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Aetherborn
Aetherborn 2: A Paranormal Urban Fantasy Romance with Dangerous Bonds and Reluctant Power
This is fine. Everything's on fire, but this is fine.
I used to hide in academia and manage a bar. Now I’m in D.C. in an itchy suit, explaining to a roomful of hostile politicians why a celestial didn’t obliterate me and a demon keeps calling me ‘master’ on national TV.
They are not reassured.
The Halloween riot. The prison break. The bonds with Kara and Iyoni. Killing Silas Moreau. All of it has collapsed into one simple narrative for the I am dangerous. Convenient, when the city also needs someone to hunt escaped supes and clean up my father’s mess.
Theron Vale is turning hotels and apartment blocks into ash, just to see what I’ll do. Half my brothers want to put me on Moreau’s throne, the other half will kill me if I take it. SPAR wants to use me as a weapon while pretending I’m on their side. Meanwhile, I’m trying to keep my bonded a demon girl with a fast whip, a celestial whose judgment of my soul everyone is second-guessing, and a hydro-elemental hunter who would very much like to un-bond my head from my shoulders.
All of us are on the news. None of us are happy about it.
When the truth about what I am gets out, the world won’t panic quietly. More notoriety, more fear, more questions. More people trying to claim me, cage me, or take me out. But I’ll kill anyone who comes after my bonded.
Aetherborn. Weapon. Son. Liability.
I do not know which one I am becoming.
I only know the fire is spreading. And I’m just warming up.
* * *
For fans of The Dresden Files, Iron Druid Chronicles, Burn for Me, and Demon Days, Vampire Nights.
Contains slow-burn reluctant bonds, and emotionally committed relationships that don’t follow traditional pairings.
Praise for book
"…sharp, witty repartee, a side order of violence, and smoldering denial…" — Clare Neilson, Author
"Great characters that you care about. Great dialog and character development and character interaction." — Amazon verified review
"There's spice and angst and the push and pull of romance all bound together with the constant risk of supernatural badness." — Amazon verified review
"...this book grabbed me by the collar and yeeted me straight into chaos from the beginning. Twists? Delicious. Morals? Questionable questioning (just how I like them). Characters? I’m unreasonably attached. Plot? About as predictable as a cat on catnip." — Amazon verified review
"I hate harems, and I rarely read them unless they are super good. This book, is indeed super good." — Amazon verified review
Genre & Urban Fantasy · Paranormal Romance · Supernatural Conspiracy · Warlock/Demon Bond
Enemies to Lovers · Forced Proximity · Accidental Triad Dynamic · High Heat · Reluctant Hero · Dangerous Love Interests · Power Couple · Political Intrigue · Banter as Foreplay · Magical Tether · Found Family
I used to hide in academia and manage a bar. Now I’m in D.C. in an itchy suit, explaining to a roomful of hostile politicians why a celestial didn’t obliterate me and a demon keeps calling me ‘master’ on national TV.
They are not reassured.
The Halloween riot. The prison break. The bonds with Kara and Iyoni. Killing Silas Moreau. All of it has collapsed into one simple narrative for the I am dangerous. Convenient, when the city also needs someone to hunt escaped supes and clean up my father’s mess.
Theron Vale is turning hotels and apartment blocks into ash, just to see what I’ll do. Half my brothers want to put me on Moreau’s throne, the other half will kill me if I take it. SPAR wants to use me as a weapon while pretending I’m on their side. Meanwhile, I’m trying to keep my bonded a demon girl with a fast whip, a celestial whose judgment of my soul everyone is second-guessing, and a hydro-elemental hunter who would very much like to un-bond my head from my shoulders.
All of us are on the news. None of us are happy about it.
When the truth about what I am gets out, the world won’t panic quietly. More notoriety, more fear, more questions. More people trying to claim me, cage me, or take me out. But I’ll kill anyone who comes after my bonded.
Aetherborn. Weapon. Son. Liability.
I do not know which one I am becoming.
I only know the fire is spreading. And I’m just warming up.
* * *
For fans of The Dresden Files, Iron Druid Chronicles, Burn for Me, and Demon Days, Vampire Nights.
Contains slow-burn reluctant bonds, and emotionally committed relationships that don’t follow traditional pairings.
Praise for book
"…sharp, witty repartee, a side order of violence, and smoldering denial…" — Clare Neilson, Author
"Great characters that you care about. Great dialog and character development and character interaction." — Amazon verified review
"There's spice and angst and the push and pull of romance all bound together with the constant risk of supernatural badness." — Amazon verified review
"...this book grabbed me by the collar and yeeted me straight into chaos from the beginning. Twists? Delicious. Morals? Questionable questioning (just how I like them). Characters? I’m unreasonably attached. Plot? About as predictable as a cat on catnip." — Amazon verified review
"I hate harems, and I rarely read them unless they are super good. This book, is indeed super good." — Amazon verified review
Genre & Urban Fantasy · Paranormal Romance · Supernatural Conspiracy · Warlock/Demon Bond
Enemies to Lovers · Forced Proximity · Accidental Triad Dynamic · High Heat · Reluctant Hero · Dangerous Love Interests · Power Couple · Political Intrigue · Banter as Foreplay · Magical Tether · Found Family
- GenresHarem
371 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 20, 2025
About the author
Jason Marino
12 books7 followersI've been writing since I was sixteen - many years ago now - and my passion has always been fantasy and romance. Fantasy offers the escapism that I love in stories, and what would life be without the chemistry of romance? Wholesome, dark, angsty, unrequited, devoted, adoring, angry ... I've written them all. Lived most of them, too.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 23, 2025
I finished this book, and it was really good, and really clean with the editing.
The MC has to deal with the fallout from both his and his now deceased father's actions in book 1, including the release of several very bad "supers" that are now targeting the MC. This leads to several very bad attacks, and another accidental binding of a woman he's trying to save. This one proves even more irksome than the first, as she has more built-up reasons to not like the MC.
The only aspect of this story I don't like is the dual-cultivation that's in play. Both the MC and a woman get a power-up the first time they have sex, and that power-up affects the other women that have bound to him. It rears up in this one where the newest bound woman offers herself up to make the MC stronger, but thankfully the MC turns her down because those aren't the reasons he wants to have sex with someone.
The real question comes to what will happen with his former barmaid Emma, that is now a powerful leopard shifter and wants to be bound by the MC. He turned her down, so I suspect that will pop up in book 3.
The MC has to deal with the fallout from both his and his now deceased father's actions in book 1, including the release of several very bad "supers" that are now targeting the MC. This leads to several very bad attacks, and another accidental binding of a woman he's trying to save. This one proves even more irksome than the first, as she has more built-up reasons to not like the MC.
The only aspect of this story I don't like is the dual-cultivation that's in play. Both the MC and a woman get a power-up the first time they have sex, and that power-up affects the other women that have bound to him. It rears up in this one where the newest bound woman offers herself up to make the MC stronger, but thankfully the MC turns her down because those aren't the reasons he wants to have sex with someone.
The real question comes to what will happen with his former barmaid Emma, that is now a powerful leopard shifter and wants to be bound by the MC. He turned her down, so I suspect that will pop up in book 3.
January 8, 2026
Great continuation for the series. Chemistry is great still. The plot is odd, not really sure what the overarching narrative is here, is the goal just to live? Find his parents? Didn't stop me enjoying it, I've got no problem reading slice of life. We do get some questions answered from the first book.
Only nit-picky thing I can say is that the action can be contrite at times, MC feels like hes just standing around watching things happen, and enemies keep running away.
Only nit-picky thing I can say is that the action can be contrite at times, MC feels like hes just standing around watching things happen, and enemies keep running away.
February 20, 2026
Better than the first
Really enjoying this series, MC isn't a white knight, but isn't quite morally grey. He's a fish out of water that wants to do the right thing, and isn't always sure what that is. Love interests have different personalities and don't always immediately fawn over him, slight teases of possible additions but it's definitely not obvious. Looking forward to book three and seeing who joins the gang.
Really enjoying this series, MC isn't a white knight, but isn't quite morally grey. He's a fish out of water that wants to do the right thing, and isn't always sure what that is. Love interests have different personalities and don't always immediately fawn over him, slight teases of possible additions but it's definitely not obvious. Looking forward to book three and seeing who joins the gang.
December 24, 2025
Fantastic follow-up!
The first book in the series released earlier this year was one of the best I’ve read all year. This sequel does not disappoint. The wiring and story are fantastic, and it really does give off Dresden vibes. I really like the MC as well as the varied personalities of the other characters. Can’t wait for book 3!
The first book in the series released earlier this year was one of the best I’ve read all year. This sequel does not disappoint. The wiring and story are fantastic, and it really does give off Dresden vibes. I really like the MC as well as the varied personalities of the other characters. Can’t wait for book 3!
March 5, 2026
Same Old MC
The fact that we’re still going over the same conversation that we had 20 to 30 times in the other book about whether or not the bond is wanted or if it’s real or not is ridiculous. I actually kind of like the story, but I can’t go through the same conversation/insecurity over and over again, it’s not worth it. He’s supposed to be 47, act like it.
The fact that we’re still going over the same conversation that we had 20 to 30 times in the other book about whether or not the bond is wanted or if it’s real or not is ridiculous. I actually kind of like the story, but I can’t go through the same conversation/insecurity over and over again, it’s not worth it. He’s supposed to be 47, act like it.
March 22, 2026
Very good, except
Good read, but had such a glaring error, it was hard to get past. MAJOR turning point in the book was enabled by blatantly ignoring the previously documented capabilities of one of the main characters. I don’t know if the author couldn’t get out of the corner he’d painted himself into or what, but it was rank amateur move.
Good read, but had such a glaring error, it was hard to get past. MAJOR turning point in the book was enabled by blatantly ignoring the previously documented capabilities of one of the main characters. I don’t know if the author couldn’t get out of the corner he’d painted himself into or what, but it was rank amateur move.
December 21, 2025
Absolute perfection
I’ve been waiting for this book to come out with baited breath ever since it was announced and it didn’t disappoint. The progression of his abilities combined with the world view of him makes for a truly interesting story.
I’ve been waiting for this book to come out with baited breath ever since it was announced and it didn’t disappoint. The progression of his abilities combined with the world view of him makes for a truly interesting story.
December 21, 2025
Great sequel
This series is great, lovely characters, great plot, and well placed action, downtime, and spice. The way the story is going is great and I'm interested to see where we go in the next one.
This series is great, lovely characters, great plot, and well placed action, downtime, and spice. The way the story is going is great and I'm interested to see where we go in the next one.
December 30, 2025
Just as enjoyable as the first.
Good world building and the main characters had dimensions. There was the appropriate amount of humor to offset the angst. Looking forward to the third one.
Good world building and the main characters had dimensions. There was the appropriate amount of humor to offset the angst. Looking forward to the third one.
January 6, 2026
great series so far
The first two books in the series exceeded my expectations. The main character is funny and witty, and the storyline seems to grow with each book. Highly recommend reading is.
The first two books in the series exceeded my expectations. The main character is funny and witty, and the storyline seems to grow with each book. Highly recommend reading is.
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December 22, 2025Amazing
Just as good as the original. Good characters, gripping plot and exellent pace! Word word wotd worf word wdlf deolf
Just as good as the original. Good characters, gripping plot and exellent pace! Word word wotd worf word wdlf deolf
January 1, 2026
Great fantasy romp
Good follow up to a great first book. Good mix of action, plot, mystery and sex. Looking forward to the next one!
Good follow up to a great first book. Good mix of action, plot, mystery and sex. Looking forward to the next one!
January 4, 2026
Loved Book One and was really enjoying book two until it seemed to slog a bit. I might be being too hard on it—probably a 4.5…
January 8, 2026
Very good book
This is a fine fantasy harem adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like Teraza. I anxiously await the author's next novel.
This is a fine fantasy harem adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like Teraza. I anxiously await the author's next novel.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews