The following essay explores Carissa Broadbent's The Serpent and the Wings of Night
Unlike many fantasy tournaments that serve merely as action set-pieces, the Kejari is a philosophical engine. It strips Oraya of her adoptive father’s protection and forces her to confront a simple truth: as a human among vampires, she is prey pretending to be predator. Broadbent refuses to give Oraya convenient super-strength. Instead, her wins come from cunning, preparation, and an almost terrifying willingness to embrace her own darkness. When Oraya kills, it is not triumphant—it is necessary and sickening. This moral weight elevates the novel above “girlboss” fantasy. The “top” appeal for many readers lies here: Oraya earns her ferocity, blood by blood. serpent and the wings of night vk top
Her entry into the —a centennial tournament dedicated to the goddess Nyaxia—represents her ultimate attempt to transcend her status as "prey". Unlike the immortal vampires she competes against, Oraya lacks supernatural speed or strength, forcing her to rely on ingenuity, ruthless training, and a deep understanding of her own vulnerability. The Duality of Power and the "Little Serpent" The following essay explores Carissa Broadbent's The Serpent