Thank you to NetGalley, Bramble and Carissa Broadbent for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Carissa Broadbent is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her stories feature rich worldbuilding, filled with lush details and descriptions. She masterfully creates main characters who feel real and flawed, making them protagonists you want to root for.

In "The Songbird and the Heart of Stone," it was great to dive back into the world of *The Serpent of the Wings of Night*. I found myself wishing for more scenes with Oraya and Raihn, but I appreciated the focus on Mische's story. Her character arc really stood out, especially with its exploration of religious trauma and internalized shame.

Asar was a nice complement to Mische, and I enjoyed how their relationship developed gradually. I would be remiss not to mention Luce, who was such a lovable companion. However, I wasn't as invested in the other two characters in their group. The story did feel a bit repetitive in the middle, and I think more emphasis on their bonds could have made the eventual betrayals hit harder. As it was, I didn’t feel much connection to them, which took away some of the emotional impact.

I did like the parallels to Dante's Inferno and the different stages of the underworld, but again, it started to feel a bit drawn out. Overall, though, I really enjoyed the book, and that cliffhanger at the end has me excited for the next one, especially since my favorite character made another appearance!

After reading the first two books back to back, I was so excited to start this book. The author did an excellent job of fleshing out the character of Mische - we get to know more of her background, her wants, how she struggles with pleasing the God she's been brought up to serve or learning more about herself as a vampire. At times I was a little confused as to why she was so obsessed with Atroxus when he seemed like he was just using her, but I also will say that I enjoyed the journey to the end and Mische's reasonings behind so much of what she does. Even though I was confused, I should have known to trust the process, much like the first two books!

Asar is a great character as well, and without going into too much, I think he has many of the same qualities we all loved in Raihn. However, one of my favorite additions to the book was Luce. Mische is right, we really don't deserve dogs.

All told, there were a few times that I felt the writing could have been a little more clear, as well as the pacing could have been a little better because it felt like we were making a race to the finish at the end and some of the middle parts dragged on, and times where I absolutely was not on board with some of the choices Mische was making, but it was an excellent book. My official rating would be a 4.5/5 if that was an option. I will of course be reading the sequel as soon as it's released - and I'll be buying and recommending this to the student's in my library.

This review has also been posted on Goodreads (with a spoiler tag to not reveal anything) and will be posted on amazon after it is published.

“I’d burn with you till the end of it all"
•

during her mortal life, Mische was a devout servant and Bride of the Sun God, Atroxus. in return, she was favored and adored. her devotion didn’t change when she was turned into a vampire. if anything, her drive to serve only increased, but her god went silent on her.

when she’s captured by the family of her vampire sire and commanded to go on a journey into the depths of the underworld to collect relics in order to resurrect a long-banished god, Atroxus appears to her again with instructions to sabotage the mission and promises to be with her along the way.

as Mische sets off with a fellow devotee of Atroxus, a vampire solider, an exiled Shadowborn Prince, and a faithful ghost dog, she’s intent on completing the mission for Atroxus. but the further she descends, the more her doubt creeps in. the more revelations she has about her unwavering devotion to a god who abandoned her when she needed him most, the more she questions if she’s ever been cared for. the more time she spends with the shadow-shrouded prince, Asar, the more she begins to embrace the nature of her vampire magic. the more she she sees of the lost souls in the underworld, the more she wonders if her mission is worthy or if she should take a different path. the more she uncovers the hidden parts of Asar others don’t see, the more she craves of him and his beauty. the more she allows herself to question and wonder, the more she realizes what she thought was love all along was really control. and the longer she walks in shadows with her grumpy companion, the more she starts to believe she could find out what true love actually feels like if she’s brave enough to plummet.

will Mische complete Atroxus’ mission and one day wield the power of the sun again, or will she descend further into the darkness and embrace the nature of who she is now…the power that will actually embrace her back? either way, she’s going to anger one god or another. the question is…what happens to the world when an angry god is set loose?

—
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Mische’s adventure because journeys through realms and Dante-style trips into the depths of the world are always hit or miss for me. but I never should have doubted because, as with the other books in this series, The Songbird & The Heart of Stone was incredible. there was never a single moment that was wasted. it was full of such atmospheric intrigue and tension.

I especially loved how we experienced Mische’s conflicting emotions as though we were right beside her. the guilt of her doubts and desires for things she’s always been disallowed, alongside her regret and grief was so visceral, and experiencing her growth was so incredibly rewarding. I love how unique she is in relation to stereotypical vampires. she’s so sunshiney and such a delight even in the darkest of situations.

I also loved the mystery of Asar and the satisfaction of Mische unraveling him bit by bit. I understand that ultimately it’s her journey, but I do think this story would’ve been even better if we’d had both points of view.

oh, and this is the kind of cliffhanger I live for. yes, there is a cliffhanger, and it has left me equal parts excited for the next book and devastated that I have to wait!

if you’re a fan of the other Crowns of Nyaxia books, prepare for a different type of story, but know it’s just as appetizing and immersive as the others!
•

this and that:
♡ a banished, bastard prince x a religious vampire
♡ cliffhangers
♡ dancing with ghosts
♡ forbidden romance
♡ forced proximity
♡ grumpy x sunshine
♡ journeys through realms of the underworld
♡ open door spice
♡ pianists
♡ quests with mismatched companions
♡ self-discovery and growth
♡ shadow magic
♡ soul anchors
♡ tortured male mc
♡ vampires x mortals x gods
•

triggers:
☞ an abundance of death
☞ blood and gore
☞ grief
☞ grooming / child abuse (discussed)
☞ murder
☞ torture
☞ violence

I am a really big fan of the Serpent & the Wings of Night, so I was super excited to get my hands on an an arc of the latest instalment!! And I was not disappointed. I thought this was a really rewarding follow up to the original duology. Mische is such an easy character to love and I was really looking forward to hearing more of her story. And what an absolutely heat wrenching story! I felt for her so much. Mische's character arc is the star of the show for me here.

BUT - also Asar!! Whew!!! Literally what's hotter than a vampire. IDK. A dark necromancer vampire prince?? Yeah. Carissa delivered there as usual!

Any fans of the Crowns of Nyasia series will absolutely adore Mische's story! And the ENDING??? HELLO? What will I do while I wait for the next book????

4.5 stars

I love Carissa Broadbent's writing, so I was super excited to read The Songbird & the Heart of Stone. I will admit that it's been a while since I finished books 1 & 2 of the series so I was a teeny tiny bit confused in the beginning. But Carissa does an amazing job letting us get to know the main characters in this story - Miche and Asar.

Miche is captured by the House of Shadow and she has some pretty resentful feelings towards these vampires. Their vampire prince was the one who turned her and in doing so damned her from her God - the God of Light - ruined her relationships with her family and lost her the only home she had ever known. When Miche had the opportunity to kill him she did. So she's not a very well liked prisoner. But right when Miche thinks she's about to die - she's saved by Asar. The bastard prince of the House of Shadow. He has a mission sent from Nyaxia herself and he needs Miche and her light in order for the mission to work.

Carissa Broadbent doesn't shy away from dark themes in her books and The Songbird & the Heart of Stone might be one of her darkest books yet. This book felt like a cross between Dante's inferno x fantasy romance. I will admit that parts of it were very hard to read and I think it's supposed to make you feel uncomfortable. And yet, I couldn't stop reading it. I loved delving deeper and deeper into Miche's backstory. The slow way Asar and Miche turned from strangers to friends to lovers was so so sweet. I just wanted them to be happy together, but of course this is a Carissa Broadbent book and we're left with a cliffhanger (AAAaaaahhhHHHhhh).

I cannot wait for the next book in the series! Overall, I highly enjoyed The Songbird & the Heart of Stone and would rate it 4.5 stars.

A Songbird's Redemption: A Review of The Songbird & The Heart of Stone
Carissa Broadbent's The Songbird & The Heart of Stone is a captivating tale that seamlessly blends fantasy, romance, and a touch of darkness. This installment in the Crowns of Nyaxia series introduces us to Mische, a former sun priestess turned vampire, who finds herself entangled in a dangerous mission to the underworld.

The novel's setting, a richly detailed world of gods, vampires, and mortals, is both enchanting and terrifying. Broadbent expertly crafts a world filled with intricate politics, ancient lore, and breathtaking landscapes. The underworld, in particular, is a place of both dread and allure, with its shadowy depths and treacherous inhabitants.

At the heart of the story is Mische, a complex and compelling protagonist. Torn between her love for the sun god and her newfound vampiric nature, she grapples with identity, loyalty, and the consequences of her past actions. Her journey is one of redemption and self-discovery as she navigates the treacherous path to the underworld and confronts her inner demons.

Mische's relationship with Asar, the god of death, is a highlight of the novel. Their dynamic is filled with tension, attraction, and a forbidden love that threatens to consume them both. Asar's enigmatic nature and Mische's conflicted emotions add depth and complexity to their connection.

The Songbird & The Heart of Stone is a thrilling and emotionally resonant read. Broadbent's writing is vivid and immersive, drawing readers into a world of magic, danger, and forbidden love. With its captivating characters, stunning setting, and gripping plot, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Michele R.
Written with the help of AI

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

For this story set in the Crowns of Nyaxia universe we follow Mische. She has left her friends for adventure and to find herself again, but will she like what she finds?

I loved this book. It has a very similar feel to the first two Crowns of Nyaxia books but with a new original idea. Mische was an amazing side character and I was so excited to see she was getting her own story and it did not disappoint. There was adventure, passion, intrigue and a surprise ending I couldn't get to fast enough. I loved the new characters of Asar and Luce and can't wait to see what happens in the next book! A great choice of a romantasy for anyone needing that fix!

This book was a whirlwind of emotion. I absolutely loved it. Super fast read and could not put it down. CARISSA! You have outdone yourself. I thought I was going to be upset that it wasn't about Rhain or Oraya but hell no! I was so obsessed with Mische and her story and Asar omg! Talk about a slow burn enemies to lovers! I loved their story and was absolutely so surprised by the ending. You didn't miss a beat with this book and it one of my fave reads ever now. Can't wait to see how this story evolves in the next book

Another great book from Broadbent!

I love this world, I love the characters, but man do I hate Broadbent’s cliffhangers.

I really enjoyed seeing a less gritty side of the vampires. I enjoyed the character driven vulnerability of this story, and I liked the nuances and commentary about religion.

The ending went crazy. It’s going to be a long wait for book 4.

Thank you for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

here to start! this was a masterpiece! i am so incredibly grateful to receive an ARC of this from Netgalley. Carissa Broadbent is quickly becoming one of my favorite fantasy writers. Her writing is so beautifully done. What a journey this book was. I loved learning more about Mische. Asar is chef's kiss. When it ended I was shocked, and I feel like that is hard to do to me. I was/am obsessed with this whole world! I need the next one now!

The Songbird & the Heart of Stone is a breathtaking journey into a world of gods, vampires, and the tantalizing pull between light and darkness. From the first chapter, I was completely immersed in Mische’s struggle—her desperate desire for redemption after being forcibly turned into a vampire is deeply moving, and her anguish over the loss of her devotion to the sun god is palpable.
Mische’s character arc is beautifully complex. She’s not just a heroine grappling with her own humanity, but someone who is torn between duty and the burgeoning pull of a forbidden love. Her inner turmoil is heightened when she meets Asar, the scarred, enigmatic bastard prince of the House of Shadow. Asar is everything a dark prince should be—haunted, dangerous, and captivating. The chemistry between Mische and Asar is electric, sizzling with a tension that both thrills and torments.
The author's world-building is nothing short of mesmerizing. The descent into the underworld is steeped in rich mythology, with layers of intrigue and danger at every turn. Each trial Mische and Asar face on their journey feels epic, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. I was especially drawn to the way the author weaves in the gods’ influence—how they manipulate, demand, and punish those who defy them, making Mische’s ultimate choice between the light of her redemption or the pull of a dark love feel impossibly weighted.
The romance is slow-burn but oh-so-satisfying, laced with a forbidden allure that kept me glued to the pages. The emotional depth of Mische’s conflicting loyalties is perfectly matched by the growing bond between her and Asar, making every scene between them crackle with intensity.
The author has crafted an epic fantasy romance that’s both heart-wrenching and thrilling, full of twists that kept me guessing until the very end. The themes of redemption, sacrifice, and love’s ability to defy even the gods themselves resonate long after the final page. If you’re a fan of intricate world-building, morally gray characters, and a romance that defies the heavens, The Songbird & the Heart of Stone is an absolute must-read. This book has everything I love in fantasy—danger, passion, and a heroine who faces impossible choices with fierce determination.
Simply phenomenal!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Wow, wow, wow!

“𝑰’𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍, 𝑫𝒂𝒘𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒆𝒓.”

Whoever told me Asar was going to have a heart of stone was a complete liar. There was nothing hardened about the sweet, soft man we got to learn about in this book that worshipped the ground Mische walked on.

I was so so excited to read about Mische after finishing the first duology where we briefly met this girl who embodied sunshine itself. She originally was a surface level secondary character that assisted Oraya in learning her magic, and we don’t get to learn too much of her past. However, in this introduction to her duology we learn there is so so much depth to her and her backstory, it’s hard to wonder how she is so good.

Mische, a Dawndrinker, chosen by Atroxus the sun god himself is captured by the House of Shadow for murdering their Crown Prince in the Ashes of the Star Cursed King (Spoiler Alert: Malach obviously deserved it for Turning her all those years ago and being a total jerk). Held for trial the bastard Prince, Asar interrupts the execution claiming he needs her to resurrect the god of Death, Alarus, under Nyaxia’s orders. Together they venture through the Underworld facing trial after trial where Mische breaks through Asar’s tough exterior to find a heart of gold instead.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ARC and as always Carissa Broadbent for sucking me into yet another fantastic romantasy.

“𝑰’𝒎 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅. “𝑨 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒉 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑.”

One thing I'm very fond of about the Crowns of Nyxia series is that it is broken into multiple duologies instead of a single long series like many other romantasy books. I have only the barest memory of what happened in the first duology (other than warring vampire factions and a pantheon of gods and goddesses). I vaguely remembered Mische, our female main character, from the first duology, but was pleased to be able to get into her character history here. She's a former follower/chosen priestess of the sun god who was forcibly turned into a vampire while she was out serving as a missionary, and she continues to try to practice her sun magic, despite the fact that it is physically harming her in increasingly severe ways. At the start of the story, she is imprisoned by the House of Shadow for killing their prince - the same vampire who turned her - and has basically resigned herself to death. Her unexpected reprieve comes at the hands of Asar, the illegitimate son of the King of the House of Shadow, who needs her to go with him on a mission to the underworld to resurrect the god of death (all at Nyxia's request). This was fast-paced and I thought the whole hero's (ore really heroes') journey element here was really interesting and pretty well done. Of course there's a bit of a cliffhanger, so I'm looking forward to the next one. Content warnings for references to what seems to very much be grooming of a teenaged girl, some pretty brutal violence (on page and described), and some pretty messed up deities.

songbird and the heart of stone by carissa broadbent is THE MOMENT. this book is for the fantasy romance girlies who are ready for a lil’ descent into the underworld this fall 🙂‍↕️🔥

if you’re unfamiliar with this series (first off where have you been), this is the third book in the crowns of nyaxia series. you may recognize the serpent and the wings of night & ashes and the star cursed king as book 1&2. these books make up the nightborn duet, and songbird and the heart of stone is the first of the shadowborn duet! to sum it up, this is a 6 book series split into 3 duologies.

i simply cannot recommend this series enough. its a STAPLE of fantasy romance, full of feral vampires, deadly trials, vicious gods, and heart wrenching romance.

songbird and the heart of stone has me in an absolute CHOKEHOLD & mische is the perfect fmc. the vibes of this book were hades persephone x beauty and the beast x dark fantasy gothic aesthetic with vampires 🥵 it has STRONG dante’s inferno vibes and the mmc is sooooo tortured (did i mentioned he’s a necromancer 👀) i was on the edge of my seat at every turn. this book went DEEEEEP on trauma and emotional character depth- mische sweet baby i just wanted to hug her 🥺

if you’re a fan of fantasy lore, Songbird delivers in the best way. the gods are so freaking cool but…. i hate them… in a good way.

all in all, im obsessed with this book. the romance was sloooow burn but oh my i loved it & i already want to reread the series. thank you @brambleromance and @carissabroadbentbooks for the arc copy! 🫶🏼✨

What. A. Book.

Please read the trigger/content warnings of this book because it handles some deep and traumatic topics such as religious trauma/abuse, sexual trauma, abuse and more.

Carissa Broadbent did such a beautiful job of continuing to build the world (or the underworld I should say) while also telling a brand new story between two characters that are so similar yet so different. I really never cared for Mische in the first two books because I feel like so much of her story was diluted or "left out" that I couldn't even try to understand her. But wow, this book dove deep into her magic, her childhood, how she came to the land of vampires, and her relationship with those around her. I think Carissa did a fantastic job of dealing with the religious trauma/abuse that Mische went through and she beautifully wrote this story of redemption and getting over our guilt/shame and learning to love ourselves, our WHOLE selves. Asar, the man that you are. I have found my new favorite book boyfriend. I love the parallels of Mische and Asar and their scars and their stories. This whole book was weaved so beautiful, the story taking turns and leaps and had me as the edge of my seat the whole time.

Filled with adventure, love, lust, longing, forgiveness, heartbreak, guilt, and overcoming it all!

I loved how Carissa took us to the underworld for this book and introduced all the gods - I am a sucker for greek mythology and this aligned perfectly with that!

The dialogue was so intentional and so perfect throughout the book. There was never any conversations I felt like "nah, we didn't need that". Everything had a purpose and everything lead into the next thing and it was so beautifully laid out, like poetry. And so fitting for a character like Mische.

The romance was hot and steamy, but romantic and so so so intentional. There was never smut for the sake of smut. Every longing stare, every touch or caress was so beautifully placed in the story, it had my heart melting.

And how this book ended? GOLLY I need the next book asap, I am foaming at the mouth for what Asar is going to do to get back to Mische!

Bravo Carissa! I fell in love with Oraya and Raihn, but now can never let a day go by without thinking of Mische and Asar.

Thank you again Netgalley for the opportunity to receive this ARC and review it.

This book was just as fantastic as every other book in this series. Carissa Broadbent continues to amaze me with how she expands this world and gives her readers new characters to obsess over, keeping it unique and intriguing every time. It’s so refreshing in the fantasy romance genre. I adored this book (even if it made me sob, multiple times). Miche’s story of trauma and sacrifice and inevitably, love for herself and another, was so rewarding to read, and so, so raw. I loved the slowburn of her relationship with Asar, and his character was so well thought out. The plot had me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn’t put it down. This is the best book I’ve read in months, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Carissa Broadbent your ability to make me feel anger, sadness, and happiness all at the same time needs to be studied!

I've been so excited for this book since the releases of Ashes and the Star Cursed King last year. The promise of Mische as a main character had me sooo intrigued. And going to the underworld?! Oh yes I am in.

I want to get some of my criticisms out of the way before I dive into what I loved. Even though we were told we're going to the Underworld... we didn't actually go there. We went to this sort of in-between place, which is fine! However, this place, called the Descent, really confused me. I had a tough time conceptualizing what was going on. I need a map! I need some pictures! Because for the life of me, I could not figure out what the hell was going on during certain scenes. It felt a overally complicated, and because of that, it took me out of the story a bit and I kind of dragged myself through the 20-40% mark.

However! Once I got past a certain point the story really picked up for me. The romance picked up, I felt way more invested in the characters, I started to understand a little better what was happening. Mische's story is so, so heartbreaking and I needed her to be FREED from the shackles of this horrible god that she worships and seeks approval from. I just want to hug her so bad! And Asar! Ugh, what a man. He loves dogs and he loves Mische! That is all I need to know he's a good one. Their romance was sooo sweet and tender that it kind of made my tummy ache (complimentary). I love them SO so much and I need the next book NOW!

Thank you Bramble and Netgally for this ARC!

Wow wow wow, first off thank you to Netgalley & Tor publishing group for allowing me the opportunity to read the eARC. If you are feeling apprehensive about picking this up because it follows Mische instead of Oraya and Raihn, please take this as your sign to give it a chance. Reading about Mische’s story was heartbreaking and eye opening and I am so glad we have this book of her journey. Action packed adventure and danger that will have you on the edge of your seat to see what happens next. And that ending???? My mind is still reeling..

Mische and Asar now have a very special place in my heart. They were both sent on a journey by their god and found solace in each other along the way.

And to wrap up, I love Luce and I need her in every book from now on.

The Songbird & the Heart of Stone has an excellent blend of character development and plot. Readers who wished to see more dimension to Mische’s character throughout Rhain and Oraya’s story will not be disappointed and can continue to expect the immaculate pacing of the first Crowns of Nyaxia duet. Broadbent’s unique setup for the Crowns of Nyaxia stories ensure every book is packed full or intriguing plot lines that don’t meander.

After killing the vampire prince who turned her, Mische must flee the House of Night to keep her found family safe. While traveling through the House of Shadow, Mische is apprehended and forced to face her punishment for killing Shadow’s prince. As she grapples with the loss of her Sun God Atroxys’s love, Mische must descend into the underworld with Shadow’s new heir, Asar.

Welcome to Morthryn, a sensory snack stuck between life and death. Morthryn seems like it was produced by Tim Burton (in a good way). To succeed on their quest; Mische and Asar will need to travel through the five sanctums of the underworld, shedding life piece by piece. But will Mische have to shed her humanity to prevail? Mische has to face many horrors on her journey through the underworld, not the least of which is herself.

The end of this book left me SHOOK. Prepare yourself for a heartrending twist ending that will leave you dying for Crown’s of Nyaxia book 4.

Mische was once the choosen girl by the Sun God Atroxus. Now she is disgraced when she was turned by a vampire prince of the Shadowborn Kingdom. After Mische kills the prince , she is waiting for her fate in the prison. Asar, the bastard son of the Shadowborn King is also the Warden of Morthryn, is now needing Mische's magic in order to complete the mission that Nyaxia the God of the Vampires. Asar has been tasked to bring her husband back from the dead by doing forbidden magic. Together Asar and Mische have to navigate the five realms of the underworld to find all the relics that have been scattered. They both face their past, fears, and their worst secrets during their travels. While Mische wants to still please Atroxuis, she wants to make a deal to make sure that nothing will happen to Asar and that her sister is able to pass through to the other side and finally be at peace. While this is book 3 in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, I was able to follow along with story line without reading the other 2 books in the series. Now I want to go back and read the others. I did read Six Scorched Roses which led me to want to read The Songbird & the Heart of Stone book. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Bramble books for letting me read an advanced copy of this book.