A Day of Breath

A Day of Breath is a dark, coming-of-age fantasy that blends demons, sacred conspiracy, and a race against a closing rift. Oly, Niawa's longest-serving Champion, guards the Edge, but her magical powers are fading. She must find a way to renew them when Heir Fallon, unsettled by not being chosen to rule, tempts her to leave the Edge for the Day of Breath—the one day it is believed demons cannot breach the rift. The invitation prompts a perilous reunion, raising questions of family, duty, and power as the pair confront a spreading demonic threat. With a midnight deadline, they race to stop the carnage before the rift reopens. This debut novel by Darby Cox draws on epic fantasy influences and will appeal to readers who love strong world-building, high-stakes quests, and character-driven storytelling in the vein of Naomi Novik and N.K. Jemisin.

Who might be interested in reading?

• Fans of dark fantasy and coming-of-age quests with a high-stakes, time-bound twist.
• Readers who enjoy richly built worlds, demons, and religious conspiracy in epic fantasy.
• Those who connect with character-driven stories about duty, lineage, and power renewal.
• Readers who appreciate debut authors with influences from Naomi Novik and N.K. Jemisin.