The Crown of Nyaxia series by Carissa Broadbent is a series I love. I always look forward to the next book in the series. In between the main novels, Carissa writes these shorter novellas that bridge the books together. In Six Scorched Roses, this book featured characters that showed up in The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King. I finished reading Slaying the Vampire Conqueror, and I’m now reading The Fallen & The Kiss of Dusk, so I’m curious how these books will be related. Slaying the Vampire Conqueror was no exception. I loved this book and hope that Carissa writes more short novellas in the future.

Sylina has devoted her life to serving the Arachessen, a cult of Acaeja, the Goddess of Fate. As part of her sacrifice, she had her eyes taken. The Arachessen saved Sylina, and in exchange, she serves them loyally. Sylina is tasked with killing a vampire warrior who is invading the land of Glaea. Atrius is a vampire of the House of Blood and is ruthless in battle. Sylina weasels her way into Atrius’s inner circle. When she does, she realizes that he is not at all what she thought he would be. Throughout their battles, Sylina empathizes with Atrius, and a bond between them quickly forms.

One theme I’m noticing about this series and Carissa Broadbent’s books in particular is how she handles religious trauma. Sylina is manipulated into joining the Arachessen, and the gifts she gives up to her god are big asks, which I feel Sylina doesn’t get a lot in return for. I think it’s interesting to read why Sylina serves the Arachessen, believing that she has found this sisterhood. In reality, things are much more grim. While this book focuses on Sylina, I can’t help but draw parallels between Sylina and Mishe, the main character from the House of Shadow duology. Both characters have similarities in their stories, especially with their relationships to the gods they served.

I liked Sylina as a character. She’s clearly been through a lot, and even though she gave up her eyes, she still is a formidable character. I like the way it’s described that Sylina can use threads of fate to link things together. It felt very Daredevil to me, almost. Atrius’s story was also interesting, and his being from the House of Blood was fascinating since that duology isn’t published yet. The House of Blood is the vampire house that’s cursed by Nyaxia, so I think this novella will provide more lore for the next two books that will be released.

I feel like every book review I write about this series must sound the same. I can’t help it! Obitraes is one of my favorite fictional worlds that I have read. I have loved every book that Carissa has published in this series, and I can’t wait to read more about the House of Blood specifically. I rated Slaying the Vampire Conqueror five stars on Goodreads.