Author: Kim Bannerman
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: 26 May 2021
Pages: 364
Format: eBook - EPUB
Genre: Paranormal
Source: ARC via NetGalley
Vampires have conquered the living world, eradicated human society, and rule an undead empire from their underground palace of Aeterna. No longer forced to hide in the shadows, they build a luxurious metropolis of epicurean excess, savage rituals, and royal lineages, all existing in perfect eternal harmony.
Of Aeterna's byzantine rites, the Bloodlet is the greatest: a spectacular hunt held once a century to choose which royal house will ascend the throne. But for Marcus Atreidae, the last vampire to be created before the annihilation of mankind, the Bloodlet offers a chance to explore the ruins of a dead city and learn all he can about those creatures of myth and legend: humans.
Barred from participating as punishment for his curiosity, Marcus sneaks to the surface but, when catastrophe strikes, he finds himself trapped amid the dystopian ruins with an unlikely ally -- a beautiful and fearless clone named Bo. Together, they discover a web of lies that stretches all the way to Aeterna's putrid core. Will the truth of Marcus' own mysterious past set him free? Or will it destroy an empire?
In Aeterna, Kim Bannerman weaves an astonishing tale of intrigue, betrayal, mystery and adventure. From warrior kings to soothsayers, bio-engineers to slaves, ogres to phantoms, this sweeping epic is as rich and haunting as the undead who populate the city, and sure to delight fans of fantasy and dystopian fiction.
Aeterna was an entertaining read from start to finish. I loved the premise, which was well formulated, and the action moved along at a good pace. Marcus was an instantly engaging character and I also came to like Bo as the story progressed. Their interactions were great fun to read, and you could see both characters grow through them. I had assumed this book would be a standalone story; however, from the way it ends, a sequel seems possible, if not likely. As the blurb suggests, this story plays out across several genres and therefore it's worth checking out if you like one or more of the following: vampires; dystopian; paranormal; mystery; and sci-fi. I would certainly read on if the story continues. For me, it's a 4.5-star read.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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