A Day of Breath by Darby Cox ~ a Review

by MK French

Oly is the Champion of Niawa, a warrior with magical strength to protect the kingdom from demonic hordes that emerge from a rift between realms. She has served the longest, and her powers are fading. Heir Fallon is not chosen to be the next ruler of Niawa, and wants to change his fate. The Day of Breath is the one day a year demons can't breach the rift. Fallon asks Oly to come with him and leave the Edge. He plans to ask for rule, and Oly wants her strength to be renewed. The plan derails when demons arrive on the one day it should be impossible. As Oly grows weaker and Fallon struggles to take the throne, they have until midnight to find a way to stop the carnage before the rift opens again. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

February 2026; Angry Robot; 978-1836730026
audio, ebook, print (352 pages); fantasy

Light and Dark are in a battle against each other, and the rift allows demons from the Dark realm to escape and attack. There's only one Champion at a time, living in isolation at the Edge in a small cabin. Closed as a nervous sixteen-year-old, Oly has lasted for ten years. She has to constantly be on alert to kill the creatures as they emerge, so bathing, eating, and sleeping are often cut short. The devastating wounds aren't healing the way they used to, and she's exhausted but determined to continue. Dissolute and charming Heir Fallon wants to rule, but doesn't have the stats memorized like his twin sibling does. Getting Oly back from the Edge seems like a way to prove he has the kingdom's best interests at heart. Obviously, it's not that simple. 

I like how normalized it is for characters to have anxiety and take medication for it. The tablets aren't some miracle cure, either. Abner still has anxiety, but is able to function better when taking them. The Champion herself takes the tablets and still faces demons daily for ten years. When everything goes wrong in the capital, Oly isn't enough on her own. She needs help to fight, and there are some who want to protect her. The twins have different strengths and must play to them. 

The different threads ultimately work together to get to the final battle, and it's everyone working together that makes a difference. It's a book I really enjoyed reading. 

Buy A Day of Breath at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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