Carissa Broadbent| 2022 | 504 Pages | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Vampires, Paranormal, Fiction, Magic, Adult
SUMMARY
Human or vampire, the rules of survival are the same: never trust, never yield, and always – always – guard your heart.
The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself.
But winning won’t be easy amongst the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival.
Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father’s crown… and her greatest competition. Yet, what terrifies Oraya most of all is that she finds herself oddly drawn to him.
But there’s no room for compassion in the Kejari. War for the House of Night brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone – but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love.
MY THOUGHTS & OVERVIEW
Plot:
The Serpent and the Wings of Night is an action-packed, emotionally intense, and beautifully crafted dark fantasy novel that gripped me from start to finish. It follows the story of Oraya, a human girl raised by Vincent, the ruthless Nightborn vampire king, in a world where humans are prey and vampires rule with brutal authority. The plot revolves around Oraya's entrance into the Kejari—a deadly tournament hosted by Nyaxia, the goddess of death—where the winner is granted a wish powerful enough to change their fate. Oraya's goal? To win and gain the power needed to find her lost human family. But to do that, she must survive a series of trials and battle against the most powerful vampires from three rival houses, including Raihn, a dangerous and enigmatic vampire who becomes both her greatest ally and her most complicated enemy.
My Thoughts:
From the first page, I was captivated by Oraya's character. She's a human, raised in a world that sees her as nothing more than prey, but thanks to Vincent's harsh training and guidance, she is anything but weak. Described as a "frail little creature" with wide gray eyes, Oraya hides a predator's bite beneath her vulnerable appearance, using the underestimation of others to her advantage. Vincent sees something of himself in her, which is why he takes her in and raises her under his oppressive protection. This conditional love shapes Oraya into a version of herself that mirrors his ruthless and ambitious nature, leading her to believe that the only way to survive is to shed her humanity.
Oraya's internal struggle with identity is one of the strongest themes in the book. She is caught between two worlds: the vampires who see her as prey and the humans who no longer feel like her people. Raised to distrust everyone but Vincent, she wears plain black clothing and lives by his tenets of survival: "Never trust. Never yield. Always guard your heart." Her relationship with Vincent is complex, embodying the theme of The Complexity of Love. His affection for her is real but steeped in manipulation and control, and this conditional love warps Oraya's sense of self. She craves belonging but feels out of place in both the human and vampire worlds, making her character arc deeply compelling as she grapples with her own identity and desires.
Enter Raihn, the enigmatic male lead who immediately draws attention with his dangerous charisma. Raihn is a warrior, a powerful vampire from a rival house, and one of Oraya's fiercest competitors in the Kejari. With rust-red eyes and wavy dark hair, he is the epitome of a brooding anti-hero—charming yet haunted by his past. His scars, both physical and emotional, reflect the trauma of his life as a Turned vampire who survived the brutal world of the Nightborn. Despite his lethal nature, Raihn's loyalty and hidden vulnerability make him more than just a love interest; he becomes a mirror for Oraya, helping her question everything Vincent has taught her. Their slow-burn romance is beautifully executed, full of tension and emotional depth as Oraya learns to trust someone other than Vincent.
The world-building in The Serpent and the Wings of Night is immersive and vivid. The Kejari trials are thrilling and dangerous, each one pushing Oraya to her limits as she battles not only vampires but also her own fear and insecurities. The descriptions of the vampire houses, their rivalries, and the mythology surrounding Nyaxia, the goddess of death, are rich in detail, creating a dark and captivating atmosphere. This world feels gritty and dangerous, with power struggles and constant bloodshed that add to the tension of the story.
Themes of fear, identity, and power are woven throughout the narrative. Oraya's journey is not just about survival—it's about discovering who she truly is beyond Vincent's influence. Fear is a central theme, especially as Oraya learns to harness it as a weapon. The novel's exploration of fear as a source of power is a vital part of Oraya's growth, as she moves from being a prey animal in a vampire's world to becoming a force to be reckoned with. The serpent symbolism, referring to Oraya as Vincent's "little serpent," highlights her transformation as she sheds her old self and embraces her strength.
One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is the complex dynamic between Oraya and Vincent. Their relationship is the heart of the story, and it perfectly captures The Complexity of Love. Vincent's love for Oraya is controlling and manipulative, but it's also real, which makes it all the more painful. Oraya's journey to break free from his influence is as much about reclaiming her identity as it is about surviving the Kejari. Vincent's dual role as a ruthless king and a father who genuinely loves his daughter creates emotional conflict for both characters, making the stakes of the story feel deeply personal.
The romance between Oraya and Raihn is another highlight. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic is full of tension, but the way it develops naturally over time makes their relationship stand out. Oraya is deeply guarded, and it takes Raihn's patience and persistence to earn her trust. Their chemistry is undeniable, but the emotional depth of their connection truly shines. Raihn respects Oraya's strength and independence, and their relationship evolves into a partnership built on mutual respect and understanding.
The ending of The Serpent and the Wings of Night left me reeling. The plot twists were unexpected, and the emotional weight of the final chapters hit hard. Without giving too much away, the revelations about Oraya's true parentage and the final showdown in the Kejari were jaw-dropping. The story sets up perfectly for the sequel, and I can't wait to see how Oraya's journey continues.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, The Serpent and the Wings of Night is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy, complex characters, and slow-burn romance. The world-building is rich and immersive, the characters are deeply compelling, and the themes of identity, power, and love are explored with nuance and depth. If you're looking for a fantasy novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat while also delivering emotional depth and robust character development, this is the book for you—highly recommended!
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CHARACTERS
Oraya (23) is the novel's protagonist, the adopted human daughter of Vincent, the Hiaj Nightborn King. Initially described as a "frail little creature with slick black hair and wide gray eyes," Oraya is compared to a viper and serpent, hiding a predator's bite beneath her seemingly vulnerable exterior. She uses the underestimation of others to her advantage, a tactic learned from growing up under Vincent's oppressive protection. Vincent, who sees a fragment of himself in Oraya, raises her with conditional love and teaches her to be distrustful of everyone but him. This shapes Oraya's identity, as she mirrors Vincent's ruthless and ambitious nature, believing that she must forgo her humanity to survive. Despite her cold exterior, Oraya grapples with a deep need for belonging, caught between the vampire world that sees her as prey and the human world she no longer fits into. Her journey toward self-discovery is central to the novel, and it's through her growing relationship with Raihn, she begins to challenge the twisted "truths" Vincent has instilled in her.
Raihn Ashraj is Oraya's romantic interest, described as tall and broad, with rust-red eyes and wavy red-black hair. His body, covered in scars from a traumatic past, speaks to his survival as a rare Turned vampire. Raihn, once a human with a family, carries the emotional scars of being enslaved by the former Rishan King, Neculai. His loyalty to his friend Mische and his protective nature toward Oraya reflect his clinging humanity despite the brutality of his vampiric life. Raihn's witty humor and charm add layers to his initially dangerous and enigmatic persona. He embodies the anti-hero archetype, with good intentions but actions that often bring pain to Oraya—such as killing her father, Vincent. Raihn's internal conflict mirrors Oraya's, as they both struggle with their human and vampire sides, ultimately finding common ground in their shared vulnerabilities.
Vincent is the ruthless Nightborn King, feared and revered in equal measure. With moon-silver eyes and pale blond hair, he presents two distinct sides: Vincent, the father, and Vincent, the king. Oraya draws a clear line between these two roles, admiring his protective love while fearing his tyrannical rule. His relationship with Oraya embodies the theme of The Complexity of Love—his affection is genuine but also profoundly manipulative. Vincent's love is expressed through control, leaving Oraya dependent on him for validation and safety, though this protection comes at the cost of her autonomy. Despite his ruthless nature, Vincent's conflicting desire to protect Oraya softens his character, revealing his inability to reconcile his love for her with his role as a king. His death at the hands of Raihn leaves Oraya questioning everything she thought she knew about loyalty and love.
Mische is a vampire with a vibrant personality, contrasting the typical coldness of her kind. A former human priestess, she brings lightness and humor to the story, serving as a close friend to Raihn and later to Oraya. Mische's struggles with the abandonment of her god after her transformation into a vampire and the loss of her fire magic reflect the emotional and physical toll of living in a brutal vampire society.
Ilana is a static but impactful character, serving as a mother figure to Oraya. She lives freely among vampires as a human blood vendor, embracing a colorful, unapologetic lifestyle that Oraya admires. Ilana's brief presence highlights the contrast between her nurturing love and Vincent's controlling affection. The purple silk scarf she gifts Oraya becomes a symbol of rebellion and personal freedom, something Oraya clings to throughout the trials of the Kejari.
Jesmine is Vincent's newly promoted head of the guard and an influential figure in the Hiaj House. Though initially distrusted by Oraya, her secret offer of loyalty and support at the end of the novel sets the stage for her expanded role in the sequel. Jesmine's story of breaking free from a controlling bond mirrors Oraya's journey, and her willingness to help Oraya challenges the assumptions made about her.
Septimus is a cunning prince of the House of Blood, whose strategic manipulation of the Kejari and the other vampire factions makes him a key player in the political landscape of the novel. His suave, off-putting charm hides a dangerous intellect, and his ongoing presence in the court after Raihn's rise to power signals that he's playing a long game that will likely come to fruition in the sequel.
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