A review by hhpartonfantasy
Of Blood and Aether by Harper Hawthorne

emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Arken is trying to go to school and learn more about the powers she shouldn't have. Kieran is trying to save missing children while running from his past. From the moment they see each other they are hooked. Thus begins the fight to keep their distance. 
 
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the banter between Arken and Kieran and how they clicked from moment one. I also loved the queer-normative worldbuilding. As someone who is neurodivergent, I appreciated the way Arken works on unmasking and letting her true self shine through. 
 
I will say it took a while to get to the juicy bits. I enjoyed the kind of slower burn to it, but at the same time I kept wanting to scream, "KISS!" I do like this kind of story where we see them meet, they become friends, but they both want more. There was just so much tension that I was going crazy. 
 
I pretty much devoured this book until about the 75% mark and then I kept stalling. I just knew things were going to go wrong and I had to mentally prepare myself for it. 
 
All in all, I recommend this book. I am already preparing for the next book just so I can figure out what the heck is really going on. I have so many questions, but in the best way. 
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