The Recommended Reading Order
If you are looking to start Lindsay Buroker's action-packed, witty urban fantasy series, the best path is to follow the chronological order. This ensures you experience Val Thorvald's character growth, the slow-burn romantic tension, and the overarching plot without missing any key details.
- Mist and Magic (Prequel / Book 0.5) - Introduces Val on a standalone adventure before the main plot kicks off.
- Sinister Magic (Book 1) - The main entry point where Val meets the dragon shifter Zavryd.
- Battle Bond (Book 2)
- Tangled Truths (Book 3)
- Elven Doom (Book 4)
- The Forbidden Ground (Book 4.5) - A fun novella set in Oregon that includes bonus scenes from Zavryd's perspective.
- False Security (Book 5)
- Storm Forged (Book 6)
- Secrets of the Sword I (Book 7) - The beginning of the final trilogy arc.
- Secrets of the Sword II (Book 8)
- Secrets of the Sword III (Book 9) - The epic series finale.
Chronological vs. Publication Order Caveats
While the chronological order is straightforward, you may notice some quirks in online retail and database listings. Specifically, the prequel novella Mist and Magic was published in 2020 alongside the main books. Because of this, some databases index it as Book 6, shifting the numbering of the subsequent titles. In those alternative lists, Storm Forged is labeled as Book 7, and the Secrets of the Sword trilogy appears as Books 8, 9, and 10.
Regardless of database labels, we highly recommend reading Mist and Magic first or right after Book 1 to preserve the chronological flow of Val's character arc.
The Shared Universe Spinoffs
Once you finish Val's main story, the adventure continues in the same magical Seattle universe with two completed spinoff series. Reading these in release order is highly recommended as they feature character crossovers and build on the world's lore.
Legacy of Magic
This eight-book spinoff follows Malyndra (Marlin), a dwarf wizard who inherits her family's magical cabin and finds herself caught up in Seattle's supernatural politics. Several favorite characters from the original series make guest appearances. The reading order is:
- Hammered (Book 1)
- Betrayed (Book 2)
- Trolled (Book 3)
- Tested (Book 4)
- Wrenched (Book 5)
- Fused (Book 6)
- Wanted (Book 7)
- Cursed (Book 8)
Tracking Trouble
Set after the events of Legacy of Magic, this five-book series focuses on Arwen Forester and the dragon shifter Azerdash Starblade, both of whom were introduced in the previous spinoff. The reading order is:
- Marked by Magic (Book 1)
- Bound by Blood (Book 2)
- Driven by Destiny (Book 3)
- Pursued by Peril (Book 4)
- Tested by Temptation (Book 5)
What to Know Before You Start
Lindsay Buroker is a highly prolific indie author known for creating mature, grounded, and deeply entertaining protagonists. Val Thorvald is a refreshing change for the urban fantasy genre—she is in her forties, has an ex-husband, a teenage daughter, and faces relatable daily struggles alongside magical threats. The romance in the series is a slow-burn, clean enemies-to-allies progression that emphasizes humorous banter and action over explicit scenes. Plus, the inclusion of Sindari, Val's telepathic tiger companion, adds a delightful dynamic to the team.