It pains me to say this might be the biggest disappointment of the year for me. It was painstakingly repetitive and I wasn't given enough time with the characters to care about them. Mische's personality felt like it was watered down because Asar doesn't have a strong enough personality to keep up with her. The book keeps going in circles as well. Almost every chapter ends with a rephrase of Mische falling into darkness and every event was the same. I genuinely don't understand why this wasn't edited.

I think this book prioritizes plot and in doing so, it sacrifices character depth. It felt rushed for publication and I feel like the plot isn't strong enough.
The ending promises a better sequel but I'm hesitant to continue the series. Which saddens me, because I loved the first two books.

As a final note, I dislike the choice of having one pov. I think this is why I can't care about Asar. We never get to know him.

Unfortunately this just wasn’t for me. I adored the first book and the novella in this series but have gone downhill for me since then in terms of my enjoyment. This is a good story and really good writing but just think it’s not for me, so if it sounds like something you like give it a go!! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

carissa broadbent can both:
a) do no wrong
b) hurt me ALWAYS

the songbird & the heart of stone was 10/10 perfection, i would not change a single thing. carissa is incredible at weaving stories full of emotions and vulnerabilities, but also making them incredibly compelling and brilliant. this is the start to a new duology in the crowns of nyaxia world, and i would 100% absolutely recommend reading the serpent & the wings of night + the ashes & the star-cused king before picking this one up if you haven't already!

i loved mische in the first two books and i LOVED getting to know her even more in this one, the character insight and depth we got to see in this was absolutely incredible and i love her EVEN MORE now!! her character is so full of ups and downs and it broke my heart to learn her entire story, she remains one of my favourite characters in this one and i absolutely love her constant kindness and brightness regardless of how much she's gone through. i was SO excited to meet asar, and his character was everything i wanted and more - he and mische have both gone through SO much and they both deserve each other and EVERYTHING THEY COULD EVER WANT 😭

the ending of this had me sitting with my jaw dropped, and i will be inconsolable until the next book comes out. thank you SO much to pan macmillan & tor bramble for providing me with an e-arc, i don't know what i did to deserve one but i love you THANK YOU

The Songbird and the Heart of Stone* by Carissa Broadbent is just… wow. This book is an absolute masterpiece of romantasy, and I’m officially obsessed. Broadbent weaves together heart-stopping action, deep characters, and just the right amount of soul-crushing emotion. Mische’s journey? It’s raw and gritty, full of resilience, and you can’t help but root for her as she faces down impossible odds.

Then there’s Asar. His quiet strength and hidden layers make him the perfect complement to Mische’s fierceness. Together, they confront ghosts of the past, while their romance blossoms in a way that feels both powerful and genuine. It’s a story soaked in vulnerability and strength, and Broadbent balances the romance and high-stakes fantasy so well.

And let’s talk about that epilogue—absolute perfection. When I finished, I was left sitting there, just… absorbing. I cannot wait for the next one. This book is an unforgettable ride, one that leaves you clutching the pages, counting the days until the next release!

The Songbird and the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent is the third book in the Crowns of Nyaxia Series. This is Mische and Asar’s story.
 
Mische was turned into a vampire against her will and she avenged this but the price she had to pay was high and she was sentenced to death. Mische is such a relatable character with lots of female rage and I was here for it. I already loved Mische in the other books and her backstory was even more heartbreaking than I thought.
 
She gets rescued by none other than the bastard prince Asar and these two go on a mission to the underworld. The concept of this book was absolutely stunning, and I loved everything about Mische and Asar who slowly fall for each other. I also loved how this book played with light and darkness and how everything isn’t black and white.
 
I loved how we got to see more of this world, especially a different court and especially the Gods. Some scenes however were quoted stretched out and started to feel repetitive. But because I love the author‘s writing style so much I looked past this a bit.
 
If you’re also a fan of the Crowns of Nyaxia Series, you need to read this story as soon as it comes out. 4,5 stars.
 
(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc.)

I loved this. I adore this world and since picking up ‘The Serpents and The Wings Of Night’ I was obsessed with Mische’s character.

This book shows Mische on her journey of rediscovering herself and her loyalties. She managed to find herself in a place she never would have thought she would.

Asar was such a big part of her discovery. He comes across as such a hard shelled asshole at first but he falls so deeply for Mische in such a beautiful way that you can tell it in just hearing Mische’s pov.

I desperately need the next book cause I can’t have it left like this I’m gonna lose my mind 😭

Carissa always writes such beautiful books that have you wanting more and more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have to admit I was a little nervous going into this book. Mische wasn't exactly nt favourite character in the first two, and I was pretty attached to Orayah and Rain. But then Asar showed up and wow - I was hooked.

He is psych a great addition and I warmed up to him almost immediate.

The story does slow down a bit here and there, but just enough happens to keep you reading and wanting more.

Overall a nice surprise.

✨🌒 4.5 Stars – Dark Gods, Forbidden Love, and an Underworld Odyssey!

Okay, The Songbird and the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent is officially my new obsession. If you’ve been waiting for a romantasy that grabs you by the heartstrings and drags you into a world of gods, betrayal, and sizzling slow-burn chemistry, buckle up. This one’s got it all.

Mische? I’m obsessed. This girl’s been through everything—she’s a former sun-worshipping devotee turned vampire with a death sentence hanging over her. Her journey is one of loss, resilience, and that desperate, clawing search for redemption. And then there’s Asar. Dark, broody, scarred-as-his-soul Asar. If you’re a sucker for the wounded hero with a heart of steel but eyes that tell a thousand stories (👀), you’re going to fall hard.

The plot? Think Percy Jackson for grown-ups meets a soul-wrenching underworld trek, complete with dangerous trials and challenges that test your courage and sanity. Broadbent’s layers of lore—like the soul's intricate levels—had me nodding like, “Yes, queen, give me that epic worldbuilding!” But heads-up: keeping it real, some parts got a little repetitive. It was like, yes, we’re struggling through another challenge, but let’s get to the good stuff, please.

Their chemistry, though? Pure fire. Mische’s sunshiny resolve and Asar’s shadowed, tortured edges balance each other so perfectly. It’s a tension-filled dance between them, with just enough yearning and angst to make you scream at the page (been there). And don’t even get me started on that cliffhanger. I’m talking the kind of ending where you sit there, book still in hand, going, “Broadbent, how could you?!” It’s the kind of ending that makes you sit in stunned silence and then frantically check when the next book is dropping (spoiler: not soon enough).

Speaking of scenes that hit hard—can we discuss the altar scene? 🔥 HOLY. SWOON. It’s that delicious mix of forbidden passion and inner turmoil that will have you questioning your own loyalty to fictional gods. Mische’s struggle between her devotion to the sun god and the undeniable pull towards Asar is what fantasy romance dreams are made of. That scene alone earns the book its 4.5 stars.

Pros:
- Mische’s character development is golden. Her struggle between light and dark, loyalty and love—it’s so well done.
- Asar’s backstory and presence are chef’s kiss 😘👌. You can practically feel his hurt and hope through the pages.
- The underworld scenes are epic. You’re right there, holding your breath, trying to make it out alive.

Cons:
- Some repetitive moments where the trials started to blend together. A bit of tightening could have made it 5 stars, easy.

All in all, The Songbird and the Heart of Stone is a masterpiece of angst, redemption, and god-level stakes. If you’re into darkly enchanted love stories with fierce heroines and broody heroes (and who isn’t?), this one’s for you. Buckle up, because this duology is just getting started, and we’re already on the edge of our seats. It’s a soul-deep, heart-crushing ride, and I’m so ready for book two. Just, you know, mentally preparing for more trauma. So here’s to waiting for book two like it’s a personal attack on our patience. 😅

_ _ _ _ _ _

Cliffhanger survivors, let’s form a support group, please.

The first in a new duology in the Crowns of Nyaxia series. Where the first books focussed on the Nightborn vampires, this is concerned with the Shadowborn, more specifically the character of Mische who we met in the first two books. In this book, we learn her back story, as she travels to the underworld with the enigmatic vampire Asar, and she learns more about her Shadowborn abilities. I absolutely love this series and devoured this book in double quick time. Romance, battles, secrets, avenging gods, this book has it all. My only problem now is that I will have to wait too long for book two!

Thank you Carissa Broadbent, NetGalley and publishers for this ARC!
This book was a total 5 ⭐️ for me, as all the books from this author.
Ok, let’s start. Mische is the MC of this book and story, and what a story!! The author is well known to write just the best stories and this is no exception.
Mische was one of my fav character, so I was really excited when this book was announced.
Everything is perfect, from the story, to the characters, to the epilogue. 😱😱😱
If you loved the first two books, this one you are going to eat it up!

Asar… my heart goes to you. You two perfect for each other. Also, the vibes this books gives..
Let’s follow the story and Mische to the underworld.

I decided to DNF this book. I found it hard to get back into the series and it didn’t hook me the same way the previous books did.

THIS WAS EVERYTHING AND HAS SENT ME INTO SUCH A GODDAMN SPIRAL OMG, I CANT BELIEVE THIS ENDED ON SUCH A CLIFFHANGER.

I LOVE everyhting Carissa puts out, the war of lost hearts is literally my roman empire and I still think about serpent on the daily. Tied into the same unvierse this was such a perfect continuation of Misches journey, with the same political intrigue, romantic elements and continued world building I literally am dying for book 4.

I'm so glad we got such an indepth view into Mische's history, her life before meeting Raihn (and Oraya), and what an absolute ray of sunshine she is despite everything. I love that we got to explore more of the other courts and her dynamic with Asar is literal perfection.

I honestly did not anticipate having such a tremendous book hangover after this but jfc it was so good.

The Songbird & the Heart of Stone is the third book in a Dark Fantasy Romance series from Carissa Broadbent and after loving the first 2 books in this series, I must say this one way equally amazing, I love Mische and Asar and already can’t wait for book 4!

After killing the prince of the House of Shadow, Mische is sentenced to death and saved in the last moment by Asar, the bastard prince. Forced to accompany Asar to the underworld in a mission from Nyaxia to bring her husband, the god of dead, back to life, Mische is forced to confront her past and obey the god she loved who abandoned her all the while trying to fulfill her mission and not fall for Asar who turns out not to be the monster she expected.

OMG Carissa did it again! This book was a real page-turner that constantly kept me on the edge of my seat with the interesting plot and I only wish it was longer because I didn’t want it to end. TSATHOS was so different from the Nightborn Duet but in the best way possible and I loved exploring all the new places in this fascinating world and am so excited to see even more of it in the next books in this series.

I loved Mische since the moment she appeared in TSATWOTN and it was amazing to learn more about her and see her character development. My heart was breaking for her so many times at her inner struggles with her faith and her love for Atroxus and also choosing between what she was led to believe and what she felt was right. She was really strong but in a completely different way from Oraya and I just love her. Asar was the perfect MMC and I don’t want to spoil anything, but he is so different than what he seems at the beginning and my heart was also breaking for him and all we went through. He and Mische were perfect for each other and the way they were slowly healing together was beautiful, I loved all their scenes together and their conversations and already miss them, I can’t wait to see them again.

The Songbird and the Heart of Stone is the perfect next installment in this incredible series, I absolutely loved it but OMG that cliffhanger must be one of the most brutal ones I’ve ever read. Carissa is a genius but WHY did it have to end this way, I’m still in shock and am crying when I think about those last pages. Mische and Asar deserve a happy ending and I can’t wait to read the next part of their story, it can’t come soon enough!

this series is so so good!! loving learning more about this realm! i think so far the first duet is still my favourite but ill still be recommending this and can’t wait to read the next one!!

I think this might be my favourite book in the crowns of Nyaxia series so far!!! I adored Mische’s story. It ripped my heart out and was full of so many emotions. And, the epilogue!!!! 😧😧😧

CARISSA BROADBENT DELIVERED!!!!!

I loved this so so much!!! Mische's story was heartbreaking and healing at the same time. I was really worried how this book would compare against the Serpent and the Wings of Night, but I can happily say it exceeded my expectations.

When I say Mische's story was heartbreaking I truly, truly mean it, without including any spoilers this book broke me apart and put me back together while making me question everything I know in life.

The ending had my jaw ON. THE. FLOOR. I need the next one so so bad.

Thank you for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

The Songbird and the Heart of Stone is a dark romantasy set within the underworld. Is there a better setting? Mische is a character from previous books within this series and her journey of self acceptance is raw and complex. I love getting back stories for characters but this is way more than that. As with any Romantasy there’s a love interest, Asar is just perfect. The slow-burn/forbidden elements are so well done. I loved the high stakes plot these two go through.
The only negative is I felt this book was so character driven that it lost itself on some of the world-building - I couldn’t fully visualise the underworld and different levels - some scenes are obviously stunning but I couldn’t link them together. Although is that intentional as the underworld seems to have no limits and is beyond our comprehension.
Read this book for emotional damage and a cliffhanger to wreck you.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

Very disappointing; the plot is very repetitive, and I just don't care about the whole thing because the whole story is just moved in circles, and it's very boring. Way too many repetitive sentences. The chemistry between the main characters has nowhere to be found. Asar has no personality, like I don't know him at all; there's no development of his character in this book, or it's not that interested enough.

“The Songbird and the Heart of Stone” is the first book in The Shadowborn Duet and is part of the “Crowns of Nyaxia” series. The previous books need to be read before to understand better the world.

This book follows Mischa, a former Dawndrinker that was turned into a vampire and Asar, an exiles vampire prince from the House of Shadows.
They have to travel through the underworld to resurrect the god of death.

I liked Mische very much in the previous books and here we find out about her past in a cult that worships the god of sun. She was chosen to be his bride, but he abandoned her after she was turned. At the beginning of each part we get a bot more information about what she went through and it is painful.

“Because this was what I was taught that love was—something you hurt for, something you bled for.”

Since we do not have his POV, we discover Asar slowly through his actions. He is reserved and closed up at first, but has a soft side.

“Asar, I now understood, was like me. Not because he was related to my maker, or because he wielded a magic that spoke so innately to mine. But because he, too, was a healer. He had devoted himself to fixing the broken things that no one else saw.”.
I hope we will get his POV in the next book.

The action has a slower pace, but there are enough twists, revelations and betrayals to keep you engaged. The romance is also a very slow burn, but it is understandable.

Just like in the other books, the writing is beautiful, Carissa manages to bring out a lot of emotions during the book.

Because the book contains subject matter that may be difficult for some readers, please check the content warnings first.

Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an advanced copy of the book.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

So this story took me longer to read, and it was only because I didn’t want to leave this universe again 😭 I loved everything about Oraya and Raihns story so I knew this would be everything I wanted it to be. This one though had the added bonus of a super cute, loyal and protective sidekick Luce ❤️

Mische and Asar start out squabbling while they find themselves carrying out a task from the gods themselves. The banter, the sarcasm, the weighted stares got me so good. The slow burn of these two was so wonderful and definitely needed as they both had a lot to work through to accept themselves before they could really love another. Mische and Asar are such different characters from Rhain and Oraya. More of a transformative story, finding that person that sees through your scars to the real you beneath. I liked it, I was happy, they’re so sweet and meant to be…. And then I got concerned, we all remember the end of book 1 right, cool… I think you know where I’m going with this 😭

So now I shall nurse my wounded heart until book 4.