Thank you to the Tor Bramble, Netgalley and the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4 ⭐️
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Format: ARC ebook
Pages: 369
Spice: 2 🌶️
POV: Single first POV
S/S: Crowns of Nyaxia #2.5
Check trigger warnings for any book.

CARISSA NEVER MISSES

I am so happy that we get one more side book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, I love this world, I love the lore, and I love learning more bits and pieces linking everything together

Sylina and Atrius were a slow burn, with so much trust and respect between one another. The magic use was quite different and interesting, not something I’ve read before.

We get a lot of relationship-based build up, I’d say it’s a good portion of the book and then the quest.

Side characters are quite minimal in this book, which makes sense since it is on the shorter side for Carissa.

This is best read after the first duology, as you need some understanding of the world before going into this. As a pure standalone, I don’t think it’s as strong. It truly is a companion novel to the main series.

I can’t wait to read more from Carissa, I’ve loved every single one of her releases so far!

Leena - Leena.reader review - @leena.reader on tiktok / instagram / fable / storygraph

It’s been a while since I read the first Nyaxia duology and I’d forgotten just how urgent and cinematic Broadbent is as a writer. From the first chapter I was strapped in, unable to put this down, frantically turning the page to follow this incredible story to its conclusion. The dynamic between Sylina and Atrius is addictive and their dialogue riveting; from their first interaction it’s clear how thick the tension is, and Broadbent manipulates that - and me - oh so well. Two halves of a whole, violent, wicked little things drawn to one another in spite of everything that says their love is forbidden. Forced Proximity x Enemies to Lovers x She’s Sent To K!ll him makes for a perfect recipe.

This was another incredible edition to the Crowns of Nyaxia world. This bloody, tension-filled forbidden romance is just as beautifully written as its predecessors and just as addictive.

Sylina is a dedicated acolyte of the Arachessen who, as a youngling, sacrificed her sight to become a follower of the goddess of fate – and a trained assassin. Atrius is a cursed Vampire exiled from the House of Blood; a merciless conquer leading his brutal army across kingdoms. She has one mission: become his private seer, infiltrate his inner circle and kill him.

Sylina is a strong and endearing FMC. She's cunning and deadly, yet gentle in places too. Despite the cruelties she was forced to endure as a child, she never lost her morality despite being made to feel like this made her weak.

I absolutely adored this book. It's advertised as a standalone and it definitely can be enjoyed as one, but I recommend at least reading the original Nightborn Duet and the Six Scorched Roses novella first in order to truly appreciate the lush, gory, atmospheric world Carissa Broadbent has cultivated.

A small criticism is that I loved the original indie cover. This new one, although aesthetically pleasing, doesn't capture the tension and yearning the original illustration does.

Another gorgeously written, atmospheric incredible read from my favourite author.

I am beyond obsessed with this book. I honestly think its my favourite Carissa book so far. I just loved every second and felt myself NEVER getting bored. At the end of every chapter i wabted to keep reading. I love Sylina as a character who was pretty much left on her own in a world she felt different to those around her i instantly connected with her, she was strong and determined and watching ber grow and her mind open to the real world around her was beautiful to see. Atrius is my love, that poor man is damaged beyond repair he has faced a life of pain and suffering and the only person to ease that pain was Sylina when he slowly dropped his guard down to her. It was such a wholesome and beautiful relationship, they shouldn’t want eachother, but they do, they yearn for eachother and you see their emotions truly develop. The plots in this book at the end were killing me, all i want is for them to be happy. I wish they had another book because i would read about them again and again

Carissa Broadbent can genuinely do no wrong for vampire romances and this one..... Like she's literally sent to k*ll this man. We love a badass fmc. I genuinely loved this when it was indie and am so happy it's finally more accessible to people to read.

I loved being back in the Nyaxia world!

The romance isn’t the main event but it fits in so well with the plot, I loved it! The slow burn and tension was top tier!

The story was a little predictable but I still really enjoyed it!

Another great book from Carissa Broadbent. It was great to be back in Nyaxia again, I loved the wicked characters and the plot kept me engaged throughout.

I loved being back in the Nyaxia world!

The romance isn’t the main event but it fits in so well with the plot, I loved it! The slow burn and tension was top tier!

The story was a little predictable but I still really enjoyed it!

Edward Cullen, eat your heart out, there's a new vampire in town and he's better than you in every single way.

I love morally terrible characters (including supernatural people) and there should be more of this. I love everyone in this, they're all terrible to everyone but each other. I want more immediately and I will be flying through the rest of her books asap.

I am loving this book so far, I am still currently reading it so will update my review here once finished!

4.5⭐️- one thing about Carissa Broadbent is she’s going to create a female character that I’m going to be obsessed with. I love the Crowns of Nyaxia series and after finding out this was a must-read before the next book comes out I rushed to pick this one up.

This story follows Sylina, a devoted acolyte of the Archaressen who worship the goddess of fate. She’s also a trained assassin who has been tasked with infiltrating the army of the conqueror, a terrifying vampire named Atrius. Her orders are to gain his trust as a seer and eventually kill him, but she soon glimpses a side of him that makes her question her entire faith.

I loved this book, it was so well paced and the plot had me hooked from start to finish. Sylina’s character was so strong, complex and entirely shaped by the hardships she’d suffered in life. Her unique magic of being tied to fate and being able to sense everything around her, having lost her sight after devoting herself as an acolyte, and there was so much depth to her character. I loved her journey of learning what she really wanted out of life, which was just to find a place to be accepted for who she was.

And Atrius was the perfect love interest! He was morally grey on the surface but the more you get to know his character, you find out he’s an antihero you want to root for. The romance in this was the perfect slow burn, forever my favourite trope, and the tension between them was off the charts.

The world building in this was perfect, it never confused me and I knew exactly what was going on as the story panned out. This is a must read for anyone who loves Carissa’s other books or the romantasy genre!

Slaying the Vampire Conqueror by Carissa Broadbent is a dark and gripping fantasy romance filled with tension, intrigue, and stunning world-building. Sylina, a devoted assassin, is tasked with killing Atrius, the feared vampire conqueror. But as she gets closer to him, she realizes he may not be the villain she believed.
Sylina is a fascinating protagonist—strong, complex, and shaped by her past. Her unique magic, tied to fate, adds depth to her character and the story. Atrius is the perfect morally gray love interest, and their slow-burn romance is full of chemistry and conflict.
The world-building is breathtaking, and the plot is packed with twists that kept me hooked. While some dynamics felt very easy going , the emotional depth and high-stakes tension made it impossible to put down. A fantastic read for fans of dark fantasy romance!
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

This books IS a standalone but I would recommend tinread It after the first two books set in this world.

Sometimes I feel like novellas like this are bland but not this one, I've enjoyed as much (or even more) as the first duology books.

The plot is easy, maybe even predictable, but It has a great rhytm so IS really enjoyble.

I really liked the female character and her development.

I just LOVE a good enemies to lovers... Also I feel this books has the perfect amount of spice for me.

After this book I'm dying to continue reading the series and hopefully see again Sylina and Atrius.

This isn’t my favourite Crowns of Nyaxia book but it has filled the hole that I’ve had in my soul waiting for the Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk so thank you <3

As the first in the "Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers" series, this novel delivers a dark, seductive tale that left me utterly spellbound.

Let’s start with Sylina — a protagonist who crackles with fury and purpose. From the very first chapter, her rage radiates off the page, mirroring the bloodlust that simmers beneath her skin. Her powers, obtained at the cost of her sight, are as unique as they are haunting, making her one of the most compelling main characters I’ve read in a long time. Experiencing the story through her point of view made every moment even more immersive, and I found myself hanging on every word as she grappled with the tension between duty and desire, justice and vengeance.

Then there’s Atrius — the Vampire Conqueror himself. Brooding, dangerous, and morally gray in all the best ways, he’s the kind of antihero that lingers long after the last page. His people’s exile from Obitraes adds layers to his character, revealing a depth of pain and loyalty that drives his every action. Atrius's sharp wit and unrelenting intensity made him the perfect foil to Sylina’s simmering fury. Their slow-burn connection was deliciously agonizing, with each exchange crackling with tension and unspoken longing.

The worldbuilding was nothing short of breathtaking. Broadbent skillfully expands the Crowns of Nyaxia universe, weaving together history, magic, and mythology in a way that felt both fresh and familiar. The rich lore of the Bloodborn Vampires and the tragic legacy they carry added so much depth to the narrative, painting vivid images of exile, revenge, and forbidden magic.

But what truly made this book shine was the dynamic between Sylina and Atrius. Their relationship felt like a dance — each step measured, every glance a weapon. As they slowly unraveled each other’s secrets, I found myself desperate for every shared moment. The banter was sharp, the tension palpable, and when their guards finally fell... it was electrifying.

Broadbent’s prose is nothing short of poetic. Her ability to craft moments of quiet introspection amidst the bloodshed and intrigue is a testament to her storytelling prowess. I highlighted countless lines, each one more beautiful and heart-wrenching than the last.

This story gripped me from start to finish. The pacing was masterful, each chapter pulling me deeper into its dark heart. One more chapter became two, then three, until I realized the sun was rising, and I’d devoured the entire book in one sitting. The perfect blend of passion, violence, and heart, Slaying the Vampire Conqueror is a story I’ll revisit again and again. As for Atrius and Sylina, I can only hope their journey isn’t over — they deserve more pages, more battles, more love.

My absolute favorite of the series. Love the characters and cant wait to see them again soon. The newly added epilogue gives as a slight hint into their future reappearance and I cant wait!
Its a standalone and can be easily read without reading the other books, though its worth checking them out as well.

Another awesome book from Broadbent and I could not put it down. You need to have read the original series if I am honest, I think I would have been a bit lost without some previous knowledge.

I really enjoyed this standalone that sits within the Crowns of Nyaxia series. I'll be honest, since it has been a while since I read something in this series, I struggled to place it within the series. I couldn't remember whether I had come across these characters in the main series. I hadn't, but I believe there are plans to incorporate them into the series in the future.

The plot was really interesting and kept me hooked. There are plenty of twists and turns that kept this book so engaging. I devoured this book in a couple of days. It was exactly what I was looking to read at this point in time. It is action-packed with a dash of romance. It is a slow burn but the romance isn't the focus.

I loved Sylina as a character. It was interesting to have a visually impaired character who sees the world in a different way. Considering it is a standalone book, she is a strong and well-developed character. I'd happily read more books with her as the protagonist.

I would highly recommend this book for romantasy fans. You don't have to have read the rest of the series to enjoy this. This book will be released on 27th March so make sure you check it out.

Thanks to NetGalley, Carissa Broadbent, and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thanks NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for sending me this arc!

I love Carissa Broadbents writing and if you are considering reading this one, you probably do, too.
This novel is set in the familiar world of the crowns of Nyaxia series - reading this series, however, is not necessary to enjoy the book, it just gives you a bit more context.

Sylina is a devoted follower of Acaeja, goddess of fate. After a traumatizing childhood she has dedicated her life to the goddess and joined the Arachessen, a cult-like following of Aceaja which follows the goal of making sure fate turns into reality. Joining this sisterhood demands sacrifices to prove loyalty to the goddess, which is the reason Sylina had to give up her eyesight as well as her past identity. Now, Sylina navigates the world by sensing threads and using these connections of fate and information to be able to "see" things her past self would have never been able to. This makes her a perfect assassin, now tasked with one big goal: to kill the Vampire conqueror who strives to take over her Sylinas native country of Galea. Her task seems simple: infiltrate the army as a seer, earn the conquerors trust and get close enough to kill him when the time arises.
However, as she joins Atrius' forces, she cannot help but notice that this brutal solider may not be the villain she expected. The once clear cut mission of killing Atrius is threatened not only by Sylinas connection to him, but more so by the unexpected moral questions that arise with their progress through the country. But the Arachessen are not tasked with moral judgement but with following the instructions of their goddess without questioning her motives. This forces Sylina to make a difficult decision: trust the goddess of fate she dedicated her whole life to or make a moral judgment of her own based on the facts presented to her. Either way, the decision may cost her dearly - maybe even her life.

I love Carissa Broadbents writing, so absolutely no notes on that.

Sylina is a complex and interesting character with a lot of backstory. We may not immediately understand every decision of hers, but her cult-like upbringing is a fascinating aspect of her character. Sylina is skilled, deeply flawed and has immense personal growth in this novel.
Atrius is pretty similar to the other love interests we met in Broadbents books. He is tall, handsome and has a disturbing past which leads him to the decisions he makes now. Whilst I do get his reasoning and am impressed with his moral code, his openness to critique and his reluctance to certain things, he still is a conqueror of another country. Again, I get his reasons and I kinda am a sucker for the "it pains me deeply but I have to do this" character but the conqueror-citizen of conquered state-dynamic is one I just don't feel comfortable with.
Relationship whise, I enjoyed following Sylina and Atrius whilst wishing we could have spent more time with them, seeing as there were lots of time skips.

The overall plot was good. I did not expect this outcome and was pleasantly shocked by it. The resolution to it made sense. I liked the structure of a moving army and the tactics behind it. I was especially pleased with the fact that vampirism was not really a plot point - it made sense for the overarching plot but the discussion of vampires-humans in the setting and relationship would have felt forced and is something we've read countless times before.

The world building was absolutely stunning. I really don't know how she does it every time. The magic system of the Arachessen, as was with every fellowship of the gods we saw in this series, was innovative, fun to read, unique to the goddess of fate and a great way to experience the story - not through Sylinas eyes, but through her magical senses. The world of Galea may be a bit overdone, which goes hand in hand with the "the conqueror is actually maybe not the bad guy" thing I already criticized, but I adored the dystopian settings of the different cities, the detailed descriptions of the buildings and the relationship between the citizens and its rulers. There is a lot of world building in this book and still I wished it to be more, it was, as always, breathtaking. I cannot wait for the release to go looking for fan art for it.

So why did I not give 5 stars? Well, the conqueror thing made me uncomfortable, but that is personal preference I guess. Additionally, I found some of the dynamics between Sylina and Atrius repetitive of those of other couples in the series. I know there are only so many ways one can write a vampire-human dynamic in a war-like setting and don't get me wrong, I still really enjoyed it, but it just felt pretty reminiscent at this point.

Overall thoughts: Stunning world building, unique magic system, solid relationship and a great writing style. You can enjoy this book with the added context of the crowns of Nyaxia series, which will probably reference the characters of this one in the third duet concerning the house of blood, or read it as a standalone.
I definitely recommend picking this one up if you love romantasy, intricate world building and a great time!

Amazing! Everything Carissa writes is. I don’t know how she can make one book read like an entire series. Her character are so complex and relatable. You really feel or them, root for them, and hurt for them. I can’t wait to read more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Carissa Broadbent for this ARC.