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Tracking Trouble #3

Driven by Destiny

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Arwen Forester is on a quest to remove her dark-elven tattoo and get her mother’s evil people out of her life forever. The last thing she wants is for them to magically manipulate her into betraying Azerdash Starblade, the half-dragon refugee she has feelings for.

But when an old elven comrade visits Azerdash, sharing the location of one of the invaluable galaxy blades that were made for his kind, Arwen must set aside her own quest to help him. This may be a chance for him to once again become the leader he was meant to be.

But there are people—and dragons—who will kill to keep the powerful sword from returning to Azerdash’s hands. And they would have no problem slaying Arwen in the process. Is his quest worth dying for?

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 2023

852 people are currently reading
238 people want to read

About the author

Lindsay Buroker

191 books6,076 followers
I'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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5 stars
1,651 (61%)
4 stars
755 (28%)
3 stars
233 (8%)
2 stars
24 (<1%)
1 star
11 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
Profile Image for TJ.
3,215 reviews273 followers
January 18, 2024
I guess I’m just not connecting with this series like I have others from this author. It feels too cookie cutter and generic with little to make it stand out from the previous series in this world.

Arwen is such a milk-toast heroine and Starblade is so much potential wasted that it annoys me every time I read. Even more annoying is how Arwen keeps throwing herself at Starblade while he keeps telling her no, he is still hung up on a previous love. It’s book THREE, folks. Arwen needs to grow some self respect and make him come for her! Admittedly, her low self-esteem is a believable reason, but no one likes to watch groveling (unless it is warranted).

So why do I continue? I do enjoy the humor and I still want to see these two achieve their happy ending.
6,721 reviews5 followers
April 25, 2024
Entertaining fantasy listening ✨🎎🎵

This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 3 of 5

Lindsay Buroker does it again great fantasy world 🌎 romantic adventure thriller.

I would recommend this series and author to readers of fantasy romance action novels. 2024
Profile Image for Khurram.
2,289 reviews6,687 followers
February 3, 2025
Destiny's gambit

Another great book in the series. As usual, it's a bit of a slow start, but the further I read, the harder it was yo put the book down. I like the double quest in this book and the gambit of friends and loyalty.

Arwen seems to be pursued by a half-dragon, but not the half-dragon she wants. Though Starblade is more than happy to help her with anything, especially her quest to remove her tattoo l, Arwen is still unsure of how he feels about her. As afraid as Arwen is of her destiny, Starblade's seem even more dangerous to him any any around him.

As mush as I like the new characters of thus story I was very happy with the cameos of my favourite character, from the previous series, and I hope with back at in more hands on action next. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Daisy Delfin.
1,401 reviews176 followers
June 22, 2024
I like my first Buroker series. I like that the books are written without a cliffhanger, so I can read the series slowly and not rushed, because I need to know how the cliffhanger is solved and where it leads. I like the FMC and side character. Even though some of the side characters were in her other series, I never fell like I'm missing information.
Profile Image for Lorre.
306 reviews7 followers
February 17, 2024
Another great book in this series! I love Arwen and Azerdash! I also love that charachters of the previous 2 series in the universe appear so much in this series.
Profile Image for John E.
678 reviews2 followers
January 11, 2024
Losing its appeal

This will probably still appeal to slow burn romance but for me, it is starting to read like a formulaic series. Bulk of the story only covers a dinner party, a hunt for ingredients and a hunt for a weapon. This is not to say the book is bad but it is losing its appeal for me.
47 reviews21 followers
January 3, 2024
A Yeti is a sentient being

I was stuck on them cooking a Yeti. I consider the mythical land with dragons and dwarves etc, and serving Yeti for dinner was too much for me to continue reading this story.
2 reviews
August 6, 2024
Driven by destiny

I've been absolutely loving Lindsey Buroker' s works. I've read most of the series and love the depth of characters. Matti is my favorite. Do yourself a favor and meet Val. Matti. Arwen and the boys is some very entertaining stories.
Profile Image for Len Evans Jr.
1,491 reviews218 followers
February 11, 2025
Really enjoying this series!

The flow of this book just wrapped me in a didn't let me go!!! I can't wait to dive into the next book and what happens to Aiden and all the other awesome characters!
Profile Image for Kat.
509 reviews2 followers
March 1, 2024
4.75 stars. Quick enjoyable read.
1,182 reviews3 followers
April 13, 2024
This series is just steady to read with some action, great characters and an interesting storyline. I’m just zipping through the pages
Profile Image for Chelsea.
93 reviews7 followers
December 26, 2023
I got access to it yesterday as a Patreon supporter, and I read the entire thing as a Christmas present to myself since I am alone this year (friends and family are coming up later this week). I am having a lot of fun following Arwen’s and Azerdash’s story. Their personalities are so different than the stories following Val/Zavryd and Matti/Sarrlevi. Although a dinner at the beginning had me cackling, screenshotting a passage to send to a friend as an example of why I love how Buroker writes witty banter, and joking about how I bet a duel was going to break out. Then three pages later it did, of course!

As far as the main relationship, I thought this quote perfectly summed it up:

“Arwen Forester,” Azerdash murmured into her ear, “you’ve mentioned underwater conveyances and locomotives since I’ve returned. Are you trying to seduce me?”
Profile Image for Megan.
647 reviews36 followers
March 25, 2024
Very convenient that Starblade's centuries-lost, legendary weapon just happened to be stolen and hidden in the very city all the characters live in. 🤔

But that's typical for this series, at this point. As is the sluggish progress on the series conflict, in this case, Arwen's tattoo removal quest/reckoning with the dark elves, which makes minimal progress.

Zoltan is kidnapped once again, setting up the next book.
618 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2024
***MINOR SPOILERS***
This is the third book in the Tracking Trouble series. Characters from the Death Before Dragons and the Legacy of Magic series appear. Both Arwen and Azerdash appeared in the Legacy of Magic series.
The author continues a story line that arcs over the series. The characters are interesting and realistic. They have flaws and are not one dimensional. Most of the characters have some sort of magical ability: shapeshifters, elves, dragons, etc. I do not recommend reading it as a standalone.
Azerdash Starblade is half dragon, half light elf. He and others are the result of a scientific experiment and are created creatures as this combination would not occur naturally. He is very powerful but not as powerful as a full dragon. The dragons and others would like him destroyed and he is hiding on earth. As the story begins, Azerdash and his fellow half-dragon, Yendral, are trying to decide their future. In this book, you find out Azerdash had earned a starblade which was conferred only on a few people. A light elf who tells him that one of the blades is located on earth and Azerdash decides to try to find it.
The light elf who tells them about the blade also wants him to destroy the control the dragons have over the other worlds in the Cosmic Realm. Yendral is immediately in favor of this but Azerdash is hesitant to embrace this destiny. Part of the book is about what destiny Azerdash will choose.
Arwen is half dark elf and half human. Her father and other men were kidnapped by Arwen’s mother and used to create children (though the idea was only successful with Arwen’s father). The dark elves call upon demons to increase their power and do sacrifices. They cannot go out in the light and live in caves or buildings with no light. Arwen’s mother wanted to create children that could go in the light and do their bidding. The dark elves want to bring her back into the fold.
She and her father run a farm outside Seattle. Arwen has been discriminated against by the magical community that is both fearful of and against the dark elves. She lacks confidence in a big way and throughout the series, I wished that she would increase in her confidence. In addition, she has difficulty being in crowds and either wants to avoid situations where she will meet people or wants to leave shortly after arriving. There were times it was a bit frustrating to read.
Arwen is a tracker and archer. She has magical arrows that she uses. She is attracted to Azerdash and their relationship spans the entire 5 book series. It is harder to tell what he is thinking about her but he is still in mourning for a female half dragon, half dark elf who died during the previous series.
Arwen investigates the renewed presence of the dark elves on earth. Azerdash is interested in their motives as well. Arwen works with him and characters of previous books, Matti and Val.
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 funny. However, there are times when it feels like the story is a bit too jokey.
The book is told solely from Arwen’s point of view.
Lindsay Buroker is an auto-buy for me I have already purchased the next book in the series.
16 reviews
January 6, 2024
Another great series by Lindsey!

As usual, Lindsey delivers a good story. I especially like that she is continuing to incorporate favorite characters from previous series in this world...and not just as brief cameos. While big characters like Val, Willard, and Matti play an important role, they are by no means the focus of the stories.

This series, like the previous one written about Val and Zav, and the one about Matti and Saarlevi, take place in the area around Seattle in present day time. I'm hoping that the hint she dropped about Willard, Amber's bigger role, and Gondo's means that there are several more series in the works featuring each of them, are in the works...or at least floating around your head, Lindsey?

So, this story has dragons, "mongrels" (those magical beings whose blood is mixed with both other magical races and humans) and other magical creatures, as all as the constant action, the mild romance, the snark, and all of the other elements that we've come to expect from Lindsey.

If you're looking for an intense read like LOTR, then you're going to be disappointed. Lindsey does a great job with her world building and character development, but she does it with a lighter touch. The books are fun and easy to read...the perfect dessert to a heavy meal of LOTR. By the way, I happen to love LOTR, so don't think I'm disparaging Tolkien. I find Lindsey's writing to be a more mature, adult type of Chronicles of Narnia... Much more mature, but with the ease, and fun, of reading

Give it a shot... I don't think you'll be disappointed. I don't guarantee it, because there's always someone who will find fault, and will probably be disappointed, but I truly believe that most will enjoy it..
Profile Image for The Mysterious Reader.
3,588 reviews65 followers
March 9, 2024
Ok, I hadn’t realized this one was actually out but I’m supremely glad that I belatedly saw that Lindsay Buroker’s Driven by Destiny (Tracking Trouble Book 3) was available. Overall an easy 5 stars in this continuation of the now third series in the same urban fantasy series story arc universe, which is somehow kept fresh and new each time. A great book story line - and a new book entry that is full of action, magic, wonderful snarky dialogue if you like that sort of thing (I very much do, when done as well as it is here) and, yes, some developing romance between stars Arwen and Azerdash while doing an excellent job of advancing that story line. One caveat though, if you stop at the 99% point, i.e., just before the epilogue, you’ll have a totally complete story with a perfectly enjoyable “happily enough for now” ending. If you go into the epilogue you’ll get a cliffhanger (no, I’m not going to even hint what it is). If this was a scale based on 100 I’d rate this book at 100% without the epilogue and at 95% (as it’s still superbly written and totally fun, even though I dislike cliffhangers) if you include the epilogue. Either way, on a 1 to 5 star scale the book is easily 5 stars, and most definitely highly recommended. Having said that, while you can read this book stand-alone, it’s best to start with book 1 of the series. Even better would be to start with series 1, Death Before Dragons (Val’s story) and then series 2, Legacy of Magic (Matti’s story) before this one. All three series are perfect on a stand-alone basis but reading them all in order will add background that enhances the stories as they go along (even if you won’t realize you’re missing it if you only start with series 2 or this series 3).
539 reviews
July 3, 2025
Right under the bus!

So I threw Lindsay under the bus in my review of Nook 2 because I had accomplished nothing that day except finish books one AND two. That was around 6 pm, YESTERDAY.. It’s now 2am and I just finished this one. So sorry, Ms Buroker but I’m gonna have to throw you under that bus one more time.

Ok, it’s really not her fault, but I mean really…1) funny, 2) snarky, 3) well written, 4)exceptional characterization, 5) character driven not plot driven and 6) great storytelling. With a list of qualities like that, who can honestly resist? Apparently not me.

Now as to the actual content of this book, this one feels just a slight bit off, and I think it’s due to a conflict between two characters that never felt quite right from the get go. As it turns out it wasn’t “right,” and the rationale behind that, once explained, at least does make it all make much more sense.

Regardless, I was as riveted through this book as I was the last two, so I’m fairly sure you will be too.

ENJOY!
18 reviews
February 7, 2024
Have been enjoying this series, particularly having Amber well incorporated into the story, and a happy return of Gondo in this book (he well deserves more play time...hope to see him back in the next books of the series). I love how Lindsay Buroker keeps building upon the characters and events originating in the Death Before Dragon stories, allowing us to keep in touch with favorites and see the development of new or less featured characters from earlier books. I don't love the Arwen series quite as much as the earlier two series, but that doesn't mean I don't gobble them up and eagerly read the next in the series. In this book, #3, I feel like things have begun to roll along very nicely, both in character growth and story line, and I look forward to the next release in March. In addition to more Gondo time, I'm hoping to see the return of the goofy Starsinger dragon (he's so charming); it feels like there's been a nice opening for him to come back into the storyline.
Profile Image for Sharon Hughson.
Author 30 books63 followers
January 3, 2024
A Treasure Hunt and Dishonest Fae

Another excellent installment in this series. Arwen is coming into her own and the slow burn romance finally flames a bit with the HOT half-dragon, Azerdash.

Of course, it seemed slightly unbelievable that Arwen could continue to operate at full steam when I don’t think she slept more than one night in a story that spanned several eventful days. Give the girl a break! She’s half human after all.

The fae episode and the other kidnapping seemed reminiscent of events from Val’s own adventures. Nothing new readers will mind but it felt repetitive to me.

The end was a bit of a cliffhanger so that is the primary reason for the star deduction. I was reading the entire series anyway, so give us a solid ending and introduce the next issue in chapter one of book four.
Profile Image for TrixieB.
826 reviews17 followers
January 3, 2024
CW attempted sexual assault, violence, and bloodshed, demeaning acts of sexual bartering.

This book was BAD. The toxic masculinity was off the charts. There was none of the usual banter and sassiness. As a result it wasn't a pleasant read. Sexual assault to prove a point to somebody?? Umm no.

On top of that there was massive cultural appropriation of Indigenous peoples. Arwen wears moccasins (just no thank you) and is a tracker. But she's a White woman. So hell no. Why wasn't she made an Indigenous woman?? And ffs do NOT call discussions "p*wwows". That's just supremely racist. I believe we have my favorite word "exotic" used a couple of times too.

The other books weren't less racist, but it's less obvious because they aren't trash fires of misogyny, toxic masculinity, and boredom.
108 reviews
January 6, 2024
Fast forwarding toward a deadly enemy

Reading the third Tracking Trouble adventure, Driven by Destiny, actually feels like a fast forward journey to an unknown destination. Arwen just wants to remove the dark elf tattoo but somehow gets swept up with Azerdash into a deadly quest neither of them envisioned. Azerdash helps her with the tattoo removing ingredients and she helps him investigate clues to find a magical sword. Their plans to lead a normal life after accomplishing these tasks are sabotaged by powerful beings who want to use Arwen and Azerdash for their own evil ambitions. Even Arwen and Azerdash's friends who try to help, find themselves in danger. Hopefully Book 4 is available soon because things just became really serious at the end.
Profile Image for Livey.
1,392 reviews
March 10, 2024
An exciting addition to the series

Arwen and Azerdash are helping each other with escapades that send her looking for the ingredients to remove her tattoo and he to find his all powerful galaxy blade from his days as the colonel of the mixed dragon squad. Their quests are following a fantastic dinner party Arwen throws for her growing group of friends. Her baked goods are now being g sold by Ninn and Amber is making enough money researching and driving to make her forget about how much danger she finds performing her tasks. Azerdash is so undecided if he is ready for a new relationship that his fellow dragon Yandrall keeps hitting on Arwen pushing his buttons and crossing lines that border on harassment. Although they have a mutual understanding and interests drawing them closer his grief and her inexperience and lack of confidence have them not getting past 1st base. Nice to see the past couples and Mattie’s pregnancy is almost over so she can welcome the twins. Nice to see Zoltan is still the best marketing alchemist in Seattle and is willing to help. The silver dragons are a constant pain like in the other series so I hope they don’t hurt any one before this series ends! Looking forward to book 4!
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,300 reviews54 followers
May 18, 2024
In the third Tracking Trouble book, the story progresses as Arwen Forester is still trying to find a way to remove her dark-elven tattoo with the help of Azerdash Starblade. She also promised the half-dragon to assist him in finding a magical galaxy blade that is rumored to be hidden somewhere in the area. There are beings, including dragons, that do not want the blade found by Azerdash and the dark elves don’t want Arwen to succeed in removing the tattoo either, since they can control her through it, so there are many obstacles in their way. Arwen and Azerdash are becoming closer, so there’s some simmering chemistry happening along with all of the danger and action. I look forward to reading the next installment to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Sam Martin.
164 reviews4 followers
July 24, 2024
Wow, what a book!

I never had be so excited to read a book in a long time but this series had energized me to read more from this series! I have to admit that I was very excited when I saw this series completed. I know it will have been hard to wait for the next book to come out.

Arwen and Starblade romance is slow but to me that a good thing! Every time they get close someone or something comes between them. It makes the wait when they do get together worth it!

Yendral surprise me with his behavior, but I realize he just a good friend pushing Starblade to realize what he needed to do more than just going after Arwen. I understand Arwen fear about the status quo’s with the dragons but I do wonder what will happen once they get the sword. Can’t wait to read the book!
2 reviews
January 2, 2024
Lindsay Buroker does not disappoint

I've read every book published so far in this "universe" and I have loved every single one of them! My only complaint is they have to end. Don't miss out on this series, though I highly recommend you start at the beginning with the books starring Val. While each heroine's books/story can be read separately, it is super helpful to read them in order because there is a ton of crossover. In the timeline order, Val's stories happen first, then Matti's and then Arwen. Just search Lindsay Buroker & you'll find them all. Enjoy!
Profile Image for Katherine.
139 reviews
January 6, 2024
Driven by Destiny

Lindsay Buroker delivers as usual!
If you like Dragons,Elves and snark you will want to read this series.
Arwen is a half blood tracker/farmer/Baker and she's helping her half dragon friend want a be boyfriend to find a magical sword that belonged to him centuries ago and has been hid with magic.
Arwen and her sidekicks are on the hunt all at the same time that Arwen is trying to have her magical dark elf tattoo removed. Which would probably happen if someone didn't keep.killing the few tattoo artists capable of removing it.
Fun series!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
328 reviews4 followers
June 22, 2024
I really enjoy this series, along with every other book related to the, The Death before Dragons, series. I do think that is the first book that introduces us to Val and that whole crazy world but Arwen may not come into the picture until much later in this series or the next series; I am not positive without going back and re-reading the entire series again and while I do really like Lindsay Buroker books; I am not planning on doing that right now.
I think this book confirms Arwen’s feelings for Star blade, even though she seems to almost kill him. Non-stop action and reading for me. 😊
210 reviews5 followers
August 1, 2024
Dragons, goblins, and… a baker?

Well, the baker is also a skilled tracker and archer, as well as being half dark elf (to her chagrin), and the more important dragons are actually half-dragons and half elves. The goblins are just goblins, due to no one wanting to marry one. They’re fun to have around, though.

As the third in a series (and the third series in an interesting group of books taking place in the (actual) Pacific Northwest, readers should start at least book one of Tracking Trouble.

Recommended, and particularly for denizens of the PNW.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews

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