Flights of Fantasy S5 : Ep 27

The Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk by Carissa Broadbent — PART 2

Episode Date: September 2, 2025
Hosts: Christina, Kim, Anna

Episode Overview

In this deep-dive episode, Christina, Kim, and Anna continue exploring Carissa Broadbent’s Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk (Book 4 in the Crowns of Nyaxia series), focusing on the second half of the book. The hosts enthusiastically break down major plot developments, character arcs (especially Misha and Asar), world-building twists, and emotional moments, while providing lively banter and critical analysis. The discussion also sets the stage for the next duology, speculating on what’s to come in the Bloodborne-themed fifth book.

Spoiler Warning: This episode contains spoilers for all Crowns of Nyaxia books (except the upcoming Slaying the Vampire Conqueror).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The House of Night Reunion: Rain, Misha, and Friendship

• [05:08–10:40]
  • The crew discusses the heartfelt reunion between Rain and Misha at the House of Night.
  • Rain’s concern for Misha (“Where the hell have you been? … Do you have any idea the things that we have been doing to find you? … I’m alive. God, I love him.” – Kim [05:28]) draws attention to the depth of their friendship.
  • They praise the way Carissa Broadbent uses Rain and Misha to connect the two duologies, grounding the world and showing character growth: Rain is now the bridge between the books and highlights Misha's transformation into a stronger character.

Asar & Misha: Romance, Touch, and Recovery

• [11:22–15:30]
  • The hosts celebrate the couple’s long-awaited opportunity for intimacy:
    “We get some sexy time where we can actually touch each other … There’s no sheets—well, maybe there’s sheets—but the skin to skin is happening.” – Christina [11:37]
  • Their sex scene is appreciated not only for heat but emotional resonance: it’s the first time their drinking of each other's blood is about pleasure, not survival.
  • Memorable, validating quote from Asar during post-intimacy heart-to-heart:
    “You are not, never have been and never will be an offering, Misha. … Any of them would be lucky to kneel before you. As am I.” – Asar (quoted by Christina) [14:32]
  • The hosts praise Broadbent’s subversions of the “offering/possession” trope, demonstrating growth and healing in both characters after trauma.

Music, Shadow Magic, and Dreaming of a Future

• [16:04–18:39]
  • The cello returns as a powerful symbol:
    “He’s like behind her, guiding her hands as they play the music, and they, like, dream together about their future…” – Christina [16:40]
  • Misha’s amplified shadow magic visually paints their hopes and possible futures:
    “Countless dreams for the future encapsulated in a single song.” – [17:40]
  • Kim goes feral for the “precious soul that held the best of both of us” (i.e., baby foreshadowing).

The Heist, Gideon's Return, and Godly Chaos

• [19:38–24:49]
  • The heist for Alaris’ blood goes wrong—Veil is revealed to be Gideon in disguise, whom everyone thought dead.
    “I did not see this coming at all. I thought he was dead. I thought Asar killed him.” – Kim [20:54]
  • Gideon’s machinations serve as a plot anchor, but the sequence’s lore and symbolism felt a bit chaotic for the hosts. They joke about being “lost”—but appreciate the drama.

The Sentinel Revealed & Misha's Trials at the Citadel

• [24:26–28:52]
  • The Sentinel abducts Misha yet again, leading to her trial at the Citadel.
  • The rationale behind the gods’ vendetta against the Citadel feels muddy to the hosts—motivation is unclear, but the emotional tension is high.
  • The sequence with prophecy and tapestries is described as “too confusing” and possibly unnecessary for the story.

Asar's Ascension: Prologue Come Full Circle

• [29:02–33:00]
  • The group celebrates Carissa’s foreshadowing prowess, realizing the prologue described the exact Ascension scene: “The carve your heart out for it is some of the most amazing cool foreshadowing I’ve ever read.” – Christina [31:36] Favorite Quote (Carissa Broadbent, via Asar’s POV in prologue): “Oh, how the shadows shift upon the past depending on the light of the present.” [29:43 — Kim]
  • Asar makes the ultimate sacrifice, bargaining with Nyaxia to save Misha and forgets her as payment—a devastating, romantic twist.

Nyaxia and Vincent: Morally Gray Motives

• [35:13–43:20]
  • The hosts debate Nyaxia’s role: is she evil, or a tragic, love-driven figure warped by betrayal? “It was the only thing Nyaxia craved more than power. Love.” – Christina [36:46]
  • Vincent returns, providing both levity and complexity. He doesn't get a redemption arc, but tries to do right by Misha and Oreya after failing them in life. Notable Quote:
    “Grief has a way of sanding down all the complicated parts of a person in the eyes of the living. It freezes them to a single moment.” – [41:22] “None of it would erase the things he had done, but at least he was choosing a better future.” – Misha about Vincent [43:02]

The Sentinel/Sasha and Sibling Relationships

• [43:34–47:04]
  • Some “Sentinel fatigue” sets in, but the final scene with Sasha/Sentinel and Misha brings emotional closure. “How do I feel bad for this fucking Sentinel Sesha?” – Christina [45:51]
  • The messy, real resonance of loving someone you also resent is praised as authentically humanizing.

Faith, Religion, & Devotion: Thematic Exploration

• [47:08–54:13]
  • The podcast highlights Broadbent’s use of faith as a tool for character development, especially in parallel journeys (Misha and Kyreni). Notable Quotes: “Here in her presence, I knew worship. Misha. I whispered a prayer.” – Asar [52:08] “I wanted to bury myself before her. I wanted to cut myself open for her, let her take whatever she wanted and treasure the scars for the rest of my pathetic life.” – Asar [51:11]
  • The potential for this motif to continue in the upcoming duology with Kyreni as the protagonist is also discussed.

The Climactic Showdown, Sacrifice Denied, and Shared Heart

• [54:53–61:14]
  • Misha embarks on her own Underworld quest, gathering her “trove items”: the poppy, the bird-skull mask/crown, and the heart.
  • In a reversal of Asar’s earlier sacrifice, Misha refuses to let him go, sharing Alaris’ heart between them so both recover and survive. Emotional Resolution: “I love you, Asar Velari, Warden of Morthran, King of the Underworld, heir of Alaris. I love you. And in this life or the next, worlds mortal or divine, I will never let you go.” – Misha [58:33] “My queen. My light, my darkness, my future. The answer to every question, the ending to every single sentence. … Hello, dawn drinker, I whispered. She smiled through her tears. Hello, Warden. And I kissed her again as the Underworld bowed around us.” – Asar [60:13]

Epilogue & Next Duology Setup: War, Time Jump, and New Leads

• [67:20–77:46]
  • After the happy ending, the podcast explores the epilogue and clues for Book 5.
  • The gods split dominion: Akasia takes House of Night and Death, while Nyaxia retains House of Shadow and Blood. War looms.
  • Septimus (Bloodborne prince) is the new POV, and the narrative jumps 10 years ahead—a necessity because Kyreni, the new female lead, was a teenager in Fallen. “He could feel that the end was coming. The slog was nearly over. A decade of carefully maneuvered problems. … A decade of making himself so very indispensable.” – Kim quoting epilogue [70:44]
  • Kyreni, now a bounty hunter with a divine sword, will partner with/oppose Septimus—setting up an enemies-to-lovers, revenge-driven, action-packed duology.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Friendship:
  “This is what we’re after. The besties. They’re together, They’ve grown, and it’s beautiful.” – Christina [05:23]

• Romantic Devotion:
  “Don’t just talk about this as if, you know, you were trying to help me get there, and then now I’m there, and now I don’t need you anymore. You can’t be a part of it.” – Christina [08:12]

• Full Circle Prologue:
  “Oh, how the shadows shift upon the past depending on the light of the present.” – Kim reading prologue [29:43]
  “The carve your heart out for it is some of the most amazing cool foreshadowing I’ve ever read.” – Christina [31:36]

• Wedding Ceremony:
  “Your pain is my pain. Your heart is my heart. … I bind myself to you.” – Asar & Misha’s vows [64:40]

• Home at Last:
  “In the Underworld, I found hope. And here in his twin soul, in this love we built together, I finally found it. Home.” – Christina reading from final scene [66:04]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [05:08] Rain & Misha’s reunion at House of Night
• [11:22] Asar & Misha’s first touch and intimacy
• [14:36] “You are not an offering”—Asar’s validation
• [16:04] The cello callback & dreaming of a future
• [20:54] Gideon’s shocking return
• [29:43] Prologue analysis & Asar’s Ascension
• [35:13] Nyaxia’s motives dissected
• [41:22] Vincent & grief
• [45:51] Sasha (Sentinel) sibling resolution
• [51:11/52:08] Asar’s religious devotion to Misha
• [58:33] Misha’s ultimate love declaration
• [60:13] Underworld bows to the new king & queen
• [64:40] Wedding ceremony scene
• [67:20] Set-up for Bloodborne duology and time jump
• [70:44] Septimus POV and war-worn world

Looking Forward – Book 5 Speculation

• Title: The Lion and the Deathless Dark (Announced for August 2026)
• Focus: Septimus (Bloodborne prince) and Kyreni (former acolyte, now bounty hunter with goddess sword)
• Tone: Action-packed enemies-to-lovers, curses, prophecies, and possible god-slaying.
• Series Themes Set to Continue: Morally gray characters, romance, faith, and found family.

Overall Tone & Style

The episode is rich with fangirl excitement, critical nuance, and genuine affection for both the text and its characters. The hosts’ banter is playful yet incisive, as they move fluidly between deep analysis and lighthearted, meme-worthy commentary ("Vinnie!", “Skin to skin!”, “What those hands do, Asar!”).

Useful Links

• Podcast IG/TikTok: @flightsoffantasypodcast
• Patreon for chapter chats: patreon.com/flightsoffantasypodcast

This summary brings together both the warmth and depth of Flights of Fantasy’s signature bookish banter and the thoughtful breakdowns that help listeners fully savor—and relive—the second half of Fallen and the Kiss of Dusk before the series' next chapter takes flight.