Overview
The Serpent and the Wings of Night (2022), originally self-published and later acquired and traditionally published by Bramble (a romantic imprint of Tor Books), is a new adult fantasy romance that serves as the first installment in Carissa Broadbent’s Nightborn Duet, one of three planned duologies within the Crowns of Nyaxia series. TikTok has also been a Wall Street Journal Best Seller. The novel is told in the first person by Oraya, a 23-year-old human daughter of the Nightborn King, the head of the House of Night vampires. Tired of her human vulnerability, Oraya enters the Kejari, a once-in-a-century competition to win a wish from Nyaxia, the vampire goddess. Her objectives and aspirations, however, shift when she falls in love with Raihn, a contender from an opposing vampire clan.
Plot Synopsis
Oraya is discovered as a toddler amid the remains of Salinae, a town ravaged by Rishan rebels, by the Hiaj Nightborn King, Vincent. The two House of Night clans, the Rishan and Hiaj vampires, fight for control of the territory. Vincent adopts Oraya as his human daughter after recognizing a piece of himself in her. He respects her first skepticism but assures her that he is the one person she can trust not to hurt her. As she grows older, Oraya begins to feel trapped and begins to investigate her human relatives. Vincent is unable to find any surviving members because invading Rishan territory would be considered an act of war; nevertheless, he assures her that if she wins the centennial Kejari tournament, she may petition the vampire goddess, Nyaxia, for enough power to conduct the search herself. At the age of 16, Oraya falls in love with a young vampire guy who has recently been Turned. When she has intercourse with him for the first time, his passion turns to bloodlust, and he feeds on her and nearly kills her. Vincent forces Oraya to kill her first love as punishment for defying his commands not to trust anybody but him. Following that, in order to escape her nightmares over killing her boyfriend, Oraya decides to hunt vampires at night.
Six years later, Oraya, now 23, hunts vampires in human neighborhoods. She resolves to compete in the Kejari, a once-in-a-century competition in which the winner receives a desire from Nyaxia, the vampire goddess. The competition takes place in Sivrinaj, the capital city of the House of Night. Oraya intends to enter the game as a contender in exchange for enough power to safely enter Rishan territory and locate her remaining human family members.
When the Kejari begins, Oraya finds herself in the Moon Palace, the Kejari’s official beginning place. Oraya will go through five trials with the other contenders over the next four months: the Full Moon trial, the Waning Moon trial, the Halfmoon trial, the Crescent trial, and the New Moon trial. Oraya meets with Vincent in secret during the Kejari, but he becomes increasingly sidetracked by issues outside of the tournament. He doesn’t tell Oraya about his problems, but she assumes it has something to do with his foes, the Rishan, commonly known as the House of Blood vampires.
During the Full Moon trial, she must battle humanoid demons to the death, but she sustains fatal injuries, forcing her to forge an alliance and share living quarters with two vampire contestants, Mische and Raihn Ashraj. The partnership shields her from the fury of Angelika, among others, the silver-haired leader of the Bloodborne contenders. Oraya initially refuses to trust Raihn enough to prepare alongside him and Mische for the Halfmoon trial, which requires teamwork to survive. Her dread of him awakens a dormant magical force within her; Mische attempts to assist her in gaining control of this power. In the weeks between the Full Moon and Waning Moon trials, Oraya has a brief encounter with Septimus, prince of the House of Blood, who appears to be betting on the fortunes of several contenders.
The Waning Moon trial is a maze that Oraya must escape from without being slain by the other candidates. When she realizes that humans are also locked there, her rage over the presence of human children in the arena causes the first schism between her and Vincent. To atone for the deaths of people at the hands of the vampire contestants, Oraya resumes vampire hunting. Raiha catches her in the act and offers to join her efforts as a way of preparing for the next challenge together. Mische suffers serious injuries in an attack on the Moon Palace and is forced to retire from the competition. Raihn, along with other Rishan and Bloodborne contenders, is questioned by Jesmine ahead of the Halfmoon trial, as Vincent is sure of the factions’ involvement, but is returned in terrible condition. Vincent’s failure to keep his pledge to Oraya not to harm Raihn worsens the schism in their relationship. Raihan offers Oraya the option of terminating their alliance before the Halfmoon trial the next day, but her growing feelings for him compel her to stay.
The Halfmoon challenge is intended to unite the thoughts and bodies of paired contestants. While other coalitions struggle to operate with the added weight of many minds in their brains, Raihn and Oraya’s recent training helps them to adjust with ease as they battle the demons roaming the arena. During the struggle, Oraya’s dormant Nightfire power awakens, burning the vampires and demons around her. Following the Halfmoon trial, Oraya and Raihn maintain their partnership, and the idea of killing Raihn in the trials becomes unfathomable to Oraya. The vampires are starved of blood in the run-up to the Crescent trial.
The Crescent Experiment turns the vampires’ bloodlust into a weapon by releasing them into the forest to feast on poisoned animals. Oraya saves Raihn from the same fate by feeding him her blood, which satisfies his needs and keeps him alive. Her inherent affinity to him is heightened by the vampire poison. To finish the Crescent Moon trial, they must travel through scorching fog to the last gate. On the way, they come across the ruins of Salinae, Oraya’s hometown within Rishan territory, which Vincent had destroyed in an act of war. The trial concludes with four contestants remaining: Ibrihim, Angelika, Raihn, and Oraya.
When the final trial, the New Moon trial, is rescheduled until the next day, Oraya and Raihn succumb to their mutual attraction and have sex. They vow to fight until the Kejari are defeated, no matter whose blood is shed. He also tells the tragic narrative of how he was Turned and enslaved to his enslaver for years; what he doesn’t tell you is that his enslaver was the former Rishan king, Neculai, whom Vincent killed and took the throne of. The Rishan Heir Mark appeared on Raihn’s body after Neculai died. Unwilling to bear that burden and claim the throne, Raihn burned the mark away, leaving only an unidentifiable scar on his back where the mark once was.
The New Moon trial isolates each candidate in a chamber with three god impersonators. Oraya is released into a colosseum of onlookers after beating her own, where she battles both Ibrihim and Angelika to death. Ibrihim falls easy, but Angelika only falls because Raihn, unbeknownst to Oraya, makes a pact with Septimus. If Septimus instructs Angelika to spare Oraya’s life, Raihn will side with the House of Blood if he succeeds in usurping Vincent’s reign. Angelika pauses on purpose, giving Oraya the opportunity to terminate her life. Raihan and Oraya battle it out as the final two contenders, honoring their promises to fight until the bitter end. Although Oraya is hesitant to kill him, Raihn assists her in inserting a sword into his own heart, sacrificing himself so that she can win the Kejari and fulfill her goal. Oraya’s sadness over Raihn’s death is too much for her to handle, so she trades her wish for his life, asking Nyaxia to change the present reality so that he wins the Kejari.
Raihn appears, distressed, as Nyaxia begs him to voice his wish. Oraya reels in betrayal when his hidden Heir Mark is exposed, and he petitions Nyaxia to restore the power of the Rishan Nightborn King to him as Heir to the Rishan line. His first act of power is to assassinate Vincent and seize the throne. Following Vincent’s death, however, a Heir Mark appears on Oraya’s body, proving her to be Vincent’s biological daughter. Raihan forces her to marry him for protection in order to keep her alive among the vampires who now want her dead because of the threat she poses.
Jesmine pays a secret visit, expressing her willingness to employ House of Night soldiers to release Oraya from Raihn’s grasp. Oraya orders her to go into hiding while she remains at court, gathering information that could be beneficial in recovering the crown. The novel concludes with Raihn and Oraya attending the first assembly of nobles in the royal room of the Nightborn Castle. They are surrounded by spies, including Septimus, who offers Oraya friendship on behalf of the House of Blood. The perilous situation of Raihn’s power hangs in the balance, laying the stage for the sequel’s struggle.
Part 1 Analysis of the Prologue
Foreshadowing is used extensively in the Prologue to hint at what will happen decades after Vincent adopts Oraya as his human daughter. Broadbent immediately instills tension in the plot by stating that “this decision would topple an empire” , implying that she has fully mapped out the intricate politics and interactions that will ultimately lead to the vampire king’s demise when Oraya betrays him by changing her wish to Nyaxia. Furthermore, by predicting Oraya’s role in Vincent’s collapse, the author adds dramatic irony to every future contact between the two characters, provoking readers to speculate on the motivation for such a betrayal. For the time being, however, it is sufficient to state that the vampire’s decision is a catastrophic blunder in many respects. Despite the fact that he knows “better than anyone how important it is to protect their hearts”, he does not kill Oraya, his biological daughter, and possibly Heir. Instead, he lets a small seed of compassion, “something more dangerous than hunger”, germinate in his heart, leading to his confidence in her: a trust that would eventually lead to his death. The author introduces the continuous theme of The Complexity of Love at this point, and she will expand on this idea as Oraya struggles with the highly conditional nature of his love for her.
Oraya’s hobby of hunting vampires is a form of penance for her lifestyle. Despite the fact that she is surrounded by predators, she has grown up in luxury in comparison to the humans who fight for their own survival in the slums. Oraya murders vampires in order to claim some type of devotion to the human race, despite her vampiric guardians; her decision to hunt vampires allows her to become closer to her own species, to which she does not feel she truly belongs. This sense of alienation is highlighted when she murders a vampire to save a young kid while avoiding the attention of his family, whose silence makes her feel even more isolated from mankind. Oraya comments from their doorway that “it was these starving humans, not the vampire, who turned [her] from hunter to hunted”. Rather than feeling respected as a savior, Oraya succumbs to her own anxieties and lack of belonging, leading her to believe that people regard her as a vampire. At this point, she believes she is no longer a vampire hunter, but rather a less-than-human imposter revealed by this human family.
In a later chapter of The Complexity of Love, Oraya’s friendship with Ilana shows her purposeful defiance of Vincent’s stringent rule on extending love and confidence to anyone other than him. Ilana is shamelessly human, fearless to stand out, and willing to chase her ambitions entirely; her personality embodies everything that Oraya is not, yet longs to be. While Ilana epitomizes everything Vincent despises, her connection with Oraya is founded on love and respect, as well as some guidance. Ilana urges Oraya to act on her own desires, regardless of Vincent’s inclinations, because she dislikes Vincent’s domineering demeanor. At the same time, Ilana’s affection is harsh, because “[a]ll the raw honesty, all the unpleasant tenderness, hides in the things she doesn’t say”. While her affection is healthier than Vincent’s, it is still not as open as it could be. Oraya is aware of this unsaid distancing and believes that the harsh nature of their surroundings, as well as vampiric rule, forces everyone to “hide love in sharp edges”. However, Oraya’s assumptions would be tested later in the novel by her experiences with Raihn and Mische. As a result, Oraya’s friendship with Ilana serves as a springboard for her future relationships with Raihn and Mische, which will push her into new emotional territory.
The Prologue’s final statement, which highlights the vulnerability of the heart, especially when it is open to love, is a recurring theme throughout the novel. It’s a philosophy of Vincent’s that Oraya likewise lives by: “Never trust. Never give up. Always keep your heart in check”. This belief that Oraya must guard her heart with everyone but Vincent perpetuates the mistaken belief that self-isolation is her best protection, and it also allows Vincent to use love itself as a tool with which to control his daughter, because by the logic of his stricture to trust only him, for Oraya to extend trust to anyone else would be considered a betrayal. Thus, even before the story begins, Vincent demonstrates distinct narcissistic tendencies, as his rules are geared to keep Oraya from making any other major ties. This purposeful isolation is one of the novel’s earliest forays into dysfunctional relationships, as Oraya’s subsequent separation from humanity reveals How Intense Loyalty Erodes Identity. Oraya is already grateful to Vincent for adopting her as a kid from the devastation of Salinae, but when he positions himself as her sole source of affection and safety, she becomes little more than a servant to his whim and even suffers significant enmeshment. She adopts his identity as an extension of herself because she is not allowed the room and flexibility to create her own individual personality. This identity fusion is a common case of narcissistic abuse, as illustrated by the wish she plans to request from Nyaxia after winning the Kejari: to become Vincent’s Coriatae. The Coriatis will unite their two souls, grant her access to Vincent’s power, and strip her of her humanity to turn her into a vampire. If this plan comes to fulfillment, Oraya and Vincent will eventually merge.
Part 2 Analysis
Vincent’s long-term machinations are first hinted at in the Part 2 Interlude. Although he appears to be protecting Oraya by giving her useful and precious objects, he maintains his long-term brainwashing by emphasizing that he is the only one worthy of her trust. Each meeting between the two characters reveals that Vincent has taught Oraya numerous things during her childhood that she has carried with her into adulthood. His lessons infiltrate her daily thoughts, posing as her inner critic and dictating many of her acts. When strategizing with herself, Oraya’s deepest thoughts are usurped by Vincent’s voice and inferred wishes, which she has been conditioned to give precedence to while defying her own intuition.
Despite Vincent’s schemes, Oraya has certainly managed to break out and explore other parts of The Complexity of Love, as Ilana’s tragic death has a profound effect on her. Long before her more pure association with the human woman, Oraya was subjected to an onslaught of emotionally abusive methods from Vincent, who frequently criticizes Oraya’s convictions, minimizes her accomplishments, and demeans her principles. In addition, Vincent seeks to persuade Oraya that her humanity is a weakness that must be eradicated in order for her to survive. In stark contrast to his emotional abuse, Ilana is Oraya’s primary example of a human who lives a safe and fulfilling life; as such, she serves as a role model who compels Oraya to recognize “that there is another version of a human life” that is far more fulfilling than the odd half-life she has been forced to adopt. In this view, it is evident that Ilana’s death also damages Oraya’s idealization of mankind. Oraya engulfed in sadness, returns to despising her own humanity, believing that humanity’s vulnerability “had been Ilana’s death sentence”. As a result, the occurrence only fuels Oraya’s desire to grant Nyaxia’s dream and become a vampire, if only to escape her perceived “inferiority” as a human. Despite her self-hatred, Oraya removes the purple silk scarf from Ilana’s body, which becomes her last vestige of trust in the pure humanity that Ilana represents. It’s also worth noting that losing the only other person in her life besides Vincent makes Oraya cling to him even tighter. Because of her naïve reliance on him, she refuses to see the entire degree of his cruelty later in the novel, when he kills many innocent people in reaction to enemy attacks on the House of Night.
Broadbent expands The Complexity of Love in Part 2 by using Vincent and Oraya’s secret encounters outside the Moon Palace to explore the subtleties of their love. Although Oraya has survived the first night of the Kejari culling, she quickly forgets her own strength and accomplishments because just seeing Vincent makes her feel like she is “a child again, hiding in the space between the wall and the dresser, and Vincent was the only safe person in the world”. When Oraya is in his company, her own strength fades into the background, demonstrating How Intense Loyalty Erodes Identity. From an early age, she has been taught to seek his protection and to find safety in him and only him. As a result, even her mature self believes she is incapable of facing the danger that other vampires bring. Although she temporarily avoids this defeatist mentality while competing, Vincent’s presence brings all of these deep-rooted messages to the surface.
Despite Oraya’s dislike of socializing, her protective kind of solitude is already being tested in these early chapters. Mische, for example, approaches her in the dining hall, hoping to strike up a polite discussion with Oraya, which Oraya cleverly ignores. When Raihn later suggests an alliance, Oraya’s initial reaction is skepticism. While this is understandable, especially in the midst of the Kejari, Oraya’s exact sentiments are: “The very fact that he wanted to ally with me made him the least trustworthy one here, because no sane person would want to do such a thing”. Raihan is the “least trustworthy” contender because he wishes to ally with her, which puts him in physical and emotional proximity to her. Not because he’s proven it, but because he’s putting a stop to her self-imposed solitude.
Part 2 Analysis
Their long-term plans of Vincent are initially hinted at in the Part 2 Interlude. Although he appears to be safeguarding Oraya by presenting her with helpful and valuable items, he continues his long-term brainwashing by emphasizing that he is the only one worthy of her trust. Each encounter between the two characters indicates that Vincent gave Oraya many lessons as a child that she has retained with her into adulthood. His lectures seep into her daily thoughts, acting as an inner critic and directing many of her actions. Oraya’s deepest ideas are usurped by Vincent’s voice and inferred wishes when she is strategizing with herself, which she has been conditioned to give precedence to while ignoring her own intuition.
Despite Vincent’s machinations, Oraya has managed to escape and investigate other aspects of The Complexity of Love, as Ilana’s terrible demise has had a tremendous effect on her. Long before her more pure contact with the human lady, Oraya was subjected to an avalanche of emotionally abusive methods from Vincent, who constantly criticizes Oraya’s convictions, downplays her achievements, and demeans her principles. Furthermore, Vincent attempts to persuade Oraya that her humanity is a flaw that must be eliminated in order for her to survive. In stark contrast to his emotional abuse, Ilana is Oraya’s primary example of a human who lives a safe and fulfilling life; as such, she serves as a role model for Oraya, compelling her to recognize “that there [is] another version of a human life” that is far more fulfilling than the odd half-life she has been forced to adopt. According to this viewpoint, Ilana’s death also harms Oraya’s idealization of humanity. Engulfed in grief, Oraya reverts to despising her own humanity, feeling that humanity’s fragility “had been Ilana’s death sentence”. As a result, the incident spurs Oraya’s desire to fulfill Nyaxia’s wish and become a vampire, if only to escape her perceived “inferiority” as a human. Despite her self-hatred, Oraya pulls the purple silk scarf from Ilana’s body, which becomes her last shred of faith in Ilana’s pure humanity. It’s also worth noting that losing the only other person in her life besides Vincent causes Oraya to cling even more tightly to him. Because of her naive trust in him, she refuses to realize the full extent of his cruelty later in the novel, when he kills a large number of innocent people in response to enemy raids on the House of Night.
Broadbent explores The Complexity of the relationship in Part 2 by exploring the subtleties of Vincent and Oraya’s relationship through their secret rendezvous outside the Moon Palace. Despite surviving the first night of the Kejari culling, Oraya quickly forgets her own strength and accomplishments because just seeing Vincent makes her feel like she is “a child again, hiding in the space between the wall and the dresser, and Vincent was the only safe person in the world”. Oraya’s own strength fades into the background while she is in his company, exhibiting How Intense Loyalty Erodes Identity. She has been educated from a young age to seek his protection and to find safety in him and only him. As a result, even her mature self believes she is incapable of dealing with the danger posed by other vampires. While competing, she temporarily avoids this defeatist mindset, but Vincent’s presence brings all of these buried signals to the surface.
Despite her hatred of mingling, Oraya’s protective solitude is already being tested in these early chapters. Mische approaches her in the dining hall, intending to strike up a nice conversation with Oraya, which Oraya deftly ignores. When Raihn later recommends an alliance, Oraya is skeptical at first. While this is understandable, especially in the midst of the Kejari, Oraya’s actual thoughts are as follows: “The very fact that he wanted to ally with me made him the least trustworthy one here, because no sane person would want to do such a thing”. Raihan is the “least trustworthy” candidate because he wants to ally with her, putting him in physical and emotional contact with her. Not because he’s proven it, but because he’s ending her self-imposed isolation.
Part 4 Analysis
Oraya’s character develops dramatically in this portion as she gains new sources of confidence and develops her independence without Vincent’s continual inspection and disapproval. Her pre-existing issues with identification and belonging are brought to the forefront by Raihn’s nightly vampire hunts, his support for socializing with her own species, and his respect for her own humanity—all of which are sadly absent in her relationship with Vincent. While Oraya believes she has “abandoned” her own sense of humanity, Raihn’s ability to retain parts of his human nature while being a vampire for 200 years reveals to Oraya that she is far more human than she perceives herself to be.
Oraya is able to adapt to the openness and true fellowship of the human lifestyle by introducing the environment of human districts and pubs, which contrasts dramatically with vampires’ predisposition to remain reclusive. The cultural difference is odd for Oraya, but it is also enlightening since it helps her to reconnect with her own hidden human instincts. Although humans are regularly attacked by vampires’ bloodlust, they have societies where they are free to be themselves. In contrast, Oraya must reduce herself on a daily basis to avoid the attention of the vampires she lives with, demonstrating How Intense commitment Erodes Identity when such commitment is given to a social group that demands her to disguise her true self in order to fit into their standards. The methods of humans become more fascinating to Oraya as she watches Raihn’s admiration for them. It takes the perspective of a vampire, ironically, to drive Oraya to more completely recognize her own place as a human person, because she has been so long brainwashed by Vincent’s hate for mankind that she has ignored a vital element of her own identity.
Part 4 proves to be an important element of Oraya and Raihn’s romantic maturation as a result of their emotional and spiritual connection. The blossoming romance develops as Oraya’s protective isolation fades, as does her anxiety about the thought that love renders the heart vulnerable. It is significant to observe that, while she flinches at Vincent’s touch and avoids Mische’s hugs, she accepts Raihn’s contact. When Raihn brushes her back, she is startled, not because the touch is unwanted, but because “it comfort[s] her”. This is a big stride forward for Oraya, as is her increased fearlessness in making contact with Raihn, “touch[ing] his arm without thinking, [her] fingers digging into the muscle of his forearm” . The warm friendship they begin to develop contrasts with Oraya’s stilted and constrained relationship with Vincent; it also emphasizes how Raihn’s open love and support boost Oraya while Vincent’s conditional love and emotional abuse undermine her confidence.
As the plot progresses, Oraya’s thinning walls and growing isolation are highlighted by what she is ready to give up to keep her new companions safe. Vincent has taught her to think solely of herself in order to survive, but when Mische is on the verge of death, Oraya overcomes her dread of Vincent and asks him to petition the Minister for Mische’s safe exit. In the same way that the author utilizes this time to highlight Oraya’s inner progress, she also highlights the actual level of Vincent’s narcissistic brutality, for instead of empathizing with her wishes, he orders Oraya to kill Mische while she is weak. The rising independence of Oraya’s ideals is instantly obvious when, rather than mechanically acquiescing to Vincent’s wants, she is outraged at this suggestion. “Vincent had always been her only pillar of certainty, the only thing that earned absolute trust,” she said. “Yet his ignorance felt deceptive”. Oraya is unable to obey her father and mentor at this time, so she goes to the minister herself and enables him to feed on her blood in exchange for Mische’s release, demonstrating a different perspective on The Complexity of Love. Oraya also risks Vincent’s wrath by lobbying for Raihn’s uninjured return from questioning, and when Vincent betrays that pledge, she maintains her alliance with Raihn despite the fact that his injuries reduce her chances of surviving the Halfmoon trial. Despite Vincent’s bad upbringing and overpowering presence in her life, Oraya is already making strong emotional bonds. Her protective shields are thinning toward her supporters, and these ties make her softening heart more vulnerable to both love and treachery.
Part 5 Analysis
The Part 5 Interlude tells the story of how Vincent came to have such a stronghold on Oraya’s heart. Having sex with the vampire she loves for the first time is a big act of teenage rebellion against Vincent’s many rules. In her most vulnerable moment, the vampire she loves takes advantage of her trust by giving in to his bloodlust and feeding on her. Oraya discovers at this point that, while she imagined herself to be in love, “she had not yet learned how deadly such a thing could be”. Finally, the terrible experience merely reaffirms her mistaken belief that Vincent’s judgment is better than her own, and The Power of Fear binds her to his will even as an adult. The traumatic occurrence not only increases the protective barriers surrounding her heart but also produces an aversion to physical touch.
When the Moon Palace gives Oraya a matching gown, Ilana’s purple silk scarf reappears. Oraya hasn’t worn anything worth drawing attention to in years, so when confronted with the unexpected frivolity of dressing formally, she opts to wrap Ilana’s matching scarf around her neck because “if she was going to let [her]self be a spectacle, at least she’d be one that fucking meant something”. Oraya’s decision signals a departure from her prior conformity. For years, she had been oblivious to How Intense Loyalty Erodes Identity, but now, even this modest gesture of individuality shows her growing confidence in asserting herself in new ways. Her wrath at Vincent’s readiness to break his pledge not to harm Raihn is underlying her choice of accessories; also, he has put innocent people at risk for the purpose of vampiric pleasure, and his open disrespect for humans produces a profound sense of distrust in him.
Meanwhile, Oraya and Raihn’s relationship develops, exhibiting The Complexity of Love. Oraya maintains their friendship beyond the Halfmoon trial because “it was worth something to know [she wasn’t] alone”. Isolation has become lonely for her rather than necessary, and she now appreciates Raihn’s presence. He sees and honors her actual self in a manner that no one else has, not even Vincent. This truth frightens Oraya, whose “instinct is to lash out at [Raihn] for just acknowledging that he saw those things that she so fiercely guarded”. Her tendency is to protect her heart and wants, which she regards as flaws as a result of Vincent’s brutal use of The Power of Fear, while Raihn does not regard these characteristics as flaws. Even if she tries to battle them, “they give [her] no way to sink [her] blade into them”, they are unavoidable. Oraya is well aware of the risks associated with her developing attraction. She realizes she should be concerned that she is no longer terrified of Raihn’s close closeness. Despite this knowledge, she feels endlessly safe the first time she sleeps snuggled up to him, and by being so close to Raihn, she surprisingly regains the same sense of safety she once felt in her childhood home, with her human family in Salinae prior to the Rishan attack.
When Raihn’s growing love for Oraya is presented, The Complexity of Love takes on new dimensions as a dominating subject. Their amorous relationship contrasts with the harsh and merciless nature of Vincent and Oraya’s father-daughter bond. Unlike Oraya’s fear-based commitment to Vincent’s skewed, narcissistic interpretation of reality, Raihn’s love challenges her to rebuild her identity and cherish every facet of it without shame. Her previous life with Vincent in the Nightborn Castle, on the other hand, “forced her to divvy her mind up into many little rooms, each containing a different part of herself”, and while this unconscious practice may have kept her safe from Vincent’s crueler whims, it has also forced Oraya to live an unsatisfying life of restraint. She is unable to be who she actually is or pursue what she genuinely desires because Vincent’s expectations construct a tight mold into which she forces herself, stuck in the awareness that “there was nowhere for her to go, nothing for her to be, but what he made her”. Vincent puts her into this mold for her own security, but partly because he is incapable of truly appreciating her humanity. Raihn, on the other hand, is forthright about his absolute support of who she is, calling it a “fucking travesty” that anyone ever encouraged her to suppress her actual nature. Raihn now sees her as a human woman rather than Vincent’s pet or a divinity, as he did after the Halfmoon trial. That validation of her worth in a world beyond Vincent’s control is priceless to Oraya.
Parts 6-7 Analysis
Throughout the novel, Vincent’s warped expressions of affection show the many harmful signs of emotional abuse, and the dynamic culminates in rationalization and excuse-making—tactics in which the target attempts to defend the abuser’s destructive behaviors and attitudes with logical reasoning and excuses. Oraya’s struggle to negotiate the changes in her relationship with Vincent as he commits unforgivable acts that ravage the human world, thus violating her faith in him, exemplifies the Complexity of Love.
Not only is she suffering from the long-term effects of his emotional abuse, but she is also presented with a previously unseen version of her father: Vincent the Nightborn King. His unforgivable decision to order the destruction of her hometown of Salinas is the most pivotal moment in Oraya’s struggle to come to terms with his malicious side because it becomes clear that he is willing to perpetuate mass slaughter in order to kill any remaining human family she may have. She learns she can despise “Vincent the king, who had slaughtered whatever family she had left, who had overseen the torture of her people, who had relentlessly killed and destroyed”.
Despite his treachery, Oraya can’t bring herself to “hate Vincent, her father, who looked at her that way”. Despite her growing rage towards Vincent, she has been too terrified to express her displeasure. The sight of the Salinae ruins threatens to throw her over the edge, and she meets Vincent in his castle. His disrespect for the humans who died in Salinae finally convinces Oraya that he loves her “in spite of what [she] was”, rather than for who she is. Vincent has demonstrated that he does not absolutely love Oraya; instead, he cherishes “the parts of [her] that he could make like him”, a hallmark narcissistic tendency.
Even when Vincent’s nasty character strains their connection, Oraya’s steadfast loyalty endures. Raihan agrees when he names Vincent a monster for destroying Salinae, but she is overcome with shame, believing “she had to be missing something.” “Vincent wouldn’t do it unless he had no choice”, despite the fact that she despises herself for supporting him. She gets more offended on Vincent’s behalf than she should be, proving yet again How Intense Loyalty Erodes Identity as she rushes “to Vincent’s defense as if every attack on his character [strikes her] as well”. The consequences of Vincent’s manipulative and emotionally abusive forms of attachment are difficult to overcome, and Oraya will struggle with these lingering dynamics long after Vincent’s death.
Raihn’s persona is similar to Vincent’s in that after his treachery, Oraya learns two sides of him: Raihn, the man she loves, and Raihn, the Rishan Nightborn King. She is unable to determine “which version of him was true” as he puts on a violent act to ensure her survival. When Raihn pays her a visit the next night, she puts some distance between them, wondering “if he was thinking the same thing [she] was—of how [she] used to move that way every time [they] were in the same room together”. The scene depicts a reversion in their connection, back to the beginning of their partnership, when she would not allow him to get close enough to touch her. Their relationship has reverted to a state of distrust and a shaky alliance in which they must learn to rule over the House of Night together.
Nyaxia’s brief presence in Chapter 50 reintroduces the heart’s vulnerabilities when she tells Oraya, “A dead lover can never break your heart”. This parallels Oraya’s exchange with Mische in Chapter 17 concerning Nyaxia’s strength. Oraya envied Nyaxia’s power at the moment and reasoned that the cost of losing her husband had to be worth it. When it comes time for Raihn or Oraya to murder the other and win the Kejari, Oraya acknowledges that it feels “perverse.” Depraved. Using that intimacy to murder each other”. Since that chat with Mische, Oraya’s ideals have shifted, and she now recognizes that losing the person she loves is not worth any amount of power, which is why she finally desires Raihn’s rebirth rather than the Coriatis relationship with Vincent.
Oraya’s forced marriage to Raihn, in a fresh angle of The Complexity of Love, returns to the heart’s weaknesses. Oraya realizes she would “[b]reak for him” after they have sex in Chapter 44. Cut her self-open like an animal for dissection” (399), even while she “would not make him acknowledge the fact that he surely saw otherwise in [her] face, too, just as [she] saw it in his” . She’s in love with him, but she’s still hesitant to say it aloud—to give up her heart. Oraya’s heart is “scarred, broken, and bleeding” as a result of Raihn’s betrayal. The priestess guides them through their vows, but when Oraya is asked to pledge her heart to Raihn, she is unable to say the words.
Discussion Questions
Content Warning: This section of the guide features discussions of flashbacks of rape and emotional abuse.
What does the genuine and unconditional love that Raihn and Ilana have for Oraya reveal about the problems in Vincent’s love, specifically the emotional abuse he subjects her to? How does the introduction of Ilana and Raihn in Oraya’s life change her perception of love, particularly in comparison to Vincent’s love? Why does he believe that Oraya winning the Kejari is necessary for him to love her? Is Vincent’s love genuine, or does it come with conditions?
What are the characteristics of emotional abuse and how does it manifest in relationships? How does Vincent’s fear for his daughter’s safety and his bias towards the human species affect the way he expresses his love for her? Does Vincent’s intention to keep Oraya safe and protected align with his desire to avoid causing her any deep, painful, or lasting harm? What evidence can be found in the text to support the claim that the character demonstrates kindness on rare occasions? How does the character’s final proclamation of love contribute to the overall narrative, particularly in relation to his impending death? Is the intention behind his behavior, whether physical, verbal, or emotional, considered abusive in his pursuit of his aim?
Does the novel condemn emotional abuse or does it aim to depict the complexities of this type of abuse and the resulting emotional turmoil experienced by its victims? How does Vincent’s approach of using exaggerated warnings and isolating Oraya contribute to her development of an unhealthy level of loyalty towards him? What is the significance of the intensity mentioned in the text and how does it shape the narrator’s perception of her relationship with Vincent? How does the false belief that she owes him an unattainable life debt contribute to her acceptance of his unjust treatment? How does Vincent’s inability to love in healthy ways become evident when Oraya reveals that he conceals love in sharp edges and communicates it through death? Why does the protagonist never apologize to Oraya or express his love verbally? How does Oraya learn to interpret his unspoken words as expressions of love? Why does she find Raihn’s compliments uncomfortable and her growing attraction to him embarrassing?
How does Oraya grapple with the challenge of distinguishing between her perception of her father and his actions as the Nightborn King? How does the character’s recognition of the impact of her love on the situation contribute to the complications and difficulties in the story? Why does Oraya continue to love Vincent despite being fully aware of his faults? Is their father-daughter relationship the main reason for her enduring affection?
What is the role of fear in influencing human behavior and decision-making?
How does Oraya perceive fear? How does Vincent’s teaching about fear relate to the acceleration of her heart rate and the attention of vampires? How does Oraya’s realization of fear and anger in the Kejari impact her understanding of power? How does witnessing the brutal killings of humans by vampires impact Oraya’s emotions and ultimately influence her abilities?
What challenges does Oraya face when her magic starts to manifest, and why is she unable to tap into it at first? What does Mische’s revelation about Oraya’s lack of control suggest about the relationship between her and her magic? How does this fear impact Oraya’s ability to harness her magical abilities? What steps does Mische propose for Oraya to overcome this fear and gain control over her magic? How does Oraya’s experience of being in danger during a trial lead her to harness her fear as a weapon and tap into her inner strength? How does Oraya’s fear transform into rage, and how does she utilize it to enhance her Nightfire abilities?
What were the reasons behind Vincent’s decision to eliminate all potential Heirs to the throne, including Hiaj and Rishan, two centuries ago? Why does he admit to Oraya that he acted out of fear of leading an insignificant life? Why does the protagonist feel that her existence is insignificant? What are the potential consequences of living in a state of constant fear and feeling limited by one’s own vulnerabilities? What is the significance of the number 35 in this context? What role does Oraya’s fear of an insignificant existence play in her journey to enter the Kejari and emerge victorious?
How can fear be harnessed as a means of personal empowerment? In what ways can fear be manipulated to gain control or influence over others? Is Oraya considered Vincent’s heir because she is his biological daughter? How does Vincent’s love for her affect his ability to let her die, and what are the consequences of this for him? How does Oraya’s fear contribute to her power over him and ultimately lead to his death? How has Vincent’s ruthlessness enabled him to maintain control over the throne for such an extended period of time? What role does fear play in his ability to manipulate and influence his followers?
Reflection Essays
1. The final trial represents Nyaxia’s ultimate ascension to power, in which she defeated her siblings in the White Pantheon. Oraya is trapped in the arena by the impersonations of three gods: Atroxus, the fire god, Ix, the goddess of sex and fertility, and Kajmar, the god of seduction, art, beauty, and music. Why is it that Oraya must defeat these gods? What do these conflicts mean in the context of her own life? Use the text to back up your answer.
2. Ibrihim survives the Kejari despite being mutilated by his family and underestimated by his contemporaries. What does this feat reveal about his personality?
3. Compare and contrast Oraya and Nyaxia using what the text discloses about Nyaxia’s journey to becoming goddess of vampires (the trip the Kejari trials are fashioned after). In what ways do their stories intersect? And how does Oraya depart from Nyaxia’s path? Cite the text in your response.
4. Identify three popular clichés that emerge frequently in the fantasy romance genre and discuss their significance in the story. In what ways does Broadbent subvert or approach these stereotypes differently?
5. Oraya is compared to a serpent in the literature. What animal does Raihn resemble? Vincent? Use the words to back up your response.
6. Oraya refers to Mische as a butterfly several times. Detail three ways in which Mische appears to fit this description using evidence from the text.
7. Oraya appears to loathe her humanity and is willing to sacrifice it for the strength and power associated with vampirism. What are examples of the ways her humanity benefits her or others during the Kejari that would not be feasible if she were a vampire?
8. The novel focuses heavily on the perils of sensitive hearts. What are some examples of vulnerable hearts having devastating consequences? Cite the text in your response.
9. Raihn demonstrates healthy, unconditional love to Oraya. Ultimately, he violates Oraya’s confidence for the same reason Vincent does: power. What does this have to do with the two relationships? How does this relate to Vincent’s love lessons and how Oraya will approach relationships in the future?
10. Oraya’s first-person perspective is used to tell the story. What is the impact of this narrative choice? How might the novel’s themes or impact have evolved if told from Raihn’s and/or Vincent’s points of view?