Aftershock: Magic Guardian of Earth

by Alane Middleton

When Prudence Dunton returns home after learning she was the Guardian of the Earth, she intended to resume living as usual. She saw no reason to let this newfound knowledge disrupt her plans. Unbeknownst to her, it would forever change the course of her life.

Her once safe haven, a small farm in Agricola, Illinois, is now surrounded by struggling farmlands plagued by destructive mishaps and devastating accidents. Even her own land is affected by the presence of a wolf that prowls at night, haunting her dreams.

With each passing day, Pru becomes more wary of those around her, unsure if she can trust anyone, including a captivating stranger.

There's something about Griffin, the new farmhand, that makes her heart race. The moment she laid eyes on him, she felt an odd sense of recognition. Despite this, his reserved demeanor leaves her wondering about his feelings for her.

To save herself and the world, Pru must learn to control her power, but even more importantly, she must learn to open her heart.

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

But but.. this was such a good read. Nicely paced and honestly this author knows how to write to keep the reader fully pulled in. I may have read this in one sitting and forgot about the world😅

I have received this ARC for an honest review, all thoughts/opinions above are my own.

[RedReviews4You Susan-Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has all the paranormal qualities that make it a strong read for me. Witches - Check, Shifters - Check, Native American Folklore & Mythology - CHECK PLUS, and finally, if you add to this the thrill of characters discovering their own powers and connection to each other then you have to add another resounding CHECK PLUS PLUS! I have loved all the Dutton Legacy Books and Alane Middleton has a wonderful writing style that will draw you in and hold your attention with an ability to create wonderfully complex characters, all the while weaving a rich and unique story filled with tension between characters and the growing complexity of this one story with the Dutton Legacy Storyline. As you can guess this is a highly structured and interconnected series and one that you cannot jump into midstream with Aftershock, no matter how good of a read it is. Without the foundations set in Tempest, Book One, and the free prequel Storm Rising, you will be missing out on the detailed and powerful world building that makes the series so impressive. I am confident that I will happily follow Middleton throughout the length of this series and into her next series as well.

If you enjoy stories that have not just a paranormal romance but offer a glimpse into a supernatural world that is slowly being uncovered to the participants like Pru and her family then you have found the series you are looking for. I remember falling into Nora Roberts’ Trilogies like The Pagan Stone, The Keys, and The Circle in this same way and finding a similar all encompassing structure of visual and detailed world building, fierce connection between friends and allies, and soul recognition between lovers. With Middleton I have found something similar in the creation of her own Magical Universe and the connection between Earth Magics and Indigenous Legends like the Skin Walker.

[Ginger Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book by this author that sucked me in and I couldn't put it down! Aftershock is book two in the series, and it is not a stand alone so I recommend reading book one "Tempest" first. Like book one, this book is a paranormal slow burn romance with fated mates and impending doom for the world. Aftershock is taking place on the same timeline as Tempest, so we get to see a few interactions from Pru's POV that happened in the first book (I love when authors do that.)

Pru is the guardian of the Earth living on a farm in Illinois. As she starts coming into her powers, the farms around her start experiencing catastrophic crop disease and accidents, forcing the owners to sell the land to a shady new company that has come to town. As she's trying to sort out what is going on with her powers, her neighbors, and her own land, she realizes the wolf she's been dreaming about since she was a child has appeared on her property. At the same time, a mysterious stranger named Griffin has appeared, and she is instantly (one could say, magically) drawn to him.

As Pru and Griffin navigate their overpowering feelings for each other, the fight to save the farm becomes a fight for their lives as we meet Pru's villain of the story. Like the first book, this book has twists and betrayals, a slow burn romance, elemental magic and exciting action at the end. This book also features Native American culture and folklore.

I love this series, I am so excited for the next book! Great job to this author!

[ANGELA · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book definitely improved from the first, and I am enjoying the overlapping stories/timelines with the conversations with the sisters where you get hints of what is happening in their stories. The romance in this book, while still terribly rushed, did at least feel a BIT healthier, but still not a mature, adult relationship. And the way the FMC's of the two books just go along with what the men in the book want without asserting themselves confuses me. I get they are supposed to feel a pull towards the evil men, where they are manipulated and feel powerless without their "other half" to make them stronger (with is galling on it's own). But even when it's not that compelling evil, but just another person, they just go along with what people tell them. A random stranger announces they want to walk your land with no justification? Ugh, I don't want you here but I guess I can't get out of it. What??? Your foreman says he's hiring men to hunt on your property when you don't want that and can tell immediately they are bad men? You just introduce yourself and walk away, letting it happen. Again, what??? That's not realistic. I did like the MC's MUCH better in this book than the first. The MMC was much more likable in this book, and the FMC was at least stronger than the first. I'm curious enough about the story itself to see how they all tie together, but I hope at some point the women, who are supposed to be strong, independent and successful women, start actually acting like that.

[Lorelei Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. So I liked the first book in this series, but I loved this one!! Magic, family secrets, Skinwalkers, fate… This is the second book in the Dunton Legacy series (Tempest is book 1), and it’s Prudence’s story. You should read the first book before you read this one… it takes place at the same time as most of Tempest, but after their grandmother passed away and the sisters learned about their magical abilities. Low-fantasy series. Spice level is on par with Tempest (low/no spice with a few heated moments).
Prudence (Pru) just found out that she is the Guardian of the Earth, and she’s learning more about her magic every day. Strange things start happening to her farm and the farms around hers after two strangers come to town. Pru is trying to learn to understand and control her magic, listen to and decipher her late grandmother’s warnings, and save her farm, all while trying to figure out who to trust. But will she make the right decision?
I loved this book! So many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, but felt like I should have! And the little glimpses that we get of the other sisters just get me that much more excited to read the next one! Onward to Vortex!
It should be noted that there are a few TW here: attempted r@p3, mürd3r (not graphically described), some v!0l3nc3, mild manipulation/coercion.

[Sarah S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

‼️No Spoiler Book Review‼️

📖: Aftershock
✍️: Alane Middleton

🌍 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐸𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ 🌍

Aftershock is book 2 in the Dunton Legacy Series. Definitely read book one, Tempest if you haven’t yet because this will contain spoilers and there is definitely information from book one that sets you up for Aftershock!
(Book one was reviewed in another post)

Alane does it again with taking me through an exciting and magical paranormal romance full of surprises, betrayal, and twists!
Aftershock had me hooked from the first chapter and I just love Pru and Griffin! Pru’s character growth and her self discovery was by far my favorite thing throughout the whole book.

If you enjoy the paranormal, hidden truths, witches, romantsy, mythology, wolves, jaguar, and folklore…then look no further for your next series and book!

I cannot wait to see what happens next in book 3, Vortex that releases on 01.02.24!

[Rose Helg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book, in the " Duntun Legacy Series". This book was Great. I couldn't put it down, just like the last book. 💓 this paranormal supernational book. 💓 Pru and Griffin
This book has Witches, Shifters, Native American Folkload,Mythology, wonderful characters, connections to each other, their losers, the are discovering, tensions, Magic, families secrets, ok spice, she's the Guardian of Earth, grandma warnings, save the farm, action pack, entertaining, unpredictable, Romance, who to trust, and so on. Reading the next book, Now. Can't get enough, of the series. Definitely, Recommended , this book and Actually, I'm putting this series, on my reread list.

[Jenny Mcvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book let’s just say I loveee it!!! It was another ARC read for me.

Jaguar. Wolf. Witches. Wow!!!! Very interesting book. I enjoyed the whole Griffin/Pru interaction. Pru is this earth witch basically who is the protector of earth. She is apparently having dreams since she was little and literally bound for life with her future mate. Aka a wolf. But they are challenges of course with a jaguar interfering and betrayal of farm hands etc etc. literally just one amazing book that gets better and better as you read. Must read!!!!!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Dunton Legacy series. This book is a slow burn romance with shapeshifting, suspense, a bit of action and death. I would recommend reading the first book Tempest before this one. It will help you understand some things referenced in this book. I cannot wait to get started on book 3!

[Tannis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This next journey for the Dunton sisters was a great read with unexpected twists that got my heart rate up. Honestly, I couldn't put it down. I'm excited to see where the next story takes us!

[Briana Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty decent read. It took me a little to get into it as it's not my normal. However it definitely hooked me in!

[Princesspint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story-line & characters with some spice.

[KP · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy all things paranormal I suggest reading this series. It kept me intrigued to the last page with the twists. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book!