Crowns of Nyaxia Book 2: The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

 

Crowns of Nyaxia Book 2

From the New York Times bestselling author Carissa Broadbent, comes The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King, the gutting second installment of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, full of heartbreak, redemption, blood intrigue and heart-pounding action.

Love is a sacrifice at the altar of power.

In the wake of the Kejari, everything Oraya once thought to be true has been destroyed. A prisoner in her own kingdom, grieving the only family she ever had, and reeling from a gutting betrayal, she no longer even knows the truth of her own blood. She’s left only with one certainty: she cannot trust anyone, least of all Raihn.

Raihn’s own nobles are none too eager to accept a Turned king, especially one who was once a slave. And the House of Blood digs their claws into the kingdom, threatening to tear it apart from the inside.

When Raihn offers Oraya a secret alliance, taking the deal is her only chance at reclaiming her kingdom–and gaining her vengeance against the lover who betrayed her. But to do so, she’ll need to harness a devastating ancient power, intertwined with her father’s greatest secrets.

But with enemies closing in on all sides, nothing is as it seems. As she unravels her past and faces her future, Oraya finds herself forced to choose between the bloody reality of seizing power–and the devastating love that could be her downfall.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198902263-the-ashes-the-star-cursed-king

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Oraya is stuck between grief and heartbreak and anger after the end of Kerjari. Losing her father by the hands of the man she saved and fell in love with, she is now a prisoner in her own kingdom. But that isn’t enough. Because everything she thought she knew about herself was wrong. Her father is gone and any answers he had are gone with him. She is finding it hard to lift her head from her feelings and begin to take action. Raihn never planned for any of this to happen. A deal to save Oraya knowing he wouldn’t make it out alive, changed the moment she wished for him back. And all he wants is to see the fight in her to come back. His own heart breaks to see what his actions have caused. But bit by bit, Oraya begins to claw herself back for purpose. Even if it means aligning herself with Raihn once more. Because they will need one another to defeat the real enemy in their kingdom. A heartbreaking beginning to this story for sure! You could see how much it hurt both Oraya and Raihn after everything that happened. Their feelings for one another are so strong but breaks before they can truly begin. But that doesn’t mean it is gone. No, they are piecing it together bit by bit. Because no matter how angry and hurt Oraya is, deep down she knows she won’t hurt Raihn. And Raihn has done everything he can to protect her knowing it could lead to her hating him more. But I loved how these two clawed their way back to one another. The story only gets more interesting when secrets are revealed and new and old enemies make their moves. This series is just so good! And I’m so glad to have more to read and more that are on the way. A great conclusion to Oraya and Raihn’s story! At least for now! Because after everything that happened, anything could be in their future.