In the sprawling epic fantasy universe of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, Carissa Broadbent delivers what might be her most emotionally devastating and thematically ambitious installment yet with The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk. As the fourth book in this darkly romantic vampire saga—following The Serpent and the Wings of Night, Six Scorched Roses, The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King, and The Songbird & the Heart of Stone—this novel takes the series into unprecedented territory of divine ascension and moral reckoning.
A Tale of Two Broken Souls
The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk centers on Mische and Asar, whose tragic love story began in earnest during the events of The Songbird & the Heart of Stone. Mische, the former acolyte of the sun god Atroxus who made the ultimate sacrifice to save her world by plunging it into eternal night, now exists in a liminal state between life and death. Her soul slowly dissipates like smoke, a haunting visual metaphor that Broadbent employs throughout the narrative to devastating effect.
Asar, the vampire prince of the House of Shadow and heir to the god of death’s legacy, finds himself imprisoned by the gods after Mische’s heroic sacrifice. When the goddess Acaeja offers them a path to redemption—and back to each other—through divine ascension, they must embark on a quest that will test everything they believe about power, sacrifice, and love itself.
The Architecture of Divine Power
Broadbent’s worldbuilding reaches new heights of complexity as she delves into the mythology of the gods. The quest for Alarus’s three artifacts—his mask, eye, and heart—provides a compelling framework that allows the author to explore the corrupting nature of divine power. Each artifact carries its own voice and agenda, creating an internal struggle within Asar that mirrors the external conflicts threatening to tear apart the world.
The author’s exploration of the underworld’s decay adds layers of urgency and moral weight to the narrative. The collapsing realm of the dead, with souls wandering chaotically through torn veils, serves as both a literal ticking clock and a powerful metaphor for systems failing under the weight of divine indifference.
Character Development at Its Finest
Where Broadbent truly excels is in her character work. Mische’s journey from self-sacrificing acolyte to someone learning to fight for her own life represents one of the most compelling character arcs in recent fantasy romance. Her evolution challenges traditional notions of heroism and martyrdom, suggesting that perhaps the greatest courage lies not in dying for a cause, but in choosing to live despite the cost.
Asar’s struggle with ascending to godhood while maintaining his humanity provides the emotional core of the novel. Broadbent skillfully portrays his internal battle against the seductive whispers of divine power, showing how easy it would be to lose oneself entirely in the pursuit of strength. His relationship with mortality—the “messy parts” that Mische loves best—becomes a touchstone for what truly matters.
Themes of Sacrifice and Redemption
The novel’s exploration of sacrifice proves particularly nuanced. Rather than glorifying self-destruction, Broadbent interrogates the idea that meaningful change requires ongoing effort rather than grand gestures. Mische’s observation that “greatness should come not from the sacrifices you make, but the ones you refuse to” encapsulates the book’s central thesis about choosing life and hope over despair and destruction.
The theme of redemption operates on multiple levels—personal, societal, and cosmic. The crumbling underworld serves as a manifestation of institutional neglect, while the protagonists’ journey toward healing their relationship mirrors the larger work of rebuilding broken systems.
Writing Style and Prose
Broadbent’s prose has matured significantly since the series’ beginning, showing increased confidence in balancing action sequences with introspective moments. Her ability to weave together multiple POVs—including chapters from “The God of Death” perspective—creates a rich tapestry that allows readers to experience the story from various angles without losing narrative cohesion.
The author’s use of sensory details, particularly around Mische’s gradual fading and Asar’s connection to death magic, creates an immersive reading experience that makes the supernatural elements feel tangible and real.
Areas for Improvement
While The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk succeeds on most fronts, it occasionally suffers from pacing issues in its middle section. The quest for the artifacts, while thematically important, sometimes feels repetitive, particularly during the sequences in the deadlands. Additionally, some of the supporting characters from previous books feel underutilized, though this may be intentional given the intimate focus on Mische and Asar’s relationship.
The complexity of the divine politics, while fascinating, can occasionally overwhelm readers who might not remember every detail from earlier books in the series. A slightly more generous approach to exposition might have helped newer readers navigate the intricate mythology.
Place in the Series
The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk serves as both a satisfying continuation of Mische and Asar’s story and a bridge to what promises to be an explosive conclusion to the series. The book successfully shifts the stakes from vampire politics to cosmic consequences while maintaining the intimate character focus that has made the series so compelling.
The ending, which expertly balances resolution with setup for future conflicts, demonstrates Broadbent’s growth as a series writer. Rather than relying solely on cliffhangers, she provides emotional satisfaction while leaving readers eager for the next installment.
Final Verdict
The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk represents Carissa Broadbent at her most ambitious and emotionally mature. While it may not be the ideal entry point for new readers, those who have followed the series will find a deeply satisfying exploration of love, power, and the courage required to choose hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable darkness.
The novel succeeds in asking difficult questions about sacrifice, power, and redemption while delivering the passionate romance and intricate plotting that fans have come to expect. It stands as a worthy addition to the Crowns of Nyaxia series and promises exciting developments for the conclusion.
Recommendations for Similar Reads
Readers who enjoyed The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk might appreciate:
- From Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout – for its blend of fantasy romance and divine mythology
- Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert – for its morally complex characters and dark romance elements
- One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig – for its exploration of power and corruption within a fantasy setting
- Divine Might series by Jenna Wolfhart – for its focus on gods and divine ascension
- Serpent & Dove series by Shelby Mahurin – for its enemies-to-lovers dynamic and magical worldbuilding
The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk confirms Broadbent’s position as a leading voice in dark fantasy romance, delivering a story that will satisfy longtime fans while pushing the boundaries of what the genre can achieve.