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Aetherborn
The Aetherborn 1: A LitRPG Adventure
In a single night, Thorne lost everything. What he gained was far more dangerous.
Thorne’s world is thrown into chaos when he uncovers the truth about his heritage. He is an Aetherborn, tied to an ancient power that others would kill to control. Forced from his home, he must survive on the streets, relying on his cunning and newfound abilities to navigate ruthless guilds and dangerous factions.
To realize his near limitless potential, Thorne must become a master of masks and countless skills. Assassin. Hunter. Strategist. Mage. The further Thorne walks along the path of power, the more they intersect in a complex web of deceit.
Trust the wrong person, reveal too much… and he stands to lose it all.
Dive into an epic adventure that follows an ambitious MC as he claws his way to the heights of power, mastering blades and magic alike. Perfect for fans of King’s Dark Tidings!
First on Royal Road with nearly a million views, now professionally edited on Amazon and Audible narrated by Jonathan Waters. Buy a copy or read free with Kindle Unlimited!
Thorne’s world is thrown into chaos when he uncovers the truth about his heritage. He is an Aetherborn, tied to an ancient power that others would kill to control. Forced from his home, he must survive on the streets, relying on his cunning and newfound abilities to navigate ruthless guilds and dangerous factions.
To realize his near limitless potential, Thorne must become a master of masks and countless skills. Assassin. Hunter. Strategist. Mage. The further Thorne walks along the path of power, the more they intersect in a complex web of deceit.
Trust the wrong person, reveal too much… and he stands to lose it all.
Dive into an epic adventure that follows an ambitious MC as he claws his way to the heights of power, mastering blades and magic alike. Perfect for fans of King’s Dark Tidings!
First on Royal Road with nearly a million views, now professionally edited on Amazon and Audible narrated by Jonathan Waters. Buy a copy or read free with Kindle Unlimited!
770 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 12, 2026
319 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 3, 2026
Not for me
Well, I tried. It stared off pretty good. Then the s hit the fan. His family is somehow easily found and killed because of who his mother and he is. Not sure how they were found and by the kings men when they are out in the country. His mother is turned into alchemical products his father is left dead in the house and his sister is probably destined to become more alchemical products turned into a prostitute. He is 8 and the world is looking for him and is apparently easy to find based on what happened to his family. There is no way he survives a week without the author stepping in and providing a liberal use of dues ex or some random plot device, let alone survives to adulthood. I really hate when authors put their MC in such a inconceivable position that it is impossible to suspend disbelief. I also hate when authors use children but then have them act adult and do adult things.
Well, I tried. It stared off pretty good. Then the s hit the fan. His family is somehow easily found and killed because of who his mother and he is. Not sure how they were found and by the kings men when they are out in the country. His mother is turned into alchemical products his father is left dead in the house and his sister is probably destined to become more alchemical products turned into a prostitute. He is 8 and the world is looking for him and is apparently easy to find based on what happened to his family. There is no way he survives a week without the author stepping in and providing a liberal use of dues ex or some random plot device, let alone survives to adulthood. I really hate when authors put their MC in such a inconceivable position that it is impossible to suspend disbelief. I also hate when authors use children but then have them act adult and do adult things.
Did Not Finish
March 30, 2026dnf'ed @ 8%
March 13, 2026
Grimdark tortureporn
This book needs to come with a warning. While the writing is decent, there are no redeeming characters in the book and it's a race to the bottom for how depraved the author can make them all. It's like someone combined a snuff film with lord of the flies, and that's still not an accurate enough description of how repulsive every character of any consequence in the book behaves.
If that's your thing then by all means, wallow in that pit. As for me, I'm out.
NTS: do not continue
This book needs to come with a warning. While the writing is decent, there are no redeeming characters in the book and it's a race to the bottom for how depraved the author can make them all. It's like someone combined a snuff film with lord of the flies, and that's still not an accurate enough description of how repulsive every character of any consequence in the book behaves.
If that's your thing then by all means, wallow in that pit. As for me, I'm out.
NTS: do not continue
February 3, 2026
I thought this went from one extreme to another, like an old-fashioned melodrama, and it was a bit too much for me. Not a huge fan of very young protagonists, either, they kind of limit the story.
January 14, 2026
What a great book
What a treat this book was. I really enjoyed it. The characters have personality, there is character growth, and the story is compelling. This was a great introduction. The book is lengthy too!
That being said, the world currently displayed is a bit small. I have every expectation of more world building in the following book. I also hope the mc somehow makes it into this academy with his sister. This series has a lot of potential, we just need a change of pace in the following book. I can't wait until it's released.
Thanks for the read!
What a treat this book was. I really enjoyed it. The characters have personality, there is character growth, and the story is compelling. This was a great introduction. The book is lengthy too!
That being said, the world currently displayed is a bit small. I have every expectation of more world building in the following book. I also hope the mc somehow makes it into this academy with his sister. This series has a lot of potential, we just need a change of pace in the following book. I can't wait until it's released.
Thanks for the read!
February 18, 2026
Interesting
Enjoyable take on the zero to op genre with interesting twists and turns a slow burn protagonist, I'm looking forward to book 2 .
Enjoyable take on the zero to op genre with interesting twists and turns a slow burn protagonist, I'm looking forward to book 2 .
February 5, 2026
DNF. The beginning was good, but my interest waned pretty quickly.
Paragraphs that are somehow too detailed and at the same time disjointed from each other. Repeating phrases. Character motivations that don’t make sense. Characters that are cliché. Plot armor galore. Poor world building.
Paragraphs that are somehow too detailed and at the same time disjointed from each other. Repeating phrases. Character motivations that don’t make sense. Characters that are cliché. Plot armor galore. Poor world building.
February 2, 2026
Excellent new series
I just happened upon this book from my recommendations list and it was a really fun read. The MC is great, makes logical mistakes that someone his age would but is also ruthless as someone who was forced to grow up on the street would be.
Having a believable series of emotional decisions take place is a nice breath of fresh air in this genre. Add to that, that the book is very well written and you have a a recipe for success. I highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a darker tone and a story that doesn’t just hand wave victories for everyone.
I just happened upon this book from my recommendations list and it was a really fun read. The MC is great, makes logical mistakes that someone his age would but is also ruthless as someone who was forced to grow up on the street would be.
Having a believable series of emotional decisions take place is a nice breath of fresh air in this genre. Add to that, that the book is very well written and you have a a recipe for success. I highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a darker tone and a story that doesn’t just hand wave victories for everyone.
January 31, 2026
a wild rush
Reading (watching) Thorne grow from a bit to a man was a wild ride. All the pain he suffers just to get stronger. Deadalus is a good author he did a great job with the pacing and action.
Reading (watching) Thorne grow from a bit to a man was a wild ride. All the pain he suffers just to get stronger. Deadalus is a good author he did a great job with the pacing and action.
January 24, 2026
Great new series shaping up
I love this world the author crafted. After reading the first book, I really wanted more so I found the author on RoyalcRoad and on Patreon to continue his series. This series is shaping up to be an epic adventure with a great main character and supporting characters. I highly recommend this book and later additions to this series.
I love this world the author crafted. After reading the first book, I really wanted more so I found the author on RoyalcRoad and on Patreon to continue his series. This series is shaping up to be an epic adventure with a great main character and supporting characters. I highly recommend this book and later additions to this series.
January 23, 2026
Very slow burn
The first over half the book takes places between age 8-9, which isn't really bad it's just a very slow build up. The second half of the book doesn't really get to any big turning points just a slow build of power. While it was all enjoyable, worth the read and will read the second, I do have a few complaints.
First big one is, left over plot threads? Maybe they will get to it in book 2 but at one point he comes into some 'treasure' and an 'artifact', Now I won't say what it is but after he hides them. It's never mentioned again. Even later on in the book when he needs money and could sell his treasure, he doesn't even think of it. Even though when he got the treasure itself is mentioned, the treasure seems forgotten. So no clue what the point of the 'orb' and treasures are as they seem forgotten.
Second, stats? Do they matter? At the start they act like him getting just 20 points is a massive gain that lets him catch heavy branches. Yet by the end of the book, he has the levels of an adult yet seems as weak as level 1 children his age. He doesn't seem to have massive endurance or strength over them and doesn't seem as strong as the adults.
So? what do attributes actually do? Do they depend on the body and since he's still a kid does that mean his stats don't do as much? How much is say 10 in strength compared to 40 in it? Can he lift 50 pounds versus 200? 600? 1000?
I liked the book but the attributes sort of felt meaningless? Soft numbers that were more thrown on to make it a LITRPG book rather than actually mattering.
Would really liked if the author gave examples or more clear cut of what the values matter. The fact he's pushed to his 'limit' tons of times to passing out. Yet no one finds it odd that he lasted so long and that a level 1 could do that too. Makes it seem like the stats don't matter. Or are so little that any level 1 could do the same. So whats the point? If a level 1 can only last 5 minutes in a fight then he lasts 30 minutes. That his stamina points only go to 'red' after 30 minutes. How would not everyone instantly know somethings is wrong there unless stats don't matter and even when pushed to his limits at 30 minutes , that is something anyone could do? So then again what do the stats matter?
All very frustrating.
Still if you ignore those oddities, it's a good book. Also if you hate how naive and clueless he is, taking risks that he shouldn't. He does mature as he grows up, his view points changing with age and experience. So don't worry that the 'killing is bad' and 'We need to make the world better' view point at the start will be his the whole time. Not saying he doesn't keep some viewpoints, just that as he grows in the book, his view of the world does change with experience.
The first over half the book takes places between age 8-9, which isn't really bad it's just a very slow build up. The second half of the book doesn't really get to any big turning points just a slow build of power. While it was all enjoyable, worth the read and will read the second, I do have a few complaints.
First big one is, left over plot threads? Maybe they will get to it in book 2 but at one point he comes into some 'treasure' and an 'artifact', Now I won't say what it is but after he hides them. It's never mentioned again. Even later on in the book when he needs money and could sell his treasure, he doesn't even think of it. Even though when he got the treasure itself is mentioned, the treasure seems forgotten. So no clue what the point of the 'orb' and treasures are as they seem forgotten.
Second, stats? Do they matter? At the start they act like him getting just 20 points is a massive gain that lets him catch heavy branches. Yet by the end of the book, he has the levels of an adult yet seems as weak as level 1 children his age. He doesn't seem to have massive endurance or strength over them and doesn't seem as strong as the adults.
So? what do attributes actually do? Do they depend on the body and since he's still a kid does that mean his stats don't do as much? How much is say 10 in strength compared to 40 in it? Can he lift 50 pounds versus 200? 600? 1000?
I liked the book but the attributes sort of felt meaningless? Soft numbers that were more thrown on to make it a LITRPG book rather than actually mattering.
Would really liked if the author gave examples or more clear cut of what the values matter. The fact he's pushed to his 'limit' tons of times to passing out. Yet no one finds it odd that he lasted so long and that a level 1 could do that too. Makes it seem like the stats don't matter. Or are so little that any level 1 could do the same. So whats the point? If a level 1 can only last 5 minutes in a fight then he lasts 30 minutes. That his stamina points only go to 'red' after 30 minutes. How would not everyone instantly know somethings is wrong there unless stats don't matter and even when pushed to his limits at 30 minutes , that is something anyone could do? So then again what do the stats matter?
All very frustrating.
Still if you ignore those oddities, it's a good book. Also if you hate how naive and clueless he is, taking risks that he shouldn't. He does mature as he grows up, his view points changing with age and experience. So don't worry that the 'killing is bad' and 'We need to make the world better' view point at the start will be his the whole time. Not saying he doesn't keep some viewpoints, just that as he grows in the book, his view of the world does change with experience.
January 31, 2026
The writer is quite gifted. The novel is very well written and absent the usual grammatical errors often found in the genre. It held my interest despite the dark tone that developed in the storyline. Not a novel I would recommend for young readers (though I admit I am probably on the light side of that equation). Overall, one of the best-written stories I've come across in the past year. However, because of the direction the writer has given the storyline, I will not be picking up the next novel in the series.
April 6, 2026
Some Good, Lots Skimmed
This was an unnecessary long book. I skimmed a lot of pages without missing any of the story. There was constant repeats, long dry pages of the MC's self reflection. The story is brutal, but otherwise decent. The MC, for me is likable and mostly believable. I might read the next in the series, just not sure yet, the reviews aren't that good. This book is worth reading, but overall it's just so-so.
This was an unnecessary long book. I skimmed a lot of pages without missing any of the story. There was constant repeats, long dry pages of the MC's self reflection. The story is brutal, but otherwise decent. The MC, for me is likable and mostly believable. I might read the next in the series, just not sure yet, the reviews aren't that good. This book is worth reading, but overall it's just so-so.
April 11, 2026
Great Start, Tough finish
Great idea for character, great ideas for world building, but just became ridiculous in how he built the characters and world. You have 9 and 10 year olds acting like they are middle aged adults in thought and process, you have a child who has all of the power being placed into submission by a couple of thugs a few years older. It is just all over the map and became hard to read. Good luck reading #2, I have heard he gets worse.
Great idea for character, great ideas for world building, but just became ridiculous in how he built the characters and world. You have 9 and 10 year olds acting like they are middle aged adults in thought and process, you have a child who has all of the power being placed into submission by a couple of thugs a few years older. It is just all over the map and became hard to read. Good luck reading #2, I have heard he gets worse.
April 15, 2026
Fair book that didn't meet expectations.
The Author failed to have the MC meet expectations. MC was a simpering, weak-minded, mental toddler 4/5 of the book. I hate weak-minded MC's in storys and struggled to finish this book. I will have to think about reading any more of the series. I Can Not give a recommendation to this series. I started the 2nd book and the MC is still weak minded 3 years after the 1st book ended.
The Author failed to have the MC meet expectations. MC was a simpering, weak-minded, mental toddler 4/5 of the book. I hate weak-minded MC's in storys and struggled to finish this book. I will have to think about reading any more of the series. I Can Not give a recommendation to this series. I started the 2nd book and the MC is still weak minded 3 years after the 1st book ended.
March 5, 2026
ShockingLy great
Beautifully brutal, these days I'm not a fan of brutal - it seems so casual to so many people. Maybe it's just because I grew up in the 60s I don't know, The world is pretty ugly these days. This is brutal true but still hope shreds through it. Brilliantly written.
Beautifully brutal, these days I'm not a fan of brutal - it seems so casual to so many people. Maybe it's just because I grew up in the 60s I don't know, The world is pretty ugly these days. This is brutal true but still hope shreds through it. Brilliantly written.
March 10, 2026
Excellent
Without doubt, one of the best new litrpgs to be released in a very long time. The story starts off a bit cliche at first, but after the first fee chapters the plot really starts to open up and come into its own. At that point, it's a great ride all the way to the end. Can't wait for the second book.
Without doubt, one of the best new litrpgs to be released in a very long time. The story starts off a bit cliche at first, but after the first fee chapters the plot really starts to open up and come into its own. At that point, it's a great ride all the way to the end. Can't wait for the second book.
Read
February 12, 2026Dnf
I kept waiting for the story to advance but I quit 20% of the way through when the main character was still 9 . The litrpg elements feel like they are just add as an after thought with no real impact to
I kept waiting for the story to advance but I quit 20% of the way through when the main character was still 9 . The litrpg elements feel like they are just add as an after thought with no real impact to
March 11, 2026
Epic!
This is one of those stories you do not want to end. Action, emotion, unexpected levels of connection with the different characters. Just excellent story crafting throughout. Is the next book out yet?
This is one of those stories you do not want to end. Action, emotion, unexpected levels of connection with the different characters. Just excellent story crafting throughout. Is the next book out yet?
February 16, 2026
Dunno
It was well written characters were good but I'm not a fan of books where the MC a dumb pawn probably won't read any more of this series
It was well written characters were good but I'm not a fan of books where the MC a dumb pawn probably won't read any more of this series
February 26, 2026
Holy crap
The whole book drags a bit especially the middle , but that ending was such a great setup for book 2...
The whole book drags a bit especially the middle , but that ending was such a great setup for book 2...
March 1, 2026
Very deep read so good
A very good read the story is very strong and well written, in places gos on A Bit at times but a very good read and very well written and told .
A very good read the story is very strong and well written, in places gos on A Bit at times but a very good read and very well written and told .
April 6, 2026
amazing
It’s been a while since I read a litrpg and found it fresh. This scratched that itch. I wish the skills came with more descriptions but otherwise loved it
It’s been a while since I read a litrpg and found it fresh. This scratched that itch. I wish the skills came with more descriptions but otherwise loved it
April 10, 2026
Very very good
Great story, thematic... Characters... Very beautiful debut
Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers, Nocturne and Warborn
Great story, thematic... Characters... Very beautiful debut
Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers, Nocturne and Warborn
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews