This book was too good! Everything we wanted in this series! I highly recommend if you love romantasy, this series serves.

"But faith meant that you never stopped letting yourself hope, even if it hurt."

Oh my goodness! I knew I was going to love Misches' story, but I wasn't planning on loving it more than Oraya and Raihns... but that's exactly what happened. Mische is such a conundrum. She's a vampire who had originally been chosen as a bride of the sun. She's from the house of shadows yet has the sunniest disposition. She is a light in the darkness.

Asar, on the other hand, is a grumpy, broody, enigmatic vampire that you can't help but adore. He's fierce and bossy, and after a while, Mische manages to wear him down to get to his gooey center.

And so I wait.... for the rest of their story. IYKYK

Oh I just adored this! Carissa Broadbent is easily becoming one of my favorite fantasy book authors. I didn't read the summary before diving in, so I was a tad confused where the story was going. I felt like once I got through the first half of the book it flew by!! The romance and plot became so fas paced and I loved it.

Another beautifully written, but emotional addition to an amazing series.

I am so happy to see Mische take center stage since I really loved her in the first two. She is bubbly but so complex and layered and very different from the typical romantasy FMC in a refreshing way. We see her emotional baggage, religious trauma, and personal struggles evolve and grow over this book and gives layers of complexity that add such depth.

Broadbent is a master on worldbuilding - this books takes place in an entirely new world but it still fits in perfectly with all the previous books and the overarching world that's been established without being overwhelming or feeling like the prior worlds are lost.

I would read anything Broadbent writes, and every book I read proves this true again and again.

Overall well written book! The story dragged a little at times but pushed through since the character development continued to get better

I enjoyed the newest part of this series. I will admit that it had been awhile since I read the second book, and I had to reorient myself with the side characters from that book. Those characters become the main characters in this book.

I was nervous starting this book. The Nightborn Duet is my favorite romantasy series and I was worried about where Carissa Broadbent might be taking these characters. I should've known that the characters I love would be in good hands. The Songbird & the Heart of Stone leaves Raihn and Oraya behind, we only see them in flashbacks, and follows Mische as she goes on an adventure all her own. I liked Mische in the first duology, but my focus was mainly on Raihn and Oraya and their relationship. I fell in love with her in this book. She is a great and unique heroine with a bubbly personality that hides a really dark past. Her love interest in this book is the perfect complement to her. He is extremely serious and focused. I wouldn't say he's the grumpy to her sunshine, but moreso the stoic to her free spirit.

Broadbent did an amazing job with the plot, the characters, and the world building. We're not only in an entirely new kingdom, but also in an entirely new scenario with unique stakes. The draw of The Serpent & the Wings of Night was the competition aspect of the Kejari. I won't spoil, but this book has a similar draw with a more hero's labor framing than the Kejari.

I highly recommend this series to anyone that loves Sarah J. Maas. Jennifer L. Armentrout's Of Blood and Ash didn't do it for me, but Broadbent's vampires and world are exactly what I want in a romantasy. There is spice, but the yearning is where it's at in this book. I cannot wait for The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk!

Thank you to Carissa Broadbent and Bramble Romance via NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I love every single piece of work that Carissa Broadbent has ever put out. I read the War of Lost Hearts trilogy earlier this year, and I am just so obsessed with everything that Carissa works on. I would read her grocery list and I have no problem pushing this story.

I’ve been hooked on Mische ever since she was introduced in The Serpent and the Wings of Night. At first glance, she seemed like the stereotypical carefree, slightly shallow character, but I always suspected there was more beneath her bubbly exterior. In The Songbird and the Heart of Stone, Broadbent delivers on that promise, unveiling layers of trauma, pain, and hidden strength that made me fall in love with her all over again.

After the events of the Nightborn Duet, Mische sets out on her own journey and, unexpectedly, finds herself thrust into the underworld with Asar, the bastard heir of the House of Shadows, and his loyal spirit wolf, Luce (the true MVP). Together, they embark on a dangerous quest to resurrect the God of Death. This journey turned out to be everything my dark soul craved, and I was shocked to find that I didn’t miss Raihn and Oraya at all—Mische and Asar’s story quickly took center stage for me.

The dynamic between Mische and Asar is pure gold. They embody the classic "grumpy/sunshine" trope, and their interactions are both amusing and heartwarming. The slow-burn romance that develops between them is a standout for me; Broadbent masterfully builds their emotional connection before the physical attraction takes over. This focus on emotional intimacy first made their relationship feel real, vulnerable, and deeply satisfying. Their journey to understand what love and devotion truly mean is a beautiful arc, and the way they each help the other heal and grow left me rooting for them every step of the way.

Beyond the romance, The Songbird and the Heart of Stone shines with its rich character development. Mische’s complicated relationship with her god, Atroxus, was a highlight for me, as it explored themes of trauma, faith, vengeance, and forgiveness. The novel doesn’t shy away from the darkness of its characters’ pasts, and I loved how these emotional wounds were unpacked slowly, creating a sense of both suspense and catharsis. The way Broadbent weaves these threads into the plot, revealing layers of complexity and conflict, is what makes this book stand out in the romantasy genre.

The pacing, particularly in the second half, does have some odd moments. While I was immediately hooked by the atmosphere and aesthetic (which gave me Empire of the Vampire and Asunder vibes), parts of the story felt rushed or uneven. Some key character and relationship developments happened off-screen, and a few secondary characters didn’t receive the depth I’d hoped for. However, once we hit Part 4 (of 7), Broadbent absolutely hits her stride, and from there on, it’s an emotional rollercoaster that I couldn’t put down. The ending, a brutal cliffhanger, left me staring at the wall in stunned silence—how dare she leave me hanging like that? But I love the pain.

In my opinion, The Songbird and the Heart of Stone is not just Broadbent’s best work so far—it’s a game-changer for the dark romantasy genre. With its morally grey characters, high-stakes vampire politics, haunting atmosphere, rich lore, and devastating emotional depth, this book raises the bar for everything that comes after. And let’s not forget, it’s got a loyal skeletal spirit wolf companion, which is basically the cherry on top. Even grimdark fans will find themselves captivated by the world of The Crowns of Nyaxia. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Songbird and the Heart of Stone.

I absolutely devoured several of Carissa Broadbent's past novels, so I was completely ecstatic for the newest in the Crowns of Nyxia series. When I found myself struggling through the first part of this one, I was frustrated and disappointed, but kept trudging on, then BOOM. I don't know when it happened (maybe around 30%) but I was suddenly hooked. The Songbird and the Heart of Stone may start off slow BUT KEEP GOING. The last 75% is full of action, turmoil, chaos, and smoldering chemistry. I finished this morning and am devastated that I have to wait until AUGUST for the rest of this story. MONTHS?!?!? The ending was perfect and I can't wait to see what happens!!!

Carissa Broadbent delivers an emotionally charged addition to the Crowns of Nyaxia series with The Songbird and the Heart of Stone. This time, the spotlight is on Mische, whose tragic backstory and inner strength take center stage.

Mische’s journey is one of heartbreak and sacrifice. Once chosen as a bride for the Sun King, her humanity was stolen when she was forcibly turned into a vampire, severing her connection to the sun god she loved. Her life has been defined by loss—of her beloved god, her humanity, and her autonomy. Now, Mische faces one final mission, demanding her to confront her past and take control of her fate, even if only briefly.

The story unfolds through a blend of present-day events and flashbacks, offering a layered view of Mische’s history. Saved from execution by Asar—a character with his own agenda—Mische goes on a perilous journey to the underworld to resurrect the god of death. The stakes are immense, and the emotional weight of her story deepens as the plot progresses.

Admittedly, the beginning was challenging to get into. I wondered if rereading the earlier Crowns of Nyaxia books might have helped me. However, by the halfway point, as Mische & Asar's backstory came into sharper focus, I was hooked. Their sorrowful and sacrificial lives are heartbreaking, and it’s impossible not to root for them.

Broadbent’s writing is as compelling as ever, with her trademark blend of intricate world-building, high stakes, and dark emotional depth. Be prepared for a gripping tale—and mind the cliffhanger.

Thank you Bramble Books for my advanced reader copy. All opinions my own.

I have previously enjoyed Broadbent's work and like the first two books in the Crowns of Nyxia series. I found Mishe to be an interesting character in the previous two books, but I just could not get into this one. The story really dragged and got really repetitive to the point that I could skip large portions of the descriptions without missing any plot. Mishe's internal dialogue also got repetitive. There journey in the underworld was just the same thing, over and over again. Like, how many chapters can we end with Mishe passing out? The relationship between Asar and Mishe was fine, but I felt it was hard to get to know Asar.

The ending certainly delivers what this author is known for a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that leaves you itching for the next book. However, while the final twist lived up to my expectations, the journey there didn’t hit quite as hard as I’d hoped.

Mische, a character I adored in the first two books of this series, felt frustratingly different in her own story. Her internal monologue was so repetitive that it became a chore to read at times. I understand her struggles and emotional turmoil were key to the narrative, but it felt like she was stuck on a loop, which dulled some of the impact of her character development.

The magical quest into the underworld had all the ingredients for a high-stakes adventure. However, the execution left me wanting more. Despite the intriguing world-building and the high stakes, most of the plot felt overshadowed by the constant tension with Asar’s ex-lover, who seemed to exist solely to repeatedly endanger Mische. Beyond that subplot, I struggled to recall much of the quest itself, which made the underworld feel less vivid than it could have been.

Asar was a bright spot in the story. His brooding nature and complicated past added depth to the narrative, and his dynamic with Mische kept me engaged. Their forbidden attraction brought a spark to the story, even if it couldn’t quite carry the weight of the repetitive internal monologues and uneven pacing.

This book wasn’t bad, it was just shy of being great. While it didn’t fully meet my expectations, it still had its moments of brilliance, and I’ll definitely pick up the next installment to see how that cliffhanger plays out.

The premise is intriguing, and the prose is beautifully descriptive, creating vivid imagery and a sense of wonder. However, the book's emotional core left something to be desired.

While getting right to the action and plot has been successful in the previous books in the series, this time around it didn’t strike the right note. I didn’t feel like I knew the characters which made it difficult to invest in their journeys or to feel the tension when they were quickly thrust into life-or-death situations. Without a strong attachment to the characters, the high-stakes action of the plot lacked the emotional weight it needed to resonate.

For readers who prioritize emotional investment in characters, this might not fully satisfy, but those looking for a fast-paced, visually stunning fantasy may still find it enjoyable.

As a lover of Carissa Broadbent's books, this might be my favorite of hers yet and definitely the best in the Crowns of Nyaxia series so far. Mische is a great character to follow with a lot of depth, and I adore her love story. Vampires descending into the Underworld is a fun plot to start with, but one of the vampires wrestling with the fact that she's a vampire at all was so well done and gave this book a lot of heart and well-developed conflict. I can't wait for the next book in this duology and the rest of the whole series.

4,5 ⭐️

hey!! so!! what was that ending!! respectfully, Carissa can you fight??

this entire journey was so immersive. I could picture the Underworld setting so so perfectly and it felt like I was THERE with Mische & Asar. I love Mische so much!! that is MY GIRL and like get behind me!!!! I'll protect you. and Asar -- hot. I love how patient he was, and how he showed Mische time and time again that she deserves actual true love. he is a simp and so gone for Mische. I'm obsessed with him.

also please give me the next book immediately!!!!! thank you Bramble for the arc.

Unfortunately I DNF’d this book. I was so looking forward to this book because CB is one of my fav authors but I could not get into this book no matter how hard I tried

I LOVED seeing Mische at the center of her own story, and the dynamic between her and Asar was just as compelling as the one that exists between Oraya and Raihn in the first duology; even though I'm not usually a vampire-novel girl, the sheer humanity of Broadbent's characters (despite things like wings and a penchant for drinking blood) has me so thoroughly entrenched in their stories that I cannot wait to dive into each subsequent chapter. Mische has stood out for me since "The Serpent & The Wings of Night," and to get her story, to see her shine as so much more than just the token bubbly friend, was utterly fabulous. I just loved everything about this - including Luce, who truly is The Best Girl - and cannot wait to see what part two of this duology has in store for my girl and what I still hope to be her happily ever after.

I’ve been looking forward to this release for months! The novella is actually one of my top reads of the year. Sadly, this one fell a bit flat. The storyline was engaging but I didn’t find myself as invested in the characters or the conflict. I’m still a huge fan of the series and absolutely will follow Carissa’s future releases! I plan to give this another try via audio soon!