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.

LOVE this next installment in the incredible world of Nyaxia that Carissa Broadbent has created. For me, this series is vampire fantasy at its finest and The Songbird & the Heart of Stone was everything I wanted and more!

Book one in the House of Shadow duology follows FMC Mische (who we met in the House of Night duology) who, after killing the prince of the House of Shadow, is sentenced to die. Before she can be killed, the bastard prince Asar steps in to save her life–and in turn, Mische must join him on a perilous quest to the underworld to resurrect the god of death. As they embark on their quest Mische is approached by the sun god who she had devoted her life to as a human, but who abandoned her once she was Turned into a vampire. He offers her his own deal–a return to his side if she betrays Asar at the end of their quest and murders the god of death after his resurrection. Their journey into the underworld is full of surprises–including Asar himself. Mische must decide between winning back the love of the sun god who was the light of her former life, or whether her building relationship with Asar is worth surrendering herself to a life of shadows.

>❤️ What I loved: High stakes, a delicious slow-burn romance between our main characters, and a banger of an ending are leaving me ravenous for book two.
>💔 What I didn’t love: While near-perfect for me, a slow burn start to this story (both in plot pacing and romance) might be a detractor for some. Luckily, it felt well worth it by the end, and I think will pay off even more in the context of the full duology.

Fans of the series and darker romantasy tales should definitely pick this book up! 

**Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 (4.5-5)**

**Acknowledgments & Disclaimers** ✨ Thank you to NetGalley, Carissa Broadbent, and Tor Publishing, for providing an ARC and the opportunity to share an honest review of this book. ✨ All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. ✨ My reviews and ratings strive to evaluate books within their own age-demographic and genre.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

The Nightborn Duet is a favorite so I loved that Broadbent finally gave us Mische's story. And it did not disappoint. Though it had all the elements of what made the first duology so exciting, this one felt different enough to offer something new. Enjoyed the two leads hugely. Highly recommend for readers wanting more of enemies to lovers, ToG/ACOTAR.