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The Rise of Lilith #2
Aether Crossed
Life used to be simple. I mixed drinks and helped tourists and locals alike find their vacation vibe in the Laguna Beach bar where I work. Now . . .
Turns out, I’m a Daughter of Lilith, descended from the first woman and born with the ability to interact with the realm of the gods. I’ve been told we were born to keep the balance between chaos and order, but it seems like everyone just wants me to put my finger on the scale in their favor.
Shadow demons attack the bar, sending my boyfriend into some sort of magical coma. A woman arrives demanding I join her coven, insisting it’s the only way to save him. And the gods? Let’s just say they all have games they want me to play.
I’ll do anything to bring Silas home. Even if it means staring down the god of chaos and destruction himself.
That snake doesn’t stand a chance . . . right?
***
If you enjoy a glass of bold red wine with your coven sisters, or feel like partying with the ancient gods tonight, you’ll love this witchy portal fantasy adventure.
Turns out, I’m a Daughter of Lilith, descended from the first woman and born with the ability to interact with the realm of the gods. I’ve been told we were born to keep the balance between chaos and order, but it seems like everyone just wants me to put my finger on the scale in their favor.
Shadow demons attack the bar, sending my boyfriend into some sort of magical coma. A woman arrives demanding I join her coven, insisting it’s the only way to save him. And the gods? Let’s just say they all have games they want me to play.
I’ll do anything to bring Silas home. Even if it means staring down the god of chaos and destruction himself.
That snake doesn’t stand a chance . . . right?
***
If you enjoy a glass of bold red wine with your coven sisters, or feel like partying with the ancient gods tonight, you’ll love this witchy portal fantasy adventure.
286 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2023
3 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Megan Haskell
17 books141 followersLegend has it, I was born with a book in my hands. When I was a kid, my mom would ground me from reading in order to get me to do my chores. To this day, I can readily ignore the real world in favor of the imaginary one lurking between the pages of my current addiction. My dad — also an avid reader — introduced me to Tolkien in my late elementary years, and I never looked back. I love escaping to worlds where magic and monsters are real, especially stories with kick-butt heroines and dangerously attractive heroes.
Despite my voracious book appetite, I didn’t start creative writing until I was working as a number cruncher in a big accounting firm. With an hour plus commute by train every day, and a demanding left-brain occupation, I needed a mobile creative outlet. A pen and paper are about as mobile as it gets! As the pages began to fill, I quickly moved onto a tiny laptop, and a writer was born. Now I get to create my own fantasies!
I currently live in Southern California with my wonderfully supportive husband, two daughters, and a ridiculously energetic dog.
Despite my voracious book appetite, I didn’t start creative writing until I was working as a number cruncher in a big accounting firm. With an hour plus commute by train every day, and a demanding left-brain occupation, I needed a mobile creative outlet. A pen and paper are about as mobile as it gets! As the pages began to fill, I quickly moved onto a tiny laptop, and a writer was born. Now I get to create my own fantasies!
I currently live in Southern California with my wonderfully supportive husband, two daughters, and a ridiculously energetic dog.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 7, 2023
Happy Release Day @meganhaskellauthor !!
I know there's been parties for #ironflame but let me tell you about a different kind of party. 🍻 I've been so excited to share this review:
I backed Megan's Kickstarter and got early access to Aether Crossed and I loved it more than the first!
The action starts up right out of the gate... It's only been a few weeks since Lil banished Apep🐍, God of Chaos and Destruction, but now he's back for revenge sowing lies and self doubt. But never fear, Hecate still appears to be in Lil's corner. 🐾
I love the female characters in this book... Grams with her infinite, no nonsense advice and care ☕, Hecate with her powerful Maid💃🏻, Mother👩👧👦, and Crone 🧓🏻 empowerment (and of course her very good Dog), and Lil is still a badass 🗡️
Silas is still as sweet as ever, but I do caution though (for those of you holding out for this kind of lover) that this kind of acceptance can also (and more often) be found in platonic friendships (the scene with Tempest entering Apep's demanse *chef's kiss*) 👯
There's good comic relief for such dark themes and even an ancient drinking game as a trial to the underworld, which I thought was really creative and unlike anything I've read before. 🍻
My favorite, absolute FAVORITE was how Megan really put in the WORK for the ending... The creation, the destruction, light vs dark, the Oroborous. I hate spoilers, but I have to share this perfect piece:
"Like the physical elements there wasnt anything inherently evil about the dark. Water could drown, but without it there would be no life. Fire could burn, but without it there would be no warmth. Tornadoes and rockslides could kill, but where would we be without air and earth?" 🕯️🌑🔥💧🍃🌎
Grab your copy today! Join me in loving this series!
#GirlsWhoRead #fantasy #fantasyreader #fantasybooklover #fantasybooks #fantasybookstagram #bookstagram #readmorebooks #bookworm #ancientmythology #mythology #drinkinggames
I know there's been parties for #ironflame but let me tell you about a different kind of party. 🍻 I've been so excited to share this review:
I backed Megan's Kickstarter and got early access to Aether Crossed and I loved it more than the first!
The action starts up right out of the gate... It's only been a few weeks since Lil banished Apep🐍, God of Chaos and Destruction, but now he's back for revenge sowing lies and self doubt. But never fear, Hecate still appears to be in Lil's corner. 🐾
I love the female characters in this book... Grams with her infinite, no nonsense advice and care ☕, Hecate with her powerful Maid💃🏻, Mother👩👧👦, and Crone 🧓🏻 empowerment (and of course her very good Dog), and Lil is still a badass 🗡️
Silas is still as sweet as ever, but I do caution though (for those of you holding out for this kind of lover) that this kind of acceptance can also (and more often) be found in platonic friendships (the scene with Tempest entering Apep's demanse *chef's kiss*) 👯
There's good comic relief for such dark themes and even an ancient drinking game as a trial to the underworld, which I thought was really creative and unlike anything I've read before. 🍻
My favorite, absolute FAVORITE was how Megan really put in the WORK for the ending... The creation, the destruction, light vs dark, the Oroborous. I hate spoilers, but I have to share this perfect piece:
"Like the physical elements there wasnt anything inherently evil about the dark. Water could drown, but without it there would be no life. Fire could burn, but without it there would be no warmth. Tornadoes and rockslides could kill, but where would we be without air and earth?" 🕯️🌑🔥💧🍃🌎
Grab your copy today! Join me in loving this series!
#GirlsWhoRead #fantasy #fantasyreader #fantasybooklover #fantasybooks #fantasybookstagram #bookstagram #readmorebooks #bookworm #ancientmythology #mythology #drinkinggames
October 26, 2023
Aether Crossed by Megan Haskell
*****
This was one of my most anticipated end of the year reads and Megan Haskell DELIVERED! I've read urban fantasy...but I've not read an urban fantasy packed with so much mystery, horror and intrigue as this book/series. Aether Bound was full to the brim with strange happenings and Aether Crossed, the second book is also not without them. What's this coven? Are these witches? What does it take to get in this coven? Will there ever be an end to the chaos in this world...?
BUT STEP ASIDE A MOMENT, actually, take a seat. Because Megan acheives something unique here with this story. Each character has a 'gift of creation'. And this gift ends up being a kind of magic. My magic is creating artwork. I design. I paint. Lil's gift is creating amazing cocktails...Silas' gift is playing wonderful music...you get the idea. It centers us...and these characters! There is an underlying message to the reader, to keep at their craft (whatever they enjoy doing) as it helps us remember who we are and we are each, unique. If that's not enough - there are elements...and other magics in this world. But I imagine we will get a better scope of that in Book 3 and 4. There was a really wonderful scene with various figures standing at the points of a star pentgram...and each character had a kind of element/symbol to contribute.
AND THE CHARACTERS!!! Such wonderful characters. I am really interested in learning more about the 'coven'. There are three amazing female leads in this book. WELL. One really needs work...but I'm sure she will come around. Silas is a wonderful supporting character to Lil (and her 'anchor'), Grams lives up to her name, that Silas gave her. Ezra continues to be my favorite disabled character in any series I have read. And all around, this is a fantastic cast!
I highly recommend this book to any reader...but especially those readers who love mythology, badass female leads, witches, bits of humor, clean romance, and spooky, mysterious reads. There is something in Aether Crossed for everyone.
*****
This was one of my most anticipated end of the year reads and Megan Haskell DELIVERED! I've read urban fantasy...but I've not read an urban fantasy packed with so much mystery, horror and intrigue as this book/series. Aether Bound was full to the brim with strange happenings and Aether Crossed, the second book is also not without them. What's this coven? Are these witches? What does it take to get in this coven? Will there ever be an end to the chaos in this world...?
BUT STEP ASIDE A MOMENT, actually, take a seat. Because Megan acheives something unique here with this story. Each character has a 'gift of creation'. And this gift ends up being a kind of magic. My magic is creating artwork. I design. I paint. Lil's gift is creating amazing cocktails...Silas' gift is playing wonderful music...you get the idea. It centers us...and these characters! There is an underlying message to the reader, to keep at their craft (whatever they enjoy doing) as it helps us remember who we are and we are each, unique. If that's not enough - there are elements...and other magics in this world. But I imagine we will get a better scope of that in Book 3 and 4. There was a really wonderful scene with various figures standing at the points of a star pentgram...and each character had a kind of element/symbol to contribute.
AND THE CHARACTERS!!! Such wonderful characters. I am really interested in learning more about the 'coven'. There are three amazing female leads in this book. WELL. One really needs work...but I'm sure she will come around. Silas is a wonderful supporting character to Lil (and her 'anchor'), Grams lives up to her name, that Silas gave her. Ezra continues to be my favorite disabled character in any series I have read. And all around, this is a fantastic cast!
I highly recommend this book to any reader...but especially those readers who love mythology, badass female leads, witches, bits of humor, clean romance, and spooky, mysterious reads. There is something in Aether Crossed for everyone.
November 1, 2023
This is the 2nd book in the Rise of Lilith series. Lil has finally made it home and has been happy with Silas, Ezra and Tempest. And of course, that is when things go wrong. Shadows show up in the bar, whispering to Lil about how she is worthless. They attach themselves to patrons of the bar and even Silas. And of course, that is the moment more Daughter of Lilith show up, asking her to join their coven. When the shadows overwhelm the bar, Lil must do something to stop them. But Silas and the others are left in a magical coma, so Lil must go back to the Aether to save them. With Tempest and newcomer Wendy, she must traverse the Aether and avoid the traps of the Gods. I love the way that we get to learn about different deities from different pantheons in this series. I am always a sucker for mythological fantasy. And I love how Silas gets to be a part of this, even if he is not supposed to be able to "see" these things. And that he gets to be such a large part as well! There were definitely tense moments towards the end where I was wondering which way the story would go! I can't wait for the next book!
April 18, 2025
I absolutely loved the first book. I was drawn to it originally because it's set local to me and sounded good but I was immediately drawn in.
The second book was the same, I was immediately pulled into the story and couldn't put the book down
I love the writing, and especially the characters, and how well-rounded they are and complex. it weaves a compelling story that has so many details that bring it to life.
I am loving the story, as she learns more about her powers, how to use them, and working with her friends. great action and story.
The second book was the same, I was immediately pulled into the story and couldn't put the book down
I love the writing, and especially the characters, and how well-rounded they are and complex. it weaves a compelling story that has so many details that bring it to life.
I am loving the story, as she learns more about her powers, how to use them, and working with her friends. great action and story.
November 8, 2023
This is the second book in the series and is even better than the first. Lili's life is getting more dangerous and those around her may pay for her inexperience. She goes from the frying pan into the fire as she confronts gods to bring home her man. I really enjoyed this book.
I received this book for free and wished to leave a review.
I received this book for free and wished to leave a review.
December 14, 2023
What a great read, I loved it! This is the 2nd book in the Rise of Lilith series and if you thought, like me, that it couldn't get better than the first you will be as pleasantly surprised as I was. As the story develops Lil learns more about her powers and finds more danger everywhere as she and her friends are threatened by Apep, I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens its a thrilling page-turner.
January 29, 2024
I actually loved this book more than the 1st book, the action had me on the edge of my seat. And the plot twist I never saw coming. Silas, so far, is my favorite character because he just doesn't judge Lil and I love that she found someone to be there for her.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews