This was an intense, slow burn, enemies-to-lovers journey through the underworld.

In this spinoff continuation. we follow Mische as she is imprisoned by the House of Shadow and forced into journeying to hell with its bastard prince. Once a favoured bride of the god, Mische's power is now more torture than magic, and she may be the only thing stopping the resurrection of a death god.

I was gripped by the slow burn of this as Asar and Mische learn to trust each other, even in the worst of circumstances. However, it felt like all the action suddenly happened in the last portion of the book, before abruptly ending! Whilst this has me so, so eager for the next book I wish we'd had much more of them together.

Okay friends, when I tell you that Carissa Broadbent is on FIRE in The Songbird and the Heart of Stone, I mean she set my heart and soul aflame and then remorselessly left them burnt to a withered crisp by the end. Get ready to sink your teeth into a brand-new exquisitely soul-stirring and divinely epic slow-burn fantasy romance full of death, desire, treachery and heart-wrenching emotions that just bleed off the page.

First things first, let me share an important message: The Songbird and the Heart of Stone might be the first book in the new Shadowborn Duet, but you do not (I repeat, DO NOT) start your journey into the Crowns of Nyaxia world here. Sure, Broadbent’s writing is absolutely strong and captivating enough that you could be a rebel and skip the preceding Nightborn Duet, starting with Serpent and the Wings of Night, but why would you do that and miss out on a lot of important context as well as deprive yourself of another phenomenal blood-soaked love story?

Okay, with that out of the way, it’s time to let the gush fest begin! From the moment I met Mische in The Serpent and the Wings of Night, she immediately became one of my favourite characters of the entire series. Although she could come across a bit vapid and shallow at times, I had a feeling there was a lot of pain and trauma hiding behind the mask of giddy smiles and relentless optimism, which I could not wait to dig into in The Songbird and the Heart of Stone.

Now, when Mische set off to discover the world on her own at the end of the Nightborn Duet, I was not expecting to meet her again as she is thrust into the underworld together with the bastard heir of The House of Shadows (and his spirit wolf, Luce, the true MVP of the show) on a deadly quest to resurrect the God of Death. But holy smokes, did this end up to be exactly the adventure that my dark hole of a soul wanted and needed; to my huge surprise, there wasn’t even a single moment where I missed Raihn and Oraya, and I am now just as (if not more) invested in Asar and Mishe’s story.

First of all, these two are quite literally the perfect embodiment of the grumpy/sunshine trope, and I absolutely loved how their effortlessly amusing dynamic added so much heart and humour to this otherwise dark and emotionally draining story. Broadbent really is the queen of the slow-burn for me, and the way that Mische and Asar semi-reluctantly started to bond throughout this harrowing journey and eventually help each each other understand what honest love and devotion is supposed to feel like just tugged on my heartstrings in all the best ways. The reason why their romance feels so believable and intimately vulnerable to me, is because the physical/sexual attraction comes second to their emotional attraction and bonding; this is exactly what ultimately makes The Songbird and the Heart of Stone stand out in the crowded romantasy space for me.

Moreover, while there is plenty of action (of both the fighting and the steamy kind, hello delicious blood sucking scene!!!) to satisfy the plot-driven readers, my character-driven heart was truly sucking up all the inner turmoil, unpacking of trauma and the unravelling of all the complex interpersonal relationships. Especially Mische’s complicated dynamic with her god Atroxus had me in an absolute chokehold, and I really appreciated the authentic and deeply vulnerable exploration of themes of (childhood) trauma, faith, devotion, vengeance, forgiveness (of others and oneself), and the dangerously thin line between love and hate.

The emotional character journey in The Songbird and the Heart of Stone is honestly more multi-layered and tear-inducing than an onion, and I absolutely loved how Broadbent meticulously heightened the stakes, increased the tension, and peeled back a new layer of complexity and emotional depth every time these characters progressed to a deeper level of the underworld. In both flashbacks and the present, we see Mische and Asar as they are quite literally being hunted and haunted by the ghosts of their pasts, which not only unveiled their intriguingly dark backstories in the most enticing way possible, but also established such a deep emotional connection for me that was honestly not safe for my own sanity.

Now, while this book started out with immediate ‘new favourite’ potential for me because its vibe and aesthetic reminded me so heavily of other deliciously dark fantasy favourites like Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff or Asunder by Kerstin Hall, I do personally think the second half is where the true gold can be found. Especially parts 2 and 3 felt slightly hectic and oddly paced to me, with some important character/relationship progression happening off screen and side characters not getting the development I was hoping for.

Those little nitpicks didn’t stop me from obsessively devouring this book like nobody’s business, yet it was in part 4 (of 7) that I think Broadbent just fully hit her stride; from that point onwards, we just go through the wildest emotional rollercoaster, leading straight up to a brutally bittersweet ending that I could/should have seen coming yet which still ripped my heart out of my chest and left me staring blankly at a wall for a few minutes. The audacity to end with such a diabolical cliffhanger of an ending, and then make me wait for book 2… unacceptable, but I love the heartache.

In my humble opinion, The Songbird and the Heart of Stone is not only Broadbent’s best work to date, but it also just raised the bar for every other dark romantasy to come. With its deeply flawed yet lovable morally grey characters, cutthroat vampire politics, haunting imagery, blood-soaked history and rich lore, fickle meddling gods, dangerous necromancy, and exquisite levels of emotional destruction, even the most cold-hearted grimdark enthusiasts will find much to love in the Crowns of Nyaxia series; also, it’s got a loyal skeletal spirit wolf companion, what more could you ask for?!

Well, this series is definitely going downhill for me. The Songbird & the Heart of Stone is one of the most boring books I’ve read this year. Completely stifled by description, the plot suffers from a ridiculous amount of repetitive scenes (the conflicts, the chapter breaks, the descriptions…) that make it feel like it’s going in circles.

The characters were the first to suffer from this repetition. No development or build-up, I wasn’t invested in any of them. Especially the love interest, I met rocks who had more personality. As for the two characters who accompanied them, I need someone to explain to me how they were relevant to the story?! And don’t get me started on the romance: born out of nowhere, without development or chemistry.

The only thing I liked about this book was having more of Mische’s backstory and more of the gods. I would have DNFed it this hadn’t been an ARC and will not be continuing this series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved it!! ever since reading "The War of Lost Hearts" trilogy by Carissa, she's become an auto-read for me - and this book did not disappoint.

I've forgotten how much I missed this spectacular world, and its very intriguing and complex characters. Mische is truly everything I love in a main character - strong, compassionate, selfless to a fault. her journey is both physical and spiritual, which is what made this such a compelling read. now for Asar, where do I start? he's one of the best Shadow Daddies I've seen. I shed a few tears when he and Mische had a very sweet scene where he was asking her what the sun feels like 🥹. I just want the two of them to feel the sun together!!

also, I absolutely love trial books! they make a story so much more interesting because the stakes are higher, there's actually something to lose. but I do have to admit that Mische and Asar stressed me out every time they journeyed to a new part of the underworld :). and the ending - 10/10.

I highly recommend this book!

This book was my favorite in the Crowns of Nyxia series. Mische is one of my favorite characters and I loved to learn more about her in The Songbird & the Heart of Stone. The title is so fitting to the third book in the series, and the first in the Shadowborn duet.

I loved the ambiguity of the story, together with the horror/thriller vibes to this book. In TSATHOS, we follow Mische as she ventures into the Shadowborn territory and on to the Underworld to resurrect a dead god, whom we’d learned a bit about in the first two books. Here we meet grumpy Asar who rescues Mische from death. Their relationship was my favorite as I liked the slow-burn and even the side characters, Chandra (a priestess) and Elias. Their journey into the Underworld was not an easy one where Mische had to battle the scars of her past throughout the Descent.

This book was divided into five parts according to the Descent of the Underworld. The Songbird and the Heart of Stone also follows a similar writing style to the first two books in this series. There was also interludes in between the parts – bringing into focus the histories of the main character (in this case, Mische) and her journey from a young girl of eight to her adolescence and eventually, adulthood. In the interludes, we learned about Mische’s past as a priestess and acolyte for the Sun God, Atraxos. I felt for Mische as she was originally a human who’d been through so much, having been Turned into a vampire. She fights her hardest to hold on to her humanity. In Songbird, she learns how to embrace herself as a vampire and be in balance within both sides of her.

Aside from Mische, I liked the side characters Chandra and the ‘dog’ Luce. They were integral to the plot and helped Mische and Asar reach their goals. The plot twists were totally unexpected!

As for Asar, I think he’s become my favorite vampire after Mische. As a Shadowborn, he has the power to control darkness and is a mindreader. He’s also someone with a hard, troubled past and he had fought his way to get to where he is today–coupled with several sad events. Despite his initial brusqueness, he turned out to be a cinnamon roll – in a warrior type of way who has a deep respect for the dead and for the people close to him. I was surprised at the plot twists and just how deep his, and Mische’s scars both physically and emotionally went.

In all, The Songbird & the Heart of Stone is a story about found family, accepting your past/demons and learning to accept yourself despite all your imperfections. Can’t wait for the next book!

Stunning, adventurous, and absolutely gruelling. Carissa has done it again with a book that’s packed with plot and leaves you breathless. While I usually lean toward romance-heavy reads, this story’s adventure-driven pace completely won me over. And yes—though it’s plot-heavy, fans can look forward to some favourite tropes: enemies-to-lovers tension, jaw-dropping character growth, the most adorable pet, grumpy x sunshine banter, a heart-stopping “he washes her” scene, and an epic quest with end-of-the-world stakes.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you already know how much I adore Broadbent’s work. She has this rare talent for pulling you into her worlds, where her characters feel so vivid they’re practically etched into your soul. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

This story follows Mische, a fiercely brave woman with hidden powers that carry a mysterious origin. We watch her hit rock bottom, gather herself, and face down danger after danger. Alongside her is an ally shrouded in secrets who has just as much to lose. Together, they embark on a harrowing quest assigned by their Gods—one that could spell a fate worse than death if they fail.

This book was an emotional wrecking ball. I was left speechless by that ending, forced to sit there and contemplate the sheer magnitude of the story. From the first page to the last, I adored every single word, and I’m devastated there aren’t more pages to turn. The epilogue… I’m still not over it.

Broadbent has outdone herself again, and I’ll be counting down the days until her next book. If you love fantasy adventures with heart-stopping stakes, slow-burn romance, and characters that linger in your mind, you *need* this book on your shelf!

𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴: 𝘷𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴/𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘴 • 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘺 • 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘮𝘮𝘤 • 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 • 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 • 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘴

A long awaited read by one of my favorite authors, I knew I would love it!!! I was hooked from the first to the very last page. This book had everything: complex characters, tension, dark secrets, battles, and even an animal companion.
Carissa Broadbent never misses and she outdid herself with this book. A beautiful story about hope and love and forgiveness, with a fascinating setting and unique plot. STANDING OVATION FROM ME!!!!

I was obsessed with Mische in the previous books. She’s such a kindhearted & brave character. I loved getting to know more about her throughout their journey in the underworld. She made the perfect duo with Asar; two broken souls finding each other at their worst and healing together. I was rooting so hard for them.
And that ending!!! It left me staring at the wall for hours!! How am I supposed to function until the next one??

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!