In The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King, the conclusion of the Oraya and Raihn saga, the battles for the throne of Obitreys reach their climax. The new power is fragile, and the shadow of betrayal looms over the palace. Oraya, torn by doubts about her identity and deceived by her lover, struggles to navigate the maze of lies and intrigue. The trust between her and Raihn is broken, and the future of the kingdom hangs in the balance.
Book Review: The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King
- Author: Carissa Broadbent
- Series: Crowns of Nyaxia #2
- 187 pages, Kindle Edition
- First published March 21, 2023

Plot
The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King continues the exciting story of Oraya and Raihn that began in The Serpent and the Wings of Night. After the tumultuous events at the end of the first book, the characters find themselves in an even more complex situation. Raihn fights to solidify his position as king, while Oraya is torn between loyalty to her beloved and the doubts sown by Vincent’s deception.
Oraya, grappling with the loss of her father and the uncertainty of her future, undergoes an emotional transformation. Raihn, on the other hand, shoulders the burden of the crown while battling his own demons. The author masterfully delves into the characters’ inner worlds, allowing the reader to connect deeply with them.
Characters
Oraya is consumed by grief, anger, and confusion. The loss of Vincent, the one vampire she trusted, is an open wound that refuses to heal. The lies and betrayal she uncovers leave her feeling manipulated by fate. Torn between her loyalty to her father’s memory and her growing feelings for Raihn, Oraya feels trapped, unable to make the right choice. Readers are immersed in her internal struggle as she wrestles with the conflict tearing her apart.
Raihn’s inner demons are expertly revealed through his memories and conversations with other characters. His hard choices in the past have shaped him into the person he is today, and the weight of the crown grows heavier by the day. Readers can’t help but empathize with him as he tries to balance his desires with his duties as king.
My honest opinion of the book
I didn’t find The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King to be as good as the first book. I started it with a lot of enthusiasm, and the beginning was fast-paced, but as the story progressed, unnecessary plotlines and slower pacing began to drag. The story could have been tighter, removing the unneeded stretching, though the author stayed true to her style when it came to action scenes. There are several heart-wrenching moments and intense dangers that keep readers engaged.
Carissa Broadbent sets the stage for future installments by weaving in stories of minor characters. I found Misha’s arc particularly interesting, and I look forward to seeing her development in the third book. The expansion of the world and more exploration of the kingdom’s homes added depth to the setting, which I appreciated.
I struggled to decide how to rate Oraya, Raihn, and Vincent’s story. Initially, I considered 3 stars, but after reflecting on it, I’ve settled on 4. The book has its strengths and weaknesses, but I genuinely appreciate the spiritual journeys of the characters and how they confront their fears.
“The Serpent and the Wings of Night” Book#1
“Six Scorched Roses” Book #1.5
Love is a sacrifice at the altar of power.
In the wake of the Kejari, everything Oraya once thought to be true has been destroyed. A prisoner in her own kingdom, grieving the only family she ever had, and reeling from a gutting betrayal, she no longer even knows the truth of her own blood. She’s left only with one certainty: she cannot trust anyone, least of all Raihn.
The House of Night, too, is surrounded by enemies. Raihn’s own nobles are none too eager to accept a Turned king, especially one who was once a slave. And the House of Blood digs their claws into the kingdom, threatening to tear it apart from the inside.
When Raihn offers Oraya a secret alliance, taking the deal is her only chance at reclaiming her kingdom–and gaining her vengeance against the lover who betrayed her. But to do so, she’ll need to harness a devastating ancient power, intertwined with her father’s greatest secrets.
But with enemies closing in on all sides, nothing is as it seems. As she unravels her past and faces her future, Oraya finds herself forced to choose between the bloody reality of seizing power – and the devastating love that could be her downfall.