I recently started a new buddy read with Candyce after seeing someone promote this book on tiktok. They recommend this book for fans of Sarah J. Maas I believe and Candyce and I were intrigued. So we decided to try it and make it into a buddy read. Today I want to share the start of The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent with you all and share my expectations. Let’s take a look!

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.

These are the opening lines of The Serpent and the Wings of Night:

The king did not know then that his greatest love would also be his ruination – nor that either would come in the form of a tiny, helpless human child.

Okay that opening line hooked me right away. I want to know what is going on and what will happen! Somehow I didn’t read the synopsis before starting the book, I just knew I wanted to read it but I didn’t know what it was about. I didn’t even realise it was about vampires haha. But after just this line I immediately kept on reading.

I have high expectations for this book. The writing style in the prologue is appealing to me for sure. I expect there will be quite some politicking, I know there is a magical tournament and I’m pretty sure these are ruthless vampires. It sounds like it will be my kind of book and I can’t wait to dive in.

Have you read this book? Did you know it existed? And do you want to read it? I would love to hear from you in the comments!