Review: Mr Gorzug – Substitute Teacher (Mr. Gorzug Book 1) by Nole Moody

Rating: 4.75⭐️

This was absolutely splendid. A stunning surprise of a story in every way. And that’s including that fabulous cover. 

A note before we get into the just how strong this story is in terms of its characters and the way the author shapes the development of this school and its environment. It’s told from a British pov so the school system reflects that. Writer Moody has included for the readers outside of a British educational system how this would translate into a US school system, age group wise. It definitely helps with thinking about the kids and their lives and mentality.

It’s the equanimity with which the school in every capacity accepts that a 7 ft tall, green war battle orc walks in and intelligently takes on as a substitute teacher for History. And so much more. War Ax in hand !

And the sayings! Every teacher, parent and student should be reading this! It’s one that just resonates with you! Remembered times from when you were someone who walked into school, through hallways that seemed like war zones, and needed some kind of guidance and maybe a guardian orc. 

Unexpected moments and fantastic stories! I love it so much. And Mr. Gorzug! I’m heading immediately to the rest of his series. 

Cover design by: Art Painter

Mr. Gorzug (5 book series):

Mr Gorzug – Substitute Teacher #1

Mr Gorzug and the Required Qualifications #2

Mr. Gorzug and the English Summer #3

Mr Gorzug and the Matter of Home #4

Mr Gorzug and the Matter of Family #5

Buy link

        Mr Gorzug – Substitute Teacher (Mr. Gorzug Book 1)

    

Blurb:

The school needed a substitute teacher. It got an orc war-chief instead.

A towering green-skinned warrior from another world was never part of the staffing plan, but after a magical accident leaves him stranded in modern England, the local secondary school discovers something unexpected:

He is exceptionally good with children.

Not in the approved sense, naturally.

He carries an axe, distrusts educational jargon, treats corridor duty like battlefield positioning, and regards most school policies as elaborate attempts to lose control of a situation politely.

But he listens.
He notices.
And when children are frightened, angry, lonely, or quietly falling apart, Mr. Gorzug stands between them and the world with the calm certainty of someone who has defended walls under far worse conditions.

As Halcyon struggles with failing budgets, exhausted staff, vulnerable students, and the growing threat of something unnatural following Gorzug into England, the school slowly realises that the strangest person in the building may also be the one adult least willing to give up on its children.

Mr. Gorzug – Substitute Teacher is a warm, funny fantasy novel about schools, belonging, safeguarding, and what happens when an orc war-chief accidentally becomes the pastoral support system a comprehensive school desperately needed.

Perfect for readers who enjoy:

  • Wry British humour
  • Found family
  • School-based fantasy
  • Discworld-style observational comedy
  • Kind but capable protagonists
  • Slow emotional storytelling beneath absurd situations
  • Bureaucracy treated as an enemy faction
  • Tea deployed as a stabilising force

Review: Half an Orange in Gretna Green ( Midlife Recorder Book 7) by Linzi Day

Rating: 3.5⭐️

Half an Orange in Gretna Green  is very, very long. And densely packed and unfortunately, repetitive. It’s not a the book I’d been looking forward to reading or frankly one I’d recommend.

Find someone you know and let them give you the cliff notes. 

By Thursday, chapter 49 the story was still basically Niki, the Recorder going around asking everyone in power or close to her if they thought they had an answer for the Galicia problem. Because she’s not going to act on her own, she needs input.

Hint. No, the answer was always no. For 3/4 of a very long book. Tons of input. No answer. No action. But this religion bad. Women being terribly suppressed. That’s really bad. We don’t know what to do. Let’s ask more questions. For hundreds of pages. I’m talking 770 pages here. 

So no one acts at all for almost the entire book. There’s a murder on top of multiple mysteries. 

But mostly there stasis by the main characters.

And absolutely tons of talking, hashing out stuff ad infinitum , same topics over and over, til I’m flipping pages bored and frustrated. This feels like it could have easily been cut in half. 

Not until the very last few chapters does anything resembling the plot picking itself up and starts heading towards a narrative climax and something of a dramatic ending. Not much, but at least something. 

I read the author’s notes and realize she’s had a year of losses, deeply felt personal ones. That would make sense here.

This story is not reflective of the past novels and the series to date. It’s meandering, densely paced, and a slog without much of a comparative payoff. 

I’m looking to see what the future story holds. 

Read it because it’s part of the series. 

– Recorder Series so far 

Midlife in Gretna Green 

Painting the Blues in Gretna Green Ties that Bond in Gretna Green 

Seeing Red in Gretna Green 

Code Yellow in Gretna Green 

Market Forces in Gretna Green 

Spilling the Tea in Gretna Green 

Half an Orange in Gretna Green Shrieking Violet in Gretna Green 

Silver Shadows in Gretna Green

Buy link

 Book 7 of 7: Midlife Recorder 

Blurb 

Galicia should be warmth, wine and golden sunsets.

Instead, Niki McKnight finds a realm where every blessing has a price, every sin comes with a fine, and a powerful church has spent centuries collecting anything of value.

Following directly on from the end of Spilling the Tea in Gretna Green, the Recorder is called to arbitrate what appears to be a simple goat dispute. Niki expects to hear both sides, deliver a fair decision, and send everyone home with minimal shouting, sighing, and zero divine intervention.

But simple ends the moment she starts pulling threads.

Behind Galicia’s beauty lies a culture shaped by greed, gold, guilt, and carefully polished lies. Children are controlled. Inhabitants are oppressed. Grief is exploited. And the people responsible are certain the Recorder’s authority does not apply to them.

For the first time, they may be right.

With Dola out of patience, the truth obscured, the Gateway crew struggling, and a god on the missing list, Niki must separate faith from control and truth from propaganda.

Warm, wry, and defiant, Half an Orange in Gretna Greenis the next adventure in the Midlife Recorder world: found family, stubborn hope, dangerous secrets, and one woman discovering that justice is harder to deliver when her usual powers don’t apply.

October 30, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

770 pages

Book 7 of 7

Midlife Recorder

Review:  Hats off to Boo (Wicked Witches of Cauldron Hollow #8) by Sara Bourgeois 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Hats off to Boo was another great paranormal murder mystery, the type I’ve come to expect from Sara Bourgeois’s writings and creations.

Along the lines of cozy mysteries, it always teeters over the edge into deeper waters. The stories are a bit darker around the edges, there’s hints of damage and pain flowing through the narrative and townsfolk. 

And when the murders occur, sometimes it’s those people that as readers we are fond of and not necessarily anonymous people who don’t make as much of an emotional impact. 

Blythe is settling in her happy married life, her shoppe is running smoothly, and everyone is looking forward to the fall festival . Especially the Halloween maze run by town favorite, Shands Dunkle.

The author, in just a few scenes is able to impart just how loved Shands Dunkle is by so many, his role within Cauldron Hollow, and his warmhearted personality.  So his loss is real and deeply felt. By the reader as well as the town. 

Blythe has multiple mysteries to carefully investigate, one that also includes Maude back in town, as well as who murdered Shands. And there’s Lillian to consider as well.

Bourgeois pulls off this story with all its complications and various relationship dynamics so well. It moves swiftly, and carries us through with appropriate spooky moments and emotional scenes. 

We’re always left with a few questions about the otherworldly aspects of the town and things that might go bump in the dark. I love it that way. 

And now I can’t wait for the next one! 

One of my favorite series from this author. 

Wicked Witches of Cauldron Hollow (4 book series)

If the Hat Fits #1

Under The Hat #2

Hat Out of Spell #3

Hat Trick #4 

Bear Many Hats #5

Drop of a Hat #6 

Veil of Doom #7 

Hats off To Boo #8 

The Hat Before Christmas #9 – Dec 23,2026

Buy link

        Hats off to Boo (Wicked Witches of Cauldron Hollow Book 8)

    

Blurb 

Cauldron Hollow has never been better at Halloween. The Veil is healed, the festival is packed, and for the first time in years, witch and mundane alike are having a wonderful October.

Then Shands Dunkle, the beloved owner of the best haunted hayride in three counties, is found dead inside his barn, after a full day of paying customers rode past him and clapped.

The witches who investigate that barn all come out saying the same thing. Old magic. Again. Worse, Maude Tuttlesmith is back in town and camping behind that barn, and she’s lying about why she came. The coven wants her gone. Blythe isn’t so sure. Something about that barn doesn’t add up, and her blood can tell the difference between a witch’s work and the magic that rises through this town every October.

Sheriff Paine Wilder is on his first case as a married man. He follows the money while his wife follows the magic. The town can’t agree on whether the ride should ever run again. And the one witness who saw everything can only speak on Samhain night.

Meanwhile, a certain red-haired ancestor is back in town to pick out her wedding present, and nobody knows what she wants… yet.

Blythe has until Samhain night to catch a killer, and one chance to hear the only witness.

September 28, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

243 pages

Book 8 of 9

Wicked Witches of Cauldron Hollow

Review: The Bone Witch (The Osseous Chronicles Book 1) by Ivy Asher

Rating: 3.5⭐️

This is another urban fantasy thriller where I like the woman main character but have issues with the male protagonist and their relationship.

 Lennox “Leni”  Osseous is a young woman who has always assumed that her family’s bone magic would not be passed down to her, a totally inaccurate assumption as it turns out.  Because when the current holder of the magic, her grandmother passes, it’s Leni who inherits the family power and the bone abilities. To almost everyone’s surprise.

But once she’s gained the power, she’s  unfamiliar with the history and how exactly she can wield it. 

And she comes across as a bit whiny, reactive, and immature, in all aspects of her character. Especially in what happens when Rogan Kendrick crashes into her life. 

He’s the embodiment of toxicity. He’ll do anything to see his goals come to fruition. And sees his goals as the only end point here. No discussion thank you. If others are sacrificed for them, fine. See, I call that a villain full of flags myself. With tags like selfish, narcissistic, non communicative, and sees someone as only a tool to get what they want. Anyone else see a problem with this?

Keep in mind, he’s the MMC, romantic love interest. He will bind her, consent doesn’t enter into this. And fyi, this doesn’t change.

And even if she protests, a lot, she’s still going to find him “attractive “ because that’s how toxic this is written. As in “you will betray me, destroy me, but you’re so hot” dynamic. 

Yes, one of those. I keep waiting for better healthier options in romance books, even urban fantasy thrillers. So rare. 

Not here. Definitely won’t happen here. Trust me.

But the bone magic is interesting. The side characters are worthier of bigger roles as they are well crafted and beautifully developed. 

The bad guys are bad guys. Not a lot of depth there. 

It’s a complete trilogy. 

The cover art is better than the story.

Cover by Book Covers by Seventhstar Chapter Heading by Ricky Gunawan

The Osseous Chronicles (3 book series):

The Bone Witch #1

The Blood Witch #2

The Bound Witch #3

Buy link

        The Bone Witch (The Osseous Chronicles Book 1)

    

Blurb 

I never thought in a million years that the bones would choose me.

The power, the magic, was supposed to go to someone else in the family. I was counting on it. 

But now my Grammy Ruby is gone, and here the bones sit on my kitchen table. 

I thought bitter relatives would be my biggest problem. But I’ve barely had time to find a familiar before trouble comes a-knocking. The kind that possesses smoldering green eyes and a smile that can turn any woman dumb.

His name is Rogan Kendrick, and he’s certain that someone is hunting down and taking my kind. 

According to him, I’m next. 

This is a world that I never wanted to be a part of, but magic gives no fucks and takes no prisoners… At least we have that much in common.

I don’t know what my ancestors were thinking when they chose me, but I’m going to give them a run for their money. My name is Lennox Osseous, but you can call me the Bone Witch.

Review The Retired Assassin’s Guide To Amateur Theatrics (Retired Assassin’s Guide #3) by Naomi Kuttner

Rating: 5⭐️

Naomi Kuttner’s Retired Assassin Guide series is close to perfection and her latest release is an excellent example why I think this series is so well written and the characters just continue to develop so fabulously , crafted way past my expectations. 

The Retired Assassin’s Guide To Amateur Theatrics sees Dante trying to develop a relationship with Te Kohe’s vet, Andrea. However, Dante has no idea what that means or how to emotionally establish a real connection to someone in this manner. Basically, it’s outside his wheelhouse mentally and emotionally such as they are. 

And his two friends, gardenerCharlie who interacts with ghosts and Eleanor the semi retired international thief, hilariously decide to assist him. It ends up with Dante and Charlie, together with the vet, in the local amateur theatre group putting on the Shakespeare play MacBeth. Deadly shenanigans ensue. Because of course they do! It’s MacBeth, the cursed play. And here it also comes with a haunted theater, a murderous past history, and crimes that refuse to stay buried. 

Great times!

This is so much fun. Intelligent plots (multiple complex storylines), really fascinating behind the scenes theater elements, many fantastic Shakespeare quotes and moments, and, the best, a total twist on a villainous character I didn’t see coming. I really loved it. 

Now, something about the series and Dante’s character that I’m a sucker for in every book. And, btw, the author lays in just the right amount of this most delicious element. It’s Dante’s AA meetings and all the other members in attendance. 

What is the AA you ask? Assassin Anonymous. Think AA but substitute assassin for alcohol. Their discussion group is something I live for. They all have the same ,uh, unique outlook on things. And the group leader tries to gently steer them towards a more positive, less deadly solution in each meeting. But it often doesn’t work out that way. Hilariously. I’m often laughing so loudly that even my dog is giving me looks. 

And it leaves Dante trying to move forward with his retirement and seeking to understand what that means for him , as he adjusts to something called emotions, relationships, a home, friends, and even a cat. 

I’ll be here for him, his development , and his growing group of people every step of the way. 

It’s absolutely fabulous. Highly recommended. Grab the series up and start reading it at the beginning of Dante’s journey.

Retired Assassin’s Guide (4 book series to date)

The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Country Gardening #1

The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Orchid Hunting #2

The Retired Assassin’s Guide To Amateur Theatrics #3

The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Birdwatching #4 – December 8,2027

Buy link

 Book 3 of 4: Retired Assassin’s Guide 

Blurb 

“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes”

It’s theatre season in Te Kohe, and the director has decided to liven things up with a production of Macbeth.

Except… something sinister happened when this play was performed twenty years ago, and the ghosts of past murders are set to make a reappearance.

As Dante and his friends are about to find out, there’s no business like show business…

Inkblot Publishing Ltd

Publication date

October 20, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

518 pages

Book 3 of 4

Retired Assassin’s Guide

Review:  The Death-Made Prince (Runewitch Saga #1) by Lisette Marshall 

Rating:  5⭐️

It’s rare that I come across a book that pulls me in for over 500 pages, gives me a compelling set of complex characters, enthralling dark storylines, hints towards the ending and still manages to leave me devastated.

Honestly, I knew where the author was taking us and the characters. She told us. And Marshall still managed to pull off an incredible dramatic ending. One of multiple revelations.

In a book that has so many excellent elements (another thing I rarely write) let’s start off with the main characters. 

Thraga, when we meet her, is in a cell, waiting to be hanged. She’s definitely one of the best written, compelling characters I’ve read recently, and not just in fantasy fiction. Her story, in terms of her dark past and darker history, is slowly revealed throughout the narrative. It’s who Thraga is as a person that is so powerful and intriguing. She’s OCD, counting her magical knives that she uses as a runewitch, as she gets lost in her own thoughts, spiraling out in certain situations, unable to pull herself out, and the reader is in her head with her, as lost as she is. The author describes how she battles with this herself and how it became the inspiration for the story.  Outstanding work. 

But among the many extremely dark layers here in the plot, there’s one  dark side to Thraga’s that I should mention because for some it’s going to be triggering. Thraga has been in a controlling abusive relationship with someone and not realizing it. This is an important thread here. Marshall makes it believable, raw, and so damaging, as it should be. Everything about this reads real. 

Then you add in the other main character, the necromancer, Durlain Averre. He’s equally beautifully written. Darkly crafted with his own deep scars, unbelievable pain, and plans for Thraga and himself, he’s powerful enough to be her equal on the page and have enormous depths, that no matter what he says, you hope for more. 

The world building is incredible, it expands with the storytelling and everything about this feels so immersive that I read right through it. 

Even the simplest of characters feel memorable. And the magical elements, including the darkness and cruelty of how necromancers are created is extraordinary. 

My only quibble is having to wait for the next book to be released. 

Please note that this is easily classified as dark fantasy horror fiction while others see it as romantasy.  I feel the fantasy horror is more accurate.

Highly recommended but do think about whether you might be sensitive to certain aspects of the story.

Cover designer: Fay Lane

Runewitch Saga (2 book series to date)

The Death-Made Prince #1

The Thorn-Marked Witch #2 – April 13,2027

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: Runewitch Saga  e book

 Book 1 of 2: Runewitch Saga 

Blurb 

A runewitch on the run has only one option left: join forces with the sarcastic, unpleasantly gorgeous necromancer she loathes

The man Thraga loved is dead, and her future is in shambles. When she’s sentenced to the gallows for killing her lover’s murderers, it’s a relief more than anything… until, the night before her execution, a necromancer is thrown into her cell. 

Escaping with him is her only chance to bring Lark back to life – and also the start of all her troubles.

Because her new almost-ally is not just any man returned from death. Fire mage, rogue prince, and son of the man who killed her mother, sharp-tongued Durlain Averre is everything Thraga hates. Worse, he won’t revive her lover unless she joins him on a mission of his own first, using her forbidden rune magic to free his sister from the dungeons of an enemy king.

But their quest turns into a deadly chase when Thraga’s violent past catches up with her. And as the net of court intrigue and old fears closes around them, she begins to find out Lark was not at all the man she thought he was…

And neither is Durlain.

The Death-Made Prince is the first book of the Runewitch Saga, an epic enemies to lovers fantasy romance featuring two morally grey leads, OCD rep, and a Norse mythology-inspired world. While it is a slow burn romance, the first book does contain spicy content intended for 18+ readers.

October 21, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

547 pages

Book 1 of 2

Runewitch Saga

Review: Only Bad Options (Galactic Bonds Book 1) by Jennifer Estep

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

I’ve really enjoyed series by Jennifer Estep so I immediately grabbed this science fiction fantasy series, Galactic Bonds, a real thrilling adventure ride.

Starting with a great main character, a woman, Vesper Quill, who’s an inventor/engineer and all around lab rat for a research and development company at the powerful Kent Corp. When Vesper detects a design flaw in the new line of space fighters, her decision to make it known creates an immediate threat to her life and career.

 The plot that follows Vesper through the aftermath of her decision is thrilling, fast- paced and ultimately a wild science fiction adventure ride that incorporates magic and science.

I really like Vesper, no nonsense, tough and adaptable to her fast changing environment, as she’s had to be. 

Kyrion Caldaren grew on me, as did his connection to Vesper. The tight intergalactic politics and terrorist activity that’s going on is well developed. Further, there’s more highly structured familial relationships within the ruling political structures that figures into relationships and their various magical elements that make this constantly a storyline that I’m invested in. 

Each book flows easily into the next so I can binge read into the series .

Highly invested and loving it. 

Cover Art © 2023 by Tony Mauro

Galactic Bonds (6 book series)

Only Bad Options #1

Only Good Enemies #2

Only Hard Problems #3

Only Cold Depths #4

Only Rogue Actions #5

Only Bright Destinies #6 – February 16,2027

Buy link 

 Book 1 of 6: Galactic Bonds 

Blurb 

A WOMAN WHO SEES EVERYTHING . . .

Few people know the name Vesper Quill. To most folks, I’m just a lowly lab rat who designs brewmakers and other household appliances in the research and development lab at the powerful Kent Corp. But when I point out a design flaw and a safety hazard in the new line of Kent Corp spaceships, everyone knows who I am—and wants to eliminate me.

I might be a seer with a photographic memory, but I don’t see the trouble headed my way until it’s too late. Suddenly, I’m surrounded by enemies and fighting for my life.

I don’t think things can get any worse until I meet Kyrion Caldaren, an arrogant Regal lord who insists that we have a connection, one that could be the death of us both.

A MAN WHO CAN’T FORGET HIS PAST . . .

The name Kyrion Caldaren strikes fear in the hearts of people across the Archipelago Galaxy. As the leader of the Arrows, the Imperium’s elite fighting force, I’m used to being a villain, as well as the personal assassin of Lord Callus Holloway. Even the wealthy Regals who live on the planet of Corios are afraid of me.

But everything changes when I meet Vesper Quill. I might be a powerful psion with telepathic, telekinetic, and other abilities, but Vesper sees far too many of my secrets.

Thanks to an arcane, unwanted quirk of psionic magic, the two of us are forced to work together to unravel a dangerous conspiracy and outwit the deadly enemies who want to bend us to their will.

More praise for Only Bad Options, book 1 in the Galactic Bonds science-fiction fantasy series:

September 20, 2022

Language

‎English

Print length

398 pages

Book 1 of 6

Galactic Bonds

Review:  Last Witch Effort (Smokethorn Paranormals #5) by C. P. Rider

Rating: 4.25⭐️

I believe this is the penultimate story of the series. There’s so much to it, tons of new characters, plot developments, and layers of to the storytelling here to absorb. 

I was happy to see a brief recap of the dramatic scenes from the last book included in the beginning as it’s been a while now since its release. I needed the reminder of how we left those characters and how that book ended. 

Betty Lennox grapples with her new responsibilities as the Alpha of the pack, as well as her own personal feelings and fears about her mixed demon/earth witch bloodlines and powerful abilities. 

Unfortunately, Betty’s inability to handle this comes off as being whiny and often incapable of growing up. Time and again, the author has Betty refusing help or not facing the dangers that put her friends and “found family” members in situations that could have been avoided. 

Instead of feeling connected or invested, if you’re like me, it just frustrates you as a reader and puts you outside of the narrative. 

Things that save it are new characters and elements that do show Betty’s best qualities as she works to protect and pull the community together after such a heinous leadership. And that new shifter clan introduced? Intriguing and left me wanting more. Also that new lone cat shifter too. Plus’s also for the fabulous Cecil, Fennel, and Ida! 

The good and now the so so. That’s Ronan, the problematic MMC. He’s still basically one note, one that’s remained unchanged since book one. He wants to be alpha, he’s not the alpha. His wolf is unhappy. He says it’s his problem not hers. Flags anyone?

And his solution at the end? A major issue for me. And if the author is writing this as a real solution for the couple, then I have a problem with her as well as with the storyline. 

Because the fact is that she’s a better Alpha. The pack and community is healing and she’s willing to see and address issues he doesn’t understand and/or see . But he wants to be Alpha. And she’s (as the author is writing this), seems willing to give in because he’s whining about it. Wolf sad . Pls make me Alpha. Boohoo.

Stop, just stop. She’s great as a leader. He’s a good fighter, doesn’t mean he is a leader. Deal. Make him a second. 

Well, let’s see how the last book plays out. But it’s going to take 2 years until we can get the story. Yes, 2028.

See you then. 

Cover design by The Book Brander

The Smokethorn Paranormals Series (6 book series) :

Strike It Witch #1

Any Which Wolf #2

Wicked Witch of the Wolf #3

The Wolfing Hour #4

Last Witch Effort #5

Big Bad Witch #6 – February 29, 2028

Buy link 

 Book 5 of 6: The Smokethorn Paranormals Series 

Blurb 

“Believe this: I’m not just a demon. I’m their demon.”

Betty Lennox thought surviving Alpha Floyd and merging her volatile earth and demon powers meant she’d finally earned some peace in Smokethorn, California. But keeping the peace in a desert town full of opinionated paranormals is never easy—especially when you’ve accidentally become the de facto leader of a newly fractured wolf pack.

When ruthless demon hunters from The Org and rogue necromancers descend on Smokethorn to threaten her people, Betty finds herself facing her most dangerous battle yet. Enemies are closing in from all sides; she can’t afford a single misstep.

To save her town and keep her soul, she’ll have to lean on her ever-expanding family of friends—her partner-cat Fennel, Cecil the homicidal garden gnome with an explosive streak, her octogenarian necromancer best friend, the local witches and wolves, and the wolf shifter who won her heart.

In a place where paranormal enemies are around every corner, Betty is about to prove that taking care of her people isn’t just a duty—it’s a promise.

For fans of urban fantasy with a side of slow-burn romance.

VC Group, LLC

Publication date

September 29, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

327 pages

Review:  Ashwalker (The Emberfall Trilogy #1) by S. M. Gaither

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Ashwalker, the first book in The Emberfall Trilogy by S. M. Gaither, is an excellent fantasy adventure story.  It is a standout in a field filled with enemies to lovers plot lines about fierce, damaged women, and sentient dragons who have an enormous role in their future and on their magical abilities. 

While there were certain aspects of this narrative that were easily figured out, how the author was going to reach there or bring them into the story was interesting throughout the book.

The characters kept my attention, especially Arowyn Vale, the ashwalker who survived the massacre of her family and fiancée years ago by dragons, and now runs the desolate Ashlands on missions. 

Scarred, full of trauma and secrets, Arowyn is a terrific character, one whose development is steady and believable as she faces grief and unforeseen events that bring her new strength and magical powers. And a dragon. 

The way Gaither grows this relationship between the two characters is very different from other dynamics that I’ve read. It certainly incorporates the tragedy that’s fallen into both of these characters lives. 

And there’s other parties too. The enemies to lovers aspect. King Reave Callahan,someone who ends up very much a multidimensional man, who has his own demons to fight. Add in  the intrigue of the vicious kingdom politics that he is trying to control. And this story is highly compelling reading, filled with magical details, fighting dragons and more mythological world building that grows as the story develops. 

The only thing that I was sorry about was having to wait for the next installment to be published. Sometime next year. 

If you like to read series, one book after another, you might want to check until the trilogy is complete. 

Well written and beautifully crafted characters. Just a fantastic book and I think it will be a great series. Highly recommended. 

The Emberfall Trilogy:

Ashwalker #1

Flamebound #2 – March 25,2027

Buy

amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comAshwalker (The Emberfall Trilogy) on Amazon.com – Read Ashwalker on Amazon

Blurb 

Long ago, dragons were unleashed as weapons of mass destruction, igniting a war that shattered the Empire of Kaldra. Now, the survivors of that once-great realm cower behind fortified walls, while the beasts terrorize the wilds between the broken kingdoms.

Arowyn Vale survives as an ashwalker—one of the few reckless enough to brave the burned-out roads between the walled cities, smuggling everything from supplies to secrets. But when she reluctantly saves a dying dragon hatchling on a routine run, she draws the eye of the ruler of Mouren, a brutal realm directly in the heart of dragon territory.

Once upon a time, King Reave Callahan’s people wielded powerful magic, bonding with dragons in order to crush their enemies with wing and flame. But now, that magic is fading, and law decrees that anyone who manages to bond with a dragon must serve the Mouren crown—even a gutter-born, half-feral ashwalker from the slums of an enemy kingdom.

Dragged into Reave’s glittering but cutthroat court, Arowyn must navigate a treacherous new life built upon secrets, ancient magic, and shifting alliances. As her connection to the hatchling deepens—and with the Mouren king watching her with a gaze full of both danger and desire—she will have to make a decision:

To become a weapon of the kingdom that broke her world…

Or to burn it all down from within.

Review: Hammered (Legacy of Magic #1) by Lindsey Buroker

Rating: 4⭐️

This author is a favorite of mine so when I saw this series, I automatically grabbed up the first story in this urban fantasy series.

The draw for me? The main character, a magical hammer-swinging half dwarf, Matti Puletasi, a Seattle native who runs a house renovation company. She’s unique in her personality and characteristics. No swords or lithe body. Instead she’s got an extremely strong, sturdy body, one that swings both that huge magical dwarf weapon or a heavy construction tool with ease. 

Shes happy flipping houses with her other paranormal besties until the latest project house comes with a dead body, a mysterious object in the basement and new enemies. 

Matti is interesting in her background and,definitely her character makeup. The design that the author gifted her with separates her from so many other fae or otherworldly main characters I’ve read lately. 

But this is missing something. Chemistry or energy from the narrative. There’s no real spark between Matti and the elf assassin, who I really had trouble getting into. 

And the story dragged, feeling more “as told to “ than an actual action adventure plot thread. 

This book and series take place within the Death Before Dragons universe and the characters from that series have roles here.

Have I read it? No, maybe it would have made a difference. Because I didn’t connect with those characters either or know what their agenda was. It felt as though they were strong arming Matty unfairly here. 

The And there’s multiple storylines that popped up out of nowhere. And without much grounding laid out for it, it was just one more thing that was missing layers here.

Best part of this? Definitely Matti Puletasi. Loved the idea of her being a house flipper in Seattle, as well as a part powerlifting dwarf who wields a hammer (extremely proficiently) instead of the usual sword and spells. 

More like her please! And great cover!

Legacy of Magic (8 book series)

Hammered #1

Betrayed #2

Trolled #3

Tested #4

Wrenched #5

Fused #6

Wanted #7

Cursed #8

Buy link

        Hammered (Legacy of Magic Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Seattle native Matti Puletasi has the strength of a bear, the stamina of an ox, and a magical hammer inherited from her dwarven mother.

She’s happy renovating homes and occasionally thumping bad guys until she learns of a mysterious artifact hidden under the house she’s working on. Everybody from humans to orcs to werewolves wants it, and they’re willing to kill to get it. Things go from bad to worse when someone frames her for murder.

The only person interested in helping her is a haughty elf assassin from another realm. He’s handsome, powerful, and deadly, but he’s got an agenda of his own. She dare not trust him—or be attracted to him.

But if she can’t clear her name, the assassin will be the least of her worries.

~

Set in the same world as Death Before Dragons, the Legacy of Magic series is perfect for urban fantasy fans who enjoy adventure, snarky humor, and slow-burn romance with badass elves who should not be trusted. Pick up Book 1, Hammered, today!

Lindsay Buroker

Publication date

November 9, 2022

Language

‎English

Book 1 of 8

Legacy of Magic