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The Words That Breathe: A Novel
Two rivals, one enchanted book, and a story that changes everything.
As a Wordsmith, Ell knows words have power. But when her life starts to mirror the plot of an enchanted book, even she is surprised by its magic.
Orion, once cursed by a prophecy, has had enough of words dictating his fate. Yet here he is, ten years later, the male lead of a cheesy romance novel with his former friend and rival, Ell.
Both want to leave their painful past behind, but the future of magic is at stake. The answer lies at the end of the magical book, forcing them to let the story play out. But discerning fiction from reality becomes harder with each new page. As they stumble toward the book’s happily ever after, they must decide if they can trust the magic that brought them together.
Will they succumb to the book’s enchantment, or will they break free and write their own ending?
As a Wordsmith, Ell knows words have power. But when her life starts to mirror the plot of an enchanted book, even she is surprised by its magic.
Orion, once cursed by a prophecy, has had enough of words dictating his fate. Yet here he is, ten years later, the male lead of a cheesy romance novel with his former friend and rival, Ell.
Both want to leave their painful past behind, but the future of magic is at stake. The answer lies at the end of the magical book, forcing them to let the story play out. But discerning fiction from reality becomes harder with each new page. As they stumble toward the book’s happily ever after, they must decide if they can trust the magic that brought them together.
Will they succumb to the book’s enchantment, or will they break free and write their own ending?
431 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2024
6 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Alexandra
4 books50 followersTessa lives nestled among Utah’s stunning mountains with her husband and three children. She prefers admiring the peaks with a warm mug of coffee over skiing or hiking them, but she’s been known to do both on occasion.
For money, she works part-time as an engineering consultant. For joy, she stays home with her kids. And in every stolen moment between the two, she writes.
Tessa believes the best stories take you somewhere far and strange, and leave you changed when you return. Her books focus on real characters in unreal situations—for readers who crave escape, big feelings, and hard-earned happy endings. When she’s not writing, she’s likely feeding her perpetually hungry children, juggling their absurdly busy schedules, or crafting an excuse to open a bottle of wine.
For sneak peeks at future works and access to exclusive content and offers, follow her on Instagram @tessa_alexandra_writes.
For money, she works part-time as an engineering consultant. For joy, she stays home with her kids. And in every stolen moment between the two, she writes.
Tessa believes the best stories take you somewhere far and strange, and leave you changed when you return. Her books focus on real characters in unreal situations—for readers who crave escape, big feelings, and hard-earned happy endings. When she’s not writing, she’s likely feeding her perpetually hungry children, juggling their absurdly busy schedules, or crafting an excuse to open a bottle of wine.
For sneak peeks at future works and access to exclusive content and offers, follow her on Instagram @tessa_alexandra_writes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 14, 2025
This was my maiden voyage as an ARC reader, and I'm glad that 'The Words that Breathe' was my first opportunity.
For those of you (like me) who followed Mrs. Alexandra from her AO3 days- you aren't going to find any Dramione or Harmony here.
And that's okay!
Tessa Alexandra (in her first foray into original fantasy) creates a world wholly her own; where magic takes on all kinds of forms, is monitored and regulated by the Keepers, and where words are (literally) tools to build a world… or weapons to destroy one another.
In the middle of it all? Ellison Fable: a Wordsmith and (essentially) a grunt working for the Keepers, trying to keep her head down and do her job without ruffling any feathers; and Orion Bray: a prophesied-about Finder, trained to seek out powerful and potentially dangerous magical artifacts, still dealing with the traumatic death of his brother. Elle and Orion were once close friends, but the botched mission that resulted in Bray's brother's death has seemingly driven a wedge between them.
Will the pair discover why the Keepers have decided to pair them together for a mission, when Elle is usually relegated to desk duty?
Will they be able to overcome their mutual traumas (and repair their friendship) while trying to solve the mystery of a magical book that seems to be narrating (or predicting) their lives?
The first in a planned trilogy, an (almost frustratingly so) back-and-forth/will they-won't they romance, Tessa Alexandra's first shot at an original fantasy novel is a success by all earmarks. She makes you truly care for these characters (even when their decisions make you want to throw your book across the room), and by the end you're truly invested in their journies. Ellison Fable feels like a refreshingly "real" character; her flaws make her feel like a real person, as opposed to just a book character. Orion Bray, on the other hand, is as over-the-top as his character calls for him to be. Paired together, they make for an excellent literary tag-team.
Can't wait for the next installment, and for whatever other works she has in store!
For those of you (like me) who followed Mrs. Alexandra from her AO3 days- you aren't going to find any Dramione or Harmony here.
And that's okay!
Tessa Alexandra (in her first foray into original fantasy) creates a world wholly her own; where magic takes on all kinds of forms, is monitored and regulated by the Keepers, and where words are (literally) tools to build a world… or weapons to destroy one another.
In the middle of it all? Ellison Fable: a Wordsmith and (essentially) a grunt working for the Keepers, trying to keep her head down and do her job without ruffling any feathers; and Orion Bray: a prophesied-about Finder, trained to seek out powerful and potentially dangerous magical artifacts, still dealing with the traumatic death of his brother. Elle and Orion were once close friends, but the botched mission that resulted in Bray's brother's death has seemingly driven a wedge between them.
Will the pair discover why the Keepers have decided to pair them together for a mission, when Elle is usually relegated to desk duty?
Will they be able to overcome their mutual traumas (and repair their friendship) while trying to solve the mystery of a magical book that seems to be narrating (or predicting) their lives?
The first in a planned trilogy, an (almost frustratingly so) back-and-forth/will they-won't they romance, Tessa Alexandra's first shot at an original fantasy novel is a success by all earmarks. She makes you truly care for these characters (even when their decisions make you want to throw your book across the room), and by the end you're truly invested in their journies. Ellison Fable feels like a refreshingly "real" character; her flaws make her feel like a real person, as opposed to just a book character. Orion Bray, on the other hand, is as over-the-top as his character calls for him to be. Paired together, they make for an excellent literary tag-team.
Can't wait for the next installment, and for whatever other works she has in store!
January 23, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was AMAZING! It was entirely too easy for me to get sucked into this mystical, fantastical world and fall in love with Ellison and Bray. The parallels between Ellison's life and her beloved romance novels (and her almost-4th-wall-acknowledging comments about them) made me laugh until I cried, until I reached the end when I cried because I was finished... I cannot recommend this book enough and am so excited to read this again and again!
This book was AMAZING! It was entirely too easy for me to get sucked into this mystical, fantastical world and fall in love with Ellison and Bray. The parallels between Ellison's life and her beloved romance novels (and her almost-4th-wall-acknowledging comments about them) made me laugh until I cried, until I reached the end when I cried because I was finished... I cannot recommend this book enough and am so excited to read this again and again!
December 30, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! The general concept of this book is something I've seen before (estranged childhood friends forced to work together) but she truly made this feel super fresh and new. The banter between these two was great! I love this magic system! Personally, I'm very bored of the usual elemental magic so this was so refreshing. So many twists and turns (especially at the end). I can not wait for book 2! I think it is going to be so much fun. Pacing was perfect. Real page turner.
There were a few things I didn't personally love. El really annoyed me around the 50-75%. The secret keeping was getting receptive. I didn't love the romance aspects around that mark as well. They had some serious miscommunication issues and just one sentence from the other would set them off. I would have really benefited from a list of the different specialties. This would have made the world building a little easier to understand. El's relationship with her parents really confused me. I feel like I'm missing something, but I have hope more will be explained in the next book.
There were a few things I didn't personally love. El really annoyed me around the 50-75%. The secret keeping was getting receptive. I didn't love the romance aspects around that mark as well. They had some serious miscommunication issues and just one sentence from the other would set them off. I would have really benefited from a list of the different specialties. This would have made the world building a little easier to understand. El's relationship with her parents really confused me. I feel like I'm missing something, but I have hope more will be explained in the next book.
January 25, 2025
(Technically, I'd give this 3.5 stars, but you can't submit half a star)
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book.
Overall, this book was pretty good. I think one of the reasons I don't rate it higher is because it's a fantasy set in our modern world, and I've never really enjoyed fantasy being set in our world. So, the references to Taylor Swift or Lord of the Rings, etc, was jarring for me, but it would be in any fantasy set in our world.
Another aspect I wish had maybe been built upon a little more was Fable's relationship with her friend and brother as well as their overall characters. While side characters don't need to be as fleshed out as our main characters do, I didn't feel like I was meant to care about Clara and Sevyn. The felt a little more one dimensional than I like.
The last critique I have is Fable and Bray's relationship, and I genuinely don't know how to describe what it was about their relationship that I didn't love. The progression of them getting together didn't feel entirely believable to me. I could see from Fable's perspective that she very clearly did care about him and was very hurt by him pushing her away back when they were younger. Which, knowing everything that has happened with Bray, I can understand why he felt the need to do it, even without getting his POV about it. And maybe that's the missing piece with why I feel off about them being together; we just don't get to see what he's really thinking or feeling until the last chapter or two. What we see on page is from Fable's perspective where one minute he's saying all these things that make it sound like he's always loved her, but then in the next breath he's saying some of the meanest and unfair things to her.
Now for a list of things I did enjoy. I found the lore of the magical world and the magic system itself fascinating. I'm hoping to, and expect that we will, get to see and learn even more about it in book two. The set up of the power system with the Keepers and the brands and people losing their magic made me interested to see how it's all going to play out and what's really going on. It's clear that the head Keeper is using Bray and Fable to get at something for less than benevolent means. I loved getting to see some of the letters between Fable and Bray from back when they were best friends. They were so sweet, and showed that he atleast used to care about her very much and likely still does, even if it's hidden behind a lot of walls. A lot of what Fable was feeling throughout the book I really resonated with. There were quite a few lines I highlighted throughout the book.
So, overall, I did enjoy this book. I'm a rare bestower of 5-stars, so my 3.5 shouldn't be judged too harshly. I'll be getting a physical copy to add to my shelf and will definitely be reading book two to see how everything plays out! (And hopefully get more Bray POVs?)
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book.
Overall, this book was pretty good. I think one of the reasons I don't rate it higher is because it's a fantasy set in our modern world, and I've never really enjoyed fantasy being set in our world. So, the references to Taylor Swift or Lord of the Rings, etc, was jarring for me, but it would be in any fantasy set in our world.
Another aspect I wish had maybe been built upon a little more was Fable's relationship with her friend and brother as well as their overall characters. While side characters don't need to be as fleshed out as our main characters do, I didn't feel like I was meant to care about Clara and Sevyn. The felt a little more one dimensional than I like.
The last critique I have is Fable and Bray's relationship, and I genuinely don't know how to describe what it was about their relationship that I didn't love. The progression of them getting together didn't feel entirely believable to me. I could see from Fable's perspective that she very clearly did care about him and was very hurt by him pushing her away back when they were younger. Which, knowing everything that has happened with Bray, I can understand why he felt the need to do it, even without getting his POV about it. And maybe that's the missing piece with why I feel off about them being together; we just don't get to see what he's really thinking or feeling until the last chapter or two. What we see on page is from Fable's perspective where one minute he's saying all these things that make it sound like he's always loved her, but then in the next breath he's saying some of the meanest and unfair things to her.
Now for a list of things I did enjoy. I found the lore of the magical world and the magic system itself fascinating. I'm hoping to, and expect that we will, get to see and learn even more about it in book two. The set up of the power system with the Keepers and the brands and people losing their magic made me interested to see how it's all going to play out and what's really going on. It's clear that the head Keeper is using Bray and Fable to get at something for less than benevolent means. I loved getting to see some of the letters between Fable and Bray from back when they were best friends. They were so sweet, and showed that he atleast used to care about her very much and likely still does, even if it's hidden behind a lot of walls. A lot of what Fable was feeling throughout the book I really resonated with. There were quite a few lines I highlighted throughout the book.
So, overall, I did enjoy this book. I'm a rare bestower of 5-stars, so my 3.5 shouldn't be judged too harshly. I'll be getting a physical copy to add to my shelf and will definitely be reading book two to see how everything plays out! (And hopefully get more Bray POVs?)
January 23, 2025
'The Words that Breath' is a debut urban fantasy novel from Tessa Alexandra.
As I mentioned, this is an urban fantasy that has a very unique magic system and magical people that not only live among regular people but they also have their own society within the modern world.
This story starts when disturbing events begin to happen that threaten not only the magical society but everyones.
We have our FMC Ell Fable, a wordsmith which is a branch of magic that is able to access the powers of all the branches of magic using, you guessed it, words. She is assigned the important role by the Head Keeper himself to research magical objects to research the objects within a magical chest to see if they reveal the whereabouts of something that can help the Keepers protect the magic and world.
To assist Ell in this task and be a general pain the back, is Orion Bray her childhood best friend turned rival/ bane of her existence after a tragedy 10 years ago when Bray was the product of an ill-fated prophecy.
First off, I love the magic system, it felt very unique but it took me about 60% of the book to understand it. I found understanding their classifications simple enough but I got a little lost when it came to understanding how the magical community functioned. For example, everyone hates the Keepers for reasons but they still seem to happily work for them and with them. Keepers are basically
the leaders of the magical society and each major city have their own keepers? As this is the first book I'm hoping the sequel will shed some light on more world building.
A big part of the story is the relationship between Orion and Ell or Bray and Fable as they are more commonly mentioned in the story. I did love the banter between them, Bray is a real jerk but Ell is more than able to fire back at him and stand her ground. The childhood friends to rivals to lovers trope is strong here which is so much fun to read however my biggest struggle was at about the 70% mark when the 2 main characters had their (what felt like dozenth) miscommunication argument where Bray is a complete jackass, Ell cries then he comes crawling back apologising. Now I love angst but it did go on and on a bit.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and its unique magical world. the characters had me invested and in the sequel I am hoping that Ell gets at least one punch on Bray, because he really kind of has it coming.
I received an advanced readers copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As I mentioned, this is an urban fantasy that has a very unique magic system and magical people that not only live among regular people but they also have their own society within the modern world.
This story starts when disturbing events begin to happen that threaten not only the magical society but everyones.
We have our FMC Ell Fable, a wordsmith which is a branch of magic that is able to access the powers of all the branches of magic using, you guessed it, words. She is assigned the important role by the Head Keeper himself to research magical objects to research the objects within a magical chest to see if they reveal the whereabouts of something that can help the Keepers protect the magic and world.
To assist Ell in this task and be a general pain the back, is Orion Bray her childhood best friend turned rival/ bane of her existence after a tragedy 10 years ago when Bray was the product of an ill-fated prophecy.
First off, I love the magic system, it felt very unique but it took me about 60% of the book to understand it. I found understanding their classifications simple enough but I got a little lost when it came to understanding how the magical community functioned. For example, everyone hates the Keepers for reasons but they still seem to happily work for them and with them. Keepers are basically
the leaders of the magical society and each major city have their own keepers? As this is the first book I'm hoping the sequel will shed some light on more world building.
A big part of the story is the relationship between Orion and Ell or Bray and Fable as they are more commonly mentioned in the story. I did love the banter between them, Bray is a real jerk but Ell is more than able to fire back at him and stand her ground. The childhood friends to rivals to lovers trope is strong here which is so much fun to read however my biggest struggle was at about the 70% mark when the 2 main characters had their (what felt like dozenth) miscommunication argument where Bray is a complete jackass, Ell cries then he comes crawling back apologising. Now I love angst but it did go on and on a bit.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and its unique magical world. the characters had me invested and in the sequel I am hoping that Ell gets at least one punch on Bray, because he really kind of has it coming.
I received an advanced readers copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 9, 2025
This book is my favorite by Tessa Alexandra so far. It has interesting, complex characters that feel truly human, with imperfections multiple (and at times conflicting) motivations that make them come alive. But the thing that distinguishes Alexandra works are the nuanced emotions her characters bring to the story. This book largely follows Ellison Fable (or Ell, as she likes to be called), a fairly average woman living in the hidden magical society of London. She is drawn from her responsible, not-too-exciting job and her frustrating, not-too-exciting love life into a complex prophecy while ominous rebels known as 'frags' threaten to destroy magical society.
Her partner in confronting these forces is Orion Bray, her closest childhood friend turned closest adulthood antagonist. Bray, who has only become more handsome with time, is both maddening and irresistible. As Ell attempts to understand the complex events in the magical world and her role in them, she also struggles to understand her relationship with Orion and her role in his life.
Alexandra has created a rich, nuanced world with a complex magical system and looming political forces set to collide. The nature of these forces is revealed gradually and with skill, allowing the reader to slowly sink into the story and gradually become immersed in this complex world of magic. Similarly, we are treated to a gradual reveal of Orion and Ell's respective pasts, and slowly come to understand how they have arrived at such a crossroads with each other.
This novel is satisfying in that it is a contained story that achieves a satisfying resolution by the end of the book, however it piques the curiosity and interest in a much larger world of magic so as to make the reader eagerly anticipate the next installment. Strongly recommend for both fans of romance and of fantasy.
Her partner in confronting these forces is Orion Bray, her closest childhood friend turned closest adulthood antagonist. Bray, who has only become more handsome with time, is both maddening and irresistible. As Ell attempts to understand the complex events in the magical world and her role in them, she also struggles to understand her relationship with Orion and her role in his life.
Alexandra has created a rich, nuanced world with a complex magical system and looming political forces set to collide. The nature of these forces is revealed gradually and with skill, allowing the reader to slowly sink into the story and gradually become immersed in this complex world of magic. Similarly, we are treated to a gradual reveal of Orion and Ell's respective pasts, and slowly come to understand how they have arrived at such a crossroads with each other.
This novel is satisfying in that it is a contained story that achieves a satisfying resolution by the end of the book, however it piques the curiosity and interest in a much larger world of magic so as to make the reader eagerly anticipate the next installment. Strongly recommend for both fans of romance and of fantasy.
January 24, 2025
As a fan of fantasy novels, I was intrigued by this story when I first learned about it. Once I started reading, I could not put it down! Tessa Alexandra does a wonderful job keeping the mystery alive for the reader. She takes you on the journey with Ell and Orion as they unravel the mysteries of a prophecy and a book that links them together.
Once school friends, these two must overcome past trauma and a decade at odds to learn to work together in hopes of saving the world of mystics from voids that keep appearing and how everything is tied to a mysterious book and a map. In a world where magic is controlled, for better or worse, you begin to question if the ends really justify the means.
In this first installment of the Book of Echoes series, we follow Ell, a Wordsmith working for the keepers and her former best friend Orion as they are thrown together again as a result of prophecy. With the lasting affects and trauma from the last prophecy in the back of their minds, they navigate a tenuous working relationship fraught with miscommunication, secrets, and underlying trauma from the past. The reader discovers secrets along with the characters as the story slowly unfolds and we learn more about Ell and Orion's past, the new prophecy, the mysterious book, and the evasive Master Keeper.
Book 1 ends with the shifting of perspective from Ell to Orion, and reader wondering what this mystery book has in store for Ell and Orion next. I am excited for the next book and hope that Orion and Ell can overcome their challenges and find a way back to each other.
Overall the book was great, there were just some underlying questions about the world and mystics that could have been fleshed out a little better. This did not take about significantly from the book and I highly recommend it!
Once school friends, these two must overcome past trauma and a decade at odds to learn to work together in hopes of saving the world of mystics from voids that keep appearing and how everything is tied to a mysterious book and a map. In a world where magic is controlled, for better or worse, you begin to question if the ends really justify the means.
In this first installment of the Book of Echoes series, we follow Ell, a Wordsmith working for the keepers and her former best friend Orion as they are thrown together again as a result of prophecy. With the lasting affects and trauma from the last prophecy in the back of their minds, they navigate a tenuous working relationship fraught with miscommunication, secrets, and underlying trauma from the past. The reader discovers secrets along with the characters as the story slowly unfolds and we learn more about Ell and Orion's past, the new prophecy, the mysterious book, and the evasive Master Keeper.
Book 1 ends with the shifting of perspective from Ell to Orion, and reader wondering what this mystery book has in store for Ell and Orion next. I am excited for the next book and hope that Orion and Ell can overcome their challenges and find a way back to each other.
Overall the book was great, there were just some underlying questions about the world and mystics that could have been fleshed out a little better. This did not take about significantly from the book and I highly recommend it!
January 25, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I think the magic system in the book is really intriguing. I haven't read too much fantasy, but written words as a source of power is such a cool concept! I really enjoyed the world building aspect of the book. I still am slightly confused about the "politics" of the magic world, but I assume I'll learn more in book 2.
That being said, I don't think I enjoyed the romance part of the book. Both Ellison and Orion are compelling characters, but by the end of the book, I was not rooting for them at all. Their relationship takes all sorts of messy turns, and I spent the latter half of the book wondering when they would just give up the idea of romance between them. Orion's POV at the end of the book about how he's going to approach the upcoming journey with Ellison is cringey to put it lightly. I don't support a romance between them. I think instead of establishing how well they work together, the book demonstrated how little respect they have for each other as people. It could've been a "second chance" vibe, but I think it was executed the wrong way.
I'm giving the book 4 stars because I enjoyed the magic/mystery part of the book too much for me to give the book 3 stars. The banter between Orion and Ellison is entertaining for the most part, and there are some romantic-ish moments between them that were sweet. However, I'm not looking forward to reading more about Ellison and Orion's relationship in future books. I will read book 2 for sure, but I think only to hear more about what the lost item does and how the gang plan on retrieving it.
I think the magic system in the book is really intriguing. I haven't read too much fantasy, but written words as a source of power is such a cool concept! I really enjoyed the world building aspect of the book. I still am slightly confused about the "politics" of the magic world, but I assume I'll learn more in book 2.
That being said, I don't think I enjoyed the romance part of the book. Both Ellison and Orion are compelling characters, but by the end of the book, I was not rooting for them at all. Their relationship takes all sorts of messy turns, and I spent the latter half of the book wondering when they would just give up the idea of romance between them. Orion's POV at the end of the book about how he's going to approach the upcoming journey with Ellison is cringey to put it lightly. I don't support a romance between them. I think instead of establishing how well they work together, the book demonstrated how little respect they have for each other as people. It could've been a "second chance" vibe, but I think it was executed the wrong way.
I'm giving the book 4 stars because I enjoyed the magic/mystery part of the book too much for me to give the book 3 stars. The banter between Orion and Ellison is entertaining for the most part, and there are some romantic-ish moments between them that were sweet. However, I'm not looking forward to reading more about Ellison and Orion's relationship in future books. I will read book 2 for sure, but I think only to hear more about what the lost item does and how the gang plan on retrieving it.
December 30, 2024
Thank you for sending me an ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
3.5 stars
I enjoyed reading this book. The magic system and society in this book was refreshing and interesting. I really enjoyed trying to understand the different magic users, education system, and issues facing this society. I enjoyed following the main characters and how their complicated relationship and history together is slowly revealed. While various tropes come into play, it’s a bit tongue and cheek with the reflection of what’s going on within the story as well. I thought the overall story would’ve progressed a little farther by the time we reached the end of the first book but I’m ready to continue on Ellison and Orion‘s adventure. Even the side characters are pretty fun. I feel like in the next instalment they could be used or integrated even more as we see the unresolved questions hopefully getting answered.
Elements of the story that I found somewhat jarring were the many magical deities used as curse words (Fae‘s sake, Oh Circe, Morgana, Merlin, etc.) and the contemporary references that related to our current time. Such as characters from book/tv series and world events. Even though it’s set on earth with languages and countries that we recognize, I would’ve preferred a separation of timelines from ours because I felt it didn’t add anything to the already interesting world/society the had writer created.
Looking forward to continue reading the story in the second book!
3.5 stars
I enjoyed reading this book. The magic system and society in this book was refreshing and interesting. I really enjoyed trying to understand the different magic users, education system, and issues facing this society. I enjoyed following the main characters and how their complicated relationship and history together is slowly revealed. While various tropes come into play, it’s a bit tongue and cheek with the reflection of what’s going on within the story as well. I thought the overall story would’ve progressed a little farther by the time we reached the end of the first book but I’m ready to continue on Ellison and Orion‘s adventure. Even the side characters are pretty fun. I feel like in the next instalment they could be used or integrated even more as we see the unresolved questions hopefully getting answered.
Elements of the story that I found somewhat jarring were the many magical deities used as curse words (Fae‘s sake, Oh Circe, Morgana, Merlin, etc.) and the contemporary references that related to our current time. Such as characters from book/tv series and world events. Even though it’s set on earth with languages and countries that we recognize, I would’ve preferred a separation of timelines from ours because I felt it didn’t add anything to the already interesting world/society the had writer created.
Looking forward to continue reading the story in the second book!
January 24, 2025
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review
Ell poses a very strong sort of magic and is a Wordsmith. She lives a pretty quiet life, she has a pub night with her brother and sister-in-law once a week, she covers the intake desk at her job, and goes home to her cacti every night.
Orion Bray is the literal bane of her existence, he is arrogant, rude, entitled and overall terrible to be around. They used to be the best of friends as teenagers but after a traumatic event they experienced Orian dropped her like a hot potato.
Now they must team up together to find a mystical object that could mean a big change in their word.
This book was such a wonderful read. The magic system the author created was so fascinating, and although it was not super complicated it was very well fleshed out and easy to understand. I loved the relationship between Ell and Bray, their banter was fun, the progression of their relationship made sense and was believable. There was such good tension and it made me so desperate to see when they would finally get together. The conflicts and the plot were very intriguing and kept me attention all through the book. My major problem is things started to feel very repetitive between Ell and Bray and Ell and her brother and SIL, but it was minor compared to how much a enjoyed the other aspects of the book. I cannot wait for the next installment from the author
Ell poses a very strong sort of magic and is a Wordsmith. She lives a pretty quiet life, she has a pub night with her brother and sister-in-law once a week, she covers the intake desk at her job, and goes home to her cacti every night.
Orion Bray is the literal bane of her existence, he is arrogant, rude, entitled and overall terrible to be around. They used to be the best of friends as teenagers but after a traumatic event they experienced Orian dropped her like a hot potato.
Now they must team up together to find a mystical object that could mean a big change in their word.
This book was such a wonderful read. The magic system the author created was so fascinating, and although it was not super complicated it was very well fleshed out and easy to understand. I loved the relationship between Ell and Bray, their banter was fun, the progression of their relationship made sense and was believable. There was such good tension and it made me so desperate to see when they would finally get together. The conflicts and the plot were very intriguing and kept me attention all through the book. My major problem is things started to feel very repetitive between Ell and Bray and Ell and her brother and SIL, but it was minor compared to how much a enjoyed the other aspects of the book. I cannot wait for the next installment from the author
January 4, 2025
As a fan of fantasy and romance novels, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a contemporary fantasy with real-world references, and the author managed to incorporate a hidden world of magic with a unique twist I had not seen done before in other books with “magic”. The story was fairly easy to follow, which isn’t always the case with fantasy. The characters are perfectly flawed with loads of room for development and growth. The dynamic between Bray and Ell was interesting and invoked a range of emotions in me that constantly fluxed between giddiness and frustration. This book kept me guessing, and the ancillary characters (ie. The cacti) were a clever addition.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I would give this a rating somewhere between 4 and 5 because I felt the drama/miscommunication was a little drawn-out and repetitive in the second half, but aside from that, I was very entertained reading this. I am really looking forward to seeing where the next books take us and if any of my theories come true! If you are a fan of romantasy, enemies-to-lovers-to-somethings, clever banter, mysteries, and plot twists, this book is worth checking out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I would give this a rating somewhere between 4 and 5 because I felt the drama/miscommunication was a little drawn-out and repetitive in the second half, but aside from that, I was very entertained reading this. I am really looking forward to seeing where the next books take us and if any of my theories come true! If you are a fan of romantasy, enemies-to-lovers-to-somethings, clever banter, mysteries, and plot twists, this book is worth checking out.
January 13, 2025
A romantasy with all the expected tropes, but I was surprised at how it still felt interesting instead of derivative and I enjoyed it a lot. I received this as an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
The magical world coexists with today’s modern world though still secluded in secrecy, so I was happy to see the young adults using cell phones and not using unnecessary outdated objects like quills & parchment to force a magical environment. The characters are surprisingly believable and I enjoyed their banter, and trying to figure out what had transpired between them in the past. The protagonist is a fan of romance novels so tropes mentioned come across as tongue-in-cheek, but the miscommunication/denial was drawn out a tad too far; it was making me start to like the characters less.
I think this first book has a great premise of a modern magical world with the different schools of magic, the threat of magic in decline, and the politics holding it all together, but I hope the next book fleshes the world out a bit more - understanding how the studied specialties tie in with certain jobs/roles in society, building out the differing political views, seeing applications for the different types of magic, etc. - along with a more mature/confident FMC.
The magical world coexists with today’s modern world though still secluded in secrecy, so I was happy to see the young adults using cell phones and not using unnecessary outdated objects like quills & parchment to force a magical environment. The characters are surprisingly believable and I enjoyed their banter, and trying to figure out what had transpired between them in the past. The protagonist is a fan of romance novels so tropes mentioned come across as tongue-in-cheek, but the miscommunication/denial was drawn out a tad too far; it was making me start to like the characters less.
I think this first book has a great premise of a modern magical world with the different schools of magic, the threat of magic in decline, and the politics holding it all together, but I hope the next book fleshes the world out a bit more - understanding how the studied specialties tie in with certain jobs/roles in society, building out the differing political views, seeing applications for the different types of magic, etc. - along with a more mature/confident FMC.
January 14, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! Tessa has created characters that feel incredibly real—flawed yet deeply relatable. I alternated between wanting to hug Ell and screaming at her, which made the emotional depth of the story all the more compelling. The tension between the main characters is high, and their banter is one of my favorite things from this story. The magical system was new to me and it’s so creative and exciting, especially with the modern setting of this story.
The writing is beautiful, like in her other books or fanfics.
I’m looking forward to read volume two and three!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily. Although I’ve read this, I already ordered the paperback because I definitely want to have a physical copy of this story on my shelf…
The writing is beautiful, like in her other books or fanfics.
I’m looking forward to read volume two and three!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily. Although I’ve read this, I already ordered the paperback because I definitely want to have a physical copy of this story on my shelf…
January 25, 2025
Thank you so much for the ARC, I really enjoyed it.
I really loved the creative world building and magic system. I would love to dive deeper into the different specialities of mystics in the next book.
It felt like the magic aspect could be developed more to give even more depth to this world.
Ell, the FMC especially is well written and felt like a real person with flaws and all. She was sometimes frustrating with her lack of communication so it will be great to get to see her growth in the next book.
I would have loved to see more sides to Bray, the MMC. He sometimes felt a little one dimensional, but I think that came from Ell's perspective and what she chose to see. I am hoping that we will get more of his perspective and backstory in the next book.
The banter between the main characters was great and made this a very enjoyable read.
Overall this was a really fun and promising first novel in a series. I am excited to read the next one.
I really loved the creative world building and magic system. I would love to dive deeper into the different specialities of mystics in the next book.
It felt like the magic aspect could be developed more to give even more depth to this world.
Ell, the FMC especially is well written and felt like a real person with flaws and all. She was sometimes frustrating with her lack of communication so it will be great to get to see her growth in the next book.
I would have loved to see more sides to Bray, the MMC. He sometimes felt a little one dimensional, but I think that came from Ell's perspective and what she chose to see. I am hoping that we will get more of his perspective and backstory in the next book.
The banter between the main characters was great and made this a very enjoyable read.
Overall this was a really fun and promising first novel in a series. I am excited to read the next one.
June 21, 2025
I must say I love Tessa's other works and was excited to read this.
I devoured it, as per usual, but I must say I had my troubles with the plot.
The magical in the modern world kind of threw me, but onwards it went.
The concept of Words was hard for me to wrap my head around. I'm sure a reread might clear some of it up. But I'm still trying to figure out, who the Fräulein was at the beginning? Or was she random, only to explain the concept of extraction.
The relationship between Bray and Fable is definitely a difficult one. I didn't like certain aspects of it. I kind of get where he's coming from but only because of the last few chapters of his POV. I don't know.... I didn't like he called her stupid all the time and then said she's perfect other times... It wasn't quite believable.
I still have the urge to read on, and im excited for the second book. We shall see 💓
I devoured it, as per usual, but I must say I had my troubles with the plot.
The magical in the modern world kind of threw me, but onwards it went.
The concept of Words was hard for me to wrap my head around. I'm sure a reread might clear some of it up. But I'm still trying to figure out, who the Fräulein was at the beginning? Or was she random, only to explain the concept of extraction.
The relationship between Bray and Fable is definitely a difficult one. I didn't like certain aspects of it. I kind of get where he's coming from but only because of the last few chapters of his POV. I don't know.... I didn't like he called her stupid all the time and then said she's perfect other times... It wasn't quite believable.
I still have the urge to read on, and im excited for the second book. We shall see 💓
January 6, 2025
Magic, the power of words, friends to enemies to lovers, complicated family dynamics - this book has it all. Ell and Orion (or Fable and Bray, as they call themselves) are best friends turned enemies whose lives intersect after years apart with a prophecy only they can unravel. There are so many plot twists, unanswered questions, and loose threads that leave you longing for the next book.
I enjoyed the fact that this was set in a contemporary world rather than a new universe. Sometimes not having to wrap your head around a new world with names that are a struggle to pronounce is refreshing when you are trying to escape from reality. Were Ell and Bray obnoxious at times? Yes, as most fools in love who are also stubborn and self sacrificing are. I hope Ell is able to be more confident in herself in the next book.
The biggest unanswered question though - Is T-Swift really a Wordsmith? This is a romantasy/dark academia worthy of coming off your TBR shelf.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed the fact that this was set in a contemporary world rather than a new universe. Sometimes not having to wrap your head around a new world with names that are a struggle to pronounce is refreshing when you are trying to escape from reality. Were Ell and Bray obnoxious at times? Yes, as most fools in love who are also stubborn and self sacrificing are. I hope Ell is able to be more confident in herself in the next book.
The biggest unanswered question though - Is T-Swift really a Wordsmith? This is a romantasy/dark academia worthy of coming off your TBR shelf.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 15, 2025
I received an ARC of this book and didn’t know too much about what I was going to read, but after reading I knew I wanted to give an honest review because this book completely took me by surprise. The writing, the characters, world building, and magic system were all really well written, I could tell the author devoted and invested a lot into this book and developing this story into becoming something that was interesting and unique.
The FMC was refreshing to read. Her personality was a cumulation of her experiences, just like any real person who has flaws and struggling to do the best with their lives.
There was heavy miscommunication and in denial tropes, which is why I rated this 4 stars. The characters are in their mid twenties, but sometimes the bickering between the FMC and MMC were very immature. FMC is extremely insecure and struggles with communicating. I am hoping to see some character development and maturing in book 2!
The FMC was refreshing to read. Her personality was a cumulation of her experiences, just like any real person who has flaws and struggling to do the best with their lives.
There was heavy miscommunication and in denial tropes, which is why I rated this 4 stars. The characters are in their mid twenties, but sometimes the bickering between the FMC and MMC were very immature. FMC is extremely insecure and struggles with communicating. I am hoping to see some character development and maturing in book 2!
January 24, 2025
The book is kinda slow but extensively detailed. It gets better as you proceed further and further. The concept of words taking life in itself is a unique way of storytelling. There is no proper dynamical development of Ella and Bray’s relationship and honestly most readers would only look forward to reading that. If we cut down unnecessary parts, scenes, and characters from the book, the book could be down from 500+ pages to 300 pages.
Overall it wasn't that bad. I loved how Bray talks. Ella’s character is bland though but she's witty. The story is written well. I loved chapter 07, the name specially. I loved Bray’s letters to Ella, at times, his emotional unavailability too. I look forward to learning what will happen next in the story.
Overall it wasn't that bad. I loved how Bray talks. Ella’s character is bland though but she's witty. The story is written well. I loved chapter 07, the name specially. I loved Bray’s letters to Ella, at times, his emotional unavailability too. I look forward to learning what will happen next in the story.
January 25, 2025
Words that literally come to life and enchanted books sound like the perfect pairing right? This book had all that and more. Full of unique world building, magic and monsters , The Words that Breathe was a refreshing fantasy to lose yourself within. The characters were interesting and I was invested in seeing how their story played out. Ell and Bray, former childhood friends, have a complex relationship, made none the easier when they are constantly forced together. There’s more to the situation than either knows and the plot twists kept me hooked. If you’re looking for an original fantasy I’d highly recommend this book.
June 29, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this original fantasy novel by one of my favourite fanfic authors! Contemporary fantasy makes for subtle worldbuilding, but the magic system here works excellently and has so many creative touches - portals, magic objects, words that summon magic. I have to admit, here and there I found El to be a bit whiny, but that just makes her more real, I guess. Orion reminded me a bit of Captain Hammer in Dr Horrible (if you get this reference, I salute you), but we do not get into his head until the very last, so maybe that has something to do with it. And, as ever, the angst is *delicious*.
Overall, this is a lovely read and I’m really looking forward to start on part 2!
Overall, this is a lovely read and I’m really looking forward to start on part 2!
Read
January 27, 2025This book has spirit, in short, it is pure magic.
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily and that's why I can share with you that incredible book)
The ancient and poetic, that vibrates in your fingers and where things are forged by the magic of words. Ell and Orion are two dominant forces and this is a story of deep, mature magic where the characters give each other a second chance, chemistry is undeniable and I’m looking forward to the second volume.
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily and that's why I can share with you that incredible book)
The ancient and poetic, that vibrates in your fingers and where things are forged by the magic of words. Ell and Orion are two dominant forces and this is a story of deep, mature magic where the characters give each other a second chance, chemistry is undeniable and I’m looking forward to the second volume.
January 27, 2025
I completely love this book! Ell who is a Wordsmith, finds that her life is identical to an enchanted book. Orion is forced to follow along with this “story” although he is not happy about it. The characters will definitely pull you in and the plot will have you turning pages faster than you have before! This was well written and well thought out.
September 25, 2025
This year I had the pleasure of reading The Words That Breathe by Tessa Alexandra (Instagram: @tessa_alexandra_writes). I received a free ARC e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review and then promptly bought my own copy.
TW: Spice, Cursing, Mild Violence/off-screen death of a minor character
SPICE: 3?
(I still don’t have a spice scale, but we’ll go with 3 because this does have an aggressive scene)
SYNOPSIS:
“Two rivals, one enchanted book, and a story that changes everything.”
In a world where magic is fading, two ex-friends turned rivals are thrust together by the most unlikely of objects—a book.
Ellison Fable takes her role as a Wordsmith very seriously. She knows the power words hold. Orion Bray, cursed by a prophecy in the past, has had enough of words dictating his fate. But with voids threatening the existence of magic and the Master Keeper desperate for a way to combat them, Ell and Bray find themselves at the center of the newest prophecy with their lives tied to the plot of a cheesy romance novel.
Discerning fiction from reality becomes harder with each new page. As they stumble toward the book’s happily ever after, they struggle to decide if they can trust the magic that brought them together or if they’re simply puppets for something much larger.
RATING: 5 stars
REVIEW:
These words really do breathe.
Alexandra charms with her marvellously constructed novel—beautifully written and laced with a warm, nostalgic feel that will leave you craving more.
When Alexandra told me she was writing an original fantasy novel, I was intrigued. I couldn’t wait to see what she would come up with, and I was curious to know what sort of world she would create. She did not disappoint. The Words That Breathe begins with a wonderfully ominous prologue, then flows into thoughtfully constructed prose, engaging magic and characters, and concludes with the promise of adventure that left me itching for more.
(Thankfully, book two has already been written, and I was able to convince her to let me Beta read so I could continue the story without waiting. Spoiler - I’ve already read it. I couldn’t stop.)
I want to once again commend Alexandra on her characters and their construction. Ellison Fable was an excellent way to introduce this new magical world. She challenges the archetype of a romantasy FMC, being neither physically strong nor sassy, and is often terrible at communication and off in her own world. Ell is desperate for acceptance and struggles with insecurities from continuously being abandoned and let down, only to then be forced to work with the one person who was supposed to always be there for her—but wasn’t. Her POV was refreshing to read. I loved that Ell continuously showed the power words hold, the importance of details, and demonstrated that people can be strong in different ways.
Orion Bray is handsome.
Obviously, and he knows it. He’s also an A-hole - and he knows that too. Mixing them together made for a whirlwind of banter, clever dialogue, hilarious moments, and heartbreaking fights. It also raised so many questions about what happened to turn him into such a jerk, why he abandoned Ell a decade ago, and what else may be going on behind the scenes.
As Ell and Bray navigate their way through a cheesy romance novel, things begin to heat up and become far more complicated than Ell had originally anticipated. Old feelings resurface. A void appears in a densely populated city. Secrets come to light. And the mystery surrounding the book, the map, and the existence of magic itself are all called into question and tangled together in a captivating tale with a nostalgic charm that reignited my love of reading.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, action-packed story with death around every turn, this may not be the book for you. (Though I can vouch for there being more action in book 2). TWTB isn’t about cheap or quick gratification, and Alexandra takes her time setting the scene, establishing relationships, and pulling readers deep into this exciting new world. I just also want to note that this is an urban fantasy - I typically don’t read these, so I found the references to pop culture a little jarring, but it’s genre-consistent.
CONCLUSION:
The Words That Breathe is a breath of fresh air with engaging characters, clever dialogue, witty banter, thoughtful line composition, and a wonderfully intriguing magic system. This is so much more than an ‘enemies-to-lovers’ trope-filled book that relies on spice to push the plot. Alexandra builds a rich world with complex characters, compelling mystery, and an amusing (at times thought-provoking) self-aware narrative that explores the hallmarks of traditional romance stories and challenges her characters to break free from the mold and find their own ending.
RECOMMENDED AUDIENCE:
This would be a great read for anyone who loves slow-burn romantasy, urban magic, dramione vibes, and books with unique and creative plots. If you’re looking for a series to sink into and you want real characters, excellent banter, and a warm, almost nostalgic feel to the story, I highly recommend you check this out.
DETAILS:
Author: Tessa Alexandra
Page count: 485
Publication date: January 23, 2025
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book format
TW: Spice, Cursing, Mild Violence/off-screen death of a minor character
SPICE: 3?
(I still don’t have a spice scale, but we’ll go with 3 because this does have an aggressive scene)
SYNOPSIS:
“Two rivals, one enchanted book, and a story that changes everything.”
In a world where magic is fading, two ex-friends turned rivals are thrust together by the most unlikely of objects—a book.
Ellison Fable takes her role as a Wordsmith very seriously. She knows the power words hold. Orion Bray, cursed by a prophecy in the past, has had enough of words dictating his fate. But with voids threatening the existence of magic and the Master Keeper desperate for a way to combat them, Ell and Bray find themselves at the center of the newest prophecy with their lives tied to the plot of a cheesy romance novel.
Discerning fiction from reality becomes harder with each new page. As they stumble toward the book’s happily ever after, they struggle to decide if they can trust the magic that brought them together or if they’re simply puppets for something much larger.
RATING: 5 stars
REVIEW:
These words really do breathe.
Alexandra charms with her marvellously constructed novel—beautifully written and laced with a warm, nostalgic feel that will leave you craving more.
When Alexandra told me she was writing an original fantasy novel, I was intrigued. I couldn’t wait to see what she would come up with, and I was curious to know what sort of world she would create. She did not disappoint. The Words That Breathe begins with a wonderfully ominous prologue, then flows into thoughtfully constructed prose, engaging magic and characters, and concludes with the promise of adventure that left me itching for more.
(Thankfully, book two has already been written, and I was able to convince her to let me Beta read so I could continue the story without waiting. Spoiler - I’ve already read it. I couldn’t stop.)
I want to once again commend Alexandra on her characters and their construction. Ellison Fable was an excellent way to introduce this new magical world. She challenges the archetype of a romantasy FMC, being neither physically strong nor sassy, and is often terrible at communication and off in her own world. Ell is desperate for acceptance and struggles with insecurities from continuously being abandoned and let down, only to then be forced to work with the one person who was supposed to always be there for her—but wasn’t. Her POV was refreshing to read. I loved that Ell continuously showed the power words hold, the importance of details, and demonstrated that people can be strong in different ways.
Orion Bray is handsome.
Obviously, and he knows it. He’s also an A-hole - and he knows that too. Mixing them together made for a whirlwind of banter, clever dialogue, hilarious moments, and heartbreaking fights. It also raised so many questions about what happened to turn him into such a jerk, why he abandoned Ell a decade ago, and what else may be going on behind the scenes.
As Ell and Bray navigate their way through a cheesy romance novel, things begin to heat up and become far more complicated than Ell had originally anticipated. Old feelings resurface. A void appears in a densely populated city. Secrets come to light. And the mystery surrounding the book, the map, and the existence of magic itself are all called into question and tangled together in a captivating tale with a nostalgic charm that reignited my love of reading.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, action-packed story with death around every turn, this may not be the book for you. (Though I can vouch for there being more action in book 2). TWTB isn’t about cheap or quick gratification, and Alexandra takes her time setting the scene, establishing relationships, and pulling readers deep into this exciting new world. I just also want to note that this is an urban fantasy - I typically don’t read these, so I found the references to pop culture a little jarring, but it’s genre-consistent.
CONCLUSION:
The Words That Breathe is a breath of fresh air with engaging characters, clever dialogue, witty banter, thoughtful line composition, and a wonderfully intriguing magic system. This is so much more than an ‘enemies-to-lovers’ trope-filled book that relies on spice to push the plot. Alexandra builds a rich world with complex characters, compelling mystery, and an amusing (at times thought-provoking) self-aware narrative that explores the hallmarks of traditional romance stories and challenges her characters to break free from the mold and find their own ending.
RECOMMENDED AUDIENCE:
This would be a great read for anyone who loves slow-burn romantasy, urban magic, dramione vibes, and books with unique and creative plots. If you’re looking for a series to sink into and you want real characters, excellent banter, and a warm, almost nostalgic feel to the story, I highly recommend you check this out.
DETAILS:
Author: Tessa Alexandra
Page count: 485
Publication date: January 23, 2025
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book format
July 1, 2025
This was such a great read!
I went in fairly blind and absolutely loved it.
Did I want to slap both main characters at one point or another - yes. But that’s a give in, right!?
The magic system is so unique which I absolutely loved and I was hooked in to the storyline so quickly! A definite page turner & I can’t wait to read the next one!
I went in fairly blind and absolutely loved it.
Did I want to slap both main characters at one point or another - yes. But that’s a give in, right!?
The magic system is so unique which I absolutely loved and I was hooked in to the storyline so quickly! A definite page turner & I can’t wait to read the next one!
October 21, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book (it kept me hooked chapter after chapter. The main characters, the magic, the world-building) everything blended perfectly. This book pulled me out of my reading slump, and I just couldn’t put it down. I truly wish more people would read it because it feels like I’ve discovered a hidden gem.
January 3, 2025
absolutely loved this modern romantasy. the characters, world, emotions, and magic system were all awesome and the banter was fantastic; I was laughing so hard at one banter exchange I had to put my popcorn down so I wouldn't choke. highly recommend.
January 28, 2025
So heart wrenchingly beautiful, Orion is so frustrating but I need the second book now. I am pleased with Ellison decision at the end to not accept his apology but the hopeless romantic in me wants forgive him but I can’t wait to see the groveling in the next book.
January 27, 2025
If ever a book romanticized gaslighting, negging, and toxic relationships, this would be it.
January 28, 2025
A truly enchanting story. I devoured it. I am so excited that book 2 is coming very soon!!
January 29, 2025
It was a good book.
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