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Breath of Mist #1
Breath of Mist
He thought he captured an ordinary girl… but her mind is sharper than his claws.
In a world barely held together by a fragile treaty, Ariana lives under the oppressive shadow of her monstrous father—until Erik, a relentless conjuror determined to break the treaty, invades her lands, and takes her captive. Erik’s invasion shatters the life Ariana has known, thrusting her into a precarious battle where survival hinges on earning her enemy’s trust—which means avoid being seen as a threat.
But Erik never expected to become captivated by the woman who boldly holds his gaze and refuses to tremble in the face of death. And even as Ariana finds herself reluctantly drawn to him in turn, she comes to realize that her freedom will not be given to her. It will need to be taken.
Will Ariana's cunning and resolve be enough to save herself and her people, or will her dreams and heart be consumed by the very man who threatens her world?
In a world barely held together by a fragile treaty, Ariana lives under the oppressive shadow of her monstrous father—until Erik, a relentless conjuror determined to break the treaty, invades her lands, and takes her captive. Erik’s invasion shatters the life Ariana has known, thrusting her into a precarious battle where survival hinges on earning her enemy’s trust—which means avoid being seen as a threat.
But Erik never expected to become captivated by the woman who boldly holds his gaze and refuses to tremble in the face of death. And even as Ariana finds herself reluctantly drawn to him in turn, she comes to realize that her freedom will not be given to her. It will need to be taken.
Will Ariana's cunning and resolve be enough to save herself and her people, or will her dreams and heart be consumed by the very man who threatens her world?
454 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2025
53 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
July 18, 2025
What a fantastic debut!
This book blew me away. I can’t believe it’s the author’s first. The writing feels polished and experienced, with vivid descriptions and a steady, engaging pace. The world-building is immersive and really well thought out.
I absolutely loved the forbidden romance element. Ivar quickly became my favorite character, he’s snarky, charming, and surprisingly genuine. The chemistry between Ariana and Erik is undeniable, though fair warning: this is a slow burn. Excruciatingly slow in the best, most tension-filled way!
The ending was spectacular, with a brilliant setup for the next installment. The villain we’re teased with is chilling and so well-written, I can already tell he’s one I’m going to love to hate.
I’m completely hooked and devastated that I don’t have more of her books to binge. If you’re into romantasy with great characters, tension, and world-building, you need to read this one.
This book blew me away. I can’t believe it’s the author’s first. The writing feels polished and experienced, with vivid descriptions and a steady, engaging pace. The world-building is immersive and really well thought out.
I absolutely loved the forbidden romance element. Ivar quickly became my favorite character, he’s snarky, charming, and surprisingly genuine. The chemistry between Ariana and Erik is undeniable, though fair warning: this is a slow burn. Excruciatingly slow in the best, most tension-filled way!
The ending was spectacular, with a brilliant setup for the next installment. The villain we’re teased with is chilling and so well-written, I can already tell he’s one I’m going to love to hate.
I’m completely hooked and devastated that I don’t have more of her books to binge. If you’re into romantasy with great characters, tension, and world-building, you need to read this one.
January 10, 2026
O M G!!!!! THIS is a Romantasy. This is truly one of the best books I have ever read. I have fallen in love with these characters and this world. I am ready to go to war with the Sidhe!
December 10, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ I cannot believe this is Leona’s debut novel! This book had me hooked from chapter 1! A strong FMC, an epic slow burn full of tension! The found family in this book was absolutely my favorite part!
Erik, does he take Ariana our FMC captive, yes..yes he does…is he morally grey, yep..heaven forbid a man just wants to save his people..I loved him your honor! Ariana was so relatable, it’s not often I completely love an FMC but I absolutely loved her! I cannot wait to read book 2!
Erik, does he take Ariana our FMC captive, yes..yes he does…is he morally grey, yep..heaven forbid a man just wants to save his people..I loved him your honor! Ariana was so relatable, it’s not often I completely love an FMC but I absolutely loved her! I cannot wait to read book 2!
December 1, 2025
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
⭐️ 3.5/5
🌶 1/5
🧠 3/10
Cliffhanger: 6/10
Noteworthy: Book 1 of an incomplete series. Dual first-person POV. Available on KU.
This is a character driven Fantasy with a romance subplot. The pace of this book feels very slow and intentional. The plot unfolds completely at the whims of the main character's decisions. It's two people with the weight of their troubled kingdoms on their shoulders allowing them little room to carry anything for themselves. The main theme here is a clash of wills that takes up so much of the story. The big bad comes in late allowing the plot to pick up a bit.
I did like this enough to read book 2 but for the length of this book, it felt like we didn't get a lot.
⭐️ 3.5/5
🌶 1/5
🧠 3/10
Cliffhanger: 6/10
Noteworthy: Book 1 of an incomplete series. Dual first-person POV. Available on KU.
This is a character driven Fantasy with a romance subplot. The pace of this book feels very slow and intentional. The plot unfolds completely at the whims of the main character's decisions. It's two people with the weight of their troubled kingdoms on their shoulders allowing them little room to carry anything for themselves. The main theme here is a clash of wills that takes up so much of the story. The big bad comes in late allowing the plot to pick up a bit.
I did like this enough to read book 2 but for the length of this book, it felt like we didn't get a lot.
February 18, 2026
What a debut!!!
Wow. I started and finished this book in under 12 hours. I was completely immersed in the world and the characters. I can’t remember the last time I read a book that made me immediately want to jump straight into the next book.
Wow. I started and finished this book in under 12 hours. I was completely immersed in the world and the characters. I can’t remember the last time I read a book that made me immediately want to jump straight into the next book.
September 27, 2025
4.5
Wow this was one of the best slowest of burns I’ve read! I am obsessed and I need the second one now. I loved Eric new book boyfriend and Ariana with her growth in this obsessed! He of my favorite characters though is Iver. He is so feisty but you can see he has a soft side. I am loving the magic system and world building in this story. The end makes me so curious to see here this goes!
Wow this was one of the best slowest of burns I’ve read! I am obsessed and I need the second one now. I loved Eric new book boyfriend and Ariana with her growth in this obsessed! He of my favorite characters though is Iver. He is so feisty but you can see he has a soft side. I am loving the magic system and world building in this story. The end makes me so curious to see here this goes!
February 16, 2026
A MMC who set up a chess board from a political standpoint only to learn he has met an incredible match when it comes to the FMC. Ariana was so easy to root for - she’s equal parts compassionate and strong. She was constantly learning and adapting. This had the slowest of burns and the audio narration was top tier.
March 5, 2025
Wow! From the first few chapters, I was completely hooked! This book has it all—angst, tension, suspense, adventure, and mystery—just to name a few. I couldn’t put it down. Honestly, if I didn’t have other responsibilities, I would have devoured it in one sitting.
The writing in this book is absolutely stunning. It creates such an immersive atmosphere that you can almost feel the world coming to life around you. The author does a fantastic job painting vivid scenes and drawing you into the story, making you feel like you’re right there alongside the characters.
The female main character (FMC) is everything I love in a protagonist—fierce, strong, and unapologetically badass. Her journey was captivating, and I was completely invested in her development. Her connection with the world around her was so authentic, and I loved every moment of it.
And that ending... Wow, just wow! It left me craving more and wondering what happens next. I can't wait to dive back into this world.
Overall, this book is atmospheric and thrilling, with a strong, unforgettable FMC. I absolutely loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping, action-packed story.
The writing in this book is absolutely stunning. It creates such an immersive atmosphere that you can almost feel the world coming to life around you. The author does a fantastic job painting vivid scenes and drawing you into the story, making you feel like you’re right there alongside the characters.
The female main character (FMC) is everything I love in a protagonist—fierce, strong, and unapologetically badass. Her journey was captivating, and I was completely invested in her development. Her connection with the world around her was so authentic, and I loved every moment of it.
And that ending... Wow, just wow! It left me craving more and wondering what happens next. I can't wait to dive back into this world.
Overall, this book is atmospheric and thrilling, with a strong, unforgettable FMC. I absolutely loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping, action-packed story.
February 22, 2026
Thank you to the the author, Leona Welch, for the gifted copy of this audio book. This duet narration was top tier. The male narrator's voice was so deep the ladies are going to go feral for him!
This is the first book in a romantasy series and has a strong start and an even stronger finish. The author's world building is excellent. The world she has created is original and interesting. The female main character is strong, independent and cunning. There are great side characters that provide comic relief and a splash of drama. She has also crafted an excellent villain that you will not know if you should hate or love. I think I lean towards the later, but we all know I love a bad boy! 😍
The writing style leans more towards the romance genre than the fantasy genre. For me, this created a pacing issue from about the 45-85% mark due to heavy dialogue (used for character and relationship development) without a ton of forward momentum. This is one of the reasons I am not a huge fan of the contemporary romance genre in general. However, I do feel that readers who spend alot of time in the romance genres will not notice this and will really love this book!
Overall this was a solid debut novel and I am excited to see where the author takes us with the second book. I will definitely be continuing the series and recommend checking this one out.
3.5⭐️
1.5 🌶 (this is a slow burn romance, open door but not overly graphic)
This is the first book in a romantasy series and has a strong start and an even stronger finish. The author's world building is excellent. The world she has created is original and interesting. The female main character is strong, independent and cunning. There are great side characters that provide comic relief and a splash of drama. She has also crafted an excellent villain that you will not know if you should hate or love. I think I lean towards the later, but we all know I love a bad boy! 😍
The writing style leans more towards the romance genre than the fantasy genre. For me, this created a pacing issue from about the 45-85% mark due to heavy dialogue (used for character and relationship development) without a ton of forward momentum. This is one of the reasons I am not a huge fan of the contemporary romance genre in general. However, I do feel that readers who spend alot of time in the romance genres will not notice this and will really love this book!
Overall this was a solid debut novel and I am excited to see where the author takes us with the second book. I will definitely be continuing the series and recommend checking this one out.
3.5⭐️
1.5 🌶 (this is a slow burn romance, open door but not overly graphic)
February 22, 2026
I did this on audiobook and it was so incredibly good! The narrator’s and just overall experience was fantastic! Such a great debut book and the writing was beautiful. I really appreciated that the world building was very palatable and eased you in. Our FMC Ariana was kind, but certainly a fierce and calculating FMC, which I love. The romance was such a slowwww burn and truly I can’t wait to watch it really burn up! I can’t wait to find out what happens in this war of the lands and ahem another morally grey daddy!? YES!
March 27, 2026
4.5⭐️ I had such a good time with this book! I loved the FMC, and how she held herself despite her circumstances. She is powerful and confident without being cocky. I also appreciated how gentle the MMC was, despite him being the enemy and doing what he thought he needed to do for his people. He wasn’t unnecessarily mean or over performative. The dynamics amongst the 3 races is intriguing, and I can’t wait to learn more.
April 10, 2025
This book had me submerged in its world from the very beginning, until the very last word. The world building was descriptive and drew you into the world of Armeda, so you could see what was being described. The character development was spot on, Ariana the FMC is strong willed, kind, cleaver and very much likable. Erik the MMC, was bold, strong & determined. Their relationship had to be built, their people knew nothing of each other, but rumors and stories told by elders. So, trust, fairness, friendship and understanding had to be developed, not only by our main characters, but the people of their territories as well.
The story is of how Erik and his country was looking for his sister, who was taken by a Sidhe, and the only way that could be done was by going through Bavadin. The pace was steady and consistent throughout the book, there wasn't a lot of banter between the characters, however, descriptive "looks" and actions which builds up tension. Very slow burn but tastefully done. When I was reading, I didn't want to put the book down, I was submerged in the characters and world and was dying to find out what was next. The ending blew my mind and left me wanting book 2. Well written book Leona Welsh seems to know what readers want and delivers that in Breath of Mist.
The story is of how Erik and his country was looking for his sister, who was taken by a Sidhe, and the only way that could be done was by going through Bavadin. The pace was steady and consistent throughout the book, there wasn't a lot of banter between the characters, however, descriptive "looks" and actions which builds up tension. Very slow burn but tastefully done. When I was reading, I didn't want to put the book down, I was submerged in the characters and world and was dying to find out what was next. The ending blew my mind and left me wanting book 2. Well written book Leona Welsh seems to know what readers want and delivers that in Breath of Mist.
March 10, 2026
This book was everything I love about romantacy. The FMC was mature and sharp which was refreshing. The MMC was very self-aware and very evolved. There are so many juicy teasers for where the plot could be headed so many secrets left to discover.
June 5, 2025
Omg I loved this! Leona I need the second book!!! Fantasy, forbidden love, opposing lands. This book had it all. I love the tension between Ariana and Eric!
August 21, 2025
Breath of Mist was so good. I fell in love with the characters and loved the story. The banter in this book had me giggling. The part about the “old onion” LOL! The tension and slow burn was just right. Our fmc is very head strong and not scared to speak her mind. Plus, she is very kind and a great friend. Just love her. Our mmc, is very head strong, powerful and use to always getting his way, until he meets her…. Oh, their time together is fun. Then you add his brothers and friends in the mix. Loved every minute of it. So I need the second book, because, Mrs Leona, why? At the end, why 😱😳 and what is she going to do??? I can’t stop thinking about this book.
March 13, 2025
WOW! Just WOW! This book was such a fun captivating read!! I’m completely obsessed!!! I didn’t want to put it down!! I can’t wait till the next books come out! I will definitely be buying a copy once it releases!
November 6, 2025
I was able to read an ARC of this book and the following is my honest review:
I'm going to start this off by saying - WOW.
This is the authors debut novel and it had me kicking my feet, foaming at the mouth, starving for more. I am now feral to get my hands on book 2!
The World Building:
The author was able to develop a detailed world for the me to immerse myself into in a way that isn't overwhelming. The world building begins in the prologue and is eloquent and captivating. From there forward the information is given in pieces as it is necessary to the story. The magic (conjuring) was not the typical powers that you see overused in fantasy books. Kudos to the author for creating something unique in that area.
Characters:
Both Ariana (FMC) and Erik (MMC) are probably two of my favorite main characters I've read in a long time. I could not get enough of their interactions as their friendship and relationship developed. Both characters had such depth that you learned more and more about both of them throughout the entire story. Ariana is amazing. She is a strong, brave and powerful FMC without being brash, rude or unfeminine. I so appreciated that!
The supporting characters kept you invested and guessing their motives. There wasn't a single predictable character in the entire book. The sub plot that takes place between two supporting characters have me wishing they could have their own entire story!
Plot:
From the very first page of the prologue the author pulls you into her world. There is a lot of relational development and building of trust in the beginning, and while many books that have that tend to be slower paced, this one was not. The pacing was fantastic for the amount of world building that takes place throughout the story. The more action heavy scenes were properly dispersed throughout the book in a way that kept me immersed in the story.
I am a multi book mood reader and I have a terrible habit of getting half way though a book and moving on to something else for a bit before coming back to it. That did NOT happen with this book. I found myself completely invested in the story so much that I didn't pick up another book. That may not sound like a big deal to whoever is reading this review, but trust me- it is.
In regards to the romance...
I am going to say this loud and clear because I feel like it needs to be said:
This is a SLOW BURN ROMANTASY.
Slow. Burn.
While I enjoy some good spice in books, I prefer the story to be plot driven and this book hit it.
Is there spice?
Yes.
But the spice is not the whole point of this book and the characters actually develop a relationship first! (Crazy...I know... (sarcasm intended)).
The development between the main characters had me kicking my feet!
Witty bantering, in depth personal conversations, relationship development, flirting, yearning.
YES PLEASE & THANK YOU!
I would give this book 1 🌶️ for spice. However, because of the way the author set up the ending I have a feeling the second book will be a bit spicier.
Final Take:
I don't just dish out 5 stars. Those stars have to be earned.
This book earned them.
I applaud the author for her debut novel because it hit all the bullet points for what I love in a book. I am now going to be anxiously awaiting book 2 because that cliffhanger has me soooo ready for more!
I'm going to start this off by saying - WOW.
This is the authors debut novel and it had me kicking my feet, foaming at the mouth, starving for more. I am now feral to get my hands on book 2!
The World Building:
The author was able to develop a detailed world for the me to immerse myself into in a way that isn't overwhelming. The world building begins in the prologue and is eloquent and captivating. From there forward the information is given in pieces as it is necessary to the story. The magic (conjuring) was not the typical powers that you see overused in fantasy books. Kudos to the author for creating something unique in that area.
Characters:
Both Ariana (FMC) and Erik (MMC) are probably two of my favorite main characters I've read in a long time. I could not get enough of their interactions as their friendship and relationship developed. Both characters had such depth that you learned more and more about both of them throughout the entire story. Ariana is amazing. She is a strong, brave and powerful FMC without being brash, rude or unfeminine. I so appreciated that!
The supporting characters kept you invested and guessing their motives. There wasn't a single predictable character in the entire book. The sub plot that takes place between two supporting characters have me wishing they could have their own entire story!
Plot:
From the very first page of the prologue the author pulls you into her world. There is a lot of relational development and building of trust in the beginning, and while many books that have that tend to be slower paced, this one was not. The pacing was fantastic for the amount of world building that takes place throughout the story. The more action heavy scenes were properly dispersed throughout the book in a way that kept me immersed in the story.
I am a multi book mood reader and I have a terrible habit of getting half way though a book and moving on to something else for a bit before coming back to it. That did NOT happen with this book. I found myself completely invested in the story so much that I didn't pick up another book. That may not sound like a big deal to whoever is reading this review, but trust me- it is.
In regards to the romance...
I am going to say this loud and clear because I feel like it needs to be said:
This is a SLOW BURN ROMANTASY.
Slow. Burn.
While I enjoy some good spice in books, I prefer the story to be plot driven and this book hit it.
Is there spice?
Yes.
But the spice is not the whole point of this book and the characters actually develop a relationship first! (Crazy...I know... (sarcasm intended)).
The development between the main characters had me kicking my feet!
Witty bantering, in depth personal conversations, relationship development, flirting, yearning.
YES PLEASE & THANK YOU!
I would give this book 1 🌶️ for spice. However, because of the way the author set up the ending I have a feeling the second book will be a bit spicier.
Final Take:
I don't just dish out 5 stars. Those stars have to be earned.
This book earned them.
I applaud the author for her debut novel because it hit all the bullet points for what I love in a book. I am now going to be anxiously awaiting book 2 because that cliffhanger has me soooo ready for more!
August 13, 2025
5 stars! This book was such a fantastic read. Breath of Mist was the pick for my book club this month, and I'm super glad it was!! From the prologue, I was sucked into this world of political intrigue, enemies to lovers, and unique magic systems.
This book follows Ariana, the daughter of the Supreme Leader of her race, the Bavadrins, and Erik, a Lysian who kidnaps her. Neither person truly knows what the other is like, and I truly enjoyed getting to know each of these characters. Ariana is so kind and strong even in the face of danger, and Erik is tough yet fair. The two of them have a delicious slow burn in this book, and I can't wait to see how their relationship may progress in book two.
However, I think this is one of the books where a side character is my favorite instead of one of the main ones. Iver, Erik's brother, is kinda insane, but in the best way possible. Imagine Bjorn from Vikings, and to me, that's Iver. He may be loud, brash, and crazy, but he is loyal to the people he cares about in his special way.
If you are looking for a good fantasy romance with an intriguing plot, an amazing cast of characters, and some really cool magic, I totally recommend reading this book! Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to be staring at the wall processing everything and waiting for book two lol.
This book follows Ariana, the daughter of the Supreme Leader of her race, the Bavadrins, and Erik, a Lysian who kidnaps her. Neither person truly knows what the other is like, and I truly enjoyed getting to know each of these characters. Ariana is so kind and strong even in the face of danger, and Erik is tough yet fair. The two of them have a delicious slow burn in this book, and I can't wait to see how their relationship may progress in book two.
However, I think this is one of the books where a side character is my favorite instead of one of the main ones. Iver, Erik's brother, is kinda insane, but in the best way possible. Imagine Bjorn from Vikings, and to me, that's Iver. He may be loud, brash, and crazy, but he is loyal to the people he cares about in his special way.
If you are looking for a good fantasy romance with an intriguing plot, an amazing cast of characters, and some really cool magic, I totally recommend reading this book! Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to be staring at the wall processing everything and waiting for book two lol.
August 15, 2025
Absolutely loved this book! The character and world building was perfect. I was hooked from the start and couldn't put it down. It was fast paced but never rushed. It is a angsty-tension filled slow burn and I freaking loved it. Can't wait for the next one!!
February 22, 2026
absolute must read!!!!!
I did the immersive read with audible & kindle.
This was a great book. I was instantly hooked first chapter in. I devoured it. The world building wasn’t difficult to follow and not overwhelming.
This story follows Ariana and Erik. Ariana’s character is strong and kind, she doesn’t have to prove that she belongs. She just earns everyone’s respect because of her kindness. Erik… 🥵🥵 he definitely made my book boyfriend list. This is a slow burn, and I’m eating it up. As much as I liked the main characters, the side characters made it even better. There were two side characters that really shined. Kole and Iver those two are my favorites. Poor Kole gets teased so much and everyone loves giving him a hard time and he’s so serious which makes it better. 😆 Don’t get me started on Iver. Iver’s personality is absolutely my favorite. He’s a whole vibe all his own. I could write an essay about him 😆
That cliff hanger!!! Aaahhh! I wasn’t ready for the book to be over so I’m jumping into book 2 immediately!!! I have to know what happens next.
The author: I discovered Leona on TikTok. Not only does she talk about her books, she talks about books that she has read as well. I actually like that about her.
Audio book info
Narration type: Duet, my favorite kind!
Narrators: Jacci Prior & Christian J. Gilliland
Review on narrators: The narrators did a great job. They spoke clearly and there wasn’t any background noise. They both made each character stand out and I felt they brought out the characters personalities. I could tell who was talking. They are a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ as well.
I did the immersive read with audible & kindle.
This was a great book. I was instantly hooked first chapter in. I devoured it. The world building wasn’t difficult to follow and not overwhelming.
This story follows Ariana and Erik. Ariana’s character is strong and kind, she doesn’t have to prove that she belongs. She just earns everyone’s respect because of her kindness. Erik… 🥵🥵 he definitely made my book boyfriend list. This is a slow burn, and I’m eating it up. As much as I liked the main characters, the side characters made it even better. There were two side characters that really shined. Kole and Iver those two are my favorites. Poor Kole gets teased so much and everyone loves giving him a hard time and he’s so serious which makes it better. 😆 Don’t get me started on Iver. Iver’s personality is absolutely my favorite. He’s a whole vibe all his own. I could write an essay about him 😆
That cliff hanger!!! Aaahhh! I wasn’t ready for the book to be over so I’m jumping into book 2 immediately!!! I have to know what happens next.
The author: I discovered Leona on TikTok. Not only does she talk about her books, she talks about books that she has read as well. I actually like that about her.
Audio book info
Narration type: Duet, my favorite kind!
Narrators: Jacci Prior & Christian J. Gilliland
Review on narrators: The narrators did a great job. They spoke clearly and there wasn’t any background noise. They both made each character stand out and I felt they brought out the characters personalities. I could tell who was talking. They are a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ as well.
March 24, 2026
Breath of Mist
(Breath of Mist #1)
By Leona Welch
Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Paranormal, Banter
⭐️ Ranking: 4.5
🤓 Do I own the book? No
🎧📖 How I read it: Audio (thank you so much to the author for sending me an audio copy)
🌶 Level: 2
📚 Would read again? Yes
Umm hello?? Excuse me?? This book was SO GOOD.
I am genuinely blown away that this is an indie debut. The writing is strong, the pacing is tight, and it held my attention the entire time. This is such a solid first book in a series and I’m already so invested.
The story follows Ariana, who is taken captive by Erik, a powerful conjuror trying to break a fragile treaty between their worlds. What unfolds is a tension-filled, slow-building dynamic where Ariana has to rely on her intelligence and restraint to survive, while Erik slowly realizes she’s far from ordinary. There’s power struggles, shifting trust, and that constant push and pull between rivals that keeps you locked in.
The tension? So well done. I was fully locked into their dynamic.
The only thing keeping this from being a full five stars for me is that I do think it could have been trimmed just slightly. There’s a bit of repetition in descriptions, like certain physical traits or details being mentioned multiple times, that pulled me out here and there. It’s minor, but noticeable.
That said, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed this. The storytelling, the character work, and the pacing overall were so strong, especially for a debut.
This is such an impressive start to a series, and I cannot wait to see where it goes next.
(Breath of Mist #1)
By Leona Welch
Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Paranormal, Banter
⭐️ Ranking: 4.5
🤓 Do I own the book? No
🎧📖 How I read it: Audio (thank you so much to the author for sending me an audio copy)
🌶 Level: 2
📚 Would read again? Yes
Umm hello?? Excuse me?? This book was SO GOOD.
I am genuinely blown away that this is an indie debut. The writing is strong, the pacing is tight, and it held my attention the entire time. This is such a solid first book in a series and I’m already so invested.
The story follows Ariana, who is taken captive by Erik, a powerful conjuror trying to break a fragile treaty between their worlds. What unfolds is a tension-filled, slow-building dynamic where Ariana has to rely on her intelligence and restraint to survive, while Erik slowly realizes she’s far from ordinary. There’s power struggles, shifting trust, and that constant push and pull between rivals that keeps you locked in.
The tension? So well done. I was fully locked into their dynamic.
The only thing keeping this from being a full five stars for me is that I do think it could have been trimmed just slightly. There’s a bit of repetition in descriptions, like certain physical traits or details being mentioned multiple times, that pulled me out here and there. It’s minor, but noticeable.
That said, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed this. The storytelling, the character work, and the pacing overall were so strong, especially for a debut.
This is such an impressive start to a series, and I cannot wait to see where it goes next.
February 24, 2026
This Romantasy read has a plot that thickens the further you get into the book. I went in knowing that this is a slow burn with very low spice and this didn’t take from the storyline. However, I wished that there was a bit more tension between the characters due to this being such a slow burn with limited to low amount of spice.
This first book definitely is setting the tone for the books to come and the world building was not complicated to get through. The author made this read to be an easy, enjoyable read that is very unique with likable characters. There was a slow start, strong finish, which is a great end. Not to mention I throughly enjoy a strong FMC. Overall, I enjoyed this read and look forward to moving along in the series to see where it goes.
I did immersive read this with the audible (narrated by Jacci Prior & Christian J Gilliland), in which I did enjoy the narration.
This first book definitely is setting the tone for the books to come and the world building was not complicated to get through. The author made this read to be an easy, enjoyable read that is very unique with likable characters. There was a slow start, strong finish, which is a great end. Not to mention I throughly enjoy a strong FMC. Overall, I enjoyed this read and look forward to moving along in the series to see where it goes.
I did immersive read this with the audible (narrated by Jacci Prior & Christian J Gilliland), in which I did enjoy the narration.
February 27, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
There were a lot of wins with this book. A unique society compromised of three different species. The magic was unique and refreshing. The court intrigued and political jockeying was well executed.
The characters were likable …. Enough. This is a very romance forward read and the fantastic opening and spectacular ending were overshadowed by a pacing issue during the middle of the book. After the opening drama things stopped moving forward and the middle dragged on far too long. The last 20% was a great time though.
Our MMc I found a bit one dimensional but I didn’t mind as our FMC is a firecracker! The contrast between the three species was one of my favourite parts. Their design was unique and very well written.
With the ending as it was I will be continuing with book 2!
There were a lot of wins with this book. A unique society compromised of three different species. The magic was unique and refreshing. The court intrigued and political jockeying was well executed.
The characters were likable …. Enough. This is a very romance forward read and the fantastic opening and spectacular ending were overshadowed by a pacing issue during the middle of the book. After the opening drama things stopped moving forward and the middle dragged on far too long. The last 20% was a great time though.
Our MMc I found a bit one dimensional but I didn’t mind as our FMC is a firecracker! The contrast between the three species was one of my favourite parts. Their design was unique and very well written.
With the ending as it was I will be continuing with book 2!
November 8, 2025
This book took me by surprise. The slow burn, the magic system, the never ending tension, the plot…. And don’t even get me started on the cliffhanger. Ariana is the daughter of the Leader Superior of the Bavadrin people. With their lands split in 3, between the Bavadrin, the Lysian, and the Sidhe, Ariana finds herself on a journey through the enemy lands after unforeseen circumstances. Together, King Erik of the Lysian people and Ariana must find out where all of their conjurors are disappearing to. While being held prisoner of the Lysian’s, Ariana finds herself growing into the woman she was always meant to be, the one chosen by the Spirit with the power to match it. Upon her return to her homeland, Ariana ascends into Leader Superior herself and must face the challenging task of locating their missing people with the help of the Lysian King. But she uncovers many secrets and dare I say, some betrayal? This story is incredible and I enjoyed the main characters so much. I’m chomping at the bit for the next one because that ending was completely unexpected
November 14, 2025
This was AMAZING. The fact that not more people are talking about this book and that this was a debut novel is insanity!!! I thought the world was incredibly unique but also simple enough that I didn't feel like I was confused at any point which is so refreshing in a romantasy book. Loved that there was no insta-love like the character's inner monologues were never about how attractive the other was which was such a nice change. You really see the build up in Ariana and Erik's relationship and see how their relationship evolves into something more instead of it being based on looks only. I also loved Iver as a side character. And that ending?! I'm scared for the next book.
March 26, 2025
I’ve been telling myself that I want to get into more indie authors and I had the honor of getting an ARC for this book. For a debut romantasy novel, it was damn near PERFECT! It starts out action packed then you get a little bit of world building and character development. There’s no to much of one thing in this book, it was all spread out so nicely. The way I attached myself to these characters so quick! I found myself loving Ariana and Erik straight from the beginning. I really really enjoyed this arc and think it could be big one day! I can’t wait for the rest of this series! Great job Leona!
March 11, 2026
This was a great read! The slowest of slow burns and an engaging story. I was hoping for a little more tension throughout the story, but it felt like most of the tension was towards the end imo. I also got a little frustrated at the repetition of descriptions etc. throughout. Overall it was a good read, and I’m curious to read book 2!
March 22, 2025
Breath of Mist was such a cool adventure. The world had some many unique elements. I really enjoyed seeing Ariana really come into herself over the course of the book. Erik started out with the toughest exterior, but she wore him down. The side characters really sealed the deal, I love Edda and her snarky old lady comments. Iver is the perfect sarcastic side character that stole my attention. I hope we get more of his story in the coming books. This was the perfect slowest of slow burns. The ending had my jaw on the floor!
March 26, 2025
By doing the right thing to save her people, she ended up getting to fall for the enemy. This is an adorable book that is so detailed that you can imagine everything that the author is writing about. You could just feel the betrayals as well as the love and need for people to get together finally. It was such a good book that was sweet and is a must-read. (ends on a cliffhanger)
January 24, 2026
Fantasy romance
Slow burn
Delicious tension
Forced proximity
Betrayal
Mystery
Some twists
Kicking myself for waiting so long to pick this up! What an amazing debut!!! Don't sleep on this one - if it is on your TBR, pick it up now - and thank me later!
There was not a moment of this I did not love. I am an absolute sucker for a slow burn and delicious tension.
The world building was so wonderfully done and you feel like you are there with the characters and so immersed.
The ending had my frothing at the mouth for the next - which I also immediately devoured.
Slow burn
Delicious tension
Forced proximity
Betrayal
Mystery
Some twists
Kicking myself for waiting so long to pick this up! What an amazing debut!!! Don't sleep on this one - if it is on your TBR, pick it up now - and thank me later!
There was not a moment of this I did not love. I am an absolute sucker for a slow burn and delicious tension.
The world building was so wonderfully done and you feel like you are there with the characters and so immersed.
The ending had my frothing at the mouth for the next - which I also immediately devoured.
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