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Into the Aether
A scared teenager, Lara must battle her own inner demons … while being stalked in her nightmares by an all-too-real monster. She has only two options: run or succumb.
A courageous woman, Cybil is doing her best to piece together a new life free of her abusive husband. She is cursed with confused glimpses into future events she may not be able to change—including her own death.
An honorable warrior, and the reluctant leader of her people, August must undertake the familial obligation of protecting a seemingly ordinary high school teacher. If she shirks her duty, then the world will fall to a preternatural tyrant in search of a long-lost weapon of immense power.
Their stories weave together to reveal a mysterious supernatural world that hides just beneath our own. As chaos swirls among and around them, the three women must put aside their differences and act together, or watch two worlds collide in a deluge of fire and blood.
A courageous woman, Cybil is doing her best to piece together a new life free of her abusive husband. She is cursed with confused glimpses into future events she may not be able to change—including her own death.
An honorable warrior, and the reluctant leader of her people, August must undertake the familial obligation of protecting a seemingly ordinary high school teacher. If she shirks her duty, then the world will fall to a preternatural tyrant in search of a long-lost weapon of immense power.
Their stories weave together to reveal a mysterious supernatural world that hides just beneath our own. As chaos swirls among and around them, the three women must put aside their differences and act together, or watch two worlds collide in a deluge of fire and blood.
- GenresFantasy
350 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2014
494 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 3, 2014
Into the Aether is a hard book to categorize. While it fits snugly into the broad genre of Urban Fantasy, it plays out more like a good mystery. Three separate story lines drop the reader straight into the action in a way very reminiscent of many fantasy series. Several characters move through the plot seemingly unrelated to one another, but all the while they build more and more suspense as bits of information are dropped at just the right moments to leave you guessing. Occasionally, at the introduction of a new character, a few pages are spent on expository background, but only seldom was the exposition uneventful. Undoubtedly, the strength of T. C. Pearce lies in unique plot development. The characters are intricately woven together in a logical and ultimately surprising fashion. By time you reach the end, there are so many unexpected turns that you never know what you're about to read on the next page - that's the mark of a good urban fantasy.
- Stuart Thaman, stuartthamanbooks.com
- Stuart Thaman, stuartthamanbooks.com
July 27, 2015
I was offered this book for free to review by the authors in the audio book format through audible.com. This was my first experience with audible.com, but not with audio books. I like the site and system, but that's not for this review.
This genre is right up my alley. I like the fantasy, hidden society, magical aspects of Into the Aether. Every author's take on magic, it's source, and it's cost is slightly different. The Pearces' view on magic using Aether is unique. I'm curious if it is the aether that allows the Cubi to ... do some of the stuff they do. They also redefined the Cubi, or Incubi and Succubi. For those worried parents whose children are reading this book that contains these beings, there are no sex scenes in this book... not even close. Maybe some flirtation and some romantic thoughts, but no sex. I also particularly liked the Mares. They seemed to have an interesting ability, that we probably don't see their full capability in this book.
I will have to say, the way this book was written was quite interesting. Each chapter starts with one or more characters and the chapter is written from their viewpoint(s). For the first four chapters, you get three different view points. Then you get some consecutive story telling from one group. If you can bear through the confusion of the different characters, they will all tell the same story, eventually. It may feel like you are reading three books in one, but they are interconnected. I do say I feel the need to reread the books to catch all of the intricate weavings in the early chapters.
The plot twists and turns in this book are crazy. And just when you think you figured something out, something else happens to through you for a loop again. I started reading this in the car on my way to and from work, but I ended up listening to a few hours near the end of the book in my living room. That's a high testament to the intense pace and thrill of reading this book. It's definitely a book worth reading.
A note about the audio book: Suzanne Elise Freeman did an okay job at narrating this book. You can tell by my desire to finish this book that she certainly doesn't get in the way of the story. I do, however, have a few complaints. When she's not speaking in character, it's pretty monotone. It sounds dry and not from the point of view of the chapter. Even in nonspeaking narration, I expect some emotion and flow to accompany the words. And then there is her interpretation of August. She made August sound flat and boring, no matter what her mood or temperament was. I thought, when I first heard her, that somewhere later in the book there would be some clue as to this flatness, but no. She sounded like an oracle who was never human or didn't know how to speak to one, not the powerful CEO of a company and leader that she was. This really bothered me, and lasted for the whole book. She's blind, not mute. One more small thing: her Irish and Russian sound very similar. (I probably couldn't do any better, but it's not my voice being recorded.) It will be interesting if the authors/publisher choose to keep her for the next installment, or if they will rotate out the vocal readers.
All in all, I'm glad my wife, and the authors, made me read this book. Fantastic! It was a good read, something new in magic and fiction, great plot and story, interesting characters with power and flaws. If I complain about anything it would be about the last chapter before the epilogue. There was no connection to the story, at all. I'm sure it sets up the next book, but it didn't even pique my interest yet. There was a new character, going through an event caused by some other characters in the book, but that was it. In my opinion, if it was needed for the next book, then it should have been in the next book, not this one. Other than that, it was great. There are some unanswered questions that have to be resolved, but I'm looking forward to them and their story. It will be great, I'm sure. For my review, I'm giving this book 4.5 stars.
This genre is right up my alley. I like the fantasy, hidden society, magical aspects of Into the Aether. Every author's take on magic, it's source, and it's cost is slightly different. The Pearces' view on magic using Aether is unique. I'm curious if it is the aether that allows the Cubi to ... do some of the stuff they do. They also redefined the Cubi, or Incubi and Succubi. For those worried parents whose children are reading this book that contains these beings, there are no sex scenes in this book... not even close. Maybe some flirtation and some romantic thoughts, but no sex. I also particularly liked the Mares. They seemed to have an interesting ability, that we probably don't see their full capability in this book.
I will have to say, the way this book was written was quite interesting. Each chapter starts with one or more characters and the chapter is written from their viewpoint(s). For the first four chapters, you get three different view points. Then you get some consecutive story telling from one group. If you can bear through the confusion of the different characters, they will all tell the same story, eventually. It may feel like you are reading three books in one, but they are interconnected. I do say I feel the need to reread the books to catch all of the intricate weavings in the early chapters.
The plot twists and turns in this book are crazy. And just when you think you figured something out, something else happens to through you for a loop again. I started reading this in the car on my way to and from work, but I ended up listening to a few hours near the end of the book in my living room. That's a high testament to the intense pace and thrill of reading this book. It's definitely a book worth reading.
A note about the audio book: Suzanne Elise Freeman did an okay job at narrating this book. You can tell by my desire to finish this book that she certainly doesn't get in the way of the story. I do, however, have a few complaints. When she's not speaking in character, it's pretty monotone. It sounds dry and not from the point of view of the chapter. Even in nonspeaking narration, I expect some emotion and flow to accompany the words. And then there is her interpretation of August. She made August sound flat and boring, no matter what her mood or temperament was. I thought, when I first heard her, that somewhere later in the book there would be some clue as to this flatness, but no. She sounded like an oracle who was never human or didn't know how to speak to one, not the powerful CEO of a company and leader that she was. This really bothered me, and lasted for the whole book. She's blind, not mute. One more small thing: her Irish and Russian sound very similar. (I probably couldn't do any better, but it's not my voice being recorded.) It will be interesting if the authors/publisher choose to keep her for the next installment, or if they will rotate out the vocal readers.
All in all, I'm glad my wife, and the authors, made me read this book. Fantastic! It was a good read, something new in magic and fiction, great plot and story, interesting characters with power and flaws. If I complain about anything it would be about the last chapter before the epilogue. There was no connection to the story, at all. I'm sure it sets up the next book, but it didn't even pique my interest yet. There was a new character, going through an event caused by some other characters in the book, but that was it. In my opinion, if it was needed for the next book, then it should have been in the next book, not this one. Other than that, it was great. There are some unanswered questions that have to be resolved, but I'm looking forward to them and their story. It will be great, I'm sure. For my review, I'm giving this book 4.5 stars.
September 6, 2016
It took me a bit to get into this book. For a while I wasn't quite sure what was going on. Each chapter in the beginning is from a different characters viewpoint and there are a lot of characters, for me it just felt disjointed. Things started to make a little more sense and started flowing smoother with the story starting in chapter 6 which is almost 2 hrs into the book. The dream sequences can be confusing at times. Even with a rocky start the story slowly and continually pulls you in and weaves an entertaining, interesting and unusual story.
The story shifts between the lives of August, Cybil and Lara until their paths eventually cross and pull the story together. Mythological beings as well as hybrid humans living/hiding/fighting in, around and among the human world. Things are not always as they seem. There are two sides to every story.
Suzanne Elise Freeman did a good job with the narration. Pleasant voice very easy on the ears. Good character voices. Clearly spoken with a smooth even pace. Some parts of the narration that are not a character speaking are a little monotone/flat at times, but overall was enjoyable.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom.com
The story shifts between the lives of August, Cybil and Lara until their paths eventually cross and pull the story together. Mythological beings as well as hybrid humans living/hiding/fighting in, around and among the human world. Things are not always as they seem. There are two sides to every story.
Suzanne Elise Freeman did a good job with the narration. Pleasant voice very easy on the ears. Good character voices. Clearly spoken with a smooth even pace. Some parts of the narration that are not a character speaking are a little monotone/flat at times, but overall was enjoyable.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom.com
April 17, 2015
I received this book from a GOODREADS GIVEAWAY.
I think Stuart Thaman, Author of The Goblin War Series, put it best in his review when he said, "Undoubtedly, the strength of T.C, Pearce lies in the unique plot development. The characters are intricately woven together in a logical and ultimately surprising fashion."
I have read some reviews on here, before reading the book, that they got lost when reading the book, that the author talked about some characters and then never went back to them. Leaving readers with so many questions in the end and that the book was jumbled. I disagree with those reviewers. I did receive the book that had two additional stories in the end, so maybe that helped with fusing the overall story. It did take a bit to get Lara, Cybil, and Greg back into the storyline, but it as a whole made sense.
All of the characters were well developed and interwoven nicely. The book did end as if it were part one of a series, so I really hope there will be a follow up book to answer what happened after to all of them, where is Phillip and Michael now, what is Greg, is Jordan Patriarch again and what was his secret, will Lara see her father again and will he find a body.
If or when a follow up book is out, I will be reading it.
I think Stuart Thaman, Author of The Goblin War Series, put it best in his review when he said, "Undoubtedly, the strength of T.C, Pearce lies in the unique plot development. The characters are intricately woven together in a logical and ultimately surprising fashion."
I have read some reviews on here, before reading the book, that they got lost when reading the book, that the author talked about some characters and then never went back to them. Leaving readers with so many questions in the end and that the book was jumbled. I disagree with those reviewers. I did receive the book that had two additional stories in the end, so maybe that helped with fusing the overall story. It did take a bit to get Lara, Cybil, and Greg back into the storyline, but it as a whole made sense.
All of the characters were well developed and interwoven nicely. The book did end as if it were part one of a series, so I really hope there will be a follow up book to answer what happened after to all of them, where is Phillip and Michael now, what is Greg, is Jordan Patriarch again and what was his secret, will Lara see her father again and will he find a body.
If or when a follow up book is out, I will be reading it.
April 13, 2017
2/5 stars
I received this book from Goodreads Giveaways for a review.
Beginning this book was very hard for me. I didnt get a very good description of the character (how he felt, what he was like, I just didn't get to know...him) and before I knew it the chapter ended, bringing a new POV with it. Many characters were introduced early on in the book, well not introduced more like mentioned. Then chapters later (after changing in and out of new characters POV's) we revisited said character and they would mention names I couldn't recall meaning anything or even had heard before. On the other hand I loved how the characters reacted with each other. This book had a great plot, the supernatural aspect was intriguing. Some of the aspects of it though weren't executed very well. I didn't quite understand somethings and they also mentioned so many otherworldly names I couldn't keep track of them. With that being said those were the only problems I had with the book. It was well thought out and T.C. Pearce has a way with words. At some moments I found myself stifling laughter during class.
I received this book from Goodreads Giveaways for a review.
Beginning this book was very hard for me. I didnt get a very good description of the character (how he felt, what he was like, I just didn't get to know...him) and before I knew it the chapter ended, bringing a new POV with it. Many characters were introduced early on in the book, well not introduced more like mentioned. Then chapters later (after changing in and out of new characters POV's) we revisited said character and they would mention names I couldn't recall meaning anything or even had heard before. On the other hand I loved how the characters reacted with each other. This book had a great plot, the supernatural aspect was intriguing. Some of the aspects of it though weren't executed very well. I didn't quite understand somethings and they also mentioned so many otherworldly names I couldn't keep track of them. With that being said those were the only problems I had with the book. It was well thought out and T.C. Pearce has a way with words. At some moments I found myself stifling laughter during class.
August 21, 2015
I have to start by saying this is not my genre. Still, I really enjoyed this story. This is a novella, yet I felt the story was developed and not rushed. I liked Ink's strong character, the vivid descriptions of the mer world. Ink, our protagonist, is thrust into a very difficult situation, but tries to work as fairly as she can to save her people while constantly dealing with betrayal. I particularly loved the scene where Ink transforms from a mermaid to a "dry walker". The authors description of what Ink went through was as believable as anyone could imagine. Very creative.
The story is told from Ink's point of view, and we feel all of her strength, angst, and heart as she maneuvers through the treacherous world she's been thrust into. Vivid characters, engaging story, and wonderfully realistic world. Readers in this genre should totally enjoy this story, as well as those who don't normally read this genre.
The story is told from Ink's point of view, and we feel all of her strength, angst, and heart as she maneuvers through the treacherous world she's been thrust into. Vivid characters, engaging story, and wonderfully realistic world. Readers in this genre should totally enjoy this story, as well as those who don't normally read this genre.
August 18, 2016
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.
narrator was great for some characters. I liked her for laura, the scottish father, and philip. but I felt she didn't portray angry characters well; August always sounded bored; and the 60 year old woman barbie didn't sound very old.
I enjoyed the novel and kept reading to hear what happened. There are a lot of characters and the point of view frequently shifts between them, but I didn't have any difficult following the story. The dream sequences can be a little confusing, as well as how the story changes between the past and present without telling you. I felt the ending was rushed where too much happened too quickly. At least the ending isn't a cliffhanger. Despite the story revolving around Succubus, we didn't see them doing very much IMO.
narrator was great for some characters. I liked her for laura, the scottish father, and philip. but I felt she didn't portray angry characters well; August always sounded bored; and the 60 year old woman barbie didn't sound very old.
I enjoyed the novel and kept reading to hear what happened. There are a lot of characters and the point of view frequently shifts between them, but I didn't have any difficult following the story. The dream sequences can be a little confusing, as well as how the story changes between the past and present without telling you. I felt the ending was rushed where too much happened too quickly. At least the ending isn't a cliffhanger. Despite the story revolving around Succubus, we didn't see them doing very much IMO.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews