As a shock to no one, Carissa ATE this one up! Genuinely love how easy and immersive Broadbents writing style is, and Mische has soared so high in becoming one of my favorite characters in this world. The last Half of this book had me in a chokehold and I CANNOTTT wait to see what happens to the character We follow in the epilogue! Eeek!

Did I finish the book or did it finish me? I think carissa is the next big name in fantasy (I know she's pretty big name already) but I adore everything she has ever written and have been an ARC reader from before the trad publishing, this was another amazing entry in the nyaxia world, i love Mische and Asar (and Luce 🥹) theres action and adventure, tension, spicy, angst, has it all! Can't wait for more books on this world!

Broadbent is a strong contender to rival Sarah J Maas in writing ability and worldbuidling. In her latest Romantasy release, readers finish the duology featuring Mische and Asar. There is heat, angst and adventure as they must transcend worlds and kingdoms, perform grant heists in order to save each other and the others they love.

The book was good but I definitely enjoyed the first two books of the series much more. The dynamic between the two characters was great and they played off well against each other. My issue with this book or more accurate this duology was the main plot or goal of the story. It’s not to say that it was a bad plot but it’s definitely not my preference. It’s mostly felt that characters and their interactions were keeping me going while the plot itself was slowing me down if that makes sense. I’m still interested in reading the next two books in the series and it looks we will be learning more about the house of blood which has me excited. All in all, the book kept me mostly content but a little disappointed.

I can’t even put into words how much I loved this duology. Asar and Mische Will forever have a place in my heart. As I said before if CB write it, I’ll read it. Asar and Mische‘s light banter and all the twists and turns made this book fantastic and I can’t wait for everyone to read it and enjoy it as much as I did!

The Fallen & The Kiss of Dusk by Carissa Broadbent (Release Date August 5th 2025)


I don’t really have words at this point. I’ve sat on this book for four days trying to write an accurate review of this eARC and words have never been harder. It’s no secret I’ve always been a fan of and admired Carissa Broadbent’s writing style and story telling abilities. Add that to the world building, banter, incredibly dynamic characters, and the relationships? I’m a goner. The intensity of this book had me on edge in more ways than one. There was so much yearning, angst, plotting and heartbreak. The range of emotions I went through honestly should be studied. I loved the main characters in this book so much I could cry. The journey these characters went on was nothing short of gut wrenching and honestly relatable. I found myself wanting to shake both of them on their journeys while simultaneously understanding why they did what they did. I have absolutely no notes on this book or series as a whole for that matter. Beautifully done, and I am in love with a Warden and a Dawndrinker.

Sun fucking take me, ya’ll better buckle up.

Feral Rating: 5/5 🦝🦝🦝🦝🦝
Spice Rating: 3/5🌶️🌶️🌶️


What you can find:
- Vengeful and Meddling Gods
- Ancient Betrayal
- Touch Them and Die
- Enemies to Lovers
- “My Wife”
- Scarred Pasts
- Best Side Kick Pet Ever
- Cameo Appearances

Epic, aching, and utterly immersive, The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk is a breathtaking conclusion to Carissa Broadbent’s Shadowborn Duet, brimming with god-tier stakes, soul-shattering romance, and mythic vengeance. Asar and Mische’s journey through divine realms and deadly alliances is as emotionally raw as it is action-packed, with Broadbent’s signature blend of lush worldbuilding and fierce, fated love. With every twist, the novel explores the cost of power, the weight of sacrifice, and the resilience of connection in a world unraveling at the seams. This is fantasy at its most operatic and intimate—a must-read for fans of slow-burn enemies-to-lovers and stories that challenge fate itself.

Just like the rest of the series this one had me drawn in from the first page!

After sacrificing everything, Mische is lost to the gods and Asar will do whatever it takes to find her. When a final chance at redemption is offered, the two are thrown into a mission to take on death itself and change the fate of the underworld.

The character development was unreal!! I loved seeing how far they both have come.

The action NEVER slowed down. Something was always happening, and I truly stayed hooked the entire time.

Mische is just the best and I honestly adore her!!

I am so glad there’s going to be a Book 5!

Thank you Bramble for the gifted earc!

*Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for the early e-arc*

I like this one way more than the book one of this duet! I felt like the concept was much better and made a little more sense. We got to interact with more gods which was nice and learn a bit more about the world. I think this one was a good ending to Mische and Asar's story. It set up early for the next duology as well. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Thank youuuu NetGalley and Bramble for an early copy to review! All opinions below are my own. 🫶

My. Jaw. DROPPED.

This is the most raw, high-stakes, emotive book in the entirety of the series. I set the bar absurdly high after Songbird, and now it’s being raised yet again because this is absolutely perfect.

The exploration of love and passion once again is brought to the table for both our leads, and honestly, it couldn’t have been handled with more sincerity or care. Managing that while ALSO tackling grief, familial loves, and trauma both in regards to how people value themselves and others is absolutely astonishing and incredibly difficult- yet Carissa does it phenomenally.
No matter how much goes on (because there are a LOT of moving parts), the center remains Mische and Asar. They love, and they yearn, and they fight, and they crawl back to one another despite everything around them. They’re equal parts tender, hungry, and passionate- with a hunger that keeps you saying “one more chapter” until suddenly you’re done and your jaw is dropped to the ground. I cannot recommend this duology AND series enough. Easy five out of five and ten out of ten. The best modern fantasy vampire series I’ve had the privilege of reading.

Carissa never misses. And this book delivers in a godly fashion. The world keeps getting bigger and bigger, revealing deeper darker crevices of an already impossibly, bottomless dark world. But Mische and Asar are the light in the night. I’ve never wanted two people to be together more than when a silk sheet was between them!

I love Carissa Broadbent and I'll always have fond affection for this series, but this book was 200 pages too long. There's slow going and then there's sloooooow going and it took almost 400 pages for the story to really take off, which to me is just, like... too long. I'll read anything she writes but hopefully in the future the storytelling will be just a touch tighter.

I love that we got more romance, and more of Mische's yearning. Once I pick up Carissa Broadbent's book, I have a massive problem putting them down because they flow and just always leave me wanting more at the end of each chapter. Thank you for the early access. An easy handsell!

In The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk, Carissa Broadbent returns with a lyrical and deeply human tale that expands the mythos of her romantic fantasy universe while delivering a piercing meditation on identity, faith, and power. Broadbent, known for The Serpent and the Wings of Night, continues to subvert traditional fantasy tropes with finesse, placing flawed, emotionally resonant characters at the heart of an intricately woven narrative.

The novel follows Selene, a once-devoted acolyte now torn between the crumbling pillars of her beliefs and the intoxicating promise of autonomy. Her encounter with the enigmatic fallen angel Kael is more than a romantic entanglement—it is a collision of ideology, a spiritual reckoning, and a desperate plea for salvation in a world that punishes difference. Broadbent's prose—poetic without being overwrought—illuminates the complexities of longing and liberation. Each kiss, each betrayal, feels freighted with mythic consequence.

Where the novel excels is in its quiet moments: a glance between enemies turned lovers, a whispered doubt in the stillness of a chapel, the heavy silence of exile. Broadbent resists easy resolutions, instead embracing ambiguity in a way that challenges the reader to confront their own beliefs about redemption and damnation.

Though marketed as romantasy, The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk transcends genre expectations. It interrogates the power structures inherent in religion, the weaponization of virtue, and the often painful process of self-definition. In doing so, it earns a place not only in the hearts of fantasy readers but also within the broader literary canon of character-driven, morally complex fiction.

A standout in contemporary speculative literature, Broadbent’s latest is both haunting and hopeful—a kiss of dust, yes, but also of fire.

Now this is a Carissa Broadbent masterpiece!

pro tip: read Slaying the Vampire Conqueror and Six Scorched Roses prior if you want the most impactful experience.

I struggled with the Songbird and the Heart of Stone... and everything came together STUNNINGLY in The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk.

I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and loved every second of Mische and Asar's journey. The stakes keep getting higher and higher and Carissa rips our hearts out (literally) in this one and puts it back together.

Also obsessed with the appearances of some of our other favorite characters. No one's appearance felt forced and all of the characters added to the layers of the story. I cried and laughed and bit my nails too many times to count.

I also enjoyed getting to see more of the dynamics between the Gods (and would not mind more spin offs of theirs later on).

I cannot wait for the Bloodborn duet. that EPILOGUE was impeccable and I know Septimus' story is going to be so messy, and chaotic and beautiful.

Oh and Luce is the goodest girl forever and ever.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Bramble for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

“Billions of threads…and not a single where you say no.”

Fallen built me up, broke me and rebuilt me. From the very first page until the last, I was captivated. Carissa managed to invoke a countless amount of joy and sorrow in this tale of redemption.

Sacrifices must be made while old friends are reunited, the ghosts of the past confront the living and the wrath of the gods bear down upon them.

4/5 ⭐️

I loved this book, and while I still find the first Duolingo superior, I adore the works building and character development!! The fact that we get to see old friends along with characters from novellas brings me so much joy!!

I do have to say I am currently undecided about my feelings for this book. I did give it 3 stars, because although I did not really love it, I do like Mische & Asar! Their relationship has grown and we love to see it! Although the world building is great, I cannot get past the end of the story! Since this is a spoiler free review, I will not go into details, but I guess I just wanted more? Or maybe it is the hater in me who doesn’t always want a happy ending!
This book has brought in so many new plot points within the universe, I am lowkey excited to see how it ends, even though this duology is not my favorite. It took me a month to read this book (at about 570 pages), which is slightly longer than all her others. I have no issue with reading long books, but my issue is that I believe some parts just were not necessary for the plot and overall just made me not want to read!
I would recommend reading Six Scorched Roses & Slaying the Vampire Conqueror if you have not done so! (These two side books are the best in the whole universe IMO)!!
Thank you NetGalley and Carissa Broadbent for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review – thanks for the copy!

Broadbent does it again. Immersive, atmospheric, tragic. I felt for Mische and Asar from beginning to end. This was a tale of love and trauma in faith - faith in yourself, in your loved ones, in your gods - and this couple was put to the test through it all. It's about sacrifice, about keeping from losing yourself in the dark. About love within tragedy. I'm happy - and relieved - Mische and Asar's story found the ending they deserved, and I'm eager to journey through the next duology.

Carissa you are definitely an insta-buy author for me! I never want to leave this world. A perfect continuation of Miche's story. I want more!