All Spell Breaks Loose (Raine Benares, Book 6) [Mass Market Paperback]

Lisa Shearin (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 29, 2012

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?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lisa Shearin currently works as the editor at an advertising agency. She has been a magazine editor and writer of corporate marketing materials of every description. Lisa enjoys singing, reading, writing novels, and fencing (foil and epee, as well as rapier & dagger dueling). She lives in North Carolina with her husband, two cats, two spoiled-rotten retired racing greyhounds, and a Jack Russell terrier who rules them all.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Ace (May 29, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1937007715
• ISBN-13: 978-1937007713
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #451,318 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Grand Finale June 3, 2012

By Sven Thiede

Format:Kindle Edition

After five Years or three months in Booktime we have now reached the end of the Saghred Saga.

Our heroine Raine Benares sets out to destroy the rock that has been causing a whole lot of problems for her. So far that task sounds hard enough on its own, but adding to that, for doing so she will have to travel into hostile territory, namely the Goblin kingdom. On top of that her to-do list also includes disposing of her Nemesis, the insane Goblin dark mage Sarad Nukpana and dethroning the current King and replacing him with his brother.

Luckily she doesn't need to go on this suicide mission all by herself. Included in her crew are the usual suspects (Paladin Mychael Eiliesor, friend and ex-dark mage Tamnais Nathrach among them) as well as some unsuspected or even surprising persons (Enemy and convicted traitor Carnades Silvanus as well as other surprises I won't spoil here).

The book definitely lives up to its name with the city of Mid suffering a surprise invasion as soon as chapter two and doesn't let up the pace and pressure on the characters, culminating with a furious finale in the end that features a very nice "Ding Dong" moment for a very deserving individual.

Lisa Shearin manages to wrap up the whole soul-sucking rock business nicely, with all loose threads tied up neatly, making the sixth Raine Benares book a deserving end of the Saghred story arc. Nonetheless she made it clear that she likes the characters involved and clearly has further intention of taking us back into Raine's world again, ending the book with the clear story message that she's not done with her yet, something I am very much looking forward too....

If I had to pick a thing I disliked about the book, it would lay with one character: Vegard, her bodyguard/shadow from the previous books, his involvement in this adventure consists in staying behind and making sure there is still a city to come back to, not surprisingly leaving him absent for the majority of the story, "robbing" us (read: me) of some good moments with him. What can I say? I just like the big guy, I want more of him!

Otherwise, I'm very pleased with having read this book, it has been an enjoyable experience having followed Raine not only through this, but also through her previous adventures.

Closing with a big Thank You to Lisa Shearin for writing enjoyable characters and bringing a world to live.

Why a spoon cousin? Why not an axe? (For those who have read and recognize the the spoon line :) ) Read more ›

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great ending May 29, 2012

By Mordkan

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Unfortunately everything has to end at some point.

The sixth and last book from the series is finally out. If you thought it would be let down, think again. This book may be the last, but it probably is the best of the series ( tho, the demons still have a hold of my heart ).

Raine is going to step into Hell ( alright, Tam's homeland ) to get her hands on the soul-sucking rock. If she doesn't do it the whole world will be destroyed or at least conquered by evil goblins. She doesn't have her magic, but she is armed and with her companions. With Tam and Mychael by her side, can a goblin army stop them? The plan sure is insane, but so is the fun coming out of all the trouble the poor characters go through. If you want something serious, this book isn't for you.

It was sad to say good bye to Raine. Luckily there was a promise of more from Lisa Shearin. If not of Raine, then definitely some other series. I'm going to wait eagerly for more.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect ending of an era! May 29, 2012

By Sabina, dangerous romance

Format:Kindle Edition

I have been following Raine and her friends since just before The Trouble With Demons, the third book in Raine Benares series. I love everything about this series, absolute everything.

Raine is a tough-as-nails, kick-ass heroine. Yeah, she does question herself sometimes, but when things get rough, she's not afraid of rolling in the dirt (literally). She's fiercely protective of those she loves and anyone who tries to hurt them should beware.

Then there's Mychael. The former Black Cat turned Paladin, spellsinger, warrior and loyal through and through.

Tamnais Nathrach, former chief (black) mage and magical enforcer to the goblin royal House of Mal'Salin, turned club owner and "law-abiding" citizen. Tam is a goblin with a capital G, meaning he loves to plan, cross the "wrong" people (Sarad Nukpana) and if it can be done with a wink in the eye and eliminating enemies at the same time? Score! ;-)

Not to mention Piaras, Raines old landladys grandson, now cadet, Talon, Tams son both by blood and the greatest disaster-magnet besides Raine, Vegard, Raines personal bodyguard, Phaelan, Raines powder-crazy pirate-cousin (aah, sorry seafaring merchant, *cough, cough*) and these people are just the beginning of a very long list of delightful, wonderful and hilarious characters I have come to know and love over the years.

All Spell Breaks Loose is the last book in the Raine Benares series and to be very, very honest I'm sad to see the end of this great adventure. As you all know - and I'm sure you've tried a numerous of times, getting to the end of an era isn't always good.... Since the previous five books was so wonderful to read and Lisa has always made me laugh, cry and shiver in excitement when reading one of her books, it's safe to say, my expectations were HIGH.

Let's drops the news now: All Spell Break Loose not only lived up to my expectations, but was even BETTER! There (nods head). I've said it. If Laurie and I ever make a list of our greatest reads this year, this book will be on my list. No doubt about it. As a reader and a fan, it was a wonderful experience to read this book and to be able to put the book down when done and say; aaaah, yes. That was the way to end this! Great job, Lisa!

All Spell Breaks Loose starts almost right where Con & Conjure left; The Saghred has been stolen by Sarad Nukpana, Raine lost her magic - well, not all her magic, she has a itsy, bitsy, tiny spark that - maybe - could light a candle... maybe. Now Raine have to go to Regor (the goblin capital) to steal the rock back without being caught, find Tams old teacher, put a renegade prince on the throne, destroy the Saghred and preferably getting back to Mid with all bits and pieces still attached and breathing!

Oh, did I mention the journey to and from Regor will be trough a mirror? And the only mirror mage who has a mirror close to Regor is... (drumroll, please)... Caranades. Yes, the same mage who tried to frame and kill not only Raine and Mychael, but also Piaras. Don't turn your back on this one, Raine!

There are so many wonderful characters and scenes in this book I'm in turmoil of where to start! There are the accident that lands Piaras in the middle of the fight alongside Raine, Mychael and everybody else. Talons, not so accidental trip to Regor (Tams reaction to this is hilarious! The kid actually shuts up!), meeting ALL of Tams family (and do try and remember what goblins do best!!). Finding Tams old teacher in a Hunted house (this house still gives me the creeps!). Meeting Chigaru's ex-fiancé (the ex not being her or his choice) and meeting the woman who gave birth to Sarad Nukpana (yeah, the thing has a mother, who knew?!) - trust me when I say this; the apple DID NOT fall far from the tree!!! And a little teaser; an old goblin and stinky, stinky cheese, is NOT a good combination - EVER!! (goofy grin)

I could go on and on, but honestly, I don't want to spoil the surprises for you. The phrase -being between a rock and a hard place- comes into my mind, only here the hard place is filled with goblins, mages, dragons, treason and despair.

If you like magic, friendship, action, humor, a kick-ass heroine, hilarious characters and just a bit of romance, this is a great book! Scratch that... This entire series will be for you! You can jump into the series, but you will enjoy it more if you start with the first book; Magic Lost, Trouble Found, you will not regret it!!!

And last. Lisa Shearin: THANK YOU for bringing life to Raine and her friends, to this wonderful adventure that brought not only me, but thousands of others hours of happy reading!!! Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars All spell breaks loose July 18, 2012

By Bree

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved her other books but this last almost seem anticlimactic as an end to such a great series , it was still good just not as good as I expected

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars And the curtain falls June 8, 2012

By Wrayth Lethe Darkthorn

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Well I'm sad to say, but this is the end of the road for the Saghred story arc/Raine Benares series. It was a great trip, entertaining, humorous, full of explosions, sneaky happenings, laugh out loud moments and sniggers, lots of sniggering (because of the snark of course).

This book starts off almost right where the last one finished. Raine (mostly magicless, basically a spark and lots of bluff) and company - Tam (mostly reformed dark mage, Club owner, sexy goblin) Talon, his son (oh the trouble), Piaras (our deadly but sweet nightingale), Imala (goblin, director of the goblin secret service), Mychael (Guardian Paladin and hmmm -spoilers- Raine's lover) and also Prince Chigaru and Carnades must travel to the Goblin city/court after Sarad Nukpana, and basically have to destroy the Saghred, stop Sarad and put Chigaru on the throne... easier said than done! They need to gain the help of Tam's family and his former teacher in order to accomplish their aims, but Goblins? never make family easy!

I loved many things about this book, but most of all it's the characters that I enjoy the best, because Lisa Shearin writes characters very very well.
For example the interactions between Tam and his family and teacher, and the introduction of Talon... brilliantly played.

As mentioned before Raine has no magic, and so must rely on her wits and her ability to fight dirty and kick butt in this book, its Raine at her roots, and its what she does best. The snark is as always enjoyable and a right riot. ...and speaking of riots? Talon. I adored the capers he got up to in this book.

And one word for those in the know: Navinem. (and for those who aren't yet in the know? you'll understand what I'm talking about when you get there!...)

The series is concluded satisfactorily, with the loose threads tied up neatly and there was enough of a hint (pretty clear and obvious so not quite a hint) for further stories set in this world to ease the pangs of withdrawal. [Shearin has meantioned that she will be returning to this world because she does enjoy it so]

Now, while the book was funny and amazing...blah...blah... I did find the very end a bit jarring I guess, to me there wasn't enough interaction between Mychael and Raine in a romantic sense (yes I get they were in hostile territory and racing a deadline). But since I'm quite oblivious in RL I might pick up on it more in the next read-through or two.
Also Tam and Imala, since this is from Raine's POV, then Mychael is the main male interest now, so less Tam in a way, and I really would love more Tam and Imala...maybe a short story set after with the two of them? ;)

All in all, I do recommend this book (and series) wholeheartedly N.B. do note that these aren't standalone books. read them in order please, its worth it.
So fun and fast-paced magical, snarky adventures with lots of sneaking around :)

Thank you so much Lisa Shearin for your wonderful stories. Read more ›