Six Scorched Roses (Crowns of Nyaxia, #1.5) by Carissa Broadbent Also by this author: The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia, #1), The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King (Crowns of Nyaxia, #2)
Series: Crowns of Nyaxia #1.5
Also in this series: The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King (Crowns of Nyaxia, #2)
Published by Bramble on March 21, 2023
Genres: Romantasy
Pages: 206 •Format: E-Book •Source: Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads
Six roses. Six vials of blood. Six visits to a vampire who could be her salvation… or her damnation.
Lilith has been dying since the day she was born. But while she long ago came to terms with her own imminent death, the deaths of everyone she loves is an entirely different matter. As her town slowly withers in the clutches of a mysterious god-cursed illness, she takes matters into her own hands.
Desperate to find a cure, Lilith strikes a bargain with the only thing the gods hate even more than her village: a vampire, Vale. She offers him six roses in exchange for six vials of vampire blood—the one hope for her town’s salvation.
But when what begins as a simple transaction gradually becomes something more, Lilith is faced with a terrifying realization: It’s dangerous to wander into the clutches of a vampire… and in a place already suffering a god’s wrath, more dangerous still to fall in love with one.
I’ve been deep in a reading slump this year which I think can be largely attributed to the number of underwhelming Romantasy books I’ve read. I used to adore the genre and now it’s so oversaturated and often written to tropes that it’s more often miss than hit when I do pick up a title (even a hyped one). I read Broadbent’s first two novels in the Crowns of Nyaxia series a few years ago and remember being quite engrossed, but for some reason had never gotten around to continuing. I figured I was less likely to get burned by returning to an author I had previously had good experiences with, and realized I had missed a novella in the series. It seemed like a great, low pressure and low commitment way to get back into the world.
I’ll admit, this apparently is supposed to follow characters who we see in The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King but I can’t remember them for the life of me. However, this did not dampen my reading enjoyment! The story follows Lilith, a (likely neurodivergent) FMC who has dedicated her life to trying to find a cure for a plague that has been brought upon her town (likely a curse from a god). A series of events leads her to the doorstep of vampire Vale (sort of gives Beauty and the Beast vibes, now that I think of it) and she discovers his blood is likely a key ingredient in the antidote she is trying to make. The story is told in six parts, one for each of the roses she delivers him in exchange for her blood.
I loved Lilith. She was NOT a badass, kickass, etc. etc. typical Romantasy FMC. She was cunning and smart and recognized her limitations and tried to work around them. She acknowledged she was different and that it could rub people the wrong way, but she didn’t really try to change herself. She just kept her head down and kept doing what had to be done. I really value this trait in a world of overpowered Romantasy FMCs. Her relationship with Vale was quiet but steady in its growth, and the romance didn’t overtake the story (which IMO was appropriate given the stakes and both of their personalities). Vale was fine, I could take him or leave him. He definitely wasn’t memorable but he ultimately served as a good fit for Lilith, the true star of the novella.
Overall: Such a great way to dip my toes back into this series. This story managed to hook me in ways many other full-length Romantasy books have not. I’m happy there are several more books I have left to read, and then I’m seriously considering diving into the Daughter of No Worlds series!
Series Ratings So Far:
- The Serpent and the Wings of Night ★★★★★
- Six Scorched Roses ★★★★
- The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King ★★★★
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