The Serpent and the Wings of Night

Crowns of Nyaxia, Book 1

By: Carissa Broadbent

Narrated by: Amanda Leigh Cobb

Length: 15 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

For humans and vampires, the rules of survival are the same: never trust, never yield, and always–always–guard your heart.

The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself.

But winning won’t be easy amongst the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival.

Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father’s crown…and her greatest competition. Yet, what terrifies Oraya most of all is that she finds herself oddly drawn to him.

But there’s no room for compassion in the Kejari. War for the House of Night brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home.

In a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love, Raihn may understand her more than anyone, but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall.

The Serpent and the Wings of Night is the first book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, a heart-wrenching romance full of dark magic and bloodthirsty intrigue.

©2022 Carissa Broadbent (P)2023 Podium Audio

Fantastic

I’m so glad that this was re-released with a new narrator! The previous wasn’t horrible, but her voice and nuances didn’t lend itself to the story that was trying to be told.
Amanda Leigh Cobb is an absolute LEGEND and is PERFECT with this performance.
I went from initially being disinterested from the previous version to actually being immersed into the story and really getting a feel for WHAT was being said.

Captivating!

I could not put this book down! It got me out of my reading slump after reading Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros! Highly recommend!

Dark Fantasy World Of Dueling Vampire Clans That Packs an Emotional Punch!

It is an understatement to say I was blown away by The Serpent and The Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent. I was completely unprepared for the way this dark fantasy read would grip me from the beginning and not let me go for one minute. I am still emotionally reeling from the experience days after finishing the book and it speaks to the quality of the writing, the richness of the characters and the vicious beauty of the world that Broadbent reveals to her reader with each chapter. 

As the story opens, we meet Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Night Born Hiaj vampire king, Vincent. Oraya has carved out a place at the side of her father, whose brutal lessons have all been in service of ensuring her safety and preparing her for the ultimate battle--a once in a century death tournament called the Kejari, that pits contestants from the 3 rival vampire houses against one another. 

During the Kejari, Oraya finds herself with an unlikely ally in Raihn, a vampire from the rival Rishan house. Oraya soon learns not everything is as it seems in the deadly vampire politics of her kingdom. As Raihn challenges and attracts her, Oraya faces decisions that could have far reaching and devastating consequences and unexpected betrayals will usher in a new era where enemies might be much closer than she ever expected.

It was wonderfully narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb. I cannot wait to read book 2 and cannot recommend this enough! It was emotionally devastating in all the best ways!

🩸Vampires
🩸Fierce and stabby FMC
🩸Lethal MMC
🩸Enemies to Lovers
🩸Deadly tournament
🩸Dark magic
🩸Slow burn 🌶️
🩸Dark fantasy with rich world building

worth reading

I personally liked this book a lot. can't wait to listen to the next one in October. If you like fantasy romance you will like it. Doesn't have a lot of smut but hope the next book has a little more.

Most enjoyable

The story flows making it an easy enjoyable read. The narrator is excellent and the characters memorable and believable. I will miss Vincent and look forward to the next book.

Enjoyed

I Really enjoyed this book can’t wait find out what happens in the next one,

Loved

Great story with a kick ass heroin that does not back down, ever. slow burn romance that goes to enemies. looking forward to the next book

If you like Blood and Ash then you’ll love,

I am always looking for that high, that amazing fantasy story mixed with a spicy, good romance, and I usually end up disappointed; but this is not the case with this book. I cannot wait to read the next one! I absolutely loved it.
Romance is slow burn but in the best way, and it is open door.

Loved, loved, loved it!

I LOVED it. I cannot wait to listen to the next book! This helped me get over my fourth wing hangover. Not the same plot or type of characters, but all the same action, magic, and feels! I loved the characters, world building, empowerment, magic, & steaminess!

Amazing story and fantastic performance by the narrator

This may be a controversial opinion but I did not love Amanda Leigh Cobb as the narrator of A Court of Wings and Ruin. When I saw she was doing this book I decided to give it a chance because I’ve heard so many amazing things about the book. I’m so glad I did because she killed it! Her performance was everything and brought this book to life in such an incredible way for me. One of the top fantasy books I’ve read all year and I’ve read all the popular series and more!