Proven Strength

Aether's Revival, Book 8

By: Daniel Schinhofen

Narrated by: Andrea Parsneau

Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Gregory’s year-long posting along the northern wilds was done. He’d had to face corrupt magi, assassination attempts, aether-using bane beasts, and even deal with the loss of some of his men. The year had left a mark on his soul. He’d accepted the burden of leadership fully, knowing that his men could and would die under his command.

He might’ve avoided all of it if he hadn’t made his moral stand, using the empire’s slave laws to force the corruption to come to light. Because he had, it threw his posting into conflict. Gregory didn’t back down when assassins— magi and non-magi alike— tried to kill him. When the town magi tried to pressure him, he used his training and walking of all three paths to not just stop them both, but to force the higher-tiered magi to bend to him. In the end, he pulled down the men who’d corrupted the magi, even though it cost him three of his men. Gregory was unbowed by his trials, becoming far wiser from them.

With his adept year done, he marched for Krogga— he was to be an assistant ambassador at the capital. What he was looking forward to wasn’t the position, though, but the fact that his wives would be there with him. Even better, it wasn’t going to only be his wives, but also three of his closest friends who wanted to marry him. Clover, Ling, and Roshana were waiting for their tea ceremony, the final step needed for them to be accepted into the family.

As if that wasn’t enough for Gregory to look forward to, Darkness, the mysterious and powerful woman who shrouded herself in her namesake, had promised she would be laid bare before them when they became magus tier. She would not only be visible to them, but they would even be able to briefly touch each other, too.

Krogga wouldn’t be an easy post— the warrior nation hated magi with a passion, which was why the Embassy posting wasn’t one most people wanted. Gregory and his wives were going to have to prove their strength if they wanted to have any peace during their five-year posting.

©2023 Daniel James Schinhofen (P)2024 Daniel Schinhofen

such a great series!

between an amazing (and hilarious) narrator, a great world being built, and character growth im freakin smitten with this series

Great addition

This was an excellent addition to the series and ended as any great book should…with the reader wanting MORE!

world building

it's truly impressive that this deep in the series we can still get half an book dedicated to world building.
extremely enjoyable even so

Wonderful

I love this series and loved this book I can’t wait to sink into the next one! Fantastic addition to the series

good book

Another good book by Daniel, I don't know what to say without spoilers so I'll just say. good book. also the bloopers at the end are absolute genius. I hope they are a mainstay on all shinhoven books because they are hilarious

best

the best freaking bloopers ever I almost broke something. the book was good best one so far.

my favorite

this is my favorite series from Daniel. I absolutely positively recommend this series to anybody reading this review. our characters have finally arrived at what can be considered a stand in for Viking culture. of course it's not exactly the same. the book covers the journey there and then some excitement once our main character is reunited with his wives. I would say more, but I don't want to risk spoiling the story for anybody. for this series I don't wait for it to get the audio treatment, but I like it so much that I've got no problem jumping back in when the audio drops. our lovely lady narrator knocks it out of the part every single time. for me I prefer to listen to the bloopers first and then go into the story. I'm looking forward to the next installment to the story. the last thing I will say is can we get a round of applause for everybody who had a hand and bringing this book to us, the audiobook listeners.

Wonderful!! Don’t miss out on this series

As always, the combination of Schinhofens brilliant storytelling and Parsneau’s remarkable performance brings a truly special escape to get completely lost in for a while. The length of the audiobooks is a particular boost for me as I spend a good amount of time on the road. Aether’s Revival has become my favorite series and I’m excited for the next sequel of Greg & Family. 11/10 would recommend!!

Worth it

The 8th book is a bit slow at the start and middle but the finale is spectacular can’t wait for book 9 !

wonderful

absolute wonderful book. a great setup to the kraga Arc phenomenal narration. I cannot wait for the next book