The Serpent And the Wings of Night Summary By Carissa Broadbent – An Epic Journey of Betrayal

Introduction to The Serpent and the Wings of Night Summary 

Have you ever wondered what it takes to survive in a world where humans are mere prey, and power is defined by deadly bloodlines?

In The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent, you’re thrust into a haunting world of vampires, magic, and dangerous power struggles.

The Serpent and the Wings of Night (2022) is the first book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, a dark fantasy romance set in a brutal vampire kingdom. The story follows:

• Oraya – A human raised by the Nightborn King, Vincent, trained to survive in a world where humans are prey.

• Raihn – A mysterious vampire warrior with a hidden past, competing in the deadly Kejari tournament.

Why This Book Stands Out

✔ Brutal tournament setting – Think The Hunger Games meets ACOTAR but with vampires.
✔ Morally gray romance – Oraya and Raihn’s relationship is built on betrayal and blood.
✔ Rich worldbuilding – Vampire politics, gods, and magic systems intertwine seamlessly.

“In a world of predators, I was the most dangerous thing of all.” —Oraya

✔ Antiheroine Done Right – Oraya is ruthless yet vulnerable.
✔ Slow-Burn Romance – Raihn and Oraya’s chemistry simmers before exploding.
✔ Political Intrigue – Vampire houses scheme like Game of Thrones.
✔ Unpredictable Ending – That final wish twist is chef’s kiss.

“You are the most dangerous thing in this room.” —Raihn to Oraya

Quick Summary:

• Key Insights:

  • Oraya, a human raised by a vampire king, enters a deadly tournament to gain power and return to her homeland.

  • Themes of survival, power, love, and betrayal drive the plot.

  • Raihn, a misunderstood vampire, becomes an unlikely ally.

  • The book is filled with action, complex characters, and emotional stakes.

• Recommendation: A must-read for fans of dark fantasy and intense romance.

• Rating: 4.5/5

• Primary Audience: Fans of vampire fantasy and epic romance.

Reader Reviews

Here are a few standout quotes from readers on Goodreads and Amazon:

• “A heart-pounding adventure that kept me hooked from the first page! The character development is outstanding.” – Goodreads Reviewer

• “I couldn’t put it down! Raihn and Oraya have such a compelling, dynamic relationship.” – Amazon Review

• “This is a must-read for anyone who loves complex fantasy worlds and emotional journeys.” – Goodreads Review

Questions the Book Answers

1. Who is the protagonist of The Serpent and the Wings of Night?

2. What is the Kejari tournament, and why is it important?

3. How does Oraya’s relationship with Vincent evolve throughout the story?

4. What are the major powers Oraya and Raihn possess?

5. What is the significance of the Nightfire magic in the plot?

6. How does Oraya change from the beginning to the end of the story?

7. What are the political implications of the Kejari’s outcome?

8. How does Raihn’s past affect his actions in the present?

9. What role does betrayal play in Oraya’s journey?

10. What does the final battle signify for Oraya and Raihn’s future?

About the Author: Carissa Broadbent

Carissa Broadbent is known for writing “badass ladies and a big pinch of romance” in her fantasy novels.

Notable Works:

• The War of Lost Hearts trilogy (Daughter of No Worlds, Children of Fallen Gods, Mother of Death and Dawn)

• Crowns of Nyaxia series (ongoing)

She lives in Rhode Island with her husband and “one very well-behaved rabbit and one very poorly behaved rabbit.”

Content Warnings

⚠️ This novel contains:

• Graphic violence & torture

• Off-page rape (consent withdrawn)

• Emotional abuse & slavery

• Vampiric bloodlust & gore

Not for the faint of heart!

4. Key Characters & Their Roles

The Serpent And the Wings of Night Summary & Plot Summary

Spoiler-Free Overview

• Oraya, a human raised by vampires, enters the Kejari, a deadly tournament held once a century.

• She forms an unlikely alliance with Raihn, a vampire with secrets.

• Betrayals unfold as Oraya learns the truth about her past and Vincent’s lies.

• The final trial forces Oraya to choose between revenge and love.

Detailed Breakdown (Spoilers!)

Part 1: The Kejari Begins

• Oraya enters the Kejari, hoping to win power and free her people in Salinae.

• The tournament starts with a brutal culling—Ilana is killed, fueling Oraya’s rage.

• She stabs Raihn in self-defense, setting up their complicated dynamic.

Part 2: The Trials

• First Trial: Oraya discovers she can wield Nightfire, a rare vampire magic.

• Second Trial: Raihn and Oraya form an alliance, hunting vampires in the human districts.

• Mind-bonding accident links their thoughts, deepening their connection.

Part 3: Betrayal & Revelation

• Salinae’s ruins reveal Vincent’s lies—he destroyed Oraya’s people.

• Raihn confesses he’s the Rishan Heir, betrayed by Vincent years ago.

• Oraya realizes Vincent raised her as a weapon, not a daughter.

Part 4: The Final Trial

• Oraya faces monstrous gods, kills Ibrihim and Angelika.

• She defeats Raihn but wishes for his victory instead.

• Nyaxia resurrects Raihn, making him the new King of Night.

• Vincent is killed, Oraya is named Hiaj Queen, and Raihn forces a political marriage.

The Serpent And the Wings of Night Summary By Chapter

Chapter 1
Oraya, now an adult, hunts vampires at night, secretly defying the vampires who consider humans prey. She meets Ilana, a fellow human, and warns her about the Kejari tournament starting soon, though Ilana refuses to leave.

Chapter 2
Oraya trains with her adoptive father, Vincent, the Nightborn King. He pushes her to her limits, concerned for her safety. Oraya vows to win the Kejari to become Vincent’s Coriatae and gain power to save her human family.

Chapter 3
At a feast for the Kejari contestants, Oraya meets competitors like Lord Ravinthe and Ibrihim Cain. She learns Vincent’s ulterior motive: to prevent anyone else from winning and threatening his rule.

Interlude I. Dusk
Oraya reflects on her childhood with Vincent, learning she was found in Salinae and desires to reunite with her family. Vincent warns her of the danger, suggesting the only path to power is a gift from a goddess.

Chapter 5
The Kejari begins unexpectedly. Oraya wakes in the dark Moon Palace, realizing humans are dropped in as prey. She hears Ilana’s screams but is stopped from helping by a fellow contestant.

Chapter 6
Oraya discovers Ilana’s mutilated body, fueling her anger. She kills a vampire, smears Ilana’s blood on his body, and burns her remains.

Chapter 7
Surviving contestants are summoned to the great room where Nyaxia’s representative, the Ministaer, explains the rules of the Kejari. Oraya realizes Vincent’s manipulation is not just for survival but to maintain control.

Chapter 8
Oraya meets Raihn, who mocks her for being Vincent’s “human pet.” He offers an alliance, which she refuses. Raihn demonstrates his power by killing a vampire with Asteris magic.

Chapter 9
The Full Moon trial begins, where contestants fight demons. Oraya realizes the demons are transfigured vampires and devises a strategy to target their leader. She is injured but survives thanks to Raihn.

Chapter 10
Raihn saves Oraya from a demon, and they escape the arena. Oraya notices his unique fire magic, linked to Atroxus, a White Pantheon god.

Chapter 11
Raihn offers Oraya a healing potion, and they discuss the Halfmoon trial. Oraya, still wary, refuses his alliance. After a vampire attacks her, she reluctantly accepts his help.

Interlude L
Oraya recalls her childhood, asking Vincent about her family and yearning to find them. Vincent hints at a gift from a goddess being her only path to power.

Chapter 13
Oraya wakes in Raihn and Mische’s apartment. Raihn gifts her the head of a vampire as a sign of their alliance. Oraya learns about the Bloodborn curse and the significance of her victory in the trials.

Chapter 14
Vincent disapproves of Oraya’s alliance with Raihn, warning her of the dangers posed by the Rishan clan. He gives her poisoned blades, but no healing potion.

Chapter 15
Oraya and Raihn train for the next trial, but tension rises. Oraya unintentionally unleashes Nightfire magic, surprising both herself and Raihn.

Chapter 18
The Waning Moon trial begins in a maze where contestants are blinded by mist. Oraya forms a mental link with Raihn, allowing them to share thoughts and senses, and fights Ibrihim.

Chapter 19
Oraya fights Kiretta, a Shadowborn mind-magic user. She discovers human bodies used as “decorations” within the trial and saves an injured child, slowing her progress.

Chapter 20
Oraya awakens after being unconscious for days. She is emotionally numb, still haunted by the human bodies in the trial.

Chapter 21
Oraya hunts vampires in the human districts, finding satisfaction in her actions. Raihn takes her to a hidden sanctuary for children, where she reunites with the girl she saved.

Chapter 22
Vincent chastises Oraya for saving the child and reveals his indifference toward human lives. Oraya begins to realize her growing powers, particularly her Nightfire magic.

Interlude T
A flashback shows Oraya’s first romantic relationship, which ended tragically when her lover, turned vampire, attacked her. Vincent forced her to kill him as a harsh lesson in survival.

Chapter 25
The Moon Palace is attacked by Nightfire and demons, causing casualties. Raihn defends Mische, and Oraya unleashes powerful Nightfire magic to defeat the demons.

Chapter 26
After the attack, Mische survives, but her request to withdraw is denied. Vincent blames the Rishan for the attack, leading to a confrontation with Raihn. Oraya gives Mische her last healing potion.

Chapter 28
Raihn returns from torture, revealing his suspicions that the Rishan were not behind the Moon Palace attack. He shares his history with Oraya and his reasons for entering the Kejari.

Chapter 29
The Halfmoon trial begins with a mind-bonding liquid that allows Oraya and Raihn to share senses. They navigate a maze filled with beasts, using their bond to defeat enemies and reach the golden doorways.

Chapter 30
Oraya and Raihn fight through the beasts, ultimately defeating powerful contestants like Nikolai and Ravinthe. Oraya taps into her Nightfire magic, leading her to the gate.

Interlude T (continued)
A flashback continues Oraya’s traumatic experience with her first lover, showing how Vincent’s brutal teachings shaped her worldview.

Chapter 31
Oraya, Raihn, Angelika, and Ibrihim are declared finalists. Raihn praises Oraya’s performance, and they prepare for the final trial, knowing their relationship must be addressed.

Chapter 32
Oraya attends a feast where Vincent expresses pride in her. However, Oraya struggles with her growing anger toward him and his manipulation.

Chapter 33
Oraya encounters Septimus, a Prince of the House of Blood, who taunts Raihn. Raihn takes Oraya to the human districts, where he reveals his past and his reasons for entering the Kejari.

Chapter 34
Oraya and Raihn share an intimate night, acknowledging their feelings for each other, but also recognizing the fleeting nature of their connection before the final trial.

Chapter 35
Raihn takes Oraya to a hidden settlement where Mische is recovering. Oraya overhears conversations about recent Rishan attacks and the political tension surrounding her.

Chapter 36
The Moon Palace is locked, cutting off contestants from food and resources. Raihn and Oraya face their growing hunger, and Oraya offers him her blood, deepening their emotional bond.

Chapter 38
Raihn, weakened by hunger, drinks Oraya’s blood, creating an intense physical and emotional connection between them. He stops before draining her completely.

Chapter 41
The Crescent trial takes place in the ruins of Salinae, Oraya’s birthplace. She confronts the painful truth that Vincent destroyed her home, shattering her illusions about him.

Chapter 42
The final trial is moved up as the Hiaj and Rishan clans go to war. Raihn is wounded, and the political tensions between the two factions rise.

Chapter 43
Raihn and Oraya confront the truth about their pasts. Raihn reveals that Vincent has been manipulating them all along, and Oraya finally rejects her connection to him.

Chapter 44
Oraya confronts Vincent about the destruction of Salinae and his plans for her. She rejects him, realizing that he views her as a tool for power, not as family.

Chapter 45
Oraya and Raihn share an intimate night, during which Raihn reveals the full extent of his past, including his betrayal of the former Rishan king and his deal with Septimus.

Chapter 46
The final trial begins, where Oraya faces off against three false gods. She uses her Nightfire magic to defeat them, demonstrating her newfound strength and resolve.

Chapter 48
Oraya faces Ibrihim and Angelika in the final battle. She defeats Angelika and prepares for her ultimate confrontation with Raihn, whose final defeat is inevitable.

Chapter 49
Oraya believes she has won the Kejari after killing Raihn. Overcome with grief, she wishes for him to have won instead, realizing that her victory came at too great a cost.

Chapter 50
Nyaxia grants Oraya’s wish, resurrecting Raihn and declaring him the true victor of the Kejari. Raihn claims his position as the Rishan Heir and confronts Vincent.

Chapter 51
Raihn kills Vincent, avenging his people. Oraya, filled with rage and grief, learns that she, too, is a powerful heir, with an Heir Mark on her throat.

Chapter 52
Raihn and Oraya, now bound by fate, face a new threat from the Rishan and Bloodborn factions. Their relationship remains complex, full of both love and political tension.

Chapter 53
Raihn protects Oraya by pretending to claim her as his slave, securing her safety. Their complicated dynamic grows as they flee to rebuild their future together.

Chapter 54
Oraya wakes in her old room, confused and betrayed. Raihn explains his harsh actions were to protect her. Together, they face their uncertain future, bound by their shared history.

Chapter 55
Oraya and Raihn marry in a ritual that bonds them physically and emotionally. Jesmine pledges loyalty to Oraya, and Oraya begins to take charge of her future.

Chapter 56
The war rages on, and Oraya and Raihn must navigate the complexities of their rule. They confront the challenges of being both rulers and reluctant lovers, as the fate of their kingdom hangs in the balance.

The Serpent And the Wings of Night Themes & Analysis

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

The Serpent and the Wings of Night is perfect for readers who love:

• Morally gray characters

• Tournament-style fantasy

• Enemies-to-lovers with bite

Comparable to:

• A Court of Thorns and Roses (but darker)

• The Hunger Games (but with vampires)

• From Blood and Ash (but better politics)

Have you read The Serpent and the Wings of Night? Who was your favorite character? Share your thoughts below!