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Wild Magic #1
The Alpha's Mage
Magic. Without it, Knox’s pack will die. The only way to get it? Steal it. Steal him. A wolf mage.
The slow decay of magic is destroying Samhain Pack bit by bit. Down to their last ailing mage, Knox snatches a mage from a rival pack. Better to be a pack with enemies than a dead pack. But when Lorcan is foisted upon him, Knox refuses to take the mage as a mate. Until their alpha leader drags up an old pack law to punish the wayward mage, and Knox finds it isn’t so easy to walk away.
Being a wolf mage is a curse. It’s taken everything from Lorcan—his family, his home, and his magic. Now he’s been taken by another pack, with a whole new set of rules. He has no intention of sticking around, especially when they plan to bond him to one of their alphas. Running from wolves comes naturally to him, only Knox proves hard to run from.
The Alpha’s Mage is a paranormal romance featuring a stubborn wolf, a distrustful druid, and a pack in dire need of luck. It’s the first book of the Wild Magic series, which should be read in order. It contains mature and somewhat dark themes but does not contain mpreg.
The slow decay of magic is destroying Samhain Pack bit by bit. Down to their last ailing mage, Knox snatches a mage from a rival pack. Better to be a pack with enemies than a dead pack. But when Lorcan is foisted upon him, Knox refuses to take the mage as a mate. Until their alpha leader drags up an old pack law to punish the wayward mage, and Knox finds it isn’t so easy to walk away.
Being a wolf mage is a curse. It’s taken everything from Lorcan—his family, his home, and his magic. Now he’s been taken by another pack, with a whole new set of rules. He has no intention of sticking around, especially when they plan to bond him to one of their alphas. Running from wolves comes naturally to him, only Knox proves hard to run from.
The Alpha’s Mage is a paranormal romance featuring a stubborn wolf, a distrustful druid, and a pack in dire need of luck. It’s the first book of the Wild Magic series, which should be read in order. It contains mature and somewhat dark themes but does not contain mpreg.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2020
239 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
About the author
Claire Cullen
63 books644 followersClaire Cullen is an author and aspiring baker. Since she was a toddler, she has loved making up stories. Getting them down on paper proved a challenge in the early years when her preferred medium was finger puppets. She moved on to pen and paper, and later to keyboards, and hasn't looked back since, except for occasional bouts of nostalgia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
November 10, 2025
Okayish book. Okayish series, review to come (if I don't forget)
December 27, 2020
I will never give up on shifter books so after my last disappointment I picked this one up! 🤭❤
The Alpha's Mage was actually pleasant to read, the worldbuilding was really interesting and the fact that there are mages specially born to help shifters was a really fresh idea. Also, this is gonna be a series and the author did the job of making me interested in what is to come, so kudos to that!
I didn't loved the romance part of it because it was really confusing, not because they were mates but because they were going one step forward two steps back, all the time. And the feelings weren't described well, so to me as a reader it didn't feel deep enough hence I didn't connect to it very well. At the end I was all for it, but it took me time to get there.
I enjoyed this one and I for sure will pick up the next, wanna know who the bad guy is! 🤭❤
The Alpha's Mage was actually pleasant to read, the worldbuilding was really interesting and the fact that there are mages specially born to help shifters was a really fresh idea. Also, this is gonna be a series and the author did the job of making me interested in what is to come, so kudos to that!
I didn't loved the romance part of it because it was really confusing, not because they were mates but because they were going one step forward two steps back, all the time. And the feelings weren't described well, so to me as a reader it didn't feel deep enough hence I didn't connect to it very well. At the end I was all for it, but it took me time to get there.
I enjoyed this one and I for sure will pick up the next, wanna know who the bad guy is! 🤭❤
June 21, 2021
This story had a lot of promise. From a technical standpoint, I feel like it was pretty well written. Unfortunately, it lacked emotions - which is kind of what makes a romance a romance.
The two MCs bond physically and magically, but I never felt the emotional connection between them. It wasn't even instalove, really - it felt rather like there was no love at all.
It didn't feel like Knox valued Lorcan for anything other than Lorcan's usefulness for the pack, apart from magical alpha hormone shenanigans.
Knox treatment of Lorcan was terrible and but Knox didn't even have to grovel because it wasn't acknowledged to be that bad. I never really understood why Lorcan liked Knox at all, other than the fact that Knox treated him less worse than the other people he'd been stuck with - which really isn't a high bar at all.
I feel like there was an attempt to build a conflict from Knox being torn between duty and love, but it felt rather weak and barebones.
I think said conflict and, most importantly, the falling-in-love part would've needed to be fleshed out wayyy better - or, as an easier solution, straight up, acknowledged instalove would've served the story better than the current weird hybrid it is (and I say that as someone who dislikes instalove with a burning passion).
tl;dr: Promising premise and set-up that is unfortunately ruined by lack of meaningful emotional connection or believable romantic development (I would've even accepted instalove in this case) between the leads.
The two MCs bond physically and magically, but I never felt the emotional connection between them. It wasn't even instalove, really - it felt rather like there was no love at all.
It didn't feel like Knox valued Lorcan for anything other than Lorcan's usefulness for the pack, apart from magical alpha hormone shenanigans.
Knox treatment of Lorcan was terrible and but Knox didn't even have to grovel because it wasn't acknowledged to be that bad. I never really understood why Lorcan liked Knox at all, other than the fact that Knox treated him less worse than the other people he'd been stuck with - which really isn't a high bar at all.
I feel like there was an attempt to build a conflict from Knox being torn between duty and love, but it felt rather weak and barebones.
I think said conflict and, most importantly, the falling-in-love part would've needed to be fleshed out wayyy better - or, as an easier solution, straight up, acknowledged instalove would've served the story better than the current weird hybrid it is (and I say that as someone who dislikes instalove with a burning passion).
tl;dr: Promising premise and set-up that is unfortunately ruined by lack of meaningful emotional connection or believable romantic development (I would've even accepted instalove in this case) between the leads.
July 1, 2021
It just didn’t make a lot of sense to me!!! Lorcan goes through the mill and then when he’s kidnapped he falls in love- fairly quickly as well!
Hmmm, didn’t really work for me.
Hmmm, didn’t really work for me.
July 8, 2022
DNF @ 60%.
It’s hard to believe how little has happened in 60% of this book. There’s a lot of talking about taking action and very little actual taking action. The most exciting events of this book have actually occurred before the events of this book (Joel and kidnapping). Other than Knox and Lorcan vibing with each other, there really is no strong emotions, be they positive or negative emotions. I needed more.
It’s hard to believe how little has happened in 60% of this book. There’s a lot of talking about taking action and very little actual taking action. The most exciting events of this book have actually occurred before the events of this book (Joel and kidnapping). Other than Knox and Lorcan vibing with each other, there really is no strong emotions, be they positive or negative emotions. I needed more.
December 26, 2020
#SpoilerWarrior
This was fine. I didn’t love it, I wasn’t entirely engaged in it, but it was an interesting story. Maybe not completely fleshed out emotionally and I wish the beginning of the story had actually included the kidnapping, but it was okay. I’d be open to reading the next book.
I guess my one complaint would be that it didn’t feel complete. It was a cute story but the overall storyline wasn’t complete, but it also wasn’t that well defined. Idk. I feel very meh about the whole experience.
This was fine. I didn’t love it, I wasn’t entirely engaged in it, but it was an interesting story. Maybe not completely fleshed out emotionally and I wish the beginning of the story had actually included the kidnapping, but it was okay. I’d be open to reading the next book.
I guess my one complaint would be that it didn’t feel complete. It was a cute story but the overall storyline wasn’t complete, but it also wasn’t that well defined. Idk. I feel very meh about the whole experience.
April 1, 2021
***3.5 stars***
September 13, 2022
Al principio pensé que iba a ser igual a muchos otros libros que he leído pero no, me sorprendió totalmente y para bien. Si bien había cosas básicas y lógicas, había muchas otras que desconocía totalmente y fue un viaje conocerlas todas.
Aún queda mucho por descubrir y quiero hacerlo asi que es más que claro para mí que seguiré con la serie.
Knox y Lorcan me gustaron mucho pero siento que Knox quedó un poco "aplacado" por los poderes y quién era Lorcan. De todas formas me gustaron mucho y sus pullas me divirtieron mucho🤭.
No tengo idea de quién es el prota del siguiente libro pero me muero por descubrirlo.
Aún queda mucho por descubrir y quiero hacerlo asi que es más que claro para mí que seguiré con la serie.
Knox y Lorcan me gustaron mucho pero siento que Knox quedó un poco "aplacado" por los poderes y quién era Lorcan. De todas formas me gustaron mucho y sus pullas me divirtieron mucho🤭.
No tengo idea de quién es el prota del siguiente libro pero me muero por descubrirlo.
December 22, 2020
Excellent start to a new shifter series
Claire Cullen is pretty much a one-click read for me. Every time she comes out with a new book, I am right there on release day to get a copy. (Except when I’m lucky enough to get an ARC like I did for this book! I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.)
This is the first book in a new series featuring shifters, but not mpreg, which is nice because we can offer it to people who just don’t get the mpreg thing, get them hooked on her writing, and then drop them in the deep end of the mpreg pool! It features an interesting magic system and a nice “reluctant mates” romance. Go for it!
Claire Cullen is pretty much a one-click read for me. Every time she comes out with a new book, I am right there on release day to get a copy. (Except when I’m lucky enough to get an ARC like I did for this book! I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.)
This is the first book in a new series featuring shifters, but not mpreg, which is nice because we can offer it to people who just don’t get the mpreg thing, get them hooked on her writing, and then drop them in the deep end of the mpreg pool! It features an interesting magic system and a nice “reluctant mates” romance. Go for it!
September 11, 2021
The start of this reminded me a lot of Eliot Grayson's The Alpha's Warlock. Poor wolf pack vs rich wolf pack, need for mage, conspiracy, etc. There's always gonna be crossover in books, so whatever.
The world of this one is different from Grayson's, especially how the mages matter to the wolf packs. There's some interesting world dynamics that are being slowly explored.
Knox and Lorcan I did ultimately like together. Knox flip flopped a bit too much in my opinion early on, but I liked his grouchiness. There wasn't enough emotional depth shown to support their level of love proclaimed in the book, but I'm going to file this under fated mates to cover for that.
Overall, I think I'd call this 3.5 stars. Interesting, but low on depth. A good start.
The world of this one is different from Grayson's, especially how the mages matter to the wolf packs. There's some interesting world dynamics that are being slowly explored.
Knox and Lorcan I did ultimately like together. Knox flip flopped a bit too much in my opinion early on, but I liked his grouchiness. There wasn't enough emotional depth shown to support their level of love proclaimed in the book, but I'm going to file this under fated mates to cover for that.
Overall, I think I'd call this 3.5 stars. Interesting, but low on depth. A good start.
January 8, 2021
Promising. I hope this is followed by more books, because there's certainly more to know
March 30, 2021
Good!
I liked Knox and Lorcan. I have a few questions about the world that I hope will be answered in the next book. This one has action, magic and sex.
I liked Knox and Lorcan. I have a few questions about the world that I hope will be answered in the next book. This one has action, magic and sex.
August 8, 2021
This is a 4/5. I enjoyed reading this book. It is good from the first page right until the end. Knox’s pack is dying because it desperately needs magic to survive. He does what he has to do. He steals one from a neighboring pack. Lorcan is not very happy about being kidnapped and he already feels as if his powers are a curse. He felt like a captive in the first pack and Knox’s is not helping feel like he is wanted in the new pack. He feels as if Knox is using him for his power. But the they did over that they are fated mates. Lorcan’s family shows up to make things even more difficult. I am going to read this series.
January 2, 2021
I had quit reading this author and decided to try this book based on reviews. Nice beginning to an interesting magical shifter series. Sex was a bit better than older books, sweet not steamy. Relationship development was good. HFN cliffy ending.
May 26, 2025
Alpha wolf shifter–mage pairing, kidnapped/captive mage, fated-mates feeling. Pack setting.
Some parts to enjoy but overshadowed by inconsistent emotional development including flip-flopping and repetition, and lack of dealing with the actual kidnapping situation.
I’ve read some of the author’s Lone Pack and Moonshadow Den series and really liked them. The elements I liked are here—strong sense of a fated connection, interesting pack life setting and world rules. But the inconsistencies and TSTL decisions made me a bit deranged.
Alpha Knox’s pack is down to their last mage, suffering from lack of magic and failing borders and weakening all around. Stealing a new mage from another pack is his last hope to turn things around, and the one he seeks out may be the answer to their problems.
But Knox didn’t steal Lorcan for himself, he intended him to bond with any of the other pack alphas! His pack alpha’s (Gage's) edict that he be the one to bond and take care of Lorcan is unwelcome...and inescapable. Because Knox stole the mage he was drawn to, and there’s something more between them than kidnapper and hostage.
So begins what becomes a frustrating push pull of attraction-rejection-attraction-denial that a couple times has Knox trying to pawn off Lorcan on another alpha, even after they have sex and are CLEARLY more than just two people who are attracted to each other. And there’s weird repetition of Lorcan “meeting” the other alphas twice, the second time handled as if he hadn’t ALREADY met all of them and not felt “right” with anyone but Knox when he first arrived. Which he very much did. And they all knew it. The trying to pawn him off on someone else after they’d had sex just felt icky and ruined the romance right there.
And they kept it up with oh, I guess we’re actually right for each other...then got TSTL with, but we shouldn’t fully bond yet, let’s just do the superficial bond...why? What possible reason? Just to make the plot work, it made little sense. And turned out to be as bad a decision as you’d expect.
I didn’t understand the difference between a not-complete bond bite and a complete bond bite either, there wasn't a clear delineation, but, the idiocy of not doing the real deal was made clear when someone else had no such qualms and the result was deadly dangerous to all involved. But that was due to Lorcan's shitty family, and not the pack he was stolen from in the first place, who never seemed to know or care he'd been taken, but his family cared, but...?! Argh.
I gave up on the romance making sense when Lorcan’s being kidnapped and forced to stay devolved into him realizing he belonged there, and everyone just accepting that kidnapping him was just fine, no apologies or making it up to him or working with him was needed, it was maddeningly shitty all around the way Lorcan was treated, even though he does ultimately want to be there.
I will say the revelations of what Lorcan's magic really is and how that actually did work with/enhance his connection to Knox was very cool, I was into it!
I don’t know, it has a lot of potential but IMO needed more development to work and satisfy with the strong elements in play.
HEA, Stockholm-syndrome feeling romance, fated-mates sensibility (I think that was the intention), wolf-shifters and mages world. Neither sleeps with anyone else in the book; Lorcan is bitten by two different other wolves, one before he meets Knox and one after that really was their own damn fault, and the way that physically resolved itself wasn’t clear or satisfying; there just wasn’t enough info. I was frustrated a lot, though enjoyed the constant tension. Still. Could be so much better. And I’m not inspired to read more in this series. Not recommended, but not NOT recommended. See if your tolerance for TSTL behavior and lack of any apology is better than mine? There are fun elements here.
Some parts to enjoy but overshadowed by inconsistent emotional development including flip-flopping and repetition, and lack of dealing with the actual kidnapping situation.
I’ve read some of the author’s Lone Pack and Moonshadow Den series and really liked them. The elements I liked are here—strong sense of a fated connection, interesting pack life setting and world rules. But the inconsistencies and TSTL decisions made me a bit deranged.
Alpha Knox’s pack is down to their last mage, suffering from lack of magic and failing borders and weakening all around. Stealing a new mage from another pack is his last hope to turn things around, and the one he seeks out may be the answer to their problems.
But Knox didn’t steal Lorcan for himself, he intended him to bond with any of the other pack alphas! His pack alpha’s (Gage's) edict that he be the one to bond and take care of Lorcan is unwelcome...and inescapable. Because Knox stole the mage he was drawn to, and there’s something more between them than kidnapper and hostage.
So begins what becomes a frustrating push pull of attraction-rejection-attraction-denial that a couple times has Knox trying to pawn off Lorcan on another alpha, even after they have sex and are CLEARLY more than just two people who are attracted to each other. And there’s weird repetition of Lorcan “meeting” the other alphas twice, the second time handled as if he hadn’t ALREADY met all of them and not felt “right” with anyone but Knox when he first arrived. Which he very much did. And they all knew it. The trying to pawn him off on someone else after they’d had sex just felt icky and ruined the romance right there.
And they kept it up with oh, I guess we’re actually right for each other...then got TSTL with, but we shouldn’t fully bond yet, let’s just do the superficial bond...why? What possible reason? Just to make the plot work, it made little sense. And turned out to be as bad a decision as you’d expect.
I didn’t understand the difference between a not-complete bond bite and a complete bond bite either, there wasn't a clear delineation, but, the idiocy of not doing the real deal was made clear when someone else had no such qualms and the result was deadly dangerous to all involved. But that was due to Lorcan's shitty family, and not the pack he was stolen from in the first place, who never seemed to know or care he'd been taken, but his family cared, but...?! Argh.
I gave up on the romance making sense when Lorcan’s being kidnapped and forced to stay devolved into him realizing he belonged there, and everyone just accepting that kidnapping him was just fine, no apologies or making it up to him or working with him was needed, it was maddeningly shitty all around the way Lorcan was treated, even though he does ultimately want to be there.
I will say the revelations of what Lorcan's magic really is and how that actually did work with/enhance his connection to Knox was very cool, I was into it!
I don’t know, it has a lot of potential but IMO needed more development to work and satisfy with the strong elements in play.
HEA, Stockholm-syndrome feeling romance, fated-mates sensibility (I think that was the intention), wolf-shifters and mages world. Neither sleeps with anyone else in the book; Lorcan is bitten by two different other wolves, one before he meets Knox and one after that really was their own damn fault, and the way that physically resolved itself wasn’t clear or satisfying; there just wasn’t enough info. I was frustrated a lot, though enjoyed the constant tension. Still. Could be so much better. And I’m not inspired to read more in this series. Not recommended, but not NOT recommended. See if your tolerance for TSTL behavior and lack of any apology is better than mine? There are fun elements here.
July 27, 2021
Wolves in the night
A really engaging book full of a fair amount of moral greyness that could go wrong but actually opened up a lot of questions about the pairing and about the world that they live in.
This is a world of werewolves and magic in plain sight, where werewolves need mages to live and thrive and certain magic users are born connected to wolves. Lorcan is one such person, a wolf mage, but to his family that has always been a curse. When he is kidnapped and sold to a pack his life is forever chnaged, but he gets kidnapped again and his life is truly changed upside down. Knox is the world who kidnapped him, drawn to the world mage on the edge of the neighbouring pack. Knox doesn't want to bond with Lorcan, but their connection soon becomes clear and it is that connection that can save their pack.
It is pretty difficult to turn a kidnapping into a romance. Far too easy for this to simply be a bad for Stockholm syndrome, but there is a good amount of exploration of the world and the circumstances. After all, Lorcan didn't even want to be in the first pack he was in, which is a whole thing and has a big family secret attached to it. Getting kidnapped again isn't the worst thing, especially when this next pack actually wants his help and wants him to learn magic. This calls to a part of Lorcan that has always wanted to learn about his wolf connection. Knox truly wants to help his pack and knows he will manipulate Lorcan if he needs to. Instead, Knox approaches Lorcan with the situation and makes a deal, which helps to make it all less sketchy. As the bond between them grows it also brings to question if perhaps this is the home Lorcan wants to stay at and if Knox truly does want a bond. But behind it all stands the big family secret which will threaten the entire pack.
There is a lot of action in this story but it is only the start of things for the pack. Very interested in how the series will progress about how to save this pack and what is going on with the magic. Great read!
A really engaging book full of a fair amount of moral greyness that could go wrong but actually opened up a lot of questions about the pairing and about the world that they live in.
This is a world of werewolves and magic in plain sight, where werewolves need mages to live and thrive and certain magic users are born connected to wolves. Lorcan is one such person, a wolf mage, but to his family that has always been a curse. When he is kidnapped and sold to a pack his life is forever chnaged, but he gets kidnapped again and his life is truly changed upside down. Knox is the world who kidnapped him, drawn to the world mage on the edge of the neighbouring pack. Knox doesn't want to bond with Lorcan, but their connection soon becomes clear and it is that connection that can save their pack.
It is pretty difficult to turn a kidnapping into a romance. Far too easy for this to simply be a bad for Stockholm syndrome, but there is a good amount of exploration of the world and the circumstances. After all, Lorcan didn't even want to be in the first pack he was in, which is a whole thing and has a big family secret attached to it. Getting kidnapped again isn't the worst thing, especially when this next pack actually wants his help and wants him to learn magic. This calls to a part of Lorcan that has always wanted to learn about his wolf connection. Knox truly wants to help his pack and knows he will manipulate Lorcan if he needs to. Instead, Knox approaches Lorcan with the situation and makes a deal, which helps to make it all less sketchy. As the bond between them grows it also brings to question if perhaps this is the home Lorcan wants to stay at and if Knox truly does want a bond. But behind it all stands the big family secret which will threaten the entire pack.
There is a lot of action in this story but it is only the start of things for the pack. Very interested in how the series will progress about how to save this pack and what is going on with the magic. Great read!
September 23, 2021
meh
2.5 stars
I liked the idea of this book much more than the book itself. Different types of mages and their links to the pack, a mage kidnapped from a pack he never wanted, a dark presence luring cubs, a pack struggling to get by but strong enough to fight for their own.
Unfortunately, I had a bunch of problems with how the story played out. Knox was extremely hard to root for as a love interest. He repeatedly told the mage he didn’t want him, tried to pass him off on other alphas, avoided him, and treated him like a burden despite the fact he was the one who kidnapped him. Then the second he finds out Lorcan could be useful to him it’s suddenly true love. Huge eye roll.
His behaviour killed any investment I might have had in their relationship. The only reason I finished the book is because I wanted to know what would happen.
Also if you can navigate the internet enough to sell a book on Amazon you have absolutely no excuse for not doing an ounce of research. If someone “shatters” their “hip joint” there is no way their walking around let alone carrying a full grown adult around. I don’t care how stubborn you are.
He had several broken ribs and his hip broken but he can pick up another man and carry him, keep hold of him while getting in and out of a vehicle and walk home? Not because he needs to be carrying him but just because he wants to.
I don’t know a damn thing about medicine but when I thought that was ridiculous.
2.5 stars
I liked the idea of this book much more than the book itself. Different types of mages and their links to the pack, a mage kidnapped from a pack he never wanted, a dark presence luring cubs, a pack struggling to get by but strong enough to fight for their own.
Unfortunately, I had a bunch of problems with how the story played out. Knox was extremely hard to root for as a love interest. He repeatedly told the mage he didn’t want him, tried to pass him off on other alphas, avoided him, and treated him like a burden despite the fact he was the one who kidnapped him. Then the second he finds out Lorcan could be useful to him it’s suddenly true love. Huge eye roll.
His behaviour killed any investment I might have had in their relationship. The only reason I finished the book is because I wanted to know what would happen.
Also if you can navigate the internet enough to sell a book on Amazon you have absolutely no excuse for not doing an ounce of research. If someone “shatters” their “hip joint” there is no way their walking around let alone carrying a full grown adult around. I don’t care how stubborn you are.
He had several broken ribs and his hip broken but he can pick up another man and carry him, keep hold of him while getting in and out of a vehicle and walk home? Not because he needs to be carrying him but just because he wants to.
I don’t know a damn thing about medicine but when I thought that was ridiculous.
December 26, 2020
A druid wolf mage, his alpha watcher mate, and a desperate pack. Intrigue galore!
This is a fantastic start of a new series. I love the unique world; the magical relationship between wolves and the mages bearing the moon mark. Here the bond between wolf & mage includes sexual energy as well as magical energy. The characters come alive. You will feel for them and with them. Knox's pack is desperate. Their mage is dying.
Solution? Steal a mage. Lorcan has been stolen and sold before. But he realizes he has a true bond with Knox. Despite their efforts to keep the boundary intact & the pack safe, Lorcan is stolen & sold again. Knox will stop at nothing to get him back. Their journey is more a HFN than HEA. There is still a threat out there that must be dealt with before the pack will be truly safe. The story continues. I can't wait for book two! You have got to get this book! Now!
This book contains adult themes and language, mm sex and is intended for mature readers only.
This is a fantastic start of a new series. I love the unique world; the magical relationship between wolves and the mages bearing the moon mark. Here the bond between wolf & mage includes sexual energy as well as magical energy. The characters come alive. You will feel for them and with them. Knox's pack is desperate. Their mage is dying.
Solution? Steal a mage. Lorcan has been stolen and sold before. But he realizes he has a true bond with Knox. Despite their efforts to keep the boundary intact & the pack safe, Lorcan is stolen & sold again. Knox will stop at nothing to get him back. Their journey is more a HFN than HEA. There is still a threat out there that must be dealt with before the pack will be truly safe. The story continues. I can't wait for book two! You have got to get this book! Now!
This book contains adult themes and language, mm sex and is intended for mature readers only.
December 23, 2020
When a book is about magic, I'm not good at it. Ada kata-kata yg harus digoogling dulu dan kebanyakan selalu berhubungan dengan folklore tp tetap berusaha untuk memahami.
Di setiap shifter's book punya aturan masing-masing. Di sini sedikit berbeda dengan buku bertema shifter kebanyakan. Di sini seorang shifter dalam suatu pack harus mating dengan mage agar pack-nya tetap bertahan dan selalu kokoh dan dapat generasi baru. Mage itu adalah komoditi yang sangat penting makanya sering diperebutkan.
Setelah banyak halangan dan rintangan yang harus ditempuh akhirnya mereka, Knox dan Lorcan bonding juga. Hal-hal positif sudah mulai bisa dirasakan pengaruhnya ke pack mereka tp 1 mage saja belum cukup.
Banyak misteri yang belum terpecahkan seperti rumor yang pernah didengar oleh Orion dan 1 threat dari seseorang yang punya kekuatan magic yang kuat yg berusaha untuk menculik shifter's cub.
Buku ini adalah awal dari petualangan dari kisah para alphas dan misteri masih berlanjut~
Di setiap shifter's book punya aturan masing-masing. Di sini sedikit berbeda dengan buku bertema shifter kebanyakan. Di sini seorang shifter dalam suatu pack harus mating dengan mage agar pack-nya tetap bertahan dan selalu kokoh dan dapat generasi baru. Mage itu adalah komoditi yang sangat penting makanya sering diperebutkan.
Setelah banyak halangan dan rintangan yang harus ditempuh akhirnya mereka, Knox dan Lorcan bonding juga. Hal-hal positif sudah mulai bisa dirasakan pengaruhnya ke pack mereka tp 1 mage saja belum cukup.
Banyak misteri yang belum terpecahkan seperti rumor yang pernah didengar oleh Orion dan 1 threat dari seseorang yang punya kekuatan magic yang kuat yg berusaha untuk menculik shifter's cub.
Buku ini adalah awal dari petualangan dari kisah para alphas dan misteri masih berlanjut~
January 4, 2021
Claire Cullen's newest book takes place in a universe where magic users are the glue to holding together Wolf packs. Without them, wolves are unable to shift to their human forms, eventually going feral. Only Alphas can maintain both forms. And in Samhaim Pack, it is only barely.
To save his pack, Knox steals a mage from another pack. But Lorcan has no intention of sticking around. His escape attempt fails and the Samhaim Alpha assigns him to Knox, the alpha in charge of the pack boundaries. Which are failing.
Knox and Lorcan need to mate in order to rebuild the wards on the pack boundaries, but Knox refuses to give Lorcan the mating bite to solidify their bond. When Lorcan is kidnapped, it's up to his alpha to rescue him so they can achieve the destiny fate has for them.
Good world building. Solid story line. Interesting secondary characters. You're left with wanting more Samhaim pack.
To save his pack, Knox steals a mage from another pack. But Lorcan has no intention of sticking around. His escape attempt fails and the Samhaim Alpha assigns him to Knox, the alpha in charge of the pack boundaries. Which are failing.
Knox and Lorcan need to mate in order to rebuild the wards on the pack boundaries, but Knox refuses to give Lorcan the mating bite to solidify their bond. When Lorcan is kidnapped, it's up to his alpha to rescue him so they can achieve the destiny fate has for them.
Good world building. Solid story line. Interesting secondary characters. You're left with wanting more Samhaim pack.
December 28, 2020
This is an amazing start to a new series and I loved it. The Alpha's Mage is well written, thrilling, emotional, has wonderful characters, there are a few surprising twists, the world building is excellent and I could not put it down. I love Lorcan and Knox together even though their relationship does not start well they have a strong connection and if they can only figure out how to work together they may be able to save Knox's pack. They are exactly what the other needs and I love how their relationship evolves. The secondary characters add a lot to this story and I can't wait to read the next book in this new and exciting series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
August 13, 2021
I don’t know
So, I almost stopped reading this, but I managed to keep going somehow. First off, the beginning was weird and confusing. You never see the moment when Knox and Loucan meet, when Knox kidnaps him. You don’t know what their first impressions of each other are, nothing. So odd. Secondly, I REALLY hated Knox through most of this. He doesn’t care about Loucan despite being drawn to him. He only wants to use him to save the pack, even when he claims it’s not just that he proves otherwise. I started to warm up to this book at like the 70-something percent mark, when Loucan gets taken by another pack. I am willing to give the next book a try but I just hope it’s a lot better for me.
So, I almost stopped reading this, but I managed to keep going somehow. First off, the beginning was weird and confusing. You never see the moment when Knox and Loucan meet, when Knox kidnaps him. You don’t know what their first impressions of each other are, nothing. So odd. Secondly, I REALLY hated Knox through most of this. He doesn’t care about Loucan despite being drawn to him. He only wants to use him to save the pack, even when he claims it’s not just that he proves otherwise. I started to warm up to this book at like the 70-something percent mark, when Loucan gets taken by another pack. I am willing to give the next book a try but I just hope it’s a lot better for me.
January 9, 2021
Oh hey, a shifter book that's not a/b/o! Miracles do happen!
The idea of having a mage/shifter relationship is very intriguing. In this world, apparently being bonded with a mage doesn't automatically mean you instalove/have to have a sexual relationship with them. I appreciate that- it's certainly a big change from the "fated mates" theme I keep reading (and not fully enjoying...). I am also in love with druids and thought their kind of magic is a pretty good match with wolves.
The cover though. Man, what I would do to see a cover without a half naked flexing man that had to do with wolves. Just a thought!
The idea of having a mage/shifter relationship is very intriguing. In this world, apparently being bonded with a mage doesn't automatically mean you instalove/have to have a sexual relationship with them. I appreciate that- it's certainly a big change from the "fated mates" theme I keep reading (and not fully enjoying...). I am also in love with druids and thought their kind of magic is a pretty good match with wolves.
The cover though. Man, what I would do to see a cover without a half naked flexing man that had to do with wolves. Just a thought!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2021
This is going to be a good series.
Lorcan a mage forced into servitude not of his choosing. Knox an Alpha wolf in need of finding a Mage to bring safety to his pack. Kidnapping a mage from a rival pack is so crazy that it might just work. After Lorcan is brought to the Samhain pack by Knox and trying to escape; he is thrust into the care and safekeeping of Knox by the pack's Alpha. It is an uphill battle between the two. As the mage becomes more accustomed to wolf, he starts to realise maybe life isn't so bad. Things become intense as the two start becoming comfortable with each other. Life explodes around them and wraps them up. Can't wait for book two.
Lorcan a mage forced into servitude not of his choosing. Knox an Alpha wolf in need of finding a Mage to bring safety to his pack. Kidnapping a mage from a rival pack is so crazy that it might just work. After Lorcan is brought to the Samhain pack by Knox and trying to escape; he is thrust into the care and safekeeping of Knox by the pack's Alpha. It is an uphill battle between the two. As the mage becomes more accustomed to wolf, he starts to realise maybe life isn't so bad. Things become intense as the two start becoming comfortable with each other. Life explodes around them and wraps them up. Can't wait for book two.
February 4, 2021
I liked this. It was a more interesting take on the pack system and the world-building was cool. I also appreciated the appearance of druid magic.
The relationship was... weird. Knox was awful, especially at first, and it felt manipulative, but it soon got better. Overall, it was better than I expected and I am actually looking forward to reading more about this universe (I think next book will focus on Gage, probably). I also appreciated the fact that the "bond mate" wasn't as insta-lovey as is the usual in shifter books.
Overall, the writing was engaging, even if some parts could have used tightening. No egregious editing mistakes that I spotted.
The relationship was... weird. Knox was awful, especially at first, and it felt manipulative, but it soon got better. Overall, it was better than I expected and I am actually looking forward to reading more about this universe (I think next book will focus on Gage, probably). I also appreciated the fact that the "bond mate" wasn't as insta-lovey as is the usual in shifter books.
Overall, the writing was engaging, even if some parts could have used tightening. No egregious editing mistakes that I spotted.
August 16, 2021
Not bad. But that's the best I can say about it.The dialogues are forced, the plot is so lacking it may as well be non-existent. What I assume will be the story for the whole series should have been crammed into one book. And when I say crammed, I'm exaggerating. Two things happen in this book: they find a whole in the barrier and they see a suspicious, possibly dangerous person. Yeah, in the meantime our main characters get together and jump through some hoops for their happily ever after but mainly this is it. At least it did not degrade into porn. It also must have been somewhat engaging because I'm going to read the next book too.
November 10, 2021
Worth giving up sleep!!
This is a paranormal shifter/magic romance without mpreg, the first book in the series and should be read in order to understand the context. I loved this book! I am so rarely surprised that this book, stuffed with twists and turns , was an utter delight! Seriously, who is the baddie?!! I found myself eye leaking in the dark reading in the middle of the night because I just couldn’t put this story down! There is a gritty darkness to this story that lends an air of danger to it, I assumed a HEA, but how was the author going to pull it off?! Well, who needs sleep?
This is a paranormal shifter/magic romance without mpreg, the first book in the series and should be read in order to understand the context. I loved this book! I am so rarely surprised that this book, stuffed with twists and turns , was an utter delight! Seriously, who is the baddie?!! I found myself eye leaking in the dark reading in the middle of the night because I just couldn’t put this story down! There is a gritty darkness to this story that lends an air of danger to it, I assumed a HEA, but how was the author going to pull it off?! Well, who needs sleep?
September 13, 2022
Maravilloso.
Al principio pensé que iba a ser igual a muchos otros libros que he leído pero no, me sorprendió totalmente y para bien. Si bien había cosas básicas y lógicas, había muchas otras que desconocía totalmente y fue un viaje conocerlas todas.
Aún queda mucho por descubrir y quiero hacerlo asi que es más que claro para mí que seguiré con la serie.
Knox y Lorcan me gustaron mucho pero siento que Knox quedó un poco "aplacado" por los poderes y quién era Lorcan. De todas formas me gustaron mucho y sus pullas me divirtieron mucho🤭.
No tengo idea de quién es el prota del siguiente libro pero me muero por descubrirlo.
Al principio pensé que iba a ser igual a muchos otros libros que he leído pero no, me sorprendió totalmente y para bien. Si bien había cosas básicas y lógicas, había muchas otras que desconocía totalmente y fue un viaje conocerlas todas.
Aún queda mucho por descubrir y quiero hacerlo asi que es más que claro para mí que seguiré con la serie.
Knox y Lorcan me gustaron mucho pero siento que Knox quedó un poco "aplacado" por los poderes y quién era Lorcan. De todas formas me gustaron mucho y sus pullas me divirtieron mucho🤭.
No tengo idea de quién es el prota del siguiente libro pero me muero por descubrirlo.
February 10, 2021
Not the usual...
I love anything by Ms Cullen but I really struggled with one. I think it was all the magic and world building that was happening. It probably also had to do with the lack of mpreg which is one of my fave aspects of the mm wolf genre. That being said the book was a first glimpse into an impoverished pack trying to claw its way back through kidnapping a mage. There were quite a few sub plots that I'm sure will be developed in subsequent books. As always it was well written just not my cup of tea. A solid 3 star read.
I love anything by Ms Cullen but I really struggled with one. I think it was all the magic and world building that was happening. It probably also had to do with the lack of mpreg which is one of my fave aspects of the mm wolf genre. That being said the book was a first glimpse into an impoverished pack trying to claw its way back through kidnapping a mage. There were quite a few sub plots that I'm sure will be developed in subsequent books. As always it was well written just not my cup of tea. A solid 3 star read.
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