Blood & Breath - by Qurratulayn (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

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

Born into the persecuted Magi class, Evan Wilde keeps her true identity under wraps. Her days are spent drawing up simple contracts--a task Magi are banned from performing--which call devils from beyond the veil to carry out clients' requests in exchange for a bit of blood or breath. It's not until Evan lies dying in an alley, the victim of an illegal blood sacrifice, that she draws a contract for herself. A devil can take the last of her life--if it grants her revenge.

Such a hasty, open-ended contract can only lead to trouble. But when a devil named Jack accepts her terms, Evan decides to make the most of her borrowed time. With Jack's help, she infiltrates high society, posing as part of the ruling Necro class--the group responsible for oppressing Magi and perpetuating illegal blood sacrifices. Dining and dancing by day, unleashing her devil at night . . . for the first time in her life, Evan no longer lives in fear. She even finds friends--and love--within the circles of her supposed enemy.

It turns out that, for all their corruption, Necros are the only ones keeping the devils at bay. If Evan and Jack topple their society in revenge, the veil between worlds could vanish, leaving devils to wreak havoc. Evan's vendetta against Necros could destroy the entire world, including her newfound friends and love.

But even if she changes her mind, Evan is not the only one out for blood. Jack didn't indenture himself for nothing; in fact, Evan's contract could be the key to enacting his own twisted vengeance . . . .

Book 1 of the Blood & Breath Duology

Review Quotes

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books 2025: Teen Fiction

"[I]n this mesmerizing historical fantasy novel[, ] [...] Muhammad leverages the protagonists' parallel experiences with paranormal persecution to deliver a tense, high-stakes-conflict-driven narrative that explores themes of love, betrayal, and fate."
--Publishers Weekly

"[In this] beguiling paranormal revenge thriller[, ] [...] Qurratulayn effortlessly draws real-world parallels by threading in themes of oppression, class struggle, and prejudice."
--Shelf Awareness

"The ethical toll of vengeance is explored [...] and Jack will delight true fans of horror with vividly described bloody, gore-filled scenes [...]. [An] excellent take on Black girl horror."
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"This immersive, plot-driven story takes place in a racially diverse world with queer representation that evokes 1920s New Orleans with a creative magic system and some well-executed twists."
--Kirkus Reviews

"A teen makes a deal with the devil to get revenge after being left for dead as part of a sacrificial ritual in this dark but extremely unique historical fantasy."
--Paste Magazine

"Charismatic yet terrifying devils, unexpected romances, and simmering class tensions made it impossible to put this book down. A sparkling debut that will appeal to both horror and fantasy readers. Qurratulayn's words are magic!"
--Catherine Yu, author of The Devil's in the Dancers

About the Author

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Qurratulayn moved down South when she was eleven, where she was bitten by the writing bug as well as other, less friendly insects. Qurratulayn has currently fled back up north to Philadelphia, where she enjoys reading, museums, and sometimes archery. Blood & Breath is her debut novel.