Another great enemies to lovers story. A seer who is asked to kill a vampire.

I've read the first 3 books of the Crowns on Nyaxia series and fell in love with the character and the world created. I didn't realise there were stand alone books that were part of the world.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romantacy books, whether they have read the other books or not.

It has great character development and world building as well as references to thing mentioned in the other books.


I would like to thank Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.

I really enjoyed this book. Although it is a Crowns of Nyaxia novel, you don't really need to have read the other books in the series as it does work well as a standalone. There is a crossover character towards the end that implies this book takes place during the events of The Ashes & The Star Cursed King. I have heard that book 4 (which comes out later this year yaay!) will involve the characters and/or events from this book. Carissa Broadbent writes these characters soooo well, I am obsessed with all of them. You learn more about The House of Blood which was so fascinating to me. I loved the world building so much, I felt I could really immerse myself into each place we travelled to with the vampires and Sylina. The romance was a slow burn and the tension was delicious. I liked that the romance didn't take away from the main plot too.
Basically, Carissa Broadbent can do no wrong and I would read anything she writes at this point.

Carissa Broadbent has become one of my favourite authors and even though I am a huge fantasy and romantasy fan, I find her books and writing consistently top tier, I have never been disappointed with any of her books. The world in this series is so brilliantly well thought and delivered to the readers, so detailed and yet easy to understand and follow, you get sucked into this world and never want to step out! In terms of worldbuilding, this book brings us a new corner, Galaea, and we immediately are drawn and get invested in the storyline. The fact that so much is packed in a standalone is truly impressive.
The magic system of the Arachessen is unique and I loved getting to know more about their history and lives, I genuinely hope that Carissa is just going to keep giving us stories of the followers of all the different gods, it was SO GOOD! Sylina and Atrius were great main characters and their character development and romance was very enjoyable/satisfying to follow. Side note, Erekkus, loved him so much! The chapters are short, which made this put so hard to put down and the last 25% had me on a chokehold (took me back to the good old ACOTAR days!).

For fans of the genre and Carissa, this a solid choice and you will not be disappointed. thank you to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and Carissa Broadbent for my review copy, all opinions are my own.

“You’re just his type, actually.” “His type?” Erekkus leaned forward and gave me a conspiratorial smirk. He held out a finger with each word. “Beautiful. Mysterious. Dangerous. And an obvious, clear-as-the-fucking-moon mistake.”

Oh my heart! Carissa you have done it again with your earth shattering love stories.

The feeling I feel while reading this is just… soul altering!

I loved glimpsing into another couple from this world.

Atruis had a quiet confidence about him! He’s powerful yet fair. He is contradictory to what he is described as, the conqueror!

Sylina is brave but also broken. She fights against her self, her beliefs, her past and the present! And what she seeing about the enemies is not what she thought it was.

This is a slow burn but it delightful in how both the main characters slowly open up their broken parts to each other. There is a lot of grief and sadness in this book.

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I really enjoyed this book. Although it's a standalone, it's set in the same world as the crowns of Nyaxia series and has a lot of references to the blood court. We meet Sylina, an Arachessen assassin and Atrius, a cursed vampire conquerer. With my favourite enemies to lovers trope, this vampire romance introduces us to new characters in the Nyaxia world. I hope we meet these characters again when we delve deeper into the different vampire courts!
I love getting to read about different parts of this world that I love from so many different perspectives. I can't wait to see how all these stories come together.

Slaying the Vampire Conqueror is an easy-to-read, captivating romantasy published as part of the multi author married to monsters series.

If you’re a fan of hate-to-love relationships, this book offers that trope in spades, wrapped up in an intriguing setting.

One of the most interesting aspects of the story for me is the cult-like vibe of the Archesson. The mysterious, almost religious devotion to the cause for the main character had me shouting at her to realise there was more going on than she knew. It definitely kept me hooked.

The romance between the main characters is built on the classic "hate-to-love" dynamic that makes for some intense and satisfying moments. The gradual shift in their relationship, with all its tension and chemistry, is well written and had me rooting for them way before we saw any actual romance.

As for the plot twist, while it’s a bit predictable, it’s still well executed and adds an extra layer of excitement.

Overall, Slaying the Vampire Conqueror is an entertaining, fast-paced read with solid characters, a fun hate-to-love romance, and some intriguing world-building. If you're looking for a quick, engaging read with a satisfying mix of romance and fantasy, this one’s definitely worth a shot!

Charissa Broadbent has once again hit it out of the damn ballpark. I want to start this by stating that I firmly believe this is the BEST book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, closely followed by the Six Scorched Roses novella.

Fast paced, clearly driven plot? ☑️
Strong, plot driven characters with complex back stories? ☑️
An AMAZING romance with the perfect amount of spice? ☑️
Side characters you’re invested in? ☑️
Added layers of world building to a pre existing series, while also being strong enough to read as a solo book? ☑️

I devoured this in just under two days and quickly fell in love with our main characters, their individual goals and their development throughout this story. The primary duology is good, but Broadbent truly shines in her spin off novels and short stories within the Crowns of Nyaxia world! It’s truly making me look forward to the upcoming book in November!

4.5 stars

It was interesting spending time with the outcast vampire clan of the Nyaxia world, it feels like we've not had insight into that world as much and their ways seemed mysterious to me.. But even so, the MC Attrius was shunned by the House of Blood and so there was much to learn about his situation, the problem he had and why he was ostracised.

Sylina was even more intriguing as a character. She was part of a sisterhood that felt mysterious and unusual. Her situation with physical sight and psychic sight made me latch onto this read pretty quick. Sylina's spying quest was tense as was the relationship between the two MCs. Both characters, Attrius and Sylina were incredibly morally grey.

The connection between these two happened over quite some time which made their slow trust believable, especially considering their different allegiances. The plot was super strong, exactly what I expect from Carissa Broadbent, I felt on edge reading it more and more as the book progressed.

It was nice to have a standalone wrapped up in this world but I would be rather pleased if we got more of this couple.

Thank you PanMacmillan for the review copy.

How can a novella be so good? Of the entire Crowns of Nyaxia series, this one has got to be my favourite book and couple!

The story was addictive, the enemies-to-lovers trope had good tension, and the world-building was chef’s kiss. Let’s not even start on the action scenes because they were pure on-the-edge-of-your-seat adrenaline rush. I couldn’t have asked for a better romantasy jam-packed with action and adventure. My only wish is for Atrius and Sylina to have a duology of their own too.

With a long tbr list, I usually skip novellas since it’s complementary and not compulsory to the overall storyline but wow am I glad to not miss this one. I’ll be backtracking to read Six Sorched Roses asap!

Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the arc!

Thank you Pan MacMillan and NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. My review is my own and not influenced by others.

I was surprised and exited when I received a message from Pan MacMillan, that because I’ve enjoyed reading the other books of Carissa Broadbent, I could have the e-arc of Slaying the vampire conqueror.

It was nice to be back in the world of Crowns of Nyaxia and I liked reading this book. This book, like the other books of Carissa Broadbent, is a fast read full of action, chemistry between the main characters, a bit of spice and a well developed world building.
I found Sylina too naïve for my liking but the story made that up for me and I enjoyed reading this book.

This book was published earlier but it will be published again with a beautiful cover and edges.

A massive THANK YOU to the publisher Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of Slaying the Vampire Conqueror

In Slaying the Vampire Conqueror, we follow Sylina who is a seer and is tasked to kill Atrius the Vampire Conqueror, but the more time she will spend with him, the more she’ll realise that he is not as bad as she thought he was.

I had a marvellous time reading this book. It was a short, easy, and gripping read. You could feel how Sylina just wants to do the right thing but is also a bit lost as she does not have all the information having been raised by the Arachessen. And you could also feel that Atrius was not the bad guy as soon as he started speaking!
I just LOVED this book and cannot wait for The Fallen and The Kiss of Dusk to come out!

I'm such a big Carissa Broadbent fangirl! I will read absolutely everything she writes. My favourite thing about her writing is the world building. The intricacies of the universe she has created absolutely fascinate me, and I adore each and every single character she drops into this world. I thought Sylina was such a complex character and really enjoyed following her journey. The almost cult-like religion she was a part of really served to give the character depth and conflict in a very interesting way.

The story balanced stealthy and quiet scenes with loud action-packed moments incredibly well. This kept the pace up and made the whole book a fairly easy read.

I stopped short of giving 5 stars, because I felt this book read more like a novella than a full length novel, despite its actual length. Perhaps if i hadn't already read Carissa's back catalogue I wouldn't feel like this one fell just shy of perfection. But knowing how well she has written the character development of her other couples, I couldn't help but compare.

What is it about this author that makes me fall in love with every book she writes?

Is it the:
~ Strong, likeable female leads?
~ The fierce but troubled males?
~ The plot?
~ The absolute delicious-ness of the story?

I think it might be all of it combined and this book was no exception. I’m so glad I found this author!

Anyway, gushing aside…..

Syrina is an Arachessen. A group of assasin women who gave much up to their goddess, Acaeja, the Weaver of Fates, the Keeper of the Unknown, the Mother of Sorcery.

Atrius is a cursed, vampire conquerer who comes to claim Syrina’s world as his own so she is sent to infiltrate his camp.

There was double crosses, action, drama and, of course, romance and schexy times! And, excuse the pun, Syrinas eyes were opened!

This was a great addition to the Nyaxia world!

Thank you to PanMac and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’m a little surprised as this book was released years ago but there you go… and it’s initially confusing as it doesn’t state on the cover that it’s a Crowns of Nyaxia book.. otherwise I would have picked it up long ago.

I love Carissa’s books, especially the Crowns of Nyaxia series. She writes so beautifully and the words just flow from the page and into my mind, creating vivid imagery of places and characters, each of which are distinct and carry their own voices.

This book is part of the Crowns of Nyaxia world but can be read as a stand alone. I would encourage readers to maybe at least read Serpent first though, just to get an idea of the lore as there isn’t all that much hand-holding in this book in terms of world building.

Characters were a strong pull to why I loved the book. Their development is above par. And there’s a solid plot. Two things every book should have.

I would say that this book was very, very good, but not quite as good as the three other currently released books in this universe (Serpent, Ashes, or Songbird). But I do so love a good intertwining of stories and I feel it’s cleverly done. Overall, a very solid read, I’m glad the publisher pointed out to me because it would have been a shame to miss it.

Seeing Carissa Broadbent books being traditionally (re)published has been an absolute joy! I can’t stop raving about her writing and I can’t wait for more people to appreciate her talent and get to know her beautifully crafted characters.

I’ve devoured all of Carissa’s books and Slaying the Vampire Conquero was no exception: I couldn’t put it down.

Like all of her books, Slaying the Vampire Conqueror is well-written, action-packed, and bursting with tension. From the moment I met Sylina and Atrius, I was hooked—not just in their slow-burning connection, but in the mystery of their pasts. Sylina, a sightless assassin bound by duty, and Atrius, a warlord vampire with a carefully guarded heart, made for a fascinating pair. Despite their emotional walls, their chemistry is palpable, feeling both electric and organic. Broadbent masterfully weaves their tension into every interaction, making their relationship one of my favourites.

My only complaint? I couldn’t get enough of this!

I need to know what role these characters will play in the main series, because their presence already feels so significant. I also wanted more of Atrius’s past! The book teases us with glimpses of his history—his curse, his relationship with the prince and the goddess, his rise to power—but many of those threads remained unanswered.

This book can be read as a standalone, being a possible good starting point for those afraid to commit to ongoing series. Regarding, Crowns of Nyaxia, this is a must read as it adds significant depth to an already exciting world. And if you are a fan of Broadbent’s books, you already know you'll love this one too!

<i>My huge appreciation to Pan Macmillan | Tor Bramble for the invite to read Slaying the Vampire Conqueror in exchange for an honest review.</i>

This is my fifth book now in the Nyaxia series that I read, and at this point I'll read anything in this world that Carissa Broadbent will throw at me.

What fascinates me most are the FMCs. They are lost, obedient, traumatized, and have sacrificed everything for a diety - or a combination of these things. And then, under the worst of circumstances, they find themselves and rise above, they become strong and fierce - and I can't help but root for them.

This is Sylina's story - assassin, sightless, devoted. She is being sent on a mission to kill the Vampire Conqueror, but uncovers lies and deception. True power lies elsewhere, and she has to find her own path.

The world of the Nyaxia series is well built, with much darkness and glimmers of light. And the characters are all really interesting, while fighting their own demons.

4,5/5 stars and gimme more in this world!

Thank you @netgalley and @panmacmillan for the eARC!

#SlayingTheVampireConqueror #Nyaxia #Netgalley #Bookstagram

If you’re into dark fantasy romance with rich worldbuilding, morally complex characters, and sizzling enemies-to-lovers tension, Slaying the Vampire Conqueror is exactly what you’re looking for. Carissa Broadbent delivers yet another spellbinding story set in the Crowns of Nyaxia world, and honestly, I couldn’t get enough.

Sylina is such an incredible protagonist—fierce, thoughtful, and full of inner conflict as she tries to reconcile her devotion to her goddess with her own sense of morality. She sees the world through threads of fate, which was such a cool concept that added this unique layer to the story. Her growth throughout the book was amazing to watch, as she slowly begins to challenge the beliefs she’s held onto for so long.

And then there’s Atrius. He’s the brooding vampire conqueror who’s ruthless in battle but surprisingly kind and vulnerable beneath all the blood and steel. He’s got major “grumpy with a hidden soft side" vibes, and his respect for Sylina is one of the best parts of their dynamic. Their romance is a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers perfection. The way they go from mistrust to understanding, and eventually to something deeper, is so satisfying to watch. There’s no unnecessary drama between them—just raw honesty and two lost souls finding solace in each other.

The story itself is steady and keeps you turning the pages with a mix of action, betrayal, and just the right amount of twists. It’s more character-driven than plot-heavy, but honestly, the characters are so good you won’t even care. The human lands of Glaea were fascinating, and learning about another goddess in this world added even more depth to the mythology. And even though this book stands alone, it’s worth diving into the rest of the Crowns of Nyaxia series to fully appreciate Atrius’ background.

If you love romantasy, this one needs to be on your TBR. It’s romantic, dark, and absolutely addictive. Broadbent has such a talent for creating rich, immersive worlds and characters you can’t help but fall in love with. I already miss Sylina and Atrius, and I’m crossing my fingers we’ll see them pop up in future stories.

I've had this book on my TBR for a long time, so when I received a widget for it on NetGalley, I knew it was the perfect time to read it. and I'm so glad I did, because this was amazing, exactly what you'd expect from the awesome Carissa Broadbent!

this book is set in the same world as the Crowns of Nyaxia series, though it can be read as a standalone and it doesn't take away from the enjoyment at all because the lore of the world is explained very well throughout the story. it was also a great opportunity to learn about Acaeja, one of the gods mentioned in Crowns of Nyaxia - everything about her, her acolytes and how they experienced the world and the magic they had access to was completely fascinating! I honestly wouldn't have minded for the story to spend a bit more time in the beginning exploring this religion.

as it stands, the main plotline starts pretty quickly and we're introduced to Sylina and Atrius. these two were everything (and the romance was perfect!). on one hand, Sylina was such a compelling main character, because her journey (both physically and figuratively) forces her to look past everything she's been thought while serving as an acolyte of Acaeja and come to terms with what she knows in her heart is right. she is compassionate and resilient and her POV was very enjoyable! on the other hand, Atrius was the vampire conqueror who'd come to take control of Glaea and who didn't care about the lives he destroyed in his quest for power - or so Sylina thought. the truth was a bit more complicated than that. I loved Atrius because of his no-nonsense attitude, and his genuine desire to lead his warriors with honour and help them find a land they could call home.

to sum up, I loved everything about this book - the worldbuilding, the intricate magic system, the characters (although I would have liked if there'd been more side characters from Atrius's warriors), the romance and the storytelling. I 100% recommend it!

Was so pleased to receive an advance copy of this!

This was a decent read - definitely didn’t captivate me the same way Mische/Asar’s book did, but it was a quick read and I was interested in the world that Broadbent was putting together. Unfortunately, while the book flows quickly and has an interesting concept with the Arachessen (probably the most interesting of the acolytes from the Nyaxia series so far), I never really cared. Not about Sylina. Not about Atrius, none of them, which kind of pulls you from it. The characters just didn’t feel as rounded as some of her previous works.

Still a good read and a decent addition to the world, and I would be interested to see where this all goes and ties in with others.

This book really surprised me!

[original review updated Feb 2025 for the re-release]

I delayed reading this originally as I didn’t realise how much it intersects with the Nyaxia series, but I’m so happy I finally started it! This is definitely not one you skip in the series, as it gave so much more insight into the bloodborn curse as well as the other gods.

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Premise: Sylina, is a trained assassin, who has grown up carrying out the wishes of Acaeja (Goddess of Fate). When Atrius (from the House of Blood in Obitraes) and his army set out to conquer her land, she is sent to gain his trust as his seer and kill him. With plenty of hidden pasts and political secrets to uncover.

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The story is very addictive from the start. I love a murderous FMC and an assassination plot. Sylina was fantastic, and I loved seeing her thought process, essentially fighting a lot of the conditioning that a cult had brainwashed into her. Oh yes, did I mention the cult of assassins, if that doesn’t convince you to read it, I don’t know what will!

Atrius was a solid MMC. Broody and cold at first but with a lot of deep emotionally trauma. I don’t think he’s going onto the book boyfriend list but he was very entertaining to read about. And has some extremely sweet and tender moments with Sylina.

And I loved the world building, as we are transported across this new land as they conquer each city. The cave system in particular was a fantastic read!

All in all, a fun read, that I read as quickly as any of Carissa’s books! And the added Epilogue for the rerelease, literally had me squealing with excitement. I’m now, so much more excited for the next book!

Definitely read this book if you love the Nyaxia series, or even just a good vampiric romantasy (this can be read as a standalone). And even if you’ve read the indie version of this book, be sure to reread the new epilogue!

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Tropes: Badass FMC ; Vampire MMC ; Assassination plot ; Slow burn ; Cursed by the gods ; Seer / fate based magic ; Enemies to lovers