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The AetherBorn Saga #1
AetherBorn
Ruby Black never asked for her gift.
A photography student with a passion for still life, Ruby has always had a talent for seeing things, noticing those tiny details others overlook. But when a subway journey leaves her as the only witness to a vicious assault by attackers invisible to all but her, she realises her talent is far more than she’d ever imagined.
Desperately searching for answers, the truth she finds shatters her entire perception of reality - there are other beings, Elemental deities of immense power, and they need her help. A second world exists; a world parallel to her own, invisible to most, and in constant conflict. War has ravaged the Elemental houses for generations; a war for control, power and survival that threatens to spill out into the human realm.
She could be the key to ending it all, bringing peace to a shattered society, but doing so may force her to leave behind all she has ever known.
With two worlds on the line, the stakes have never been higher.
A photography student with a passion for still life, Ruby has always had a talent for seeing things, noticing those tiny details others overlook. But when a subway journey leaves her as the only witness to a vicious assault by attackers invisible to all but her, she realises her talent is far more than she’d ever imagined.
Desperately searching for answers, the truth she finds shatters her entire perception of reality - there are other beings, Elemental deities of immense power, and they need her help. A second world exists; a world parallel to her own, invisible to most, and in constant conflict. War has ravaged the Elemental houses for generations; a war for control, power and survival that threatens to spill out into the human realm.
She could be the key to ending it all, bringing peace to a shattered society, but doing so may force her to leave behind all she has ever known.
With two worlds on the line, the stakes have never been higher.
Unknown Binding
First published April 1, 2019
14 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 12, 2019
I wanted to like this book but I couldn’t get into it. I’m always disappointed in the discovery of powers that are so easily managed by those who are all powerful beings. It doesn’t make sense that this girl who’s had to have some sort of emotional range in life only discovers she herself has powers AFTER a strange boy pisses her off? I don’t buy it. Then after “training” for three days she’s suddenly an assassin, when the week prior she was terrified of taking portraits of people? Still don’t buy it. Luckily this book was free through Kindle Unlimited so not too much of a loss.
February 22, 2020
I love it when I find a fun new series by an author I’ve not known previously. That’s certainly the case with A.N. Sage and AetherBorn, the first book in her new The AetherBorn Saga. A parallel world, a war among elemental houses, strange new abilities and a cry for help. Pretty overwhelming stuff for our heroine here, Ruby Black, but somehow she perseveres in an exciting tale that’s perfectly executed, with great world-building, an extremely well-crafted cast and the start of both what I know is going to be a great story arc and a star that I know is going to become an ideal version the of kick-a** heroine that is my favorite sort of character. I find it very easy to highly recommend this book.
June 14, 2019
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway. This was a short urban fantasy that I sadly didn’t care much for. It started out promising enough but Ruby ended up being a reactionary idiot, nothing was really explained and it had a onesided instalove where he didn’t treat her well or suggest that he liked her beyond slight possessiveness.
May 4, 2020
The novel centres on Ruby, a pretty average college student - studying photography? - who, after witnessing a bizarre encounter on a train (that no one else seems to have registered), begins to suspect she's hallucinating. Ultimately, she discovers the Elementals and tries to find her place among them.
There are definitely elements about this story that I enjoyed, and, overall, my impression of the book is favourable. It was a pretty easy, generally fun read. I also feel that it fell into some traps (and tropes) that I think ultimately hurt the story, and I yearned for...just...more. I feel like this was a very superficial book - that it sort of skimmed the surface of thematic material that I think goes much deeper and could have been much more satisfying.
The pacing of the novel was a real strength. It moves along at a decent clip, although I think there were some uneven moments - especially the info dumps, when characters just tell Ruby what she needs to know - so there is room for improvement (although these moments were few).
The world-building was also generally well-executed. The city has a sort of Anywhere, USA vibe, which can either be a strength or a weakness, depending on one's perspective. (I am drawn to novels where the city is so vivid as to be almost a character in its own right, so my personal preference is to want more than what was offered here). The concept of the Elementals (culture, spirituality, purpose) was a lot more vague than I prefer, although the author did do a very good job of outlining the current political situation among the factions - I just wanted more.
The character development was an area that I felt needed more work. Ruby came across initially as a bit neurotic, which is typical for her developmental age, and she had very relatable kinds of problems. My first impression of her was very strong in the sense that she came across as realistic. Unfortunately, partway through the novel, a switch was flipped and she transformed into a whole 'nother character. This transformation was so sudden and drastic that it almost felt like a different character. I also found that Second Act Ruby was much more flat - she completely abandoned every aspect of her previous life: schooling, friendships, her anxiety, etc. I also found the love-ish triangle to be completely unnecessary: it didn't reveal anything about any of the characters, nor did it drive the plot. I am not a fan of romance for romance's sake.
The other characters were all less well-developed than Ruby, which is not surprising since Ruby is the focus of the story, and (although written in the third person) the reader only really shares in her experiences. Still, the "adults" in the story came across as particularly cartoonish and flat to me. I found the male characters to be largely boring.
An element that wasn't left very clear was the timeline - as in how much time passed between the opening and closing of the story. It read as though it was happening very quickly - within weeks or perhaps months - but this is not expressly stated, and there aren't hints (such as a school break or mention of any holidays) to help cement the marking of time. This is a pretty minor concern, but it would have perhaps explained Ruby's sudden lack of classes if it had been mentioned that it was summer break.
In spite of its shortcomings, this was a fun little book and I think both the story and the characters have some potential. I will continue reading in the series.
There are definitely elements about this story that I enjoyed, and, overall, my impression of the book is favourable. It was a pretty easy, generally fun read. I also feel that it fell into some traps (and tropes) that I think ultimately hurt the story, and I yearned for...just...more. I feel like this was a very superficial book - that it sort of skimmed the surface of thematic material that I think goes much deeper and could have been much more satisfying.
The pacing of the novel was a real strength. It moves along at a decent clip, although I think there were some uneven moments - especially the info dumps, when characters just tell Ruby what she needs to know - so there is room for improvement (although these moments were few).
The world-building was also generally well-executed. The city has a sort of Anywhere, USA vibe, which can either be a strength or a weakness, depending on one's perspective. (I am drawn to novels where the city is so vivid as to be almost a character in its own right, so my personal preference is to want more than what was offered here). The concept of the Elementals (culture, spirituality, purpose) was a lot more vague than I prefer, although the author did do a very good job of outlining the current political situation among the factions - I just wanted more.
The character development was an area that I felt needed more work. Ruby came across initially as a bit neurotic, which is typical for her developmental age, and she had very relatable kinds of problems. My first impression of her was very strong in the sense that she came across as realistic. Unfortunately, partway through the novel, a switch was flipped and she transformed into a whole 'nother character. This transformation was so sudden and drastic that it almost felt like a different character. I also found that Second Act Ruby was much more flat - she completely abandoned every aspect of her previous life: schooling, friendships, her anxiety, etc. I also found the love-ish triangle to be completely unnecessary: it didn't reveal anything about any of the characters, nor did it drive the plot. I am not a fan of romance for romance's sake.
The other characters were all less well-developed than Ruby, which is not surprising since Ruby is the focus of the story, and (although written in the third person) the reader only really shares in her experiences. Still, the "adults" in the story came across as particularly cartoonish and flat to me. I found the male characters to be largely boring.
An element that wasn't left very clear was the timeline - as in how much time passed between the opening and closing of the story. It read as though it was happening very quickly - within weeks or perhaps months - but this is not expressly stated, and there aren't hints (such as a school break or mention of any holidays) to help cement the marking of time. This is a pretty minor concern, but it would have perhaps explained Ruby's sudden lack of classes if it had been mentioned that it was summer break.
In spite of its shortcomings, this was a fun little book and I think both the story and the characters have some potential. I will continue reading in the series.
July 16, 2020
The book is awesome. Ruby goes from being a college girl, with a crush on her best friend, that she has known all her life, to seeing symbols on someone's arms in the subway. She is taking photography in college and her professor has asked her to start taking pictures of people instead of inanimate things.
She is on the subway and it has stopped for unknown reasons, so Ruby decides to start taking pictures of people on the train. In doing so, she sees a guy take a stone from his pocket and put it on the chest of another man. The other man has a hurt look on his face and Ruby yells but by then, the one guy has disappeared and the other guy is dead on the floor. She notices a man staring at her and she can't move anywhere cause there is too many people.
The train finally moves and people start getting off so Ruby takes a chance and moves to a different car and hides. The guy still sees her get off and follows her and she finally loses him and heads home. Ruby tries to show her friend, Shaylay, the picture, but Shaylay doesn't see anything. Then everything disappears off the camera except the men.
A lot more action and a different universe gets added in but dont want to spoil the fun for anyone. Three more books follow this one. Looking forward to see what happens in the next books.
She is on the subway and it has stopped for unknown reasons, so Ruby decides to start taking pictures of people on the train. In doing so, she sees a guy take a stone from his pocket and put it on the chest of another man. The other man has a hurt look on his face and Ruby yells but by then, the one guy has disappeared and the other guy is dead on the floor. She notices a man staring at her and she can't move anywhere cause there is too many people.
The train finally moves and people start getting off so Ruby takes a chance and moves to a different car and hides. The guy still sees her get off and follows her and she finally loses him and heads home. Ruby tries to show her friend, Shaylay, the picture, but Shaylay doesn't see anything. Then everything disappears off the camera except the men.
A lot more action and a different universe gets added in but dont want to spoil the fun for anyone. Three more books follow this one. Looking forward to see what happens in the next books.
September 19, 2019
Ruby witnesses a murder on the subway while breaking out of her photographic comfort zone, that one event throws her life into a whirlwind of revelations about Elementals and the fact that she is one. As she learns more and practices her powers she learns more about the raising conflict between the elemental houses and the desire for an artifact.
This one was a super fast read! It was a magical book to read and I couldn't put it down, I was even reading it while I was at the gym. I won this book through a goodreads giveaway and it took me a little bit to get to read it, and I am glad that I did. I love how Ruby breaks out of her comfort zone and becomes stronger and sheds her awkwardness, but I do feel bad for Jake and how quick it was for her to forget her feelings for him when Liam comes into the picture. I could have almost done without that little love triangle but I see how it was used as part of the plot. I highly enjoyed reading the book and look forward to reading the next one.
This one was a super fast read! It was a magical book to read and I couldn't put it down, I was even reading it while I was at the gym. I won this book through a goodreads giveaway and it took me a little bit to get to read it, and I am glad that I did. I love how Ruby breaks out of her comfort zone and becomes stronger and sheds her awkwardness, but I do feel bad for Jake and how quick it was for her to forget her feelings for him when Liam comes into the picture. I could have almost done without that little love triangle but I see how it was used as part of the plot. I highly enjoyed reading the book and look forward to reading the next one.
June 19, 2019
Ruby sees a shocking murder on the subway while taking photos for her class thesis. She’s surprised to find out that she’s the only person to have seen the murderer, when the death is ruled a heart attack. She begins to think she’s seeing things and going crazy like her grandmother did, only to find out that there are people called elementals. They have powers based on the four elements...earth, air, fire, and water. Ruby meets Liam, a fire elemental who helps her begin to learn about herself and the battle between the earth/fire elementals and the air/water elementals. This is a fairly fast paced book that you won’t want to put down once you pick it up.
This is a great read. There are grammatical errors in this book. If you notice this sort of thing, it will become more noticeable as you get farther into the book. It’s still worth the read though.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a great read. There are grammatical errors in this book. If you notice this sort of thing, it will become more noticeable as you get farther into the book. It’s still worth the read though.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 30, 2020
Hmmm
Was it good? Was it bad? It was both. A storyline done many times before with slight differences made this a simple read.... I finished in a couple hours. The author wrote interesting characters, they were likable, but the mains powers came quickly and suddenly she could do things like step back in time. The world was interesting, but done before. I guess it felt like a cookie cutter novel. Like the author took a well done story and added to her strengths, which were making fun characters and interesting relationships. It just seems a bit simple, for example, it was obvious which characters would be on which side with certain powers early in the book, even though there was not a lot of foreshadowing. So, yes, it’s okay, but a deep read it is not.
Was it good? Was it bad? It was both. A storyline done many times before with slight differences made this a simple read.... I finished in a couple hours. The author wrote interesting characters, they were likable, but the mains powers came quickly and suddenly she could do things like step back in time. The world was interesting, but done before. I guess it felt like a cookie cutter novel. Like the author took a well done story and added to her strengths, which were making fun characters and interesting relationships. It just seems a bit simple, for example, it was obvious which characters would be on which side with certain powers early in the book, even though there was not a lot of foreshadowing. So, yes, it’s okay, but a deep read it is not.
July 20, 2020
Ruby Black never knew how special she was...she was always a bit of an introvert whose best friend was the center of attention while she sat back and 'focused' on her photography. When her professor challenges her to step outside her comfort zone and take photos of people, she finds herself in a different world. A world where 2 different peoples are intertwined, similar but totally unequal. She becomes immersed in this world and may just be more than meets the eye.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable book and left me wanting to find out more about the fate of the
world as these Elementals collide!
I recommend this book to YA & Urban fantasy fans!
July 1, 2019
Alexis Sage has written a storyline that is interesting and fun to read, about a a socially awkward young woman who one day starts witnessing strange phenomena, and finds out there's a whole hidden society of people with elemental powers. As she learns more and more about the Elementals and the conflict raging between their different houses, what will she choose to do? The concept is very intriguing and well worth the read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 17, 2020
Voracious Readers review : I liked this book it was okay not a lot of drama thee only time I felt a little anxious was when she lied to Jake about feeling more for him than she actually did. It hurt when other people use their feelings to get something because those moments can cause some serious damage to a person. I'm glad Ruby figured out who she really is even though everyone was lying to her including Liam who eventually becomes her man. I interested in seeing what the next book bring more god's and goddesses action I hope.
June 30, 2019
This book had a thoroughly creative plot and great characters but there were a few things that felt a little unmotivated/unresolved, the biggest of them being the whole Jake issue. However, it was quite interesting and entertaining, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 20, 2019
she was living a normal life, everything about her is ordinary until one day in rush hour. her life changes. there is a war going on between the goes and now she can see it. She meet a handsome stranger who gives her a choice. Will she go back to normal? Will she join them? Follow her to see
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 9, 2020
Ruby Black was just a photography major in college until an incident on a train turned her world upside down. She finds out that she has hidden powers but does not know how to use them and that their is a war between elementals and she is in the middle. A very interesting story and well worth reading.
January 30, 2020
AetherBorn (The Enuma Legacies Book 1) by A.N. Sage is an amazing story that I have had the privilege to read. This book number one in this amazing start to a brand new series writen by an amazing brand new author for me to read. I highly recommend this sotry to everyone.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
March 21, 2021
Interesting start to the saga as a human suddenly discovers she's not.
The story develops well with a decent plot.
I found the whole book engaging and read it in a single session.
I will definitely follow up with the second in series.
The story develops well with a decent plot.
I found the whole book engaging and read it in a single session.
I will definitely follow up with the second in series.
June 30, 2019
Good book about a girl who is quite content in her normal world, only to discover that she can see things that others can't. What happens next and how she responds to it is well written.
August 10, 2019
I absolutely adored this book. What a magical world to enter in to! The book is fast paced, intriguing and one I couldn’t put down once I started it ✨
April 22, 2019
Book Name: Aetherborn
Author: Alexis N. Sage
Genere: Fiction
Review: 'Aetherborn' is the first book of Enuma Legacies Series. The book is all about Aetherborns, Elementals(somewhat related to vampires, persons with supernatural powers). The protagonist 'Ruby' was leading a happy, fun-filled life until she realized that she possess some extra-ordinary powers, see strange marks which no other human can see and also had peculiar visions about war. In the discovery of finding herself, her history she met Liam(with whom she falls in love later), who helps her to believe that she is different from humans and is an Aetherborn who possess supernatural powers. The story revolves around the sword of Enuma and the war between different houses of elementals.
Ruby wants to get the sword to stop the war because only the holder of the sword can stop the war and unites the 4 houses of elementals.
Do Ruby get the sword? , How she gets it? , What powers she possess? , What are Aetherborns and elementals? , Why there is fight for the sword? . You have to pick the book for all the answers and experiencing a journey of ordinary to supernatural.
Cover- 3.5/5
Narration- 3/5
Story- 2.5/5
Overall- 3/5
Author: Alexis N. Sage
Genere: Fiction
Review: 'Aetherborn' is the first book of Enuma Legacies Series. The book is all about Aetherborns, Elementals(somewhat related to vampires, persons with supernatural powers). The protagonist 'Ruby' was leading a happy, fun-filled life until she realized that she possess some extra-ordinary powers, see strange marks which no other human can see and also had peculiar visions about war. In the discovery of finding herself, her history she met Liam(with whom she falls in love later), who helps her to believe that she is different from humans and is an Aetherborn who possess supernatural powers. The story revolves around the sword of Enuma and the war between different houses of elementals.
Ruby wants to get the sword to stop the war because only the holder of the sword can stop the war and unites the 4 houses of elementals.
Do Ruby get the sword? , How she gets it? , What powers she possess? , What are Aetherborns and elementals? , Why there is fight for the sword? . You have to pick the book for all the answers and experiencing a journey of ordinary to supernatural.
Cover- 3.5/5
Narration- 3/5
Story- 2.5/5
Overall- 3/5
May 10, 2020
It should never had happened…. in the full view of the public
Ruby Black is a successful photography student, with a rare gift for detail, but it is not after she is the “sole” witness of an rather vile and shocking attack happening in the full view of the public in her subway journey, that she realizes “her gift” is somehow more magical that really good attention for detail.
Ruby discovers a whole new dimension, coexisting with ours and populated by beings of extraordinary power, the Elementals. And, as that were not enough to shatter any illusion of normalcy, the different Elemental fractions have been fighting another for the best part of centuries. Their hunger for control and their need of survival is a danger to the human realm. Now is up to Ruby to help to end the conflict at the risk of losing the only life she has even know.
AetherBorn is the first book in “The AetherBorn Saga” and will appeal to fans of City of Bones and White Raven. It is a very well crafted book with interesting characters in a fantastic world, a good storyline, enough romance and - at the end – it is the oldest story ever written, the desire for the things we cannot have and the decision between an ordinary and easy life and the embrace of the otherness with all its potential dangers.
Ruby Black is a successful photography student, with a rare gift for detail, but it is not after she is the “sole” witness of an rather vile and shocking attack happening in the full view of the public in her subway journey, that she realizes “her gift” is somehow more magical that really good attention for detail.
Ruby discovers a whole new dimension, coexisting with ours and populated by beings of extraordinary power, the Elementals. And, as that were not enough to shatter any illusion of normalcy, the different Elemental fractions have been fighting another for the best part of centuries. Their hunger for control and their need of survival is a danger to the human realm. Now is up to Ruby to help to end the conflict at the risk of losing the only life she has even know.
AetherBorn is the first book in “The AetherBorn Saga” and will appeal to fans of City of Bones and White Raven. It is a very well crafted book with interesting characters in a fantastic world, a good storyline, enough romance and - at the end – it is the oldest story ever written, the desire for the things we cannot have and the decision between an ordinary and easy life and the embrace of the otherness with all its potential dangers.
September 2, 2024
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I completely change my mind on a series, so want to change my scoring down a lot)
Formerly 2* -- Updated 2nd September, 2024.
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see some stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
------------
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: No
Would you recommend?: No
Formerly 2* -- Updated 2nd September, 2024.
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see some stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
------------
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: No
Would you recommend?: No
May 10, 2019
AETHERBORN REVIEW
I have one word for this book... magical
We start off with Rue.
Introvert. Photographer. Unknown.
She’s shy, she’s awkward, she’s every introverts dream leading character! She can’t connect with people so she photographs still life... that is until her professor tells her to up her game and take photos of the living...
Mysterious, magical and an advocate for leggings as pants just like the author!
The only thing I could have asked for was a better description of the characters. In order to avoid whole chapters describing a hallway (here’s looking at you Cassandra Claire) the character discretions were a bit vague for me.
As a whole ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!
Well done Alexis N. Sage!
Bring on part two!
I have one word for this book... magical
We start off with Rue.
Introvert. Photographer. Unknown.
She’s shy, she’s awkward, she’s every introverts dream leading character! She can’t connect with people so she photographs still life... that is until her professor tells her to up her game and take photos of the living...
Mysterious, magical and an advocate for leggings as pants just like the author!
The only thing I could have asked for was a better description of the characters. In order to avoid whole chapters describing a hallway (here’s looking at you Cassandra Claire) the character discretions were a bit vague for me.
As a whole ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!
Well done Alexis N. Sage!
Bring on part two!
April 22, 2019
I was given a e-copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The story centers around Ruby, a socially awkward young woman who one day starts witnessing strange phenomena, and finds out there's a whole hidden society of people with elemental powers. As she learns more and more about the Elementals and the conflict raging between their different houses, what will she choose to do?
The concept was interesting, and the story fun to read.
The story centers around Ruby, a socially awkward young woman who one day starts witnessing strange phenomena, and finds out there's a whole hidden society of people with elemental powers. As she learns more and more about the Elementals and the conflict raging between their different houses, what will she choose to do?
The concept was interesting, and the story fun to read.
April 20, 2019
AetherBorn is so captivating that will trigger your curiosity until the very last page. Ruby is a complex character that not only is trying to decide where her career and life as a young adult is going, she also has to navigate a new world, new ideologies, track family history and decide for herself what does it mean to be so unique.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2020
Wonderful imagination - creating a totally different world that exists right under our noses and that we fail to see. Strong characters, empowered women, involved in a fight for survival with love story subplot.
Read
May 26, 2020Loved the book. The characters were very well rounded. Making them easier to understand and really imagine how they feel, and their ability to make the story easier to understand and believe. Wish I could afford to read the rest of this series though. I imagine it is as good as this one.
January 8, 2020
Only one word is needed to describe this story. Brilliant.
I enjoyed it from the first page.
I enjoyed it from the first page.
Read
April 7, 2020Loved the book. The characters are well rounded. The story fowed so well together, I hope there is a 2nd book in the works.
Want to read
May 6, 2019Placeholder
I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews