Series Review by Kayla Laine, Staff Writer
I was recently gifted a Kindle Paperwhite, and so naturally I've been making the most out of the free trial of Kindle Unlimited while I've got it and tearing my way through all of the free fantasy I can get my hands on. It's been a while since a vampire novel spiked my interest, like since the Twilight series a while, but I'd seen a lot of buzz about this series so curiosity got the better of me and I borrowed it to see what all the fuss was about. I expected it to be an entertaining read, but I didn't expect to love it as much as I truly did. I finished this entire novel in about two days and then immediately had to dive into book two. I'm excited for a whole new world to explore as Broadbent has a confirmed four more releases in this universe upcoming, and I will absolutely be following along.
I was recently gifted a Kindle Paperwhite, and so naturally I've been making the most out of the free trial of Kindle Unlimited while I've got it and tearing my way through all of the free fantasy I can get my hands on. It's been a while since a vampire novel spiked my interest, like since the Twilight series a while, but I'd seen a lot of buzz about this series so curiosity got the better of me and I borrowed it to see what all the fuss was about. I expected it to be an entertaining read, but I didn't expect to love it as much as I truly did. I finished this entire novel in about two days and then immediately had to dive into book two. I'm excited for a whole new world to explore as Broadbent has a confirmed four more releases in this universe upcoming, and I will absolutely be following along.
Series Summary
Oraya has spent her life learning to survive in a world designed to kill her. Plucked from her human village as a child, she has been raised as the daughter of the King of the two warring clans of Nightborn Vampires, the Rishan and the Hiaj. Vincent- the ruthless Hiaj King of bloodshed that has raised her as a weapon, has trained Oraya to never yield. Never trust. Guard her neck, and her heart. Oraya has lived her life under Vincent's protection, being raised knowing he is the only one she can trust. However her human heart longs for knowledge, wanting to know more of her human family and where she came from, the city of Salinae, deep in the heart of Rishan territory. As a Hiaj King, Vincent cannot take her into the Rishan territory without it being considered an act of war, so upon her 23rd year, Oraya decides to enter into the once-in-a-century competition honoring the goddess of death, Nyaxia- the Kejari. The Kejari is a competition to the death, with the lone survivor being crowned victor, and being granted one wish from the goddess Nyaxia herself. Oraya plans to win the Kejari, and use her wish to become as powerful as Vincent, so that she can journey to Salinae and find her long lost family, and the answers of her origin that she seeks. However first, she must survive. The Kejari is four months of increasingly dangerous trials, where blood will be shed, alliances will be made, and then broken. As the only human in the Kejari, she must go against all she has been taught and put her trust in the hands of another. Raihn is a Turned Vampire, mistrusted by the born Vampires and seeking victory of his own. Together Raihn and Oraya must learn to fight, and to trust, if they hope to make it to the end of the Kejari- neither knowing what they will do when they arrive at the final competition, where there can only be one victor.
My Thoughts
I went into this story with no true expectations of it, because I'd seen it mentioned a few times and the title stood out to me during my scroll of Kindle Unlimited. The first few chapters started off a little slow but that's typically the case for fantasy and once the story began to pick up I could not put it down. I found myself enjoying this book the more I read it, and I really loved Broadbent's poetic writing style. I feel like this was a really interesting take on vampirism, with the different factions of vampires warring with one another and ruling over their own kingdom's, it's an entire realm of Vampires rather than the typical hidden amongst the humans take I've seen in the past, much more along the lines of a true high fantasy. With gods who play an active role in the realm, visiting their subjects, and a world with it's own set of rules, it was very easy to get lost in this story. Oraya is a great main character. She's definitely not a damsel in distress, but the circumstances of her upbringing left her with so much space for character development. Raihn is everything you want from a MMC, sarcastic and flawed but also brave and powerful. The banter between the two of them is fantastic, and their journey together takes a lot of twists you don't see coming, that make sense in retrospect. This book will tug at your heart and make you eager to dive into the continuation, leaving off on a cliffhanger that will make your jaw drop.
I enjoyed the development of this world, and there are some truly loveable side characters we meet in the first book of this duology that begins laying the groundwork for the other titles that are planned for the future of the Crowns of Nyaxia series. Mische is sure to be a favorite of many readers. Oraya and Raihn are both characters you can find yourself easily invested in, each of them with their own strengths and weaknesses that make them relatable. Vincent is an overbearing father figure who keeps plenty of secrets and really sets the stage for the plot. All in all, I found this story to be well fleshed out, and gripping.
I went into this story with no true expectations of it, because I'd seen it mentioned a few times and the title stood out to me during my scroll of Kindle Unlimited. The first few chapters started off a little slow but that's typically the case for fantasy and once the story began to pick up I could not put it down. I found myself enjoying this book the more I read it, and I really loved Broadbent's poetic writing style. I feel like this was a really interesting take on vampirism, with the different factions of vampires warring with one another and ruling over their own kingdom's, it's an entire realm of Vampires rather than the typical hidden amongst the humans take I've seen in the past, much more along the lines of a true high fantasy. With gods who play an active role in the realm, visiting their subjects, and a world with it's own set of rules, it was very easy to get lost in this story. Oraya is a great main character. She's definitely not a damsel in distress, but the circumstances of her upbringing left her with so much space for character development. Raihn is everything you want from a MMC, sarcastic and flawed but also brave and powerful. The banter between the two of them is fantastic, and their journey together takes a lot of twists you don't see coming, that make sense in retrospect. This book will tug at your heart and make you eager to dive into the continuation, leaving off on a cliffhanger that will make your jaw drop.
I enjoyed the development of this world, and there are some truly loveable side characters we meet in the first book of this duology that begins laying the groundwork for the other titles that are planned for the future of the Crowns of Nyaxia series. Mische is sure to be a favorite of many readers. Oraya and Raihn are both characters you can find yourself easily invested in, each of them with their own strengths and weaknesses that make them relatable. Vincent is an overbearing father figure who keeps plenty of secrets and really sets the stage for the plot. All in all, I found this story to be well fleshed out, and gripping.
I'd recommend this series to...
Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, Suzanne Collins and anyone who loves higher fantasy novels with poetic romance. Readers who enjoy stories that are more plot heavy, with a little bit of spice. Readers who appreciate a political element to their world building. Readers who like to be kept guessing. I would not recommend if you're looking specifically for smut as this is not very spice heavy. The spice that is in this book does drive the plot forward. I would not consider this book to be very triggering but it could be seen that way by more sensitive readers as there is a fair amount of death and violence. It is an emotionally charged plot. With some coming of age elements and a lot of personal development for each of the main characters, I would consider it more a personal journey with elements of a great love story.
Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, Suzanne Collins and anyone who loves higher fantasy novels with poetic romance. Readers who enjoy stories that are more plot heavy, with a little bit of spice. Readers who appreciate a political element to their world building. Readers who like to be kept guessing. I would not recommend if you're looking specifically for smut as this is not very spice heavy. The spice that is in this book does drive the plot forward. I would not consider this book to be very triggering but it could be seen that way by more sensitive readers as there is a fair amount of death and violence. It is an emotionally charged plot. With some coming of age elements and a lot of personal development for each of the main characters, I would consider it more a personal journey with elements of a great love story.