The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

Author: Carissa Broadbent

Title: The Serpent and the Wings of Night

Genre: Fantasy

Publication Date: 8/30/2022

Number of Pages: 461

Geographical Setting: Obitraes (fictional world)

Series: Crowns of Nyaxia #1

Plot Summary: Oraya was born to a human family that lived in the human district of the Night Court. When she was still a young child the human district was raided by the Rishan vampires and her entire family was killed. Oraya was saved by the ruthless Vampire King of the Night Court, Vincent. Vincent, a Hiaj vampire, raised Oraya as his daughter and taught her to be vicious and trusting of no one because her survival was dependent on it. Being a human in a court full of vampires means that she is always considered prey. 

The only way to make herself stronger in this world is to enter the Kejari: a lethal tournament where the winner gets one request granted by the Goddess Nyaxia herself. Winning this tournament would mean Oraya could gain the strength needed to survive in this brutal world. 

As she fights her way through the trials of the Kejari, Oraya is forced to make alliances with the mysterious vampire Raihn that she didn’t want to make. Slowly, with every trial won as a team, Oraya starts trusting Raihn while truths about her father and their court are revealed. Oraya risks everything for Raihn but will it be worth it, or will everything completely fall apart around her?

Subject Headings:

Vampires -- Fiction.

Imaginary places -- Fiction.

Revenge -- Fiction.

Secrecy -- Fiction.

Contests -- Fiction.

Man-woman relationships -- Fiction.

Survival -- Fiction.

Kings and rulers -- Fiction.

Appeal:

Setting: This novel is set in a fictional world full of vampires, dark magic, and danger. Many people read fantasy novels specifically for the escape, and this story will help any reader escape to a new world. 

Character: Oraya is a strong female main character. Oraya takes care of both herself and those living in the human district that cannot take care of themselves. 

Tone: The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (2019) states that in fantasy novels “tone supports the story line and helps create aspects of the setting” (pp 127). This is very true for the novel. As you read, you get a picture of a gloomy atmosphere where death and danger are a huge part of everyone’s life. This sets the perfect backdrop for the deadly trials that Oraya and other contestants have to go through. 

3 terms that best describe this book:

Suspenseful

Dark

Somber

Similar Authors and Works:

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors

The Vampire A New History by Nick Groom

This book traces the history of vampires from the beginning through the  21st century where we have a new kind of vampire hero. 

The Evolution of Modern Fantasy: From Antiquarianism to the Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series by Jamie Williamson

Williamson takes readers through the history of the fantasy genre. This book talks about how the genre started and evolved to what we have today. 

Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth by Natalie Haynes

In The Serpent and the Wings of Night the story is centered around a tournament that is done in honor of the Goddess Nyaxia. Divine Might is all about goddesses found in Greek mythology. 

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors

The Curse of Saints by Kate Dramis

Both of these novels feature strong female main characters who are forced to ally with someone they really don’t trust. Readers who loved The Serpent and the Wings of Night for the suspenseful, intricate plot and the politics of the fantastical world will enjoy The Curse of Saints. 

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

Readers who are looking for a similar action packed story with a strong, warrior woman will enjoy A Fate Inked in Blood. 

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

Both of these novels feature strong female characters, gods and goddesses, and the enemies to lovers trope. Readers who enjoyed the world building in The Serpent and the Wings of Night may also enjoy the intricate world building of A Promise of Fire.  

Resources:

Wyatt, N., & Saricks, J. G. (2019). Fantasy. The readers' advisory guide to genre fiction (pp 123-146). ALA Editions.