The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

Crowns of Nyaxia, #1

A dark fantasy novel that blends brutal competition, survival, and romance. It follows Oraya, a human adopted by the vampire king, as she enters a deadly tournament where the prize is the power to shape her own fate. The competition is ruthless, forcing her to form uneasy alliances—especially with Raihn, a mysterious and powerful competitor.

The book gave me Hunger Games vibes but with vampires. While I felt it was a bit slow at times, the ending completely blindsided me. It was so unexpected and confusing that I had no choice but to dive straight into the second book!