The Phoenix and the Spider (Children of the Aether) by Benny Charles, Alex Robinson

A dark-winged beacon of hope and a monstrous purveyor of death.

The Phoenix and the Spider have haunted Theo’s dreams for as long as she can remember. One evokes a feeling of warm comfort, the other unbridled fear. Yet their presence in her otherwise unremarkable existence remains a mystery.

Hidden in these visions lie the secrets of a past that spans countless lifetimes, each one filled with love, death, and untold power waiting to be reawakened. If Theo doesn’t unravel the truth soon though, she will be doomed to the same cruel fate that has followed her for millennia.

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The Phoenix and the Spider is the first book of the Children of the Aether series. Told through multiple character perspectives, this slow-burn dark fantasy combines a modern-day narrative with immersive historical flashbacks spanning from ancient Mesopotamia to pre-WWI Siberia.

* Content warning: This novel is recommended for a 16+ audience as it contains adult themes including violence, murder, torture, sexual assault, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and mental illness.