Somehow I went into this one completely forgetting that it was connected to the Crowns of Nyaxia series and I have no idea how I missed that, even more so because I really didn’t like the series (but I might go back and re-read it now because THIS WAS SO FREAKING GOOD ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?)
I might just be a Carissa Broadbent convert now.

I didn’t have any expectations going into this, just roughly knew what the story was about and that there would be a lot of tension/angst/romance between the two enemies to lovers. It’s just a mix of things that are bound to work together and be a seriously good time!

This was so captivating from the world building which was truly insane, complex, and had so much depth that it’s clear just how much love the author has poured into this series, to how intricate and real each of the characters were. For me they really seemed to jump out of the page and had such a range to them that I felt like I was getting really attached to each of them (even the side characters) as the story was progressing.

Some of the quests and events that took place seriously floored me, and I was left heartbroken for the majority of them, even more so when a certain really devastating thing happened about half way through (that i don’t wanna spoil) that left one of the side characters reeling because his whole world had just been ripped out from under him. It’s not often that an author can make side characters just as appealing and interesting and integral to the story, but it was smashed out of the park here.

The FREAKING ENDING had me in awe. It’s probably the main reason that I’m going to have to go back and read the rest of the series, because truly what the heck was that?!?! So so sooooo good!!
Wasn’t expecting all the double crossing, the backstabbing and the grovelling but my god was it good! Seeing both of the Goddesses almost fight it out over their followers was seriously so interesting, and I hope that it’s a recurring theme for the rest of the series because OMG.

Truly an amazing (stand alone?) book. I would urge anyone and everyone to at least pick it up and give it a go if you already enjoy the romantasy genre because this has got to be one of the best that I’ve read in a really long time!

3.5 Stars for this one. I LOVE Carissa Broadbent. I first read this when it was on KU as part of the Monster romance series and it did not disappoint. The angst and the push and pull between Sylina and Atrius was to die for. Highly recommend!

I will read anything this woman writes. She just hits different every single time. Everything she touches is dipped in gold.

This definitely wasn't as developed as her other books, considering it was a standalone, but considering it was a standalone, what she managed to do with it was fucking impressive. The slow developing understanding and respect between Sylina and Atrius was so well paced and so well done. I couldn't have imagined myself at the beginning rooting for the man literally invading and conquering a nation but here I am.

I loved the Arachessan's and their powers. I'd take an entire book on their adventures alone.

I'm so sad this is a standalone, though. I know we'll see Sylina and Artius in future books, since we were literally told that at the end, but I'd take three more of just them and their adventures together.

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0 STARS

God Carissa is amazing at writing fantasy stories. I adore this series so much and will read anything she writes about this world. This novella, which is a part of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, can be read as a standalone.

If you normally avoid novellas, but enjoy this series, I would still recommend picking this one up. Its just different enough that it feels separate, provides more back story to the main storyline and is a super fast read!

Thank you to Pan Macmillan for a copy of Slaying the Vampire Conqueror.

- enemies to lovers
- vampires
- who's the real bad guys here
- delicious tension

I'm sorry what, how have I only just picked this book up, I will eat up whatever Carrissa Broadbent writes at this point!

This was delicious! I loved the tension between the two main characters, the way they size each other up and are trying to suss eachother out, I'm just living for.

The story line was past paced and had me rooting for the main characters, despite the set backs.

FMC: 26
MMC: 200+

Here’s the thing, Carissa just doesn’t miss. This whole series is pure magic in its ability to draw me in and craft a tale so spellbinding that I forget to function in order to read just one more page.

Slaying the vampire conqueror is a divine addition to the Nyaxia series and truly cements Carissa as an auto-buy author for me. If you love enemies to lovers, assassins, vampires, interesting magic systems and excellent world-building, you’ll enjoy both this book and the entire series.

Everything Carissa writes is pure gold!

I’ve read all of her books, and this one is just as captivating as the rest. She has this incredible way of pulling you in so completely that you don’t even realize you’ve reached the last page—until you’re desperate for more. If you haven’t read her work yet, this is a great place to start, but honestly, do yourself a favour and read everything she’s written. You won’t be disappointed!

I was so happy to receive a widget for this as I'm a huge fan of Carissa's work. This was no exception. It's emotional and gripping, cute in places and spicy in others. It was an absolute joy to read. I loved seeing the characters fighting their urges whilst also watching their love grow despite the situation they were in. A fantastic read!

I love Carissa Broadbent's books and this one did not disappoint. It had the right amount of violence and world building. I absolutely adore the relationship of Atrius and Sylina.

Loved it. I read it so fast. I really enjoyed the other books in this world too so I knew I would like this. I really liked the characters Sylina and Atrius. I will definitely read more books in this world. I thought the world building was good. It was really well paced neither too fast or slow. I didn't even mind the fighting bits which was a surprise as I usually skim over those as they can get repetitive.

thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc!!

i preface this by saying that this is my first book by the author and i have absolutely no knowledge on the whole Nyaxia world other than vampire hunger games or something like that. knowing that my first introduction to this world is a standalone in the middle of it, it is almost a pity that i didn't read the rest of them first.

this book is fast paced and goes by like zoom, no time is wasted on unnecessary backstory or exposition (thank you to the glossary). i very much enjoyed the world building with the gods and cults and the different houses of vampires. it was digestable, though i wish there was a more to grip me about this story. the Sightmother and the Sisters are very interesting, it would have been nice to see more of how they work instead of portraying them as so mysterious and all the lies and secrets before their inevitable end.

the romance is quite nice, but once again didn't grip the brain like i thought it would. it is a pretty typical sizzling enemies to lovers fantasy story, though i felt like it could have done so much better should Atrius actually hate her like, knife to the throat hate her, from the very beginning. it felt like they fell very quickly, and i wanted to see more of the nights Sylina helped stave off Atrius' curse that seems to be where the feelings stem from.

that epilogue with Septimus to so intriguing and i am very sure it is a segue to the next book. might pick it up!!

Love this universe that Carissa Broadbent has created so much. This story takes us a little deeper into the House of Blood. The chemistry between Sylina and Atreus was so so good. Slow burn but it made the connection even better. I do love how each journey into this world is leading us closer and closer to this inevitable clash between the gods and their subjects. The epilogue!! Cannot wait to get more of the House of Blood. 4 ⭐️

I was flabbergasted when I received an email granting me an arc for this next crowns of nyaxia book. However this book started a bit slow for me and I almost quit, but as I am familiar with Carrisa Broadbent and the series I decided to continue, and man did that decision proof to be the right one!

The book starts a bit slow, but Carissa pulled up the story well and around 35% of the book things started to change very well and the pacing from then was just perfect. The alterations between action scenes, romance scenes and more deeper scenes was chief’s kiss.

I am new to monster romance (even tough this would be a light one I guess) but the romance and love between Sylina and Atrius was just so wholesome. The respect between those two is just perfect (which is very funny as they start the book as enemies) and their slow burn just hits all the right buttons, and when it does burn mannnnn does it burn well.

I loved this book and was so so pleasantly surprised and cannot wait how this book falls in the rest of the series and I please carissabroadbentbooks give us more Sylina and Atrius in the next book (next to your other amazing couples).

This was an interesting, fast-paced and perfect addition to a intrinsically captivating series!

Knowing this was a re-release, I knew the authors writing was going to be amazing as always. This has definitely become one of my all time favourite series.

Thank you, Pan Macmillan for sending me this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

Slaying the Vampire Conqueror is a novella in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, one of my absolute favourite romantasy series.
I loved the fmc Sylina. Her powers and the threading/seering in general were very unique and interesting. I really liked the visual impairment rep and how the story showed that just because you don't have 20/20 vision and can see everything perfectly with your eyes, doesn't mean you can't perceive what's going on around you. Sylina was badass and the way she navigated the world around her was incredible!
Atrius was a great and respectful leader. I loved how in sync the two were when they fought together and how they treated each other as equals.
The tension and suspense were intense. I couldn't stop reading.

I'm so glad I read this one because it's not "just" a novella, it's so much more and I enjoyed every second of it. I highly recommend you don't skip it.

I can't wait for The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk, The Bloodborn Duet and everything else that's coming 😍

It felt so good to dive back into a world created by Carissa Broadbent. I love her writing, the way she builds worlds and characters, and Slaying the Vampire Conqueror just proved that once again. I also really appreciate that this is a standalone—while I love sprawling series, sometimes it’s nice to get a complete, satisfying story in one book.

I was especially impressed with the character development. Even though Broadbent only had one book to work with, nothing felt rushed or forced. The relationships, personal growth, and emotional moments all unfolded naturally. The balance between action, politics, and romance worked perfectly for me, and I was hooked from start to finish.

This book reminded me why I love her stories so much. If she writes it, I’ll read it—simple as that.

4.5/5 star!
Having only just read serpent and the wings of night and ashes and the star cursed king I pretty much knew I was going to love this book. I find the author easy to follow but not too simple either - it's a good middle point. I think the author builds the world well and also explains what's happening in a good amount of detail for me.
I wasn't sure going into this book if I needed to have read any other of this authors but I would say that you don't need to have. It does slightly help with the types of characters in the world but it isn't completely necessary. That being said, there is a character that appears at the end of this book that is from serpent/ashes and whilst it doesn't really say what had happened in the other books it may hint at it a little bit.
Overall I found that I was captivated by this story and I really made time to sit down and read it. I loved the characters and while I was already familiar with some aspects of the magic system it was nice to build on that in this book. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Carissa Broadbent has done it again with Slaying the Vampire Conqueror, creating a dark and immersive world that’s as emotionally rich as it is action-packed. This book is wildy underrated, finding the perfect balance between action, plot and a swoon-worthy romance. Carissa writes battle sequences so vividly, it’s exciting and has you holding your breath from start to finish.

The characters are what truly made me adore this book. Atrius and Sylina complement each other SO well, with their chemistry being undeniable. Their dynamic is electric, and the one-liners in this book had my jaw dropping! A solid slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance with complex, multi-layered characters hooks me every time, and Carissa never fails to deliver!!

Sylina was such a fun, empowering main character. Not only is she strong and determined, but her sense of humor had me cackling—she’s witty, sharp, and knows how to lighten the mood even in the most tense situations. Watching her embrace who she truly is while navigating a world turned upside down was beautiful to watch. NOW, let’s talk about Atrius, who is loveable from the moment you meet him. He’s dark and brooding but also kind and compassionate. He screams mysterious BUT the way he opens up ONLY to Sylina makes him impossible not to love. I was a goner.

I cannot wait to see more of these two in future books—one was not enough! Carissa Broadbent’s writing is my happy place and I’ll gladly ready anything she writes.

Thank you so so much to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for this digital ARC!!

"Slaying the Vampire Conqueror" by Carissa Broadbent delivers a captivating blend of dark fantasy and compelling romance. The book masterfully crafts a world that is both rich and dangerous, drawing readers into a story filled with intrigue and emotional depth. The slow-burn romance, coupled with thrilling action and intricate world-building, makes this book a standout. Fans of romantasy will find themselves thoroughly engaged by the story's twists and turns, and the overall experience is one that leaves a lasting impression.

Carissa is always the queen no matter what.

Loved seeing more in depth the house of blood was what I didn't think i needed until i read this book.

atrius and Sylina couldn't be the opposit shes sent to kill him and start to work with him.

The plot is heavy on the action, which I appreciated. I need my romantasy books to focus on the bigger picture as well and this one did so brilliantly. The pacing feels a bit slower than the rest of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, but there was never a dull moment.

I cannot wait to see what Atrius and Sylina have to offer in the Nyaxia world. So excited to see them.