this was hands down the perfect ending to the duet - Asar and Mische have my heart forever!! 🖤

at 500+ pages, the book was a wild ride from start to finish. the plot was incredibly fast-paced and there were so many dangers coming from all sides that Mische and Asar could not catch a single break, which meant I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. also, Luce continues to be the best girl and I love her.

the fact that I spent the last pages crying at how beautiful the ending was is proof enough that this book is amazing and Carissa Broadbent is brilliant and I absolutely can't wait to read the next one!

thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had to sit with this a little while after reading it because it broke my heart and put it back together again!

What an amazing conclusion to the duology. Carissa Broadbent has such a wonderful ability to depict characters with flaws in a way that feels so human and so realistic, even when we're reading about gods and humans. The two main characters learning to want to live and who they want to be after a lifetime of being the sacrifice is heartbreaking and beautiful and you just can't help but root for them.

It was a real treat to see some of my favourites from the Crowns of Nyaxia series pop up - definitely pick up this duology, but read the previous books first (including standalones) for the full experience.

With thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing an early copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Dear Carissa Broadbent,
Can I sue you for emotional damage and also hug you forever? Because this book—THIS BOOK—turned my soul into confetti, set it on fire, and then somehow whispered “it’s fine, you’ll thank me later” while slow-burning me into romantic oblivion.
This isn’t a book. This is a religious experience in fantasy romance form.
A.k.a. 487 pages of:
✅ Heart-stopping stakes
✅ Heart-breaking lovers
✅ Heart-WRENCHING sacrifices
…and maybe a few moments where I had to pause, clutch my face, and whisper “these two are going to end me.”
Let’s talk about Asar and Mische, the most deliciously tormented couple in existence.
She gave up everything for the world.
He’s ready to burn that world to ashes just to find her again.
Honestly, at this point, I’d ascend to godhood just to keep these two from suffering another second.
Tropes we’re gloriously blessed with:
🖤 God-tier angst
🖤 Lovers separated by fate, trauma, divine chaos, and a very dramatic eternal night
🖤 The “we could destroy the world, or kiss, or both” dynamic
🖤 Actual journeys through the underworld, like it's just a casual Tuesday
Reading this book felt like being thrown into a battlefield with a sword made of feelings. Every chapter was either action, betrayal, or longing that could bring down empires. And don’t get me started on the side characters—I love them all and would die for them, even the morally questionable ones (especially them).
I laughed, I sobbed (multiple times), and I screamed silently into the void because Carissa does not miss when it comes to delivering epic fantasy romance with the emotional stakes of a Shakespearean tragedy and the heat of a dying sun.
By the time the ending hit, I was crying on my kitchen floor, whispering “love is real, vengeance is justified, and gods have nothing on a couple with trauma and determination.”
I’ll never recover.
I don’t want to recover.
Send tissues and therapy.

3.5 stars

Thank you so so much panmacmillan and netgalley for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately I have to say that I have mixed feelings about this book (or duology), which is sad as I loved all other Crowns of nyaxia books.

I was intrigued by how characters from the previous books appeared, but I do feel that with some characters it went a bit better then with others (sorry for being a little vague but I try to stay spoiler free 😂👐🏻).

For me I did feel that the fallen and the kiss of dusk is better than the songbird and the heart of stone but unfortunately for me I prefer this duology the least of the books in the series, and I am a bit surprised by that. Maybe my expectations just were to high?

I think my main issue with the book is that I had problems with connecting with Mische and Asar and their relationship, it was not insta-lust but I also didn’t feel a smooth/logical development to their intense/deeper relationship, it just was there at some point.
Another point of struggle is that the pacing felt a little off so now and then, for instance some scenes felt repetitive, but again it was better than in the songbird and the heart of stone. And while I am a sucker for dual point of view, and in this case the book definitely wouldn’t have worked without it, I think it also didn’t help for me in getting the deeper connections with them.

From all the Carrissa books this duology definitely felt the most dark to me. I did still enjoy reading the book and there were some points that came up in the finale that I am so curious to read further about in the series, so I will read the next book for sure. Just this book/duology has me conflicted, I didn’t hate it, but I also didn’t love it as much a I thought. But I also feel that this is actually not a bad thing and just very much something that happens in a connected series following multiple couples, people have their preferences.

Carissa Broadbent does something so rare with her writing. She doesn’t just craft worlds, she makes them pulse. From the very first page of The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk, I was pulled right back into the hauntingly beautiful ruins of Mische and Asar’s love story, and it felt like returning to something sacred.

This book is the second half of a duet, so the romance is already established, which shifts the emotional focus. Instead of tension and will-they-won’t-they, we get something quieter but more devastating: two people clawing their way back to each other through guilt, grief, and divine chaos. Asar, still obsessed and broken, carries the burden of his past choices like a second skin. Mische is equally changed, fierce but deeply scarred by sacrifice. Watching them fight side by side, still half-destroyed by love, was one of the most rewarding parts of the entire Crowns of Nyaxia series.

The plot centers on another high-stakes quest, and while it leans a little familiar in structure, the emotional weight behind each decision keeps the tension real. The world is falling apart, the gods are stirring, and death is no longer just a concept. Broadbent’s divine politics are slippery and sharp, and I loved how this book expanded the mythology we glimpsed in earlier installments. The underworld especially is a standout—dark, strange, and full of eerie beauty.

There is something very bittersweet about how this story unfolds. It is about redemption and survival, but also about accepting that even the most powerful love cannot undo everything. The writing is lush, but never overwrought. And yes, I cried. More than once.

If I have one small critique, it is that the opening felt slightly rushed. It takes a bit of time to settle into the new stakes, and there are places where the quest structure feels a little repetitive. But emotionally, this book hits every mark. The payoff is rich, the romance is deeply earned, and the ending felt like both a goodbye and a quiet promise.

A stunning conclusion to Mische and Asar’s story. I already miss them.

3.75 stars rounded up.

I want to preface this review by saying that I adore this series. I love this world, the characters, and Carissa Broadbent’s writing so, so much. I will read anything she writes! While I did overall enjoy this book, I can’t help but be a little disappointed.

The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk takes place after the explosive ending of The Songbird and the Heart of Stone, in which the characters spend the majority of the book on a quest to find magical items. In this book, the characters are on yet another quest to find even more magical items. This felt quite repetitive, and I wish the author would have chosen a different direction for the book. I didn’t feel invested in the story until around the 75% mark, and I did predict a lot of what happened.

I enjoyed learning more about the gods, and it was great to be reunited with some of the characters from the previous books in the series. The political intrigue was intense, and it was fun to see more of Obitraes, and explore more of the underworld. I also appreciated the interlude chapters, which gave a glimpse into Asar’s past.

I really love Mische and Asar together - their love and devotion to each other is so beautiful. However, the romance in this book didn’t quite hit for me. I think because the characters were already together and there wasn’t much internal conflict in their relationship, the romance lacked tension, and I became a bit bored during the spicy scenes (even though they were well written!).

The ending tied everything up nicely, and there were definitely a few scenes that made me tear up! The epilogue was very intriguing, and I’m looking forward to reading the Bloodborn duet, even though I will really miss this series once it’s over!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan/Tor Bramble for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A shadow daddy AND and shadow mommy?! Broadbent has truly spoiled readers with The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk.

I was super excited to continue Mische and Asar's story. And this book did not disappoint. I was also super nervous as I was quite underwhelmed with the first part of their story. But TF&TKOD was everything that I'd hoped for. It reminded me of how I felt the first time I read The Serpent and the Wings of Night. Action, spice, tension, everything and more went into this book!

I enjoyed seeing familiar faces again (won't spoil who ofc) but it brought the series together. Mische and Asar are absolutely perfect for each other and Luce is just the best girl.

I felt so many emotions whilst reading and I don't think I'm even remotely prepared for the next book!

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful conclusion to Asar & Mische’s story. The ending was just beautiful. I’ve honestly loved reading about these 2 characters and how they both went through so much and yet they fought so hard for life not just for themselves but for each other. And Luce is just the BEST dog ghost ever!! Loved it.

I had to give myself a few days after finishing this to appropriately gather my thoughts. Had I waited impatiently for the release of this? Yes. Does that mean that I had maybe built it up in my head a bit? Also yes. Every other book of Carissa Broadbent’s that I have read has been an easy 5 star - she is one of the greats. This one though, just felt a little…lacking for me. It didn’t make me want to completely ignore the world around me as I usually would with one of her books, especially a Crowns of Nyaxia.
On saying that, I did really enjoy the book, the world building and the return of one of my favourite vampires: Raihn. Part of me hoped that he and Oraya would be able to escape the growing danger on the horizon. The other part desperately wanted them to be back in the story because my goodness I love them so. I do still look forward to the next installment in the series and will still hope for a HEA.

Thank you to Carissa Broadbent, Pan MacMillan and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Carissa Broadbent remains one of my favourite authors at present, with a writing style so beautifully descriptive that I cannot get enough of her work to satiate my needs. It is the type of writing that hooks an individual from beginning to end, with a continuous itch to keep going until you've reached the end. I adore the way she develops her world, varying from political intrigue and wars to divine beings and the glorious lands that they rule over.

Not only that, but Carissa writes main-characters that you connect with deeply and side-characters that you care for just as much. Mische and Asar are two very broken people who have placed their faith in the wrong places and gotten hurt. They show you that no matter your flaws; you deserve love and you can still do good in the world if given the chance and the tools. I adore them both completely, saviour complexes and all. Their relationship development from book one is formidable, and Asar is definitely a main male character who knows how to both yearn and worship... perhaps why he is my favourite. Many side-characters were re-introduced in this book, though it never felt claustrophobic as each individual had their time to shine.

I feel as though the beginning was hectic, something I feel is done within Carissa's second books often. Almost as if the entire plot had to be laid out then and there, instead of letting the reader get to grips with how the first had ended and how this one continues. The plot was quite similar to the first, though I found how it was done kept it different and interesting enough. This book was also very bittersweet; I teared up and cried more than I would like to admit, and I very much look forward to seeing where that Epilogue will take us next.

This was my first series I've read by Carssia and it's jam packed full of betrayal, gods, magic and more. I strongly recommending reading the first three books or you will be lost. It's such a fantastic series.

Looking forward to more. Thank you for an advance copy.

THE SCREAM I SCREMPT WHEN I SAW THIS HIT MY INBOX. i absolutely adore this series and im so so grateful, i will be posting my review to all retailer sites!!

This was a beautifully written continuation of Asar and Mische’s story, and while I really enjoyed it overall, there were moments where it didn’t quite grip me as much as I wanted it to.

Carissa Broadbent’s prose is as lyrical and immersive as ever, there’s no denying her talent for world-building and emotional depth. The stakes in this book are massive, with divine politics, a crumbling underworld, and a mission that ties everything back to the heart of the characters. There were scenes that hit hard, especially when the past was brought back into play through characters we already know and love. That sense of continuity in the Nyaxia world is one of the series’ biggest strengths.

Asar and Mische’s dynamic remains intense, though I’ll admit it felt a little softer and more internalized compared to the previous book. That’s not necessarily a bad thing - trauma changes people, and their devotion to each other still shines - but the spark didn’t feel quite as sharp this time around. I also found the quest element a bit too familiar. It mirrored the structure of book one more than I would’ve liked, and it made the middle drag slightly for me.

Still, the final stretch of the book was incredibly satisfying. Everything wrapped up in a way that felt earned without being too perfect. And I loved that the story still prioritized character growth alongside the high-stakes plot. The touches of divine mythology, the emotional weight of redemption, and the loyalty these characters show each other - it all came together in a really compelling way by the end.

Not quite a new favorite for me, but definitely a worthy and well-written addition to the series. I’ll absolutely be continuing on with the next duology.

This book suffers from the romance trope syndrome. It was not bad, but it was not the best either. The story progresses well enough, but Im thinking I may be tired of this world by now.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy of The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk!

It was my most anticipated read of the year and while it was good, I’m still a bit disappointed. I only started REALLY enjoying the book at 60%.
The concept was very similar to book 1. The quest brought a purpose, but I think I would have enjoyed something different than searching for things again.
It was nice to be reunited with Asar and Mische, but their relationship did not seem as real and intense as in book 1. However, I think I should not have expected their relationship to remain the same after everything they have been through and are going through in this book.
I enjoyed discovering new characters related to their past- Gideon- and also seeing characters that we know from the other books in this world!! Such a nice addition.
The writing was still impeccable and made me excited to read book 5!
I loved the end as it wraps up the duology quite nicely.
I’m sad to give it less than a 5 stars, but it took me a long time to love the book.

I seem to be very much in the minority here but I really struggle with this series as a whole.

To start with the good:
It’s well written, has some beautiful world building, it’s fast paced and action packed and our characters have a lot of depth and development thoughout the story. Characters also pop up from the other duet which is fun.

However….

I just do not connect with the characters and becuase of this I found this a real slog to get through. I felt the same way about Serpent and Ashes, although I definitely enjoyed Serpent the most out of the whole series. Something about this series just doesn’t hit for me.

I would still recommend people try it for themselves because as I said, there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with it but I just haven’t enjoyed it as much as I wanted to.

Let me stare at a wall for a minute while I get my thoughts together!

What a way to wrap up Asar and Mische’s story, all while changing SO MUCH in the Nyaxia world and setting up the Bloodborn Duet in a way that has me desperate to get those books in my hands, like right now.

We saw a lot of familiar faces, so I will say I recommend reading not just the Shadowborn Duet, but also Slaying the Vampire Conqueror and Six Scorched Roses, so that you have a full grasp on who everyone is and why they’re so awesomeeeeeeeee.

All I can say is, is hail Queen Carissa of the House Broadbent… we are not worthy 🌹

Do Mische and Asar love each other?
Yes—100%!

Did I love this book?
No, sadly not.

Mische and Asar are once again on a quest to find things. Unfortunately, the plot felt too similar to book 1 of the duology, and I found myself wanting more originality and depth in this sequel.

The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk completely stole my heart. This was hands down one of the best books I’ve read recently—it’s a stunning, fast-paced adventure filled with heart-pounding tension and deep emotion. Carissa Broadbent has absolutely outdone herself with this continuation of Mische and Asar’s story, weaving their love and heartbreak seamlessly into the larger plot of the series. I genuinely could not put it down.

Mische and Asar are such beautifully developed characters. Watching them grow—both as individuals and together—was an emotional rollercoaster. Their relationship had me completely invested, and I felt every moment of their journey, from the happy highs to the heart-wrenching lows. Asar, in particular, is the kind of obsessed, deeply in-love hero that just makes you feel things. Their love felt raw and real, and even though I knew a happily-ever-after was coming, there were moments I genuinely doubted they’d make it through.

The world-building in this book is just incredible. Carissa’s ability to bring a world to life is unmatched. Every detail—from the gods’ intricate schemes to the way past plot points are reintroduced with new meaning—left me amazed. There were moments where I literally gasped, realising how earlier events tied perfectly into the climax. And the way she incorporated characters from earlier books into this story felt natural and so satisfying. It was like catching up with old friends, with each cameo adding layers to the overall story.

I laughed, I cried, I chewed my nails, I sat on the edge of my seat—the full spectrum of emotions. Carissa’s writing pulled me in so deeply that I didn’t want the story to end. The stakes kept rising with every chapter, and the complex dynamics between the gods kept me guessing.

I’m still not over this book. It’s one of those stories that leaves a lasting impact, and I just know I’ll be thinking about Mische, Asar, and this world for a long time to come.

4.5*

The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk is the third installment in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, and it picks up right where The Songbird and the Heart of Stone left off—Miche has entered the underworld, and Asar has been captured by the gods.

Asar is fighting to free himself from the gods in a desperate bid to save Miche and bring her back from death, while Miche must navigate the treacherous underworld alongside Vincent—an unlikely but compelling ally—in her own mission to reunite with Asar. Once they find their way back to each other, the real challenge begins: retrieving relics once belonging to the god of death in order to restore Miche to the land of the living. The journey is as perilous as it sounds, filled with twists, danger, and betrayal.

Following The Songbird and the Heart of Stone was always going to be a tall order, but The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk absolutely delivered. This book was epic. There were so many “WTF is happening?” moments—in the best way. The pacing was intense, the action relentless, and I was gripped from the very first page.

I honestly love Miche and Asar even more than Oraya and Raihn. Their relationship is beautifully tender and full of genuine, hard-won love. Both characters are strong and fiercely loyal, and their bond only deepens through everything they endure.

The ending was explosive and sets the stage perfectly for what I assume will be the fifth installment, likely focusing on Septimus—and I. Cannot. Wait.

Wouldn’t hesitate for a second to recommend this series to anyone who loves dark fantasy, soul-deep romance, and high-stakes adventure.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC—this is my honest and voluntary review.