The serpent and the wings of night

Having just wrapped up Carissa Broadbent's 'The Serpent and the Wings of Night' series, I have some thoughts I really want to share, especially for anyone else looking for their next romantasy read or trying to break a slump. ‘The Serpent and the Wings of Night’ (Book 1) truly swept me away. The central 'enemies to lovers' trope was executed beautifully, evolving naturally as the characters faced the brutal 'trials' together. I loved how the story immediately plunged you into a world brimming with vampires and high-stakes competition. The world-building around the vampire lore felt fresh enough to keep me engaged, and the elements of 'betrayal' woven throughout kept me constantly guessing and eager to turn the next page. It had that perfect blend of action, romance, and intrigue that makes a book impossible to put down. For me, it was a solid 3.5-star experience because of how effortlessly I devoured it. Moving onto ‘The Ashes & The Star-Cursed King’ (Book 2), my reading experience shifted a bit. While it continued the journey with familiar characters and the 'enemies to lovers' dynamic, the 'second chance romance' aspect felt less impactful than the initial spark. The introduction of 'dual POV' usually excites me, offering deeper insight into multiple characters, but in this installment, it sometimes made the pacing feel a little disjointed. I found myself more invested in one perspective over the other, which made some sections feel like a push to get through. It wasn't that the story was bad, but it lacked the propulsive energy and focused intensity of the trials from the first book, leading to my 2-star rating for this one. However, despite the mixed feelings for the second book, I still found the series as a whole to be a great 'slump read.' When I'm in a reading slump, I often gravitate towards books that are engaging but don't demand an immense amount of mental energy to track intricate plots or complex magic systems. This series perfectly fit that niche. The overarching narrative was easy to follow, the romance was present, and the fantasy elements provided enough escapism. It was a comfortable dive into a new world without overwhelming me, making it ideal for when you want to enjoy a story without feeling pressured. If you're a fan of romantic fantasy with vampires, intense competitions, and a good enemies-to-lovers arc, I'd definitely recommend checking out 'The Serpent and the Wings of Night.' Just go into book two with an open mind regarding the shift in narrative style.