A Curse Bright and Breathing

Her Fangs in My Heart #2

by Moira Darling

A holy sacrifice. A faithless mercenary. A fate born of blood and moonlight.

Naera has spent her life behind sacred walls—glowing under moonlight, raised to die for a goddess she’s never heard speak. But when her name rises for the altar, she runs. She doesn't get far. Not before the woman from her dreams steps out of the dark with shackles in one hand and a blade in the other.

Selis is a mercenary who doesn’t believe in gods, only gold. Cold, cunning, and hard to kill, she takes the job like any retrieve the cult’s escaped holy daughter and deliver her—breathing—for a reward soaked in blood money. But the vampire is softer than she expected. And stranger? She truly glows.

Chained together by fate and flame, they'll have to decide what’s worth duty, themselves… or each other.

♥♥♥

A Curse Bright and Breathing is a standalone steamy sapphic vampire romantasy with a full arc and a HEA. It's part of an interconnected world, but can be enjoyed on its own. Some tropes you'll find

Enemies to loversCaptor/CaptiveFated MatesTouch Her and DieSlow BurnForced ProximityMorally Grey FMCMocking pet names that become real"You're mine."Dreams of her before they meetMasc/Femme

Genres: Lesbian, Fantasy, LGBT, Paranormal, Vampires, Romance, Queer

399 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2025

About the author

Hi! I'm Moira Darling (she/her), and I write sapphic romantasy and paranormal romance with lots of yearning.

I live in a yellow house with my soulmate and too many mugs. When I’m not writing, I’m probably drinking coffee, making dramatic playlists, or pretending my TBR isn’t glaring at me from the corner of the room.

Thanks for being here! It’s an honor to share my stories with you.

Reviews

[Sam’s Sapphic Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried so hard to enjoy this because of the reviews I saw, but I really had to drag myself to finish it.

There was nothing wrong with the storyline specifically, in fact the story itself was easy to follow and had enough action. I just struggled with other parts of the book.

Starting off I got a lot of predator and prey vibes, which did make me a bit uncomfortable but I was able to get past that.

The problem was there was so many unnecessary words. I mean it was overly descriptive about every little thing, which made it feel super exaggerated. This book probably would’ve been a lot shorter without all of the extra added stuff.

I might be alone in this, but this really just wasn’t for me :/

[COURTZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started this book as soon as I was sent the arc and couldn’t stop reading it! I love Selis and how she changes and puts Naera first at the end, she falls hard! If anyone wants to read a captive x captor, touch her and die sapphic romantasy book then this is the book for you! I can’t wait to see what Moira writes next her work is amazing!

I received an arc for a honest review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! All the emotions/all the feels. This book captured me from the start. After reading A Hunger Soft and Wild (read it if you haven’t!) I wasn’t sure how Selis’s character could be redeemed. I couldn’t wait to find out! On top of all, I feel satisfied. I loved Selis and Naera. Light and darkness. Inevitable. This story was exciting, at one point I couldn’t wait for the characters to catch on lol. This story has depth, connection, angst, magic, vampires, well written spice which flowed well with the story. I liked the pacing. I look forward to more from this author! Highly recommend!

05/05/26 I loved the book and was thrilled to see it coming out in audio. I received an advance listening copy from the author and i am leaving this review voluntarily.
The narrators did an incredible job bringing new life into these characters. Rereading through audio brought even more emotions and excitement for this world and these characters.
Highly recommend!!

[cloverxheart · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐
I really enjoyed this and want to read the other books in the series now.
The writing was very good but it could get a little repetitive.
Basically the same thing and feelings written over and over again, just using slightly different words to describe it.
I noticed that a lot especially towards the end.
There was a part (like 60 pages) that was literally the same conversation over and over again for no reason.
And I didn't find the ending all that satisfying.
That's why I'm not giving it 5 stars.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, 3🌶


This is my second vampire book from this author, and she's managed to outdo herself on this one. If you liked the first book, this second one ratchets it up a notch. The slow burn between the main characters is at a snail's pace, but when it catches fire, stand back.

Some of the tropes in this novel are: enemies to lovers, touch her and die, first time, prisoner/captive, fated mates. I did like the expansion of the world building in this one with the vampire and other supernatural entities. The push and pull between the MC's is written superbly.

I dare you to read the quote below and not want to read the book afterwards. 😉


“Still think I’m a monster?” I don’t hesitate. “Yes,” I say, meeting her eyes. “But I think monsters can love things, too.”


I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.

[(lesbi)Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-4,25 starlights⭐😘 *wink wink*

RTC

[Hailey Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up! No major spoilers but some tropes talked about.

I was given an eARC for an honest review.

I was really torn in the first half of the book, thinking my rating would land somewhere between 4 stars and 4.25. You should stick around for the loves, but I’ll get the dislikes (some mine and some what others might dislike) out of the way first:

- Repetitive. If repetitive language and slow-burn repetitiveness bothers you, this book is full of it. It didn’t get me so much since the writing is just so beautiful, but beware.
- Character focus. This can be a positive or negative depending on your reading style. Just know that the plot is loose—Darling’s writing is geared more towards two main characters than anything. The background characters and other events drive them closer and towards the end. The plot moves them, they don’t move the plot.
- Lack of background in scene. This is another thing with Darling’s writing. It starts immediately, with only a /whisper/ of background of the two main characters. I wish maybe one or two chapters were spared getting to know Naera and Selis separately before they’re brought together.

HOWEVER…. The positives/loves:

- Gorgeous writing, truly. It’s poetic and chock full of figurative language. I really do love a metaphor and so does Darling. Gods the drama of both Selis and Naera was great!
- Tension!! The tension and slow-burn between Naera and Selis is so much better than the first book Darling wrote. I was really on the edge of my seat of the “would they won’t they, when?” of it all. I love a cocky woman too, so Selis was a treat for me.
- Touch her and die trope. WOOOOF. This trope was true to the narrative for sure.
- Character consistency. I never felt like Naera or Selis compromised their characters at any point. Even by the end, with the epilogue, it was right.
- UNIQUE. I love, love, love the premise of Naera and The Garden. It was haunting and gut twisting.

So, it’s worth the read in the end!!

[Darcy Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You didn’t feel like mercy. You felt like a reckoning.”

I absolutely adored this angsty, ethereal and engrossing enemies to lovers story. After seeing a glimpse of Selis in A Hunger Soft and Wild I was very curious to see how the story of this cold, pragmatic mercenary would unfold when she takes on the bounty of a lifetime. I loved seeing the cracks in her armour and learning more about her past. I really loved Naera and exploring her conflict between the devotion she was raised with and survival against those who twist that devotion and the storm that is Selis. The growing connection tethering Selis and Naera to each other was paced well and I loved the character growth they had both individually and together.

Really enjoyed exploring more of this world and learning about The Garden of Selene. The author did an awesome job of building up mystery, doubts and retribution throughout the book so I was hooked and rooting for Naera!

I was also really intrigued by The Black Lantern Guild and their super awesome party clubhouse that's definitely not cursed....I would be curious to learn more because their scenes were really gripping and gave more insight into the world building.

Moira Darling has such a beautiful writing style and does a great job at giving depth to the setting, characters and storylines in every line. She captures the angst, turmoil and connection with her characters so well and I'm excited for book three 👀


Honest review in exchange for an ARC, many thanks to the author and publisher for the opportunity

[kay.grace424 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am shaking with rage.

I have yet to decide if I’m going to expand on that or just leave that here.

🌶️🌶️(2 full scenes, a few kisses/makeouts)

[Shannon bagnall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book from this author, the way this author writes is like a dark fairytale came to life. Some of their words are like poems with how beautifully written they are.

I loved the main characters, especially Selis how we got to see her open up, how she’s just a ‘monster’ until she meets Naera where she starts to let the light into her darkness

I love a ‘touch her and die’ plot, it’s always one of my favourites. To everyone else she’s this tough mercenary who only cares about coin and she believes that herself for along time but then someone touches her starlight.

The way it ended was so beautiful too, how she’ll always be her starlight and how she’ll always come back for her to protect her even when she’s been pushed away made my heart so happy.

Overall an incredible book and I can’t wait to read more from this author

* full disclosure I was given this book by the author, Moira Darling, in exchange for an honest review*

[cloud_9_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: A Curse Bright and Breathing is a stunning sapphic romantasy full of slow burn tension, aching chemistry, and high emotional stakes. Naera is a sacred vampire on the run, and Selis is the hardened mercenary hired to return her. This pairing had me hooked from the start!

The slow burn tension was perfect, and when it finally tipped into affection I quite literally squealed. Out loud. The yearning between these two had me rooting for them with my whole heart. This story is equal parts emotional, romantic, and full of twists, with two women who ultimately save each other in the most beautiful way.

Even though it works as a standalone, I highly recommend reading both books in the Her Fangs in My Heart series, because both are must-reads to add to your romantasy collection!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book. It started out a little slow but quickly got to the good stuff. Naera is super sweet and innocent while Selis is a bit more experienced and jaded against the word. It works for them though. While this is a vampire book, the typical vampire tropes are as prominent as they are in others. It like yea she is but it doesn't play a huge factor and wouldn't really change the story if she wasn't. Selis had some nice growth in her character development. I really enjoyed how her coming to care for Naera helped to bring her back from the dark place where she lived her life. Definitely worth reading. Im going to go check out her other book, A Hunger Soft and Wild, now.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and complex

The story is wonderful, but the language is what gets me - if standard storytelling is like IKEA furniture, this book is a rococo confection with all the gilding and flourishes. Beautiful and emotionally layered.

[Shannon👻 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars 🌟

[Christine Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow phenomenal

Wow phenomenal, I can't get enough of this series, the main characters were exceptionally written keeping you hooked from the first page till last i couldn't put it down must-read congratulations

[Dharma Blackwell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Be so for real with me

[M L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow oh wow. The author writes my kind of love language!
I thought the first book was great. Maybe 4.5 stars because I thought it was dragging and repetitive in the middle. I kept waiting for some swashbuckling action to happen ... and gosh the slow burn was just reeealy slow. This one though, pacing seemed much better. I loved watching [reading] Naera transform [turn?] Selis and them fall in love as events unfold on their way back to the cult for Selis to drop Naera off for a bounty. Add in a bit of dark, a bit of dub, much better burn pace, more fantastical world-building and elements ... and this book is easily one of my favourite reads of 2025, maybe even for 2026! I still have 2 more in this series to go ... I'm not certain, given the story premises, that they will top this one though! Perhaps ... fingers crossed!
m.

[JLK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here I am again, swooning over Moira Darling's dual POV FMC. Selis is... *chef's kiss* so good. She's all hard exterior, cold, unfeeling, uncaring and she ends up melting over Naera. Now, Naera did get on my nerves a bit but that's mostly because I do not resonate with the naive, feminine overly-trusting girlies. Still ate it up.

[Lottitude · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. The world building and original magic aspects were good. It's easy to read, but with enough adventure and a little spice to keep you on your toes. I especially liked the FMCs, and the dual POV, and how both of them had their own journey in this story.

[Chelsea Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just amazing!

[The Freckled Cyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The One That Started It All

I am rereading this book and just realized I never reviewed it after my first time reading it. Shame on me! This was first introduction to Moira Darling books but it definitely wasn't my last! I really enjoyed everything about this story. I really connected with the characters and the world they live in, everything works together to give a story that you can happily sink into while reading. Happy Reading!

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book even more than the first book in the series. The writing is so good, I adore the MCs, and I am just so happy with the ending. I cannot wait to read the third book.

[maeveshelby · Rating 2 out of 5]

very pretentious at times and starts to drag

[katrina✨️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐️
i don't know why i thought i'd like this when i really did not like selis in the brief scenes you see her in book 1 but i hoped she'd be better in her own book

i was wrong.

i usually love moira darling's writing and will still definitely read other books by her but this one sadly just did not do it for me like the others have

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

a big jump forward

I enjoyed this second book quite a lot more than the first one, and I like that this is tied to the next book from what I can tell. The characters had more weight to them, and I appreciate there was more journey and side events. Looking forward to reading the next one.

[Candace Aresfury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh, it’s ok. Did I finish it, yes. Is it a read again need to own for me, definitely no. This author really likes her characters to spend time in forests…literally 70% of this book is our two FMCs traveling and camping in the forest. The last 20% of the book is where the action happens. The rest is pretty slow with the occasional scuffle with a minor antagonist. It’s very much a captive falls in love with captor then oop the captor falls back in love with the captive…like I said, it’s ok just not very riveting. There’s a whole magic system surrounding The Guild (one of the minor antagonists) but we don’t get much explanation on how it works…definitely have questions about that. The writing is pretty though but can seem repetitive in some parts.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I love captive/captor to lovers so this was right up my alley. The relationship development and spice was really good. It's definitely darker than the first one but I highly recommend it. I don't usually re-read books but I think I'll have to with this one.

[Helena Fontes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,35⭐️ i’m soooooooo gay

[Servyn Fate · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was an excellent read, good ending as well

[Stella V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall TLDR? Worth your time. Great read. Oddly, not groundbreaking but still exceptional and a hearty recommend from me.

A Curse Bright and Breathing by Moira Darling is the second (but also standalone) in the Her Fangs in My Heart series. This particular book follows Naera, vampire and chosen one, and Selis, mercenary and ruthless sellsword, through an adventure that really takes twists and turns that I very much adored.

Hey! I'm an advanced reader for this book, but this review and opinion are unbiased.

No spoilers for the book, but the story by which Naera and Selis are joined and proceed through is wicked interesting. It starts with Naera escaping from the temple where she is after receiving a vision and Selis happening upon her due to her line of work. That's all the plot you're getting from me. From there, it turns into an interesting set-up. If you've read Moira's previous book, it feels somewhat similar in this respect. That being said, it is exceptionally different from the way that things progress. It'll feel different in a very welcome way.

Naera and Selis are also excellent foils for each other, as they both stand for different things entirely in personality and action. It's refreshing as well in such that you can kind of rely on each of them to accurately play against the other, both in constructive and destructive ways. That second part, destructive ways? That's one of the things I find most interesting in this story. And it amplifies in spades in the second half of the book. Both calm and action based sequences are a delight to read minus one thing for me personally: there are a few words that get re-used *heavily*. I cannot count how many times I read the words "shattered" and "smoke" and there are a number of other words that make a few too many appearances for my liking. They don't detract overall, but one can only read those phrases so many times before they lose their lustre.

I do think outside of that, the book is well written. The story is excellent, especially in the latter half.The romance and spice in this book is lovely as well, with the romance playing out in a very strong and believable manner, and a well placed steamy scene done right. One of the toughest things to write is a forced closeness whereby the romance doesn't feel shoehorned in, and both this and the previous book handle it excellently.

- Pros:
- Naera is likable, Selis is complex and plays both sides of the coin well.
- Story builds up and moves quickly, I couldn't put it down after the halfway point.
- The world itself feels intriguing in this entry, and the small scope that's built out doesn't interfere with a larger world.
- Most of the supporting cast does what they need to. What that is I will not spoil.
- Very strong "fated mates" trope done very well.

- Neutral
- Some of the words feel very overused. They lack punch by the end of it.
- I did find myself longing for more lore about the world itself again, but in a different way than the previous novel.

- Cons
- None I could think of.

- Overall, this is another excellent entry in the series. Again, very much worth your time to read.