What do you think?
Rate this book
Raine Benares #6
All Spell Breaks Loose
From national bestselling author Lisa Shearin comes a new chapter in "one of the best fantasy series currently on the market." (Night Owl Reviews)My name is Raine Benares—and it sucks to be me right now. 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?
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?
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2012
35 people are currently reading
1207 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Shearin
24 books1,099 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
May 24, 2020
I spent part of an afternoon recently reorganizing my book shelves, making a list of unread books to tide me over until the public library reopens (there are over 100, lucky me). I found this book tucked away with all my other Raine Benares books, completely forgotten. How did that happen?
This is the volume where the whole Saghred story gets wrapped up. Just like Shearin's SPI Files series, which I recently reread, this is the last RB book published by a traditional publisher. Once the original plotline is resolved, publishers seem to prefer to move on to fresh characters. Authors may still have stories they want to tell about the current characters. I'm pleased to see that my library has the next (self published) volume of this series, so I can try it before I buy it. Whenever said library reopens. Sigh!
This was a pretty satisfying ending to the adventure. I think most readers would be fine leaving things right here. It included a long interlude in the Goblins' home, Regor. Plus, we get to meet Tam's magic teacher, a crusty old Goblin with a smart mouth, good instincts, and a deadly fart. When he tells you to hold your breath, you darned well better do it! There is also the successful introduction of Tam's teenage son, Talon, into the Goblin world. Many plot lines getting tied up in a neat bow.
Of course there are other things that the author could explore, which is why I will read on to see where she goes. But I can sure see why Ace was done publishing these books at this point.
This is the volume where the whole Saghred story gets wrapped up. Just like Shearin's SPI Files series, which I recently reread, this is the last RB book published by a traditional publisher. Once the original plotline is resolved, publishers seem to prefer to move on to fresh characters. Authors may still have stories they want to tell about the current characters. I'm pleased to see that my library has the next (self published) volume of this series, so I can try it before I buy it. Whenever said library reopens. Sigh!
This was a pretty satisfying ending to the adventure. I think most readers would be fine leaving things right here. It included a long interlude in the Goblins' home, Regor. Plus, we get to meet Tam's magic teacher, a crusty old Goblin with a smart mouth, good instincts, and a deadly fart. When he tells you to hold your breath, you darned well better do it! There is also the successful introduction of Tam's teenage son, Talon, into the Goblin world. Many plot lines getting tied up in a neat bow.
Of course there are other things that the author could explore, which is why I will read on to see where she goes. But I can sure see why Ace was done publishing these books at this point.
August 27, 2019
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
If at times I felt the author was drawing things out just to keep the story going...
Well, she did a superb job! Cuz six books later I still want more of Raine Benares. (Thankfully there is a book seven but after that she is not the headliner).
Our erstwhile elf heroine made good in this showdown with her ultimate goblin nemesis, Sarad Nukpana and that nasty fist-sized rock, the Saghred. Her beloved paladin, Mychael, adopted brother, Piaras, and would-be goblin suitor/friend, Tam, and his rakish, trouble-maker son,Talon, are all on board this one and there is not one single dull moment. The energy, humor and plot twist kept me entertained to the point that I could not put this book down. This means I will be purchasing the next book since the library seems to not have it. Yes, it was that great that I cannot wait to see what happens next. Especially since Nukpana's mother is on the lam! And Tam's family is all too happy to join the fun.
If at times I felt the author was drawing things out just to keep the story going...
Well, she did a superb job! Cuz six books later I still want more of Raine Benares. (Thankfully there is a book seven but after that she is not the headliner).
Our erstwhile elf heroine made good in this showdown with her ultimate goblin nemesis, Sarad Nukpana and that nasty fist-sized rock, the Saghred. Her beloved paladin, Mychael, adopted brother, Piaras, and would-be goblin suitor/friend, Tam, and his rakish, trouble-maker son,Talon, are all on board this one and there is not one single dull moment. The energy, humor and plot twist kept me entertained to the point that I could not put this book down. This means I will be purchasing the next book since the library seems to not have it. Yes, it was that great that I cannot wait to see what happens next. Especially since Nukpana's mother is on the lam! And Tam's family is all too happy to join the fun.
May 2, 2016
A few years ago I discovered a neat little book called
Magic Lost, Trouble Found
, about an elf named Raine who inadvertently becomes linked to a soul-sucking magical rock called the Saghred. Lisa Shearin provided a kickass protagonist with the kind of witty voice I love, particularly in my urban fantasy. Here we are, five more books later, and the story of the Saghred has finally reached its conclusion.
Raine, Mychael, and Tam are following Sarad Nukpana and the Saghred to Regor, the goblin capital. Nukpana, Raine’s occasional nemesis and a mad sorcerer, plans to use the Saghred’s magic-amplifying abilities to take over the world. Raine would like to stop him, as well as destroy the Saghred in the process. But it won’t be easy, because their resources are limited and time grows short.
This definitely isn’t the kind of book where a reader new to the series can jump in and hope to follow along. All Spell Breaks Loose is the culmination of the previous books’ plot and character development. Granted, a lot of the characters we’ve come to know and love don’t get much (if any) page time in this book—no Phaelan, and not much in the way of Justinian or even Piaras and Talon, though they have minor roles. And in that sense, it’s kind of disappointing as the concluding book to the series (sort of like Mass Effect 3’s ending), because Shearin wraps up the plot but leaves a lot about the characters dangling. Yet I still think this is an effective conclusion for fans, because it delivers what we—and Raine—need most: emotional closure.
Being the Saghred’s bond slave has changed Raine’s life in so many ways. It’s easy to forget that, for her, less than a year has passed since she first encountered that awful rock. In that time she has fought Sarad Nukpana and imprisoned him in the Saghred—only to see him escape—fought demons and their queen, and saved the Isle of Mid from the escaped souls of evil sorcerers. Along the way, the Saghred has amplified her magical abilities—but at the price of chipping away at her soul, sinking its tendrils into her, making her enjoy the power she can now wield. Raine recognizes that the Saghred is not a neutral tool, not something she could ever continue using without repercussions. She wants it gone.
This immense burden is evident in All Spell Breaks Loose from the very beginning. As they gear up to go through the mirror to Regor, Raine and her comrades get caught in an attack on Mid itself. Raine reflects on her relative uselessness—her last use of the Saghred left her without access to her magic, so she can do little to defend against the Khrynsani goblins coming for them. This recurs throughout the first half of the book, until Tam’s (and Sarad Nukpana’s) former teacher takes Raine aside and tells her to buck up.
The secret, you see, is that it’s never been about the magic. It’s never been about who can hit harder, cast spells better, or more effectively wield the Saghred. Raine has never triumphed because she’s a stronger mage; she wins because she’s smart, careful, and compassionate. And when she’s captured and it seems all is lost, that reliance on planning and execution instead of sorcery and deception is what saves her.
All Spell Breaks Loose is almost a recantation of the transformation Raine has undergone in the past five books. As she looks to heal herself of the psychological scarring the Saghred has caused, Raine has to come to terms with being of nominal magical ability again, and the implications this would have for her relationship with Mychael and the Guardians. In a way, I think the worst thing the Saghred has done to her hasn’t been using her as a conduit for souls or stealing her father—no, the worst thing about Raine’s association with the Saghred has been the extent to which she has become codependent on it. She gradually began to believe that, in order to win against the impossible odds set before her, she needed to draw upon the power of the Saghred. Now, with that power cut off and the Saghred in Nukpana’s hands, Raine has to rediscover who she was and use that person to save the day.
Like its predecessors, this book is fast paced and tightly written. I have little more to say about it than that—anyone familiar with this series and Shearin’s writing will feel right at home here. As I mentioned above, the tight timeline and economy of characters makes this feel like a much sparser experience than the one I’ve become accustomed to with these books. Shearin could have taken more time to build up toward the expedition’s departure, I think, so that we could have one last goodbye with Mid and the characters on it.
Sarad Nukpana’s role as the Big Bad leaves a lot to be desired. He is essentially a cartoon character of a villain, all gloating and cackling and evil, his motivation that of a psychopath rather than anything more interesting. It works, and there are some points where he can be terrifying in his cruelty, but he never really has me quaking in my boots. He’s just so over-the-top, as a villain, that it’s obvious Raine has to win, and her victory is a little less satisfying as a result. Carnades, Raine’s on-again/off-again/on-again enemy, suffers from similarly shallow characterization.
I guess part of my disappointment is that the series has come so far, and I was expecting more from its final book. As just another book in the series, it’s good (though still not great). And Raine’s personal catharsis is excellent. As a conclusion to the series, however, I’m less satisfied. I wanted to see a little more growth, a few more risks, and didn’t quite get it.
I’m really looking forward to Shearin’s new forthcoming urban fantasy series. As far as the Raine Benares series goes, it has sometimes been bumpy, and the books have not always made me swoon—but even the roughest ones managed to entertain. I can’t wait to see what Shearin has planned next. All Spell Breaks Loose is Raine Benares through and through: bumpy but brilliant, and usually good times.
My reviews of the Raine Benares series:
← Con & Conjure | Wedding Bells, Magic Spells →
Raine, Mychael, and Tam are following Sarad Nukpana and the Saghred to Regor, the goblin capital. Nukpana, Raine’s occasional nemesis and a mad sorcerer, plans to use the Saghred’s magic-amplifying abilities to take over the world. Raine would like to stop him, as well as destroy the Saghred in the process. But it won’t be easy, because their resources are limited and time grows short.
This definitely isn’t the kind of book where a reader new to the series can jump in and hope to follow along. All Spell Breaks Loose is the culmination of the previous books’ plot and character development. Granted, a lot of the characters we’ve come to know and love don’t get much (if any) page time in this book—no Phaelan, and not much in the way of Justinian or even Piaras and Talon, though they have minor roles. And in that sense, it’s kind of disappointing as the concluding book to the series (sort of like Mass Effect 3’s ending), because Shearin wraps up the plot but leaves a lot about the characters dangling. Yet I still think this is an effective conclusion for fans, because it delivers what we—and Raine—need most: emotional closure.
Being the Saghred’s bond slave has changed Raine’s life in so many ways. It’s easy to forget that, for her, less than a year has passed since she first encountered that awful rock. In that time she has fought Sarad Nukpana and imprisoned him in the Saghred—only to see him escape—fought demons and their queen, and saved the Isle of Mid from the escaped souls of evil sorcerers. Along the way, the Saghred has amplified her magical abilities—but at the price of chipping away at her soul, sinking its tendrils into her, making her enjoy the power she can now wield. Raine recognizes that the Saghred is not a neutral tool, not something she could ever continue using without repercussions. She wants it gone.
This immense burden is evident in All Spell Breaks Loose from the very beginning. As they gear up to go through the mirror to Regor, Raine and her comrades get caught in an attack on Mid itself. Raine reflects on her relative uselessness—her last use of the Saghred left her without access to her magic, so she can do little to defend against the Khrynsani goblins coming for them. This recurs throughout the first half of the book, until Tam’s (and Sarad Nukpana’s) former teacher takes Raine aside and tells her to buck up.
The secret, you see, is that it’s never been about the magic. It’s never been about who can hit harder, cast spells better, or more effectively wield the Saghred. Raine has never triumphed because she’s a stronger mage; she wins because she’s smart, careful, and compassionate. And when she’s captured and it seems all is lost, that reliance on planning and execution instead of sorcery and deception is what saves her.
All Spell Breaks Loose is almost a recantation of the transformation Raine has undergone in the past five books. As she looks to heal herself of the psychological scarring the Saghred has caused, Raine has to come to terms with being of nominal magical ability again, and the implications this would have for her relationship with Mychael and the Guardians. In a way, I think the worst thing the Saghred has done to her hasn’t been using her as a conduit for souls or stealing her father—no, the worst thing about Raine’s association with the Saghred has been the extent to which she has become codependent on it. She gradually began to believe that, in order to win against the impossible odds set before her, she needed to draw upon the power of the Saghred. Now, with that power cut off and the Saghred in Nukpana’s hands, Raine has to rediscover who she was and use that person to save the day.
Like its predecessors, this book is fast paced and tightly written. I have little more to say about it than that—anyone familiar with this series and Shearin’s writing will feel right at home here. As I mentioned above, the tight timeline and economy of characters makes this feel like a much sparser experience than the one I’ve become accustomed to with these books. Shearin could have taken more time to build up toward the expedition’s departure, I think, so that we could have one last goodbye with Mid and the characters on it.
Sarad Nukpana’s role as the Big Bad leaves a lot to be desired. He is essentially a cartoon character of a villain, all gloating and cackling and evil, his motivation that of a psychopath rather than anything more interesting. It works, and there are some points where he can be terrifying in his cruelty, but he never really has me quaking in my boots. He’s just so over-the-top, as a villain, that it’s obvious Raine has to win, and her victory is a little less satisfying as a result. Carnades, Raine’s on-again/off-again/on-again enemy, suffers from similarly shallow characterization.
I guess part of my disappointment is that the series has come so far, and I was expecting more from its final book. As just another book in the series, it’s good (though still not great). And Raine’s personal catharsis is excellent. As a conclusion to the series, however, I’m less satisfied. I wanted to see a little more growth, a few more risks, and didn’t quite get it.
I’m really looking forward to Shearin’s new forthcoming urban fantasy series. As far as the Raine Benares series goes, it has sometimes been bumpy, and the books have not always made me swoon—but even the roughest ones managed to entertain. I can’t wait to see what Shearin has planned next. All Spell Breaks Loose is Raine Benares through and through: bumpy but brilliant, and usually good times.
My reviews of the Raine Benares series:
← Con & Conjure | Wedding Bells, Magic Spells →
March 14, 2013
This book seemed to return to the original feel of the Raine Benares series and, as a result, I really enjoyed it. I started this series just before the 4th book came out. I read through the first four voraciously and could not wait for the 5th. Unfortunately, I was forced to wait a year. (Some authors just don't write fast enough.) When I was finally able to read the 5th book (Con and Conjure), while I enjoyed it, I felt like it lacked a little from the previous 4. It didn't seem to be as quippy or as fast moving as they were. I was not quite sure if the book suffered from the writing or the reading - that is to say, I am not convinced my expectations were not set too high. But, with that in mind, I approached this book, the final in the series, with a bit more trepidation. I was extremely happy that I did.
First of all, I am glad Ms. Shearin decided to finish her story. I get terribly annoyed when authors tend to drag out their stories over years and years while we readers get frustrated and more frustrated trying to determine the conclusion. I did, however, miss some characters we had come to know in some of the previous books. (Here is hoping she returns to them and shares more stories with us.)
Also, Raine's snarky mind set is in full force. Again, Ms. Shearin had me laughing out loud as I read through this adventure. In addition, the action is non stop and I had trouble finding a spot where I could set the book down, a similar fashion to the first four. This series is one of very few I have read in recent years that I have read before it was completed. I am quite happy that I did so. I am also pleased that Ms. Shearin did not let me down, but finished her tale in a reasonable amount of time and did not let up on any of the characteristics that made me fall in love with Raine and all her friends and cohorts.
That this series gets lumped into the "urban fantasy" genre continues to irritate me. To me, it has little in common with the genre - there are no werewolves or vampires - and it does not take place in the present time on the present planet. The scene is set in its own world. I consider this more a "sword and sorcery" or "magic" fantasy. That is NOT to say that if urban fantasy is your thing (it is not mine) that you would not enjoy this book. One thing it does have in common with the genre is the plucky heroine that is constantly making you laugh.
All in all, great end to a great story. Now I shall have to find something else to read.
First of all, I am glad Ms. Shearin decided to finish her story. I get terribly annoyed when authors tend to drag out their stories over years and years while we readers get frustrated and more frustrated trying to determine the conclusion. I did, however, miss some characters we had come to know in some of the previous books. (Here is hoping she returns to them and shares more stories with us.)
Also, Raine's snarky mind set is in full force. Again, Ms. Shearin had me laughing out loud as I read through this adventure. In addition, the action is non stop and I had trouble finding a spot where I could set the book down, a similar fashion to the first four. This series is one of very few I have read in recent years that I have read before it was completed. I am quite happy that I did so. I am also pleased that Ms. Shearin did not let me down, but finished her tale in a reasonable amount of time and did not let up on any of the characteristics that made me fall in love with Raine and all her friends and cohorts.
That this series gets lumped into the "urban fantasy" genre continues to irritate me. To me, it has little in common with the genre - there are no werewolves or vampires - and it does not take place in the present time on the present planet. The scene is set in its own world. I consider this more a "sword and sorcery" or "magic" fantasy. That is NOT to say that if urban fantasy is your thing (it is not mine) that you would not enjoy this book. One thing it does have in common with the genre is the plucky heroine that is constantly making you laugh.
All in all, great end to a great story. Now I shall have to find something else to read.
August 23, 2022
All tied up with a naked half goblin victory lap.
May 27, 2021
This book caps off a really spectacular series. I love Raine. She's a heroine type that I would like to see more of - generally, she's as clever as the reader (I hate when we figure things out waaaaaaaay before the characters, it makes them seem dense), she's brave and loyal, strong but not ludicrously so (yes, she's got god-like powers, but she really can't use them... and that's not just lip service in this series - she really CAN'T use them, because using them corrupts her). It makes for an all-around great lead.
That lead is complemented by a very compelling secondary cast (I truly love them all, from Mychael and Tam, through to Phaelan and the other Benares clan members, to Vegard and her other loyal friends) and a really interesting world with complicated politics.
I enjoyed this series so much I literally read books 5 and 6 in a single day. I just couldn't stop!
That lead is complemented by a very compelling secondary cast (I truly love them all, from Mychael and Tam, through to Phaelan and the other Benares clan members, to Vegard and her other loyal friends) and a really interesting world with complicated politics.
I enjoyed this series so much I literally read books 5 and 6 in a single day. I just couldn't stop!
June 2, 2012
As some of you may know Lisa is one of my favorite authors. I love her Raine Benares series and I have been patiently waiting for the final installment of the Saghred story line. Lisa wrapped the story line up perfectly. It left me feeling extremely happy and left it open for the series to continue or have a spinoff but didn’t end in a way that there has to be another novel. All Spell Breaks Loose is full of action and kept me on the seat of my chair. Lisa’s humor is at its best in this installment. The last few chapters had me in tears laughing so hard. There is a scene near the end of the book where Raine and Tam’s old teacher Kesyn have a moment where they are in quite the predicament and Kesyn humor just adds so much to the scene I loved it! Kesyn was one of my favorite new characters in the story he had so many one liners that crack me up. There wasn’t a lot of Talon in the story but when he did show up he made sure it counted. Mychael and Tam were full of sexiness during the story, this one had a bit less of a romancing it in but that was okay the action scenes made up for the lack of Raine and Mychael hook-ups. Overall, the story is just PERFECT! If you’re a fan of the series you’re going to love All Spell Breaks Loose I am sure of it. I’m sad that the characters are taking a break for the time being so Lisa can work on her new super secret project which I can’t wait for. It will be torture until I find out more about the her new projects.
May 9, 2015
The end. I am sad, and happy. Sad that is' over. Happy that it did not drag out and turn bad, I hate when a series does that.
The stone is gone, 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!
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. ;)
The stone is gone, 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!
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. ;)
February 17, 2016
Lots going on in this one. Happy to say the arc with the Saghred comes to a conclusion. I really like the goblins and Tam has an interesting, supportive family.
If this was going to be it, good end. But book 7 (Wedding Bells, Magic Spells) is out today. On Kindle, it's 7.99 for 266 pages. Unless it goes down in price, this is the end of the series for me.
If this was going to be it, good end. But book 7 (Wedding Bells, Magic Spells) is out today. On Kindle, it's 7.99 for 266 pages. Unless it goes down in price, this is the end of the series for me.
September 17, 2018
I am very conflicted writing this review. On one hand I love it when a writer continuously gives us amazing books and doesn’t lose the tone of the originals that made us fall in love with the series to begin with – on the other hand this is sadly the last book in the series. I’m torn between jumping up and down with excitement over how amazing this book is or mourning the end of an amazing series.
I honestly think that this book is, if not the best, one of the top two in this series. Despite everything that was going on I still had a huge grin on my face while reading and I was struggling not to laugh out loud. Any author who can make you want to laugh while the characters are getting ready for what should be categorized as a suicide mission is marvelous.
The beginning of this book made me really happy – and the feeling only continued from there. In the beginning we get to see some of my favorite characters who did not have roles in the last adventure. Specifically we finally see what Raine’s dad has been up do and also how Piaras has been doing. I really liked getting an update on all of the characters. I love that the whole gang is back together again, it feels as though we have not heard from Piaras, Talon, or even Raine’s dad in a really long time and I was really missing them. Talon and Piaras are gems – and throwing them on this mission together led to quite a bit of hilarity. There are also a couple of new characters who are also amazing – and this includes Tam’s family. Even the characters that we don’t see during the adventures in this book, we at least get a bit of an update on in the end.
In this book, Raine (minus her magic) sets out to go steal back the rock that has been making her life miserable (although it did, in a way, introduce her to her new man) for the past few months. One of my favorite things about Raine, in general, is that she generally tried not to depend on her magic, she tried to use her brain and come up with more creative (and less noticeable) solutions – although that quality has been lacking a bit lately. At the start of this book, Raine has no choice, her magic is gone and she still has to go figure out how to destroy the Saghred which is being held by what she describes as a ‘demigod’. No pressure. I love that Raine gets a bit of a kick in the head and is reminded that you don’t need to be an all powerful magic holder to make an impact. At the end of the day what makes Raine an amazing heroine is that she never gives up and she is always ready for a fight; if you hit her she is going to hit you back. She is also very realistic about her shot at survival, but she is going to do what she has to do no matter what.
Overall the book is similar to the others in the series in tone – despite all of the danger and excitement, the book always feels light and fun to read, and it is also hilarious (I would say even more so than the previous ones). Our little gang of troublemakers seem to get themselves out of one bad situation and into one that is ten times worse. As Tam’s old teacher put it – “One way isn’t enough to die for you. No, you have to have more.”
For most of this adventure, political battles have been just as intense as the ones with swords and in some ways that continues in this book. It is time the old goblin king and his undead adviser to hit the road so that a new king can take over – and Imala is determined to see that it happens. Unlike the previous books where the political battles were behind closed doors, here there is a straight up rebellion in Regor – and guess who managed to get herself embroiled right in the middle of it . . .
This book is hilarious, and a worthy end to a great series. I love happy endings and I think the author did a great job of tying up all of her loose ends. I hate saying that it is the end because I feel as though we could see a lot more from these characters, but I appreciate that the author had an overarching plot line that she wanted to complete and she did it without extended the story to ridiculous proportions. I do still think that she did leave a bit of a door open for more stories though, so here’s to hoping!
Series in general:
This series is a bit unique in that the six books take place over the course of only three months. So while you do see a lot of character development, the characters don’t through a personality overhaul in just a couple of months and they are still themselves at the end of the series. I can’t stand it when I start reading a series and I can’t recognize the character’s personalities by the end of it.
This author is incredible in that she manages to put her characters through one version of hell after another – yet still manages to keep the books feeling fun and light. I know, walking into one of her books, that I will be laughing, not crying, and I love that. No matter how much she puts these characters through they still manage to keep great attitudes and don’t fall into the trap of whining hopelessly for chapters on end. If they are upset, they acknowledge it, wallow for all of three seconds, and then move on and do what they need to do.
I love it when a book series gets better over time – which is pretty rare. In this series, I was not in love with the first book, but since then I have fallen for these characters and the crazy world they inhabit. In my opinion, the first book was really not the best one; it was more of an introduction to the world, the characters, and the beginning of the overarching plot line. Once you are immersed into this fantasy world, and get used to Raine’s sense of humor, the series is addictive. It is hard to believe that all of the action over the course of these six books takes place over only a few months in the fantasy world – but that only means that I still have hope that we will see more adventures from Raine and her gang.
If you have not yet picked up this series you really need to give it a try!
I honestly think that this book is, if not the best, one of the top two in this series. Despite everything that was going on I still had a huge grin on my face while reading and I was struggling not to laugh out loud. Any author who can make you want to laugh while the characters are getting ready for what should be categorized as a suicide mission is marvelous.
The beginning of this book made me really happy – and the feeling only continued from there. In the beginning we get to see some of my favorite characters who did not have roles in the last adventure. Specifically we finally see what Raine’s dad has been up do and also how Piaras has been doing. I really liked getting an update on all of the characters. I love that the whole gang is back together again, it feels as though we have not heard from Piaras, Talon, or even Raine’s dad in a really long time and I was really missing them. Talon and Piaras are gems – and throwing them on this mission together led to quite a bit of hilarity. There are also a couple of new characters who are also amazing – and this includes Tam’s family. Even the characters that we don’t see during the adventures in this book, we at least get a bit of an update on in the end.
In this book, Raine (minus her magic) sets out to go steal back the rock that has been making her life miserable (although it did, in a way, introduce her to her new man) for the past few months. One of my favorite things about Raine, in general, is that she generally tried not to depend on her magic, she tried to use her brain and come up with more creative (and less noticeable) solutions – although that quality has been lacking a bit lately. At the start of this book, Raine has no choice, her magic is gone and she still has to go figure out how to destroy the Saghred which is being held by what she describes as a ‘demigod’. No pressure. I love that Raine gets a bit of a kick in the head and is reminded that you don’t need to be an all powerful magic holder to make an impact. At the end of the day what makes Raine an amazing heroine is that she never gives up and she is always ready for a fight; if you hit her she is going to hit you back. She is also very realistic about her shot at survival, but she is going to do what she has to do no matter what.
Overall the book is similar to the others in the series in tone – despite all of the danger and excitement, the book always feels light and fun to read, and it is also hilarious (I would say even more so than the previous ones). Our little gang of troublemakers seem to get themselves out of one bad situation and into one that is ten times worse. As Tam’s old teacher put it – “One way isn’t enough to die for you. No, you have to have more.”
For most of this adventure, political battles have been just as intense as the ones with swords and in some ways that continues in this book. It is time the old goblin king and his undead adviser to hit the road so that a new king can take over – and Imala is determined to see that it happens. Unlike the previous books where the political battles were behind closed doors, here there is a straight up rebellion in Regor – and guess who managed to get herself embroiled right in the middle of it . . .
This book is hilarious, and a worthy end to a great series. I love happy endings and I think the author did a great job of tying up all of her loose ends. I hate saying that it is the end because I feel as though we could see a lot more from these characters, but I appreciate that the author had an overarching plot line that she wanted to complete and she did it without extended the story to ridiculous proportions. I do still think that she did leave a bit of a door open for more stories though, so here’s to hoping!
Series in general:
This series is a bit unique in that the six books take place over the course of only three months. So while you do see a lot of character development, the characters don’t through a personality overhaul in just a couple of months and they are still themselves at the end of the series. I can’t stand it when I start reading a series and I can’t recognize the character’s personalities by the end of it.
This author is incredible in that she manages to put her characters through one version of hell after another – yet still manages to keep the books feeling fun and light. I know, walking into one of her books, that I will be laughing, not crying, and I love that. No matter how much she puts these characters through they still manage to keep great attitudes and don’t fall into the trap of whining hopelessly for chapters on end. If they are upset, they acknowledge it, wallow for all of three seconds, and then move on and do what they need to do.
I love it when a book series gets better over time – which is pretty rare. In this series, I was not in love with the first book, but since then I have fallen for these characters and the crazy world they inhabit. In my opinion, the first book was really not the best one; it was more of an introduction to the world, the characters, and the beginning of the overarching plot line. Once you are immersed into this fantasy world, and get used to Raine’s sense of humor, the series is addictive. It is hard to believe that all of the action over the course of these six books takes place over only a few months in the fantasy world – but that only means that I still have hope that we will see more adventures from Raine and her gang.
If you have not yet picked up this series you really need to give it a try!
May 19, 2019
Good ending to the Saghred!
May 10, 2022
4.5 Stars:)
February 6, 2020
the story and all that was really good. it just. some of the dialog was like.. meeh.. a little frustrating. but thankfully some of the horribly drama was only a little. but enough to drag it down to only three stars =/
but the writing was really good =)
but the writing was really good =)
December 29, 2012
I have reached the end of this series! And there was much rejoicing! Now, don’t get me wrong. It has been an allright experience but it hasn’t been more than that and the books feel very similar. Except for specific plot details, I feel like I should just quote my review of the fifth book in the series, Con & Conjure, because I’m not sure how much new I have to say about the series as a whole or the narration of the audio books.
So things have never looked more grim for Raine Benares, the spunky seeker. After having been bonded to the Saghred, a soul-stealing stone, since early in the first book in this series, things have been cumulatively going from bad to worse but now, things are really bad. Sarad Nukpana, psychopath par excellence, has finally succeeded in getting the Saghred and after a goblin attack on Mid, Raine, her boyfriend Mychael, her former umi’atso-bound friend Tam and others decides to head to the Goblin capital of Regor to get the Saghred back from Nukpana and put the renegade prince Chigaru Mal’Salin back on the throne as well as reunite him with his girlfriend who Nukpana intends to marry. But to get there, they have to rely on Raine’s arch enemy Sylvanus Carnades since he’s a mirror mage and the only one who can get them to Regor and back safely.
Only issue – or not really only – but one of the big issues is that Raine has lost her magic. The Saghred has shut her down. She tries to hide this and it is actually rather helpful for sneaking around in Regor, but of course she can’t hide it for long and that of course creates a whole new host of problems.
The trip to Regor gives Shearin the chance to let us meet more of Tam’s family as well as Nukpana’s mother, Tam’s former teacher Kesyn Badru and more. Several of these are quite interesting although not quite as interesting as cousin Mago or Nachtmagus Vidor Kalta, who’s probably my favorite character in the series – him or Imala Kalis, the head of goblin security.
I missed Vegard a bit in this book. The big guardian is left behind on Mid to be stand-in for Mychael and make sure that the student population is not killed by the goblins – together with Raine’s pirate family. It makes sense to the story line, but I still missed Vegard’s attempt at keeping Raine safe – including sitting on her – and her flamboyant cousin Phaelan.
So the Saghred is of course hugely important in this whole series. And I have some issues with that. This rock seems to have a consciousness – at least it bears a serious grudge against Raine. I’m not sure that the idea of consciousness in objects really works in this world and parts of the plot hinges on that. I know it’s minor issue if you’re just able to suspend disbelief, however, it did mean that the final showdown didn’t quite work for me, even though it was otherwise very well executed.
This novel marks the end of the story arch that has been developed through all six books in the series. This doesn’t mean that this series is necessarily over. Lisa Shearin does leave room to take the characters up again and write some new adventures for Raine and Mychael on Mid so for people really enjoying this series, there’s hope. I’m not sure I will read another Raine Benares novel but I might read another Lisa Shearin novel. I think there’s a lot of potential in her writing.
So things have never looked more grim for Raine Benares, the spunky seeker. After having been bonded to the Saghred, a soul-stealing stone, since early in the first book in this series, things have been cumulatively going from bad to worse but now, things are really bad. Sarad Nukpana, psychopath par excellence, has finally succeeded in getting the Saghred and after a goblin attack on Mid, Raine, her boyfriend Mychael, her former umi’atso-bound friend Tam and others decides to head to the Goblin capital of Regor to get the Saghred back from Nukpana and put the renegade prince Chigaru Mal’Salin back on the throne as well as reunite him with his girlfriend who Nukpana intends to marry. But to get there, they have to rely on Raine’s arch enemy Sylvanus Carnades since he’s a mirror mage and the only one who can get them to Regor and back safely.
Only issue – or not really only – but one of the big issues is that Raine has lost her magic. The Saghred has shut her down. She tries to hide this and it is actually rather helpful for sneaking around in Regor, but of course she can’t hide it for long and that of course creates a whole new host of problems.
The trip to Regor gives Shearin the chance to let us meet more of Tam’s family as well as Nukpana’s mother, Tam’s former teacher Kesyn Badru and more. Several of these are quite interesting although not quite as interesting as cousin Mago or Nachtmagus Vidor Kalta, who’s probably my favorite character in the series – him or Imala Kalis, the head of goblin security.
I missed Vegard a bit in this book. The big guardian is left behind on Mid to be stand-in for Mychael and make sure that the student population is not killed by the goblins – together with Raine’s pirate family. It makes sense to the story line, but I still missed Vegard’s attempt at keeping Raine safe – including sitting on her – and her flamboyant cousin Phaelan.
So the Saghred is of course hugely important in this whole series. And I have some issues with that. This rock seems to have a consciousness – at least it bears a serious grudge against Raine. I’m not sure that the idea of consciousness in objects really works in this world and parts of the plot hinges on that. I know it’s minor issue if you’re just able to suspend disbelief, however, it did mean that the final showdown didn’t quite work for me, even though it was otherwise very well executed.
This novel marks the end of the story arch that has been developed through all six books in the series. This doesn’t mean that this series is necessarily over. Lisa Shearin does leave room to take the characters up again and write some new adventures for Raine and Mychael on Mid so for people really enjoying this series, there’s hope. I’m not sure I will read another Raine Benares novel but I might read another Lisa Shearin novel. I think there’s a lot of potential in her writing.
September 2, 2012
*******
Seven Stars? Yep, this is meant to be a seven-star review for Lisa Shearin’s “All Spell Breaks Loose”, the sixth sequel in her Raine Benares series. Here’s why:
First, I want to give five stars to her first-person, very personal and loose-mouthed storytelling, which really makes me become one with Raine, the main protagonist and narrator. I like how she occasionally throws in one- or two-word sentence fragments that so precisely trigger the right imaginations. This way of writing is sexy in itself.
Second, I have to give five stars to the complex plot Lisa’s been unfolding across all six sequels of this series—hopefully not the last we’ll hear or read of Raine Benares. It must have been an author’s nightmare to keep track of all the little details, cast of characters, motivations, devious plots and such, and in the end tie them all together. Yes, this story comes to an end with the sixth book, somehow Lisa manages to finish an exciting series and still makes the reader long for more. There’s no sudden outburst of superpowers that would spoil the tension for every further development, but a very logical and natural way of returning to business, to put it with my words.
Third, the speed with which Lisa lets her action-packed story twist and turn really made me dizzy. It’s like racing down a thirty-story parking lot ramp on a skateboard without brakes. From a certain point on, you simply can’t jump off, neither could you slow down reading. Drop all your plans for the day, this book’s to be read in one piece.
Fourth, the final showdown deserves five stars all on its own. You know something should happen, but you can’t tell how it works until the very end, when the pieces fall together. And with all the tension that’s been building, with all that’s at stake, there’s still a place for a kind of humor that doesn’t spoil the mood—and I can’t tell without giving away the fun. Read it yourself!
Fifth, the way Lisa shows Raine’s bravery truly made me fall in love with this elf, triggered my protective instincts, made me want to hug the book and comfort it. I so love it when an author can make me cry!
So I have at least five reasons to give a five-star review, and compared to other books, which in my opinion still deserve their five stars on their own account, this one stands out by at least two stars.
This is my kind of book.
Seven Stars? Yep, this is meant to be a seven-star review for Lisa Shearin’s “All Spell Breaks Loose”, the sixth sequel in her Raine Benares series. Here’s why:
First, I want to give five stars to her first-person, very personal and loose-mouthed storytelling, which really makes me become one with Raine, the main protagonist and narrator. I like how she occasionally throws in one- or two-word sentence fragments that so precisely trigger the right imaginations. This way of writing is sexy in itself.
Second, I have to give five stars to the complex plot Lisa’s been unfolding across all six sequels of this series—hopefully not the last we’ll hear or read of Raine Benares. It must have been an author’s nightmare to keep track of all the little details, cast of characters, motivations, devious plots and such, and in the end tie them all together. Yes, this story comes to an end with the sixth book, somehow Lisa manages to finish an exciting series and still makes the reader long for more. There’s no sudden outburst of superpowers that would spoil the tension for every further development, but a very logical and natural way of returning to business, to put it with my words.
Third, the speed with which Lisa lets her action-packed story twist and turn really made me dizzy. It’s like racing down a thirty-story parking lot ramp on a skateboard without brakes. From a certain point on, you simply can’t jump off, neither could you slow down reading. Drop all your plans for the day, this book’s to be read in one piece.
Fourth, the final showdown deserves five stars all on its own. You know something should happen, but you can’t tell how it works until the very end, when the pieces fall together. And with all the tension that’s been building, with all that’s at stake, there’s still a place for a kind of humor that doesn’t spoil the mood—and I can’t tell without giving away the fun. Read it yourself!
Fifth, the way Lisa shows Raine’s bravery truly made me fall in love with this elf, triggered my protective instincts, made me want to hug the book and comfort it. I so love it when an author can make me cry!
So I have at least five reasons to give a five-star review, and compared to other books, which in my opinion still deserve their five stars on their own account, this one stands out by at least two stars.
This is my kind of book.
June 9, 2012
Raine and the gang travel to Regor with a plan to sneak in and destroy the Saghred once and for all.
It took me a little bit to get into this story because it felt kind of choppy at the start. There were lots of short sentences, fragments, and almost too much sense of the character's voice. I'm not sure if that smoothed out or if I just settled back into the style, but by a quarter of the way through I was hooked.
I loved seeing Raine go on the offensive here, especially because she was packing less power than in previous books. Just as soon as I began to worry that she was getting sidelined in terms of the adventure, she'd step in and make her presence felt.
The romance factor was toned down, which was fine because it wouldn't have seemed all that appropriate under the circumstances. I liked the way that the action was worked in, there was a good amount of it despite the fact that the characters were trying to be stealthy.
This was a great conclusion to Raine's story. I'd love to see some of these characters again, but maybe through the eyes of a different protagonist.
It took me a little bit to get into this story because it felt kind of choppy at the start. There were lots of short sentences, fragments, and almost too much sense of the character's voice. I'm not sure if that smoothed out or if I just settled back into the style, but by a quarter of the way through I was hooked.
I loved seeing Raine go on the offensive here, especially because she was packing less power than in previous books. Just as soon as I began to worry that she was getting sidelined in terms of the adventure, she'd step in and make her presence felt.
The romance factor was toned down, which was fine because it wouldn't have seemed all that appropriate under the circumstances. I liked the way that the action was worked in, there was a good amount of it despite the fact that the characters were trying to be stealthy.
This was a great conclusion to Raine's story. I'd love to see some of these characters again, but maybe through the eyes of a different protagonist.
November 4, 2012
The sixth and final book in the Raine Benares series - the story was fast-paced and I finished the book in one go. Raine's loss of magic injected a sense of freshness into the story, and I liked that we got to explore a different setting.
Overall though, while this was a decent fantasy series, I don't feel as though I would have missed out had I not read these books. Raine's snarky voice and the light humorous feel were pluses, but the level of repetition combined with the lack of character growth throughout the series arc meant that I wasn't as invested in the outcome as I could have been.
Overall though, while this was a decent fantasy series, I don't feel as though I would have missed out had I not read these books. Raine's snarky voice and the light humorous feel were pluses, but the level of repetition combined with the lack of character growth throughout the series arc meant that I wasn't as invested in the outcome as I could have been.
September 22, 2012
I still am standing by my decision that I wanted Raine to choose the other guy, even though I thought that it turned out okay for the both of them in the end. Aaanyways, with that said I felt like it was a mostly satisfying end to the series. I'm a little curious as to if the author will write more as I thought this series was a lot of fun, which is hard to find in most fantasy today. I suppose I will just have to find out.
August 24, 2014
It's a 3 with a satisfying 4 star final battle and ending.
I found a lot of this book kind of a slog to get through but worth it. No two page wrap up glazing over a battle. The entire book was a slow steady war full of skirmishes and setbacks and perseverance.
Worth the read if you've enjoyed the series but it's a bit slow paced until the end.
I found a lot of this book kind of a slog to get through but worth it. No two page wrap up glazing over a battle. The entire book was a slow steady war full of skirmishes and setbacks and perseverance.
Worth the read if you've enjoyed the series but it's a bit slow paced until the end.
June 8, 2012
I just love this series, and this was a satisfying end to one of my most beloved series. It had everything we've come to expect: humor, danger, action, and even more danger. I'm sad to see the end of this one, but I'm excited to see what else Ms. Shearin has in store for us.
September 22, 2017
Raine Benares Goes Out With A Bang
With All Spell Breaks Loose, Lisa Shearin brings the story of Elven Seeker Raine Benares to a satisfying conclusion. Sure, there could be more stories (the ending sets things up for it), but this marks the end of the six-book saga of the evil and intelligent stone called the Saghred. While this book didn't grab me as much as I would have liked, it wraps things up nicely in an exciting manner that keeps you riveted to the climax.
Goblin dark mages have stolen the Saghred. With the power of the stone, the dark mage will be able to take over the world and destroy the Elven race. One thing stands in his way: while Raine is alive, he can't access the stone's power. Solution? Make sure she's not alive. Raine and her friends may be making it easier for him as they undertake a covert mission to the Goblin homeland to destroy the Saghred once and for all. Or die trying.
Shearin manages to keep the tone of All Spell Breaks Loose fairly light, even with the apocalyptic possibilities that the plot presents. Part of that is because Raine is a bright and engaging narrator. The series is told in first person, and she brings all the sarcasm and "oh boy, not again" attitude toward the proceedings even as she's scared out of her wits. Having to invade the Goblin homeland when you have no power of your own (apparently the Saghred has cut her off from her abilities) would be enough to terrify the strongest mage.
Once again, Shearin's characterization really makes the book sing. There's little of the romantic byplay that was so prominent in the previous books, mainly because Raine is pretty solidly with Mychael (the head of the Guardians at the magic school where most of the previous books have taken place), so there's no potential love triangle. However, that's made up for by the relationships with new Goblin characters, allies that they meet once they have reached the Goblin city.
We find out a lot more about Tam, a dark mage who walks the razor-thin line without allowing the darkness to take hold of him. We meet his family, rebels against the villain and his puppet ruler. We even see where he learned his magical talents: from his tutor Kesyn, who is a marvellous character. Old and just wanting to be left alone, Kesyn is drawn into the fight after seeing what's at stake. He's a curmudgeon and wonderful to read abour.
At times the plot drags, but those moments are few and far between and things usually pick up fairly quickly. A couple of times, I was in danger of losing interest and had to work to keep going, but then Raine would say something or there would be some interesting little twist and the book would pick up again. The last 100 pages are almost impossible to put down, though, as everything from the last five books culminates in an explosive conclusion.
All Spell Breaks Loose is a great finale to the series, and I can't wait to see what Shearin comes up with next. If that involves further adventures of Raine Benares (or Tam or the teens), I won't complain.
With All Spell Breaks Loose, Lisa Shearin brings the story of Elven Seeker Raine Benares to a satisfying conclusion. Sure, there could be more stories (the ending sets things up for it), but this marks the end of the six-book saga of the evil and intelligent stone called the Saghred. While this book didn't grab me as much as I would have liked, it wraps things up nicely in an exciting manner that keeps you riveted to the climax.
Goblin dark mages have stolen the Saghred. With the power of the stone, the dark mage will be able to take over the world and destroy the Elven race. One thing stands in his way: while Raine is alive, he can't access the stone's power. Solution? Make sure she's not alive. Raine and her friends may be making it easier for him as they undertake a covert mission to the Goblin homeland to destroy the Saghred once and for all. Or die trying.
Shearin manages to keep the tone of All Spell Breaks Loose fairly light, even with the apocalyptic possibilities that the plot presents. Part of that is because Raine is a bright and engaging narrator. The series is told in first person, and she brings all the sarcasm and "oh boy, not again" attitude toward the proceedings even as she's scared out of her wits. Having to invade the Goblin homeland when you have no power of your own (apparently the Saghred has cut her off from her abilities) would be enough to terrify the strongest mage.
Once again, Shearin's characterization really makes the book sing. There's little of the romantic byplay that was so prominent in the previous books, mainly because Raine is pretty solidly with Mychael (the head of the Guardians at the magic school where most of the previous books have taken place), so there's no potential love triangle. However, that's made up for by the relationships with new Goblin characters, allies that they meet once they have reached the Goblin city.
We find out a lot more about Tam, a dark mage who walks the razor-thin line without allowing the darkness to take hold of him. We meet his family, rebels against the villain and his puppet ruler. We even see where he learned his magical talents: from his tutor Kesyn, who is a marvellous character. Old and just wanting to be left alone, Kesyn is drawn into the fight after seeing what's at stake. He's a curmudgeon and wonderful to read abour.
At times the plot drags, but those moments are few and far between and things usually pick up fairly quickly. A couple of times, I was in danger of losing interest and had to work to keep going, but then Raine would say something or there would be some interesting little twist and the book would pick up again. The last 100 pages are almost impossible to put down, though, as everything from the last five books culminates in an explosive conclusion.
All Spell Breaks Loose is a great finale to the series, and I can't wait to see what Shearin comes up with next. If that involves further adventures of Raine Benares (or Tam or the teens), I won't complain.
August 23, 2018
Okay, so finally - a conclusion. This is the one that really wraps up the loose ends and has something happen, namely . The plotting continues to be kind of hit or miss along the way; , but you don't read this series for the plots - you read them because they are fun and easy and the characters are entertaining. Like a romance novel, it's kind of like being wrapped in a warm blanket. You know that nothing too terrible is going to happen and the bad guys are all obviously evil.
September 13, 2019
This is 6th in the series & I don't recommend starting with this one. Go back & read the books in order!
So, this is the last book in the series that deals with Raine & the Saghred. It's a satisfying conclusion IMO. The action is like all the other books in the series - nonstop! Lots of humor,less romance in this one.
Minor spoiler :
Raine's father is mentioned at the beginning as coming with the group going to Regor. After that brief mention, we never see him again. Even at the end of the story. I thought he would at least make an appearance, since he was the keeper of the Saghred for all those centuries. Strange.
Hated the cover model. Wish they would have used the other girl.
So, this is the last book in the series that deals with Raine & the Saghred. It's a satisfying conclusion IMO. The action is like all the other books in the series - nonstop! Lots of humor,less romance in this one.
Minor spoiler :
Raine's father is mentioned at the beginning as coming with the group going to Regor. After that brief mention, we never see him again. Even at the end of the story. I thought he would at least make an appearance, since he was the keeper of the Saghred for all those centuries. Strange.
Hated the cover model. Wish they would have used the other girl.
October 1, 2023
A good ending for the series. I think it was a good time to wrap it up. Any further and it'd just feel like dragging it out for more books to sell.
Lots of good tension and action. Raine's thoughts still make me smile. I did miss seeing the interaction/dialogue between her/Tam/Mychael. Though they were together most of the book, because of the nature of their mission they hardly talked much to each other besides "here's the plan/turn right here/that's my house".
I also normally am not one to want to see main characters die because feels, BUT when you're building a storyline (spanning 6 books no less) that's built up around a lot of danger, high risks, impossible odds, world ending maniac, impending war on multiple fronts, etc... you can't NOT have people die.
It felt a bit cheap, like it wasn't really as dangerous as it felt all series when the book ends and only unnamed pawns/foot soldiers and bad guys have died. I was expecting 2-3 deaths of named good guys at least, there wasn't a single one. Everyone made it, our main 3, their family, their friends, the mentor, etc.
Lots of good tension and action. Raine's thoughts still make me smile. I did miss seeing the interaction/dialogue between her/Tam/Mychael. Though they were together most of the book, because of the nature of their mission they hardly talked much to each other besides "here's the plan/turn right here/that's my house".
I also normally am not one to want to see main characters die because feels, BUT when you're building a storyline (spanning 6 books no less) that's built up around a lot of danger, high risks, impossible odds, world ending maniac, impending war on multiple fronts, etc... you can't NOT have people die.
It felt a bit cheap, like it wasn't really as dangerous as it felt all series when the book ends and only unnamed pawns/foot soldiers and bad guys have died. I was expecting 2-3 deaths of named good guys at least, there wasn't a single one. Everyone made it, our main 3, their family, their friends, the mentor, etc.
November 15, 2021
This is the book that the entire series has been leading up to! If you have been reading the series then you will be excited to read this book. Many of the threads that have been woven through the series are tied off here. The final showdown with the big bad is here for you:) The resolution of Raine's bond with the Saghred is here. The best part for me is that this is not the end of the series and I have one more Raine book to look forward to enjoying!
August 22, 2019
Last of the Saghred storyline. All Spell Breaks Loose by Lisa Shearin is well worth a read.
December 5, 2020
Always exciting and has its humor
I look forward to reading the latest Rains Benares' story. And then I go back to the first book in the series and binge forward. Lisa Shearin is a great author. Her characters have depth and the plots are engaging. She is one of my favorite authors. And yes, we buy her books, pre-ordering if necessary.
I look forward to reading the latest Rains Benares' story. And then I go back to the first book in the series and binge forward. Lisa Shearin is a great author. Her characters have depth and the plots are engaging. She is one of my favorite authors. And yes, we buy her books, pre-ordering if necessary.
December 19, 2023
This was originally the final book in the series, and it certainly reads like a series finale, bringing the overarching story of the Saghred to a gripping and very satisfying conclusion.
As Shearin subsequently decided to revisit story and characters of this world, there are a few installments after this... let's see if they live up to the first six.
As Shearin subsequently decided to revisit story and characters of this world, there are a few installments after this... let's see if they live up to the first six.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews