The Serpent and the Wings of Night Audiobook: A Haunting Tale of Dark Fantasy
In the realm of dark fantasy, where the lines between good and evil are often blurred, and the creatures of the night reign supreme, there exists a world of captivating stories that transport listeners to realms both familiar and unknown. One such tale that has been making waves in the audiobook community is "The Serpent and the Wings of Night" by Carissa Broadbent. This haunting and atmospheric novel has captured the hearts of listeners worldwide, and its audiobook adaptation is a must-listen for fans of the genre.
The Story
"The Serpent and the Wings of Night" is set in a world where vampires, known as the Eternals, rule with an iron fist, and humans are their prey. The story follows Oraya, a young and fierce hunter, trained by the Order of the Knife to avenge her family's brutal slaughter at the hands of the Eternals. Oraya's quest for vengeance leads her to cross paths with Kael, a mysterious and powerful Eternal prince, who is cursed to walk the earth as a creature of the night.
As Oraya and Kael navigate the treacherous landscape of their world, they must confront their own demons, and the darkness that threatens to consume them both. With each passing moment, their bond grows stronger, and they begin to question the very nature of their existence. Will Oraya find the revenge she seeks, or will her growing feelings for Kael stay her hand? And what secrets lie behind Kael's curse, and the mysterious force that threatens to destroy their world?
The Audiobook Experience
The audiobook adaptation of "The Serpent and the Wings of Night" is a masterclass in storytelling, with a talented narrator who brings the world and its characters to life in a way that is both captivating and haunting. The narrator's voice is perfectly suited to the story, conveying the emotions and atmosphere of each scene with ease. The sound effects and music used throughout the audiobook add to the overall immersive experience, transporting listeners to a world of dark fantasy that is both eerie and enchanting.
Themes and Characters
One of the standout aspects of "The Serpent and the Wings of Night" is its exploration of complex themes, including the nature of good and evil, the blurred lines between predator and prey, and the power of love and redemption in the face of darkness. Oraya and Kael are expertly crafted characters, with rich backstories and nuanced motivations that drive the plot forward.
Oraya, the protagonist, is a strong and determined heroine, driven by her desire for vengeance, but also struggling with her own morality and the consequences of her actions. Kael, the Eternal prince, is a complex and intriguing character, with a depth of emotion that is both surprising and compelling. The chemistry between Oraya and Kael is undeniable, and their slow-burn romance adds an extra layer of tension and excitement to the story.
World-Building
The world-building in "The Serpent and the Wings of Night" is exceptional, with a richly detailed mythology and history that underpins the story. The author has created a world that is both familiar and unknown, with a unique magic system and a complex hierarchy of creatures that inhabit the night. The Eternals, with their elegant and terrifying presence, are a standout aspect of the world-building, and their society and politics are expertly woven into the narrative.
Critical Reception
"The Serpent and the Wings of Night" has received critical acclaim from listeners and reviewers alike, with many praising its unique blend of dark fantasy and romance. The audiobook has been praised for its immersive experience, with many listeners noting that the narrator's voice and the sound effects added to the overall atmosphere of the story.
Conclusion
"The Serpent and the Wings of Night" audiobook is a must-listen for fans of dark fantasy and romance. With its haunting atmosphere, complex characters, and rich world-building, this novel is a standout in the genre. The audiobook adaptation is expertly narrated, with a talented narrator who brings the world and its characters to life in a way that is both captivating and haunting. If you're looking for a story that will transport you to a world of dark fantasy, with a slow-burn romance and a complex plot, then "The Serpent and the Wings of Night" is the perfect choice.
Where to Listen
The audiobook adaptation of "The Serpent and the Wings of Night" is available on popular platforms such as:
Rating and Reviews
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Reviews:
About the Author
Carissa Broadbent is a debut author, with a passion for dark fantasy and romance. She is a lifelong reader, with a love for mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. "The Serpent and the Wings of Night" is her debut novel, and she is currently working on the second book in the series.
The audiobook of The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent offers an immersive 15-hour and 4-minute experience that brings the brutal world of Obitraes to life. Narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb, the production captures the intense emotional stakes and dark atmosphere of a human girl surviving in a kingdom of predators. The World of Obitraes and the Kejari
The narrative centers on Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Vincent. To secure her survival and find her place in a world designed to kill her, she enters the Kejari, a legendary and deadly tournament held every century by the goddess of death, Nyaxia. The audiobook format excels at portraying the tension of these trials, which are often compared to a "vampire Hunger Games". Listeners on sites like Audible have noted that the fast-paced action and intricate world-building of the three vampire houses—Night, Shadow, and Blood—are vividly realized through Cobb's narration.
In Chapter 7 (the first Kejari test, featuring a labyrinth with a flesh-eating monster), Cobb’s narration undergoes a radical transformation. She abandons “neutral narrator” distance and adopts a near-whispered, rapid-fire delivery, with aspirated breath sounds left unmuted. The effect is claustrophobic. Listeners report (via Goodreads and Audible reviews) physical symptoms—increased heart rate, shallow breathing—that print readers rarely mention. The audiobook, here, becomes somatic literature.
The The Serpent and the Wings of Night audiobook is performed by Amanda Dolan, and her narration is nothing short of mesmerizing. the serpent and the wings of night audiobook
Contrast this with the cave shelter scene (Chapter 14), where Oraya and Raihn share body heat. Cobb’s reading slows to a crawl, with deliberate gaps between lines of dialogue. She uses paralinguistic cues—a swallowed laugh, a tiny inhale before a reply—absent from the text. These are interpretative choices that amplify ambiguity: Is Raihn sincere? Is Oraya’s hesitation fear or desire? The audiobook sustains that tension longer than print because time is controlled by the narrator.
TSATWON oscillates between three tonal registers: survival horror (the Kejari trials), slow-burn romance (Oraya and Raihn’s forced proximity), and political intrigue (the vampire houses’ machinations). In print, readers govern the emotional pace via page-turn speed. In audiobook, Cobb engineers these shifts.
In the rapidly expanding ecosystem of fantasy romance, the audiobook has emerged not merely as an alternative format but as a distinct interpretive art form. Carissa Broadbent’s The Serpent and the Wings of Night—the first installment in the Crowns of Nyaxia series—is a novel steeped in visceral contrast: sunlight against eternal darkness, human fragility against vampire brutality, and the cold calculus of survival against the searing heat of forbidden love. The audiobook adaptation, narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb, transcends the role of simple transcription. It becomes an immersive performance that amplifies the novel’s central themes of identity, deception, and metamorphosis. By giving voice to the protagonist’s internal war and the seductive danger of her nemesis-lover, the audiobook transforms a compelling page-turner into an unforgettable auditory experience.
The most significant achievement of the audiobook lies in its embodiment of the first-person narrator, Oraya. As a human raised among vampires in a world where she is perpetual prey, Oraya is defined by a paradox: she must be both invisible and formidable. Amanda Leigh Cobb’s narration captures this duality masterfully. Her default tone for Oraya is one of controlled, measured grit—a voice that has learned to suppress fear and calculate every breath. Yet, in moments of vulnerability, such as Oraya’s memories of her adoptive father, Vincent, or her quiet terror before the Kejari (the deadly vampire tournament), Cobb allows a subtle tremor to infiltrate the cadence. This vocal fragility is crucial; it reminds the listener that beneath the hardened warrior lies a young woman desperate for belonging. Unlike a reader who might skim internal monologue, the audiobook listener is forced to dwell in Oraya’s hesitations, her bitten-back retorts, and her weary sighs. Cobb’s performance ensures that Oraya’s journey from orphaned prey to potential conqueror is felt not just intellectually, but viscerally in the ear.
Furthermore, the audiobook excels in its delineation of character through vocal contrast, particularly in the portrayal of the male love interest, Raihn. Raihn is a Rishan vampire—a “winged serpent” of charm, brutality, and hidden depth. Broadbent writes him as a creature of disarming levity masking a core of profound pain. Cobb distinguishes Raihn not by attempting a deep masculine register (which can often sound forced in single-narrator audiobooks), but through changes in pacing and emotional texture. Raihn’s dialogue arrives with a lazy, teasing warmth, a vocal smirk that suggests he is always two steps ahead. When the narrative shifts to his tender or tormented moments, Cobb’s voice drops into a quieter, almost fragile sincerity. This vocal shape-shifting mirrors the novel’s central thematic concern: that identity is performative, and that love is the act of hearing the truth behind the mask. The listener experiences Raihn’s betrayal—a pivotal moment in the Kejari’s aftermath—not as a twist read on a page, but as the shattering of a trusted voice, making the emotional devastation far more acute.
The production’s handling of action and atmosphere also warrants praise. The Serpent and the Wings of Night is structured around the trials of the Kejari: a series of brutal, high-stakes competitions. In print, these scenes rely on rapid prose and sensory description. In audio, Cobb uses pacing as a primary tool. During combat sequences, her narration accelerates, sentences clipping into one another, breaths becoming shorter—simulating the adrenalized tunnel-vision of a fight. During the quieter, more dangerous interludes in the Hiaj castle’s political court, her voice slows to a deliberate, almost whispering cadence, drawing out the menace in every polite exchange. This auditory choreography ensures that the listener never rests. Even mundane descriptions of the Nightborn sky or the taste of vampire wine become laden with tension because Cobb imbues them with a conspiratorial edge, as if Oraya is sharing secrets directly into the listener’s ear. The lack of a full cast or sound effects (the production is clean, relying solely on Cobb’s vocal range) becomes a strength, reinforcing the novel’s theme of isolation. Oraya is alone among predators; the listener, too, is alone with only a single voice for company.
However, no adaptation is without limitations, and the audiobook format does amplify certain weaknesses present in the source text. Broadbent’s prose, while compulsively readable, occasionally relies on repetitive internal monologue—Oraya’s constant reiteration that she cannot trust Raihn, that she is weak, that she must win. In print, a reader can skim these familiar refrains. In audio, they become more pronounced, occasionally slowing the narrative momentum. Furthermore, the single-narrator approach, while cohesive, means that secondary characters—such as the enigmatic Queen of the Night, Nyaxia, or the brutish Ilana—lack distinct vocal signatures beyond slight pitch shifts. A listener might occasionally lose track of which vampire is speaking in a crowded scene. Yet, these are minor quibbles. The intimacy of Cobb’s performance ultimately outweighs the drawbacks; the listener is never in doubt of Oraya’s emotional state, and in a story so dependent on the heroine’s psychological evolution, that clarity is invaluable.
In conclusion, the audiobook of The Serpent and the Wings of Night is not merely an alternative way to consume Carissa Broadbent’s story—it is a complementary work of interpretation. Amanda Leigh Cobb’s narration translates the novel’s themes of performance, hunger, and transformation into the language of breath, tone, and rhythm. Where the printed page asks the reader to imagine Oraya’s fear and Raihn’s duplicity, the audiobook forces the listener to hear them, moment by agonizing moment. For fans of dark fantasy romance, the audiobook offers a uniquely immersive entry into the world of Nyaxia. It proves that when a narrator truly understands the soul of a character, the serpent’s voice can be as seductive and dangerous as the serpent’s fangs. To listen is to enter the Kejari yourself—weaponless, breathless, and utterly captive to the wings of night.
Sinking Fangs into the Void: The Immersive Power of The Serpent and the Wings of Night Audiobook
In the burgeoning world of "romantasy," few titles have struck a chord quite like Carissa Broadbent’s The Serpent and the Wings of Night. While the physical pages offer a gripping tale of survival and bloodlust, the audiobook version from Podium Audio transforms this dark fantasy into a 15-hour visceral experience that lingers long after the final chapter. A Human Heart in a Vampire’s World
At its core, the story follows Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Vincent. To secure her place in a world designed to prey upon her, she enters the Kejari—a legendary, brutal tournament held every century by the goddess of death, Nyaxia. The winner is granted a single wish, but surviving against elite vampire warriors requires more than just skill; it requires a ruthless lack of compassion.
The audiobook excels at highlighting the central tension: Oraya’s struggle to maintain a cold, "emotionless façade" while navigating a slow-burn, forced alliance with her rival, Raihn. Their relationship evolves from lethal suspicion to a deep, transformative connection that feels earned through shared trauma and the high stakes of the competition. The Performance: Bringing Oraya to Life
The Audible version is narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb, whose performance has been widely praised for its emotional depth. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
The audiobook for The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent offers an immersive, 15-hour dark fantasy experience. Narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb, this production from Podium Audio has been widely praised for its emotional depth and atmospheric performance. Audiobook Overview Duration 15 hours and 4 minutes Narrator Amanda Leigh Cobb Publisher Podium Audio Release Date August 15, 2023 The Story: A Deadly Game of Survival
The narrative follows Oraya, the human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Vincent. In a world where she is viewed as prey, her only path to safety is winning the Kejari, a brutal tournament held every century by the goddess of death, Nyaxia.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent - Pan Macmillan
The audiobook of The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent, released on August 15, 2023, by Podium Audio
, offers a 15-hour and 4-minute immersive experience into the dark, gothic world of the Crowns of Nyaxia
series. This first installment of the "Nightborn Duet" blends high-stakes action with a slow-burn "enemies-to-lovers" romance, centered on a human woman's survival in a predatory vampire kingdom. Narrative Performance and Production Narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb
, the audiobook is frequently praised for its emotional expressiveness and ability to bring the protagonist, Oraya, to life. Amazon.com Character Voicing : Listeners on
often highlight Cobb's skill in conveying the tension between Oraya and her rival, Raihn. Pacing and Tone
: Reviewers note that the performance captures the "gritty" and "atmospheric" nature of the story, which many compare to a mix of The Hunger Games Audience Reception
: While most feedback is highly positive (averaging 4.5 to 4.7 stars), a minority of listeners found the narration speed or style uneven, suggesting that new listeners sample the audio before purchasing. www.audible.ca Storyline and Themes
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent - Audible
Report: The Serpent and the Wings of Night Audiobook
Introduction
"The Serpent and the Wings of Night" is a young adult fantasy novel written by Carissa Broadbent. The audiobook, narrated by Rachel Dulude, has gained significant attention among fantasy enthusiasts and audiobook listeners alike. This report provides an overview of the audiobook, its plot, characters, narration, and overall listening experience.
Plot Summary
The story follows Oori, a young woman with the rare ability to transform into a serpent, as she navigates a world where magic and politics collide. Oori's life is turned upside down when she meets Cael, a mysterious and handsome figure with his own secrets and motives. As they embark on a perilous journey, they must confront ancient powers, mythical creatures, and their own complicated pasts.
Characters and Character Development
Narration and Production
The audiobook is narrated by Rachel Dulude, whose performance brings the characters and world to life. Her voice acting, pacing, and tone effectively convey the emotions and suspense of the story. The production quality is excellent, with clear and crisp sound effects that enhance the listening experience.
Themes and World-Building
The audiobook explores themes of:
The world-building is rich and immersive, with a detailed mythology and magical system. The author's creation of a sprawling, mystical world is engaging and easy to follow.
Overall Listening Experience
The audiobook is approximately 14 hours long, making it a significant commitment for listeners. However, the engaging story, memorable characters, and excellent narration make it a worthwhile investment. The pacing is well-balanced, with a mix of action, suspense, and quiet moments that keep the listener invested.
Conclusion
"The Serpent and the Wings of Night" audiobook is a captivating and immersive listen, perfect for fans of young adult fantasy, romance, and mythology. With its engaging story, memorable characters, and excellent narration, it is a great addition to any audiobook collection.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommendation
If you enjoy authors like Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, or Sabaa Tahir, you will likely appreciate this audiobook. Fans of fantasy, romance, and mythology will find themselves enthralled by the world and characters created by Carissa Broadbent.
Survival and Sound: The Immersive World of The Serpent and the Wings of Night Carissa Broadbent’s The Serpent and the Wings of Night , the first installment in the Crowns of Nyaxia
series, has rapidly ascended to the pinnacle of the "romantasy" genre. While the written word captures the brutal beauty of Oraya’s journey, the audiobook version , narrated by the legendary Amanda Leigh Cobb
, transforms this dark tale into a visceral, 15-hour-and-4-minute immersive experience. By blending high-stakes survival trials with a complex emotional core, the audiobook elevates Broadbent’s prose, making the treacherous vampire kingdom of Obitraes feel startlingly real. A Performance of Power and Vulnerability
The success of any audiobook hinges on its narrator, and reviewers from platforms like
have hailed Amanda Leigh Cobb’s performance as "perfect" and "captivating". Cobb masterfully navigates the duality of the protagonist, Oraya—a human adopted by the Nightborn vampire king, Vincent. In a world where she is viewed as nothing more than prey, Oraya must maintain a cold, "emotionless façade" to survive. Cobb’s narration captures this external steeliness while simultaneously conveying the quiet vulnerability and internal rage Oraya feels as she enters the Kejari, a legendary death tournament held by the goddess Nyaxia. Themes of Identity and Love as Ruination
The Serpent and the Wings of Night: Crowns of Nyaxia, Book 1
Book details * Book 1 of 5. Crowns of Nyaxia. * Listening Length. 15 hours and 4 minutes. * Author. Carissa Broadbent. * Narrator. Amazon.com
The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent | Goodreads 16 Aug 2022 —
Unequivocally, yes. The Serpent and the Wings of Night audiobook is not merely a reading of a book; it is a performance of a book. Amanda Leigh Cobb captures the dichotomy of Oraya—a fragile human with the soul of a killer—and Raihn—a monster with a gentle heart.
For fans of the genre, listening to this audiobook is akin to watching a prestige drama rather than reading the screenplay. The 15 hours fly by, leaving you breathless, teary-eyed, and immediately reaching for the sequel. The Serpent and the Wings of Night Audiobook:
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) for narration.
Recommended for: Fans of enemies-to-lovers, vampire lore, deadly tournaments, and good cry in the car.
If you haven't yet entered the Kejari, plug in your headphones. The goddess Nyaxia is waiting, and Oraya’s heart is not the only thing that will bleed.
Here’s a detailed, engaging content piece about The Serpent and the Wings of Night audiobook, suitable for a blog, review, or book promotion.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by R. A. Salvatore (note: fictional title for this article if you meant a different work, replace details accordingly) is an immersive fantasy novel that lends itself well to audio. Whether you’re new to the story or deciding whether to buy the audiobook, this article covers narration, production quality, pacing, strengths, weaknesses, and who’ll enjoy it most.
Narration and Voice Performance
Production Quality
Adaptation Strengths
Limitations
Who Should Listen
Listening Tips
Where to Find It
Verdict The Serpent and the Wings of Night audiobook offers a solid, faithful listening experience highlighted by a skilled narrator and clean production. It’s especially rewarding for listeners who value immersive worldbuilding and consistent narration over heavy dramatization.
Related search suggestions (automatically generated terms to refine finding or buying the audiobook)
If you are looking for your next "romantasy" obsession, The Serpent and the Wings of Night audiobook offers a high-stakes, 15-hour immersive experience into a world where humans are prey and vampires rule with lethal grace. This first installment of the Crowns of Nyaxia series, written by New York Times bestselling author Carissa Broadbent, has become a TikTok sensation for its "Hunger Games meets vampires" vibe and electric slow-burn romance. Audiobook Overview
The audiobook, published by Podium Audio, was released on August 15, 2023. It features a total listening length of 15 hours and 4 minutes. Narrator: Amanda Leigh Cobb.
Performance Style: Listeners praise Cobb for capturing the "wary innocence" of the protagonist and her transition into a hardened warrior. Her narration effectively handles both the brutal violence of the tournament and the "fiery lovemaking" scenes.
Availability: You can find the audiobook on platforms like Audible, Apple Books, Libro.fm, and Spotify. Plot Summary: Survival in the House of Night
The story follows Oraya, the adopted human daughter of Vincent, the Nightborn vampire king. In a world designed to kill her, Oraya’s only hope for true safety is winning the Kejari, a legendary centennial tournament held by Nyaxia, the goddess of death. The winner is granted a single wish that can alter their destiny.
To survive the vicious trials against warriors from three rival vampire houses (Night, Shadow, and Blood), Oraya enters an uneasy alliance with Raihn, a ruthless vampire from a rival faction. As they navigate deadly trials together, the line between ally and enemy blurs into a dangerous attraction. Key Characters to Listen For
Oraya: Known as the "little serpent," she is pragmatic, skilled, and deeply lonely.
Raihn: A powerful, sarcastic vampire with hidden noble motivations and a complicated past.
Vincent: Oraya’s adoptive father, who loves her with a "fierce yet conditional" intensity and taught her never to trust.
Mische: Raihn’s compassionate sister, who provides a rare sense of camaraderie in a brutal world. Why Listeners Love It Crown of Nyaxia Review: A Must-Read Romantasy
Data from Audible (4.7/5 stars, over 12,000 ratings as of 2025) and r/RomanceBooks threads reveal specific listener responses tied to format:
These responses confirm that the audiobook is not a transparent window onto the text but a co-creative performance that shapes interpretation.