Slaying the Vampire Conqueror (Crowns of Nyaxia #2.5) by Carissa Broadbent – fantastic addition to the series

Slaying the Vampire Conqueror is a fantastic addition to Crowns of Nyaxia series with breathtaking tension, layered characters, and a world that just keeps getting richer and darker.

Previous Books in the Series –

The Serpent and the Wings of Night (Book 1)

Six Scorched Roses (Book 1.5)

The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King (Book 2)

Synopsis

She was commanded to kill him with a single strike to the heart. She didn’t expect her own to betray her.

Sylina has sacrificed everything for her goddess–her soul, her freedom, her eyes. Life in service to the Arachessen, a cult of the Goddess of Fate, has turned Sylina from orphaned street-rat to disciplined killer, determined to overthrow Glaea’s tyrannical king. But when a brutal vampire conqueror arrives on their shores, Sylina faces an even deadlier adversary. She’s tasked with a crucial mission: infiltrate his army, earn his trust… and kill him.

Atrius is a terrifying warrior carving an unstoppable path through Glaea. Yet when Sylina becomes his seer, she glimpses a dark and shocking past–and a side of him that reminds her far too much of parts of herself she’d rather forget. Sylina’s orders are clear. The conqueror cannot live. But as the blood spilled by Glaea’s tyrant king runs thicker, her connection with Atrius only grows stronger. A connection forbidden by her vows. A connection that could cost her everything.

Slaying the Vampire Conqueror is a standalone fantasy romance set in the Crowns of Nyaxia world, full of heart-wrenching forbidden romance, dark curses, and epic battles – perfect for fans of The Bridge Kingdom and the From Blood and Ash series.

Review

Slaying the Vampire Conqueror is a standalone addition to the Crowns of Nyaxia series, but its events tie closely to the later books.

This story follows Sylina, a seer and assassin from the Arachessen cult devoted to Acaeja—the Goddess of Fate. Sylina has given everything to the sisterhood: her freedom, her life, and even her eyes. Trained as a deadly weapon, she was one of the cult’s most skilled assassins. When vampires begin their conquest of Glaea—Sylina’s homeland—she is given a mission: infiltrate the enemy, uncover their leader’s plans, and kill him.

That leader is Atrius, a terrifying and seemingly unstoppable vampire from the House of Blood. He keeps his walls high and his circle tighter, but when Sylina becomes his seer, the cracks begin to show. The more she learns about him—his principles, his refusal to harm civilians, and the complex morality behind his conquest—the harder it becomes to carry out her orders. But defying Arachessen comes with a price… and it might cost Sylina everything.

The plot is dark, atmospheric, and tense from the first page. The writing is just as engaging and addictive as the other books in this world, and the characters are perfectly complicated and morally grey.

Characters

Sylina is fierce, clever, and every bit as lethal as Atrius. I admired her dedication to her sisters, even as she struggled to truly belong to the cult. It broke my heart how young she was taken in and how tragic her past was. While she carried guilt and shame for failing to fit the Arachessen mold, I loved how Atrius and his soldiers made her see that her differences—her compassion, her empathy—weren’t flaws but strengths. Among vampires, she wasn’t broken; she belonged.

Atrius was another favorite. A brutal warrior on the outside, but deeply loyal and protective of his men. His past was heartbreaking—how unfairly he was treated, cast aside by his own kind for standing by the Prince. The fact that he and his soldiers went out of their way to avoid harming innocents completely flipped my assumptions. I rooted for him harder with every chapter, especially after learning the truth about his curse and his tragic loyalty.

Romance

The romance is absolutely delicious. It starts with distrust, builds to mutual respect, and then burns into something forbidden and electric. The chemistry was off the charts, but honestly, their battle scenes together is my favorite part. I loved how they connected through pain, loyalty, and shared battles—healing each other piece by piece.

World-Building & Themes

This book expands the world beautifully. We get a glimpse of Glaea, its blood-soaked history, corrupt rulers, and the devastating drug addiction inflicted on its people. It added a dark edge to the story. I also loved the deeper dive into the gods—their vanity and cruelty—and how their petty games shaped mortal lives. It gave clarity to the Blood Prince’s tragic destiny that we learn about in The Ashes and Star Cursed King.

The Arachessen cult was chilling. Their strict rules—no emotions, no outside ties, only devotion to the sisterhood—felt suffocating. The punishment for betrayal was brutal. Honestly, it’s a cult you’d want to run from, and that made Sylina’s struggle all the more powerful.

Action & Climax

The battle scenes were intense and thrilling, and the forbidden tension between Sylina and Atrius made every fight scene even sharper. The climax delivered strong emotional payoff, though the culprit reveal didn’t completely shock me. I guessed it midway, but the motive felt a bit underdeveloped. The ending also wrapped up faster than I’d hoped—it felt slightly rushed. Still, the HEA for Sylina and Atrius was deeply satisfying.

Overall, If you love morally grey characters, dark fantasy, forbidden romance, and sharp-edged action, Slaying the Vampire Conqueror is a must-read. It’s a fantastic addition to the series with breathtaking tension, layered characters, and a world that just keeps getting richer and darker.

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Have you read this or previous book in series?
Last Fantasy you read in one sitting?

Just in case you missed,,,

• Slaying the Vampire Conqueror (Crowns of Nyaxia #2.5) by Carissa Broadbent – fantastic addition to the series
• The Battle for Baramulla by Mallika Ravikumar – unforgettable historical fiction
• #RereadReview : Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins – an incredible finale

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