This book! The story! The ending! The epilogue! Carissa I need the 4th book immediately!

<b>The Songbird and the Heart of Stone</b> consolidated Carissa as my current favourite Romantasy writer. She writes the perfect blend of fantasy and romance, full of complex and layered characters, wrapped in a beautifully and imaginative setting.

Mische, alongside with Vincent, was my favorite character in this series and I had high expectations for her story. Still, I couldn’t imagine how complex her background story was going to be, and how emotionally engaged I would feel with her journey. I loved Mische before, and I love her even more now. This is a character full of hope, courage and kindness, and she's exactly the type of FMC I like to read about.

And Asar… what a perfect match for Mische he is! He’s the farthest thing from a Heart of Stone and I can’t wait to see more of him. It’s difficult to resist sharing some quotes by him (I have so many highlighted) but I refuse to spoil others the discovery of this character for others. Still, I’m obsessed with his heart and quiet, yet fierce, love.

This is a story full of vulnerability, pain and love, and I loved every minute of it. Carissa Broadbent writes romantasies like no one else 💜

<i>Thank you, thank you, thank you Pan Macmillan | Tor Bramble and Netaglley for the eARC!</i>

Carissa does a wonderful job listing trigger warnings: graphic violence, discussion of grooming and child abuse, and infant death (off page).

Thank you NetGalley for gifting me a copy of The Songbird & the Heart of Stone

This is the story of Mische , a devotee to the sun god Atroxus, who after becoming a vampire lost her power to wield fire. She has been captured after having killed the heir of The House of Shadow and is now obligated to help Asar, the heir’s brother as he prevented her from being executed. He wants her to help him resurrect a god.

The book was written via Mische’s pov and I couldn’t be happier about that. She is such an interesting, funny, caring, loving, and dedicating main character. She doesn’t hesitate to show vulnerability as well as strength, which is quite impressive when we read about her treacherous past.

It was also a very good idea to include flashbacks throughout the book, as it builds a stronger connections to the main character.

I absolutely loved seeing her relationship with Asar develop slowly over time. He also has a difficult past, but it is nice to see him face it with the trials that awaited him and Mische through his quest.

Talking about the quest, I appreciated having the aim/purpose of the story being announced rather quickly in the book. It helps to know where we are going and what we should expect. It doesn’t prevent from having some plot twists obviously..

The writing was amazing, it got me hooked the second I started the book. The chapters were sometimes short, medium, and sometimes long but I felt like it was a good balance.


For those who have read the two previous books a while ago, it doesn’t prevent from understanding what’s going on. There are some explanations here and there that help freshen up your memory.


The scenery in this book is spectacular, I can’t wait to see fan arts of Morthryn!
I would 100% recommend reading it and book 4 cannot come soon enough.

The Songbird and the heart of stone by Carissa Broadbent
Release date 19th November 2024
Rating 5 stars CAWPILE 9.29

When you get a new book from an author you who has fast become a autobuy author you sit and you know that it will be focusing on a new couple, you feel that maybe it won’t be as good as the previous. Would you love the couple like you did the other? Would Mische and her intended live up to Raihn and Oraya.

This is all the things that ran through my mind when I was about to go into this book, but I can officially say that I should not have been worried. This book was everything I needed and more. To the point that I am sitting here now with my heart in pieces because of course it ended with a cliffhanger and one that my heart was not ready to have happen. It really wasn’t.

Mische from the moment she appeared on the page I knew that I would full in love with her in the other book but her story although not yet fully told was an emotional rollercoaster and I felt myself feeling every moment with her, my heart broke, I felt that I was falling in love and I was experiencing every moment of the setting with her and Asar.

Asar is just what we want in a MMC complicated and the story to break your heart. I felt his pain and his ideas and I need him to be allowed love. I won’t go into too much with him because it is best when you experience the whole man that he is.

Shoutout to Luce who is the bestest companion and I will lay my life down for her.

The house of shadows is everything I needed it to be and now I cannot wait to see this story play out because I need it in my hands now because I need to know what is going to happen like I need air. This book caused me to cry, to scream and then stare at the kindle for a good 30 mins before I even thought about typing up my feelings. I cannot wait to theorise this book with people and what is going to happen.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan macmillan for allowing me to read this book early and now I will wait till 19th November when I can again scream about this book and make sure that I shout about it.


Review will go up on Instagram 4th August

.Vampires and gods
.Enemies to lovers
.On a quest
.Chosen one
.Forced proximity
.Hurt/comfort
.Cut dog (wolf?)

Wow, just wow! This book was exactly what I needed. It's the perfect blend of epic fantasy and an amazing slow-burn romance subplot that kept me hooked from start to finish.

This book left me exhausted in the best way possible. From the very first page, the action takes off and never lets up. I felt like I was right there fighting alongside Mishe all the way through hell. I took an entire week to read it, which I rarely do. I usually read a book this long in three days tops, but I wanted to make it last.

I really don't know where to start describing this book, but I think the best word would be: cinematic. It's so vividly descriptive and detailed that it felt like a movie playing in my head. Every scene is so well-crafted, it's almost begging to be adapted for the big screen.

While it’s not exactly a Persephone and Hades retelling, it shares some elements with the myth. And the pacing is consistent all throughout the book, keeping the story flowing seamlessly. And what an amazing story it is!

Mishe is a character I already adored from the first two books, so I was ecstatic when I found out this book was from her POV.

Asar, oh Asar, such an incredible character. When I say I love morally grey characters in fantasy, he is exactly what I mean. He is complex and simply irresistible.

Their romance is steamy, yet tender. If you like angst, then you'll love their interactions.

The ending left me absolutely stunned. Talk about shocking? Now, of course, I'm in agony waiting for the next book. I don't want to give away any spoilers, so you'll have to trust me on this. Go read it!

Comparing this book to the previous ones in the series is tough. I'm tempted to say I liked it more, but that might be the post-read euphoria talking. Oraya and Rhain’s story holds a special place in my heart, making it hard to pick a favourite. Each book in this series is incredible in its own right, and if you haven't started reading them yet, you need to do so immediately.

The Songbird and the Heart of Stone is the first book in an epic fantasy romance duology that follows Mische, a former devotee of the sun god who loses everything after being turned into a vampire. Condemned to death for killing the vampire prince who turned her, Mische is unexpectedly saved by Asar, the scarred bastard prince of the House of Shadow. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to the underworld to resurrect the god of death. Along the way, Mische is secretly tasked by her sun god to betray Asar by killing the god they seek to revive. As they face numerous trials and grow dangerously close, Mische must ultimately choose between the light she once worshipped and the darkness that now calls to her.

This book was exciting from the very first chapter and I devoured the book in about half a day because it was just addictive. There's a beautiful and emotional slow burn romance combined with a high tension quest as Mische and Asar complete the Descent into the underworld. The path to the underworld grows more dangerous with every relic of the dead God they collect, so there's a lot of action and tension in the story. The last chapter and the epilogue were crazy, and it set up next book SO well. I'm desperate to know what happens now but it's so far away!

It was a fantastic first book in the Shadowborn Duet and it did stand up against the incredible first duet focused on Oraya and Raihn. I think all the essential information you need to know about Mische from that duet is well signposted in this book in case you're coming in fresh to the series here, but personally I'm glad I'd read the previous books just to understand the world and Mische better.

Mische was a favourite character of mine from the first duology in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, so it was fantastic to see her get her own duet. She's such an amazing character and you get to know her so well in this book. It feels weird saying that I instantly connected with a Shadow vampire with sun God magic but there's just something about Mische's relentless hope, courage and kindness despite everything that she goes through that I was just so drawn to. You'd have to have a heart of stone to not want this girl to get her HEA!

Be prepared for emotional damage in the final section and to go feral waiting for the next book!

Note: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.

Carissa Broadbent is a GOAT!!!!! I love her books oo much. The way she rights the angst EVERYTHING.

I am so happy that this books focuses on other people as i felt her first duology ended very well and i loved how she wrapped it up. In this set we are taken on a journey with forced to turn Vampire Mishce and Asar. Mishce is set to die but is saved by Asar and even though they seem to be on the same path, their road is paved with treachery, angst and so much more.

I was offered an ARC by the publishers for an honest review and my honest review is that if you do not get to this book and devour it instantly i do not know what you have been doing with your life. Carissa has a way of weaving you as readers into her stories and taken you and your emotions on a rollercoaster that never ends.

The ending!!!!!!! my gosh give me book 2 now

The Songbird and the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent

I could not wait to get my hands on this book, honestly my most anticipated book for the end of 2024! Amazing that I got to read it early! We met Mische in the first two books of the Crowns of Nyaxia series and I loved hearing more of her story.

We follow Mische, the bastard prince Asar, and their companions through the layers of the Underworld on their mission. The journey is full of angst and tension.

I did miss Oraya and Rhain but found myself almost glad their duology didn't take away from Mische and that she was given her own book for a spotlight. The pacing was great, it builds and builds until you just can't put it down at the end. Mische is such a perceptive character which leads you to think that we can expect what happens next, but Carissa Broadbent just fools us all, perfection.

That ending, oh my. Give me the next one, immediately, please! The last few chapters especially are just incredible and so well written. I hope the next book has POV from Asar, and much much more of Luce please!

Everyone get ready for 19th November, clear the calendar and prepare yourself for a slow burn

Thank you to Carissa Broadbent, NetGalley and Pan Macmillian for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a ride. Once it go going this was amazing! OMG the ending- WTAF! It was so good! I loved learning more about Mische- her story is amazing and Asar is brilliant in a grumpy but adorable way. Such a good new story for the Nyaxia world! I want to know what’s next! I am not patient.

Firstly I want to express my deepest gratitude to Pan Macmillan, NetGalley and Carissa Broadbent for allowing me the honour of reading this ARC. The Crowns of Nyaxia series is truly one of my favourite fantasy series and so this really was a dream come true!

For me you know a book is truly special when you feel physically and emotionally shaken upon finishing that last page. I didn’t think Broadbent could deliver a more shocking ending than we experienced in The Serpent & The Wings of Night but WOW. I was wrong!!

I NEED the next instalment immediately!

Miche was of course a fan favourite from the first duology, but I was slightly nervous at that start that I would severely miss Oraya and Rhain from the Nightborn Duology. I needn’t have worried. Miche and her story more than stands up on their own and her character once again draws the reader right in with her effervescent but complex personality. The main MMC of this story is also full of complexity and mystery like Miche, which only adds to the addictiveness of the pair's romantic storyline. We do LOVE a slow burn!

The Songbird and the Heart of Stone hooks the reader from page 1, dropping you straight back into the action. This was an unexpected and delightful surprise given that I though we might get a slower start in order to bridge the two duologies. The pace of the book continues throughout at an addictive rate and leaves your heart racing! The book has an incredibly original plot whilst also feeling right at home within The Crowns of Nyaxia series as a whole. The flashbacks and connections to the first two books are expertly woven into the book.

The themes of hope, courage and redemption throughout are beautifully written by Broadbent, with all readers I’m sure being able to connect in their own personal way. The blaring lines of love, devotion, pain and vulnerability are also phenomenally explored by the author, truly pulling at your own heartstrings each step of the way.

It is the twist, turns and utter shocks to the system that make this book so incredible! You think you know where it is heading or what will happen next but trust me. You don’t! Carissa Broadbent truly is a genius, albeit a slightly evil one for raising my stress level this high! The final few chapters build into such a crescendo that it is very reminiscent of the last 100 pages of a SJM book. I physically screamed aloud it was THAT good/torturous of an ending. The epilogue was particularly perfect - chef’s kiss!

The Songbird and the Heart of Stone was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and it did not disappoint! If possible, it exceeded all my expectations and more! It truly was an incredible adventure and I anxiously and excitedly wait for the next instalment in this unrivalled series. Please don’t make us wait too long - I beg you!

This is an absolute 5/5 star read for me! One of the best reads this year!

The third installment of the Crowns of Nyaxia series focuses on what Mische is doing after the end of the second book. And chronic people pleaser Mische is not having a fun time right from the get go..

The pace in this book has a great balance of fast high stakes moments and tender/heart wrenching rest stops. Broadbent's use of intermissions throughout the story to tease out character context is excellent and had me trying to guess which direction we were going in next, only to be surprised.

This installment was less romance, but what was there was just full of suspense, angst, heat and tension it really popped. If you like grumpy/sunshine on a joint trauma journey this book is going to be your thing!

Ultimately this story is a thinker. On a first read it is an unputdownable romp through purgatory. On a second read is an extremely clever dissection of the expectations we and others place on ourselves and the many ways that can affect the choices we make or the directions we take in life.

2024 is the YEAR of the vampires and Carissa Broadbent certainly didn’t disappoint! After absolutely adoring the first duology with Raihn and Oraya I was definitely eager to get to know Mische better in her own story. And what a start it was!

Tasked with descending into the underworld to kill a god with a mysterious (and unsettlingly sexy) companion in Asar, Mische must learn what healing from her past looks like while figuring out what she wants from her future. The romance was (as usual) smoking hot and I loved her chemistry with Asar. Huge fan of a secretly soft MMC who will do anything for his LI! The slow burn was most definitely worth it. I loved the descriptions of the underworld and the vampiric elements and Carissa’s writing was as lush as ever. A great addition to an already addictive world. And THAT ENDING? Needless to say, I need the next instalment immediately.

AH! This book was so good. I absolutely loved Mische. I liked the correlations to the Kejari that were in the different sections of the underworld. The ending was mind blowing. Can’t wait for the next book. Will have to post to my instagram soon with more cohesive thoughts because I’m just shell shocked right now.

This was my most anticipated book release of 2024, and it absolutely delivered! What a beautiful book, and such a strong continuation of the story in the Crowns of Nyaxia series. Mische was one of my favourite side characters from the previous duology, and Carissa Broadbent has truly done her justice here. I felt so connected to Mische's journey throughout the book, and I am even more excited to see how it continues on after this!

Carissa has such a wonderful way of crafting a fantasy world through her words; I felt thoroughly immersed and connected to every aspect of the story. I felt stuck between wanting to read as quickly as possible, and wanting to hold off so I could savour the story as long as possible - that's when you know you have a great book!

In my opinion, Carissa Broadbent has well and truly earned her place as one of the top fantasy/romance authors. I could not recommend this book, this series and, honestly, every book Carissa has written, more!

Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan for this ARC that I received via NetGalley. I was greatly honoured for the opportunity to read this ahead of time and share my views.

Emotional damage.

That's it. That's the review.
I am joking.

So in this book, we follow Mische who we meet in the two previous books. As you probably know, the first two books were set in the House of Night and in this duology it is in the House of Shadows.

Warning : If you haven't read the two former books, i highly recommend you to stop reading this. I will mention information that was learned in said books.

So, as we know, Mische was a priestess of Atroxus (the god of the sun) and she was turned by the heir of the shadow kingdom against her will. And she killed him. You go girl.
Mische is this incredible full of optimism vampire and she is so perky and I loved her the second that I met her.

But, as mentioned above, she murdered an heir and so she is on the run. Unfortunately, she gets captured and is to be executed.

Thankfully, the bastard of the king, Asar, saves her to help him accomplish a mission for Nyaxia. And at this point, the story unfolds.

Now. I- I love Asar so so very much. He is this closed, broody character, but as time goes by, I started to relate to him in a way that i didn't see coming. And it broke my heart. I just want to give him a big hug, but luckily, Mische does it for me.

In this book, we are discovering a new environment and the description was beautiful and so descriptive. It amazes me how well this was done. Especially since we encountered new entities, and usually for me, it's hard to grasp all the new information in a world i already know but the way the author did it was smooth and she did not info dumped her readers. I respect that so much.

The romance is wonderful and as always, i feel like she is one of the few authors who, when they write a fantasy book with romance in it, doesn't put the plot aside for it. It is effortless

What I really appreciated in this book is how cohesive it is with how the story ended in
The Ashes & the Star Cursed King. It was really fluid and logic how this book started, and the plot was so obvious. I enjoyed the little connections/ mentions that the author did with Slaying the vampire conqueror. I really recommend you to read it, even if there is a very small mention of the events in that book, it's so much better when you know everything that unravels. Mainly because the ending of STVC is spoiled in this book.

The Songbird & the Heart of Stone is a book who deals heavily with death and acceptations. The whole book is a path, a journey for Mische to do, and reading about everything that she went through broke my heart. The conclusion of this journey was sublime and I am looking forward for the next book.

And the end ? THE END KILLED ME.

Not only do I think this is Carissa Broadbent's best work yet, it's also my favourite fantasy read of the year so far!

Carissa is fantastic at blending fantasy and romance, not allowing either of them to overshadow the other. I loved that there has been a very distinctive setting for each of the duologies in this series so far. First the Kejari and now Morthryn, the prion/ underworld. The setting is so richly described that it is easy to envisage.

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about moving on from Raihn and Oraya, but boy am I in LOVE with Mische and Asar. We learned so much about Mische's past, and most of it was horrible. The trauma and abuse that she faced as a human was quite chilling at certain points, and I recommend any readers look at trigger warnings before reading. Mische's character growth in this book was admirable and she has very quickly become a favourite of mine.

I hope in the next installment we will get to learn more about Asar's past, it is touched upon in this book but there is so much more to explore, I cannot wait for the conclusion of their story.

I'm absolutely devasted that it's over. I adored this book, even more than Oraya and Raihn's duology; which I honestly didn't think was possible.

Watching Mische desperately clawing her way to her supposed redemption was utterly heartbreaking. She's such a beautiful soul and her self-hatred was so incredibly tragic to behold. I adored the way Asar worshipped her throughout.

This book was very atmospheric and had a constant feeling of impending doom, which felt almost claustrophobic at times. I felt like I was at their side throughout their journey deep into the underworld. With each new layer, I became more and more invested in their tangled path.

These are two complex tortured souls, and I so desperately want them to achieve their happy ending. This really was a triumphant return to the Crowns of Nyaxia world.

The Songbird and the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent has been on my MUST TBR list ever since I was fortunate enough to be part of Readalongs for the first two books in the Crowns of Nyaxia series and fell in love with the Nightborn Duet that told Oraya and Raihn’s story. This 3rd book in the series and first book in the Shadowborn Duet focuses on the story of Mische and Aras.
Whilst Aras is a completely new character to me, Mische did feature in the original Nightborn Duet books, but whilst I was taken by the backstory and her role in that story, I was a little doubtful as to whether or not Mische was a strong enough character to focus as protagonist in the next duet…well, I’ll tell you now, I was totally WRONG!
Mische was a devotee and follower of the Sun God Atroxus, her life was dedicated to him from the tender age of 8, becoming pretty much a bride of his…
“Because this is what I was taught that love was – something you hurt for, something you bled for. You give your god your life, your blood, your virgin body…”
Until Mische’s life was destroyed after she is attacked and made vampire by Malach, whom she does kill in previous books. Mische finds herself captured and sentenced to death for killing Malach, who was a vampire prince but is given an alternative to aid the prince’s bastard half-brother Asar in his travels to the Underworld to bring back to life the God of Death!
Of course nothing is that simple, particularly when it’s written by Carissa Broadbent. Why would a quest through the dangerous, dark and destructive Underworld be enough, having to face demons and wraiths and more, when there are so many other perils that can be faced, including the command to perform a duplicitous and fatal mission by the Sun God himself, Atroxus?
Broadbent once again delivers a masterclass in weaving plots within plots, stunning and immersive worldbuilding and characters you could truly die for! Never mind just how tortured and guilt-ridden said characters are, each with their own sub-plot and mission, and of course all of the best tropes…albeit slightly subverted from bed to bath! (IYKYK)
The plot itself is carried across multiple sections and paced to perfection, whilst not constant action, the story carries you through the most intense violent scenes that had me gripping the book as I read them, to scenes of such devastation, or perfectly balanced heartfelt moments and tenderness, that truly had me in tears at some points. Yes, there are most definitely feelings, not just of the romantic kind, both Asar and Mische’s back stories are truly enlightening and bring greater depth and understanding to the story that I totally fell for them both.
And finally, I have to mention Luce – the resurrected ghost dog! Any author who can bring a dog to life and paint a relationship of such mutual love and adoration between said dog and their master, is an author I will read again and again!
There is no middle book syndrome here whatsoever, Carissa Broadbent has once again proven how rightly and perfectly she has earned her title as Queen of Romantasy with The Songbird and The Heart of Stone. And my only regret is how long I will now have to wait for the next chapter in Mische and Asar’s story!

Thank you so much Pan MacMillan, Bramble, Book Break UK and Netgalley for the arch of The Songbird and The Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent in exchange for my honest and unbiased review!

By far my favourite vampire book of 2024


AND nobody told me that this book was so hades and Persephone coded?

The most perfect slow burn romance, which a smidge of spice!

I truly think that this is my favourite book by the author yet and I can’t wait for the second book of this duet! My only regret is not being able to read it again for the first time!!

*******************

After murdering the vampire who turned her, Mische is waiting to be sentenced when the prince states he needs her to resurrect Alarus for Nyaxia. In order to do this they have to venture through the underworld causing Mische to relive all of her past and her secrets.

When I received this eARC, I screamed! Carissa Broadbent is one of my all time favourite authors, and The Songbird and the Heart of Stone is one of my most anticipated reads of the year.

This book follows Mische, a devotee of the Sun God who lost everything when she was turned into a vampire. After killing the vampire prince who turned her, she is sentenced to death, but is saved by his half-brother, Asar. He needs Mische to travel to the Underworld with him to resurrect the God of Death. However, Mische is given her own mission from the Sun God; betray Asar by killing the God of Death once he is resurrected.

The writing in this book was just like all of Carissa’s other books - absolutely stunning. The prose was lyrical, and the descriptions of the Underworld painted such a vivid picture in my mind. The setting was dark and sinister, but also so beautiful and fascinating.

The plot was perfectly paced and had me gripped immediately. As you would expect with such a dangerous quest, there was tons of action, which was broken up perfectly with tender, heartfelt moments between the characters. This story really had me biting my nails one minute, then swooning the next.

I already adored Mische from the first two books in the series, but I loved getting to know her better in this one. Every few chapters we got a flashback from her life before she was turned into a vampire, which was so interesting, and such a great way to relay the information without it feeling like an info dump. My heart hurt seeing her grapple with who she was before and who she is now, but her transformation and character development was incredible to read.

Asar was as much of a complicated character as Mische, and I loved him so much! My heart also ached for his past, and I loved seeing him soften towards Mische as the book went on. Their slow-burn romance was incredible, and the spice was spicing!

The last few chapters were an absolute whirlwind, and the last page had my jaw hanging open. It’s not often that I’m that shocked by books, but I was lost for words! The wait for the next book will be torturous, but I am so incredibly excited to see what happens next.

A big thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.