Review of The Songbird & the Heart of Stone (Crowns of Nyaxia, #3)
As a devoted fan of Carissa Broadbent, I eagerly anticipated the release of The Songbird & the Heart of Stone. Her previous books blended intricate world-building with deeply emotional narratives, and I was hoping for another enchanting experience. However, after diving into this latest installment, I found myself feeling rather underwhelmed.
Set against a backdrop that explores the tumultuous relationships between gods, humans, and vampires, this story has its fair share of captivating elements. I truly appreciated how Broadbent delves into divine politics and the interactions among the supernatural beings. Mische’s bond with Atroxus, the sun god, was an intriguing highlight, exposing the often dark and manipulative nature of these celestial figures. I enjoyed the Dante-esque journey into the underworld, which added a haunting vibe to the narrative that forced characters to confront their deepest fears.
Mische herself is a character I genuinely liked. Her gentle spirit, despite enduring cruelty and grief, set her apart and made her relatable. On the other hand, Asar, the bastard son of the Shadowborn king, was a bit of a mixed bag for me. While his quiet strength and subtle sweetness complemented Mische’s vulnerabilities, I found myself yearning for a deeper emotional connection to his personal stakes in the plot.
Let’s not forget Luce, Asar’s charming skeleton dog companion. Her loyalty and bravery not only provided comic relief but also brought a heartwarming sense of comfort to both characters and readers alike. If there’s one character I want to see more of, it’s definitely Luce!
But alas, as much as I adored the world Broadbent created, the pacing of the story felt like an exhausting pendulum swing—oscillating between gripping action scenes and painfully drawn-out moments. This inconsistency made the narrative tedious, causing me to lose interest at times. Additionally, the representation of time felt off; months passed in the storyline, yet it often felt like mere weeks, disrupting the narrative flow.
Then there’s the romance. Mische and Asar’s transition from indifference to emotional connection felt abrupt and unearned. A little more romantic buildup would have made their relationship infinitely more compelling. I expected that slow burn to actually ignite, but it simply flickered.
Spoiler Alert: Major plot details ahead!
Asar’s dead lover reemerging as the primary antagonist? That felt clichéd and left me feeling frustrated. While it certainly provided a vehicle for Asar’s growth, an opportunity for richer conflict seemed to slip through the cracks. The cliffhanger at the end only added to my irritation. Bringing back dead characters is a cheap plot device, in my opinion. It lessens the emotional weight of their departure and is a route I hoped Broadbent would avoid.
Overall, The Songbird & the Heart of Stone was a fine read but fell short of my expectations. It had intriguing concepts and endearing characters, yet they were undermined by pacing issues and less convincing romantic arcs. For longtime fans of Broadbent, I think it’s worth reading, but it’s unlikely to become a favorite. Perhaps this book was a fluke, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the next entry in the series will recapture the magic that initially drew me into Broadbent’s world.
In the end, I’m left hoping for a return to form and looking forward to the next chapter in Nyaxia’s tale.
Discover more about The Songbird & the Heart of Stone (Crowns of Nyaxia, #3… on GoodReads >>