This is the first book I've read by Carissa Broadbent and I loved it! I can't wait to read her other books now.

Could not put this down!

Having just finished book two in the night born duet it was the perfect time to immerse myself in this book. And goodness me what a ride.

Mortal enemies to so much more. I was absolutely hooked on the way Sylina and Attius connected in this slow burn vampire read. Brilliant banter, I loved the way these two MCs just knew what the other was thinking and how they fought together.

The author has a truely amazing ability to create the best kick butt FMCs and she does it again here. I absolutely loved the world she created in the Nexus series, Vampires, Goddesses, magic and danger and the ending of this sets it up perfectly for the next in the series.

This book had me page turning well into the night in order to finish, and right till the end I NEEDED to know what would happen next. Everything about this book had me hooked and swooning for these two to connect.

Although this is set in the Crowns of Nyaxia world, in my opinion, you don't need to read the other books beforehand to enjoy this one. Some of the world-building is briefly summarised to help you feel anchored in the story. That said, I did feel I had a better understanding of the situation between the Gods having read the other books, so just bear that in mind. I think it depends on whether you're reading for the plot or the romance!

I enjoyed the romance in this - it’s a slow burn, which is my preference. Carissa Broadbent is so good at developing tension.

The pacing was strong, and the spice level was just right for me. There are a couple of scenes, but they don’t feel rushed or out of place - just a natural development of the emotional connection between the characters.

Would recommend!

Thank you to Carissa Broadbent, Pan McMillian and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. I have read a few of Carissa’s previous books and adored them, so I knew this would be no exception. I found the worldbuilding of Glaea, powerful and so detailed and I loved Sylina as an MC and her character development throughout. The book was dark, suspenseful and highly engaging. Loved the romance throughout and it wasn’t too much. I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the Nyaxia series and more of Carissa’s novels.

carissa has done it again. i absolutely devour everything this woman writes. such an incredible author. i don’t know how she immerses us in these worlds in just over 400 pages and really connects you with the characters at the same time.

slaying the vampire conqueror is a novella form the crowns of nyaxia series and follows an Archessen sister who was given a task to slay the vampire conqueror, in order to do this she must get as close as she can to her enemy in order to destroy him and his war path. but the closer she gets, the more she discovers she might be more similar to him than she thought.

what a beautifully crafted story, i am obsessed with this world!!! i can’t wait to continue with this series in august of this year!!

Carissa Broadbent's books made me fall in love with fantasy genre ❣️ everything she will write, I will surely fall in love 😘❣️

This is a standalone fantasy romance set in the Crowns of Nyaxia world. It was a quick read as it is a fast placed plotline with an amazing set of protagonists.

The forbidden romance between our bad*ss heroine and morally grey hero was the spotlight of this book. Carissa always deliver in suprises as each time her writing leaves my heart wanting for more of her beautiful magical world and her writing is so beautiful and lyrical that you are hooked to the book right from the page one till the very last page.

This one is short yet the crisp writing made the whole reading experience more wonderful as it was action packed with so many mysteries and amazing scene and concepts of the magic world created by the author.

I am definitely looking forward to the next book of the series as Crowns of Nyaxia world has easily become one of my comfort zone 💖 in fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a copy of Slaying the Vampire Conqueror.

I absolutely flew through this book, it was so easy to read with how engaging the story and writing style was.

I haven’t managed to get to the Crowns of Nyaxia series yet but this has definitely put it higher up on my radar. It seems that this standalone is a great entry into this world without being too overwhelming but at the same time I may not have connected as many dots as others having not read the whole series but it was still really enjoyable regardless and I would love for the series to pick these characters up again at some point.

The characters were the best bit of this book for me. They were so engaging and really jumped off the page and I loved the different backgrounds and experiences each character has and how that clearly shaped their actions throughout. I also loved the way that magic and power was discussed in a way that gave us just enough whilst leaving a lot more to be discovered, especially with Sylina being a Seer, this seems like it could have a lot of opportunities to be developed further down the line.

Overall I really liked it and think it pulls off being a stand alone really well. The story is great, the romance is great, and it’s really nicely nestled within a series where there’s a lot of potential for these characters to make appearances in the future even if they are not the main focus. It’s not the most complex plot in the world and we don’t get the level of detail we do in other series or standalone but in this case I think it works and is really successful.

A Dark and Gripping Romantasy

Slaying the Vampire Conqueror is a captivating standalone novel set in the Crowns of Nyaxia universe. The story follows Sylina, a blind assassin raised by the Arachessen, a cult devoted to the Goddess of Fate. Tasked with infiltrating the army of a brutal vampire conqueror, Atrius, Sylina's mission is to gain his trust and ultimately kill him. However, as she gets closer to Atrius, she uncovers a side of him that challenges her beliefs and feelings.

The novel masterfully blends elements of forbidden romance, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and moral ambiguity. The slow-burn relationship between Sylina and Atrius is both intense and poignant, with their interactions evolving from distrust to a deep, complex bond. Broadbent's world-building is rich and immersive, providing a vivid backdrop for the characters' journey.

While the pacing is deliberate, allowing for character development and thematic exploration, some readers may find it slow in parts. Nonetheless, the emotional depth and intricate plot make it a compelling read for fans of dark fantasy and romance.

Love this book, the writing, the author! Everything is so perfect.

I’ve loved Carissas books since The Serpent and the Wings of Night and she never misses! The story has the perfect amount of plot, romance and spice and I just can’t get enough!!

Always 5 stars 😍

Slaying the Vampire Conqueror by Carissa Broadbent is a standalone fantasy romance set in the captivating world of the Crowns of Nyaxia series.

This book is a thrilling ride from start to finish, packed with forbidden romance, dark curses, and epic battles. This feels like a real standalone, rather than the usual "its standalone but really would help you know whats going on to have read all of the books in the series!" - I havent read the other books and didnt feel like I was missing anything. However, it now does make me want to add the series to my TBR.

The story follows Sylina, an orphaned street rat turned disciplined killer, who has (and does) sacrifice everything for her goddess. Her mission to overthrow Glaea's tyrannical king takes an unexpected turn when a brutal vampire conqueror arrives on their shores. Sylina faces an even deadlier adversary, and her journey is filled with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Broadbent's writing is engaging and immersive, making it easy to get lost in the richly detailed world she has created, and the characters are well-developed and easy to understand. They keep you guessing and the surprise is always believable.

I have adored everything that I've ever read from Carissa Broadbent and this new release is no different. Just pure brilliance from start to finish and I can't recommend it enough!

I am a massive fan of Carissa Broadbent and her previous books in the Crowns of Nyaxia series and this was an incredibly welcome addition.
The creation of the Arachessen as a magic society was so rich and interesting that I can wait to find out more about them and I loved the telling of the story through Sylina’s interaction with the “threads”, it meant it felt fresh and interesting without missing out on any of the storytelling. I loved her and Atrius’ relationship and also the detail of the world building of the cities they conquer and how they feed into the wider Crowns of Nyaxia world.

4.5 Stars – A Fierce, Forbidden, and Fantastic Return to Nyaxia

I absolutely loved being back in the Crowns of Nyaxia world with Slaying the Vampire Conqueror. Carissa Broadbent delivers another immersive, emotional, and darkly romantic tale that completely stole my heart.

Sylina is such a compelling protagonist—complex, haunted, and deadly. Her journey from loyal assassin to someone questioning everything she’s ever believed was so well done. And Atrius? Utterly brutal and magnetic, yet layered with a vulnerability that made their slow-burning, forbidden connection feel intense and real. Their chemistry was off the charts, and every interaction was charged with tension and heart.

The worldbuilding was rich and atmospheric, and I loved the nods to the wider Nyaxia lore. The pacing was sharp, the stakes were high, and the emotional payoff? Chef’s kiss. While it’s a standalone, it fits so beautifully into the larger world and left me desperate for more.

4 Stars!

I think for me this is more of a 3.5 but I've rounded it up. I think Carissa Broadbent has a writing style which is very easy to follow, but it really brings out scenes and characters which just draws you in. Sylina and Atrius aren't my all time favourite couple BUT I really liked the interactions that they had together and how the relationship grew because there was such an understanding between the two.

What was really interesting to me was the different backgrounds and being able to learn about the characters and their backstory which I felt was more of a focus (which I personally enjoyed) and just how things grew.

I think some things were slightly obvious and I knew pretty early on something was going to happen (but not in the way that it did, so that element I really enjoyed). I can't wait to carry on with the rest of the series.

The premise of this book was so unique. It was full of mystery and intrigue with action packed moments, definitely kept those pages turning. The romance had a nice build up. I loved learning more about the world and the many layers it has.

Sylina's power was described so well. I loved the complexity of her character, I definitely resonated with her and the way she behaved was incredible. Sylina is definitely a badass and I was here for it. And Atrius, I didn't like him at first but I warmed to him towards the end that quickly made me see through the layers of cold-heartedness to be an actual cinnamon roll.

Overall, a great addition to the series that I recommend!

This novella is such a fun, fast-paced dive back into the Nyaxia world, It’s moody, mysterious, and just the right mix of romantic and badass girl energy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2.5 Stars 🌶️🌶️ 1.5 Spice

This novella slots in as #2.5 in the series, and I really appreciated that it jumped straight into the plot—fast-paced, minimal world-building needed, and easy to follow if you’re familiar with the earlier books.
The standout element was our FMC, Sylvia (aka Vivi), who can’t see in the traditional sense but still does. Her unique perception adds a soulful, almost poetic quality to the story, emphasising emotion and intent over visual detail. It’s a fascinating lens that brings something fresh to the genre.
That said, I found myself increasingly distracted by how much wasn’t explained. The curse Atrius suffers from is central to his character; but aside from causing him pain and giving him horns (?!), it’s barely unpacked. Similarly, the Python arc feels underdeveloped and thin in execution. There’s a lot of potential there, but it lacks the depth I’ve come to expect from this author.
Sylvia’s fear of water is another example; it’s mentioned a lot and then explained in a single, passing line. For something so emotionally charged, it deserved more space and weight. These are moments that could’ve added texture and emotional resonance to the story but instead felt rushed or skimmed over.
The limited cast also contributes to this feeling. Aside from Sylvia/Vivi, Atrius, and his first general, there’s little in the way of side characters or meaningful interactions. Even her brother shows up without much presence.

It’s a solid interlude with moments of promise, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it needed more; more detail, more development, and more of the emotional nuance I usually love from this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Sadly I did not really enjoy this book. I was so incredibly exciting to read it but it just felt like it had no meat to the story.

The romance felt sudden and I feel like we could’ve gotten a bit more of the build up. I don’t even mean a slow burn, I just needed more to the story.

I would die for Sylina. She is so badass but Olson loved the slightly vulnerability she showed at times!!

The action in this was INCREDIBLE. The plot line was sensational and I ate this up! The slow burn was sooooo good 🔥

I loved that sylina and atrius relationship was properly developed over time and not just insta love becasue it took me a while to like atrius 😭🤣 they’re both stoic in nature and emotions so it took them some time to come to terms with their feelings too.

I did think this was slower paced than I’m used to but it was also really intense and full on.

I love this author and this world and I will read anything set in it!
If you enjoyed the crowns of nyaxia duology then you will enjoy this I’m sure!
I can’t wait to see what comes next!