Sinister Magic: An Urban Fantasy Dragon Series

Death Before Dragons, Book 1

By: Lindsay Buroker

Narrated by: Vivienne Leheny

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

I’m Val Thorvald, and I’m an assassin.

When magical bad guys hurt people, I take care of them. Permanently.

This doesn’t make me popular with the rest of the magical community — as you can tell from the numerous break-ins and assassination attempts I’ve endured over the years. But thanks to my half-elven blood, a powerful sword named Chopper, and a telepathic tiger with an attitude, I’ve always been able to handle my problems with aplomb. Maybe some cursing and swearing, too, but definitely aplomb.

That changes when my boss is afflicted with a mysterious disease, a government agent starts investigating me, and a godforsaken dragon shows up in the middle of my latest job.

I’ve taken down vampires, zombies, and ogres, but dragons are way, way more powerful. And it doesn’t look like this one is going to like me.

Worse than that, he wants to use his magic to compel me to do his bidding, as if I’m some weak-minded minion.

That’s not going to happen. I’d die before being some dragon’s slave.

But if I can’t figure out a way to avoid him, save my boss, and get rid of the government spook, I’m screwed. Or dead. Or screwed and dead. And that’s never comfortable.

Pick up Sentient Magic today to see if I make it. Even if you don’t care about me, I promise the tiger is cool.

©2020 Lindsay Buroker (P)2020 Lindsay Buroker

Where is the next installment of this series?

Based on a recommendation by a friend I read this book. I have read other Lindsay Buroker books, but this was held my attention and I found myself easily slipping into the story of Val a Half Elf. She is a bounty hunter of sorts woking for the US government hunting magical beings with an assortment of magical weapons, which includes a magical tiger.

The voice of the narrator, Vivienne Lehen, was a perfect match for the book in terms of the main character Val, the male characters, and the magical beings including the tiger. I found myself losing the sense of time passing because I was so engrossed by the story and carried along by the narration.

There are a great deal of magical characters, none more facilitating than an other worldly male dragon.

My quetion is: When will the next book be available?

Great Read!
Highest Recommendation

love it!

Sassy with great side kicks. love the story and I can't wait to get my hands on the the next book.

A Thrill Ride!

I couldn't stop listening! The whole book was enveloping! I am getting book two now!

Doesn't concentrate on war and battle

(as posted in Goodreads)
It's a light fantasy in that there is no major war or battle, therefore I like the overall feel a lot better than most. And it's good, positive, suspenseful (i.e., not a pablum – everybody likes everybody and there is no tension…), and a reasonable addition to the fantasy genre. I really did enjoy it

enjoyable series

This is the series that opened up Lindsay Buroker foe me. I have listened to the entire series three times now.

Another Great Series

Okay, full disclosure.  If Tom Selleck is in a movie, I’ll watch it.  If Billy Joel puts out an album, I’ll listen to it.  If Lindsay Buroker writes a book, I’ll spend a credit on it.  I don’t check out the title details or wonder if there will be dragons in it, because there probably will be.  And, I know that there will be great characters and a great story.  My only dilemma is that I’m catching up to her.  Soon, I’ll have to patiently wait for her next book instead of just downloading an entire series and binge-listening.

Pretty good

started out slow but got into the story pretty quickly thereafter. Look forward to seeing how the storyline develops...not pleased with the audible author but that should not be the reason why I wouldn't finish the series.

Excellent

Im rating the series. I loved the storyline and character development. The narrator was very good except for Dr walker's voice. I'm tired of pnr series that focus on trauma, torture and pain. This author has humor, excellent characters, romance and a great balance of fights.

the perfectly flawed badass

Val is a very real, human heroine. If you're over angsty young heroines who create their own problems from shear ego or ignorance, Val will be a breath of fresh air. This first book is a great intro to a cast of characters who will grow even more entertaining over the course of the series. Lindsay Buroker is a master of character development, and you will find yourself celebrating milestones for the characters. The narrator's voice is absolutely perfect for Val, and her range for the other characters is great as well.

It's difficult to extol the virtues of this series in a way that doesn't give spoilers, but believe me when I say I have listened to the series at least 7 times in full, and probably 15 times for books 1 and 3, which are my favorites.

Another badas-thma sarcastic female lead!

I loved the story, though it did feel like a lot of jogging around to do this to do this to get this done… but the lead doesn’t complain too much so it doesn’t feel laborious to listen to. Loved it and reading the next!