One step forward, two steps back. After the stakes, tension, and momentum of Magic Breaks, Magic Shifts feels like it’s spinning its wheels. While the fast-paced action we’ve come to expect is still there, this one struggled to justify its place in the overall series and wasn’t a standout for me.

The story picks up with Kate and Curran adjusting to life outside the Pack after stepping down as Beast Lord and Consort. Their plans for a quieter life are derailed when George, the alpha werebuffalo, enlists their help to find her missing fiancé, Eduardo. The investigation pits them against a new villain—an ancient djinn—that I just couldn’t bring myself to care about. After everything that went down in Magic Breaks, this book felt like filler, with much of the plot easily condensed into another installment. The threat from the djinn felt disconnected and low-stakes, more like something from the earlier books when standalone conflicts were the norm. By now, I’m expecting more integration with the larger narrative and a bigger sense of urgency.

That said, the dynamic between Kate and Roland was a highlight. Their complicated relationship—full of power plays, veiled threats, and reluctant affection—continues to intrigue me. The inclusion of the amnesia trope was also a nice touch, giving Kate some much-needed vulnerability. She can often feel a bit untouchable, so seeing her face real consequences (even if they weren’t earth-shattering) added some tension. I’m really hoping this thread gets more attention in the next two books because it has a lot of potential to add emotional weight to her journey.

Overall, while Magic Shifts had some good moments, it didn’t do much to push the story forward. It’s not a bad book, but compared to the high stakes of its predecessor, it’s hard not to see this one as a bit of a snoozefest. 3/5 stars.