The Trouble with Demons (Raine Benares Series #3)

The Trouble with Demons

Following close on the heels of Armed & Magical, The Trouble with Demons finds Raine Benares facing some problems bigger than ever. As if narrowly escaping an eleven kidnapping plot was not enough, she is one of the first to discover a plethora of multi-colored and heavily-fanged demons running around the Island of Mid. After taking care of a few of the grotesque creatures, Raine is dismayed to learn that these baddies were just the prequel of things to come. An extremely powerful (and equally idiotic) dark mage has opened a hellgate, effectually allowing an entire horde of demons free reign on Mid. *deep breath* A footnote in this charming little plot is that the Queen of Demons is intent on releasing her demonic horde and her trapped husband from inside the Saghred. Guess which seeker-bonded-to-a-rock she needs to do that little bit of mischief? Oh, that's right: Raine. Our girl does not have good luck.Raine will be the first to tell you that:
"And all of my problems and predicaments were courtesy of a fist-sized, soul-sucking rock."
And she's quite right. The soul-sucking rock in question has given her an added boost to her normally respectable, but nonetheless minimal, magical abilities but even with with Saghred's help, it doesn't seem enough to accomplish the following:

1. close a hellgate
2. foil the Demon Queen
3. convince the powerful Council of Twelve that she isn't turning into a soulless dark mage that needs to be imprisoned for life (or worse)

Quite a list. Luckily she's got some good friends to back her up: Piaras, the spellsinging wonder-kid; her pirate cousin/sidekick in all things dangerous Phelan; the mysterious Guardian Mychael; and the much-appreciated dark-is-sexy Tam all make appearances as things get dicey. Add in another handful of equally compelling secondary characters and some serious bullies you love to hate, and we've got ourselves a non-stop action story!!

Over the past two books, I've greatly enjoyed the back-and-forth, unpredictable love triangle between Raine, Tam, and Mychael. I did feel like the tension had come to a head in Armed & Magical and was sure Raine would be making the Big Decision in The Trouble with Demons. To my dismay, nothing of the sort happened. Not only does Raine not get any closer (whatsoever) to deciding on which hunk she's gonna go for, but all three end up more tangled magically and physically with no clear resolution in sight. I would have left this book pretty dang irritated if it hadn't been for Raine's encounter with one particular hunk the last chapter. A step in the right direction but still so far from the emotional attachment I was craving.
seemichelleread.blospot.com

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Shearin is a lot of fun

I've read every book in this series. The characters are very interesting and the story has depth. Shearin brings a lot humor to her writing. There are so many characters that would make good stories as off shoots of this series. I look forward to seeing where Shearin's imagination takes me next.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Angieville: THE TROUBLE WITH DEMONS

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.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The amazing third novel to this fabulous series!

I have LOVED this entire series however i think the third book is my favorite. i completely recomend this series for anybody who likes action,scy-fy,fantacy,adventure,romance,fights,pirats,swords,and a LOT of other thrilling things! this series has just about everything! Rain is on the isle of mid and is STILL linked to the stupid soul stealing rock. Also now hourds of demons are invading the island and if they manage to ripe the vail betwean worlds the ones killed in the enitial wave will be the lucky ones! her growing relationship between mycheal and tam is becoming very unusual in a very funny way she is linked to both of them. Anyway i completly recomend this series to anyone!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Yet another madcap couple of days...

The energy in these books always blows me away. Sort of like a stone toubling down a mountain, picking up momentum as it goes. The latest book in this series explores Raine's relationships, while giving some the other characters more depth.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic, as can be expected

A demon out of the toilet. A stone of cataclysmic powers and entirely too much power. A bond between three that goes beyond personal.
Nothing out of the usual, nothing at all. The Trouble with Demons, true to the wonderful books Magic Lost, Trouble Found and Armed and Magical is nonstop spitfire adventure and action for every page. The story keeps you turning the pages like there's no tomorrow. Unlike some faster-paced books, the people are completely developed. You still feel close to all of the "good guys" and care about them. And the bad guys are fun to read about.
Newcomers to the series won't be completely lost. There is just enough information in the book that they'll understand everything, but they'll probably miss a couple more subtle things, and won't know as much about all the people. I recommend reading the first two books first.
To everyone who has read the first two books: you won't be disappointed. If anything, the plot and relationships grow even more intricate. Raine will be having her adventures for a while, considering all the trouble she gets into. No matter who your favorite character is, you'll get to see a bunch of them. Phealan only grows more amusing, Talon grows more like his father every day, Piaras grows more noble, and Tam and Mychael, whoever you like best, grow more. interesting. New characters are introduced and I promise, you'll love them too. Especially the demonology professor. Raine takes to her from the start - her robes have slits in them for running (finally a practical person) and carries her own mug for ale, just in case.
With a Hellgate opened and demon pouring out over Mid, it's all Raine and her friends can do to attempt to protect everyone. But the people who opened it lose control, and soon it's not just about stopping the ones who opened it - it's about stopping the Demon Queen from making it (literally) Hell on Earth. As if there weren't enough problems, Raine, Mychael, and Tam are bonded. Not by choice. By magic and the Saghred. While the bond might not be horrible under different circumstances, it's the last thing any of them need. It's against the law, and it's hard for Tam to resist the Saghred's dark magic, as much as he tries. (and all those things aren't even the start of it)
It will be a long wait for Bewitched and Betrayed (Lisa Shearin promises tissues will not be needed, don't worry). Anything, a year, a month, a week would be a long wait. It will probably be out about this time next year, and I can assure you: you'll be on the edge of your seat waiting for it.
Hands down to Lisa Shearin. She is a talented writer, and deserves every round of applause she gets. And she is devoted to her fans. She responds to every blog comment and email. Her site is lisashearin.com

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Romance, danger and magic combine to make an enchanting fantasy

On the Isle of Mid is the most advanced magical college in the known world. The island is considered a neutral sanctuary though different factions want control. Raine Benares has come there because she has become the bond servant of the rock known as Saghred, who feeds on souls while granting immense power to its minion. She hopes the mage-professors can either destroy the rock or at least rip asunder her bondage. The battling groups each seek to use Raine as an expendable tool to gain Isle and world supremacy.

Two men are especially interested in Raine. The dark horse Tamnaisn Nathrach is a mage coming back from the darkside of magic into the light; and Paladin Mychael Eiliesor who is the head of Conclave Guardian.. The acting archmage Carnadius Sylnanius wants Raine executed as he claims she is demon tainted at a time when traitors on Mid open a Hell's Gate enabling demons to cross over in exchange for more power. The demon queen wants the soul of her husband released from Saghred captivity; and once he is freed she wants him placed in a new chosen body that is special. Raine as a seeker is the best person for the job; with her "marital" bond mates Michael and Tam, she begins a quest, but her agenda is to save Mid from the demonic invasion.

Romance, danger and magic combine to make an enchanting fantasy. For a Switzerland type location, Mid is filled with treason, double and triple dealings, deadly intrigue that place the heroic trio in jeopardy as the answer to whom do you trust is no one; everyone has an agenda. Raine is a fascinating lead character who holds the plot together as an elf who does not want the goblins to obtain the Saghred as that malevolent species would use it to eradicate the elves. Constantly under fire, the heroes struggle to save the island while new enemies keep surfacing in a sort of Escape From New York way.

Harriet Klausner

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A winner

Another gripping installment. Enriching, fascinating, and satisfying. Funny, exquisitely written, and oh-so suspensful!

Fast Paced, Entertainment with Magic, Elves, Demons & More

This is the third book in this series, and I have enjoyed reading & re-reading each of the books. These are great for quick reads when you are in the mood for a fantasy novel with magic & action.

Amazing Read!!!

i could not put this book down for one second. now i cannot wait for bewitched and betrayed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lisa shearin is the greatest author ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The trouble with Demons

This series is the best. I have enjoyed all three of Lisa Shearin's book. I recommend this book highly. It has action and a really good plot. I couldn't put the book down.

CAPTIVATING- FANTASY AT ITS BEST!

The third book in Lisa Shearin's magical series featuring Raine Benares, elf extraordinaire, is captivating. THE TROUBLE WITH DEMONS features our heroine, Raine, still trying to find a way to rid herself of her bond with the soul-stealing stone, the Saghred. There are plenty of elves, goblins, humans, and demons who want to help her get rid of the Saghred, too. The only problem is that not all of them have Raine's best interests at heart. Join Raine as she races to save herself, her family, and her best friends in this rollicking, magical adventure. Ms. Shearin's writing is fresh and original and her world, while imaginary, is wholly believable. In my opinion, this is her best book yet. I can't wait for the next installment in Raine's complicated life. If you have not had the pleasure of reading the first two books in the series, be sure you check them out: MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND and ARMED & MAGICAL.

Amazing read

The Trouble with Demons is book 3 in an excellent series by a truly talented writer, Lisa Shearin.

The characters are very well defined, even what would typically be considered secondary or background characters. The main characters and many others have well-developed senses of humour and honour and I find them believable. Those you are supposed to dislike you really do dislike.

Raine is still in big trouble but never gives up. It seems to be a Benares trait. The romantic triangle grows in a surprising and wonderful way and the action is non-stop. I could not put the book down.

There is enough back story in this book that it can stand alone but I recommend buying all three books in the series. You won't be disappointed.

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