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In a world where magic and the mundane coexist, Damian Dethridge, known as the Aether, possesses the power to manipulate and redistribute magical energies. From a young age, he’s been responsible for maintaining balance among the witch community. However, his extraordinary abilities attract unsavory characters, working to destroy his family from within.

Estranged from her husband, Damian, by another’s machinations, Vivian is miserable. Finally able to see the truth through the lies, she realizes the depth of her feelings when he risks his life to save hers. However, reconciling their relationship is challenging, especially with his emotional distance and a new commitment to the Authority, which keeps drawing him further away from home.

As an Arcane Devourer thriving on chaos, Morcant Thywyll wields powers capable of consuming Damian and those around him. Lured by a potentially more potent magic, Morcant targets the Dethridges’ daughter. If he can syphon her unrivaled abilities by feeding her youthful fears, he might just live forever.

Unable to stop Morcant on his own, Damian calls on a rag-tag group of Sentinels to help him neutralize the threat. He’ll stop at nothing to protect his daughter, and somewhere in all the madness, he’s got to convince Vivian he loves her. Because if Morcant wins, Damian’s world will be plunged into eternal darkness.

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2023

476 people are currently reading
2797 people want to read

About the author

T.M. Cromer

66 books635 followers
T.M. Cromer is a multi-award-winning sorceress of the written word and fearless architect of high-stakes paranormal romance. With a flair for twisty plots, slow burns, and swaggering heroes hot enough to scorch the page, she conjures stories that hook readers and refuse to let go. From her cozy PNW lair, flanked by two Hellhounds and an unholy amount of caffeine ambition, she weaves love, danger, and humor into every page. Whether it’s witches, sirens, or magical assassins, her characters never behave, and neither do her stories.

When she’s not dreaming up new ways to ruin her characters’ lives before crafting their HEA, she’s daydreaming about swimming with orcas or cackling over a particularly clever line of dialogue. Come for the magic, stay for the heartbreak, and maybe fall a little too hard for a man who only exists on the page.

T.M.’s stories are 100% certified organic, author-created content. No artificial intelligence was used in the writing of her books.


Want to stay up to date on what's happening in the world of T.M. Cromer? Sign up for her mailing list. www.tmcromer.com/newsletter

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5 stars
531 (79%)
4 stars
103 (15%)
3 stars
21 (3%)
2 stars
6 (<1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
16 reviews
November 17, 2023
That was one emotional Rollercoaster❣️

I have been enraptured by The Thorne Witches and The Unlucky Charms. I had no doubt that I would love this book. What I was not prepared for, was the depth of emotion I experienced. I dare not expand, lest I give away spoilers. I will definitely be reading the subsequent books in this series.
3,547 reviews14 followers
November 14, 2023
The Aether is yet another fantastic trip into the magical realm by T.M. Cromer. Damian is one of the most powerful beings alive. He allowed his estranged wife, Vivian, to leave his home with their daughter. The time has come to reclaim his family. The little Beastie steals the show in this book, you just have to love her. This book has plenty of drama, humor, spice, action and suspense and will keep readers glued to the pages. The Aether is book 1 of the Sentinels of Magic Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliffhanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Delores.
101 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2023
Oh my !!!

Too good for words!
I truly did not put it down and read it in one sitting.
There was no way to know what was happening next and it left completely engaged. I could not quit reading.
Can The AETHER make the next book appear sooner???
Profile Image for Lorie Jackson.
18 reviews
November 15, 2023
Oh my Tara, what a book!! I absolutely loved it!! I loved all of the friends & family from all of you other books being in it. You have created such a wonderful magical world with all of your characters! I’m so happy we do get snippets of what has been going on with them all. Absolutely can’t wait for your next book!! Thank you for the world you share with us!! 💜
Profile Image for Barbi Davis.
335 reviews1 follower
November 18, 2023
Worth the wait!!!

I love all T.M. Cromer's stories. I was so excited for the Aether. And it was so worth the wait!!! I love that we get to visit with so many of our favorite characters. And this new series is going to be awesome. I highly recommend this book 💖
Profile Image for Sam.
626 reviews4 followers
November 9, 2023
Tara has gone all out in this book. It's her best to date. Telling the story of Damien and his family. The thing that is clear to me having read all of Tara's work is how her writing has evolved. To be fair, magic witch romance type books are dime a dozen now, but Tara's work is easily on a par with Nora Roberts in her hay day. The small things like mannerisms of the characters and the attention to details take her works beyond the crowd. Well done. This is an amazing piece of literature. I highly recommend that anyone read it.
Profile Image for Sarah Scotting.
286 reviews
November 15, 2023
Another winner

Just when you think this world can’t get any better Tara gives you an exciting adventure with everyone’s favourite Aether. I love them all.
Profile Image for Brenda Ellis.
665 reviews8 followers
November 16, 2023
What a whirlwind!

This book kept me enthralled from start to finish. Action, emotions and all the surprises. I loved getting to know more about Damien and Beastie. I'm anxiously waiting for the next book.
53 reviews
November 17, 2023
Fantastic

She did it again a story with lots of laughs some tears and so much love. I can't wait for the next story.
Profile Image for Jacque LeDoux.
17 reviews1 follower
November 16, 2023
Great Book

I couldn't put this book down! It's up there with my very favorites. Fantasy romance at its finest. Loved it
6 reviews
November 16, 2023
I loved this book. It told the story of this generation and sets up for the next. Love
TM Cromers books. I am a big fan of all her books.
4 reviews
December 23, 2023
Never a dull moment, or chapter!

Damian Dethridge is a powerful beyond words but when his daughter is threatened it will take more than just The Aether to save her. This book brings together new characters and old as it assembles the sentinals to protect and defend not just Damian but the entire Dethridge family line.
Profile Image for Emma.
367 reviews49 followers
November 29, 2023
This was my first book by TM Cromer and although it is book one in a new series i think it would have been beneficial to have read the previous books of the Thorne witches.

The story is full of emotions and takes you on a rollercoaster of a ride where you have no idea how it is going to turn out, it also made me cry at one point. I’m looking forward to reading the rest and will be trying to find time to read the precious books.
63 reviews1 follower
November 28, 2023
Fantastic!!!

T.M. Cromer never disappoints! The Aether can be read as a standalone book but better yet if you’re a reader of The Thorne Witches or The Unlucky Charms it ties to them too. This book is another “can’t put down” type read and I can’t wait for the next in the series.
Amazing job Tara!!!!
64 reviews
November 25, 2023
Oh, my gosh!

I hope you’ve read all of T.M. Cromer’s The Thorne Witches and Unclucky Charms series “episodes,” because they set the table for the wild ride that is The Aether. Hunks abound, there’s magic in the air, and baddies who need to be dealt with. Wee Wild Beastie is at her best, and you can’t discount the matched pair of hellhounds. This story of true friendship and gratitude made losing two nights’ sleep over Thanksgiving weekend particularly pertinent, and I don’t begrudge the lost sleep, at all… or, mostly I don’t! Now the wait for The Death Dealer commences…
Profile Image for Pamela.
1,262 reviews12 followers
November 22, 2023
Wow what a amazing read

Damian is a character that threw out the series you truly fall in love with. His journey in his life and what's to become of him Vivian and little beastie is something that grows in your heart as you read TM Croner books. She went beyond capturing what you hooe in you heart woukd be. The danger and emion about destroyed me but the read was spectacular and amazing I cant wait to see what's in store I was really dread reading the book because I thought it woukd be the end to sone if my favorite characters but I found out that it's just the beginning....... thank you Tara
187 reviews1 follower
November 25, 2023
Cromer Never Disappoints!

Finally! Damian Deathridge has his own book, with all the characters you’ve come to know and love. An Arcane Devourer is after Damian and Beastie. But why? And who high up in the witching community is helping him? Fasten your seatbelts kids: it’s gonna be a wild ride!
Profile Image for Sarah Festa.
416 reviews11 followers
November 19, 2023
Broken Marriage. Witches. Hunky Powerful Men.

The Broken marriage trope is absolutely one of my favourites but damn if that slow burn doesn't kill me!

I will always love the way Cromer writes, sassy and strong and she cleverly mixes the humour with the heartbreak.

This book was the best start to The Sentinels series and I am already so excited for all of their stories... I think Castor will become my fave!

Damien and Vivian were just two people that left alone would be absolutely in marital bliss, but of course, the odds stacked against them and their family.

I loved that my husband Ronan made a feature, but also all of the other familiar faces. The world and community that Cromer has created is perfect and wonderfully heartwarming and I just always cannot wait for more!
87 reviews2 followers
November 22, 2023
So Good!!

I didn’t realize how much I’d missed these characters until I dove into this book. Damian and Vivian’s story is rocky but their connection was solid. I can’t even count how many times I reached for the tissues, only to be laughing on the next page. Can’t wait for the next one!
28 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2023
I have been waiting for Damian and Vivian’s story for so long and Tara did not disappoint. The book introduces many, if not all the characters for the rest of the series so that’s a bit overwhelming for me.

I cannot wait for the rest of the series!
Profile Image for Sarah Finley.
53 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2024
Another great read!

I was so excited when I found out there would be a book about one of my absolutely favorite characters from The Thorne Witches and Unlucky Charms series: Damian Dethridge. I was not disappointed! This book answered some long held questions that I had about the mysterious Aether and his precocious daughter Sabrina (Beastie). It also helped to paint a much fuller picture of his lovely wife Vivian and even her sisters. I just loved this book so much and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for the Sentinels!
Profile Image for Karen Evans.
217 reviews4 followers
November 21, 2023
Wow!!! T.M.Cromer can write!!! Damian’s story is a page turner once you start reading it you can’t put it down. The trails he and his family and friends go through will hit those heart strings in the best possible way. Can’t wait for the next one in this series
34 reviews
January 25, 2024
The Aether

Wow, what a book...
I loved it... It had me smiling, crying, Happy, sad and oh what a book..
T.M.Cromer out did herself with this story..
Thank you for writing it...
It is well worth reading...
Fantastic all the people we have come to love, who should be there are there to help...
Love Beastie and her Dad they have such a wonderful dynamic relationship...
Fantastic book..
On to the next T.M.Cromer book...

5 reviews
November 20, 2023
Great story teller.

Love her books. One of my favorite authors. Always excited to read the next one. Wasn’t disappointed in this book.
Profile Image for Tammy L Needy.
756 reviews6 followers
November 18, 2023
Amazing

I have to say when I read the sneak preview to this book I was very sad and wasn’t sure how to take it. Now reading the whole book, it was amazing. I’ve always loved Tara’s writing, but this one blew me away!
Profile Image for Aenea Kyriacos.
15 reviews
November 18, 2023
Another slammer!

Once again, another incredible read. Full of love, loyalty, laughter and the need for a box of tissues for the tears of both happiness and for when those heart strings get pulled on a little.
I couldn't put this one down!!! Now, I can't wait for the next one!!!
Profile Image for Barb.
1,036 reviews3 followers
November 18, 2023
Keep 'em coming, T.M. Cromer!!!

Huge fan of all your magical worlds! Damian Dethridge is a powerful person. Who would dare to threaten him or his family? There are secrets revealed regarding the Authority. The Aether has many, many friends at his side.
Profile Image for Lorna Hanrahan.
69 reviews
November 19, 2023
Great start to new serIes

This is the long I awaited story of Damien who showed up in books in the Thorne Witches series as well as Unlucky Charms. I have been looking forward to a book about him and his family since he first appeared. And this story is definitely worth the wait.
8 reviews
November 19, 2023
Action packed

Ms Cromer never disappoints. I giggled, I cried, I was on the edge of my seat. Another awesome read. I preordered 4 more of her books. Can't wait for the next installment.
12 reviews
November 24, 2023
The Aether

Riveting the story tells itself Damien is my favorite character and Beasties I would say Start from the beginning The Thorns and Irish saga very well written feels like their family
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews

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