Did you love “The Serpent & the Wings of Night” by Carissa Broadbent? You’re in luck – the fan-favorite romantasy author has a new adventure due next year.
“The Lion & the Deathless Dark” publishes August 2026 and features one of the author’s favorite heroines she’s ever written: “a bounty-hunter with a blessed – and very sassy – sword,” Broadbent tells USA TODAY.
Check out this sword – and other easter eggs for the novel – on our exclusive cover reveal below.
“I am so thrilled to finally reveal the stunning cover of ‘The Lion & the Deathless Dark!’” Broadbent relays. “I had so much fun writing this book, and it’s quickly risen to the top of my favorites!”
See the cover for Carissa Broadbent’s ‘The Lion & the Deathless Dark’
“The Lion & the Deathless Dark” is the opening book of the final duet in Broadbent’s “Crowns of Nyaxia” duology series. In other words, the “Bloodborn Duet” is the beginning of the end. It also sees a fan-favorite character finally getting his moment to shine.
This novel’s romance is between Kyrene and Septimus, “truly a fire-meets-ice pairing,” according to the author.
The story opens in a world ravaged by a decade of war between humans and vampires. Kyrene, our bounty hunter, carries a sword gifted by the goddess of justice. But after a devastating loss, she seeks vengeance and commits a crime that puts a target on her back for both mortals and gods. To survive, she’ll have to make a deal with her enemy, the “silver-tongue vampire prince” Septimus. He’s eager for her help on a mission of his own to slay the gods. But as they embark on their journey, the two become unexpectedly – and dangerously – close. Which will prevail, love or revenge?
“These two are pushing and pulling each other from the moment they meet! Septimus has been quite a divisive character in the series so far, with a, let’s say, checkered moral track record,” Broadbent says. “But everyone’s the hero of their own story, and I’m very excited that readers will finally get more insight into his. He’s definitely met his match in Kyrene, and readers will love their story as much as I do. It’s a dark and intense ride!”
“The Lion & the Deathless Dark” is available for preorder from publisher Bramble now, and comes out Aug. 4, 2026.
Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY’s Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you’re reading at cmulroy@usatoday.com.