The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King: Book 2 of the Nightborn Duet (Crowns of Nyaxia, 2)

This new hardcover edition of the bestselling The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King features new case art, a detailed map, and a never-before-seen bonus chapter!

From the New York Times bestselling author Carissa Broadbent, comes The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King, the gutting second installment of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, full of heartbreak, redemption, blood intrigue and heart-pounding action.


Love is a sacrifice at the altar of power.

In the wake of the Kejari, everything Oraya once thought to be true has been destroyed. A prisoner in her own kingdom, grieving the only family she ever had, and reeling from a gutting betrayal, she no longer even knows the truth of her own blood. She’s left only with one certainty: she cannot trust anyone, least of all Raihn.

Raihn’s own nobles are none too eager to accept a Turned king, especially one who was once a slave. And the House of Blood digs their claws into the kingdom, threatening to tear it apart from the inside.

When Raihn offers Oraya a secret alliance, taking the deal is her only chance at reclaiming her kingdom–and gaining her vengeance against the lover who betrayed her. But to do so, she’ll need to harness a devastating ancient power, intertwined with her father’s greatest secrets.

But with enemies closing in on all sides, nothing is as it seems. As she unravels her past and faces her future, Oraya finds herself forced to choose between the bloody reality of seizing power—and the devastating love that could be her downfall.

Crowns of Nyaxia Reading Order:
The Serpent & the Wings of Night
The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King

The Songbird & the Heart of Stone


Crowns of Nyaxia Standalones
Six Scorched Roses (short novel)
Slaying the Vampire Conqueror

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Published Jun 4, 2024

608 pages

Average rating: 7.8

183 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Anonymous
Jun 24, 2025
8/10 stars
I undoubtedly loved this book. However, I feel like it could’ve been about 200 pages shorter. There were parts early on that I felt like were unnecessary & I wished the story would just progress. I’m super happy with the ending & hoping we get to find out about what happened to Septimus in future books!
Zya The Book Dragon
Mar 05, 2025
6/10 stars
lots of character growth. was slow in the middle but it was important for the characters. definitely a difficult love story
Anonymous
Nov 01, 2024
8/10 stars
I undoubtedly loved this book. However, I feel like it could’ve been about 200 pages shorter. There were parts early on that I felt like were unnecessary & I wished the story would just progress. I’m super happy with the ending & hoping we get to find out about what happened to Septimus in future books!
JT Penguin
Aug 07, 2024
6/10 stars
This book had good moments but I struggled with the FMC. I was annoyed by her most of the book and then the ending just felt too easy.
Green Energy
Jun 10, 2025
10/10 stars
Oraya's journey through grief was heartbreaking. Raihn journey through grief was heartbreaking. Both were equally devastating. I don't know if I forgive Raihn but he deserves Oraya. I don't know if I forgive Vincent he did better than his father and yet so many mistakes. The characters personalities and dialogue were writen beautifully. I love dual POV in a love story. I am partial to battles over games and trials so I enjoyed this book more than book 1. This was a 5 star 🌟 read for me. I will definitely be reading the next book!

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