Synopsis:Human or vampire, the rules of survival are the same: never trust, never yield, and always – always – guard your heart.
Vampires meet The Hunger Games in the first book of the New York Times bestselling Crowns of Nyaxia series by Carissa Broadbent, a heart-wrenching, epic fantasy of dark magic, bloodthirsty intrigue and enemies-to-lovers romance.
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, pitting Oraya against the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, she will be 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 – and nothing more deadly than love . . .
Review:
The presentation of love in all its forms was a key aspect of this book, and a fun twist on the usual vampire story. Of course, there’s the enemies-to-lovers, but there’s also toxicity between father and daughter, love based on a need for power and strength, and the love of friendship.
My father loved me. I knew this. But he loved me in spite of what I was. Loved the parts of me that he could make like him.
Oraya was a stunning character to follow. Strong, vicious, independent, and utterly badass! I loved how she is shaped by her desire to never feel weak in a world out to eat her. Literally. Atta, girl!
My anger made everything certain and easy.
My love made everything complicated and difficult.
Final note: I loved Mische. She was the ultimate bad-ass, funny gal-friend. I enjoyed every single interaction with her. She was sweet, loyal, compassionate, and seemed to know exactly what others are thinking or need before they do. She reminded me of Lysandra from Throne of Glass. Good news: you can follow her adventure in The Songbird and the Heart of Stone (book three).
I am not usually enamoured by enemies-to-lovers as the troupe is frequently used in romantasy and has become staler than the bread in my work’s shared kitchen. Yet, I enjoyed this more than others!
Now, I had been afraid for so long, so ceaselessly, that it was just another bodily function to regulate heartbeat, breath, sweat, muscles. Over the years, I’d learned how to hack the physicality of it away from the emotion.
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