Review:  Kin of the Wolf (Magnetic Magic #3) by by Lindsay Buroker

Rating: 3.5⭐️

If you’re reading a series and notice certain things or elements of a character(s) or storyline that are starting to become a bit predictable or problematic, then you hope that as the series goes forward, the author has a way to use those things in the narrative or character development. 

At least so it’s not an issue that is highly distracting from the plot or character relationship. 

Unfortunately that’s what is happening with the characters here. 

Spoilers for the preceding book. 

Primarily it’s the character of Duncan and the dynamic between Luna and Duncan. It is absolutely disconnecting me from the character of Luna who I found relatable and interesting in her personality and life story. 

But the dynamic between them, especially with her history with Duncan and her ex-husband, as well as her cousin, it’s just making her out to be either a woman with extremely bad judgment or just a nonsensical storyline.  Duncan, a clone of an ancient powerful werewolf, has betrayed Luna in the past. She forgave him. Then he attacked her, under the control of a mage. One he’s still under the influence of when the mage desires.  The logic is to cut him off.

The author, instead, has Luna repeatedly inviting him,(past, current and future threat) back into her life, the pack’s life and now it looks like her son’s. Yes, this will go as well as expected. 

Just when needed, oh look. He’s running away. Cue up the eye roll. 

Buroker was or is building a picture of a divorced woman trying to handle multiple major events/family crises and struggling with them as she would be. But here’s the thing, Luna has been portrayed as tough, extremely realistic and resilient.   Even with the current state of affairs in her life, with the pack politics, mother’s health, and now the Druid family arriving at the housing units, the relationship dynamics the author has playing out is very counter intuitive to the woman Buroker also wants us to believe in. 

How much of patsy or casualty is Luna expected to be of this relationship and the readers too? It’s getting old fast. 

I’m continuing on but with less enthusiasm than when I began. 

For those who enjoy paranormal werewolf fiction and urban fantasy thrillers, check it out. See what you think. 

“Book cover by Deranged Doctor Design”

Magnetic Magic :

Way of the Wolf #1

Relics of the Wolf #2

Kin of the Wolf #3

Quest of the Wolf #4

Curse of the Wolf-July 11,2025

Buy link

        Kin of the Wolf (Magnetic Magic Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Pack politics, adventure, and romance feature in the third installment of Magnetic Magic. 

Luna has recovered priceless werewolf relics from powerful thieves, but they’re still alive—and they can control her new ally, a lone wolf named Duncan. 

She would be wise to have nothing to do with him, but he’s handsome, charming, and keeps coming to her defense. Further, with certain members of the pack gunning for her, she needs his assistance. Her cousin Augustus is holding a grudge, and she’s going to have to find a way to deal with him—before he deals with her.

Review:  Relics of the Wolf (Magnetic Magic Book 2) by Lindsay Buroker

Rating: 4⭐️

Mystery, magic, and more hidden secrets. That’s what Relics of the Wolf is focused upon. 

Luna has, with all the betrayals, attacks, and bad news about her mother arriving together, decided to go full force with her wolf.  It being the best way to ensure her safety and others survival. 

 The complex dynamics within Luna’s mother’s pack is one that is more feral, and less humanized than many other stories I’ve read.  I appreciate this aspect even more because the Alpha is female, ruthless in running the pack as she works towards its future. 

 The story lines that Buroker is building, ones that include Luna and her pack, are among the strongest in the series. From the pack dynamics to the werewolves and their own history, the author is developing this element with each character and book.  She’s revealing more about their mythology, genetics, and connections to other paranormal beings. 

Luna is still a strong character, evolving her story and her wolf into a powerful role and magical being. I can’t wait to see more. 

Duncan just continues to be an issue. He’s not a consistently well defined character, and I need that to be invested in him. For his part in Luna’s journey and me as a reader. The author does supply him with a newly revealed history but oddly, it didn’t make him any more believable here. It’s not a well constructed element.  I’m just not connecting with him. Or this part of the story. It’s all too apparent. 

Bolin remains outstanding. More of Bolin. Maybe let us in on his parents, too. 

The shifter elements are exciting, Luna is fabulous, the Pack itself is full of complicated characters and  hidden inter-pack political elements that add suspense and depth to the scenario.

Moving swiftly to the next book to see how the story develops.

Another winner for lovers of paranormal werewolf fiction and urban fantasy thrillers. 

“Book cover by Deranged Doctor Design”

Magnetic Magic :

Way of the Wolf #1

Relics of the Wolf #2

Kin of the Wolf #3

Quest of the Wolf #4

Curse of the Wolf-July 11,2025

Buy link

        Relics of the Wolf (Magnetic Magic Book 2)

    

Blurb 

When Luna decided to reclaim her werewolf heritage, she had no idea what she was in for.

Frustrated, angry, and betrayed, she must find the mysterious artifact she lost, unravel the politics of the pack, and defend against attempts on her life.

With everything intertwined, she has a daunting road ahead, and her conflicting feelings about the lone werewolf, Duncan, aren’t helping anything. She doubts she can trust him, no matter how charming he is, but she may need to if she wants to get to the bottom of her troubles—and survive the week.

  • Publisher: Lindsay Buroker
  • Publication date: January 31, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 248 pages
  • Book 2 of 5: Magnetic Magic

Review:  Way of the Wolf (Magnetic Magic Book 1) by Lindsay Buroker

Rating: 4.25⭐️

I’m constantly on the lookout for a strong FMC and storylines that are outside of the popular types and novel trends I’m seeing everywhere these days. 

Lindsay Buroker is among those authors (ones I’m just now discovering) who are writing about older female characters that have been through challenges in their lives, divorces, losses, dysfunctional families and relationships. Lost jobs or in situations where they’re often making do with the economy , their skill sets, and getting by as best they can.  Some have kids , young or in the case of the FMC here, two older sons who are living elsewhere. 

In other words, female characters who are extremely relatable and relevant for many readers. 

Luna Valens is a 45 yrs old divorced woman, with 2 grown children ,who’s been the Property Manager of the Sylvan Serenity Housing in Seattle, Washington for over 20 years. She’s also a werewolf who hasn’t shifted for 25 years. On purpose. 

The novel opens with Luna carrying a toilet across the parking lot of the building complex where she’s getting ready to replace a renter’s toilet herself. The scene immediately gives the reader a full picture of who Luna is, tough, aware, dry observations about her own life and the way she is aging. Even the dull senses she’s has due to the fact she’s been drugging the shifter aspect of herself into non existence. 

Buroker lends the character authenticity even as she’s giving us a mystery about the woman lugging the heavy weight around the parking lot with a lot more ease than any human can handle.  It brought me instantly into the story and Luna Valen’s character. 

 For me the female characters are the best part of the story. Luna, her mother, who’s absolutely fierce, the idea of packs as a matriarchal line, are all amazing storylines. 

Duncan, the werewolf treasure hunter, is a little more problematic as a character. His continued use of “My Lady” , while explained later, is something I find annoying.  He just doesn’t have the same energy as Luna does.

But Bolin the intern does, he’s amazing. I’d love to see him as a full non romantic player here . From his intriguing history to his personality, he’s fantastic. 

Definitely moving forward with the series and this terrific character. 

A winner.

“Book cover by Deranged Doctor Design”

Magnetic Magic :

Way of the Wolf #1

Relics of the Wolf #2

Kin of the Wolf #3

Quest of the Wolf #4

Curse of the Wolf-July 11,2025

Buy link

 Book 1 of 5: Magnetic Magic 

Blurb 

You can only escape your destiny for so long…

It’s been more than twenty years since tragedy prompted Luna Valens to walk away from her pack. 

Scarred by her past, she’s done her best to lead a normal human life. Thanks to a potion that suppresses her magic, nobody around her has a clue that she’s a werewolf.

Until…

Her potion supplier disappears, her family reestablishes contact, and a mysterious werewolf with a metal detector and a penchant for calling her my lady saunters into her life.

As if all that weren’t enough, someone from her past is trying to kill her. Someone dangerous. 

To survive and figure out what’s going on, Luna will have to once again embrace her power. But, after so long, will she be able to summon the wolf? 

~

A contemporary fantasy series for those enjoy second-chance stories, slow-burn romance, and werewolves with a sense of humor. Pick up Way of the Wolf today!

  • Publisher: Lindsay Buroker
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: January 3, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 228 pages
  • Book 1 of 5: Magnetic Magic

Shifters and werewolves suspense, shifters and werewolves thrillers, paranormal romance thriller, urban fantasy suspense,