Typically I love a fast paced book, but the pace of this made it hard for me to follow. I felt like we jumped from one thought to another or one subject to another with minimal segway. I’d often be confused about how one sentence related to the next, only to realize we were moving on to another topic completely. I feel like it could have flowed better if it was fleshed out a little more or if there were more breaks (chapter break, scene break, etc.). This did get better later in the book but the middle 40-50% was rough.

The interactions with Aelia and the two love interests, Caiden and Tharan, felt awkward and almost forced. The book said more than showed that there was attraction or tension. There was a lack of build up of lingering looks, or other literary foreplay… we would just jump into an intimate scene. This in itself was really abrupt because her interactions with the love interest were so uncomfortable and formal, like they barely know each other, and then suddenly he is thrusting his co** in her cu** (not even kidding those are the chosen terms).

Aelia is supposed to be an older protagonist but she felt really young to me…

We got random pieces of information and I would feel like I was missing something. For example “their faces red, not from the cold but from the sheer number of bulls’ testicles they consumed.” as though that was a logical explanation for their faces being red—which, unless I missed it earlier in the book, I have no idea why that indicates a red face and there was no further explanation.

The overall storyline was actually very interesting and it was unique to have a protagonist dealing with an addiction—I don’t think I have ever read a fantasy book like that before. However, in my opinion it could use some polishing.

⭐️⭐️ This one was not for me. Maybe with more work and good editing, but not the way it is now.

I was looking forward to discovering this debut author. The cover was pretty and the description of the story checked all of my Romantasy boxes. Unfortunately, I had a hard time getting through the book and almost DNF'ed it on multiple occasions.

⚖️ Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all bad. The premise of the story is interesting and the characters are great. The first and last 10% of the book were actually very good. With some TLC, this could be a good Romantasy. It's just not release-ready, in my opinion. It felt more like I was beta-reading a work in progress, where the writer is jotting down her ideas, one after the other, rather than reading an ARC.

🏃🏻‍♀️💨 "That escalated quickly" seemed to be my most frequent note while reading. Most scenes are short, rushed, choppy and disjointed. It skips from one scene to the next, from one emotion to the next. The bones are there and there's definite potential for something magical, it just needs fleshing out. I felt detached from the characters and the events surrounding them.

🌎 World building: There is SO much going on with very little explained to the reader. Avoiding massive info dumping is good, but you have to give the reader some insight into the world you created and the races / creatures / monsters we come across, within the pages of the book.

🤦🏻‍♀️ Discrepancies and errors in the story: A few rounds of editing could help with the various discrepancies. Multiple times I had to go back and reread past content, to make sure that my mind wasn't playing tricks on me. There are too many errors within the storyline for me to enjoy myself.

📚 Series: Book one in a series

🎬 Ending: HFN (happy for now) / Cliffhanger in the Epilogue. I'm perfectly fine leaving the series and not reading book 2. The MFC and one of the MMCs have a HFN type ending, even though the epilogue leaves you with a cliffhanger on what's to come in book 2.

📝 Writing: 1st (FMC) and 3rd (both MMcs) person POV in the past tense. I always get confused when it skips from 1st to 3rd person POV. I prefer 1st person POV all the way.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Characters: FMC in her early 30's but she reads as if she's in her early 20's. She starts off as a mercenary who's got mental health and drug addition issues, which make for a darker type of FMC. Both MMCs are great, both kind and caring and loving.

Spice: 🌶🌶 for the presence of descriptive sex on page but I'm tempted to put 🌶 seeing the scenes are short and lack sexual tension, making the scenes mechanical and dry. If you're not into reading descriptive sex, skip ahead 2 to 3 paragraphs and the characters will be fully clothed and discussing attack plans 😉

⚠️ Triggers, warnings, audience: Drug addiction, mental health issues (self-loathing), suicidal thoughts, mental abuse, physical abuse (implied, not on page), violence, descriptive sex on page

This was a really good read, I enjoyed it and the premise, however, I found a good bit of problems that interfered with my reading experience.

First and foremost was the head hopping. It started around 35% and just continued from there. And while I don’t mind head hopping, it’s an issue for me when it’s labeled as one person’s POV and we’re decidedly not getting their POV.

Second, the way the characters’ attitudes and personalities seemed to do like 180s throughout the story. I completely sympathize with Aelia and all she went through and while I don’t condone her using drugs as her escape, hey, I get it. Everyone has their vices. But the way Caiden acted towards her was so hot and cold my head spun. One second he’s hating her and the next they’re having sex. It literally came out of left field and it just didn’t make any sense.

There were some minor errors and stuff like that but it’s an arc, so it’s kinda to be expected.

Third, major continuation issues. Characters were said to have done or were doing things but it was never mentioned them doing said things. It led to me flipping back and forth between pages to try and figure out if I missed something or not.

Spoiler alert: I didn’t.

Like—after Aelia and Tharan (my sweet boy) made their deal, where did he go? Cause next time we see him is at the Court. So when and where did homeboy go?

I wish there was more worldbuilding as well. All these species and such were thrown around but we never got any expansion on them. The way Aelia was “made” so to speak was left out, as to why and what she did to get that scar on her face. A lot of things could’ve been expanded on with worldbuilding and I just felt it lacking.

It was a good story with a lot of plot. The main themes were political intrigue, magical beings, rescue mission and second chance romance . There was some confusion with the term slyph, which I interpreted as just another word for fae. A lot of missed or vague background information. It was not really a love triangle, it was more one relationship finished and another began. Aelia, is very unlikable in the beginning, she is basically addicted to cocaine and working as a mercenary. She has not redeemable qualities until she embarks on.a journey to rescue her sister. I did see some spelling mistakes and issue with story flow. Overall good story, I did think it would be a standalone because there was an epilogue, I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I could not put this down. I was on the edge of my seat thr whole time. There was so many personal issues amongt all the characters that flowed so smoothly. You get enough for it to rip your heart out and put back together. The FMC us depicted beautifully with her struggles and I became so invested in her. I cannot wait to see ehat comes next. I'm recommending this to all my friends!

2 things: Team Tharan & when can I get my hands on book 2.

I must admit, I got a little confused in the beginning. There are lots of jumps, only leaving you with more questions than answers at the start. But you really want to know the answers so you just keep on reading. The story gets you hooked. The more you dive into the story, the more you learn but always with little details and subtle hints. And when you think you know what's going on, K.W. Foster has another thing coming for you. That epilogue had me gasping. I really can't wait for book 2 and this one hasn't even been published yet (September 17, 2024. Mark your calendar)

Also: I cried. So yes, I think it's a great read.

The one thing that sometimes distracted me was the POV. It changed between characters (I like!) but also between 1st and 3rd person. So in Aelia's chapters for example, we sometimes get the story from her voice, and sometimes from her perspective but told as a 3rd person.

Aelia, the fmc, is a grown woman who's faced many things in her life. She's easy to relate to because she's known all kinds of struggles. She's also dealing with addiction, which can be triggering to some.

Spice level: 🌶🌶🌶

Read if you like:
💞 Multiple love interests
👸 Multiple POV's
🗡 LOTR & ACOTAR vibes
💕 Second chance romance
🧙‍♀️ Mind magic
💖 One bed
⚔ Court politics & fighting scenes

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.

This was pretty interesting. I don't think I've read a book quite like this one and honestly had a good time. I think this is definitely worth a read if you like this type of genre

Enemies to lovers with a second chance? Sign me up for that. This was a phenomenal debut. It's fast paced and well thought out. The writing was easy to read and I couldn't put it down once I started reading,

<i><b>“I will find a way back to you.” He kissed me passionately. “I love you, Aelia. I loved you even when I hated you, and I will keep a space in my heart for you until the end of time.” A promise he couldn’t keep.</b></i>

A Curse of Breath and Blood was a really well written story about a queen turned telepathic mercenary and her struggle with love and addiction. It kept me captivated from page one.

It was fast paced and had some of my favorite tropes:

✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Second chance
✨ One bed

It was a great read and I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens in the next book! I did dock a star for some spelling errors, but it was an amazing story, regardless!

A fast paced start to a fantasy series that I enjoyed.

This book was easy to read and kept me so interested I was able to complete it in a couple days. There was a lot happening at all times and there was little to no down time for any of the characters, there was always some danger that they were facing. The villains of this story were quite compelling and I am very curious to see what they are cooking down the road as the series continues. I liked how we got multiple points of view, but only Aelia's perspective was in first. It was something that felt unique to me.

The booked lacked a little in the romance department. The romance felt rushed to me, especially since this is the start of the series, there could have been a bit more of a slow burn and development of a deeper connection between the characters. It led to the romance feeling a little shallow and surface level. I am not sure where there is more to go with this part of the plot in more books from this series.

By far my favorite part of this book was Tharan.

Thank you so much for the ARC!

A Curse of Breath and Blood by debut author K.W. Foster, published by RCB Creative Inc. is the first book in the Mindbreaker Series.
I started redaing and was direct thrown into the story. There is no neasying in, no introduction to characters and storyline, a bit abrupt but whatsoever.
Aelia is in puppylove with Caiden. The future queen's love is doomed from the start. Married to another man, years later she's ashodow of her former self. Owning more magic, but being a druggie strung out and spiralling, she's on the quest to rescuing her sister with help from her former lover. Sounds complicated?? And it is.
An ok read, suspenseful,sometimes a bit losing the storyline but all in all a good story.

Aelia is a strong and complex protagonist, haunted by the loss of her kingdom and burdened by her abilities as a mind-breaker. Caiden's struggle to reconcile his past with his present adds depth to his character. The supporting cast, including Tharan Greenblade and the enigmatic Lord Valerius, also contribute to the rich tapestry of relationships. The realm of Moriana is vividly portrayed, with its lush landscapes, ancient magic, and intricate political machinations. Foster seamlessly weaves elements of high fantasy and dark fairytale into a captivating setting. The dynamic between Aelia and Caiden is complex and emotionally resonant. Their past love, betrayal, and the forbidden promise to wipe each other's memories create a compelling romantic subplot. A Curse of Breath and Blood is an impressive debut novel that combines the dark atmosphere of Nettle and Bone with the heart-stopping romance of A Court of Thorns and Roses. Foster's strong characters, compelling plot, and immersive world-building make this book a must-read for fans of adult romantasy and epic fantasy alike. With its exploration of sacrifice and the bonds of love, A Curse of Breath and Blood leaves a lasting impression and sets the stage for an exciting series to come.

I really enjoyed this book! It kept me questioning what would happen next, has great character development and has good world building. All my favorite creatures I love in books and movies are in this book - elves, sylph, mermaids, trolls, gnomes, and more (even if some are just in passing). I loved K.W. Foster’s writing style as well. She really made sure to put emphasis on certain things in the book and THAT ENDING?! I cannot wait to read the next book (I hope there is one)! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves family, some romance and twists in their stories! I will gladly read more books from her!

I really enjoyed this book! There was some star crossed and lovers to enemies to lovers again. A telepathic FMC that loves to be in love and who is a but of a badass. This book leaves you on a cliffhanger and ready for the next.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
(3.5/5)
Aelia is a traitorous queen turned mercenary who reconnects with a former love to thwart her husband, Gideon, The King of the Highlands, from obtaining the Alder King’s army.

Fans of ACOTAR (specifically ACOSF) will enjoy this! I feel like there are a lot of parallels between Aelia and Nesta that will definitely win over any Nesta fans. I personally liked the focus on addiction and trauma responses.

There wasn’t anything groundbreaking about the plot here, it felt very predetermined from the jump. I found myself a little bored with the action leading up to the ending. It moved along very quickly and most conflicts were resolved immediately on page, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but I struggled to stay interested in the conflicts.

As for then characters, they were all pretty likeable. (We got a love triangle, who am I to complain?) but I do feel like some of the characters were just there for convenience. The friendship between Aelia and Amolie was trivial at best, I know they’re friends only because I was told they are. That said, the FMC is rather cunning and her journey to reconcile her past with her present was interesting enough to keep me reading!

The epilogue promises that there will be an exciting sequel to look forward to (IYKYK ;)

Overall, it was a pleasant read! I read it very quickly, and was pleased with the pacing of the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and K.W. Foster for the eARC!

“I searched for any humanity left in her, but found none. No kernel of the person she had been. Not even an ancient memory of a life long gone.”

This book has so much potential, and the story is a great idea, unfortunately, the execution leaves something to be desired.

Critique:
This book could use a few rounds of editing as it stands, there are some spelling errors and some needed revisions to make the writing flow better. I feel that if the author spends a little more time honing their skill this book could be wonderful.

We are thrust five years into the future from the prologue and a lot has changed which is fine but the present is written in such a way that it feels like we should have context that we don’t. Then we get context, as we meet new characters, about the years we missed, but it feels stiff and unnatural and somehow like we are still missing much-needed context. It kind of left me feeling like I watched the first episode of a season of a show then skipped the rest of that season and watched the first episode of the next season. There are hints of what happened previously but I *really* should have watched the previous season. The timeline is also confusing and hard to follow.
Too much is happening in quick succession, there is no time to care for the characters and Aelia feels very wishy-washy making her hard to care for even more.

Again, I think this book and author have so much potential and could have been amazing with more time and editing. I look forward to what they will create with more experience under their belt.

Thank you to NetGalley got an ARC of this book.

I unfortunately found 'A Curse of Breath and Blood' by KW Foster to be a disappointing read. I could not get past the 20% mark as I found this book so unenjoyable and poorly written. From the outset, the story thrusts readers into a whirlwind without providing adequate introductory context or background information. The scattered nature of the information throughout the book made it confusing, as the narrative jumped abruptly between present events and disjointed glimpses of the past.

One of the most glaring issues was the lack of effective world-building. The setting felt underdeveloped and vague, leaving me unable to grasp the diverse species or fully visualize the environments. New elements were introduced without description, which left me constantly guessing and disconnected from the story.

Moreover, the character dialogue was choppy and often felt cringey, making it difficult to connect with their personalities or motivations. Comparing this book to 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' does a disservice to both works, as the depth and richness of Sarah J. Maas's world-building and character development are notably absent here.

Overall, 'A Curse of Breath and Blood' failed to provide an enjoyable reading experience. The lack of cohesive world-building and the disjointed narrative structure made it challenging to follow and appreciate the storyline. I struggled to find a foothold in the plot due to the insufficient introduction and inconsistent pacing. For readers seeking a well-rounded fantasy with immersive world-building and compelling characters, this book unfortunately falls short of expectations.

Action-packed romantasy! Mythical creatures, magic and morally grey FMC!
I read this way to fast (if that's even possible). But could not put it down! The FMC was a blast: she was so imperfect, self-destructed and just wanted to be loved...
Plot twist, drama and lot's of magic!

Thank you to NetGalley, K. W. Foster, and the publisher’s for allowing access to the e-Arc.

4.5 stars

I honestly really enjoyed this book. It was such an interesting storyline. A queen turning into a mercenary who wants revenge on her evil husband. It was just gold. It has a strong FMC with a found family aspect to it. It’s exactly what I was looking for. I can’t wait to continue on with the series.

I highly recommend it!

I loved this book right away. There is so much action as well as romance. I liked that the main character wasn't perfect and so relatable.
Couldn't put it down.