About the Book
The Serpent and the Wings of Night is a dark fantasy romance set in a world ruled by vampire houses. Oraya is human, the adopted daughter of a vampire king, which makes her uniquely vulnerable in a society where humans exist mostly as prey. When she enters the Kejari, a brutal tournament held between the vampire houses, she has to form an uneasy alliance with Raihn, a vampire competitor whose motivations she has no reason to trust.
The book leans heavily into the enemies-to-lovers structure, so if that dynamic isn't your thing, the romance will feel slow. If it is your thing, the setup delivers on the tension fairly consistently. The world-building is functional, there's enough lore around the vampire houses and the tournament rules to feel grounded without the story stopping to explain itself at length.
This is Carissa Broadbent's breakout title and was originally self-published before gaining wider distribution. It sits squarely in the adult dark fantasy romance space, closer to From Blood and Ash than to traditional secondary-world fantasy, so expectations should be calibrated accordingly. The focus is on character dynamics and romantic tension as much as on plot mechanics.
Narration & Audio Performance
Amanda Leigh Cobb narrates the audiobook in a style that suits the material well. Her pacing is measured without dragging, and she handles the quieter emotional scenes with more restraint than you might expect from the genre. Oraya's voice reads as wary and controlled, which fits the character's position as someone perpetually on guard.
Character differentiation is serviceable. The distinction between Oraya and Raihn comes through clearly enough to follow dialogue without confusion, though some of the supporting cast blurs together during scenes with multiple speakers. This is a minor issue in a largely two-character-driven story.
Overall, the narration is a reasonable match for the book. It won't be the reason you love or dislike the audiobook, but it doesn't get in the way. If you're uncertain, Audible's sample covers enough of the opening to give you a feel for Cobb's tone before committing.
The Audible Verdict
The audiobook is a solid choice for fans of dark fantasy romance who prefer audio for this type of genre fiction. The narration is competent and consistent, and the linear structure makes it easy to follow. It doesn't quite clear the bar for a paid credit, the narration, while good, isn't distinctive enough to be a reason on its own, but it's a fair use of a free trial credit, especially if you consume a lot of romantasy in audio format.
Listen on AudibleIs This Book a Good Fit for Audio?
This book translates reasonably well to audio. The story follows a linear structure, the central relationship drives most of the page time, and there are no charts, diagrams, or visual elements that would be lost in the format. Tournament fiction with a clear set of stakes tends to work in audio because the listener can track progress without needing to refer back to a page.
The main thing working slightly against the audio format here is that the romantic tension is built through internal monologue as much as through dialogue or action. Some readers find that kind of slow-burn interiority lands better on the page, where you can set your own pace. In audio, those reflective passages depend entirely on the narrator's ability to hold your attention, and Cobb handles them adequately, if not always memorably.
If you regularly listen to romantasy or dark fantasy romance in audio format, this fits comfortably into that habit. If you're new to the genre and unsure whether you'll connect with the book, the print version gives you more control over how quickly you move through the slower middle sections.
Popular Listener Questions
Is this book part of a series?
The Serpent and the Wings of Night is the first book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series by Carissa Broadbent, followed by The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King. The story has a complete arc within this book, though it ends in a way that sets up the sequel.
Who is this book for?
It's aimed at adult readers who enjoy dark fantasy romance, particularly enemies-to-lovers dynamics and vampire worldbuilding. Readers who liked From Blood and Ash or A Touch of Darkness are the clearest target audience.
Is the romance explicit?
Yes. This is adult dark fantasy romance and includes explicit content, which is worth knowing before choosing it as an audio listen in shared spaces.
Is the audiobook narrated by the author?
No. The audiobook is narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb, not by Carissa Broadbent.
Similar Audiobooks
Another adult dark fantasy romance with a mortal-among-immortals setup and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers arc. Frequently recommended alongside Broadbent's series.
A Touch of Darkness
Scarlett St. Clair's retelling features a human woman navigating a world of powerful immortal beings with a similar romantic tension structure.
The Bridge Kingdom series
Danielle L. Jensen's series uses the same enemies-forced-into-alliance dynamic in a fantasy setting, with comparable pacing on the romance.
The Cruel Prince
Holly Black's Jude Duarte navigates a world where she has no natural power, using wit and determination, which mirrors Oraya's position in the Kejari.
The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King
The second book in the Crowns of Nyaxia series continues immediately from where this one ends.
Audiobook Details
| Title | The Serpent and the Wings of Night |
|---|---|
| Author | Carissa Broadbent |
| Narrator | Amanda Leigh Cobb |
| Genre | Dark Fantasy Romance |
| Year | 2022 |
| Abridged | Unabridged |
| Cast | Single narrator |
| Author-narrated | No |
Ready to listen?
The Serpent and the Wings of Night is available on Audible and is a reasonable choice for a free trial credit if dark fantasy romance is already part of your listening rotation.
Open on Audible