The Ashes & Star-Cursed King: Spicy chapters & characters
The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King synopsis/summary:
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.
The House of Night, too, is surrounded by enemies. 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.
Get The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King here.
The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King characters.
There are two main characters in The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent, narrated from both Oraya and Raihn’s point of view in alternating chapters.
Main characters: Oraya and Raihn
Oraya and Raihn in The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King are the definition of “it’s complicated,” but in the best, most heart-wrenching way possible.
Together, they’re pure chaos and chemistry. Their love-hate dynamic burns hotter than a vampire in sunlight, and you can cut the tension with one of Oraya’s daggers. They’ve seen the absolute worst in each other and still show up, still fight, still choose each other. It’s messy, it’s complicated, and it’s satisfying.
Vincent
Even after he’s gone, Vincent’s shadow looms large. Every decision Oraya and Raihn make feels like a showdown with his legacy, whether they’re trying to escape it or live up to it. He’s the villain you hate, the father you question, and the character who sticks in your brain long after the fangs have been bared.
He’s equal parts ruthless overlord and tragic antihero, balancing on the fine line between a father’s love and a tyrant’s ambition. As a father to Oraya, he’s impossibly complicated—raising her with a harshness born out of survival, his affection buried so deep it’s practically fossilised. Yet, every action he takes, no matter how brutal, carries the weight of someone who believes he’s doing what’s necessary. In my opinion, Vincent fans will not be disappointed with Vincent and Oraya’s relationship arc in book two of the Crowns of Nyaxia series.
Here is the full list of characters in The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King:
Oraya
Raihn Ashraj
Mische
Jesmine
Vale Atruro
Lilith
Septimus
Simon Vasarus
Leona
Ketura
Cairis
Evelaena
Vincent
Alliah
Alya
Alana (mentioned)
Nyaxia
Acaeja
Jace
Tamyra
Killan
Martas
Desdemona
Ilia
Neculai (mentioned)
Nessanyn (mentioned)
The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King book review.
My rating: ★★★★★
I’ll admit, this book didn’t grab me immediately—I wasn’t sure how I felt about the way it picked up after The Serpent and the Wings of Night. It felt slower, heavier, almost like the story was weighed down by everything that had happened in book one.
But somewhere along the way, it slipped past my defences and hit me hard. Next thing I knew, I was juggling binge-reading and holiday mode—trying to admire centuries-old UNESCO world heritage sites in Vienna, while secretly wondering what Raihn and Oraya were doing next. Multitasking has never been so chaotic.
So yeah, I’m torn between 4 and 5 stars because even though it didn’t quite hit the same vein as book one and wasn’t as immediately thrilling, it got under my skin in a way I didn’t expect.
I think part of the reason why is that Carissa Broadbent doesn’t just write relationships; she writes fraught, messy, rip-your-heart-out dynamics that somehow make betrayal feel poetic. There’s no cheap miscommunication trope here—Broadbent leans into messy, complicated layers of grief, anger, and love that make connections feel earned.
This instalment is a dark, bloody, slow-burn masterpiece—an emotional whirlwind that wrecked me in the best way. And with my fictional bestie, Mische’s story next, I’m strapping in for another round of chaos and emotions. Bring it on.
View my The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King book review on GoodReads here!
The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent FAQs.
SPOILER ALERT:
Some answers may spoil The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King if you haven’t read it already. Proceed with caution.
What are the content & trigger warnings for The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent?
Blood and gore
Blood drinking
Violence
Murder and death
Complicated family relationships
Bigotry
Loss of loved ones
Mention of sexual assault, rape and slavery
Violence against children
War
Grief
Is The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King part of a series?
Yes, The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King is the second instalment in the Crowns of Nyaxia series. To fully appreciate the story, it's essential to read The Serpent and the Wings of Night first, as it lays the groundwork for the series. Additionally, I highly recommend reading Six Scorched Roses before diving into Ashes—although not compulsory, it adds a rich layer of depth to some key characters you’ll meet in Ashes.
What is The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King’s age rating?
The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent is rated for readers aged 18+ containing adult themes, explicit violence, spicy scenes, explicit language and other content warnings.
Is The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King spicy?
Yes, The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King is a slow burn, but when it finally heats up, it’s spicy to the point of scorching and quite kinky.
Spice level: 🌶🌶
2/5, steamy to moderately spicy.
What are The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King spicy chapters?
Whether you're here to skim over the spice or dive straight into it, I've got you covered. The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King spicy chapters can be found here:
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 52
Chapter 63
When does Book Three of the Crowns of Nyaxia series come out?
Good news! It’s out! Get The Songbird & Heart of Stone here.
Enjoyed reading The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent? You may also enjoy reading:
The Serpent & the Wings of Night | Six Scorched Roses | The Songbird & the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent
A Court of Thorns & Roses | A Court of Mist & Fury | A Court of Wings & Ruin | A Court of Frost & Starlight
Fourth Wing | Iron Flame | Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
One Dark Window | Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
