Story Summary
The Serpent and the Wings of Night is the first book in Carissa Broadbent's Crowns of Nyaxia series. This dark fantasy romance mixes deadly trials, political intrigue, and forbidden love between enemies.
The story follows Oraya, a human adopted by Vincent, the ruthless Nightborn vampire king. Raised in a world built for monsters, she's learned to fight, survive, and suppress her humanity. When the goddess Nyaxia opens the Kejari, a brutal tournament where vampires compete for divine power, Oraya enters — determined to win her freedom.
But surviving the Kejari means forging alliances. Enter Raihn, a rival vampire with secrets of his own. They must work together, even though they do not trust each other. As they face dangerous challenges and political plots, they start to develop a connection. This connection could put them both at risk.
A story of power, sacrifice, and love where survival requires betraying your true self.
Main Characters
Oraya
- Age: Early 20s
- Ethnicity: Human
- Hair Color: Black
- Eye Color: Silver
- Identity: Human raised by vampires / Kejari competitor
Fierce, strategic, and deeply loyal — Oraya's humanity is both her greatest weakness and her greatest weapon.
Raihn
- Age: Late 20s (appears)
- Ethnicity: House of Blood vampire
- Hair Color: Black
- Eye Color: Red
- Identity: Warrior / Kejari competitor
Sharp, charming, and haunted by his past — Raihn hides his scars behind humor and strength.
Vincent
- Age: Centuries old
- Ethnicity: Nightborn vampire
- Hair Color: White
- Eye Color: Red
- Identity: King of the House of Night / Oraya's adoptive father
Cold, calculating, and powerful — a ruler who raised a human as a weapon in a world of predators.
Binge Smut with Visuals on SHORTBREAD
Love The Serpent and the Wings of Night? Watch smut brought to life on Shortbread, just like TV shows.
Every Spicy Chapter – Breakdown & Highlights
The romance between Oraya and Raihn is slow, forbidden, and filled with tension. When it finally turns physical, it's emotional, desperate, and rooted in survival. The scenes are vivid but intimate — full of trust, conflict, and need.
Chapter 33 – The Cave
Oraya and Raihn hide in a cave after a brutal round of the Kejari. Both are injured, exhausted, and running on adrenaline. When Raihn helps tend to her wounds, the tension between them snaps.
It starts with lingering touches as he wraps her arm, then shifts — her fingers brush his, his restraint breaks. The kiss is rough, urgent, and full of pent-up frustration. She pulls him closer, and he lets her take control until they collapse together.
"She tasted of blood and survival, and for a moment, that was enough."
Chapter 37 – The Tent Scene
After getting through another dangerous trial, they end up alone again. The tension in the air is thick—fear, desire, and unspoken feelings all mixed up. The moment is quiet but powerful, filled with soft touches, whispers, and that warm vibe in the dark. It's the first time Oraya lets herself feel wanted instead of just being a weapon.
"He touched her like she was something fragile, even though she'd only ever been forged to fight."
Chapter 41 – The Balcony
Back in the vampire stronghold, Oraya and Raihn can't stay away from each other. Late at night, they meet on a balcony overlooking the city. The conversation turns to trust — then silence — and he steps closer until there's no space left between them.
She kisses him first this time. It's slower, more deliberate than before. He lifts her onto the railing, their bodies pressed together, the night wind cold against their skin.
"He tasted like sin and surrender, and she couldn't stop."
Chapter 46 – The Aftermath
Their bond has deepened, mixing both physical and emotional feelings, but trouble is on the horizon. Before the next trial, Raihn finds her alone in her tent. He kisses her like he knows it could be their last chance. The moment is quick, frantic, and it almost hurts how much they're holding back.
"They moved together like the world was ending — and maybe, for them, it was."
Goodreads Reader Reactions
Readers on Goodreads called The Serpent and the Wings of Night "The Hunger Games meets ACOTAR but darker and bloodier." It averages 4.4 stars, praised for its pacing, emotional depth, and enemies-to-lovers dynamic that feels earned.
Positive Reactions:
"It's brutal, tender, and addicting — the perfect mix of fantasy and heartbreak."
"Oraya is one of the strongest heroines I've ever read. She's human in a world that wants her dead, and she still wins."
"The romance is everything — forbidden, slow, and devastating."
Readers also loved how Carissa Broadbent handled trust between Oraya and Raihn — their alliance feels fragile and human, even in a world of immortals.
Critical Reactions:
"The beginning was slow, but once the Kejari started, I couldn't stop reading."
"It hurts in the best way. Be ready to suffer."
Overall, fans describe it as dark romantic fantasy done right — intense battles, emotional trauma, and a love story that leaves scars.
Binge Smut with Visuals on SHORTBREAD
Love The Serpent and the Wings of Night? Watch smut brought to life on Shortbread, just like TV shows.
Related Books – The Crowns of Nyaxia Series
Carissa Broadbent's Crowns of Nyaxia series is a sprawling, interconnected fantasy world centered on vampires, gods, and power. Each duology explores a different corner of Nyaxia's dominion, filled with dangerous romance, divine bargains, and political bloodshed.
1️⃣ The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Book 1)
Oraya, a human raised by vampires, enters the goddess Nyaxia's Kejari — a deadly tournament where the winner earns divine power. Along the way, she forms an alliance — and a forbidden bond — with Raihn, a rival vampire.
Tone: Survival, sacrifice, and forbidden love.
2️⃣ The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King (Book 2)
The story picks up immediately after Serpent. Oraya's choices in the final trial have consequences that ripple through kingdoms. Raihn must navigate his new role while their bond fractures under betrayal and grief.
This sequel deepens the romance while unraveling political conspiracies across Nyaxia's empire.
Tone: Angsty, emotional, tragic, and redemptive.
3️⃣ The Six Scorched Roses (Novella)
Set in the same world, this standalone follows Lilith and Verea, introducing another love story tied to the goddess Nyaxia's blood magic. It offers deeper lore and softens the brutality of the main series with a quieter, emotional arc.
Tone: Gentle, romantic, and mythic.
Series Themes
The Crowns of Nyaxia series explores:
- Humanity vs. immortality
- The morality of power
- Love born from survival
- The blurred lines between devotion and destruction
Broadbent's writing balances darkness with hope, creating a world that feels rich, ruthless, and deeply emotional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many books in Serpent and the Wings of Night?
There are two main books (The Serpent and the Wings of Night and The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King) plus a connected novella, The Six Scorched Roses.
Q: What is The Serpent and the Wings of Night about?
It's about Oraya, a human raised by vampires, who enters a deadly tournament to win divine power — and falls in love with her rival, Raihn.
Q: Who is Vale in The Serpent and the Wings of Night?
Vale is one of Oraya's few human allies — a spy and informant who provides her with information during the Kejari.
Q: How to read The Serpent and the Wings of Night?
Start with The Serpent and the Wings of Night, followed by The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King, then the novella The Six Scorched Roses if you want expanded lore.
Q: What genre is The Serpent and the Wings of Night?
It's a dark fantasy romance, combining high-stakes adventure with enemies-to-lovers passion.
Q: How many pages in Serpent and the Wings of Night?
Approximately 528 pages, depending on the edition.
Q: What order to read Serpent and the Wings of Night?
- The Serpent and the Wings of Night
- The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King
- The Six Scorched Roses (optional companion novella)
Binge Smut with Visuals on SHORTBREAD
Love The Serpent and the Wings of Night? Watch smut brought to life on Shortbread, just like TV shows.