I enjoyed Chapters 1 -5, but then I started to get extremely confused about where this story was going. So many characters were randomly popping up, and I had to reread some scenes to figure out where this story was going. Unfortunately, I had to DNF at 40% as this book was not what I was expecting, and I could no longer give my attention to the story, which was all over the place. I do see where the author was going, but the road to the ending was way too all over the place, and I jumped around too much for my attention span.

Thank you, Net Galley, for giving me the chance to read this book.

Absolutely amazing read! Brilliantly written, superbly paced and engaging until the very last word. I loved this book, definitely one of my top reads this year.

I love the world building and characters in this book! The cover made me stop, the blurb made me want to read, and I am glad I did. The book did start of a bit slow, but I think that was more because of setting the scene for it. Once I got into the book I couldn't put it down, and I'm really looking forward to the next instalment. Thank you for the chance to read!

I think this will make a wonderful series! It started off a bit slower but a lot of detail that came of use as you read through it. By the second half it was difficult to set the “book” (kindle) down, just wanting to continue reading until the end. I love the characters! There are some sadder moments within the book but I’m hopeful that in the coming books things will work out. And after reading the epilogue.. we’ll now I need the second book please and thank you!
Overall I give it a 4 star review :)

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

Wow! I’d say maybe more of a 3.75 stars if I’m being particular but this was such an interesting and fun read. I could not put it down and finished it in a day. The plot was fast paced, although at times I felt like I missed something? But overall I loved the characters and the world, and the epilogue left me wanting more! Great romantacy, great angst, definitely looking forward to where this series goes…

Aelia is a telepath that can see into minds and alter memories, very cool concept! I liked the plot and idea behind it a lot.
Overall, it’s a 4 star for me! The world building was unique and I liked the characters.
The Epilogue really got to me and I look forward to continue in this series.

Thank you so much for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

I would give the book 3.5/5. I finished it in a day and couldn’t put it down but sometimes things happened too fast I felt like they were explained so quickly.

The story line is intriguing and I connected with Aelia and her struggles. Love Tharan and I wish we got to know more of him. I would read a whole book just about him.

The epilogue had me anxiously awaiting the next book.

ARC REVIEW

A Curse of Breath and Blood
Rating: 🌟⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

This was just such a good read. I absolutely loved it. I loved the banter and the character development. I loved the world and the lore. I loved Tharan most of all. A great, face-paced read with an older (30yr old) FMC who is broken and hurting but shows such strength despite it all. Cannot wait for more!!!

I feel like there wasn't enough development of the fantasy setting for me to really visualize what the world looked like. It often feels like the lead female has slept with, or will sleep with half of the characters introduced in the book-- which would be wonderful, but in addition to a lack of worldbuilding, the author often tells you straight out how the characters are feeling instead of showing how they feel. I got to the mermaid-type ex named Ursula before I finally called it quits. A more deft author could pull it off, but Foster isn't there yet.

Absolutely loved "A Curse of Breath and Blood"! This fantasy romance debut had me hooked from the first chapter—I wished I could ditch all my responsibilities just to keep reading 😊. It’s a perfect blend of 'A Court of Thorns and Roses', 'Six of Crows', and a touch of 'Lord of the Rings'. The feeling this book gave me is exactly why I adore reading fantasy.

Aelia is a fierce main character. As a telepath, she can enter minds and alter memories, leading to some heart-wrenching moments. The world-building is incredible, with different courts, magic, epic battles, and side characters I loved—Amolie and Roderick are the best! Tharan, who started as a side character, grew on me and now I can't wait to read more about him.

The dual POV storytelling with a surprise chapter kept me on the edge of my seat. The writing is beautiful and descriptive, making it easy to picture everything. Heads up, Aelia’s journey involves dealing with addiction, so be aware of the trigger warnings. The story touches on heavy themes like sacrifices and loss, but Aelia’s character development was inspiring. From a traitorous queen to a commanding ruler, her growth was incredible, and now I desperately need book 2 after that jaw-dropping epilogue 😫.

Tropes:
❤️‍🔥 Love triangle
❤️‍🔥 One Bed
❤️‍🔥 Mind Magic
❤️‍🔥 Second chance romance
❤️‍🔥 Morally grey FMC

𝒜 𝒞𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝐵𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒽 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐵𝓁𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝒜𝑅𝒞
unfortunately, this was a 𝑫𝑵𝑭 for me.
I did like that our FMC was thirty, and I also liked that she had a vice. Seeing our MCs struggle with addiction just adds a certain 𝓳𝓮 𝓷𝓮 𝓼𝓪𝓲𝓼 𝓺𝓾𝓸𝓲, in my humble opinion.
That being said, right from the get-go, this felt like a second (or even third) book in a series, not an introduction. There were so many characters, relics from the past, old friends & lovers introduced by the fifth chapter that my head was spinning (and not in a good world-building way, I still knew nothing of the world or who Aelia was).
While I can see that it may not be fair to abandon a book five chapters in, my time is limited and I’m learning it’s perfectly acceptable to stop reading when I know something isn’t for me. I should know by the fifth chapter whether or not it is something that I will actually enjoy reading or not, and this one was a no for me. I know people WILL enjoy this book, it’s just not for me.

I thought this was a really good debut. I was a huge fan of Aelia and the fact that she was 30 years old. It made me believe all of her past trauma and suffering more than the usual 20 year old. FMC we usually get. There was a good bit of action and the court politics were intriguing. I liked Caiden and I know he was her first love and all, but Tharan. just hit different for me. I hope that she chooses him in the end. Speaking of, I did think this was just a one and done book but the epilogue has me thinking otherwise. Can’t wait to see more of this series!

"Don't let your past control your future"

Wow. This story had me gripped from the very first page. I really loved the fact Aelia, our FMC was 30. It made her past trauma's and the person she is now, seem a lot more realistic.

I loved the world and the politics between the courts in this story. The different regions were so magical and well described. The characters were all fantastic. The FMC was so raw and vulnerablem, I would've loved a bit more insights into her past and what lead to these events but i'm sure that will come in other books.

I am not normally one who enjoys a love triange, but between Caidan and Tharan, i did not mind, at all! Both of these love interests were perfect and I honestly cannot decide who I want her to end up with. I am a sucker for first loves but the way Tharan was with Aelia, felt so special.

As this is an arc, errors are to be expected, there were a few spelling mistakes and names in the wrong place, for example, when Caidan say's his wifes name he says Trinity rather than Cassandra. I do love dual POV in books, they're my favourite type to read, however in this it kind of felt like an afterthought. Jumping from the 1st person view of Aelia, to then 3rd person of Caidan, didn't feel necessary. I love dual POVs as you get to see into both sides of the characters and how they're feeling, whereas Caidan's chapters just felt like it was still an Aelia chapter. I am sure with some more edits this book would be a 5 star for me!

Overall, this is a 4 star for me! The world building, the courts, the characters and creatures all felt unique and so interesting and I cannot wait until the next book!

This felt like a second or third book in a series; too many things happened simultaneously.
A debut book into a series introduces the world to the reader; instead, after the prologue, chapter 1, five years later!
I couldn’t care less about the main character because who is she? What happened in those five years that led to her ending up in a mess?
Regrettably, the book fails to provide essential chapters that could have fleshed out the main character more, I couldn't to connect with her.
Sadly, It’s not the book for me.

A curious title for a curious book, “A Curse of Breath and Blood” has more of the latter as we tumble across a path destined for chaos and retribution.

Overcome from a history of abuse our heroine, if you can call her that at this stage, Aeila lives out her days as a mercenary whispering sweet nothings and drowning her sorrows in whatever is closest when her past catches up to her brining back old friends, lovers and enemies looking to save her sister. Forced to reconcile her pain and come face to face with the monster she leans on who she can and has to trust those perhaps she shouldn’t leading to a showdown only the dead can rise from.

I really liked our main character here, she was very real in the way she coped with her pain with both highs and lows of that cycle to find herself after so much torment. She was very true to her word when given and companions when called upon making any of her setbacks or failures easy to forgive because her heart was so pure. The romance department was not lacking and I was a bit nervous going into it at the beginning but over the course of the story found my self pleasantly surprised and excited to see what comes next.

The world building was nice with the only touch of ACOTAR like similarities being that of the ‘courts’ even still they were different and I again rather enjoyed those places as new and not replicated.

There’s a rather strong plot line that I am eager to see through to the end and I think it’s going to hurt but the best stories always do.

*special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review*

2.5⭐️

So, first off, this could be an amazingly great book, If there was more detail and more back story for the characters. There were names just thrown at the reader with very little background to them. There are so many magical creatures and races with very little explanation on some, and most don't need to actually be in the story because it serves nothing to the plot. There are some grammar issues, and sometimes, the wrong name is used. I did enjoy the book, but I felt like the ending was rushed. I'm not a fan of immediate love, like in the end. This book has soooooo much potential. It just needs to have a little more attention to it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Aethon Books, and K.W. Foster for an E-Arc. This is my honest review.

4.5/5 stars 1.5/5 spice
Oh my god wow, what a story! I read the blurb and thought this book is going to be interesting, but what I didn’t expect was the depth of emotions portrayed along side the fantastic world building. This story drew you in and the tension and hatred turned lust in do many of the pages was irresistible and so hard to put down. Yes it is heavy world building with magic, hierarchy, and heavy on memories of the past it doesn’t feel daunting like other fantasy books.
Now to the parts that were just stunning to read such and the depth emotional turmoil and growth. K.W does not shy away from the difficulty of addiction and poor coping strategies that are so common and relatable. A lot of books that touch on addiction simply just gloss over it and then suddenly the person is all better but the deep descriptions of withdrawal and craving are so visceral and raw. The side characters were also perfection providing love and encouragement during times of need in a way only a deep rooted friendship can.
K.W. So eloquently describes the loss of a loved one. Wanting to hold on to pain because even if it hurts it still allows you to have that person. I didn’t think this would hurt my heart as much as did during a fantasy novel. Overall great read and I will be impatiently waiting for book two.
Aelia Springborn has made many mistakes that have led her down a dark path breaking minds for the highest paying creature. Haunted by her past regret she numbs the pain and dives into the psyche of others to destroy. When her past catches up with her in the form of her past love Caiden Stormweaver,she must go on a mission that includes destroying her former husband. Unable to take the pain of love lost the two scorned lovers come to an agreement, complete the mission and Aelia will erase every memory of her from Caiden’s mind. When lost and past longing come back with vengeance can these two fight the lust complete the mission and part ways without causing too much damage. Prepare yourself for high stakes fantasy combat in a Six of Crows meets A Court of Thorns and Roses.

I was able to snag this book a few months back after following K.A.Foster on Threads. She genuinely seems like such a sweet, down to earth person! Anyway, this book had me hooked from the beginning. I was instantly drawn to it after seeing that it was 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' meets 'Six of Crows' vibes. It had a lot to live up to with those, but it did not disappoint! I don't want to give out any details, but the FMC was bada**. Aelia is a telepath that can see into minds and alter memories...like whaaaat! The writing style is descriptive, well written, and dual POV (my fave). I cannot wait to see if there will be a book 2!!

Such an emotional book! I really loved reading about an older FMC/characters. There was no silly little high school dialogue. It was deep and serious, and somewhat relatable when Aelia was thinking back on her youth and reminiscing.

The world building was good! I feel like so much happened in this first book, we met so many characters (some not relevant, but they were introduced like they could be!) and traveled to quite a few locations, so I did keep having time re-read to make sure I was following correctly where we were at. The magic and politic aspect were well-written and I enjoyed seeing the different strengths and abilities each character had.

This book was extremely emotional. Aelia was very strong, but very lost and tormented. It was sad to read about her struggles and self-loathing when you just want her to be happy 😭 the ending just sealed the fact that her life may never boring as Amolie would say.


Thank you so much for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review! I’m looking forward to the next book and other books from this author.

I think this book has a ton of potential. It just needs some fine tuning and maybe a little more relationship building to make it more cohesive. But I loved the story line and I could see where the journey was taking me. It’s got really good vibes. I loved the fantasy aspect and world building!