Welcome to Aethonix—where fire and water clash, and the past refuses to stay buried.
Aurora was born on Earth; Lyrea died in Aethonix. Now, Aurora walks in Lyrea's shadow, trapped in a realm of magic and dragons.
To find a way back home, Aurora must survive the brutal challenges of Aethonix Imperial Academy. As she fights for her place among warriors, she is drawn into a web of political intrigue, forbidden magic, and prophecy that she never asked to be a part of.
Magic runs deep; secrets run deeper. And as ancient forces stir, Aurora must will she embrace a destiny that was never hers, or let Aethonix burn?"
I was so surprised (and honored!) when Prachi Paliwal reached out to me and offered me an ARC of her debut novel! 🥹 Aethonix: The Burning Tide is an easy-to-read fantasy x romantasy that immediately pulled me into its world.
I really enjoyed both of the main characters, Aurora and Kleon — they were both so fun to follow, and their dynamic definitely kept me hooked! The plot itself was solid and entertaining, though I found myself wishing for just a bit more detail and better pacing, especially with the timing of events. Some moments felt a little rushed, and I think with a little more world-building and scene-setting, the story could've been even stronger.
That said... that cliffhanger?? I NEED book two right now. 😭🔥 The ending left me desperate to know what happens next, and I’m so excited to see where Prachi takes the story from here.
If you're looking for a quick, enjoyable romantasy from a fresh new voice, definitely check this one out! ✨
This book had me up all night. I couldn’t put it down! Such an amazing read! If you like fantasy reads with lots of twists and turns, this is the boom for you! (I want to say so much more but I don’t want to spoil this book for future readers). Prachi Paliwal, definitely will have you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book!
"Magic wasn’t just about willing things into existence—it was about understanding, about letting it recognize you in return."
Have you ever been awed by a book? Like you start reading it and with every page the book consumes you so far that you start living it? Or even when you stop reading you feel like you have another world to go right back into? Well, this book, 'Aethonix' was one such book for me. I wasn't reading the story, I was a part of it, living it and craving it.
A top notch detective, Aurora Fleming was kidnapped from her life on Earth to be sent into another life, another realm, where magic was spread like fragrance in the air but along with was secrets, betrayal and impending doom. A world where Dragons aren't just creatures but real beasts with their own mind, powers and intelligence. Unaware of what she was exactly entering into, Aurora was sent to the Aethonix academy to learn what she wasn't, not like she knew of. She made her small tribe their with Asher, Jax and Aria. And, then entered King Kleon, with his intense blue eyes that followed Aurora or I say Lyrea? And, from there begins the story of past life, present battles and future that is at stake.
Areas of Strength: • Compelling writing style. • Highlighting the minutest details. • Strong imagination. • An outstanding story line. • Balanced inclusion of hope, grief, love, betrayal and joy. • A well maintained pace of the story. • Perfect character build up.
This is a debut book of the author and once you read it you will hardly believe it. The book is an inspiring testament of her imagination, skills marked with perfection and will to deliver the readers a world they can get lost in.
For every romantasy lover, this book is a must read! And believe me, I can write a lot more but I hate to be your spoiler.
I just finished reading "Aethonix" by Prachi Pahiwal, and I have to say, it was quite the delightful journey! This novel beautifully blends romance and fantasy, creating a world that felt both magical and relatable.
From the first page, I was drawn into the enchanting realm that shel has crafted. The characters are well-developed, each with their own dreams and struggles. I found myself rooting for the protagonist as she navigated her way through challenges and formed connections that felt genuine and heartfelt.
The romance in "Aethonix" is also wonderfully woven into the storyline. It’s sweet, and the chemistry between the main characters builds gradually from enemies to lovers, which made their relationship feel authentic. There are moments of tension and excitement that kept me on the edge of my seat, but also those quiet, tender scenes that made my heart flutter.
Pahiwal’s writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy to get lost in the pages. I appreciated how she incorporated elements of fantasy without overshadowing the emotional depth of the story. The world-building is impressive, with vivid descriptions that brought the settings to life without feeling overwhelming. Still hungover over the cliffhanger! Can't wait for book 2!
Overall, "Aethonix" is a charming read perfect for anyone who enjoys a blend of romance and fantasy. It left me feeling uplifted and inspired, and I can’t help but recommend it to friends looking for their next favorite book. If you love stories that transport you to new worlds while tugging at your heartstrings, you definitely shouldn't miss this one!
Aurora’s ordinary life on Earth is turned upside down when she wakes up in Aethonix, a world where magic is real and dragons exist. With no memory of who she once was, she’s forced to take on a role she doesn’t understand at a brutal academy built for warriors. The only way home is to survive long enough to uncover the truth.
I gotta admit, this one pulled me in fast ... but I definitely had questions. Aurora is a full-on adult with a grown-up job (detective), yet she reacts to discovering magic, dragons, and other worlds with minimal panic. Like, I’d be spiraling. She’s thrown into a magical academy in a new realm with no prep, expected to pose as Lyrea, her past self, and somehow just goes with it?
The concept of having magic and science/tech co-exist is very interesting, but the logic didn't always track. If they’ve got computers in their dorms, why do they still fight with swords/hand-to-hand only? Why not laser guns or tech-enhanced magic?
Still, I was hooked. This is similar to Fourth Wing with secret pasts, dragon bonds, magical academies, and yes, plot twists. The beginning was a bit confusing and my brain had so many logic questions. But around chapter five, the story found its rhythm.
I could predict some of the ending, but there was one part that made me gasp out loud (my family was concerned lol). I am looking forward to discovering how the story unfolds in the second book.
Thank you so much to Prachi Prawali for reaching out and sending me this ARC!
Overall, I really enjoyed Aethonix and I’m so excited to see where Prachi takes this series in the future!
This novel was so fast-paced and easy to read; I flew through it.
With a gripping premise that delivers in execution, this world is a unique one, with the blend of magic and technology adding an extra layer of originality to the story!
The world-building and character development were both established subtly, slotting into the story well without outshining the plot.
Similarly, the romance took the time to establish itself without disrupting the plot and I can’t wait to see it develop further in the sequel.
The writing style was creative and descriptive; however, I would’ve liked to have seen it embellished in certain areas, as Prachi showed she clearly has the skills to do so.
This book was its own unique blend of Fourth Wing and Crescent City and I would definitely recommend giving it a shot.
Ok. So I have a lot to say about this book.. THE ENDING YOU CANT LEAVE IT LIKE THAT!! Anyway rant over. Loved every second of it. I was gripped from page one to the very last page! If you loved fourth wing/zodiac academy you’ll love this book! It gave me fourth wing vibes with the dragons and magic! It was such a quick and easy read I wish it was longer. Honestly hope there’s another book in the making because I have lots of questions!
✅academy - loved that there was an academy especially for the magic and dragons! ✅bonded to dragons - DOUBLE TICK! Badass dragons 🐉 ✅Lost queen of the kingdom ✅small amounts of romance - no spice (didn’t need it) ✅ 1st person POV (my fave) ✅ amazing world building and loads of detail. Felt like I was actually there with aurora!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Aethonix is a very well written, fast paced story about a girl who gets transported to a world where magic and science coexist. She gets enrolled into an academy that is reminiscent of a war college. There is a mystery afoot, an unexplainable sickness, lots of dead bodies and people summoning things they shouldn't. Did I mention dragons and a missing queen? What’s not to like? The characters were drawn beautifully and realistically; it was a good choice to use first person to allow for a more immersive experience. The twists and turns especially towards the end of the book will keep you glued. It was overall a refreshing read and I quite enjoyed the ride (pun intended).