The Serpent and the Wings of Night | By Carissa Broadbent
Book Review | Fantasy
Synopsis :
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.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night is the first book in a new series of heart-wrenching romance, dark magic, and bloodthirsty intrigue, perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and A Court of Thorns and Roses.
My thoughts
Narrative and Plot
It has been a minute since I’ve read any high fantasy. Serpent and the Wings of Night were making quite a buzz in the bookish community and I decided to finally give it a go. The story is told from Oraya’s perspective. She is a human being raised in a kingdom of vampires.
Now she has to attend the Kejari – a hunger games-like tournament – where the odds are mostly against her. Even with the synopsis, you can tell that the plot is quite strong. It promises intrigue, mystery, magic, blood, and romance, and it delivers on all fronts.
Characters and Conflicts
There are many mysterious and colorful characters in the tournament, which is what you expect from a story like this. But Oraya, Raihn,Mische, and Ibrihim manage to stand out. While there is the mention of ugly politics outside the arena, we get to see the brutal tournament designed to eliminate all but one.
This in itself forms a central conflict because any alliance or friendship made within the arena is fruitless. Yet, Oraya needs them to survive. Her complicated relationship with the vampire king plays a significant role in the story. And the striking chemistry with Raihn adds more fun and spice to the story.
Conclusion
Overall, this was an immersive world of vampires who can conjure wings and a little serpent with a bite. It managed to hold my attention and I couldn’t wait to start the sequel.
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