Con & Conjure [Mass Market Paperback]

This is the fifth book in the Raine Benares, and if you like fantasy and a strong female heroine this book is for you. It also contains a ton of action (really it's hard to catch your breath) with a good bit of humor. I found myself laughing out loud in several scenes.

In this book, Raine is still trying to get rid of the magical rock (aka Saghred) that she picked up in the first book (Magic Lost Trouble Found) The people working against her are doing their best to start a war between goblins and elves.

Some interesting new characters become a big part of the book namely Mago, Raine's cousin & expert thief, and Rache, Raine's ex-fiance & an assassin. Both characters bring a lot of comic relief. We also get to see a lot more of some of my favorites Imala (Chief goblin intelligence officer), Michael (Head of Guardians), and Tam (Chief goblin magical enforcer).

The good news is that some of Raine's enemies do get what they deserve only after creating a lot of trouble for Raine. The bad news is that as other reviewers mentioned there is not a lot of development for the overall series plot. However, I love the characters so much that I really don't mind that this is the fifth book and the author has already said there will be a sequel.

I would recommend reading the first four books before this one because 1) the plots are fairly intricate with a lot of characters & 2) because they are awesome especially #4 Bewitched & Betrayed. However, the author usually gives back story information that will get you through.

I have LOVED this series since I picked up the first book on a whim. My recommendation - buy all 5 books.

I became a Raine Benares fan just last year right before Bewitched & Betrayed (Raine Benares, Book 4) came out. This series has been light, fun, full of action, and great characters. So far, I think each installment has been a solid 4 stars--until now. Book 5 blew it all out of the water!

As I read Con & Conjure (Raine Benares), I noticed that Ms. Shearin really took to heart some of the critiques she's received on past books to write a very tight and fluid story. The past books were slightly bogged down by repetition and exposition. Many fans complained about Raine always saying "I am a Benares" or things like that. The Benares references are still there but not overly done as before. Ms. Shearin has also vastly improved how she delivers needed exposition. Beautifully done!

Con & Conjure (Raine Benares) starts off strong a few weeks after Bewitched & Betrayed (Raine Benares, Book 4). Raine is meeting with her favorite pirate cousin as they plot with her favorite embezzling banker cousin to take care of one of the many threats against Raine. Both the Elves and the Goblins are determined to get their hands on Raine and the Saghred and both have initiated plans to do just that.

Things I loved:
1. The Romance--the romance is still very low-key. There isn't any angst or remorse etc. about who Raine chose previously. There is some implied sex going on, but nothing detailed or graphic.
2. Enemies--oh! There are a lot of them! A few enemies get some EXCELLENT comeuppance. (Always a favorite for me.)
3. Raine--Raine is still Raine. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I appreciated that even though she has a major-powerful rock to boost her power it is still HER power that gets the boost. She can't all the sudden do powerful sorcery unrivaled, her own meager powers get an upgrade, which she needs to fend off all the sharks out to get her. Also, SEVERAL times she has to rely on her wits, not her magic, to survive. And, just because she's in a relationship doesn't mean she had to be with him the entire book! There were a few times I want to shake her and say "don't do that!" But, don't worry, she never crossed over to the "too stupid to live" territory.
4. Mychael--Love him! I loved seeing a bit more behind that Paladin exterior and see where his loyalties lie. He trusted Raine to do what she needed to do and did his job. He didn't get all Alpha and take over her life. He worked with her.
5. Tam & Imala--these are two goblins that should strike fear in the hearts of every goblin everywhere. I love their deviousness, shrewdness, plotting, power, and wits.
6. Family--I absolutely LOVE Raine's family. I loved getting to know her cousin Mago who is a banker. Can you believe that? A Benares banker! I know. I was missing Phaelen a bit, but he still got some good page time.
7. Raine's past--We get to meet Raine's ex-fiancé. Oh, and he's an assassin. *grin*

Things I didn't like so much:
1. Characters I missed--not everyone made into this book. I know, I know, I can't have everything in life. And, I understand that just throwing them in so that they could have some page time would have slowed down the story. I really shouldn't complain since on my review for Book 4 I DID complain that several people popped up once and then nothing almost as if they did so just so we wouldn't forget about them. Obviously, Ms. Shearin listened and delivered an amazing story. I just missed Piaras. And others. It's okay. I forgive for a great plot.
2. The ending--okay, so this really isn't bad. I just was screaming at the end when it ended. I didn't want to stop. I want to know what happens next.

All in all, I really had fun reading Raine's latest (mis)adventure. I was highly impressed that Ms. Shearin took readers small critiques and improved her skills and delivered a tightly written and entertaining story. I'm looking forward to her next story, especially with how it ended. Just like last time, I want to revisit the entire series from the beginning again--that is when you know it's a great story and series.

Magic Lost, Trouble Found (Raine Benares, Book 1)
Armed & Magical (Raine Benares, Book 2)
The Trouble with Demons (Raine Benares, Book 3)
Bewitched & Betrayed (Raine Benares, Book 4)
Con & Conjure (Raine Benares)
All Spell Breaks Loose (Raine Benares) (Book 6) (2012)

The Raine Benares series has been a joy to read since the first one in the series. Like the previous ones, it picks up right were the previous one left off. Raine is basically trying to keep herself out of the clutches of two very powerful men. Going on the offensive, she calls in her cousin/banker to take out at least one of the men. I gave this book four stars instead of five, because I thought the story was a bit slower than previous from this series. Also, it lacked the humor and sexual tension I so enjoyed before since her pirate cousin was in hiding and she no longer is involved with Tam. Regardless, this is an excellent series and I highly recommend it.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 25 reviews  4.6 out of 5 stars