Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent Summary

Six Scorched Roses is a vampire fantasy romance novella set in the Crowns of Nyaxia universe. The story follows Lilith, a scientist from a god-cursed town plagued by a wasting sickness, who strikes a bargain with Vale, an exiled vampire. She offers him six magical roses in exchange for six vials of his blood over six months, hoping to create a cure for her dying town. As their monthly meetings progress, a dangerous romance blooms between them despite the wrath of jealous gods and religious zealots.

Carissa Broadbent is a fantasy romance author known for creating intricate vampire worlds and strong female protagonists. She began self-publishing in 2017 and now publishes with Tor's Bramble imprint. Her notable works include the Crowns of Nyaxia series (The Serpent and the Wings of Night, The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King) and The War of Lost Hearts trilogy. Broadbent specializes in blending epic fantasy with romance and is celebrated for her detailed world-building and multilayered vampire characters.

Six Scorched Roses is perfect for readers who love vampire romance with scientific-minded heroines, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and gothic fantasy settings. Fans of Carissa Broadbent's Crowns of Nyaxia series will appreciate this prequel novella exploring Vale's backstory. It appeals to those seeking emotional slow-burn romance, morally complex characters, and stories featuring rational female protagonists who prioritize logic and science. The book also suits readers interested in forbidden love stories set against backdrops of divine curses and religious fanaticism.

Six Scorched Roses is worth reading for fans of vampire fantasy romance seeking a compact, emotionally resonant story. At approximately 4.5 hours reading time, this novella delivers a complete romantic arc while exploring themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the pursuit of knowledge. The story balances Lilith's scientific rationality with growing emotional vulnerability, creating a compelling character-driven narrative. It serves as both a standalone romance and enriching context for Vale's character in the broader Crowns of Nyaxia series.

The bargain in Six Scorched Roses consists of a six-month transaction: Lilith brings Vale six magical roses (one per month) in exchange for six vials of his vampire blood. Lilith needs the near-immortal blood to develop a cure for the god-cursed wasting sickness destroying her town of Adcova. Vale, isolated in his mountain home after being defeated by Vincent, surprisingly agrees to the deal. This monthly exchange becomes the foundation for their deepening relationship as they discover shared intellectual curiosity.

The curse in Six Scorched Roses originates when Lilith's father blasphemes against Vitarus, the god of abundance and famine, after their crops wither and the town loses divine favor. In retaliation, Vitarus afflicts the entire town of Adcova with a wasting sickness that slowly erodes victims to dust. Lilith miraculously survives to adulthood while nearly everyone else, including her family, dies or falls ill. Her sister remains sick but alive, driving Lilith's desperate scientific quest for a cure.

Lilith in Six Scorched Roses maintains her rational, scientific mindset throughout the story while learning to acknowledge her emotional needs. She approaches Vale analytically at first, observing and studying him as she would an experiment. Unlike typical romance heroines, she doesn't abandon logic when feelings develop—instead, she analyzes her emotions to understand them. Her transformation culminates when she must reconcile her pragmatic nature ("Wanting something doesn't count for anything") with genuine love, ultimately embracing both her scientific passion and emotional vulnerability.

Vale in Six Scorched Roses embodies isolation, intellectual curiosity, and the capacity for redemption. Defeated by Vincent and exiled to his mountain home, he's withdrawn from vampire society before meeting Lilith. His response that "curiosity" is the real treasure reveals his core values—he prioritizes exploration and discovery over material wealth. Vale's willingness to accept whatever time Lilith offers ("I'll take one night. One hour. One minute") demonstrates unconditional acceptance. His character arc explores recovering purpose and connection after devastating loss.

Six Scorched Roses features emotionally charged quotes that capture the central romance and themes.

• Vale's declaration, "I want only you, Lilith. Whatever of you I can have. I'll take one night. One hour. One minute. Whatever you want to give me," expresses unconditional love despite impossible circumstances.
• Lilith's pragmatic statement, "Wanting something doesn't count for anything," reveals her struggle between desire and duty.
• Vale's recognition that "You are saving them" shifts focus from his blood to Lilith's scientific agency and determination.

Six Scorched Roses concludes with Lilith's transformation into a vampire, representing symbolic rebirth and escape from her limited human existence. The plague ends successfully due to her scientific breakthrough, validating her rational approach and determination. Lilith and Vale depart for Obitraes (the vampire world) together, beginning a new chapter filled with challenges and possibilities. This ending emphasizes that love and knowledge can coexist, and that embracing change—even radical transformation—can lead to salvation rather than damnation.

Six Scorched Roses is set in the Crowns of Nyaxia universe, where gods directly control human lives and vampires exist as a separate exiled society. The vampire world of Obitraes divides into three houses: Night, Shadow, and Blood, each with distinct characteristics and political dynamics. The White Pantheon of gods, including Vitarus (god of abundance and famine), wields immense power over mortals. This setting creates inherent conflict between divine authority and vampire existence, with Lilith's scientific experimentation challenging both religious doctrine and supernatural boundaries.

Six Scorched Roses serves as book 1.5 in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, functioning as a prequel novella that explores Vale's backstory before he appears in The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King (book 2). The story occurs after Vincent defeats Vale and the previous king in The Serpent and the Wings of Night. While spoiler-free for the main series, this novella enriches Vale's character development and explains his isolation and emotional state. Readers can enjoy it standalone or as contextual preparation for understanding Vale's role in later books.