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Aetherforged #2
Demonstorm
The full power of his mythic ancestry propels a young archmage to new heights in the second installment of this epic LitRPG fantasy adventure.
When a fierce aetherstorm unleashes a wave of demonic aetherbeasts on New Albion―capital of the Valestra Kingdom―Callum Stross and his friends Quinn and Marcella answer the call, defending the city with a courage befitting the next generation of Great College archmages.
In the aftermath, the kingdom’s fragile peace with the Geshwine Empire fractures, and a deadly tournament is called between the two powers. To survive, Callum must weather duels, trials, and political intrigue to reach his true goal of forging a bond with a second Killeas, his legendary ancestor’s gryphon, who’s been imprisoned in the crypt of the Demonslayer for five hundred years.
But as the tournament reaches its breaking point, a darker tide is rising beyond the arena’s walls. With allies beside him and new enemies emerging from the shadows, Callum will be forced to embrace his ferocious destiny and fight with everything he has.
Victory may grant him glory, but the kingdom itself faces a reckoning no one expected . . .
When a fierce aetherstorm unleashes a wave of demonic aetherbeasts on New Albion―capital of the Valestra Kingdom―Callum Stross and his friends Quinn and Marcella answer the call, defending the city with a courage befitting the next generation of Great College archmages.
In the aftermath, the kingdom’s fragile peace with the Geshwine Empire fractures, and a deadly tournament is called between the two powers. To survive, Callum must weather duels, trials, and political intrigue to reach his true goal of forging a bond with a second Killeas, his legendary ancestor’s gryphon, who’s been imprisoned in the crypt of the Demonslayer for five hundred years.
But as the tournament reaches its breaking point, a darker tide is rising beyond the arena’s walls. With allies beside him and new enemies emerging from the shadows, Callum will be forced to embrace his ferocious destiny and fight with everything he has.
Victory may grant him glory, but the kingdom itself faces a reckoning no one expected . . .
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2026
About the author
Luke Chmilenko
43 books1,588 followersWriting far faster than his hands can withstand, Luke Chmilenko hails from the Great White North where he lives with his wife and two daughters. Toiling endlessly Luke juggles his time between a rapidly growing catalogue of series while playing far more video games than he would ever openly admit.
If you're interested in getting all the news about Luke's upcoming work, check out his website at: http://lukechmilenko.com/
If you're interested in getting all the news about Luke's upcoming work, check out his website at: http://lukechmilenko.com/
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 5, 2025
Oh, this Cooper/Chmilenko amalgam is fabulous. I thoroughly enjoyed book one, but book two was just phenomenal. I think I zoomed through the pages at a rate of knots...
The various friends, and, of course royalty, that Callum has met, and their feelings for him are strengthened when the Crimson Sigil - the finest College in the Geshwire Empire - decide to hold an event at The Great College to set the best fighters of each College against each other in the arena. A worrying situation, as the Crimson Sigil have not only brought their students, but also their airships! Callum finds out who his true friends are, and why things are happening. This builds to an unexpected and shocking climax. Absolutely wonderful!
The various friends, and, of course royalty, that Callum has met, and their feelings for him are strengthened when the Crimson Sigil - the finest College in the Geshwire Empire - decide to hold an event at The Great College to set the best fighters of each College against each other in the arena. A worrying situation, as the Crimson Sigil have not only brought their students, but also their airships! Callum finds out who his true friends are, and why things are happening. This builds to an unexpected and shocking climax. Absolutely wonderful!
April 16, 2026
About the same as the first book.
This was about the same as book one for overall enjoyment. The plot was predictable throughout, but still enjoyable enough. The characters stayed true to how the wr presented and no shocks there. The MC grew in power a bit, but survives through plot armor and luck asuch as skill for several fights. Not bad, just not great.
This was about the same as book one for overall enjoyment. The plot was predictable throughout, but still enjoyable enough. The characters stayed true to how the wr presented and no shocks there. The MC grew in power a bit, but survives through plot armor and luck asuch as skill for several fights. Not bad, just not great.
May 8, 2026
While the quality of this book is at about the same level as the first book, I can see some cracks starting to form throughout.
The characters are enjoyable and the action is fast paced and exciting, but a lot of the background stuff is rough. Where despite have 2 whole books taking place there, I still know next to nothing about the academy, and even less about New Albion. Sure, it is the capital of Valestra but what is the culture like? I'm fairly certain that Callum didn't even talk to any new named characters from either the academy or the city in this entire book. With the only new characters being from the rival nation during the tournament or random one-off characters.
So as the stakes rise throughout the story I have a hard time caring as none of the name or locations mean anything to me. This isn't a dealbreaker, yet, but it can easily become one if the next book(s) don't take some time to build up more of the surrounding world.
The characters are enjoyable and the action is fast paced and exciting, but a lot of the background stuff is rough. Where despite have 2 whole books taking place there, I still know next to nothing about the academy, and even less about New Albion. Sure, it is the capital of Valestra but what is the culture like? I'm fairly certain that Callum didn't even talk to any new named characters from either the academy or the city in this entire book. With the only new characters being from the rival nation during the tournament or random one-off characters.
So as the stakes rise throughout the story I have a hard time caring as none of the name or locations mean anything to me. This isn't a dealbreaker, yet, but it can easily become one if the next book(s) don't take some time to build up more of the surrounding world.
April 9, 2026
Wow just Wow
Callum whilst trying to discover his heritage is now got to contend with further aetherbeasts and uncertainty with another country and a changing dynamic within the city.
This is a great lead up to an epic finale in the book and a massive setup for the next book.
Also like how we have went from the hidden heritage to someone in the forefront of a new beginning for an entire country.
Callum whilst trying to discover his heritage is now got to contend with further aetherbeasts and uncertainty with another country and a changing dynamic within the city.
This is a great lead up to an epic finale in the book and a massive setup for the next book.
Also like how we have went from the hidden heritage to someone in the forefront of a new beginning for an entire country.
April 24, 2026
Just as good as the first
This book is even better then the first with twisting plots and incredible battles it keeps you at the edge of your sit the whole time your reading.
This book is even better then the first with twisting plots and incredible battles it keeps you at the edge of your sit the whole time your reading.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews