Review: A Curse of Breath and Blood by K.W. Foster
“Hope is a dangerous thing. It blinds us to reality.”
The Basics
Title: A Curse of Breath and Blood (The Mind Breaker #1)
Author: K.W. Foster
Published: 2024
Note: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher: Aethon Books
Pages: 358
Format: E-book
Genres: Fiction — Fantasy, Romance, Fantasy romance, High fantasy
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Book Synopsis
Five years ago, Aelia Springborn bid a tearful farewell to not only her homelands, the Midlands, but also her first love, Caiden Stormweaver. She was bound for the Highlands to marry their future king, Gideon Ironheart, but her betrothal to Gideon is not what put an end to her relationship with Caiden. No, their relationship was doomed from the start. As a sylph and human, the two could never marry, but Aelia had hoped that they would somehow find a way to be together.
That sense of optimism that once coursed through her veins has been eradicated by the intervening years, which have been anything but kind. Her marriage to Gideon was one of cruelty and suffering, and her beloved sister, Baylis, has been missing for the last few years. She blames both her pain and loss of Baylis on Caiden, believing that he could have prevented them but failed to do so.
Needless to say, when Caiden appears one day desiring to speak with her, she is none too pleased and almost immediately attempts to flee from him – but then, he stops her in her tracks when he reveals that he knows where her sister is. She is being held captive by Gideon. The two form a tenuous partnership, agreeing to work together to rescue Baylis. And during a heated exchange, they make another deal bound by magic: Aelia, a telepath, will wipe herself from Caiden’s memory as soon as they free her sister.
Magic always demands its due, and a bargain once struck must be paid. Hearts may change, but a deal cannot.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: An initially intriguing but ultimately disappointing book that suffers from pacing issues, character underdevelopment, and plot holes.
Years ago, my father traveled to California for a work conference. His coworkers, who were local to the area, were eager to show him around and take him to all of the must-see attractions. They were particularly excited to bring him to a nearby geyser, which they assured him was every bit as spectacular as Old Faithful. So, when meetings ended early one day and they proposed driving out to the geyser, my father embraced the plan. Convinced that he was about to behold a natural wonder, he practically sprinted to the car. But there was no eighth Natural Wonder of the World awaiting him. No, he was met with the most pitiful jet of water bubbling up from the ground. When my father recounts the tale, he says that he was “completely underwhelmed,” and I never truly understood that sentiment until I finished A Curse of Breath and Blood.
I had such high hopes for this book. It had been marketed as a cross between A Court of Thorns and Roses and Six of Crows, two heavy hitters in the fantasy genre. Plus, at least initially, the story captured my interest with its gut-wrenching prologue. That prologue, however, would prove to be the high point of the book. From chapter one onwards, A Curse of Breath and Blood has a pervasive roughness to it.
It is plagued by a number of issues, the most egregious of which being its breakneck pacing. Everything, from romantic relationships to battle sequences, progresses too quickly. There is no buildup or suspense; things simply happen. Before one can begin to wonder how a situation will resolve itself, it is resolved. Take Caiden and Aelia’s relationship. Within a mere two chapters, they go from spewing vitriol at one another and making a magic-bound oath for Aelia to wipe herself from Caiden’s memory to comforting one another and having a heart-to-heart. It’s enough to give a person whiplash.
Neck injuries aside, the hurriedness of their reconciliation and subsequent relationship arc also leaves one feeling cheated. A Curse of Breath and Blood is supposed to be a romance, yet it lacks a satisfying love story. Between Caiden and Aelia, there is no will-they-won’t-they, yearning, or banter – the pair simply passes Go and collects their $200. And where’s the fun in that?
Sadly, things do not fare any better for Aelia and her other love interest, Tharan. Their romance manages to be even more fast-paced. Despite Tharan’s rakish reputation, he develops feelings for Aelia only a few chapters after meeting her, and within that same time frame, the two of them share a kiss. It is a fast-burn romance teetering on insta-love.
As a result of the poor pacing of both romances, the love triangle between Aelia, Caiden, and Tharan is unsatisfying, to say the least. A love triangle is only as good as the relationships that comprise it; when those are lacking, the triangle becomes lackluster. And the triangle in this book certainly lacks luster. It also lacks believability. Throughout the story, Aelia seems to have a stronger pull toward Caiden. Tharan feels like the conciliation prize awaiting her should she uphold her promise to wipe herself from Caiden’s memory.
Even on an individual level outside of their romantic entanglements, the characters are wanting. With the exception of Aelia, all of the characters are underdeveloped and lack clear arcs. Neither Caiden nor Tharan, for instance, grows much over the course of the story; each remains relatively unchanged at the book’s conclusion. As for the ancillary characters, they are even flatter. They largely serve to populate a scene or fill a specific role, such as the de facto healer or token funny guy.
Another aspect of this book that leaves much to be desired is its plot. While reading A Curse of Breath and Blood, I periodically encountered inconsistencies or gaps in the story. For example, in chapter 16, an object that has hitherto never been mentioned is referenced in such a nonchalant manner as to imply that the reader should already be aware of its significance. In chapter 11, two characters are described as having almost kissed, only for those same two individuals to be described as having kissed in the subsequent chapter. One more example – in chapter 20, a character whose precise whereabouts have been unknown suddenly appears, but in the next chapter, he is back to being MIA. These plot holes are distracting and detract from one’s enjoyment of the book. Every time I came across one, it would take me out of the moment, and I would feel compelled to skim through the previous chapters to ensure that I had not accidentally skipped over a passage.
Further diminishing the book’s readability is its uneven writing. While some portions of the book are well-written, others are less so. The novel’s one sex scene is particularly rough around the edges, owing to its use of unimaginatively coarse descriptors that discomfort rather than arouse.
The good
A Curse of Breath and Blood has a few redeeming qualities, chief among which being its protagonist, Aelia. Unlike all of the other characters, she is fleshed out and dynamic. She evolves over the course of the story, maturing and improving herself. She is also laudable for her nuanced nature, being neither entirely good nor bad. This greyness makes her an intriguing lead, for who wants to read about someone who always makes the morally right decision?
Also worthy of praise is the story’s world-building. Although only a relatively small amount of land is explored in this book, the world of A Curse of Breath and Blood is quite expansive. One needs to only glance at the map of Moriana to realize that the majority of the realm has yet to be visited. Future installments in the series will have plenty of kingdoms and courts to introduce to readers.
Lastly, the plot, despite its numerous shortcomings, was interesting enough for me to want to finish the book. But I do not foresee myself continuing the series. I was curious enough to finish A Curse of Breath and Blood, but I am not so invested in the characters that I want to continue their story.
Overall
With its intriguing premise and extensive world, A Curse of Breath and Blood could have been a great book. It could have been the start of a captivating series. But it is neither of those things. With the right editor and an extensive rewrite, perhaps it could be those things, but as it stands, it is a completely underwhelming read.
Have you read A Curse of Breath and Blood? If so, shared your thoughts with me in the comments section below!
