who Turned her, but when Mische is saved by Asar, the bastard prince of the House of Shadow with a past as brutal as his scars, she’s forced into a mission worse than execution: a journey to the underworld to resurrect the god of death himself.'

Ohhhh, what a great start to Mische & Asar's story! I wasn't too sure what to expect going in, which probably helped since I was hooked, and flew through this book in a day.

This may be controversial, but I think I like Asar more than Raihn. He's the perfect mix of grumpy, protective and just enough sass to provide some comedic relief. He had some of my favourite lines in the book!

I loved finding out more about Mische, but I am hoping some of my questions are answered in book 2. She was such a fun character and her inner monologue had me chuckling.

The story was rather predictable but I enjoyed the ride and I'm intrigued enough that I'll definitely read book 4!

Overall, a great addition to the series and it has a lot of potential!

I received an advanced copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was instantly hooked when I read the first books of the Crowns of Nyaxia. And I was really expecting this book, from Mische's point of view.
Mische was a young priestess for the God of the Sun, Atroxus. But she became a vampire after having been bitten by one of their princes. Since, she refuses her new "state", and still tries to use the powers Atroxus gave her.
At the beginning of this book, we find her captured by the Vampire Court, as a punishment for the murder of the Prince. And as she is to be executed, she is saved by Asar, the bastard Prince of the House of Shadows. He's different from every other vampire she has ever known, and he needs her to fulfil a quest given by Nyaxia herself : they have to go to the underworld to give life back to her former lover.
Lots of events, treason, encounters, lots of ghosts, spirits, wraiths, lots of fights, but also lots of sweeter moments betwen Mische and Asar.
I found the pace a little bit slower than from the two other books, but I enjoyed my reading nevertheless, and I hope that soon, there will be another book telling how Asar and Mische embrace their powers.

4.5★

This was so so good.

The story follows Mische captured by House of Shadow because she killed their crown prince and the spare bastard prince Asar takes her to a very unique journey through underworld. It was very Divine Comedy and I loved that. I think that alone was what makes it interesting.

I loved the fact how this story achieves to deliver the two most frequent romantasy tropes (enemies to lovers and forced proximity) in a different twisted way with a lot of subplot, heartbreak and total jaw-dropping surprises towards the end. Background stories were well written and intricately vowen into their journey through underworld walking the line to death, for Asar to perform a necromancy ritual while Mische is plotting her betrayal as she was commanded by her god/lover. Whaaat? My mind was whirling.

Mische was a side character in previous duet there but not explored or given background much. Her character arc from the innocent child to the villain added so much depth to her story, which I enjoyed a lot. She was already questioning her faith, her lover, god, failures, human desires while in denial of her grief and new "Turned" self because she was taught all her life the opposite of what she was feeling and experiencing. Her awakening was very pleasing to read.

Asar was the epitome of morally gray, scary, rejected. He has been tortured all his life, scarred inside out, and he shows, a lot. He had his own agenda and executed his plans, manipulating and plotting all along until Mische, of course. And he turned out to be sweet and protective behind that cold villain mask, who would have guessed? Ha! It was (sometimes) achingly slow, but again quite pleasing to read him opening himself up.

And the star of the show, Luce! I mean, Asar’s resurrected dog following them to the end of the world, protecting, playing match maker, snuggling. Yeah, for me she was the best side character here.

I liked the atmospheric descriptions of each sanctum, unique scenery, creatures and side effects. I loved the mind games blurring reality and dreams, and learning both Asar and Mische’s past and traumas through those, revealing more and more and confronting and healing from them together. I really liked, but I also wished it was more on page, that Asar teaching Mische about the magic as their bonding activity and how she finally accepted her dark side, it could amplify the reflection of their bonding and friendship.

And lastly, that ending! My jaw is still on the floor and my heart is still broken after reading it. I can’t wait to read the rest of their story from Asar’s POV (I hope).

Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan | Tor Bramble for the e-ARC!

Another masterpiece from Carissa–it’s definitely going into my top favorite books of 2024 list for sure!

I’ve been eagerly awaiting Mische’s book ever since I got to know her in the previous books.
I would suggest reading The Serpent & the Wings of Night and The Ashes & the Star-Cursed if you haven’t to have a better understanding.

I really enjoy getting to know the main characters, especially Mische. Learning more about her heart-breaking background when she was human made me love her character even more.
And Asar is not the scary, ruthless Warden Mische thought. There’s more than meets the eye; he’s a selfless, patient, understanding guy with just the right amount of brooding and grumpiness.

I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Mische and Asar. Watching them slowly form a bond as they made their way to the Underworld to complete the dangerous mission was delightful and captivating.
The romance is a slow-burn, but their chemistry is off the charts!!–I can’t wait to see how their relationship will develop in the next book!

The writing style never disappoints. The author excels at conveying the emotions of each character, a fair amount of action scenes, and crafting a unique world-building, especially the Descent into the Underworld.

Overall, this is a well-written action-packed and emotional journey about love, pain, and forgiveness and vulnerability making it impossible to put down!
I’m definitely looking out for the sequel because I need to know what happens next after that HUGE CLIFF-HANGER!!!!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: graphic violence, on page sexual content, discussions about grooming and child abuse, infant death (off page).

Thank you, Pan Macmillan/Tor and NetGalley for this arc!

When I started book 1, I became so invested in Oraya's and Raihn's story that I wasn't interested in book 3 (my plan was to only read the House of Night duology, but that would've been a shame). After reading book 2, it became impossible for me to let go of this world. The House of Shadow is the most secretive and mysterious kingdom, so I was curious about it.
Even though Orbitraes is one of my favourite fictional worlds, I enjoyed that the story was set in the Underworld. The world-building reminded me of Dante's Inferno and was impressive!
Mische's story is one about transformation. I liked getting to know her past and even though it was a physically and emotionally painful one, it made me appreciate her strength even more. Devoting her life to the god of the sun, she thought love was supposed to hurt and I'm glad that she found the power to free herself (atrocious Atroxus made me so angry). I could understand her guilt and doubts, but I loved that she discovered a new facet of her magic in the darkest places. Asar is my new favourite shadow daddy!🥵 I liked his unique appearance and magical powers. While seeming stone-cold and emotionless on the outside, he cares a lot about the ones he loves. Also, he enjoys music and plays the piano – swoon! It was cute to see both of them open up to each other and help each other heal. They are perfect!
Last but not least, Luce – she's my favourite side character in this series😍
And then came the ending…Both book 1 and 2 ended with brutal cliffhangers, so I should've been prepared for this one, but it still took me by surprise and destroyed me. I was not expecting THAT ending. And the epilogue broke my heart 😭– Asar and Mische have already been through so much, I just want them to be happy! I still have so many questions...
I need time to process but at the same time, I NEED THE NEXT BOOK ASAP!!!

This was a fantastic book. I was on the edge of my seat. I cannot believe the ending. It opens up so many possibilities for the next book. Many authors would be too scared to make such a bold move but it left me desperate for the next book. The world building and mythology is fascinating. The themes of religious trauma are explored in a tragic and captivating way. The tone was quite different to her previous work which prevented the series from feeling stagnant. It was dark and delicious.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access.

4.75⭐️
Thank you netgalley and pan macmillan for a review copy
I thought this book was such a good first half of Mische’s storyline. This book follows her descent into the underworld and the turmoil she faces down there to seek redemption of the sun god Atroxus or commit to the darkness of being a vampire! I found the writing beautiful and really enjoyed the challenges at each stage of the journey. The ending is shocking!! I am now desperate for the next book!! If you haven’t read the first two crowns of nyaxia books, while this story is separate I would recommend to read them first (they are also just as incredible!!) This book has vampires, betrayal and gods and is a must read fantasy book!!

Yesssss this one hit the spot for me. The previous books for me were okay - the first better but the second fell flat. However, this one was what I wanted. I liked the characters more, I liked the setting more, I liked the story so much more. I was invested in the stories of Mische and Asar - definitely my cup of tea.

The pacing I found to be good, too, and Mische is an enjoyable character. Asar I fell in love with the second he hit the page, and I enjoyed the journey to the Underworld. I will absolutely be back for the next installment - the worst bit is going to be the wait.

4.5⭐️

So I may have squealed a little when I got the ARC for this book. Like I could not believe it. I only have this measly Goodreads account.

Anyway. This was such a fun read. Mische, an acolyte of the Sun god who lost the love of said god when she was turned into a vampire has to team up with Asar, a bastard prince / necromancer to go to the underworld to resurrect the god of death.

It was giving forced proximity x grumpy / sunshine (smiling through the pain x healing from religious trauma x underworld that seemed (in my mind) like Stranger Things upside down but with zombies. For some reason I also had the Tron soundtrack stuck in my head. It was quite the vibe.

I loved Mische & Asar. I didn‘t quite understand the concept of that house, but at least it offered a sanctuary because this is action upon action upon action. Poor Mische can‘t catch a breath.

There is a delicious cliffhanger at the end and I‘m patiently waiting for the next book.

Release day for The Songbird & the Heart of Stone is tomorrow!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan | Tor Bramble for providing me with a digital review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

This was such a wonderful continuation of this series!! I absolutely fell in love with Mische even more and I was so hyped that she got her own story.
I loved the character development of both of the main characters and how they started to care for each other. The slow burn had me eating up the tiniest bits of tension and I loved it. I loved how Mische used the fact that people underestimate her against them and Asar felt like he was just a severely misunderstood person who actually cared much more than he wanted to admit.
The whole traveling through the underworld storyline was absolutely amazing, super immersive but also kinda eerie and creepy but I feel like we learned so much more about the characters this way.
The ending absolutely floored me and I cannot wait for the next part of this series!! It definitely continues to be one of my favorites.

Perfect bland of Fantasy and Romance, full of complex characters with a beautiful setting.

I loved Mische even more now, her background story is so complex and emotionally engaging. Her character is full of hope , courage and kindness.
Asar is the perfect match for her🫶🏻🫶🏻
I love how even villains have human traits and aren’t evil for the sake of being evil. And the gods are realistically portrayed.
Loved how mische never lost her optimism and hope for the better world. Loved every bit of her journey.
Absolutely recommend you guys to read this book after first 2 books✨✨

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and Bramble as well as the author for allowing me access to this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5 ⭐️
Genre: New Adult Fantasy Romance
Format: ARC Ebook
Pages: 448
Spice: 1.5 🌶️
POV: First POV
S/S: Crown of Nyaxia #3
Check trigger warnings for any book.

I am a wreck after experiencing this book.

The description of the world is so whimsy but in a tainted way. Everything was so clear in my head, I felt like I was there. The decor was ever the same but ever evolving and adapting to the story.

The plot was simple in its core, but oh-so detailed when the adventure commenced. Mische, our lovely Mische, had one goal given to her as redemption from her beloved god: end the god of death once and for all. Micshe wanted nothing more in life and death than to please her god and regain his love. However, she did not take into account Asar when agreeing to this fate.

The overall book is slow. The pacing is slow, the action is present but ever so carefully distributed throughout the book. And, the romance, is also so torturously slow. The slowburn was real. And it was so good.

The characters were splendid in their actions and emotions. One impacted another, emotions took over logic and vice versa.

I absolutely loved to get to know Mische on such a deep level. To see that a joyful facade may hide the deepest of suffering. But her duality was mesmerizing.

As for Asar, whom we meet for the first time in the beginning of this book, he is the opposite of Mische. He hides his true self behind a mask of annoyance and solitude. And, may I just say, with all due respect, he could have me locked up in Morthryn any day. Carissa, you always manage to make the man irresistible.

My favorite character might just have to be Luce though. A sassy furry friend? Give me twenty. She’s an icon, she’s a legend, and she is the moment. Come on now, give it up for Luce, the real star of this book.

That ending. I can’t describe how it shattered me. I need the fourth book like I need air. I simply cannot fathom waiting months to know the continuation of Mische and Asar’s story, as well as the entirety of Obitraes.

Leena - Leena.reader review - @leena.reader on tiktok and instagram

I fell in love with Miche in The Serpent and the Wings of Night, and I personally didn't think I'd be able to love her anymore than I already did, but here we are.

The journey she goes on of finding herself, having to pick up her many broken pieces after her lowest point, and continually face death on multiple occasions is wild. The strength that this girl has is unmatched to any of the characters I have read previously. I love her with my whole entire being.

I was gripped in from the turn of page one and already want to return! AND THAT EPILOGUE?! I sat and stared at the wall for a little while after this book to truly comprehend what I had just read.

Thank you so much NetGalley for accepting me for this ARC!

This was really different from Serpent (which I loved!) and was one of my most highly anticipated reads of 2024! The ending was quite epic, however, overall, im not sure I loved this as much as the rest of the series! I found myself feeling quite confused and I really struggled to visualise where they were throughout the book. The second half of the book was definitely better, and the cliffhanger ending was enough to entice me to read the next one.

I loved the premise of The Songbird and the Heart of Stone, it sounded amazing and I couldn't wait to dive into this book headfirst. I had also heard amazing things about this author's work so I was even more excited to read this book. However, it didn't really hold my attention and I found it repetitive and overly descriptive. I don't thing I've ever noticed an author's simile use before but I did with this book. It felt overdone. I found it distracting. I had such high hopes for this one but sadly it didn't work for me. I don't know if I'll pick this up again but for right now I'm dnfing.

I was so very excited, when I was approved for this ARC because I loved all the other books in this world.

We follow Mische and Asar through the Underworld where they have to face fights, trials and their growing feelings for each other.

I love Carissa Broadbent‘s writing style and how easy she makes it for us readers to immerse ourselves in this world. The worldbuilding is amazing. I did also like the dynamic between the two main characters and how they slowly started to trust each other.

However, I did find the middle of the book very repetitive and almost boring at times. Sure, they travel through the underworld and have to endure certain things, but nothing really happens? It dulled the otherwise interesting plot for me quite a bit.
And while I did enjoy their dynamic, the conclusion to their pining and tension throughout the book almost felt a little too insta-lovey for me.

Overall a good start to this new duology and I will definitely continue it and will trust in Broadbent‘s abilitiy to turn this into an amazing duology for me!