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Raine Benares #3
The Trouble with Demons
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.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2009
56 people are currently reading
1086 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Shearin
22 books1,105 followersLisa is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Raine Benares novels and The SPI Files.
Lisa is a voracious collector of fountain pens, teapots & teacups both vintage and modern. She lives on a small farm in North Carolina with her husband, four spoiled-rotten retired racing greyhounds, and enough deer and woodland creatures to fill a Disney movie.
Lisa is a voracious collector of fountain pens, teapots & teacups both vintage and modern. She lives on a small farm in North Carolina with her husband, four spoiled-rotten retired racing greyhounds, and enough deer and woodland creatures to fill a Disney movie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
September 12, 2014
Well crap. I really liked this series and frankly this one leaves me so cold I feel as if I've burned out on it. I really hope not. I'm not half way through it and I just want to move on. I can't get interested. Raine seems shallow and the story dull.
The first book in this series was interesting. The nasty, evil Saghred, a soul stealing/eating stone of power possessed by the goblins bonds with our protagonist of moderate power...and makes her a nasty. powerful mage. It also wants her to feed it souls or failing that eat her soul.
Pretty good plot. So Ms. Shearin used it in a second book with the addition of Raine being accused of crimes she hadn't committed (as opposed to the ones she had) and arrested...but still the same plot. By now it's a fair plot because the other evil, bad, nasty mage (mages) trying to get the stone, control the stone or control Raine to get control of the stone feels a little worn.
Now we have the third book...about the Saghred and the trials and tribulations it gives Raines, just different trials and tribulations. also there's the addition of a plot device that I DEEPLY HATE.
I have pretty much decided to lay this one aside and go on to something I WANT TO READ. As I bought it I may get back to it at some point...maybe I'll mellow or find myself in a fantasy void and decide to try it again. Still the fact I'm not finishing it gets it the 1 star. Maybe I'll up that later as the idea of the book is still fair and Raine "Raine has been" a well written character in the past.
I hate it when a series I've liked leaves me cold, especially so cold I don't want to finish the book.
Plan to re-try this one in case I was just in a terrible mood.
----------------------------------------
Nope, never got back to it.
The first book in this series was interesting. The nasty, evil Saghred, a soul stealing/eating stone of power possessed by the goblins bonds with our protagonist of moderate power...and makes her a nasty. powerful mage. It also wants her to feed it souls or failing that eat her soul.
Pretty good plot. So Ms. Shearin used it in a second book with the addition of Raine being accused of crimes she hadn't committed (as opposed to the ones she had) and arrested...but still the same plot. By now it's a fair plot because the other evil, bad, nasty mage (mages) trying to get the stone, control the stone or control Raine to get control of the stone feels a little worn.
Now we have the third book...about the Saghred and the trials and tribulations it gives Raines, just different trials and tribulations. also there's the addition of a plot device that I DEEPLY HATE.
I have pretty much decided to lay this one aside and go on to something I WANT TO READ. As I bought it I may get back to it at some point...maybe I'll mellow or find myself in a fantasy void and decide to try it again. Still the fact I'm not finishing it gets it the 1 star. Maybe I'll up that later as the idea of the book is still fair and Raine "Raine has been" a well written character in the past.
I hate it when a series I've liked leaves me cold, especially so cold I don't want to finish the book.
Plan to re-try this one in case I was just in a terrible mood.
----------------------------------------
Nope, never got back to it.
February 18, 2019
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Catfights! Magic-user eating demons! Xenophobic elves! Dark mages! Hot paladins! What more could you want in a fantasy novel? How about an amazing heroine who kicks butt, makes you laugh while you cheer her on?
In the third installment of the Raine Benares series, life just keeps getting more and more complex and impossible courtesy of an evil soul-sucking fist-sized rock, the Saghred. Two factions--elves vs. golbins-- with a terrible ugly history are battling politically for it, and as the bond servant aka slave of the nasty rock, Raine is caught in the middle. Not to mention an unwilling participant in a triangle that is not quite a triangle but much more complex. Still the rock doesn't stand a chance against Raine and the Benares clan who are not to be trifled with. Her ever growing list of vicious enemies don't stand much of chance either. Ah well, at least they delicious to look at.
The fabulous writing and creative plot continues! I love this series and can't wait to see what happens next.
Catfights! Magic-user eating demons! Xenophobic elves! Dark mages! Hot paladins! What more could you want in a fantasy novel? How about an amazing heroine who kicks butt, makes you laugh while you cheer her on?
In the third installment of the Raine Benares series, life just keeps getting more and more complex and impossible courtesy of an evil soul-sucking fist-sized rock, the Saghred. Two factions--elves vs. golbins-- with a terrible ugly history are battling politically for it, and as the bond servant aka slave of the nasty rock, Raine is caught in the middle. Not to mention an unwilling participant in a triangle that is not quite a triangle but much more complex. Still the rock doesn't stand a chance against Raine and the Benares clan who are not to be trifled with. Her ever growing list of vicious enemies don't stand much of chance either. Ah well, at least they delicious to look at.
The fabulous writing and creative plot continues! I love this series and can't wait to see what happens next.
June 1, 2009
Although I'm enjoying this series, there are a lot of things that really bother me when I'm reading it. Firstly, the number of references Raine makes to her acting a certain way because she is part of the Benares family are getting increasingly annoying. Okay, okay, we get it, the Benares family has a bad-ass reputation, can we move on? Another thing that really aggravates me is the number of times that Raine repeats explanations about things she's done in the previous two books... or even within the same book. The reader should be trusted to remember that kind of thing, especially since these books are not exceedingly long. (At least when compared to a lot of other fantasy books) Lastly, it would be nice if Raine didn't have such a devoted fan-following. It seems like everyone who meets her thinks she's the coolest thing ever, with a few notable exceptions (Silvanus, Rudra) who are on the extreme opposite side of the scale with very little personality except EVIL.
April 29, 2009
I love reading about these characters. Raine is this adorable mix of scrappy and competent, and it's always fun to see her in action. Tam is getting more and more interesting, though I'm surprised to find myself preferring Mychael. Even the secondary characters make a big impression, there are times when Phaelan comes close to scene-stealing.
Like the previous books in the series, this one is a really fun read. I'm looking forward to the next one already!
I do have a couple of nitpicks. Normally, I'm the last person to complain about something being action-heavy, but the pace is starting to seem just a bit too hectic. Especially considering that the fights involving magic can get tricky to follow. All these adventures piling up on top of each other in the span of a few weeks is going to start feeling silly soon. And I know that Raine places a lot of importance on family (which is refreshing in a genre full of orphans), but the number of "I'm a Benares" references were getting a little tired. Those issues are fairly minor though.
Like the previous books in the series, this one is a really fun read. I'm looking forward to the next one already!
I do have a couple of nitpicks. Normally, I'm the last person to complain about something being action-heavy, but the pace is starting to seem just a bit too hectic. Especially considering that the fights involving magic can get tricky to follow. All these adventures piling up on top of each other in the span of a few weeks is going to start feeling silly soon. And I know that Raine places a lot of importance on family (which is refreshing in a genre full of orphans), but the number of "I'm a Benares" references were getting a little tired. Those issues are fairly minor though.
December 11, 2013
3 1/2
Reading a series back to back may be a great experience, but it can also highlight the books' "faults".
I enjoyed The Raine Benares series up to know and I'll probably end it. I really liked its witty dialogues and the blend of urban fantasy tone and high fantasy setting.
Unfortunately there was also so much re-capping of what has already happened and so many repetitions that I found it annoying. I disliked mostly the copy-and-paste feel of many paragraphs. It may be good if you are reading the books spaced apart by a year, but if you are reading them days apart you realize there really is a copy and paste. The deja-read feel is so, so strong.
The love-magic triangle leaves me cold, but then I can't feel much tension in this story.
The series is great as brain candy: light and fun and never ever grim (even when the world is at stake). I can't say it's my drug of choice, but at times it's just what one needs.
Reading a series back to back may be a great experience, but it can also highlight the books' "faults".
I enjoyed The Raine Benares series up to know and I'll probably end it. I really liked its witty dialogues and the blend of urban fantasy tone and high fantasy setting.
Unfortunately there was also so much re-capping of what has already happened and so many repetitions that I found it annoying. I disliked mostly the copy-and-paste feel of many paragraphs. It may be good if you are reading the books spaced apart by a year, but if you are reading them days apart you realize there really is a copy and paste. The deja-read feel is so, so strong.
The love-magic triangle leaves me cold, but then I can't feel much tension in this story.
The series is great as brain candy: light and fun and never ever grim (even when the world is at stake). I can't say it's my drug of choice, but at times it's just what one needs.
April 30, 2009
Love love this series. Finally the cover art got an upgrade and didn't rot my eyeballs, so I'm immensely pleased with this and was so upset when it ended! I can't wait for the next one!
November 22, 2016
I really enjoyed this book, number 3 in the series, despite the fact that I read the first 3 volumes right in a row. Believe me, leave some time in between the books for your memory to fade a little bit, otherwise the repetition will drive you insane. I had picked up the first 3 books second-hand and there was no one around to hold me back once I got started—I’m giving this 4 stars because I know that’s what it would have received had I given myself a break after Armed and Magical.
I do love Lisa Shearin’s sense of humour and the sarcastic, snippy voice that she gives to her female lead characters. This fantasy world is easy to visualize and complex enough to keep me interested. Plus, I love Raine’s assembly of family and friends, all of whom are willing to team up to help her to achieve her objective, to sever her ties to the evil Saghred, a powerful magical stone.
I said in my review of Armed and Magical that I truly didn’t understand why Raine should be forced to choose between Mychael and Tam, her white knight Elf and dark mage Goblin. In this installment, the three become truly enmeshed, a messy situation which smacks of real life. And to their credit, the boys aren’t pressuring her yet to make any such choices—everyone is still focused on the problem at hand: closing a hell gate, dealing with a fleet of demons, and coping with the politics of the situation.
Thankfully, I haven’t located book 4 yet and will have to quit hurtling along in this series, which is fortunate as I seem to have the same sort of self-control with them as I do with potato chips (not much, in other words).
I do love Lisa Shearin’s sense of humour and the sarcastic, snippy voice that she gives to her female lead characters. This fantasy world is easy to visualize and complex enough to keep me interested. Plus, I love Raine’s assembly of family and friends, all of whom are willing to team up to help her to achieve her objective, to sever her ties to the evil Saghred, a powerful magical stone.
I said in my review of Armed and Magical that I truly didn’t understand why Raine should be forced to choose between Mychael and Tam, her white knight Elf and dark mage Goblin. In this installment, the three become truly enmeshed, a messy situation which smacks of real life. And to their credit, the boys aren’t pressuring her yet to make any such choices—everyone is still focused on the problem at hand: closing a hell gate, dealing with a fleet of demons, and coping with the politics of the situation.
Thankfully, I haven’t located book 4 yet and will have to quit hurtling along in this series, which is fortunate as I seem to have the same sort of self-control with them as I do with potato chips (not much, in other words).
February 17, 2015
This third book in the Raine Benares series is just as thrilling an adventure as the others and I loved it. This time Raine is confronted with a rash of demons that stems from an open Hellgate, along with the existing problems of dealing with the dangerous soul-stealing Saghred, and the evil goblin Rudra Muralin who is trying to win control of the rock by any means necessary. The complication of becoming magically bonded to Tamnais Nathrach, the dark mage, as well as Paladin Mychael Eiliesor, makes her life even more difficult. At least Raine has some very powerful allies in this fight, and it will take every one of them to help find and close the Hellgate before the Isle of Mid and then the rest of the world is overrun with demons. Of course seeing all of this transpire is an exciting thrill ride, with a satisfying conclusion to some immediate problems, but plenty more to be dealt with in future stories. This is just the kind of series I love, with great characters, a fantastic setting, lots of action, a touch of romance, and thoroughly evil bad guys to be vanquished. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
May 21, 2021
I love this series so much, even the love triangle doesn't bother me (and that kind of thing usually makes me nuts). The characters are all so fantastic, and the story so gripping... I can't wait to see what happens next!
August 23, 2022
No real reason why -- but I really like the idea of Sora and Phaelan being a thing.
On to book 4!
On to book 4!
April 9, 2025
Stars: 4 out of 5
The saga of Raine Benares vs the evil rock continues with a surprise plot twist in the shape of a full-blown demon invasion. The reason? To free the Demon King who had wanted to snack on the souls inside the rock and got snacked on by the rock instead. Ironic, I know, but definitely not a complication that Raine needed.
This was fast-paced and fun, and Raine remains one of my favorite female protagonists. She is smart, she is resourceful, and she is fiercely loyal to her family and friends. Heck, half of the problems she gets into is because she is that way. But it's also because she is that way that she manages to get out of some impossible situations. And that her enemies continuously underestimate her.
Bonus points for the catfight between Raine and the Demon Queen. I bet no one had tried to do that to her demonic magesty before. Raine wanted to create a distraction, and I would say that she succeeded.
I am still not sold on the whole love triangle in this series. Even though I love both male points in this particular triangle a lot, I am just not fond of this trope in general. I hope that this situation will get resolved satisfactory in the next books.
The saga of Raine Benares vs the evil rock continues with a surprise plot twist in the shape of a full-blown demon invasion. The reason? To free the Demon King who had wanted to snack on the souls inside the rock and got snacked on by the rock instead. Ironic, I know, but definitely not a complication that Raine needed.
This was fast-paced and fun, and Raine remains one of my favorite female protagonists. She is smart, she is resourceful, and she is fiercely loyal to her family and friends. Heck, half of the problems she gets into is because she is that way. But it's also because she is that way that she manages to get out of some impossible situations. And that her enemies continuously underestimate her.
Bonus points for the catfight between Raine and the Demon Queen. I bet no one had tried to do that to her demonic magesty before. Raine wanted to create a distraction, and I would say that she succeeded.
I am still not sold on the whole love triangle in this series. Even though I love both male points in this particular triangle a lot, I am just not fond of this trope in general. I hope that this situation will get resolved satisfactory in the next books.
January 23, 2010
This series is not quite either paranormal romance or urban fantasy, but is more pure fantasy with sexual tension. It takes place in the fantasy land of Rheskilia, with this particular book exclusively on the Isle of Mid, which is essentially a university for mages.
Our protagonist is Raine Benares, an elf who has left her family of pirates to become a Seeker, which is basically just a thief-for-hire. In the first book, Raine is hired to steal a necklace, but gets a surprise when that necklace turns out to be the Saghred - a magical artifact of unimaginable power. The Saghred metaphysically attaches itself to Raine and, of course, all hell breaks loose.
In this third book of the series, Raine has taken the Saghred to the Isle of Mid to protect it from those who would try to steal it (and her) for their own nefarious use. Turns out the Isle is pretty much the worst place she could have taken it. A Hellgate is opened and she must face down a demon horde intent on gaining possession on the Saghred & its wielder. And avoid all other parties who are out to get her.
Similar series are: The Retriever series by Laura Anne Gilman (though more of a UF), the Hero series by Moira M. Moore, the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, and the Elantra series by Michelle Sagara
Our protagonist is Raine Benares, an elf who has left her family of pirates to become a Seeker, which is basically just a thief-for-hire. In the first book, Raine is hired to steal a necklace, but gets a surprise when that necklace turns out to be the Saghred - a magical artifact of unimaginable power. The Saghred metaphysically attaches itself to Raine and, of course, all hell breaks loose.
In this third book of the series, Raine has taken the Saghred to the Isle of Mid to protect it from those who would try to steal it (and her) for their own nefarious use. Turns out the Isle is pretty much the worst place she could have taken it. A Hellgate is opened and she must face down a demon horde intent on gaining possession on the Saghred & its wielder. And avoid all other parties who are out to get her.
Similar series are: The Retriever series by Laura Anne Gilman (though more of a UF), the Hero series by Moira M. Moore, the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, and the Elantra series by Michelle Sagara
September 6, 2017
I love this series! Every time I read one of the books, I think, "gosh, I really have to read the next one soon." Then I don't get around to it for a long time and when I finally do I'm sitting there going, "I love this! Why'd it take me so long to get the next book? I'll have to get the next one sooner."
For whatever reason, that is not the way this series is going! Despite that, I do love reading these. I love the humor, the wit, etc. Raine is an excellent character. The plot is always propelling me forward, making this hard to put down.
Normally I HATE love triangles, but both Mychael and Tam are such fun and unique characters that I'd hate to see the book without one of them and can see why Raine is torn. Granted there has been so much going on that none of the three has had much time to make any moves or decisions. I wouldn't like to see this mess continue for too long and once they had a moment to breathe, It'd be nice to see Raine make a choice. I lose respect for a character that leads on two guys/girls.
All in all, this was a fun, action-paced read with lots of wit and sarcasm!
Catching up on my summer reviews, so I'm trying to remember specifics to a bunch of books. Apologies for the sparseness of particular details.
For whatever reason, that is not the way this series is going! Despite that, I do love reading these. I love the humor, the wit, etc. Raine is an excellent character. The plot is always propelling me forward, making this hard to put down.
Normally I HATE love triangles, but both Mychael and Tam are such fun and unique characters that I'd hate to see the book without one of them and can see why Raine is torn. Granted there has been so much going on that none of the three has had much time to make any moves or decisions. I wouldn't like to see this mess continue for too long and once they had a moment to breathe, It'd be nice to see Raine make a choice. I lose respect for a character that leads on two guys/girls.
All in all, this was a fun, action-paced read with lots of wit and sarcasm!
Catching up on my summer reviews, so I'm trying to remember specifics to a bunch of books. Apologies for the sparseness of particular details.
December 6, 2023
4.5 stars. Better cover. I like the development of the story and the evolution of the relationships.
April 5, 2011
Raine Drops Keep Falling On My Head
Raine Benares was a Seeker with modest magical talents before donning a necklace that bonded her to the soul-sucking rock of unimaginable power known as the Sahgred. Now she's had a few weeks of fending off both the rock's insidious influences and the attempts of the power-hungry to use her or kill her for their own nefarious purposes. So far she hasn't found anyone able to separate her from her unwanted duty of being the Sahgred's bondservant - and she's been trying. A lot. On the bright side, she's also managed to not get herself or anyone she cares about killed. On the less bright side, that fact doesn't mean the forces of darkness around her don't keep upping the ante.
When a shopping expedition turns into a demon free-for-all, Raine knows that's just how her life is going lately. She's hardly surprised when she finds out the Saghred's protective wards are failing and demons are pouring out of a Hellgate someone opened on the Isle of Mid. Demons and the Saghred are definitely a couple of unmixy things, and Raine's up to her pointed ears in danger as she and her friends race to find and close the Hellgate and stop the insane goblin Rudra Muralin from forging an alliance with the Demon Queen before Mid becomes a demonic smorgasbord and the Saghred is forced to release its souls. And if that wasn't enough of a good time, there's always Sarad Nukpana, less crazy, more pure sadistic evil, who's only a whisper away as he manipulates from inside the Saghred.
Yeah, if it wasn't for the two gorgeous men who care about her, one a source of light, Paladin Mychael Eiliesor, and the other cloaked in darkness, goblin dark mage Tamnais Nathrach, Raine wouldn't be having any fun at all. Oh...wait...even with the two lovelies, she's not having any fun. Not that they wouldn't line up for it if she so much as blinked at them the right way, but a girl's got to have priorities, and staying alive while not corrupting the two men she cares most about is right up there on her list.
The Trouble with Demons is an action-packed thrill ride of danger that takes off fast and goes nearly supersonic as it races along towards its conclusion. Raine and her friends and family are in full sardonic form and the narrative, told in first person from Raine's point of view, is full of her dry, sarcastic wit. It's hard not to like the fiercely loyal but doubly stubborn elf who seems especially adept at stumbling into life-threatening situations. Supported by a rich cast of secondary and ancillary characters full of charm and personality with a backdrop of a wildly vibrant world that's been well defined, the strength of the series lies with the irrepressible Raine and it shines because of her.
That's not to say the series plot arc isn't good, or the individual books don't have intriguing plot threads - it is, and they do. The problem is that in this book in particular, there was tons of action but little story arc progression. A few new wrinkles were added, and a bit more information, but strip that away and Raine is almost exactly where she was at the end of the last book. She's still shackled to the Saghred with all the same nasty implications, still has no clue how to get free of it, still has enemies gunning for her (the same enemies), and she's still conflicted over her relationships with Mychael and Tam. In fact, instead of making strides forward, Raine and crew are actually slightly worse off than they were at the end Armed & Magical courtesy of an old enemy that made a reemergence.
After three books of increasing conflict and badness piling up on Raine's head, I'm starting to wonder if anything is ever going to go her way, and questioning how soon before we start to see some resolution to the myriad of plot threads introduced so far.
Another issue I had with this book actually extends to the series as a whole. There is a lot of repetition of information and phrasing in the narrative and significantly more exposition than necessary. By now I'm more than passingly familiar with the fact that Raine is a Benares, and all that implies. In each book she mentions that again and again...ad nauseum...and as I'm neither suffering from memory loss nor any other cognitive malady, it's the least appealing aspect of the series for me.
The excessive exposition isn't what I'd prefer, either, but it's easy enough to skim through and I do appreciate the points that I do need refreshed. I just don't need nearly enough refreshing as is provided in each book. For readers new to the series, there's enough provided to get them up to speed without having to read the first two books, but honestly, I wouldn't recommend it. There's too much between the characters - the nuances, the emotions, the bonds - that can't be glossed over in condensed form and which add so much to the series.
I'm a big fan of the series, even with the issues I have, because I'm a big fan of Raine and the rest of the characters. I just hope that subsequent books in the series start resolving some of the many plot threads that have been piling up, including the romantic triangle between Raine, Mychael, and Tam. To be completely honest, though, while I normally have little tolerance for romantic triangles, the one between those three isn't bothering me too much. Of course that's mostly because there hasn't been time for Raine to breathe, let alone expand her dating resume.
I get the feeling that's something she'd like to see change. And really...who could blame her?
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
Raine Benares was a Seeker with modest magical talents before donning a necklace that bonded her to the soul-sucking rock of unimaginable power known as the Sahgred. Now she's had a few weeks of fending off both the rock's insidious influences and the attempts of the power-hungry to use her or kill her for their own nefarious purposes. So far she hasn't found anyone able to separate her from her unwanted duty of being the Sahgred's bondservant - and she's been trying. A lot. On the bright side, she's also managed to not get herself or anyone she cares about killed. On the less bright side, that fact doesn't mean the forces of darkness around her don't keep upping the ante.
When a shopping expedition turns into a demon free-for-all, Raine knows that's just how her life is going lately. She's hardly surprised when she finds out the Saghred's protective wards are failing and demons are pouring out of a Hellgate someone opened on the Isle of Mid. Demons and the Saghred are definitely a couple of unmixy things, and Raine's up to her pointed ears in danger as she and her friends race to find and close the Hellgate and stop the insane goblin Rudra Muralin from forging an alliance with the Demon Queen before Mid becomes a demonic smorgasbord and the Saghred is forced to release its souls. And if that wasn't enough of a good time, there's always Sarad Nukpana, less crazy, more pure sadistic evil, who's only a whisper away as he manipulates from inside the Saghred.
Yeah, if it wasn't for the two gorgeous men who care about her, one a source of light, Paladin Mychael Eiliesor, and the other cloaked in darkness, goblin dark mage Tamnais Nathrach, Raine wouldn't be having any fun at all. Oh...wait...even with the two lovelies, she's not having any fun. Not that they wouldn't line up for it if she so much as blinked at them the right way, but a girl's got to have priorities, and staying alive while not corrupting the two men she cares most about is right up there on her list.
The Trouble with Demons is an action-packed thrill ride of danger that takes off fast and goes nearly supersonic as it races along towards its conclusion. Raine and her friends and family are in full sardonic form and the narrative, told in first person from Raine's point of view, is full of her dry, sarcastic wit. It's hard not to like the fiercely loyal but doubly stubborn elf who seems especially adept at stumbling into life-threatening situations. Supported by a rich cast of secondary and ancillary characters full of charm and personality with a backdrop of a wildly vibrant world that's been well defined, the strength of the series lies with the irrepressible Raine and it shines because of her.
That's not to say the series plot arc isn't good, or the individual books don't have intriguing plot threads - it is, and they do. The problem is that in this book in particular, there was tons of action but little story arc progression. A few new wrinkles were added, and a bit more information, but strip that away and Raine is almost exactly where she was at the end of the last book. She's still shackled to the Saghred with all the same nasty implications, still has no clue how to get free of it, still has enemies gunning for her (the same enemies), and she's still conflicted over her relationships with Mychael and Tam. In fact, instead of making strides forward, Raine and crew are actually slightly worse off than they were at the end Armed & Magical courtesy of an old enemy that made a reemergence.
After three books of increasing conflict and badness piling up on Raine's head, I'm starting to wonder if anything is ever going to go her way, and questioning how soon before we start to see some resolution to the myriad of plot threads introduced so far.
Another issue I had with this book actually extends to the series as a whole. There is a lot of repetition of information and phrasing in the narrative and significantly more exposition than necessary. By now I'm more than passingly familiar with the fact that Raine is a Benares, and all that implies. In each book she mentions that again and again...ad nauseum...and as I'm neither suffering from memory loss nor any other cognitive malady, it's the least appealing aspect of the series for me.
The excessive exposition isn't what I'd prefer, either, but it's easy enough to skim through and I do appreciate the points that I do need refreshed. I just don't need nearly enough refreshing as is provided in each book. For readers new to the series, there's enough provided to get them up to speed without having to read the first two books, but honestly, I wouldn't recommend it. There's too much between the characters - the nuances, the emotions, the bonds - that can't be glossed over in condensed form and which add so much to the series.
I'm a big fan of the series, even with the issues I have, because I'm a big fan of Raine and the rest of the characters. I just hope that subsequent books in the series start resolving some of the many plot threads that have been piling up, including the romantic triangle between Raine, Mychael, and Tam. To be completely honest, though, while I normally have little tolerance for romantic triangles, the one between those three isn't bothering me too much. Of course that's mostly because there hasn't been time for Raine to breathe, let alone expand her dating resume.
I get the feeling that's something she'd like to see change. And really...who could blame her?
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
August 6, 2017
Action packed story with great ending! Raine just can't stay out of trouble! Cat fight with demon queen!
June 2, 2020
My fave in the series so far, both funny but with high stakes tension. The love triangle is both annoying and great - as long as my guy gets the girl in the end I will be okay with this trope.
April 21, 2009
I fell in love with Lisa Shearin's Raine Benares series at the tail end of last year. Shearin's delightful blend of wry humor, high-speed action, and brief moments of sizzling chemistry make for highly enjoyable reads. The only problem being that they end leaving you thirsty for more. THE TROUBLE WITH DEMONS is the third Raine Benares book and has my favorite cover (and title) so far. This girl looks more like the Raine in my head and the title is certainly...apt. There are demons galore in this one. Demons pint-sized, demons ogre-sized, demons every color of the rainbow, oh my!
Raine is tired. Just last week she and her goblin more-than-friend Tam narrowly managed to foil a slew of elven assassins and now this week the demons are coming out of the woodwork. Turns out a Hell Gate has been opened, a demon queen is in search of her husband's captive soul, and the acting archmagus would love to see Raine take the fall for the entire debacle. Meanwhile, the Saghred still has its hooks in Raine's soul and the wards the Guardians have placed on it seem unable to hold its power in check. And, for better or worse, Raine finds herself drawn inexorably closer to both Tam and Mychael as the three of them are forced to combine their respective powers in order to try to stem the flow of demons and close the Hell Gate for good.
I remain amazed at how much punch Lisa Shearin can pack into such a short period of time. Like its predecessors, this story spans barely a week's time. And somehow at the end you feel like the characters have grown and changed and fulfilled your expectations. I am hoping for a little bit larger chunk of time in the next one, as it just seems like the story has grown too large by now for such short installments. But we'll see. I continue to be very fond of Raine and I love the fact that, though they are polar opposites and disagree vehemently over a girl, Mychael and Tam are friends. They understand and respect each other. Tam particulary is able to see beyond himself to make painful decisions for the greater good. That may be the fact that I Am Team Tam All The Way talking, but I categorically refuse to believe he will have a relapse and/or give in to his dark past. Nope. Not gonna happen, my friends. And while he may have his sights set on Raine, he knows how to be her friend. He's good at that.
I do find myself concerned as to how these three heroes (because that's what they are) are going to maintain the uneasy alliance they've formed as tensions only look to be rising for the foreseeable future. And along with that I worry about the triangle drawing out indefinitely. Triangles start to make me twitchy after three books. So sue me. Interestingly, for an author so good at slam-bang action, Shearin proves herself quite adept at crafting a quiet moment or two between her characters. Moments where the banter stops and the pauses are pregnant. In which you as the reader find yourself just aching for them. I cast my vote for a few more of these. Also, more Talon. The kid is pure awesome and never fails to crack me up. These are good characters. I have such hopes for them.
Raine is tired. Just last week she and her goblin more-than-friend Tam narrowly managed to foil a slew of elven assassins and now this week the demons are coming out of the woodwork. Turns out a Hell Gate has been opened, a demon queen is in search of her husband's captive soul, and the acting archmagus would love to see Raine take the fall for the entire debacle. Meanwhile, the Saghred still has its hooks in Raine's soul and the wards the Guardians have placed on it seem unable to hold its power in check. And, for better or worse, Raine finds herself drawn inexorably closer to both Tam and Mychael as the three of them are forced to combine their respective powers in order to try to stem the flow of demons and close the Hell Gate for good.
I remain amazed at how much punch Lisa Shearin can pack into such a short period of time. Like its predecessors, this story spans barely a week's time. And somehow at the end you feel like the characters have grown and changed and fulfilled your expectations. I am hoping for a little bit larger chunk of time in the next one, as it just seems like the story has grown too large by now for such short installments. But we'll see. I continue to be very fond of Raine and I love the fact that, though they are polar opposites and disagree vehemently over a girl, Mychael and Tam are friends. They understand and respect each other. Tam particulary is able to see beyond himself to make painful decisions for the greater good. That may be the fact that I Am Team Tam All The Way talking, but I categorically refuse to believe he will have a relapse and/or give in to his dark past. Nope. Not gonna happen, my friends. And while he may have his sights set on Raine, he knows how to be her friend. He's good at that.
I do find myself concerned as to how these three heroes (because that's what they are) are going to maintain the uneasy alliance they've formed as tensions only look to be rising for the foreseeable future. And along with that I worry about the triangle drawing out indefinitely. Triangles start to make me twitchy after three books. So sue me. Interestingly, for an author so good at slam-bang action, Shearin proves herself quite adept at crafting a quiet moment or two between her characters. Moments where the banter stops and the pauses are pregnant. In which you as the reader find yourself just aching for them. I cast my vote for a few more of these. Also, more Talon. The kid is pure awesome and never fails to crack me up. These are good characters. I have such hopes for them.
June 27, 2011
The Trouble With Demons irritated me less than the last book. There are fewer information dumps and Raine's witticisms didn't grate on me nearly as much in this book. Heck, I found it just about as enjoyable as the first book, which was a very pleasant surprise. On the other hand, I'm getting really tired of kidnapped teenage spellsingers being a major plot point in every book. Coupled with this is Piaris's girlfriend, whose name I can't even remember, and who doesn't seem to do anything but get herself in trouble so that Piaris can get angry and try to come to her aide. Now that's irritating to read.
The main plot in this book centers around demons running amok in the city. A high powered elf mage still wants Raine locked up and/or dead, the Saghred is still being a pain in Raine's head, a really old (and yet looks like a teenager) goblin still wants said rock back, and people want to drag Raine's friends and loved ones down with her. Great. Now throw in a demon queen into the mix along with Tam and Mychael, stir well, and what you get is this book in a nutshell.
While I like my plots fast paced, Raine and company never gets any breathing room in these books. The events all of the books span, what, two weeks? And this book takes place over a couple of days too. I just want Raine to be able to stop and breathe for a bit instead of recklessly running all over the place.
I do like where the author went with Mychael and Tam, even if I feel that neither of the men are fleshed out all that well (Mychael even worse than Tam). All right, it's rather cliche, but the author makes it work, so no complaints from my corner.
All in all, about as enjoyable as the first book. There's something about this series that has me not feel nearly as attached to the books as I feel like I should be. I sorta like them well enough, but I don't think they're great, let alone love them. They're decent enough reads, but I'm feeling a bit tired of the series. 3 stars.
The main plot in this book centers around demons running amok in the city. A high powered elf mage still wants Raine locked up and/or dead, the Saghred is still being a pain in Raine's head, a really old (and yet looks like a teenager) goblin still wants said rock back, and people want to drag Raine's friends and loved ones down with her. Great. Now throw in a demon queen into the mix along with Tam and Mychael, stir well, and what you get is this book in a nutshell.
While I like my plots fast paced, Raine and company never gets any breathing room in these books. The events all of the books span, what, two weeks? And this book takes place over a couple of days too. I just want Raine to be able to stop and breathe for a bit instead of recklessly running all over the place.
I do like where the author went with Mychael and Tam, even if I feel that neither of the men are fleshed out all that well (Mychael even worse than Tam). All right, it's rather cliche, but the author makes it work, so no complaints from my corner.
All in all, about as enjoyable as the first book. There's something about this series that has me not feel nearly as attached to the books as I feel like I should be. I sorta like them well enough, but I don't think they're great, let alone love them. They're decent enough reads, but I'm feeling a bit tired of the series. 3 stars.
May 23, 2009
Lisa Shearin is well on her way to becoming one of fantasy's most stellar voices. Great doesn't describe how well done I found this book. It you haven't read this book/series because you don't think that elves, goblins, demons, etc., can't seem real, you are missing a delectable, delightful series that will keep you waiting on edge for the next volume in the Raine Benares story. It you want a modern woman who thinks and acts for herself and earns the respect of her male peers--think Raine. If you want noble heroes who don't hesitate to make sacrifices for the good of those weaker than themselves--think Mychael and Tam. If you want young people on the cust of adulthood growing in responsibility and maturity--think Piaras and Talon. If you want to understand family, biological and those we come to think of as family--think Phaelan, Uncle Ryn, Raine, Eamaliel Anguis, and yes, Piaras. You want despicable and evil--Sarad Nukpana and Rudra Muralin. Opportunistic politician-Silvanus Carnades.
Well-plotted, well-written, beyond great characterization, timeless themes, and a hint of romance (who will Raine pick: Mychael or Tam--even I can't decide for whom to root).
I am giving this one five stars.
Well-plotted, well-written, beyond great characterization, timeless themes, and a hint of romance (who will Raine pick: Mychael or Tam--even I can't decide for whom to root).
I am giving this one five stars.
May 9, 2015
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.
Fun series.
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.
Fun series.
November 26, 2010
This book took me forever to read - not because of the book itself but because I had *just* read the previous book and kind of needed a break from the world.
Having said that, despite the elves and goblins it manages to be fun and semi-unique. (Plus the fact that there have been romance overtones for three books now and it has yet to devolve into smut impresses me.)
And, of course, I am fond of this series because the heroine looks like (and shares a name with!) one of my good friends. I keep telling her she should go for the goblin, but she keeps for some reason asserting that she isn't, in fact, a fictional character...
Having said that, despite the elves and goblins it manages to be fun and semi-unique. (Plus the fact that there have been romance overtones for three books now and it has yet to devolve into smut impresses me.)
And, of course, I am fond of this series because the heroine looks like (and shares a name with!) one of my good friends. I keep telling her she should go for the goblin, but she keeps for some reason asserting that she isn't, in fact, a fictional character...
September 8, 2016
Great book 4 1/2
I've been giving every book in this series a 4 1/2 stars, solid, so I decided to bump this one up. My only complaint is that the action never stops, something is always happening. The love interest triangle comes to a head and boy does it. I love them both and don't have a favorite though Tam, might be it if I could pick but really Mychael would be her better choice. Hey just choose them both and get over it.
The demon plot, very interesting and kept me glued to the story. I think Raine thinks too much with her high morals sometimes and should just let things lie.
Be going to the next one soon.
I've been giving every book in this series a 4 1/2 stars, solid, so I decided to bump this one up. My only complaint is that the action never stops, something is always happening. The love interest triangle comes to a head and boy does it. I love them both and don't have a favorite though Tam, might be it if I could pick but really Mychael would be her better choice. Hey just choose them both and get over it.
The demon plot, very interesting and kept me glued to the story. I think Raine thinks too much with her high morals sometimes and should just let things lie.
Be going to the next one soon.
September 5, 2011
Eh. I am decidedly in the minority here, if the other reviews are indicative of anything. But I just really didn't enjoy this very much. Raine's blustery humor, the two too-good-to-be-true guys who follow her around like puppy dogs and conveniently are the most powerful mages around, the extremely vanilla villains... The super linear plot. The world which is an odd mix of medieval city state and current day and just seems poorly wrought for a fantasy novel. I mean, it's not the worst thing I have ever read. But it's just not for me. And perhaps not for others who are big epic fantasy fans.
September 15, 2012
Made it to chapter 14. I tried, I really did. But If I had to read about how "bad-ass" the Benaras family is one more time I was going to scream. Show, don't tell. As far as I could tell they were a pretty snuggly group of pirates. I also ended up skimming often because apparently the author believes the readers have a short term memory loss problem. Yes, we know who the main antagonist from the first book was. We were there. We were also there when you reminded us who he was 3 chapters ago, and the 2 chapters before that. Abandoned.
September 3, 2009
Words cannot describe how much I love these books.
I don't really feel like I can review it much without giving away what's happened the past two books, but I will say many new things happen including new enemies and allies. Also like the previous two books you will be dying for more when you finish it. DYING.
I don't really feel like I can review it much without giving away what's happened the past two books, but I will say many new things happen including new enemies and allies. Also like the previous two books you will be dying for more when you finish it. DYING.
October 5, 2015
I almost feel like the author wanted to go for a threesome relationship but was too afraid to fully commit to it. I think her awkwardness came through all the character's but especially Raine and because the author didn't actually go there, it left the relationships feeling like Raine was leading the guys on while she waffled between them.
August 19, 2009
It's always a pleasure to sit down and begin a book you know you'll enjoy. It takes a lot of the pressure off, as a reader. You don't have to worry that if you take the book out with you somewhere you'll end up wanting to dump it after five pages and find yourself with nothing to read. Although I read The Trouble with Demons on my day off in a chair outside my house, the point stands: I've looked forward to this book for some time now.
My reviews of Magic Lost, Trouble Found and Armed and Magical are, upon a second reading, far too vague and cursory to do justice to Lisa Shearin's inventive fantasy series (and oddly incoherent at times, which rather disconcerts me—what was I on?). I will try to rectify this shortcoming with this review, so bear with me.
In The Trouble with Demons, we see the Raine Benares series reach maturity. Its first two books were good, but there's a certain confidence in The Trouble with Demons that sets it apart from its two predecessors. From the start, Shearin reminds us that it has only been two weeks since Raine Benares, an elven seeker (of lost things) from a disreputable family (pirates, no less), became psychically bonded to the Saghred, a semi-sentient stone of near-limitless power. At the rate of a week per book, this series is advancing time only slightly faster than 24—not that I'm complaining. The short time frame means that the label "action-packed thrill ride" works fine for The Trouble with Demons; other labels need not apply.
It's been more than a year since I read Armed & Magical (and as much as I would like to have re-read that first, I don't have the time right now). Shearin does a good job at recapping the events of past books without slowing down the actual adventure to a crawl. New readers can jump into the series with this book, but I would advise against it, because that would mean denying oneself the pleasure of the two books prior to this one! Also, this book has almost zero fat content. For a magically-dense world, it is remarkably terse on magical matters. There are a few exposition-heavy conversations, but for the most part The Trouble with Demons is a full of streamlined action with the occasional pause for breath and a paragraph of explanation. I get a sense of how the magic works, but Shearin spares us a three-page lecture on the need for balance and willpower; for that alone she deserves a medal. I especially enjoyed the opening, which reacquainted me with Raine and her cousin Phaelan as demons unleash havoc on the Isle of Mid. Good times.
Some of the best things about this book are also the things I disliked the most. Raine is, as usually, sassy and strong; she's a model kickass heroine and probably the best reason to read this series. Still, I could have done with her constant observations of how attractive Tam and Mychael are; certainly she could have refrained from describing the latter man as "yummy." I have nothing against sticking Raine in a love triangle though, and at this point, I'm kind of hoping she will get laid just so she stops mentioning her lack of a love life so frequently. In action if not in observation, however, Raine is second to none. She's capable, always ready to lead a charge and safeguard her friends, but she isn't the stoic sort of hero who rushes off on her own to do battle because she doesn't want to endanger anyone else. She does her best to ensure her friends' safety, but she can't help it if everyone she knows is eager for action and payback.
Speaking of which, did I mention this book has pirates? And past books have had something that approximates ninjas. Studies have shown that including pirates in a book automatically makes it awesome, and The Trouble with Demons is no exception to that rule, embodied by Raine's cousin Phaelan. He's sort of a less scrupulous male version of Raine, and it shows. Phaelan even gets his own crowning moment of awesome against an antagonist who needs to be conveniently disabled for a little while.
Some of the characters weren't as impressive. I didn't grow very fond of the new chair of demonology (the old chair got eaten, of course), Sora Niabi. I'm just starting to tire of the fact that all the protagonists are so darn awesome—and everyone on the side of good seems to think Raine is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I like Raine too, but that doesn't mean I believe all the protagonists should like her—rivalry can be fun! As much as I enjoyed the story, the characters in The Trouble with Demons are pretty shallow and tend toward those extremes: good, awesome, and friends of Raine; and evil, incompetent (or arrogant), and foes of Raine.
One of the challenges of writing a series is upping the ante with each book, of course. And Shearin set the bar high for herself when she bonded Raine to a soul-eating stone. . . . She manages to pull it off in this book, and from the hints left at the end, the fourth book will have even higher stakes. In this one it's demons and a Hellgate, and in the next book, Raine's world is moving closer toward an all-out goblin-elf war, with the Saghred (and thus her) in the middle of it. Only two weeks have passed, but Raine has attracted the attention of very powerful people, some of whom we've met in previous books and others whom we know only by name and reputation. Shearin's world-building is top-notch, and she's obviously laying the ground for the upcoming trials Raine will face as those who seek to acquire the Saghred become even more desperate.
Meanwhile, Raine herself wants to unload the Saghred as soon as possible. She can't, and even if she could, there still remains the question of what to do with it (assuming they don't find a way to just destroy it). Shearin, to her credit, provides no easy answers and places her protagonist in a truly dangerous predicament: now Raine's bonded not only to the Saghred but to her two potential lovers, Tam and Mychael, and if the Saghred consumes her, they'll be next. Raine's problems aren't just personal or political but a painful melange of both, and it shows. This, of course, just motivates her to go out and beat up as many bad guys as possible. . . .
That's really the strength of The Trouble with Demons: it's fun. There were a couple of moments where I laughed out loud (not all that common when I'm reading) and a few where I pumped my hand in the air as I cheered on the characters (I almost never do that). It's action-packed, yes, but it's also got charming characters, witty dialogue, and genuine high-stakes tension. This is a book a finely-tuned instrument of entertainment, and it doesn't miss the high note. I can't call it perfect, but it's a definite pleasure to read.
My Reviews of the Raine Benares series:
← Armed & Magical | Bewitched & Betrayed →
My reviews of Magic Lost, Trouble Found and Armed and Magical are, upon a second reading, far too vague and cursory to do justice to Lisa Shearin's inventive fantasy series (and oddly incoherent at times, which rather disconcerts me—what was I on?). I will try to rectify this shortcoming with this review, so bear with me.
In The Trouble with Demons, we see the Raine Benares series reach maturity. Its first two books were good, but there's a certain confidence in The Trouble with Demons that sets it apart from its two predecessors. From the start, Shearin reminds us that it has only been two weeks since Raine Benares, an elven seeker (of lost things) from a disreputable family (pirates, no less), became psychically bonded to the Saghred, a semi-sentient stone of near-limitless power. At the rate of a week per book, this series is advancing time only slightly faster than 24—not that I'm complaining. The short time frame means that the label "action-packed thrill ride" works fine for The Trouble with Demons; other labels need not apply.
It's been more than a year since I read Armed & Magical (and as much as I would like to have re-read that first, I don't have the time right now). Shearin does a good job at recapping the events of past books without slowing down the actual adventure to a crawl. New readers can jump into the series with this book, but I would advise against it, because that would mean denying oneself the pleasure of the two books prior to this one! Also, this book has almost zero fat content. For a magically-dense world, it is remarkably terse on magical matters. There are a few exposition-heavy conversations, but for the most part The Trouble with Demons is a full of streamlined action with the occasional pause for breath and a paragraph of explanation. I get a sense of how the magic works, but Shearin spares us a three-page lecture on the need for balance and willpower; for that alone she deserves a medal. I especially enjoyed the opening, which reacquainted me with Raine and her cousin Phaelan as demons unleash havoc on the Isle of Mid. Good times.
Some of the best things about this book are also the things I disliked the most. Raine is, as usually, sassy and strong; she's a model kickass heroine and probably the best reason to read this series. Still, I could have done with her constant observations of how attractive Tam and Mychael are; certainly she could have refrained from describing the latter man as "yummy." I have nothing against sticking Raine in a love triangle though, and at this point, I'm kind of hoping she will get laid just so she stops mentioning her lack of a love life so frequently. In action if not in observation, however, Raine is second to none. She's capable, always ready to lead a charge and safeguard her friends, but she isn't the stoic sort of hero who rushes off on her own to do battle because she doesn't want to endanger anyone else. She does her best to ensure her friends' safety, but she can't help it if everyone she knows is eager for action and payback.
Speaking of which, did I mention this book has pirates? And past books have had something that approximates ninjas. Studies have shown that including pirates in a book automatically makes it awesome, and The Trouble with Demons is no exception to that rule, embodied by Raine's cousin Phaelan. He's sort of a less scrupulous male version of Raine, and it shows. Phaelan even gets his own crowning moment of awesome against an antagonist who needs to be conveniently disabled for a little while.
Some of the characters weren't as impressive. I didn't grow very fond of the new chair of demonology (the old chair got eaten, of course), Sora Niabi. I'm just starting to tire of the fact that all the protagonists are so darn awesome—and everyone on the side of good seems to think Raine is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I like Raine too, but that doesn't mean I believe all the protagonists should like her—rivalry can be fun! As much as I enjoyed the story, the characters in The Trouble with Demons are pretty shallow and tend toward those extremes: good, awesome, and friends of Raine; and evil, incompetent (or arrogant), and foes of Raine.
One of the challenges of writing a series is upping the ante with each book, of course. And Shearin set the bar high for herself when she bonded Raine to a soul-eating stone. . . . She manages to pull it off in this book, and from the hints left at the end, the fourth book will have even higher stakes. In this one it's demons and a Hellgate, and in the next book, Raine's world is moving closer toward an all-out goblin-elf war, with the Saghred (and thus her) in the middle of it. Only two weeks have passed, but Raine has attracted the attention of very powerful people, some of whom we've met in previous books and others whom we know only by name and reputation. Shearin's world-building is top-notch, and she's obviously laying the ground for the upcoming trials Raine will face as those who seek to acquire the Saghred become even more desperate.
Meanwhile, Raine herself wants to unload the Saghred as soon as possible. She can't, and even if she could, there still remains the question of what to do with it (assuming they don't find a way to just destroy it). Shearin, to her credit, provides no easy answers and places her protagonist in a truly dangerous predicament: now Raine's bonded not only to the Saghred but to her two potential lovers, Tam and Mychael, and if the Saghred consumes her, they'll be next. Raine's problems aren't just personal or political but a painful melange of both, and it shows. This, of course, just motivates her to go out and beat up as many bad guys as possible. . . .
That's really the strength of The Trouble with Demons: it's fun. There were a couple of moments where I laughed out loud (not all that common when I'm reading) and a few where I pumped my hand in the air as I cheered on the characters (I almost never do that). It's action-packed, yes, but it's also got charming characters, witty dialogue, and genuine high-stakes tension. This is a book a finely-tuned instrument of entertainment, and it doesn't miss the high note. I can't call it perfect, but it's a definite pleasure to read.
My Reviews of the Raine Benares series:
← Armed & Magical | Bewitched & Betrayed →
March 26, 2024
Trigger Warnings: Kidnapping, Murder (some are pretty graphic), Burglary, I think that's it...not a whole lot in this one actually
I liked this one better than the first two. Yeah, the MFC (main female character), Raine, was sometimes annoying as all hell but the rest of the book was good. I'm really starting to like the secondary characters, even though I was sure I would be tired of reading about the same ones 3 books in. All of the characters felt a little more fleshed out and the new plot was a cool twist. Usually, a twist that comes out of nowhere is irritating (if it didn't match the world before in the other books), but this one was fun. You got to find out a little more about the school (like the fact that it has a demonology department), and you got to read a little about the students going there. I still feel like there are a lot of missed chances on descriptions happening, but the story is good and makes the books worth it.
Unlike the other two books, this one had a bit more romance. There wasn't more than kissing (in the physical sense) but the magic that was happening and the words used helped build the bonds we had seen blooming in the previous books.
There are a lot of names and bad guys in these books and it can get a little confusing. I had kind of forgotten about some of them until it was mentioned what they did. Using the same bad guy over and over is boring, but having a dozen of them gets kind of overwhelming too. It detracted a bit from the story for me, but not enough to quit reading. If you like fantasy books that feel like murder mysteries then this book will be good for you. If you want a fantasy that goes all over the world on a quest then you'll be sorely disappointed. Same if you want steamy romance.
*If you want to get drunk, take a shot every time Raine mentions her family or being a "Beneras," you'll be drunk in no time
I liked this one better than the first two. Yeah, the MFC (main female character), Raine, was sometimes annoying as all hell but the rest of the book was good. I'm really starting to like the secondary characters, even though I was sure I would be tired of reading about the same ones 3 books in. All of the characters felt a little more fleshed out and the new plot was a cool twist. Usually, a twist that comes out of nowhere is irritating (if it didn't match the world before in the other books), but this one was fun. You got to find out a little more about the school (like the fact that it has a demonology department), and you got to read a little about the students going there. I still feel like there are a lot of missed chances on descriptions happening, but the story is good and makes the books worth it.
Unlike the other two books, this one had a bit more romance. There wasn't more than kissing (in the physical sense) but the magic that was happening and the words used helped build the bonds we had seen blooming in the previous books.
There are a lot of names and bad guys in these books and it can get a little confusing. I had kind of forgotten about some of them until it was mentioned what they did. Using the same bad guy over and over is boring, but having a dozen of them gets kind of overwhelming too. It detracted a bit from the story for me, but not enough to quit reading. If you like fantasy books that feel like murder mysteries then this book will be good for you. If you want a fantasy that goes all over the world on a quest then you'll be sorely disappointed. Same if you want steamy romance.
*If you want to get drunk, take a shot every time Raine mentions her family or being a "Beneras," you'll be drunk in no time
September 22, 2020
4.5 stars! I really loved this one. I'm not typically a fan of the love triangle trope but I'm not minding it in this one. We got to learn a lot more about Raine as well as Mychael and Tam and how everyone feels about one another so I appreciated that a lot. It feels like a plausible situation (minus the magic) and that's probably why it works here. The biggest knock on this book is all the recapping and reminding us that she is a Benares and therefore has a reputation.
" I knew there was evil in the world. Death and taxes were all necessary evils.
So was shopping.
"I hate shopping." I muttered.
"Of course you do." Phaelan said. "You're a Benares. We're not used to paying for anything." "
I love Raine and her pirate family. Phaelen and his love for trouble never fails to entertain me. Plus how much they all care for one another is something special. Just because they are a family of thieving pirates doesn't make them bad people, they do lots of good in this book and the moments with them in it make the book better. Speaking of family like characters, Piaras is wonderful in this one. Love how he has grown into himself as well as his loyalty.
I was a demon-destroying, death-defying magical cataclysm waiting to happen.
Raine and her ever growing dangerous self is still able to be afraid and to share that with people she cares about. Love her sarcasm and wit as well as her occasional insanity! I feel like we finally got more of a character from Raine in this one and I loved what I got. I also loved the demonology professor and her role in this story, I hope we get a lot more of this strong woman in the future.
" I knew there was evil in the world. Death and taxes were all necessary evils.
So was shopping.
"I hate shopping." I muttered.
"Of course you do." Phaelan said. "You're a Benares. We're not used to paying for anything." "
I love Raine and her pirate family. Phaelen and his love for trouble never fails to entertain me. Plus how much they all care for one another is something special. Just because they are a family of thieving pirates doesn't make them bad people, they do lots of good in this book and the moments with them in it make the book better. Speaking of family like characters, Piaras is wonderful in this one. Love how he has grown into himself as well as his loyalty.
I was a demon-destroying, death-defying magical cataclysm waiting to happen.
Raine and her ever growing dangerous self is still able to be afraid and to share that with people she cares about. Love her sarcasm and wit as well as her occasional insanity! I feel like we finally got more of a character from Raine in this one and I loved what I got. I also loved the demonology professor and her role in this story, I hope we get a lot more of this strong woman in the future.
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