This Is The Tale Of How A Fallen One Ascends

I recently finished reading The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk by Carissa Broadbent. This is book #4 in the Crowns of Nyaxia series.

~POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT~

  Rating: 4.25/5 stars

"Mische made the ultimate sacrifice to save those she loves – and plunged the world into an eternal night. Now, imprisoned by the gods and obsessed with revenge, Asar is desperate to find her again.

When a goddess offers them a final path to redemption – and back to each other – Asar and Mische embark on an extraordinary mission. Together, they must seize the power of the god of death so Asar may do the ascend to true divinity.

Their journey will take them through mortal and immortal realms, alongside both old friends and ruthless enemies. But as the underworld teeters on the brink of collapse and the gods prepare for a war, Asar and Mische must decide what they are willing to sacrifice for the power to defy death. In a game of vengeful gods and ancient betrayals, there are some debts that even love may not be able to repay."

Mische broke the world. Asar’s out here about to break the gods. And honestly? The stakes feel so immortal that mortal problems seem like child’s play now. It’s slow-burn vengeance wrapped in a love story that’s basically tearing apart reality — or maybe saving it? Honestly, I don’t know, but I do know it wrecked me in the best way possible.

Vampires, gods, monsters, ancient prophecies, and a war that’s bigger than anything you can imagine. And at the heart of it all? Two people too cursed, too powerful, and way too stubborn to stop loving each other.

The world-building here is insane. Carissa Broadbent doesn’t just create settings; she brings them to life. Political intrigue, divine battles, hidden magic — every corner of this universe is dripping with danger and wonder. The gods? Selfish, vengeful, and honestly terrifying. Yet somehow, they’re also fascinating because you see how much their immortality is a curse wrapped in power.

Mische and Asar’s relationship is everything. It’s messy, raw, and slow-burning, but it feels so real. They don’t just fall in love — they fight through hell and back, and the way their bond evolves is so deeply emotional it left me with my heart literally in my throat.

Sure, the pacing drags a little in the middle — but when the action hits? It hits hard. Surprises, cameos from characters I adore, and twists that kept me flipping pages like a mad person.

What really got me was the emotional depth. This book isn’t just about gods fighting and epic battles — it’s about what it means to be human, to be worthy, to love even when everything’s falling apart. Mische and Asar learn that you don’t have to sacrifice your whole self to be loved or to be powerful. That message? So important.

This is not just a book — it’s a masterpiece of fantasy romance, dark magic, and godly drama. If you’re here for slow-burn romance, fantasy worlds that make you feel every second, and characters you root for with everything you’ve got, this one’s for you.

I’m already itching for the next book because this finale set the stage for so much more madness and magic.

Check out The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk, and discover what happens when the fallen ascend.