Six Scorched Roses: A Crowns of Nyaxia Novella

I have read Serpent and the Wings of Night and thought it to be brilliant, exciting, and so original in a sea of cliched fantasy within the SJM/JLA adjacent craze that is taking over our collective fantasy reading worlds at the moment (I love both dearly, but still wanted more from the writing at times). I recommend SATWON before this novella because its pace is exciting and Oraya is everything we ask for in a capable, competent bad ass female MC, and frustratingly naive in the world of being loved.This novella took me by surprise because I have never loved a character instantly like I love Lilith. I related to her inability to relate to those around her normally. I was moved by her will to learn even at her own expense. I believed her curiosity and her only desire to protect her loved one, even when they didn’t understand her. I love Lilith for being smart, capable, and brave, but I loved Lilith also for seeing the world for its horror and still choosing to change everything in the face of such great odds.Don’t get me started with Vale. I don’t often instantly swoon, but his vampiric vampire self did it for me almost instantly.I love their journey to each other. I love the levity and impactful nature of the story in a time of such strife. I love that this reads as if a pessimistic person could achieve HEA or die. That is dramatic and I loved every second.The difference with Carissa Broadbent for me was her writing is nuanced, beautiful, and purposeful. the ease at which she achieved character depth without losing the world or plot that I find masterful. It resulted in me reading everything in a very short time frame and instantly being obsessed.understand I loved the novella more than in less words than I have ever loved anything. I can’t wait for more from this world, especially if it means I get more Lilith and Vale.

Overall a very fun, short, and sweet romance read, especially after having started the Crowns of Nyaxia series. Can go as a stand alone book while also being a good loop into the series - you don’t need to know about the surrounding series this world is wrapped into! I wish there were more in this book alone or to continue the two main characters along in their journey alone, but this gives me more motivation to continue the series.

Another 5-star read for me! Broadbent strikes again.After finishing Book 1 in Carissa Broadbent's Crowns of Nyaxia series, I was excited but also slightly nervous to jump into this novella story, which is meant to be read in between books 1 and 2. I enjoy novellas but given the richness of the world Broadbent created in book 1, I wondered if a shorter form style would work well. All I can say is, it 100% DELIVERED and Broadbent once again blew me away.In Six Scorched Roses, we are introduced to Lilith, a human woman whose entire life has been overshadowed by death and the knowledge that her time in this world is limited and uncertain. However, Lilith uses the cruelty of her harsh reality to fuel a tenacity to make her life count and work to save those in her village, including her younger sister, who are being ravaged by a disease at the hands of a spiteful and neglectful god.Lilith's singular focus to find a cure brings her to the doorstep of Vale, a recluse vampire, whose curious nature and inherent thirst for knowledge draw her in, almost from the start. Lilith bargains her only possession of value, six eternal living roses, in exchange for Vale's blood. With time against her, Lilith's frantic research to tap into the magic of Vale's blood accelerates. Yet as Lilith and Vale spend more time together, they come to find a quiet understanding and respect for each other and an attraction that becomes too intense to ignore. Ultimately, however, their actions do not go unnoticed and a price must be paid if the lives of Lilith's community are to be saved.Broadbent crafts an incredible story with prose whose description leaves you reeling and feeling emotionally gutted. She also has a beautiful way of setting up juxtaposition and counterpoints that are delicately woven throughout the story as the ultimate conflict between life and death sits at the very core of this world. The novella structure of this book lent itself perfectly to the pace of the story and actually tied seamlessly to Lilith's one major challenge--the lack of enough time. The way that Vale and Lilith's relationship so quickly evolves makes perfect sense within the context of this book because again they are both conscious of their limited time together and it made for refreshing honesty and directness in how they revealed themselves to each other and communicated their feelings.This book can be read as a standalone but if you have read book 1 of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, there are a lot of wonderful easter eggs and connections that set up what may be to come in book 2. Without giving away any key spoilers, in particular, Vale's history with the House of Night and his perspective on what is happening politically in this universe was also something that I really enjoyed. I have to say that I may have even liked this book ands its characters more than those in book 1 and I really appreciated how Broadbent gave us such distinct personalities in Lilith and Vale. Broadbent has made a fan out of me and I cannot wait to dive into Book 2 and see what has been happening in the House of Night, since the absolute shocking cliffhanger from Book 1. If you have not read this series and love fantasy that has rich world building, incredible character development, smart pacing and well crafted prose, check this out...it will NOT disappoint.

I enjoyed this book. It’s a fantasy romance set in a world that runs on science, magic, and gods. The main character has been dying since she was born, and her love interest is the local vampire hermit.I liked how well thought out the plot, the characterization, and even their growing romance seemed to be. The god of nature is cruel and fickle but not evil. The vampire-since-birth is ignorant of humanity’s most innate knowledge: the briefness of life, desperation of dying, the inevitability of death. The humans are stiff-necked and narrow in their views and stubborn in their refusal to risk their short lives to better the world. Love is presented in its many forms as the one thing worth living and dying for.It was poetic in ways and lighthearted in ways. Well worth a read.

I have loved every book by carissa Broadbent that I have read, and this one did not disappoint at all! Her writing style is just... chefs kiss. Her story telling is beautiful. This novella is tragic, romantic, beautiful, relatable, heartfealt. I adored it. I couldn't read it fast enough. If you have enjoyed any of her other books, if you love vanpires, or just love romance, do yourself a favor and read this.

I love all of Carissa’s books and this does not fall short of that! Anything regarding the Nyaxia world I am all in!! Starts out fast in the plot but ends tied up well!

Such a fun read! I found this novella to be way more interesting than Serpent and the Wings of Night.

Esta birn, no es la mrjor historia pero es entretenido e interesante y los personajes caen bien. Lo recomiendo si quieres una lectura ligera

Li o 1 e 2 e com está pequena história de personagens importante da segunda história ficou muito bom amei o casal vale e lillyti

"You want more than I can give you,”A Novella... and I enjoyed it way too much. I have been in a reading slump and couldn’t find anything to enjoy and this novella.. I just needed it that moment and I still think about it. After this novella I like the relationship between Vale and Lilith even more.Carissa Broadbrent.. every book I read from her so far was a 5 star to me. I don’t know why but I love her writing, her characters, her story telling. One of my new favourite authors and I can’t wait to read more from her. If you are looking forward for a short read --> grab and read it! 100% recommedation. I even enjoyed it after the duology of House of Night. It was like a short trip back to the universe before her new book release in November 2024.

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