“Death is what happens when you stand still,” I said. “Don’t stand still. Not for anything.”

This was the last book in the Crowns of Nyaxia world that I had yet to read, and I'm ready for more! That was my favorite series I read last year, and I'm glad to say this companion book did not disappoint!

I was so glad to explore another part of this world, and despite this just being a standalone, the worldbuilding was great and the romance didn't feel rushed either. I adore both Sylina and Atrius. I love the fact that while Sylina is blind, she can still see with her threads and she's a fucking badass. It made the book unique.

I easily breezed through this, and while some things felt awfully convenient, I'm very satisfied with that ending! Like I said before, I am ready for more, bring it onnnn!

I absolutely adore the Crowns of Nyaxia series, so I was really excited to read this standalone set in the same world!

Slaying the Vampire Conqueror follows Sylina, a member of the cult of the Goddess of Fate, to whom she has given up her eyesight. When a brutal vampire conqueror arrives on their shores, Sylina is tasked with a crucial mission: infiltrate his army, earn his trust, and kill him.

I loved the premise of this story, but unfortunately the execution of it felt underdeveloped and rushed. Firstly, although the magic system was unique and interesting, it was not fully explained and had some inconsistencies.

The characters also felt very flat and uncharismatic. The FMC’s character lacked consistency, and although I didn’t dislike her, I didn’t like her much either. The MMC was advertised as a morally grey Daemon Targaryen type, but in my opinion, he was not morally grey at all. He also didn’t really do much, and for a vampire conqueror, I expected him to have more agency and be more brutal. I also felt no tension, angst, longing or chemistry between the MC’s.

The plot felt repetitive and rushed, and I did feel bored at times. There was a reveal at the end that I was not fully expecting, but the motivations behind it were not explained at all, so it lacked the impact it could have had.

Overall, this wasn’t for me. I think if the plot and characters had been given room to breathe and certain aspects developed more, I would have rated this higher. Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan/Tor Bramble for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

For a few minutes, I thought Carissa Broadbent was publishing a new book before realising that it was just Slaying the Vampire Conqueror with an awesome new cover.

Slaying the Vampire Conqueror is my favourite Carissa Broadbent novel and even better than the main books in the Crowns of Nyaxia series in my opinion. I would highly recommend to fans of the series but it works as a standalone so it's also a great starting point for those new to series. I would also recommend Slaying the Vampire Conqueror to fans of Danielle L. Jensen's The Bridge Kingdom

While admittedly not the most original plot, the novel was super enjoyable nonetheless. It's a great example of how to execute common fantasy romance tropes well. The romance is slow burn and all the more intense and compelling for it.

I was actually very sad when I finished the novel because I knew the next book on my TBR wouldn't live up to it

4.5 stars rounded up, this is my favourites of the Nyaxia novels! Thank you to Macmillan, Bramble, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I swear Broadbent tricked me into thinking I like romantasy. I don't dislike it - it's an entire genre. But I prefer more plot to my romances and 9 out of 10 times, I probably won't pick up the popular romantasy books of the year. Broadbent is definitely the exception. I found this book trended closer to The War of Lost Hearts than Serpent/Ashes in terms of the plot/romance split. Everything about the characters and plot just felt so unique.

Above all, I genuinely loved Sylina's character and the unique magic system. Her motivations, disability, and insecurities all felt real. And much of the magic system was a bit reminiscent of being able to see/sense things through the Force and that's one of my favourite types of fantasy, so always a fan of that.

Read for a very slow burn, unique magic system, a standalone fantasy romance that is part of a bigger world, and unique characters with great chemistry.

4.5 ⭐️

Very obsessed with pretty much everything about this book and I would very much like to be on Sylina's death list.

As I've come to expect, Carissa crafts a vivid world with rich lore, making the supernatural elements feel both fresh and believable. All the characters were well developed and fleshed out, making us gripped by their actions and possibilities.

4.5 rounded up!

Incredible book. I loved this book. So unique with the FMC being blind. She has given her sight up for her goddess and is sent to kill the Vampire conqueror…but not all is as it seems!

I really hope we get to meet these characters again!

Maybe I haven’t been in the right mindset, or maybe I was too hyped for this (which I’ll admit is true, just like it was for Ashes), but this just didn’t rub me right.
One of the aspects I appreciate about these books is how each one expands on a world that already feels massive, fleshing out its bleakness even more. I go weak in the knees for a world with jaws.
I also go weak in the knees for pain, and angst, and yearning, and this is where this book fell flat for me. Everything happens too quickly. The characters aren’t given time to breathe and grow and develop. Maybe Sylina, but even she halts at a given moment only to then lurch to the ending.
I didn’t get any chemistry between Sylina and Atrius, mostly because he felt so flat and bland he may as well have been pizza Margherita; vanilla ice cream; unseasoned chicken. Shit was going down and my man was simply going along for the ride, no agency whatsoever besides the bare minimum required for the plot.
What can I say besides this felt rushed? There were SO MANY cool things I wished we would have lingered on and dissected. And, yes, I know the focus is the romance BUT that doesn’t mean I don’t get to feel a little disappointed.

Thank you Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the eARC.