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A Witch in Wolf Wood #2
Spell Hound
Since Morgen Keller arrived in the small town of Bellrock, she’s learned that magic is real, fought battles with werewolves, and managed to turn the local witches into enemies. As an introverted database programmer, she’s not equipped to handle any of this.
Fortunately, she has an ally: the fearsome werewolf Amar.
Unfortunately, one of the witches branded him and can take control of him whenever she wishes.
To have a chance of freeing her werewolf ally, Morgen must learn to harness the power she inherited from her grandmother. She may also have to find a familiar, confront a powerful witch, and admit that she has feelings for Amar. What could go wrong?
Fortunately, she has an ally: the fearsome werewolf Amar.
Unfortunately, one of the witches branded him and can take control of him whenever she wishes.
To have a chance of freeing her werewolf ally, Morgen must learn to harness the power she inherited from her grandmother. She may also have to find a familiar, confront a powerful witch, and admit that she has feelings for Amar. What could go wrong?
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2021
About the author
Lindsay Buroker
202 books6,497 followersI'm a full-time indie fantasy and science fiction author. When I'm not writing, I'm ferrying my dogs to hiking trails for adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
April 25, 2022
I made it a third in before giving up. The pattern from the first is continuing here—i.e. Morgen does crap and things happen. There's not much sense in any of the events and personally, I'd be buying a gun because this whole magic thing is only doing the bad guys any good. Evil witches who have direct, effortless control over her friend, Amar, keep showing up to do bad things and Morgen hasn't learned anything magically helpful, and this passive thing isn't working for me.
And Morgen can't even maintain enough concentration to do a simple familiar ritual, haring off after her dog in the woods instead of seeing it through. All I wanted was any progress on the witchy side of things. You know, the interesting part of the story? And after a third of a book there's not only no progress, but the one thing she tried was half-assed and dumb.
And Morgen can't even maintain enough concentration to do a simple familiar ritual, haring off after her dog in the woods instead of seeing it through. All I wanted was any progress on the witchy side of things. You know, the interesting part of the story? And after a third of a book there's not only no progress, but the one thing she tried was half-assed and dumb.
October 7, 2021
Morgen and Amar return and there is unfinished business. The evil antagonist escaped and is lurking in the shadows, and Morgen needs to find a way to release Amar from the spell the witches cast on him.
I enjoyed book one but the setup felt clunky. Book two, not at all. All the rough edges have been worn away and what is left is an entertaining paranormal romance.
I enjoyed book one but the setup felt clunky. Book two, not at all. All the rough edges have been worn away and what is left is an entertaining paranormal romance.
January 30, 2022
I originally read this back in 2022 through Kindle Unlimited.
Spell Hound is book two in the Witch in Wolf Wood series by Lindsay Buroker.
Morgen and Amar return in Spell Hound, and they have plenty of unfinished business. With the villain still lurking in the shadows, Morgen’s main priority is finding a way to break the compulsion spell the local witches cast on Amar.
This was another highly enjoyable installment, and I’m really liking how this series is shaping up. I loved watching Morgen explore her witchy powers, hunt for a familiar, and craft her first talisman. While I still have a few minor gripes with her character, I deeply appreciate that she doesn’t instantly become an expert; she actually has to work and learn as she goes.
Her banter with Amar is fantastic, and watching their relationship slowly develop and deepen is a major highlight. Plus, expanding the world with new local witches and werewolves added great flavor. With danger closing in from all sides, seeing how they teamed up to handle the threats kept me hooked.
Plenty of danger, excellent slow-burn chemistry, and a great continuation of the Witch in Wolf Wood series!
Rated: 4 Stars
Spell Hound is book two in the Witch in Wolf Wood series by Lindsay Buroker.
Morgen and Amar return in Spell Hound, and they have plenty of unfinished business. With the villain still lurking in the shadows, Morgen’s main priority is finding a way to break the compulsion spell the local witches cast on Amar.
This was another highly enjoyable installment, and I’m really liking how this series is shaping up. I loved watching Morgen explore her witchy powers, hunt for a familiar, and craft her first talisman. While I still have a few minor gripes with her character, I deeply appreciate that she doesn’t instantly become an expert; she actually has to work and learn as she goes.
Her banter with Amar is fantastic, and watching their relationship slowly develop and deepen is a major highlight. Plus, expanding the world with new local witches and werewolves added great flavor. With danger closing in from all sides, seeing how they teamed up to handle the threats kept me hooked.
Plenty of danger, excellent slow-burn chemistry, and a great continuation of the Witch in Wolf Wood series!
Rated: 4 Stars
September 26, 2021
Ok
I found it difficult to like or find Morgen’s behaviour reasonable. She doesn’t seem to learn and as a consequence is hurt or others are. She also misses very obvious things. This wasn’t for me. If you like her you’ll love the series. I prefer women who are clever and resourceful not those who are aimless and seem to success despite themselves or by accident.
I found it difficult to like or find Morgen’s behaviour reasonable. She doesn’t seem to learn and as a consequence is hurt or others are. She also misses very obvious things. This wasn’t for me. If you like her you’ll love the series. I prefer women who are clever and resourceful not those who are aimless and seem to success despite themselves or by accident.
October 3, 2023
After I finished the first book I decided I wanted more and dove right into book 2, which I rarely do, but it worked well this time. I really enjoyed Spell Hound and enjoyed spending more time listening to Morgan and Amar and the problems they're dealing with in this book. There's also more of Morgan learning about her witchy powers and some werewolf and witchy trouble as well.
I had a lot of fun listening to this book. I liked seeing how Morgan learned more about her witchy powers and worked to get a familiar and work on her first talisman as well. I liked reading about how she handled everything and tried out new things. I also appreciate how she doesn't instantly knows a lot, she still only knows very little of being a witch and I like seeing her figure things out. Her banter with Amar is great to read about and I liked seeing them slowly grow closer in this book. There's a clear connection now and I like the hostility between is less in this book and there's more of them connecting and growing closer. There are some nice things they do for each other and I liked seeing that.
There is also more danger in the form of both werewolves and witches that come at Morgan and Amar in this book. and I liked seeing how they dealt with it. There's more about both witches and werewolves as well as their place in the town. And I liked how Morgan meets some possible allies in the form of a possible friendly werewolf and witch in this book, showing that not all witches and werewolves in town are the same.
To summarize: This was a great sequel! I liked listening to it and how this book delved deeper into a lot of the topics that got introduced in book 1. I liked seeing Morgan learn more about her witchy powers with her attempting to find a familiar and make a talisman. And her relationship with Amar slowly deepens, which was fun to see, I like their banter and seeing them grow closer. They have a clear connecting and I like seeing them grow to care about the other and do nice things for each other and work together. There is more werewolf and witchy trouble as well. And more possible allies, which was interesting. All in all I had a lot of fun listening to this book and look forward to the next one.
I had a lot of fun listening to this book. I liked seeing how Morgan learned more about her witchy powers and worked to get a familiar and work on her first talisman as well. I liked reading about how she handled everything and tried out new things. I also appreciate how she doesn't instantly knows a lot, she still only knows very little of being a witch and I like seeing her figure things out. Her banter with Amar is great to read about and I liked seeing them slowly grow closer in this book. There's a clear connection now and I like the hostility between is less in this book and there's more of them connecting and growing closer. There are some nice things they do for each other and I liked seeing that.
There is also more danger in the form of both werewolves and witches that come at Morgan and Amar in this book. and I liked seeing how they dealt with it. There's more about both witches and werewolves as well as their place in the town. And I liked how Morgan meets some possible allies in the form of a possible friendly werewolf and witch in this book, showing that not all witches and werewolves in town are the same.
To summarize: This was a great sequel! I liked listening to it and how this book delved deeper into a lot of the topics that got introduced in book 1. I liked seeing Morgan learn more about her witchy powers with her attempting to find a familiar and make a talisman. And her relationship with Amar slowly deepens, which was fun to see, I like their banter and seeing them grow closer. They have a clear connecting and I like seeing them grow to care about the other and do nice things for each other and work together. There is more werewolf and witchy trouble as well. And more possible allies, which was interesting. All in all I had a lot of fun listening to this book and look forward to the next one.
October 4, 2021
I think this is the first series by this author that I've enjoyed in awhile. While I still feel like the author recycles certain character types and relationship dynamics between her book series, it's been long enough since I've read my favorite series by her (Emperor's Edge) that I don't really mind.
July 27, 2024
Very light , Part 2 of this series. Some good ideas and an easy read, which works when you need it. Simple character building keeps the interest alive.
Read
May 14, 2023I did not finish the book. --- Rating: minus 5
I really thought that I would not again need do a "Did not finish" review. Yet here we are. The plus is that I doubt anyone will read this. With that said, my practice has become to watch YouTube videos as an encouragement to write.
This review was brought to you by J. Draper, Brittany Page, Karolina Zebrowska, ThePrimeChronus, Philosophy Tube, Widebeam and Wellingtons, Meidas Touch, May Moon Narrowboat, Welcome to Ukraine, Snappy Dragon, Lily Simpson, KernowDamo, Crecganford, Historical Fashion, Abby Cox, Hannah Lee Kidder, Abbie Emmons, Paleo Analysis, Abney Park, A Day of Small Things, Planarwalker, Geo Girl, The Researcher, Vasya in the Hay, ATP Geopolitics, Tulia, Second Thought, Jabzy, Kazachka, Ben and Emily, Tom Nicholas, Bernadette Banner, Bolero Flashmob, Robwords, Verilybitchie, Mythic Concepts, History with Kayleigh, Wizards and Warriors, Vlad Vexler, Annie's Literary Empire, Red Plateaus, Biz Barclay, OrangeRiver, Andrewism.
My negative reaction was to the first hint of body image issues and developing romance. I gave some serious thought to the "Why" of my reaction. At first I thought that the beginning of the romance element was backsliding into something less grounded. That did not make sense, given that first book of this series included an ornicopter in a secret hanger, a billionaire murdered with no one the wiser, a witch who does not ward her property and other things. Becoming a less grounded story was obviously not the explanation.
This series might have originally felt more substantial than her "Legacy of Magic" series but that did not feel right. Two main characters who begin and end the first book without personal histories do not make for depth in either. When main characters lack depth, the secondary characters are fated to serve as contrivance vehicles or touches of unimportant background colour. That definitely described the first book's secondary characters and it continues in this book.
I considered the character choices in the first book and again there were questionable decisions and contrivance adjacent scenes in both series. This was a pattern she used extensively In her "Legacy of Magic" series. That was a romance series clothed In medieval fantasy garb. This series is headed towards romance wrapped In urban fantasy finery. The characters faded from personalities to stock romance roles and this series seems headed In the same direction.
In the end I came back to the lack of world building. Without a well mapped history and well considered present as background, the books can only travel down the same lanes as every other fantasy romance. The Low Effort category is not reserved for Amazon's science fiction novels and these urban fantasies suffer from the same limitations.
Emotional depth is not allowed. Explanation for the present has nothing to attach itself to. In-universe history is a fuzzy catchall of other similar fantasy romance books. Because the action is so uneven and the background conditions are so illogical or implausible, the characters are reduced to the cover models of romance novels.
I do not read much romance but I think it is a very underrated genre, especially in terms of the effort and time required to craft usually many different types of character. I once read two and a half volumes of a supernatural romance that was incredibly engaging before I even realized that it was a romance series. I really enjoyed the romance story until the writing degenerated into every decision becoming a function of how much this one does or does not love that one. It is assumed that male characters have agency, though that is reduced to male stereotypes acting stereotypically.
By comparison, a romance wherein a woman actually expresses her emotions through action and word without becoming a helpless sock puppet is a treasure. They do exist but only in stories with solid personal and world histories. There are lines drawn to limit character choices and those lines can be crossed but not without cost and are often the most severe challenge that propels the development of a good protagonist. Ironically it frees the writer to use male characters who also express a wide range of emotions, not the usual shades of rage. They can self-examine. They falter and they can recover. It seems to me that writing real women makes writing real men possible regardless of the writer's sexual identity.
Again I need to visit the YouTube before continuing. This next is brought to you by Alizee, Tibees, The British Museum, Jean's Thoughts, Mythology and Fiction Explained, Acollierastro, SciTrek, The Kavernacle, Chris and Shell, No Justice MTG, Eckharts Ladder, Lady Knight the Brave, Truth to Power, Roomies Digest, Crecganford, Dan Davis History, Military History Visualized, Between the Wars, AllShorts, Mandy, Elina Charatsidou, IzzzYzzz, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, Narrowboat Pirate, Book Furnace, Cambrian Chronicles, JohnTheDuncan, Harbo Wholmes.
The local billionaire is murdered in book one and had only one employee, a butler. He had no live-ins, such as cooks, gardeners, drivers, personal secretary, personal assistant, maids, no business attorney, no accountant, no civil attorney, no property manager (though that last might have been one of the butler's functions). The only reclusive billionaire (in today's terms) that I can think of would be the American Howard? Hughes. Even he was surrounded by members of some religion or other and was never alone.
I was becoming depressed by my examination of these books by a better writer than many on Amazon. That was one detail and a minor one at that. There were no multiple levels of investigators, various police or a search for the identified murderer because ....., because ....., I remember now -- Reasons. I do not understand what world the writer is describing. There were no relatives or business associates untangling financial transactions and assets, etc. The main character was not interviewed by various levels of police for her role in the discovery of his death and the circumstances of that discovery. These are not just plot points but a failure of the background universe to create a logical or somewhat plausible pathway to these passages.
A single sheriff's deputy is assigned to a billionaire's death in America of all p!aces was too bizarre. I may be wrong but America shrugging at a billionaire's death, as if this were just another Russian oligarch or their associate accidentally falling out of a window must knock any reader out of the story. In Russia asking questions after police and FSB have ruled the 38th instance of same in fifteen months to be an accident, is a guarantee of a sentence to a penal colony , a fatal accident or some quality time with FSB torturers. Russia is officially a fascist state, not state fascism.
The USA is not fascist because Capital not the state sits at the top of the triangle envisioned by Mussolini. Unlike Russia, American billionaires can not even be insulted with impunity. I can not believe that any American reader can read that story section without loss of immersion. This writer for this series at least, stopped trying.
I could go on but there is no benefit or need and my enthusiasm has faded. The opening scene does not agree with the ending scene of the first book. This urban fantasy much like her last is just another paranormal romance. The real world background is more fantastical than the magic. The magic observes no laws and is inconsistent. Her "relationship" with the good witch involving learning magic, is agreed upon in the first book but never appears again. All the characters behave in an almost random fashion, in support of the love story based on the isolation of the main character. Even as a romance this series is judged "Not fit for purpose". 😑
There are only three categories of the low end Amazon fiction collection. They seem to be Minimal Effort, No Effort and Insulting. This series falls into Insulting handily. Amazon include in their loan library some real gems. Rachel Aaron, Ann Christy, Jim Butcher, The Silo series, The Junkyard Druid and others are good examples. The overwhelming majority however are godawful. I have lost my taste for science fiction, fantasy and horror print. I hesitate to invest even several pages on any author or series not previously vetted. I still watch science fiction on occasion but while better written than print, TV and film do also produce failures which are still more entertaining.
I began searching for better book recommendations on YouTube. I hoped to find science fiction criticism and discovered essayist, hobbyist, educational and lifestyle channels galore. The science fiction and essayist channels led me to the best channels of all. I found the book and writing channels. 😍 These host some wonderful communities of thoughtful readers enamoured of the world of books. Through the sponsor spots on educational channels, I was introduced to the dedicated educational video sites. I like Nebula because they were founded by content creators. They are all modestly priced and worth a look.
Ah, Goodreads discourse. About eighteen months ago, I wrote a short negative review of Powers of the Earth, a sorry salute to the January 6, 2021 hero by Travis Corcoran (US veteran, employed by an unnamed US agency, self-described Libertarian, vocal advocate of both Putin's Russia and a return of chattel slavery to the industrialized world - of course). He and a half dozen maniacs wrote increasingly disturbed comments for months, including several comments involving the re-enslavement of Black Americans as a privilege of libertarianism or something. Amazon helped not at all. Interestingly a Claes Rees Jr/cgr710 wrote a comment in which he declared that They had "won" (?).
I hope that the followers of Travis Corcoran/JP and Claes Rees Jr/cgr710 now realize that They need not continue to flood channels which I list with vile sexual and racist comments. The English teen boater and her mother, the Swedish essayist, the American book group leader, the German particle physicist and the other female content creators deserved far better, as does any human being. Using my name on some of them was a delightful touch. They also delivered a better portrait of the arrogant, aggrieved US man-child than I ever could and needlessly added to the world's overabundance of unpleasantness. Good show! USA! Yay?? 😐
My YouTube picks of the moment.
Joe Blogs, Ro Ramdin, Skip Intro, Boat Time, Mia Mulder, Ben and Emily, Abney Park, NFKRZ, Ryan Chapman, Crow Caller, Alizee, Dr Becky, Jake Broe, Depressed Russian, Mandy, Brittany Page, Meidas Touch, Beau of the Fifth Column, Sarah Millican, Biz Barclay, Times Radio.
About Amazon/Goodreads. Please consider treating this as potentially hostile site. 😐
Ominous music begins. 🙂 I described above some of the members who lurk on his site. These nutcases have often on mine and other reviews claimed to speak for all Americans and sometimes imply the same for all English speakers on Goodreads. Unfortunately dangers are not limited to mental members but include the corporation. See my reviews of "Dark Horse", a good novel by Diener, Stellar Heritage #1 or Powers of the Earth for details of a number of very nasty or petty actions. These include on site and off-site activity by these offended American twits, of which I had only read previously being directed against Lindsay Ellis (famous essayist, formerly on YouTube). About eleven years ago, she, her friends, family and work associates had been subjected to over two years of privacy violation, threats and more because she discussed the "male gaze" in a PBS literary criticism series. It all began with one very troubled, outraged middle class male quickly and easily organizing a campaign of the like minded. I wonder now if Farage learned his trade in America.
That type are very nasty nutcases even by Amazon (or American) standards and violated several laws to attack me. Goodreads shared my limited message history with these unhinged members. One of the results was an insane attempt to investigate my private life by Australian Intelligence through a friend. This was apparently a favour for some US agency at Pine Gap Intelligence Centre on behalf of the Corcoran (who had been previously questioned by others about his Russian connection). I was offended that Australia was more concerned about my private life than that of one of their citizens (Julian Assange) being detained in a British prison illegally at the behest of successive offended (Bush, Obama, Trump, Biden) American governments. My friend was afraid for my safety and I began looking at other instances of the mental American cowards punishing the socialist, green or any other pro-human criticism of their beliefs (whatever they've been told they are in the moment). If curious, disbelieving or outraged I recommend a scan of the one star reviews of the trashiest US science titles. For my part, I begin to suspect that any further efforts on my part to encourage improved Amazon customer service practises are futile. 😊
As a start, I suggest minimizing profile information, removing lurkers (those friends who monitor but never post), taking screenshots of the odd or the ugly and maintaining wariness as regards Goodreads messaging. There is a second layer including email addresses but you can think those through. Please do not forget that these animals, both members and site employees know little restraint and no morality because they believe that their being American males entitles them. Ominous music ends. 🙂
May we all find Good Reading! 🤗
I do not know the meaning of many terms, which I have seen on YouTube from Chad to clapping. I did enjoy the channels below. Some of my favourite channels.
OrangeRiver, Nomadic Crobot, Dungeons and Discourse, Verilybitchie, TVP News, Morgan Donner, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, Red Plateaus, Mrs Betty Bowers, Shannon Makes, Cruising the Cut, Widebeam and Wellingtons, Cruising Alba, Tara Mooknee, The Little Platoon, Gutsick Gibbon, The Researcher, History with Cy, Munecat, Tom Nicholas, Philosophy Tube, Myth and Fiction Explained, Sabine Hossenfelder, Between the Wars, The Cold War, Physics Girl, Renegade Cut, Travelling K, Drama Research Institute, Knowing Better, Mariah Pattie, DUST, Alice Cappelle, DW News, Artur Rehi, Eileen, Paola Hermosin, 2 Steps From Hell, Mauler, What Vivi did next, Malinda, Unresolved Textual Tension, Autumn's Boutique, The Book Leo, Lilly's Expat Life, Northern Narrowboaters, IiLuminaugtii, Rebecca Watson, iWriterly, The Clockwork Reader, A Day of Small Things, Karolina Zebrowska, Jill Bearup, Abbie Emmons, Fab Socialism, Second Thought, Some More News, Then & Now, The Vlog Couple UK, Savy Writes Books, Biz Barclay, History Inside, Prime of Midlife, Bahador Alast, Overly Sarcastic Productions, Daniel Greene, Anya Turnbull, Kathy's Flog in France, Anna from Ukraine, No Justice MTG, Elina Charatsidou, Eileen, A Life of Lit, Cold Fusion, Emmie, Cari can Read, Lady Knight the Brave, Lady of the Library, A Day of Small Things, Lilly's Expat Life, Lily Alexandre, Florian, Swell Entertainment, Alan Fisher, Adult Wednesday Addams -2 seasons, Quinn's Ideas, Crecganford, Catherine Romanov, Alexa Donne, With Olivia, The Black Forest Family, Jed Herne, Truth to Power, Kayak Dreadgirl KDG, Tibees, The Juice Media, Make Better Media, Lily Simpson, Noah Samsen, Novara Media, Garyseconomics, Kidology, Octopus Lady, Today I Found Out, Nomadic Introvert, Lore Reloaded.
I wish you a great morning, a splendid afternoon, a pleasant evening, a wonderful night and may we all continue learning.
The Aggressor demanding acquiescence can not consider the other a Human, because They themselves are not.
Lore, Sisters of the Light
I really thought that I would not again need do a "Did not finish" review. Yet here we are. The plus is that I doubt anyone will read this. With that said, my practice has become to watch YouTube videos as an encouragement to write.
This review was brought to you by J. Draper, Brittany Page, Karolina Zebrowska, ThePrimeChronus, Philosophy Tube, Widebeam and Wellingtons, Meidas Touch, May Moon Narrowboat, Welcome to Ukraine, Snappy Dragon, Lily Simpson, KernowDamo, Crecganford, Historical Fashion, Abby Cox, Hannah Lee Kidder, Abbie Emmons, Paleo Analysis, Abney Park, A Day of Small Things, Planarwalker, Geo Girl, The Researcher, Vasya in the Hay, ATP Geopolitics, Tulia, Second Thought, Jabzy, Kazachka, Ben and Emily, Tom Nicholas, Bernadette Banner, Bolero Flashmob, Robwords, Verilybitchie, Mythic Concepts, History with Kayleigh, Wizards and Warriors, Vlad Vexler, Annie's Literary Empire, Red Plateaus, Biz Barclay, OrangeRiver, Andrewism.
My negative reaction was to the first hint of body image issues and developing romance. I gave some serious thought to the "Why" of my reaction. At first I thought that the beginning of the romance element was backsliding into something less grounded. That did not make sense, given that first book of this series included an ornicopter in a secret hanger, a billionaire murdered with no one the wiser, a witch who does not ward her property and other things. Becoming a less grounded story was obviously not the explanation.
This series might have originally felt more substantial than her "Legacy of Magic" series but that did not feel right. Two main characters who begin and end the first book without personal histories do not make for depth in either. When main characters lack depth, the secondary characters are fated to serve as contrivance vehicles or touches of unimportant background colour. That definitely described the first book's secondary characters and it continues in this book.
I considered the character choices in the first book and again there were questionable decisions and contrivance adjacent scenes in both series. This was a pattern she used extensively In her "Legacy of Magic" series. That was a romance series clothed In medieval fantasy garb. This series is headed towards romance wrapped In urban fantasy finery. The characters faded from personalities to stock romance roles and this series seems headed In the same direction.
In the end I came back to the lack of world building. Without a well mapped history and well considered present as background, the books can only travel down the same lanes as every other fantasy romance. The Low Effort category is not reserved for Amazon's science fiction novels and these urban fantasies suffer from the same limitations.
Emotional depth is not allowed. Explanation for the present has nothing to attach itself to. In-universe history is a fuzzy catchall of other similar fantasy romance books. Because the action is so uneven and the background conditions are so illogical or implausible, the characters are reduced to the cover models of romance novels.
I do not read much romance but I think it is a very underrated genre, especially in terms of the effort and time required to craft usually many different types of character. I once read two and a half volumes of a supernatural romance that was incredibly engaging before I even realized that it was a romance series. I really enjoyed the romance story until the writing degenerated into every decision becoming a function of how much this one does or does not love that one. It is assumed that male characters have agency, though that is reduced to male stereotypes acting stereotypically.
By comparison, a romance wherein a woman actually expresses her emotions through action and word without becoming a helpless sock puppet is a treasure. They do exist but only in stories with solid personal and world histories. There are lines drawn to limit character choices and those lines can be crossed but not without cost and are often the most severe challenge that propels the development of a good protagonist. Ironically it frees the writer to use male characters who also express a wide range of emotions, not the usual shades of rage. They can self-examine. They falter and they can recover. It seems to me that writing real women makes writing real men possible regardless of the writer's sexual identity.
Again I need to visit the YouTube before continuing. This next is brought to you by Alizee, Tibees, The British Museum, Jean's Thoughts, Mythology and Fiction Explained, Acollierastro, SciTrek, The Kavernacle, Chris and Shell, No Justice MTG, Eckharts Ladder, Lady Knight the Brave, Truth to Power, Roomies Digest, Crecganford, Dan Davis History, Military History Visualized, Between the Wars, AllShorts, Mandy, Elina Charatsidou, IzzzYzzz, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, Narrowboat Pirate, Book Furnace, Cambrian Chronicles, JohnTheDuncan, Harbo Wholmes.
The local billionaire is murdered in book one and had only one employee, a butler. He had no live-ins, such as cooks, gardeners, drivers, personal secretary, personal assistant, maids, no business attorney, no accountant, no civil attorney, no property manager (though that last might have been one of the butler's functions). The only reclusive billionaire (in today's terms) that I can think of would be the American Howard? Hughes. Even he was surrounded by members of some religion or other and was never alone.
I was becoming depressed by my examination of these books by a better writer than many on Amazon. That was one detail and a minor one at that. There were no multiple levels of investigators, various police or a search for the identified murderer because ....., because ....., I remember now -- Reasons. I do not understand what world the writer is describing. There were no relatives or business associates untangling financial transactions and assets, etc. The main character was not interviewed by various levels of police for her role in the discovery of his death and the circumstances of that discovery. These are not just plot points but a failure of the background universe to create a logical or somewhat plausible pathway to these passages.
A single sheriff's deputy is assigned to a billionaire's death in America of all p!aces was too bizarre. I may be wrong but America shrugging at a billionaire's death, as if this were just another Russian oligarch or their associate accidentally falling out of a window must knock any reader out of the story. In Russia asking questions after police and FSB have ruled the 38th instance of same in fifteen months to be an accident, is a guarantee of a sentence to a penal colony , a fatal accident or some quality time with FSB torturers. Russia is officially a fascist state, not state fascism.
The USA is not fascist because Capital not the state sits at the top of the triangle envisioned by Mussolini. Unlike Russia, American billionaires can not even be insulted with impunity. I can not believe that any American reader can read that story section without loss of immersion. This writer for this series at least, stopped trying.
I could go on but there is no benefit or need and my enthusiasm has faded. The opening scene does not agree with the ending scene of the first book. This urban fantasy much like her last is just another paranormal romance. The real world background is more fantastical than the magic. The magic observes no laws and is inconsistent. Her "relationship" with the good witch involving learning magic, is agreed upon in the first book but never appears again. All the characters behave in an almost random fashion, in support of the love story based on the isolation of the main character. Even as a romance this series is judged "Not fit for purpose". 😑
There are only three categories of the low end Amazon fiction collection. They seem to be Minimal Effort, No Effort and Insulting. This series falls into Insulting handily. Amazon include in their loan library some real gems. Rachel Aaron, Ann Christy, Jim Butcher, The Silo series, The Junkyard Druid and others are good examples. The overwhelming majority however are godawful. I have lost my taste for science fiction, fantasy and horror print. I hesitate to invest even several pages on any author or series not previously vetted. I still watch science fiction on occasion but while better written than print, TV and film do also produce failures which are still more entertaining.
I began searching for better book recommendations on YouTube. I hoped to find science fiction criticism and discovered essayist, hobbyist, educational and lifestyle channels galore. The science fiction and essayist channels led me to the best channels of all. I found the book and writing channels. 😍 These host some wonderful communities of thoughtful readers enamoured of the world of books. Through the sponsor spots on educational channels, I was introduced to the dedicated educational video sites. I like Nebula because they were founded by content creators. They are all modestly priced and worth a look.
Ah, Goodreads discourse. About eighteen months ago, I wrote a short negative review of Powers of the Earth, a sorry salute to the January 6, 2021 hero by Travis Corcoran (US veteran, employed by an unnamed US agency, self-described Libertarian, vocal advocate of both Putin's Russia and a return of chattel slavery to the industrialized world - of course). He and a half dozen maniacs wrote increasingly disturbed comments for months, including several comments involving the re-enslavement of Black Americans as a privilege of libertarianism or something. Amazon helped not at all. Interestingly a Claes Rees Jr/cgr710 wrote a comment in which he declared that They had "won" (?).
I hope that the followers of Travis Corcoran/JP and Claes Rees Jr/cgr710 now realize that They need not continue to flood channels which I list with vile sexual and racist comments. The English teen boater and her mother, the Swedish essayist, the American book group leader, the German particle physicist and the other female content creators deserved far better, as does any human being. Using my name on some of them was a delightful touch. They also delivered a better portrait of the arrogant, aggrieved US man-child than I ever could and needlessly added to the world's overabundance of unpleasantness. Good show! USA! Yay?? 😐
My YouTube picks of the moment.
Joe Blogs, Ro Ramdin, Skip Intro, Boat Time, Mia Mulder, Ben and Emily, Abney Park, NFKRZ, Ryan Chapman, Crow Caller, Alizee, Dr Becky, Jake Broe, Depressed Russian, Mandy, Brittany Page, Meidas Touch, Beau of the Fifth Column, Sarah Millican, Biz Barclay, Times Radio.
About Amazon/Goodreads. Please consider treating this as potentially hostile site. 😐
Ominous music begins. 🙂 I described above some of the members who lurk on his site. These nutcases have often on mine and other reviews claimed to speak for all Americans and sometimes imply the same for all English speakers on Goodreads. Unfortunately dangers are not limited to mental members but include the corporation. See my reviews of "Dark Horse", a good novel by Diener, Stellar Heritage #1 or Powers of the Earth for details of a number of very nasty or petty actions. These include on site and off-site activity by these offended American twits, of which I had only read previously being directed against Lindsay Ellis (famous essayist, formerly on YouTube). About eleven years ago, she, her friends, family and work associates had been subjected to over two years of privacy violation, threats and more because she discussed the "male gaze" in a PBS literary criticism series. It all began with one very troubled, outraged middle class male quickly and easily organizing a campaign of the like minded. I wonder now if Farage learned his trade in America.
That type are very nasty nutcases even by Amazon (or American) standards and violated several laws to attack me. Goodreads shared my limited message history with these unhinged members. One of the results was an insane attempt to investigate my private life by Australian Intelligence through a friend. This was apparently a favour for some US agency at Pine Gap Intelligence Centre on behalf of the Corcoran (who had been previously questioned by others about his Russian connection). I was offended that Australia was more concerned about my private life than that of one of their citizens (Julian Assange) being detained in a British prison illegally at the behest of successive offended (Bush, Obama, Trump, Biden) American governments. My friend was afraid for my safety and I began looking at other instances of the mental American cowards punishing the socialist, green or any other pro-human criticism of their beliefs (whatever they've been told they are in the moment). If curious, disbelieving or outraged I recommend a scan of the one star reviews of the trashiest US science titles. For my part, I begin to suspect that any further efforts on my part to encourage improved Amazon customer service practises are futile. 😊
As a start, I suggest minimizing profile information, removing lurkers (those friends who monitor but never post), taking screenshots of the odd or the ugly and maintaining wariness as regards Goodreads messaging. There is a second layer including email addresses but you can think those through. Please do not forget that these animals, both members and site employees know little restraint and no morality because they believe that their being American males entitles them. Ominous music ends. 🙂
May we all find Good Reading! 🤗
I do not know the meaning of many terms, which I have seen on YouTube from Chad to clapping. I did enjoy the channels below. Some of my favourite channels.
OrangeRiver, Nomadic Crobot, Dungeons and Discourse, Verilybitchie, TVP News, Morgan Donner, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, Red Plateaus, Mrs Betty Bowers, Shannon Makes, Cruising the Cut, Widebeam and Wellingtons, Cruising Alba, Tara Mooknee, The Little Platoon, Gutsick Gibbon, The Researcher, History with Cy, Munecat, Tom Nicholas, Philosophy Tube, Myth and Fiction Explained, Sabine Hossenfelder, Between the Wars, The Cold War, Physics Girl, Renegade Cut, Travelling K, Drama Research Institute, Knowing Better, Mariah Pattie, DUST, Alice Cappelle, DW News, Artur Rehi, Eileen, Paola Hermosin, 2 Steps From Hell, Mauler, What Vivi did next, Malinda, Unresolved Textual Tension, Autumn's Boutique, The Book Leo, Lilly's Expat Life, Northern Narrowboaters, IiLuminaugtii, Rebecca Watson, iWriterly, The Clockwork Reader, A Day of Small Things, Karolina Zebrowska, Jill Bearup, Abbie Emmons, Fab Socialism, Second Thought, Some More News, Then & Now, The Vlog Couple UK, Savy Writes Books, Biz Barclay, History Inside, Prime of Midlife, Bahador Alast, Overly Sarcastic Productions, Daniel Greene, Anya Turnbull, Kathy's Flog in France, Anna from Ukraine, No Justice MTG, Elina Charatsidou, Eileen, A Life of Lit, Cold Fusion, Emmie, Cari can Read, Lady Knight the Brave, Lady of the Library, A Day of Small Things, Lilly's Expat Life, Lily Alexandre, Florian, Swell Entertainment, Alan Fisher, Adult Wednesday Addams -2 seasons, Quinn's Ideas, Crecganford, Catherine Romanov, Alexa Donne, With Olivia, The Black Forest Family, Jed Herne, Truth to Power, Kayak Dreadgirl KDG, Tibees, The Juice Media, Make Better Media, Lily Simpson, Noah Samsen, Novara Media, Garyseconomics, Kidology, Octopus Lady, Today I Found Out, Nomadic Introvert, Lore Reloaded.
I wish you a great morning, a splendid afternoon, a pleasant evening, a wonderful night and may we all continue learning.
The Aggressor demanding acquiescence can not consider the other a Human, because They themselves are not.
Lore, Sisters of the Light
April 15, 2025
2.75 Stars
I usually love Lindsay Buroker’s books so I can’t help but find this series to be a bit of a disappointment. The characters aren’t particularly interesting and the story not very strong. It really doesn’t feel like there’s a lot happening. And all the mind control stuff is genuinely bothering me. It’s so morally and ethically wrong, and as someone who has been controlled herself, you’d think she’d have a bit more empathy. There’s so much that can be done with magic but instead of anything else, defensive and offensive, it’s just control control control.
I will carry on with this series but only because I already bought the boxed set and I’m dedicated to seeing it through.
I usually love Lindsay Buroker’s books so I can’t help but find this series to be a bit of a disappointment. The characters aren’t particularly interesting and the story not very strong. It really doesn’t feel like there’s a lot happening. And all the mind control stuff is genuinely bothering me. It’s so morally and ethically wrong, and as someone who has been controlled herself, you’d think she’d have a bit more empathy. There’s so much that can be done with magic but instead of anything else, defensive and offensive, it’s just control control control.
I will carry on with this series but only because I already bought the boxed set and I’m dedicated to seeing it through.
September 7, 2022
Just as entertaining as the first one. Really enjoying the developing relationship between Morgen and Amar, as well as meeting some more of the local witches and werewolves. It's safe to say Lindsay Buroker has another winner on her hands with this series.
February 28, 2025
Yet again, another cute installment in this series! I am enjoying the progression of Morgan and Amar's relationship, and that we are maybe, maybe, getting a better grasp on good vs bad guys. This is a lovely series.
September 26, 2021
Loved it!!!
I absolutely love the banter between the 2 main characters. They are so much fun! The dog getting caught in the familiar spell cracks me up. What an excellent story.
I absolutely love the banter between the 2 main characters. They are so much fun! The dog getting caught in the familiar spell cracks me up. What an excellent story.
April 9, 2022
This continues to entertain. :)
September 13, 2021
A solid second volume in this series. Lindsay Buroker serves up her usual stew of humor, magic, and action. Great fun!
August 4, 2023
Is it the best written book in history? No
Are there no plot holes or things that conveniently appear/happen to save the day? Also no
Is it somewhat interesting, easy to read, and addicting? Yes
It’s amazing when the characters of a book are not straight out of high school or freshly 18, a rarity I’m finding in the fantasy/romance genres.
This series so far doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it’s not up to the MCs to save the world from doom (which is quite refreshing). Though, it does throw the FMC into the paranormal world basically blind, and she pretty much has to figure it all out.
*** SPOILERS AHEAD**
The main issue I’m having with this series so far is how (for a lack of a better word) delusional the witch community is when it comes to active enemy versus self defence. Why is the community finding it so hard to believe that the FMC is literally defending herself when the community actively burns down her barn, controls her housemate, forces her to sign over her property but fails, actively attempts to murder her (her dog and her housemate) on multiple occasions, and prevents her from learning about her own blood/heritage?!? Like why are they telling the FMC that she is in the wrong? What is she meant to do? Just stand still when the community tries to steal/damage/kill her??
But also, why can’t the FMC also effectively communicate this to the community? Like yeah the sarcasm/jokes can be funny, but come on the miscommunication here is actively threatening your life. I’m not saying that it’s up to the FMC to fix shit, but something has to give.
Are there no plot holes or things that conveniently appear/happen to save the day? Also no
Is it somewhat interesting, easy to read, and addicting? Yes
It’s amazing when the characters of a book are not straight out of high school or freshly 18, a rarity I’m finding in the fantasy/romance genres.
This series so far doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it’s not up to the MCs to save the world from doom (which is quite refreshing). Though, it does throw the FMC into the paranormal world basically blind, and she pretty much has to figure it all out.
*** SPOILERS AHEAD**
The main issue I’m having with this series so far is how (for a lack of a better word) delusional the witch community is when it comes to active enemy versus self defence. Why is the community finding it so hard to believe that the FMC is literally defending herself when the community actively burns down her barn, controls her housemate, forces her to sign over her property but fails, actively attempts to murder her (her dog and her housemate) on multiple occasions, and prevents her from learning about her own blood/heritage?!? Like why are they telling the FMC that she is in the wrong? What is she meant to do? Just stand still when the community tries to steal/damage/kill her??
But also, why can’t the FMC also effectively communicate this to the community? Like yeah the sarcasm/jokes can be funny, but come on the miscommunication here is actively threatening your life. I’m not saying that it’s up to the FMC to fix shit, but something has to give.
January 24, 2024
I was enjoying this series but I am on the fence about continuing reading to the next book.
I was already noticing the unfair reasoning and behaviour of the witches when it came to their actions towards Morgen. And what was worse, she just accepted it. Not just that, but she felt bad for taking two chain necklaces from one which, when she even left money to cover for it, and which she used to make protection talismans for a wolf so the witches would control him and make him KILL. This considering they tried to KILL her several times, BURN HER HOUSE and STEAL from her property moss that is the equivalent of gold.
Why she would feel bad about taking two meagre chains is beyond me.
So, I went on a quest to see if this would get solved or I would have to deal with this inane behaviour for longer. And according to the reviews this keeps on happening pretty heavily throughout the plot, especially in the next book. Not to mention the fact that the witches were controlling the werewolves to have sex with them as well and it was not addressed at all. Instead, it was ignored like ALL THE OTHER TERRIBLE THINGS THE WITCHES DID.
This is even worse because brushing off emotional and physical abuse in men seems to be a societal pattern I do not subscribe to.
Of course, this make the book sound way worse than it is, as I am writing about what made me not pick up the next book. Really, it was not a problems of the world building or the writing, but the interaction between the plot and the characters which rose frustrations.
Ah, one more thing that just tipped me toward leaving the series was the hints of the third woman. I am not into that at all. She was very obviously a power-digger. A very typical toxic, manipulative woman archetype that is there to seduce and take men away. I don’t like it because it paints women interactions very badly but also because it plays with the emotions of the other woman when it should be clearly something the men should resolve. Instead of letting the toxic woman play with everyone or force the other one to defend themselves when they are literally in no position to do so because they “aren’t official”, an honorable and emotionally mature man should make clear that he sees her toxicity and will not play around with that. It paints the man as a fool if he cannot see that or a pushover of he allows it. I am really not into that dynamic at all. I feel like it is completely overused to create drama in plots that is unnecessary because everyone knows how painful it is for the MC and it’s just pointless hurt.
I was already noticing the unfair reasoning and behaviour of the witches when it came to their actions towards Morgen. And what was worse, she just accepted it. Not just that, but she felt bad for taking two chain necklaces from one which, when she even left money to cover for it, and which she used to make protection talismans for a wolf so the witches would control him and make him KILL. This considering they tried to KILL her several times, BURN HER HOUSE and STEAL from her property moss that is the equivalent of gold.
Why she would feel bad about taking two meagre chains is beyond me.
So, I went on a quest to see if this would get solved or I would have to deal with this inane behaviour for longer. And according to the reviews this keeps on happening pretty heavily throughout the plot, especially in the next book. Not to mention the fact that the witches were controlling the werewolves to have sex with them as well and it was not addressed at all. Instead, it was ignored like ALL THE OTHER TERRIBLE THINGS THE WITCHES DID.
This is even worse because brushing off emotional and physical abuse in men seems to be a societal pattern I do not subscribe to.
Of course, this make the book sound way worse than it is, as I am writing about what made me not pick up the next book. Really, it was not a problems of the world building or the writing, but the interaction between the plot and the characters which rose frustrations.
Ah, one more thing that just tipped me toward leaving the series was the hints of the third woman. I am not into that at all. She was very obviously a power-digger. A very typical toxic, manipulative woman archetype that is there to seduce and take men away. I don’t like it because it paints women interactions very badly but also because it plays with the emotions of the other woman when it should be clearly something the men should resolve. Instead of letting the toxic woman play with everyone or force the other one to defend themselves when they are literally in no position to do so because they “aren’t official”, an honorable and emotionally mature man should make clear that he sees her toxicity and will not play around with that. It paints the man as a fool if he cannot see that or a pushover of he allows it. I am really not into that dynamic at all. I feel like it is completely overused to create drama in plots that is unnecessary because everyone knows how painful it is for the MC and it’s just pointless hurt.
April 19, 2022
My Thoughts:
It is only while reading book 2 that the thought occurred to me... why did grandma not warded her property? Maybe because she thought she was too strong or at least strong enough to combat enemies in her own grounds? It did not seem to stop poachers from stealing the glowing mushrooms in her property... Or was grandma happy to share with others what was growing in her property? That does not seem to be the case judging by what Amar is saying about him being a protector of Wolf Wood... Things don't add up here. But these inconsistencies are very easy to willfully ignore, seeing that the book is giving me enjoyable reading time.
The ending is still a cliffhanger but also closed the dilemma in the book quite nicely. I appreciated that given this author's fondness for leaving threads hanging for endings.
Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 4
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 5
Pace = (7 hrs and 50 mins listening time)
Plot = 3
Narration = 5
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5
October 15, 2021
My feelings about the local coven in Morgen's new town are...let's just say their propensity for burning (or attempting to burn) down barns, houses, and other sundry things on Morgen's property have left me disinclined to like them. Throw in some theft, their tendency to put the control whammy on werewolves (and others), and their desire to end Morgen and I REALLY DON'T LIKE THEM.
In other words, for all she needs someone to teach her, why in the world would she want to throw in with this malicious group of women who have done nothing but make her life miserable since she rolled into town? I sincerely hope they ALL get their comeuppance at some point.
But this isn't just about horrible witches. Morgen's trying to figure things out (mostly on her own since the witch she'd been relying on for the occasional answer has up and vanished) and she's bumbling along in a (mostly) forward direction. She might not know the ins and outs of spellcasting, but she's willing to put in the research time and attempt to learn. Despite the road bumps she keeps running into.
She's also making nice-ish with one of the local werewolf packs (and just making nice in general with one particular werewolf) which is a big no-no for a witch. Or at least it a big no-no according to that not-so-nice coven who keep getting in her way.
Magic, mayhem, a fight or two among the wolves, familiars, a leeeetle bit of kissing, and one newfound witch who's just trying to figure out how to make things work and keep the things she holds close safe. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
In other words, for all she needs someone to teach her, why in the world would she want to throw in with this malicious group of women who have done nothing but make her life miserable since she rolled into town? I sincerely hope they ALL get their comeuppance at some point.
But this isn't just about horrible witches. Morgen's trying to figure things out (mostly on her own since the witch she'd been relying on for the occasional answer has up and vanished) and she's bumbling along in a (mostly) forward direction. She might not know the ins and outs of spellcasting, but she's willing to put in the research time and attempt to learn. Despite the road bumps she keeps running into.
She's also making nice-ish with one of the local werewolf packs (and just making nice in general with one particular werewolf) which is a big no-no for a witch. Or at least it a big no-no according to that not-so-nice coven who keep getting in her way.
Magic, mayhem, a fight or two among the wolves, familiars, a leeeetle bit of kissing, and one newfound witch who's just trying to figure out how to make things work and keep the things she holds close safe. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
January 7, 2022
I’m a little annoyed that Morgen keeps on insisting on things that she doesn’t know about and that Amar keeps getting hurt protecting her from her own stupidity.
I feel like she just needs to sit down and read her grandmother’s books instead of whining about how she needs someone to help her with her magic.
It’s all right there.
AND she's like "oh no this bad person is literally trying to kill me but I don't want to hurt them! *sad face*"
Like, girl, what?
I also can’t get over the abundance of cliche mexican references.
Amar’s parents being violently killed by criminals, the Lobos gang being a group of landscapers, trying to win his heart through churros *face palms*
I feel like she just needs to sit down and read her grandmother’s books instead of whining about how she needs someone to help her with her magic.
It’s all right there.
AND she's like "oh no this bad person is literally trying to kill me but I don't want to hurt them! *sad face*"
Like, girl, what?
I also can’t get over the abundance of cliche mexican references.
Amar’s parents being violently killed by criminals, the Lobos gang being a group of landscapers, trying to win his heart through churros *face palms*
February 17, 2024
I listened to book 1 on YouTube. I have read numerous series by this author and I thought maybe book 1 was a fluke. It was slow, boring, thoroughly off from what I was accustomed to.
I recently came across the rest of the series and foolishly hoped that the storyline had improved and dove in.
DNF.
Maybe Buroker was just starting out when she wrote this. I still love her other works but had to give up on this.
I recently came across the rest of the series and foolishly hoped that the storyline had improved and dove in.
DNF.
Maybe Buroker was just starting out when she wrote this. I still love her other works but had to give up on this.
October 14, 2021
Struggling to get enthusiastic about this series.
May 22, 2022
You can find my rant about this series here in the bottom "Edit" section and inside the spoiler at the bottom in particular.
May 6, 2026
Spell Hound by Lindsay Buroker
Rating 5 stars
Lindsay Buroker is an auto-buy for me. This book is second in the new series A Witch in Wolf Wood. It is unrelated to any of her other series. I do not recommend reading it as a standalone. I tend to read the author series in a row to keep track of the overall story arc. I became more involved in this story in this book and I liked it a bit better than the first one.
As usual, she has created a cast of characters that are interesting. The story is multi-faceted and raises several questions and some of them will be answered with each book. Morgen has inherited a home from her grandmother and finds out that she has also inherited her witch abilities. In this book, she is beginning to learn about her abilities.
Morgen lives in a small town which has witches and werewolves. The witches are provoking the werewolves against each other and are also trying to take Morgen’s home away from her. The book ends with a climactic battle scene.
The relationship between Amar and Morgen takes a step forward in this book.
The author writes characters that are realistic. They have flaws and a good side whether they are the hero or the villain with a few exceptions
I enjoy the vocabulary used by the author. She uses interesting words in her writing. I also enjoy the richness of her stories. The dialogue is often humorous.
I liked the animals most of which are also familiars.
I purchased this book in paperback form. It is the first time that I know of that the author’s books are available this way. The quality is good.
I plan to read the next book in the series. The overall story ends with three books, but the author has said that she will write additional books with the characters and in the world.
Rating 5 stars
Lindsay Buroker is an auto-buy for me. This book is second in the new series A Witch in Wolf Wood. It is unrelated to any of her other series. I do not recommend reading it as a standalone. I tend to read the author series in a row to keep track of the overall story arc. I became more involved in this story in this book and I liked it a bit better than the first one.
As usual, she has created a cast of characters that are interesting. The story is multi-faceted and raises several questions and some of them will be answered with each book. Morgen has inherited a home from her grandmother and finds out that she has also inherited her witch abilities. In this book, she is beginning to learn about her abilities.
Morgen lives in a small town which has witches and werewolves. The witches are provoking the werewolves against each other and are also trying to take Morgen’s home away from her. The book ends with a climactic battle scene.
The relationship between Amar and Morgen takes a step forward in this book.
The author writes characters that are realistic. They have flaws and a good side whether they are the hero or the villain with a few exceptions
I enjoy the vocabulary used by the author. She uses interesting words in her writing. I also enjoy the richness of her stories. The dialogue is often humorous.
I liked the animals most of which are also familiars.
I purchased this book in paperback form. It is the first time that I know of that the author’s books are available this way. The quality is good.
I plan to read the next book in the series. The overall story ends with three books, but the author has said that she will write additional books with the characters and in the world.
August 26, 2025
I needed a book that was light and fun today. This book fit that need perfectly.
I enjoy Lindsay's books as the main female characters are older than 20, independent, and snarky. Morgen, in this book, fits this all and has a great dry sense of humor. She's a little geeky too. Perfect for me. Her interactions with Amar have grown. Amar is picking up on her humor and his dry humor is coming out in this book. Their clips back and forth are fun. I've smiled at them as I was listening to the book.
I really liked that in this book Amar, the werewolf, is starting to see that Morgen, a witch, is not like other witches. She's not going to spell the werewolves like the witches do, and has no desire to control anyone. It's nice when others start to see who you are as a person other than classifying you.
Morgen is definitely making enemies of the witches though. They started seeing her as they wanted to see her. And now, there is something she's done that helps a friend but will alienate her from the witch coven. However, there maybe two friends that come out of the mess in the end. We'll have to see if that stays as such in the next book.
Morgen still has a few needs. A way to make money to pay for things along with learning more about witch things. But, it seems like Morgen has a pack of friends growing. And maybe more with one other.
I listened to this book and enjoyed the narrator. Her audio is clean and clear. I'll be listening to the next book as well. And the series.
I enjoy Lindsay's books as the main female characters are older than 20, independent, and snarky. Morgen, in this book, fits this all and has a great dry sense of humor. She's a little geeky too. Perfect for me. Her interactions with Amar have grown. Amar is picking up on her humor and his dry humor is coming out in this book. Their clips back and forth are fun. I've smiled at them as I was listening to the book.
I really liked that in this book Amar, the werewolf, is starting to see that Morgen, a witch, is not like other witches. She's not going to spell the werewolves like the witches do, and has no desire to control anyone. It's nice when others start to see who you are as a person other than classifying you.
Morgen is definitely making enemies of the witches though. They started seeing her as they wanted to see her. And now, there is something she's done that helps a friend but will alienate her from the witch coven. However, there maybe two friends that come out of the mess in the end. We'll have to see if that stays as such in the next book.
Morgen still has a few needs. A way to make money to pay for things along with learning more about witch things. But, it seems like Morgen has a pack of friends growing. And maybe more with one other.
I listened to this book and enjoyed the narrator. Her audio is clean and clear. I'll be listening to the next book as well. And the series.
February 20, 2022
I tried so hard. I really did. You have to understand that I adore Lindsay Buroker (as a reader, I’ve never actually met the lady) and have addictively read everything she produced to date. Or so I thought. Then I found out about a whole dang series (A Witch in Wolf Wood) that I had not read! Of course I grabbed book 1, Mind Over Magic, but I promised myself that I’d pace myself. Well, darn it, I totally failed. It’s just that book 1 was soooo good (I mean how could someone not love Morgan and how she handled all she went through) that, of course, I couldn’t wait to turn to Spell Hound (Book 2). That proved pretty irresistible (Amar: *sigh*) that, of course (again!) I couldn’t resist turning to Any Witch Way (Book 3),which was so delicious that of course I turned to Book 4, Moment of Tooth. Luckily I had a whole weekend and sleep is a highly overrated thing (no matter what my husband says - he just didn’t understand!). Anyway, the bottom line here is easy: outright perfection. Perfect characters, perfect plots and overarching story arc, perfect world-building, perfect writing and - most definitely - perfect fun. I not surprising (perfectly, of course) happy to highly recommend each of these books.
October 13, 2021
"Spell Hound" was a much better read for me than the first book. The characters had more depth and complexity and I was a lot more invested in the plot.
This time the barn Amar lives in is set on fire by three angry witches. Morgan is being attacked in her home by a rat. Amar assures her that if she made some repairs to the house, the rat would not have been able to get inside. Of course he is not willing to make the repairs to her home until after he makes the repairs to the barn.
As Morgan begins learning more witchy skills she is distressed to discover that her sister, Sian is ill with a disease while studying Orangatans. Additionally, she is trying out spell to locate an appropriate familiar and make an amulet capable of assisting Amar in resisting compulsion by witches. By the way, was the kiss she shared with Amar due to compulsion or just plain old attraction? That is another issue she will have to deal with on top of her every growing list.
One thing for sure, there is plenty of drama, intrigue and fun to be had in this series. I'm beginning to enjoy this world created by Buroker more and more.
This time the barn Amar lives in is set on fire by three angry witches. Morgan is being attacked in her home by a rat. Amar assures her that if she made some repairs to the house, the rat would not have been able to get inside. Of course he is not willing to make the repairs to her home until after he makes the repairs to the barn.
As Morgan begins learning more witchy skills she is distressed to discover that her sister, Sian is ill with a disease while studying Orangatans. Additionally, she is trying out spell to locate an appropriate familiar and make an amulet capable of assisting Amar in resisting compulsion by witches. By the way, was the kiss she shared with Amar due to compulsion or just plain old attraction? That is another issue she will have to deal with on top of her every growing list.
One thing for sure, there is plenty of drama, intrigue and fun to be had in this series. I'm beginning to enjoy this world created by Buroker more and more.
February 3, 2022
We return to wolf wood, and This book is also... Very decent. Again, PWF really isn't my thing, but Buroker manages to keep it funny and fresh. This is the kind of book I listen to in the background while I do other stuff or go to bed, and it worked really well for that, I am actually starting to get more invested. I really enjoy how they are such quick reads you can zoom through a bunch, and they are very low effort. Yes, sure there is some murder and mayhem, but nothing here really makes me anxious about what will happen next, so I'm not going around super stressed out and exhausted and screaming for another fix, nope... These books are just really relaxing and pleasant, and perfect as a diversion between heavier reads.
In this instalment things heat up a bit between Morgen and Amar, and we learn a bit more about the other players in town. The dynamics between the wolves and witches, and why they are strained.
There is prejudice on both sides, as well bad actors in both camps, who is really at fault?
In this instalment things heat up a bit between Morgen and Amar, and we learn a bit more about the other players in town. The dynamics between the wolves and witches, and why they are strained.
There is prejudice on both sides, as well bad actors in both camps, who is really at fault?
October 8, 2021
Morgen Keller is still in over her head with being a witch in Bellrock, especially when she tries to do a spell to attract a familiar. Should the results be glowing green like that? Despite her inexperience and ineptitude, she manages to help her werewolf friend Amar and make a few more friends along the way. Or at least if not friends, they don’t seem to want to kill her. Not so with the local witches, who all mostly want to either steal from her, burn her property down, or kill her. She needs to get a handle on this witch stuff sooner rather than later, or it might be too late. I love Morgen the vegan introvert, who is socially inept, but very determined and definitely looks out for her friends, animals and her new home. Her interactions with Amar are sources of amusement among all of the scary action happening in the story, which I’ve certainly enjoyed. Looking forward to the final book in the series to find out what happens next.
October 5, 2022
Slow developing romance & plot
I usually enjoy Buroker’s books for their romantic leads’ banter and adventurous plot lines. This book has these elements, but it is not as intensely driven as other stories. The female protagonist seems rather nonchalant about the dire things happening in her life. The male lead is quite reserved, and his backstory is revealed slowly.
Some mysterious elements are resolved, but there is much to be explained in future books in the series. So, this is a comfortable read to continue the series…sorta like watching a favorite television series with no expectation of resolution this episode.
There are violent action scenes that are not graphically described, but folks die. The heroine does some booty-kicking and so does the hero. There is some fun humor regarding the animals in the story.
I usually enjoy Buroker’s books for their romantic leads’ banter and adventurous plot lines. This book has these elements, but it is not as intensely driven as other stories. The female protagonist seems rather nonchalant about the dire things happening in her life. The male lead is quite reserved, and his backstory is revealed slowly.
Some mysterious elements are resolved, but there is much to be explained in future books in the series. So, this is a comfortable read to continue the series…sorta like watching a favorite television series with no expectation of resolution this episode.
There are violent action scenes that are not graphically described, but folks die. The heroine does some booty-kicking and so does the hero. There is some fun humor regarding the animals in the story.
June 8, 2023
I was very happy to see that all the exposition in the previous book paid off here. Lots of answers and also a bit more depth to all the characters. I am in on this series and cannot wait to see where it is headed.
Thankfully Morgan is a little less hung up on her age and divorce. The finances are still a thing, but that is key to the plot. Although, being in IT is like a golden ticket for jobs, so I don’t have much empathy for her woes.
It is interesting to learn about the world of magic as she does. I am intrigued by where it will take us in the series. It is in fact heading to romance if events in this book pan out. I am not mad about it though.
I listened to the audiobook read by Vivienne Lenehy and she does a terrific job. I am really enjoying her voice and steady pace. I will have to look for more of her in the future.
On to the next book! ASAP!
Thankfully Morgan is a little less hung up on her age and divorce. The finances are still a thing, but that is key to the plot. Although, being in IT is like a golden ticket for jobs, so I don’t have much empathy for her woes.
It is interesting to learn about the world of magic as she does. I am intrigued by where it will take us in the series. It is in fact heading to romance if events in this book pan out. I am not mad about it though.
I listened to the audiobook read by Vivienne Lenehy and she does a terrific job. I am really enjoying her voice and steady pace. I will have to look for more of her in the future.
On to the next book! ASAP!
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