Blood & Breath

by Qurratulayn

Evan Wilde is a poor working-class girl. She writes contracts on behalf of wealthier folks who want to exchange a bit of their life for minor deals with devils. It’s not until she is bleeding out, the unwilling victim of an outlawed contract sacrifice, that Evan draws a contract for A devil can take the last of her life—all she wants is revenge.

With the help of a devil named Jack, Evan infiltrates the upper class by posing as one of their own to bring them down from the inside.

For the first time, Evan finds friends and maybe even love. And with time she realizes that for all their corruption, the upper class’s magic is what keeps the devils at bay. Can she condemn the world to ruin to satisfy her need for vengeance?

But a contract cannot be broken, except at a devil’s mercy. And Jack has none.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Horror, Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Julianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe I'm biased because I copyedited this one but I am absolutely OBSESSED. I cannot wait for more people to dive into this world!

[ᒚᘿSS ᒍᗩY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Page Street Publishing, NetGalley, and Qurratulayn for the opportunity to read and review Blood & Breath!

Blood & Breath is an engaging and refreshing read that hooked me within the first few chapters. I devoured it in just two days, which speaks volumes about how immersive the story is.

The concept of elegant, purposeful contracts used to summon devils felt inventive and full of untapped potential. If this novel is the foundation for a series, it is an excellent start, laying the groundwork for further exploration of power dynamics; not only between devils and humans, but also within human class and race structures.

The pacing is medium to fast, striking a balance between worldbuilding and plot development. Readers are introduced to devil lore, cultural context, and individual backstories without it feeling overwhelming. The relationship between Evan and Jack is particularly compelling. As reluctant mirrors of one another, their mutual distance and misjudgments create tension, while their shared struggles highlight the theme of “like calls to like.”

The dual POV structure adds depth, keeping the narrative dynamic. The devil perspectives, in particular, provide an intriguing lens on the social upheaval beneath the surface.

While the story is not without its imperfections; occasional unevenness in pacing and overlooked plot details, the originality of the premise and the strength of the character dynamics far outweigh these minor issues. Overall, Blood & Breath is a strong, imaginative debut, and I look forward to seeing what Qurratulayn creates next.

[Richelle Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the alc @prhaudio.

3.5 stars

Storyline has some pacing issues.
There was a nice twist towards the end.
Story ends with a cliffhanger ending. Not sure I would have read this book knowing it was part of a series.
Wasn’t a fan of the female narrator.

[Jessica Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan is a lower-class citizen (Dun) who writes contracts for upper-class citizens (Necro) to make deals with devils. But Evan is also Magi and learned special ways of writing contracts from her mother before she was killed. When Evan is brutally attacked by Necro trying to make an unwilling sacrifice, she desperately writes her own contract for vengeance. She unwittingly calls on Jack, an unknown devil, to kill at Necros, and Jack has a plan for Evan to make this happen by becoming one of them.
I have some small qualms about this book but it is so unique and intriguing that you kind of let them slide. It is set in roughly the late 1920s (people have cars but jazz is super new and flapper style is described, along with speakeasies) which gives it a fun Gatsby-esque air as Evan infiltrates the upper-class society. I liked the alternating perspectives between Evan and her devil Jack, especially to see the similarities in both as they grapple with feelings for the very thing they despise; in Evan's case, a Necro, and in Jack's case, a devil who chose subservience to humans. The ending was very abrupt and I was left with some questions about side characters but the story itself wrapped up really nicely with the abrupt ending. The second deal-with-a-devil YA book I've really enjoyed lately!

[natty · Rating 4 out of 5]

i enjoyed so many things about this book! the atmosphere, the setting, the unique idea. i love the concept of summoning devils and drawing contracts like it’s so cool to me. i really really liked the mcs, as well. i liked evan and i looooved jack. i’m really appreciative of the arc opportunity.

what i wish i had gotten more of:
- more world building, specifically the devil world. like what’s the tea over there?! i wanna see it!
- more scenes between evan and the necros she grows attached to. the arc of her emotional changes felt a bit disconnected for me. i didn’t quite see how she connected so much to them.
- jack’s backstory!! give me more!!! more from his pov would’ve been so so intriguing.

[Eros Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I sucked in the last breath I would ever call my own and sealed my contract with one word. Revenge.”

A Black historical fantasy where the FMC has a one-track mind so heavily laced in revenge that she’s willing to make a forbidden blood contract with a devil? Sold.

This debut novel takes us on a slow paced journey through the life of a 17y/o named Evan who builds us this world intertwined with chaos & blood.

✔️Complex Characters
✔️Dual POV
✔️Fantasy Elements; Class/Social Systems & Blood Binding Contracts
✔️Revenge Blinded MCs
✔️Conflict-Driven Narrative

This is not a standalone novel.
Typical to fantasy series, the 1st book is mostly world building paired with a cliffhanger to bring readers into book two.

I would recommend this a reader who enjoys morally grey characters and fans of the movie “Sinners”.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew through this book in less than a week, which is exceptionally fast for me. My average reading time per book is 15 days according to StoryGraph (problems from an autoimmune disease) so this book not only got my attention, it became my life. A supernatural fantasy set in the 1920s with its own caste system based on taking the fantasy elements into how society would behave.

The story begins in a company that draws up contracts between humans and devils, somewhere in tone between a paralegal and a commercial artist. It takes a big fantasy idea and shows how it would affect people of different social standings. The plot unfolds organically from there. Key information is withheld from the reader, and the pieces come together without it being confusing or feeling like not knowing the information made it have zero stakes, if that makes sense.

The pace is tight, and it ends on a cliffhanger to set up a series. It feels like a lot happens in its 272 pages, but it doesn’t sacrifice world-building, character development, or its historical fantasy atmosphere. I was completely immersed. It’s a bit info-dumpy at the beginning, but not overly so and I felt it flowed pretty well. Some plot twists are easy to guess, others are definitely surprising. I do suffer from memory problems now, but I highlighted and color-coded to retain information.

A lot of violence happens, mostly off-page and never gratuitous. I know that the presence of devils and pacts with devils will turn some readers away. But no souls are ever up for grabs. These devils feed off of sacrifices of blood and breath, hence the title, sometimes a small amount, sometimes the rest left in a life for beyond powerful magic to occur.

I did receive a physical ARC for review, but I would gladly pay to have this book on my shelves. My opinions and review would have stayed the same. This book came to me at the right time, a common theme for this reading year, I’m so grateful. I highly recommend it, 9/10.

[Tee Marie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan Wilde is a poor working-class girl. She writes contracts on behalf of wealthier folks who want to exchange a bit of their life for minor deals with devils. It’s not until she is bleeding out, the unwilling victim of an outlawed contract sacrifice, that Evan draws a contract for A devil can take the last of her life—all she wants is revenge.

With the help of a devil named Jack, Evan infiltrates the upper class by posing as one of their own to bring them down from the inside.

For the first time, Evan finds friends and maybe even love. And with time she realizes that for all their corruption, the upper class’s magic is what keeps the devils at bay. Can she condemn the world to ruin to satisfy her need for vengeance?

My Thoughts 💭
Making a deal with a devil will cost you Blood & Breath. A book about devils, Necros and Magi had me all in. The pacing of the story was a bit slow at times but I really enjoyed Evan's character so much. Once the story really got going, I got to see her starting to come into her own. But tragically knowing her life will be ending, Evan's love for other's was painful to watch in the end. But sometimes revenge isn't always pretty but necessary. I am so excited for book II to see what happens next.

Favorite Quotes

“There are three types of devils: the ones you summon
for love charms and good luck,
the ones you summon for ambitions and impossible dreams.
And then there are the true devils, the ones that almost broke the world three hundred years ago.
The ones you don’t summon at all.”

“I offer a contract of blood and breath.”
…
“Of blood and breath.”
…
“Revenge.”

“I sucked in the last breath I would ever call my own and sealed my contract with one word: ‘revenge.’”

Thanks again topplingstackstours and Page Street YA Publisher for the gifted copy of the book. is a poor working-class girl. She writes contracts on behalf of wealthier folks who want to exchange a bit of their life for minor deals with devils. It’s not until she is bleeding out, the unwilling victim of an outlawed contract sacrifice, that Evan draws a contract for A devil can take the last of her life—all she wants is revenge.

With the help of a devil named Jack, Evan infiltrates the upper class by posing as one of their own to bring them down from the inside.

For the first time, Evan finds friends and maybe even love. And with time she realizes that for all their corruption, the upper class’s magic is what keeps the devils at bay. Can she condemn the world to ruin to satisfy her need for vengeance?

My Thoughts 💭
I enjoyed Evan's character so much, once the story really got going. I got to see her starting to come into her own. But tragically knowing her life will be ending, Evan's love for other's was painful to watch in the end. But sometimes revenge isn't always pretty but necessary. I am so excited for book II to see what happens next.

Favorite Quotes

“There are three types of devils: the ones you summon
for love charms and good luck,
the ones you summon for ambitions and impossible dreams.
And then there are the true devils, the ones that almost broke the world three hundred years ago.
The ones you don’t summon at all.”

“I offer a contract of blood and breath.”
…
“Of blood and breath.”
…
“Revenge.”

“I sucked in the last breath I would ever call my own and sealed my contract with one word: ‘revenge.’”

Thanks again topplingstackstours and Page Street YA Publisher for the gifted copy of the book.

[The Noire Anthology · Rating 4 out of 5]

Qurratulayn’s Blood Breath offers a sharp and compelling exploration of class and power within a dark, stratified world. The novel places its protagonist, Evan Wilde, at the heart of a political and supernatural conflict that exposes how hierarchies are built and maintained. One of the book’s strongest elements is its attention to the politics of class. The Magi, oppressed and stripped of their autonomy, exist in direct tension with the Necros, the ruling class who control devils and shape the very structure of society. Through Evan’s infiltration of Necro high society, the novel reveals the contradictions of privilege, complicity, and rebellion.

While class is deeply and effectively examined, the text gestures toward but does not fully expand on race, gender, and queerness, despite naming these as part of its worldbuilding. This does not diminish its strengths, but it leaves space for further thematic development. Given that this is likely the first installment in a series, this choice feels deliberate rather than incomplete. Expanding these threads in later volumes could enrich the narrative’s critical framework and offer a fuller picture of intersecting identities under systemic oppression.

Evan herself is a protagonist who does not demand likeability to command interest. Her choices are morally complex, and her embrace of rage and power make her a compelling figure. The motif of naming is particularly striking. It is both a literal and symbolic act of agency in a world that seeks to erase certain kinds of power. This linguistic and thematic focus connects back to the questions of who gets to define identity and whose power is recognized.

The pacing is brisk and avoids heavy exposition, allowing the narrative to unfold through action and implication rather than lengthy explanation. This “show not tell” approach rewards careful reading and makes the novel feel immediate and alive. Blood Breath stands out as a fast yet layered read, and while some thematic areas feel like groundwork for what is to come, that groundwork is solid. I look forward to seeing how Qurratulayn builds upon this foundation in future installments.

[Emi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Publishing date: 07.10.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Quickfire likes and gripes //
+ Interesting magic system
+ Tense
- Read very young sometimes
- Confusing POV switches at times
- I don’t think I was the audience

Characters //
Evan works fine as a main character, but I felt like some of her character arc came a little our of nowhere. Her connection to some of the background characters also felt a little fake or forced.

Jack’s story was more interesting to me than anything else to be honest. Wish I got to see more of it. As a character he does fulfill his demon role and errs on completely evil a lot of the time.

Pacing //
The beginning of the book moves reeeeaaaal slow, and then it picks up properly around 60% or so.

Plot //
I wanted more to happen, but how the plot was actually unfurling left me slightly disappointed. I see the idea, I agree with the idea, but disagree with the execution. Not enough happens, and when it happens it doesn’t feel impactful.
At some points it also looks like the main character, out of nowhere, disagrees with her own choices. Not a fan of that.

How it was to read //
This book has two POV’s, and I originally didn’t see that as the chapter headers were covered by my own system settings on my reader. But I got it after a little while anyways. However, sometimes mid or near the end, the POV switches in the chapter. I found this incredibly confusing and had to backtrack a little to understand what happened.

Audience //
I think the audience is supposed to be young adult, but sometimes it reads middle grade. Just a little too young and a little too “look at me, I am edgy”.

Continuation //
I do not think I will be continuing this series, it just wasn’t for me.

Final Verdict //
Sadly, this wasn’t for me. I felt it in my bones pretty early, but had to see it through anyway. A little too young for me. Giving this 3 stars.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am IN LOVE with the world-building and characters of Blood & Breath!

The introduction of how devils are called forth by contracts written with different stipulations as well as the dividing class structure between Dun, Magi, and Necro had me hooked from the first chapter. It was also a refreshing setup of the scenery to have the story take place in a 1920s era where new dances, jazz, and discoveries are changing the landscape of society. The juxtaposition of this mixed with the fantasy elements of devils was unique.

Following Evan on her road of revenge, filled with moral conundrums as she discovers the depths of her contract with the unknown devil she called down, I couldn't put the book down without pondering on what was going to happen next. Even until the end of the book, I was held in suspense, wondering if Evan was going to follow through completely with her revenge or not. The twists in the last 2 chapters were gut-wrenching, and I am eager to continue the story in the second book!

What I Enjoyed:
- the details in how contracts are created, from how they're written to how they can call specific devils to perform specific tasks; also, the level of contracts from a few drops of blood to whole-body & breath giving
- the moral ambiguity to our protagonist Evan while on her quest for revenge
- the varying personalities of characters, no matter what class they hail from (Dun, Magi, Necro)
- the general world-building and history of how we've arrived where the story starts from
- the author's prose: descriptive, informative, and easy to read and imagine

Thank you to Netgalley, the author Qurratulayn, and Page Street Publishing for allowing me to read and review an ARC!

[KMart Vet · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible surprise this book turned out to be! Blood & Breath delivers a dark, twisty, and beautifully layered world and leaves such an impression, even with a relatively limited number of pages. It’s a story about vengeance, identity, and power (both the kind that corrupts and the kind that frees), and it captures those ideas with striking nuance.

I was fascinated by how the book explores class, race, and power structures through the lens of a 1920's queernormative fantasy world with humans and devils. The devils aren’t just monsters here; they’re complex, tragic, and sometimes more human than the humans themselves. And Evan’s relationship with Jack is one of the most compelling parts of the book. They’re reluctant mirrors of each other, and their relationship is full of tension, mistrust, and unspoken understanding.

The world-building is incredibly strong, without ever getting bogged down in lore dumps. It is built into the story and excellently done. It’s a fascinating blend of gothic horror and political fantasy, and I loved how the horror never overwhelmed the story but added just enough dread and unease to keep the stakes high.

And that ending. I’m STILL thinking about it. It’s open-ended enough to linger, but satisfying enough that I’d be content if it stayed a standalone. Either way, Qurratulayn has crafted a horror-light fantasy that’s rich, resonant, and full of surprises. I’ll be recommending this one for a long time.

Thanks so much to Page Street YA, Storygram Tours, and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Denisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Page Street Publishing for the advanced copy of Blood and Breath in exchange for an honest review.
What do I think about this book? It's a fun mess. The whole djinn/genie/demon hybrid concept is pretty fresh, and once it gets going, it really gets going. The dual POVs kept me guessing who to root for, which was actually kind of thrilling. Jack had me cracking up - definitely the highlight character-wise. The romance felt a bit convenient but worked well enough, and that twist at the end? Yeah, I'm definitely picking up book two. Despite all the positives, this book had some issues. The FMC can be whiny, and the writing sometimes feels like it's aimed at middle schoolers rather than YA readers. There were also some plot holes where events were referenced before being properly introduced, leaving me confused. And why introduce a whole new subplot at 60%? The story was already packed. The POV switches usually worked great, but sometimes the author would start a chapter with one character and randomly jump to another character towards the end of the chapter, forcing me to reread those parts multiple times. It's messy and definitely needed another round of editing, but the premise is cool enough and the pacing fast enough that I stayed engaged. If you can overlook some careless storytelling for an entertaining supernatural romp, give it a shot.

[The Litt Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a 2.5 Star rating for me, but you can check out the full why over at The Litt Librarian

I should've DNFed this book. Between the pacing issues, the lack of action, and the underdevelopment of the overall story, I'm shocked I didn't close the book earlier. But let's talk about what made me stay.

I really liked the background for the Magi class. It gave season 2 of Legend of Korra, when it came to explaining the connections between the Magis, Necros, and devils. But I really wish we had gotten more explanation about the devil's side of things. While it was explained why some devils were connected to the Necro families, I wanted to see more of their world and how it crumbled.

Same thing with my other infamous review *cough cough*, I liked the concept, but the execution lacked. Another round of brainstorming to improve translation on the page, perhaps?

Check out the full review over at The Litt Librarian

[book_worm119 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Blood & Breath was a fascinating and unique YA book. Despite having read hundreds of books per year, I have never encountered a book remotely similar to this story. The prose was propulsive and elegant, while the magic system was intriguing. Furthermore, I found all the characters introduced fascinating and complex, along with their relationship dynamics. However, the only drawbacks that stopped me from enjoying this book more were the underdeveloped world-building and the problematic nature of the protagonist’s wish. The only thing I felt that I knew well about this world was the caste system, which seemed to lack nuance at times. Other information, such as who ruled the world, surrounding places, climate, and more, was not explored, making the world hard to visualize. Moreover, the main character, Evan’s, wish to kill the entire Necros caste was disturbing and difficult to read, especially when her devil went around killing entire families and other people. Overall, this novel was an interesting read, but readers should keep in mind that this is far from a light-hearted story and instead explores darker themes like revenge and class inequalities.

[Sara Beatriz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blood & Breath is a darkly atmospheric and emotionally charged read that excels in world-building, moral complexity, and representation. The exploration of oppression, class conflict, and internalised prejudice is nuanced and thought-provoking, giving the story real depth beyond its fantastical elements. The romance threads and found-family moments feel natural and meaningful, adding warmth to a tense, high-stakes narrative.

The writing itself is strong quality atmospheric, immersive, and elegant without being overly dense. Qurratulayn balances description and action well, creating a world that feels vivid and alive. Symbolism and thematic resonance are woven into the prose, and the moral complexity of the characters is handled thoughtfully. While the pacing is uneven at times, POV switches can be a bit jarring, and a few characters could be more fully developed, the prose overall propels the story forward and elevates its emotional and thematic weight.

The inventive magic system, morally complex characters, and Jazz-Age–inspired setting make this a compelling and memorable read, even if it isn’t flawless.

[The Urban Book Nook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blood Breath delivers a gritty, angsty young adult gothic fantasy wrapped in an alternate 1920s setting where devils, contracts, and social power plays collide. Evan Wilde is a working-class girl forced to navigate the world by drafting deals for the elite—until she’s sacrificed in an outlawed ritual and makes a desperate pact of her own. From there, the story transforms into a revenge mission with Evan and her devil, Jack, moving through the upper class with sharp edges, secrets, and plenty of bloodshed.

Qurratulayn builds a world that feels atmospheric and historically tinted while still addressing issues that mirror the present—classism, racism, and who gets to hold power. The violence is intense and frequent, which fits the revenge plot but may be a lot for some readers.

My biggest struggle was connection. Whether it was the pacing or the Audible narration, I never fully locked in with the characters emotionally. Evan’s rage and Jack’s darkness were intriguing, but I didn’t consistently feel invested in their journey. Still, the originality, vivid setting, and bold themes make this a unique entry in YA fantasy. A solid read that just didn’t quite sweep me away

[Read_With_KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Book Review✨

Title: Blood & Breath
Author: @Qurratalayn
Genre: Historical Fantasy/ Romance
Pages: 272
Format 📖
5⭐️

Releases October 7, 2025

The concept of this book was so freaking original and I loved everything about it. I mean I have read nothing like this before!!

A Black heroine carving space for herself inside an elite, often hostile, world where blood is currency and breath can be brokered, the line between savior and destroyer is drawn in scarlet.

Evan Wilde’s undercover move from gutter contract-scribe to silk-dressed infiltrator was again a surprise to say the least..

If you read and liked…
✨To Marry a Madden (Series)
✨Spark of The Everflame (series)
✨Our Vicious Oaths
…You’ll definitely love this one ❤️

#UrbanFiction #historicalfiction #Sportsromance #Fantasy#suspense #romance #Thriller #Fantasy #SciFi #Dystopian #Romantasy #fiction #indie #indieread #readthistoday #readwithKC #ebook #boox #kindle #MoodReader #BOTM #bookreviewer #BookClub #ImmersionReading

[Ladiami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book threw me straight into a world of magic, devils, and danger, and I couldn’t stop reading. The world of Magi, Necro, and devils was really intriguing, though I wish there had been a little more backstory to help me understand the dynamics between the different groups. The story definitely has that YA feel, fast-paced, easy to follow, and full of drama, which worked well to keep my attention.

Evan’s journey with Jack was compelling, but I didn’t feel as connected to her as I did to James, who stood out as the more memorable character for me. Still, there were plenty of twists and tension to keep things interesting.

I do think the story could have wrapped up in a single book instead of stretching into a sequel, but I’ll still be picking up the follow-up because I’m curious to see where it all goes. Overall, a solid and enjoyable read that left me wanting just a little more depth in the world-building and characters.

Thanks Netgalley and Page Street Publishing | Page Street YA for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

[Paloma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood & Breath is a unique and captivating story about a young orphan, her powerful gift of summoning devils and the quest to find her killers. I enjoyed it tremendously!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoy books with unique storylines. The author does a phenomenal job at creating a human world where devils can be used to manifest your desires, as long as you can afford it.

The disparity in the human world is harsh and most visible in its inhabitants.There is also a prevalent caste system that is enforced and keeps everyone in their lane. But as Evangeline discovers, putting your head down, doing what you are told, and hoping for the best doesn't always bode well. Greed and selfishness will always be present, especially in individuals who have already come from a place of privilege and benefitted from their own system.

Thank you, Netgalley and Page Street Publishing/Page Street YA, for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[bookslave_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of this book is unlike anything I’ve read before. Making contracts to summon devils? Even the details of how a contract is formed were so fascinating. It felt like such a fresh idea, and I was hooked right away. The story pulls you in quickly, which makes it easy to stay engaged from the start.

The world-building was clear and easy to follow, and the dynamic between Jack and Evan felt very natural. That might be because it’s YA—there’s a certain lightness in YA stories, and I definitely got that vibe while reading.

As Evan goes through everything, you really feel it with her. I could understand each emotion she experienced, especially during the attack.

It’s hard to say more without spoiling, but if you’re looking for a fast-paced YA story filled with tension and suspense, this one’s for you
3.5 ✨
Thank u to NetGalley for sending me this arc

[Hoarding Books Herding Cats (Anya) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl desperate for revenge. A devil bent on destruction. And three tragic tales of love, all set against the backdrop of a magical world divided by class, and rife with injustice and prejudice.

If this sounds like something you’d want to read, pick up BLOOD & BREATH by Qurratulayn: a Jazz Age YA fantasy novel that is as nail-bitingly gripping as it is moving and thought-provoking!

Why I loved the book:
⭐️ stellar world-building and lore
⭐️ unique magic system
⭐️ unexpectedly touching romance
⭐️ fascinating side characters
⭐️ exploration of critical sociopolitical themes

Many thanks to Qurratulayn for taking the time to talk to me about BLOOD & BREATH! Stay tuned for our interview video!!

And of course, thank you to Page Street YA for sending me an ARC! (All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

📚 Find me on Bookstagram: @HoardingBooks.HerdingCats

[Markita_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
"I sucked in the last breath I would ever call my own and sealed my contract with one word: REVENGE.

Blood and Breath by Qurratulayn is gripping, with female rage and revenge. I devoured this book; the storyline, the plot, and the subplot romance were well done. The romance doesn't take away from the storyline. This is my first girl and demon romance, so I didn't know if I would like it, and I came to find out I do. The twists and turns and that cliffhanger are great for the spooky season. I really need book two. Highly recommended.

- Historical Fiction
- Human vs. Demons
- Romance
- Secrets, Lies, and Betrayals

Thank you, NetGalley, and Page Street Publishing for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

[Jay Guillory · Rating 5 out of 5]

She literally made a deal with the devil, and I am obsessed with this book—I need book 2 now! The ending left me desperate to know what happened next. The world-building is fantastic! I have no questions about the magic system or how everything functions. The pacing was well done, and the reveal at the end was shocking—I didn’t see it coming. I loved the dual POV and wish we’d seen more of Jack, the devil. What Evans’ contract with Jack revealed is that the devil always has hidden motives. The relationship between Evan and Jack was interesting; I think they have more in common than they’re different. The social commentary on power dynamics, race, and class was so good, reflecting how race and class are viewed in today’s society. Thanks to Page Street YA for the ARC!

[Becky • bookmarked by becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in a magical 1920s world, Blood & Breath follows Evan Wilde—a working-class Black girl who makes a desperate deal with a devil for revenge. The magic? Bound by blood and breath. The price? Maybe too high.

This one’s dark, gritty, and full of tension. I loved the world-building, the class dynamics, and especially loved Jack—the devil Evan binds herself to. His chapters were my favorite, and the narration by Aaron Shedlock nailed that perfect mix of charm + menace. 👏🎧

What to expect:
✨Jazz Age fantasy
✨Deal with the devil
✨Romantic subplot
✨Unforgettable characters

Final Verdict: 👍 A unique, haunting debut with bold themes and rich atmosphere. A few pacing bumps, but the characters and concept more than make up for it. Can’t wait for book 2!

[Aster Greenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fascinating introduction to a world ruled by contracts and how deep they go. I loved seeing Evan learn about the darker elements of the world that had been hidden from her, and how her justified desire to make her oppressors suffer becomes so much more complicated when she realizes how much power they hold over the world. There is no way to save yourself without completely dismantling the world you've spent all your life in. If that happens, what comes next?

The twist at the end of the book left me in complete awe. Of course, the moment Evan begins to sympathize, she realizes just how little it's deserved. I want to see Evan burn down the world. And I want to see how she'll rebuild after it

[Timitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood & Breath was an interesting and intriguing story. I loved the concept and thought it was executed fairly well. I wish I had gotten a greater sense of the world. I know it was set in the 1920's but it wasn't represented on the page. However, I loved the magic system and the hierarchical structure and the way those systems exposed the racism, discrimination, oppression etc. I liked the characters just fine and look forward to reading the conclusion of this duology. I definitely recommend it it's filled with betrayal, angst, contracts of a demonic kind and so much more.


Copy provided by publisher through NetGalley

[Peaches O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Wow. Wow. This was a good read. I went in blind and had a good time.

The entire concept is a unique twist to the "deal with a devil" or crossroads deal. This idea of trading one's blood and breath in exchange for favors/action by devils in short term contracts of varying levels of sacrifice. This short historical fantasy included both a class system and a caste system.

For a book under 300 pages, the author was able to create a unique world and story line filled with betrayal and revenge.

Finally, that cliff hanger! I can't wait for the next one!

[Rebecca Posegate · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea is pretty good. The execution not so much. Things are repeated so many times, sometimes on the same page, it feels like walking into a wall. It was a full moon, blah blah blah, but tonight was a full moon, blah blah blah, and tonight was a full moon.
Evan is stupid…. She continually chooses to seek out, hang out with, and develops feelings for a person she is planning to kill….
There was a bit that I liked about it and a bit I didn’t. I didn’t realize it’s book 1 in a series so I’m sure I’ll continue it but not as excitedly as other series. I’d say it’s worth a shot though.

[rachel x]

"Evan Wilde writes contracts on behalf of wealthier folks who want to exchange a bit of their life for minor deals with devils. It’s not until she is bleeding out, the unwilling victim of an outlawed contract sacrifice, that Evan draws a contract for herself. A devil can take the last of her life—all she wants is revenge."