Treasure and Treason - Lisa Shearin

Info:

Print, 263 pages

Published November 15th 2016

Raine Benares #8

Fantasy

Own

My thoughts:

Hmmm, I liked it, but, no it was not as good as the Raine series, yes this is still that series, but at the same time not. As it has a new POV.

Now it's Tam's turn and I was all for that (Raine should SO be with him, and not that boring Mychael, boooooo, Team Tam!!!) But, were the Raine books in first person? Cos this was and it felt weird...

ALso way too little of Phaelan, maybe he should have gotten his book. I just felt Tam was not evil enough. He was so dark in the series and here he was like..nice. Ugh. Nice, right so dull.

Ok so bad peeps want a stone. Oh and invaders from another plane! A lot to take care of. Tam to the rescue!

It was a nice little adventure, do not get me wrong. But it just did not pack the same funny punch as the previous books. I want more goblins more evil and Phaelan was not even in pirate mode!

Conclusion:

Still a nice book, but could have been more.

Cover

Freaking awesome

Blurb: Hidden for millennia in a legendary city on an uninhabited continent, the Heart of Nidaar can harness the forces of nature itself. In the wrong hands, the artifact is a weapon that can command the power of the earth and seas to destroy all life. Just the type of power a sinister goblin brotherhood finds irresistible. In their hands, kingdoms will be forced to surrender to their rule. 
Chief mage (and nearly rehabilitated practitioner of black magic) Tamnais Nathrach is the perfect goblin duke to stop them. Along with elf pirate Phaelan Benares, these two have a roguish plan to sail to Aquas and snatch the Heart of Nidaar before it can fall into the wrong hands. After all, stealing hearts is what these two do best. Who cares if goblins and elves have been in a near constant state of war for centuries? This common enemy is enough motivation for some teamwork and a little professional competition.
Perhaps Tamnais and Phaelan have forgotten one small fact. Expeditions that sail to the continent of Aquas never return. It’s a blighted wasteland filled with creatures from nightmare and Tamnais might have failed to mention that the Heart has guardians, an ancient race willing to use deadly force to keep themselves and the artifact hidden. Alliances are tested, courage is challenged, and nothing less than the future of all life in the Seven Kingdoms is at stake in the deadliest—and most competitive—treasure hunt of all time. 

Fantasy Tuesday: An Ember in The Ashes and Wedding bells, magic spells

What if you were the spark that could ignite a revolution?

For years Laia has lived in fear. Fear of the Empire, fear of the Martials, fear of truly living at all. Born as a Scholar, she’s never had much of a choice.

For Elias it’s the opposite. He has seen too much on his path to becoming a Mask, one of the Empire’s elite soldiers. With the Masks’ help the Empire has conquered a continent and enslaved thousands, all in the name of power.

When Laia’s brother is taken she must force herself to help the Resistance, the only people who have a chance of saving him. She must spy on the Commandant, ruthless overseer of Blackcliff Academy. Blackcliff is the training ground for Masks and the very place that Elias is planning to escape. If he succeeds, he will be named deserter. If found, the punishment will be death.

But once Laia and Elias meet, they will find that their destinies are intertwined and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

In the ashes of a broken world one person can make a difference. One voice in the dark can be heard. The price of freedom is always high and this time that price might demand everything, even life itself. 

My thoughts:

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Fine I admit, I have YA prejudices, but they tend to be so sweet and blarghhh, Even the fantasy, and then you go but that one is not nice...trust me, they are all nice, even the killing ones.

And then there was the I am scared of triangles and it sure looked like there could be one. But no, I do not count this as that. For it to be a triangle everyone has to you know like each other. Here we have a boy and girl who are bffs, and then the boy meets another girl. Nope, not a triangle. Then I worried that the girl would meet someone, but just cos someone fancies her again does not a triangle make. 

So those were my fears. And to my surprised I got sucked in at once. Sure a lot of people get killed but I would not call it dark, but there is the thing it's not light and romance focused either. No bleeding hearts and angsty drama that takes over the fantasy.

We have Elias who have been drilled to be a perfect solider all his life, but he has doubts and wants to run away. Which will get him killed. I liked his world, the mindless soldiers who only kill, and the Commander, who is a really "lovely" sociopath, she does not give a f about others. Just perfection. She will kill you for looking at her wrong.

Then we have Laia. Ok, so this was the weak spot. But the Commander is a ruthless bitch who whips her! *yawns* Every other slave gets raped, and we are told Laia is pretty much the hottest slave around and no one rapes her. Not that I want that, in adult or YA! But it's a weak spot. Not to mention that the other slave has only one eye, and  the Commander really should have marred Laia's face too. But we can't have that. Instead we will have marks on places you can not see. I would rather have had something like no rapes the Commander's slaves! She wants no bastards or slow working girls. Then it would have makes sense. Now I just focused on this stupid thing, and I have mentioned the r thing too much but damn it, do not mention it as the first thing then when Laia becomes a slave thatslaves are always subjected to that, and then say she is way too beautiful for a slave.

But let's say she was lucky, good for her.

It's a good world, I got the feel of it even if I had some questions that should have been answered. But that is for other books. And I sure hope the next one is not a weak one, because ...let's have hope.

And the world is going to hell...always a good thing. Though I can't see how the Resistance is much of a force, that could have been done better.

Conclusion:

All in all, a great book that kept me reading. I look forward to more 

Cover: ugly

Hardcover, 450 pages
Published June 4th 2015 by Harper Voyager
An Ember in the Ashes #1
Fantasy
Library

You would think that after having successfully destroyed the Saghred (aka, a legendary soul-sucking rock) and sending an evil goblin demigod to the Lower Hells that I would get some time off to plan my wedding to my sexy paladin fiancé Mychael Eiliesor, right? Wrong. Not only do I have to brace for meeting Mychael’s parents and cope with my burgeoning new powers, but it seems there may be another calamity brewing.

After the recent change in goblin leadership, the new—thankfully non-psychotic—king is willing to participate in an elf/goblin/human peace treaty. The Isle of Mid is the site of these delicate negotiations, meaning all hands on deck for Mychael and his Conclave Guardians. When the head of elven intelligence (and my wedding guest) Duke Markus Sevelien is nearly assassinated upon his arrival, I suspect my mother-in-law will be the least of my concerns. Sabotaging these talks may be only the first salvo in a treacherous and deadly new apocalyptic plot! 

My thoughts:

It's not the best time to read a book when you are cranky as hell, but at least it took my minds if things...for a few seconds, and then I was cranky again.

Anyway....Raine should be with Taaaam! Team Tam!!!! But no, she is marrying Mychael, always go with the nice elf. Noo, go with the goblin! Alas those days are over, but in my mind she in Tam will have goblin babies one day. I am so bad ;)

But before they can get married she must meet the inlaws *music of doom*

And they must meet her pirate family *music of doom*

She must deal with the after affects of the Sanghred *music of doom*

Someone is trying to kill everyone *music of doom*

And something bigger is coming...no music of doom, just a note to the author to write more books. pretty please.

Conclusion:

It was fun to see Raine and the gang again, and seriously, one more book is so needed. Just one more. 

Cover

Nice

Paperback, 312 pages
Published February 16th 2016 by NLA Digital LLC
Raine Benares #7
Fantasy
Own

All spell breaks loose - Lisa Shearin

I’m a seeker who found the Saghred, a soul-stealing stone that gave me unlimited powers I never wanted. Now I’ve lost the rock—and the magic it gave me—to a goblin dark mage whose main goals are my death and world domination. This is more than incentive enough for a little trip to the goblin capital of Regor with a small band of good friends, not-so-good friends, and one outright enemy. Don’t ask.

All we need to do is destroy the Saghred, kill the mage, and put a renegade goblin prince on the throne. Did I mention I’ll be doing that with no magic? 

My thoughts:

The end. I am sad, and happy. Sad that it's over. Happy that it did not drag out and turn bad, I hate when a series does that.

The stone is gone, but they need to destroy it so they go to Goblin land. Seriously, I need a pic of a goblin, the whole grey and pointy teeth thing and super hot. I need an image here. I can imagine it, and not.

Right, hot goblins, no that was not what I was supposed to say. Team Tam! But we all know Team Tam has been doing badly and been forgotten now for a few books. Sad. She is all Mycheal and I am all whatevs. Fine, they suit each other and will live happily ever after. Just, sexy goblin!

Forget Tam now. Ok, but it's hard!

Conclusion:

Anyway. Destroy the stone. Kill some goblins. Survive. Be happy. I liked how it all ended :)

Team Tam! Oh come on, stop that now. Team, TAM! Sigh. ;)

Cover

nice

Mass Market Paperback, 290 pages
Published May 29th 2012 by Ace
Raine Benares #6
Fantasy
Own

Con & Conjure - Lisa Shearin

Raine Benares is a seeker who finds lost things and people. Ever since the Saghred, a soul-stealing stone that's given her unlimited power, has bonded to her, the goblin king and the elves have wanted to possess its magic themselves. Which means a goblin thief and her ex-fiancé-an elven assassin-are after her. To survive, she'll need the help of her notorious criminal family. 

My thoughts:

It took me a while to get this book, it was always out of stock, I even ordered it once when it was in and then they cancelled on me. But then, then I got it, and started reading it the same day.

Shit is still going to hell. She still has the damn stone that will break her. People is still trying to kill or catch her.

But she does have Mychael at her side (boo! Team TAM!), but by now I do realize that will not happen, it will surely by M by her side at the end.

She still has her cool cousin :)

In this one, like I said, there is a hunt going on, for her, and a hunt for someone else. But she is good at was she does, but now, only one book left. Big things will happen and who will be left standing ..who knows.

Conclusion:

Yes I have ordered book 6, even though I am on a book ban, but who cares, I just had to have it. 

Cover

nice

Paperback, 322 pages
Published March 29th 2011 by Ace
Raine Benares #5
Fantasy
Own

The truble with demons / Bewitched and betrayed - Lisa Shearin

For seeker Raine Benares, a demon infestation on the Isle of Mid couldn't come at a worse time. Already fighting the influence of the Saghred, a soul-stealing stone, Raine discovers she is also magically bonded to a dark mage and a white knight, two dangerous and powerful men on opposing sides.

Turns out, the demons want the key to unlock the Saghred. As a seeker, Raine should be able to find it first. As the axis of light and dark powers, she's a magical cataclysm waiting to happen. 

My thoughts:

I do like this light fantasy series, it's fun, and it has a hot goblin. Ok ok, yes I might have a crush on Tam, but he is delicious. Good boy Mychael is just so good and pure, yawn ;)

Anyway. Raine is in trouble as always. Now the demons want the Saghred (the evil stone linked to her). They are running amok on an island filled with tasty students. Not a good things. Get rid of demons, check. Worry about bond with two hot men, check. Stay alive...working on it.

Raine is fun, she has a nice set of side kicks, and I might just start on book 4 at once. Well I will see how long it is and maybe save it or not. It's just, after that I got no more, and after this one I do still want more.

Conclusion:

Fun series. 

Paperback, 370 pages
Published April 28th 2009 by Ace
Raine Benares, #3
Fantasy
Own

Raine Benares is a seeker. She finds lost things and missing people- usually alive. But now she's been bonde with the Saghred, a soul- stealing stone of unlimited power, and must hunt down its escapees. Especially since one of them is also hunting her...

My thoughts:

The series is still fun :) I still like Tam way too much ;=) Team Tam!!

I will try to make this short (tryyy.) Raine is busy with catching escapees since stuff happened in the last book. There is danger. She thinks about Mychael a bit. There is this stupid elf I wanna smack over the head. And everyone else is there too :)

So we have action, action, danger, a bit of romancing, and a thrilling hunt.

But now, the 5th book, I can't get a hold of it. Sad me. I want to know what happens in this series. Sure it's never awesome awesome you know, but I enjoy the lightness and fun of it all. Good fun

Paperback, 366 pages
Published April 27th 2010 by Ace
Raine Benares, #4)
Fantasy
Own

Armed and Magical - Lisa Shearin

My name is Raine Benares. Until last week I was a seeker—a finder of things lost and people missing. Now I’m psychic roommates with the Saghred, an ancient stone with cataclysmic powers. Just me, the stone, and all the souls it’s ingested over the centuries. Crowded doesn’t even begin to describe it. All I want is my life back—which means getting rid of the stone and the power it possesses. To sort things out, I head for the Isle of Mid, home to the most prestigious sorcery school, as well as the Conclave, the governing body for all magic users. It’s also home to power- grubbing mages who want me dead and goblins who see me as a thief. As if that’s not enough, Mid’s best student spellsingers are disappearing left and right, and I’m expected to find them. Lives are at stake, goblins are threatening to sue, mages are getting greedier, and the stone’s power is getting stronger by the hour. This could get ugly.

My thoughts:

This is a fun series, and I would call it UF in a fantasy land. Cos it's so UF! Just you know, set in a fantasy world with elves, goblins and humans and magic.

Raine is a seeker, she has some magic but not a lot. But in the last book she became the host of this magical stone. And trust me, that is NOT a good thing. The stone is not a nice stone, and if Raine can't get rid of it then she will probably die.

But before that! An adventure on the island of mages. Mages are disappearing and she is the right woman for the job. All while trying to find a way to get rid of that stupid stone.

She is so cool. I like her. I like her pirate cousin, and I especially like Tam, mmm Tam. Yes choose the sexy bad boy goblin. Do not look at that pretty boy elf! Ok so yes I admit, there is a love triangle there, but I can live with it, as long as she goes for Tam ;)

Conclusion:

I enjoyed it, and I want more.

cover

cool

Mass Market Paperback, 293 pages
Published April 29th 2008 by Ace
Raine Benares #2
Fantasy
Own

Magic Lost, Trouble Found - Lisa Shearin

My name is Raine Benares. I’m a seeker. The people who hire me are usually happy when I find things. But some things are better left unfound…

Raine is a sorceress of moderate powers, from an extended family of smugglers and thieves. With a mix of street smarts and magic spells, she can usually take care of herself. But when her friend Quentin, a not-quite-reformed thief, steals an amulet from the home of a powerful necromancer, Raine finds herself wrapped up in more trouble than she cares for. She likes attention as much as the next girl, but having an army of militant goblins hunting her down is not her idea of a good time. The amulet they’re after holds limitless power, derived from an ancient, soul-stealing stone. And when Raine takes possession of the item, it takes possession of her.

Now her moderate powers are increasing beyond anything she could imagine—but is the resumé enhancement worth her soul?

My thoughts:

I have noticed that some mentioned an UF vibe, or was it UF heroine? Anyway that does make sense. Sure it's a fantasy world, but the heroine, Raine does feel like an UF heroine and it could just as well have taken place in our world with the same plot.

Raine is cool, she finds things with her limited magical abilities. Her family are pirates and her love life has taken some hits cos of that. I liked her, she had a good head on her shoulders and could take of herself.

Other memorable characters were, Tam (I liked him), her cousin Phaelan (seemed nice too), Mychael (I sense something here), and well .. many more. Friends who will help her, and baddies that will try to stop her. Because the plot is that Raine comes across something many wants and they will hunt her down.

Conclusion:

Fun enough to make me want more.

cover

cool

Paperback, 345 pages
Published May 29th 2007 by Ace (first published March 29th 2007)
Raine Benares #1
fantasy
own