Six Scorched Roses

3,5⭐

I loved the story, the characters, the setting... Lilith is such a badass even if she doesn't know it.

Points I LOVED:

1. This is the first FMC I've read that is not in her late teens (she's 30) making it very relatable.
2. She struggles to connect with people, which is something very real and common
3. Although she cares a lot, she just cannot express in a warm way that... her love language is caring and finding the cure for both her sister and Adcova
4. She is a woman of science, which is something not commonly represented so I appreciated that so much
5. And as a woman of science she doesn't rely on magic, nor is waiting for a knight in shining armor to come and solve her problems, she takes action even if it endangers her because she knows no one is coming to save the day
6. She represents very well how moms behave: taking great care of others before taking care of herself. I'm not saying that's OK, just that it is well-depicted
7. She saves the MMC
8. She saves the day

Points that kept ot from being 5 stars:

1. Same as with Serpent & the Wings of Night, the world-building falls a bit short, maybe a map and an introduction to the mythology, some context on what is going on so we can place it on the timeline within the series before getting too ahead in the story, this would help a lot

If you enjoy a strong, "common" and in her thirties FMC this is the book for you.

What a beautifully written story. It danced between a love story and a war with a god. It flowed so gracefully. It was action packed, romantic, hopeful, insightful. I would highly recommend for those reading the Crowns of Nyaxia series.

Why was this so good when it definitely didn't need to be! As a fan of super long books I wasn't expecting much out of this novella interlude, but was pleasantly surprised at how much I identified with Lilith, and how excited I was to get further growth and details in the world building — seeing the human continent and the dynamics with the other gods, hearing about the continent we spent Book 1 in from an outside perspective, gaining insight into the science vs. magic of this world, etc. were all really well done in a short amount of pages.

If I have one minor demerit, it's that I do think that Vale, as a romantic partner and a character in his own right, definitely needs further development—I don't think I could tell you much about him aside from that he was a recluse for a couple hundred years and he has a beard—but I have enough optimism from every other aspect of this little tale that I trust that his personality/role will be fleshed out more in the future.

Mad I didn't read this between the books!

I really love the world of these books but ugh but can't it be as fluid as the story line?

3.75

This book!!! 
I went into it expecting a fun read before diving into The Ashes & The Star Cursed King but I absolutely loved it. 
The story was beautifully crafted and the characters had depth. 
The plot was great, never felt like it lacked but from what I've read, Carissa Broadbent really knows how to create complex stories.
Lilith quickly became one of my all time favorite main characters❤️ 
Vale was a beautifully written love interest, so utterly in love, soft and angsty. So respectful and helpful. A breath of fresh air from many fantasy men. 

I'll be thinking about their story for long.

No Nonsense Review:
- I really liked it.
- I read this after the 2 main books, but you can also read it between them. Both ways are fine.
- You could read this as a stand alone, too.

- The main female character is quite developed for a novella, and I really liked her.
- To me, the main male character is more likeable than the one in the main story, The Serpent & the Wings of Night.

- Also similar to the main books, the spice is minimal but very well written.

Six Scorched Roses stands out as a delightfully short yet profoundly magical read, marking a distinct turn in its series by focusing more intently on romance. Crafted by my favorite author whose ability to weave enchanting narratives has never been in question, this installment diverges from its predecessors by offering readers a more intimate, slow-burn romance that simmers with intensity and depth.



Unlike the action-packed escapades typical of the series, Six Scorched Roses takes a moment to breathe, allowing the characters' relationships to take center stage. This shift does not diminish the story's magical elements; instead, it enriches the narrative, blending the fantastical with the deeply personal in a way that feels both innovative and inevitable.



The novel's strength lies in its character development and the nuanced exploration of love and sacrifice within a magical framework. The protagonists, each with their own intricately designed backstories, find themselves in a dance of mutual discovery and understanding that is as compelling as it is tender. Their journey is not just about the destination but about the growth that comes with facing challenges together, making their eventual union all the more satisfying.



Six Scorched Roses is a testament to the versatility and depth of its author's storytelling prowess. It offers a perfect balance of romance and magic, making it an ideal read for those who yearn for love stories with a fantastical twist. Its shorter length does not detract from its impact; rather, it delivers a concentrated dose of emotion and enchantment that lingers long after the final page is turned.



In sum, this book is a masterful addition to the series, demonstrating that slowing down to focus on the heart can lead to the most magical outcomes of all. It's a must-read for fans and newcomers alike, promising a journey filled with heart, magic, and the kind of romance that dreams are made of.

This was such a cute little side Novella ❤️ I loved Vale and Lilith! I wonder if they might make a side appearance in the second book in the series. It gave a glimpse of what was happening while Oraya and Raihn were in the tournament also what the gods were capable of.

Listen I'm a hater, like to my core. I don't like it but it's the truth. When books blow up and it is the best thing everyone has ever read, I avoid them at all cost. That is how I feel about this series UNTIL I heard how great this audio book was. I am always looking for short audio books and add in the fact that this is a fantasy romance and I was sold.

This was so utterly amazing. Our FMC has been plague with an illness since birth knowing her days were numbered, death following her around at every corner. She finds herself living in the midst of a illness spreading rapidly through her community. Hell bent on find the solution, she turns to our MMC resident grumpy vampire man.

I loved Liliths character and being inside of her head was so lovely. She has a heart of gold but unable to outwardly show it. She deals with issues like aversion to touch, anxiety, inability to read emotions and it was so refreshing. I loved the love butttttt I wish wish wish we got more from Vale. I felt like his character was a little one dimensional. Undoubtedly, if we got more this would have been a five stars EASILY.

If you pick this up, get the audio. The narrator genuinely made this book.

4.5 stars

First I have to thank Destiny for continuing to buddy read with me. I just love being able to talk about all of these books with you. 

We were initially going to jump straight into the second book in this series but Destiny saw where someone said you should read the novella before so we decided to do that just to be on the safe side. Basically this book introduces 2 characters that will have big parts in the following books so I would agree with everyone saying you should read this one first. 

In this novella we are introduced to Lilith and Vale. Lilith's town has been cursed by a God. Everyone is slowly dying from some illness and Lilith being the scientist that she is isn't content to sit around and let it happen. Exhausting all their options she dares to do something no one else dares to do. I love how fearless Lilith is even though it can be considered to be reckless. Then enters Vale who is a Vampire. If you read the synopsis then you already know that Lilith goes to Vale and offers him a deal, 6 roses for 6 vials  of his blood. I can't really go into more detail than that because of spoilers. 

I loved the relationship between Vale and Lilith. I loved watching them go from strangers to more. I was confused at times when reading this but being able to talk it out with Destiny helped and by the end everything started to make sense. The only reason this book gets a 4.5 star rating instead of a 5 star rating like the first book did was because I was as obsessed with the romance in this one as I was in the first one. I think this was a really great introduction to these characters and I look forward to seeing where they go from here. 

All I'm gonna say is that the story may be short but it will stay with me forever!!!!

I think I liked this one even more than The Serpent and The Wings of Night (which is saying something!)

Six scorched roses is a novella set in the Crowns of Nyaxia world. We get to see another region and meet characters that will appear on the next installments of the series.
This was a great addition to the series and I am quite impressed with the depth Carrissa conveyed to the characters, their story and their romance in such a small length of pages.

As the first book of the series, I still think this series deserves more worldbuilding info dump.

This was just novella perfection! It was the perfect length and pace, it wasn't trying to do too much, it fit everything in perfectly and I'm so interested to see how these two play into the main Crowns of Nyaxia books.