If you’re looking for a story that will grip you from the very first page and leave you breathless by the last, The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent delivers exactly that. Set in a brutal world ruled by vampires, the story follows Oraya—a human girl raised by the vampire king—as she navigates deadly trials, impossible choices, and an unexpected connection with a dangerous enemy. This isn’t just a tale of survival—it’s about love, betrayal, and finding strength in vulnerability. If you need a quick refresher or want to relive all the emotional highs and devastating lows, this recap of Book 1 in the Crowns of Nyaxia series has you covered.
Fair warning: This is a FULL SPOILER RECAP of the first book. If you haven’t read it yet, turn back now unless you’re ready for all the major twists and reveals!
The Serpent and the Wings of Night Book Recap – Book 1 In The Crowns of Nyaxia Series
Background and Setup
Oraya is a human girl raised by Vincent, the king of the House of Night. When Vincent finds Oraya as a young child in the ruins of a human village destroyed by vampires, he surprisingly decides to take her in. Despite being human and vulnerable in a world ruled by vampires, Vincent raises Oraya as his daughter within the House of Night, where humans are generally seen as prey.
Vincent trains Oraya to survive and fight, molding her into a skilled warrior. However, his love is conditional on her strength—he constantly reminds her that weakness invites death, and that trust is dangerous. Oraya grows up feeling both protected and emotionally guarded, knowing that her human nature makes her inherently vulnerable in a society dominated by predators.
The Kejari and the Formation of Alliances
When the goddess Nyaxia announces the start of the Kejari—a brutal tournament held every hundred years where the winner receives a gift from the goddess—Oraya decides to enter. If she wins, she plans to ask Nyaxia to turn her into a vampire, erasing her human weakness and securing her place as Vincent’s rightful heir.
Early in the tournament, Oraya forms an unlikely alliance with Raihn, a powerful and cunning Rishan vampire. Raihn is a strategic fighter with a dangerous reputation, but he recognizes Oraya’s intelligence and resourcefulness. Though Oraya is initially distrustful (reflecting Vincent’s teachings), Raihn quickly proves himself valuable in the trials.
Their partnership strengthens after Oraya helps Raihn figure out how to kill a pack of cursed demons during the first trial. Oraya realizes the demons are linked through a single leader—by focusing their attacks on the leader, they are able to take down the entire pack.
Raihn’s closest companion is Mische, a warm and lively vampire who wields fire magic—a rare ability typically associated with the sun god Atroxus, not Nyaxia. Mische is seriously injured during the trials, but the Ministaer (the religious overseer of the Kejari) refuses Raihn’s request to withdraw her, effectively leaving Mische trapped in the competition despite her condition.
Oraya’s Loss and Vincent’s Coldness
During the early part of the Kejari, Oraya suffers a devastating loss when her human friend Ilana is killed in a bloodlust attack. Ilana was one of the few people who treated Oraya with warmth and humanity.
Vincent’s reaction to Ilana’s death is cold and calculating—he tells Oraya that Ilana was weak and that her death was inevitable. This reinforces Vincent’s core teaching: strength is the only way to survive. Despite her grief, Oraya hardens her resolve and becomes more focused on winning the Kejari.
Revelations About Raihn and Vincent
As the trials progress, Oraya learns that Raihn’s reasons for entering the Kejari are personal. Vincent was responsible for the fall of the Rishan bloodline and the death of Raihn’s family. Raihn entered the tournament not only to win Nyaxia’s gift but also to reclaim the power and status of his bloodline.
Despite this history, Raihn remains loyal to Oraya. He admits that his initial decision to ally with her was strategic, but his respect and affection for her grew genuine over time. Oraya is torn between her growing feelings for Raihn and the teachings of Vincent, who warned her that trust is dangerous and that emotional attachments are a weakness.
The Final Trial and Vincent’s Death
In the final trial, Oraya and Raihn are forced to face each other, but they are interrupted by Vincent. Seeing Raihn as a threat, Vincent attacks him directly.
Vincent proves to be immensely powerful—he is faster and stronger than any other vampire in the tournament. Raihn struggles to match Vincent’s strength. However, Raihn’s strategic thinking and Oraya’s quick decision-making turn the tide of the fight.
In a critical moment, Oraya stabs Vincent and weakens him. This allows Raihn to finish the fight—he crushes Vincent’s throat with his power, killing him.
As Vincent dies, he tells Oraya that he loved her from the beginning. Despite his manipulations and harshness, his death leaves Oraya devastated—he was the only father figure she ever knew.
The Wish and Oraya’s Final Choice
After winning the Kejari, Oraya is granted a single wish from Nyaxia. Everyone expects her to ask to become a vampire, fulfilling the goal she’s had since the beginning.
Instead, Oraya gives the wish to Raihn.
Raihn uses the wish to restore the Rishan bloodline’s power, reclaiming his place as the true heir and strengthening his political position among the vampires.
Oraya and Raihn’s Future
Oraya chooses to remain human. Despite having the opportunity to become a vampire, she decides to accept her humanity rather than erasing it. Her decision reflects her rejection of Vincent’s legacy—she no longer believes that strength comes only from power.
Raihn and Oraya stand together as equals, not as protector and dependent. Raihn respects Oraya’s choice to remain human, and Oraya feels liberated from Vincent’s teachings for the first time in her life.
The story ends with Oraya stepping into a new future—independent and strong, not because of the power she gained, but because of the strength she found in herself and her bond with Raihn.
Interested what happened next? Check our book recap for The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King.
Books in the Crowns of Nyaxia Series:
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