Interested in a detailed summary with read-alikes?? Check out my Annotation of this book.
This review is based on an advanced review copy (ARC) received through Reedsy Discovery. Plot Summary and Personal Thoughts below have also been published on that site.
““The cloister taught that all souls were born of the Aether. Upon a natural death, their vespers would return to be cleansed and cycle anew on Erum. Murder was an unnatural death— the ultimate sin. Yet it was the murdered, the victims that suffered, even in death. When a soul was stolen from the cycle by the sin of another, there was little chance of reclamation for the innocent; their souls became lost to the Aether and the cycle. Thus, without a chance for reclamation, the Aether demanded Retribution instead.””
Author: C.G., Wynn
Category/Type: Adult Fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Publication Date: April 24, 2023
Number of Pages: 266 pages of story text; includes a world map and Acknowledgements.
Geographical Setting: The fictional land of Tanvik along with it’s cities and fishing villages.
Time Period: Action takes place in the present with flashbacks to characters’ past adventures.
Series (if applicable): This is book 1 in the Bonds of Dissonance series.
Plot Summary: An unexpectedly enthralling adventure with rich worldbuilding, full of relatable characters and magical powers lined with darkness.
The Aether Awakens captivates readers as they follow the adventures of Opheira and Myronor. Opheira retired from her duties as Aspect of Retribution. She was done with the Oath requiring she kill murderers to return their souls to the Aether. She considered her power a curse and is less than thrilled when the Magistrate requests she return to duty. On the way to receive her mission, she crosses paths with Myronor, a powerful mage, by saving his life. Annoying, and frustratingly handsome, Opheira can’t wait to get away from him. Unfortunately her new mission involves not only investigating an assassination attempt, but also safely escorting Myronor to the city of Krysas. This is anything but a simple mission, paladins like her are no longer respected and unfriendly forces would like to capture Myronor for themselves. Along the way, Opheira will discover she has a power she never could have imagined, forcing her to forge a new relationship with the Aether even as she struggles to keep Myronor safe and navigate the strong emotions that exist between them.
This tale is great for lovers of quests featuring morally grey heroines with dark powers. Fans of rich worldbuilding and fairytales with an edge will enjoy reading about Tanvik, Krysas, and the heroes and villains Wynn’s world contains. Try pairing The Aether Awakens with Hannah Witten’s The Foxglove King for a wonderful mix of protagonists trying to survive the difficult hand they’ve been dealt as handsome men complicate their lives.
Content warnings (may containt SLIGHT SPOILERS): Discussions of past trauma, bodily harm, death of a loved one, violence, murder.
Representation:
Powerful [cis] female protagonist
““”But if you’re willing to kill, why not kill for us instead?”
”I”m not willing, simply compelled by your choices.”””
PERSONAL THOUGHTS
WARNING: May contain spoilers
This book was unexpectedly enthralling. At first I thought I wouldn’t like it but I’m glad I had to press on to review it because I ended up getting sucked in. While it felt overly wordy at the start, I realized Wynn’s language was painting vivid pictures of the world inside the pages. Wynn uses uncomplicated text that easy to interpret. I could hear the bustling city of Feyralis and envision Myronor’s exapnsive library, almost sneezing at the dust coating the tops of the shelves. Careful, or, like myself, you may find you’ve dashed through 50 pages in the blink of an eye!
The Aether Awakens begins slow moving with a magical world built in intricate detail. To keep readers engaged, tales of Opheira’s past adventures offer a change of pace. Even when the action picks up, a sense of calm is maintained, allowing readers time to process events and emotions alongside the characters.
Wynn excels at character development, crafting relatable, three-dimensional characters. We understand Opheira’s frustration with Myronor when they first meet, even as we’re charmed by Myronor’s quirky ways and inability to take no for an answer. This continues as new cast members are introduced.
Final resting place: This is an ebook so it lives in my reading app on my iPad.
WHAT I’M READING NOW
My annotations and reviews are always running a bit (or more than a bit) behind what I’m actually reading so here’s a little bit of a teaser, if you will, for reviews to come.
The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi