A review by v_____
The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I was hoping for a major revenge arc. What I got was not exactly what I was hoping for, but it was AMAZING.
I couldn't put this book down, and when I did, I picked it up again soon. It was like I was hypnotized. Carissa Broadbent is a FUCKING SORCERESS!

Book 2 confirmed this Series as one of my all time favorites! The emotions, the heartbreak, the character development!!! 😭😭 I'm just so into it and with them, every step of the way. It feels like I'm so involved in this.
What I'm trying to say:
WELL DONE CARISSA BROADBENT
(well done doesn't even do it justice though)
However: I'm about to soak up every other book this brilliant woman wrote. She definitely made it into the elite clique of my all time favorite authors.



Back to the book review:
⚠️ There will be SPOILERS ahead ⚠️
You've been warned! ⚠️

I'll start with the things I didn't like (yes there have been some, although they were far too minor to taint this 5 star review):
- the map: while it's beautifully illustrated and all - Whats the point of a map, when there many of the places are missing? Like for example Lahor! Why is it not on there?
- the use of "There she is" was just too much 🙄 #sorrynotsorry
-
Oraya asking to be granted the Coriatis Bond, with half dead Raihn. Why didn't she ask Nyaxia for him to survive/be healed? Plus: shouldn't that be a decision made by BOTH of them, I mean it's this super grand forever bond... And yes, he told her he loved her and she couldn't stand the thought of a world without him, but still...
The non-consensuality about this, is what doesn't sit right with me. Especially when Raihn always asks for her consent (which I LOVE about this series - don't worry, I'll talk about the spice in a minute), even when he senses her arousal, he still asks...



Now to what I LIKED aka a mix of thoughts and quotes:

- The Coriatis Bond: I'm not the biggest fan of the trope of fated bonds between people (although there are some well executed ones, looking at you ACOMAF). However, I love idea of a bond like that being created between two hearts, two souls, BY CHOICE. It just combines the best of both worlds: being bonded to the person you love more than anything, but by your free will

- This was the moment I realized, maybe they can be together:

... Oraya didn’t need to be saved. She just needed a soul beside her on the dark walk to her own potential...
(36% - Raihn)

- Oraya. ORAYA. just everything. Badass, kickass queen. That's all I'm gonna say, she's my girl 💪

- the spice is SO next level in this book, I can't 🥵🥵 and the mixed in heartbreak 😭 omg, please give me a paper bag to breathe into:

... “Let me make you the queen that you are. Let me guard your body, your soul, your heart. Let me spend the rest of my fucking pathetic life at your mercy. If I need to die, then let me do it by your hand. Please.”... 

... “And for fuck’s sake, princess, I’m begging you, let me go to my knees for you.”...

... He worked at me like his singular purpose in life was to wring the most pleasure from my body... 

... “I hate you,” I choked out. But the words weren’t an admonishment. They were weak, sad, bare.
They did not say, I hate you because you killed my father.
They said, I hate you because I let you hurt me. 
I hate you because I grieved you. 
I hate you because I don’t...

- Raihn: I wanted to see him dead after book 1. But the way Carissa (can I call you Carissa?🙏) weaved this love story so delicately from pain, heartbreak and hatred to desire, friendship and biggest love, was just amazing. So emotionally comprehendable and satisfying!

- In general: I love the (emotional) complexity of this series. It's not just black and white, it's all kind of shades of grey

- Vincent: I'm glad we got more of his (and by extension Orayas) back story. However, I still feel like something is... missing? I don't know, maybe I still need a POV Vincent book 🙏

- Jesmine: another character I'd like to have a standalone book, such a badass 💪🙏

I could write so much more about this, I highlighted so many quotes (which I usually don't do a lot), but I just want to go ahead and start the "Slaying the Vampire Conquer"... 

One last quote aka one of the many definitions of True Love:

... A week without touching him, and I missed him. Months without his friendship, and I missed him.
It wasn’t about a week. It wasn’t even about sex...
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