3.75 ⭐️
I was really looking forward to Mische’s story after the Nightborn duet, as she was one of my favorite characters. Unfortunately, this book fell a little flat for me.
I enjoyed getting to know Mische’s backstory. I still do really like her as a character.
But, there was just something about the book that couldn’t quite keep my attention, and that holds me back in my rating.
The end was crazy, but I’d expect no less from Carissa.
Ultimately, I liked this book, but just not at the same level as the previous books in the series.
Trust me when I say I’m still looking forward to the next book with my whole heart, though.

This is one of my favorite romantasy series of all time. Carissa Broadbent is immaculate in her writing style and world building. I loved how there was light and darkness in this story and how the two MCs were determined to get through their challenges. The writing was immersive and vivid, and the story itself was extravagant and beautiful. I appreciated how well developed the characters were throughout and thought they experienced a lot of growth by the end. This one had depth and made me feel so many emotions as I was reading. There were even times I got lost in the story and forgot where I was! I was looking forward to reading about Mische's story and it most definitely did not disappoint!! I cannot wait for more in this series.

While the premise was nice, the writing was... not what I expected. I wanted more from the characters because I felt that what was on the front cover and the front flap was not what we were given.

4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Mische, once a devoted priestess of the sun god, lost everything when she was Turned into a vampire. Condemned to die for slaying the vampire prince who Turned her, she is unexpectedly saved by Asar, a scarred and outcast prince of the House of Shadow. But her reprieve comes with a cost: she must journey to the underworld to resurrect the god of death himself. When her former deity secretly commands her to betray Asar by killing the very god she helps revive, Mische is torn between duty and the dark, forbidden connection she forms with Asar. Together, they battle through the perils of the underworld, confronting nightmarish beasts, their own haunted pasts, and an attraction that could doom them both.

I had no idea how much I needed a Mische POV until now. While I was initially disappointed that this installment wouldn’t dive further into Raihn and Oraya’s journey, I was all in for Mische. Exploring her past and meeting Asar added so much depth to the world, and though the emotional chemistry between the main characters took a bit longer to develop, it felt completely fitting for them. Asar and Luce absolutely stole my heart, and that cliffhanger has me scrambling to find an ARC of book four.

I have loved everything Carissa Broadbent has written and this title is no different. I loved Mische is the night born duet and I love her here. And Azar is a grumpy sent directly for my Maxantarius-loving heart.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review "The Songbird & the Heart of Stone." I really loved the fact that this story was about the beloved character Mische. It gives a comprehensive view of her back story. The only flaw was that it felt slow in some parts and repetitive. I believe it could have been shorter. Great ending full of surprises and twists.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Songbird & The Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent!

This book was slow for me to start but that might be more me for just reading too much romance with fantasy. This is a good second book in the series for those who liked the first one!

I’m so glad we’re not done with this world! My heart breaks for Mische (and Asar) and her tragic past but I’m so glad we got to see more of her story! Also WOW that ending. We got more deadly trial-esque obstacles and a yearning beautiful slow burn between a sunshine FMC and a brooding love interest. It’s giving Hades and Persephone vibes. Can’t wait for the next one!

This book had a bit of a slow start for me, and I found myself not instantly attached to the characters or story the way I was with the first Crowns of Nyaxia duology. I think this book is certainly perfect for people who can't get enough of the romantasy genre, but I have found myself becoming increasingly burnt out by what feels like the same types of stories repeated with different "skins." I find myself increasingly looking for new twists on this genre, and most books falling flat. That said, this is a great recommendation for readers who love this genre, and was definitely enjoyable.

I am so in love with this entire series. Carissa Broadbent has quickly become a new favorite and auto buy author for me. I absolutely adored Mische in the first two Crowns of Nyaxia books and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her book! And let me tell you, it did not disappoint 👏🏼 The slow burn, the spice, the world building… 11/10, chefs kiss 🤌🏼

Pair our 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍 sunshine leading lady, the songbird, with our grumpy brooding heart of stone who’s basically the emotional equivalent of Fort Knox, and you’ve got a duet that is as swoon-worthy as it is explosive. Plot twists are sprinkled like confetti, and just when you think you’ve caught your breath, Broadbent hits you with another emotional blow. Book 2 in Mische’s story 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 come soon enough!

I really love this world and am so happy that Broadbent has decided to give us another duology! Mische was such a great side character in the first duology so I was glad to see that she's the main character in this one. Asar also appears very early on in the book and I was instantly intrigued by him and wanted to learn more. Together they go on a dangerous journey to do the unthinkable--resurrect a god. They're joined by Asar's companion (a dog that I cared about way too much) and some other characters. There is a romance that develops that is the definition of Slow Burn, which wore thin towards the end. Overall I read it super quickly and was invested in their journey. I did find it to be a bit repetitive towards the end. But Asar is such a beautiful character, and Mische’s background and personality is so endearing. I loved them both so much that I could overlook the pacing issues and rushed ending.

I LOVE THIS SERIES. I LOVE CARISSA. I LOVE THIS WORLD.

This was a perfect read. The chokehold this series has me in should be studied. I am in awe of Carissa Broadbent’s mind and her writing. The gothic atmosphere & aesthetic added so much to this story. The characters where well flushed & I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

If you love, slow burn, vampires, fantasy romance, trials, gods, character depth, twists and turns, gods & a beautiful gut-wrenching love story, I highly recommend this book & obviously this entire series.

obsessed doesn’t begin to cover it. this series is THAT girl.

Another beauty from her majesty! Carissa is my favorite vampire romantasy writer, and for a good reason. Her characters are dynamic and sexy, and I just adore her work. I hope I can meet her at a signing someday!

4/5 stars.

I love what Broadbent is doing with the Crowns of Nyaxia series. She has set up a second entry point to the series for new readers while also providing enough additional world-building that those who did read the first duology have some continuity. The Songbird & the Heart of Stone follows a new female and male main character (FMC and MMC respectively) from the previous duology. Mische is a reoccurring character from the first duology and we really get to unravel her past. This is at its core a quest book with increasing stakes as the quest goes along. This is a fast-paced read that I could not put down. Overall, I really love what Broadbent has created with this world and I would absolutely recommend these books and will be continuing on.

I adore this world and I was so excited to read this next installment from Mische's POV! It did not disappoint. Exciting and romantic, I couldn't put the book down! Now I just have to wait impatiently for the next book!

The Songbird and the Heart of the Stone started off strong. Mische's personality and character I have admired in the past two books. I wasn't sure how she'd be on her own. I have to preface this review by saying that The Songbird and the Heart of Stone is a book that explores religious trauma. It's about pouring all of our heart and soul into our faith and being burned. The ways devotion often requires unquestioning obedience, complicity, and silence. That has to be my favorite element which I was not expecting. That being said, it certainly wavers in terms of its presence throughout the story.

OBSESSED. This was such a great follow-up to the first duology. I seriouslly cannot wait for the next book!

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy!

I think Carissa Broadbent is the sole reason I'm able to read romantasy -- she does it so well and so magically, with characters that feel true to life and Mische and Asar are two of my favorites. I think I actually prefer this book to Raihn and Oraya's story; they're both radically different from one another but there's something about these two that just speaks to me. That's particularly true when it comes to Mische, easily one of my favorite characters in the series, if not one of all time for me. She's strong and vulnerable and I love romantic pairings that make each individual a stronger person, and this book has that tenfold.

I feel a bit conflicted about this one, but overall liked my time with it. The writing flows well and I found the worldbuilding intriguing. I liked the overall premise of a journey down to the underworld. I also enjoyed some of the character development we saw, but I struggled a bit with the romance. I wish we had seen more of it develop on page instead of being told it was happening. That being said, the ending was great and I'm definitely interested in reading the next book.