The Recommended Reading Order for Legacy of Magic
Lindsay Buroker’s Legacy of Magic is a complete urban fantasy series consisting of eight action-packed books. Because the series follows a continuous storyline focusing on Matti Puletasi’s quest to find her mother and protect Seattle, you should read these books in their exact publication order. Reading them out of order will result in major plot spoilers and disrupt the overarching mystery of the series.
1. Hammered (2022)
Matti Puletasi is a Seattle-based house-flipper who wants nothing more than a quiet, productive life. However, her dwarven strength makes her anything but average. When she uncovers a mysterious artifact during a home renovation, she is framed for murder and targeted by magical forces. To clear her name and protect her secrets, she is forced to partner with Sarrlevi, a dangerous yet handsome elf assassin.
2. Betrayed (2022)
With her magical dwarven hammer in hand and Sarrlevi at her side, Matti's search for her missing dwarven mother intensifies. She discovers that her mother is not dead, as she had long believed, but has been kidnapped by figures who want to exploit her magical crafting abilities. As conspiracies deepen, Matti must navigate dangerous alliances in Seattle’s supernatural underground.
3. Trolled (2022)
As if dealing with portal-hopping elves and hostile orcs weren't enough, Matti must now manage troublesome goblin neighbors and escalating magical mishaps. Her bond with Sarrlevi develops further, though trusting an assassin whose secrets run deep remains a constant challenge.
4. Tested (2023)
Matti and Sarrlevi face new trials that test both their physical prowess and their growing emotional connection. With supernatural bounty hunters and interdimensional enemies hot on their heels, Matti has to master her dwarven magical inheritance to protect the family she has left.
5. Wrenched (2023)
The stakes climb even higher as the search for Matti's mother leads them closer to the heart of the conspiracy. New magical threats loom over Seattle, requiring Matti to push her hammer's abilities and her physical limits to their absolute breaking point.
6. Fused (2023)
Matti and Sarrlevi must venture deeper into the magical realms surrounding Seattle. Family secrets are laid bare, and Matti must reconcile her dwarven heritage with her mortal life to survive the magical crossfire.
7. Wanted (2023)
As the penultimate chapter begins, Matti and Sarrlevi find themselves targeted by powerful factions across multiple realms. Facing betrayal from unexpected sources, they must rely on their core team to survive long enough to face the final threat.
8. Cursed (2023)
The epic finale wraps up Matti's primary journey. High-stakes battles, emotional resolutions, and the fate of her family culminate in a satisfying conclusion that ties up the main story threads while setting the stage for future spin-offs in the shared universe.
The Shared Universe: Publication vs. Chronological Order
The Legacy of Magic series is set in the same urban fantasy universe as Buroker’s popular Death Before Dragons series and her subsequent spin-off Tracking Trouble. While each series can technically be read on its own, they share a setting (magical Seattle), recurring characters, and overlapping storylines. To avoid spoilers and enjoy the natural progression of the world, we highly recommend reading the series in the order they were written.
Here is the recommended reading path for the entire Seattle Urban Fantasy universe:
- Phase 1: Death Before Dragons (Books 1-9) — Follows Val Thorvald, a half-elven assassin, and the dragon Lord Zavryd (Zav). This series establishes the magical rules of Seattle, the portal realms, and the key power players.
- Phase 2: Legacy of Magic (Books 1-8) — Follows Matti Puletasi and Sarrlevi. Crossover characters from Death Before Dragons (including Val and Zav) make notable appearances, so reading this second prevents spoilers.
- Phase 3: Tracking Trouble (Books 1-5+) — Follows Arwen Forester (a half-dark-elf tracker introduced in Legacy of Magic) and Azerdash Starblade (a half-dragon). This series directly continues the events and character arcs established in Legacy of Magic.
What to Know Before You Start
Buroker’s Seattle universe is known for its fast-paced plotting, first-person narrative style, and slow-burn romance. Matti’s Samoan heritage and dwarven background add a unique flavor to the urban fantasy genre, contrasting with the more traditional elven and draconic leads of the other series. You don't need to read all of Death Before Dragons to enjoy Matti's journey, but doing so will enhance your appreciation of the world's deep lore and the cameo appearances that happen throughout the eight books.