Raine is a seeker - she finds lost things that is - and is no stranger to trouble, but this time even she'll admit she's in over head. Hailing from a family full of thieves, Raine is honest herself but still has friends in the shadier parts of society. When one longtime friend steals an amulet that some powerful and decidedly not-so-nice sorcerers want, it ends up around Raine's neck and she's not about to take if off. Especially since everytime she does, it tries to kill her. More than troubling, that. Completely lost as to why everyone is now after said amulet and her by consequence, Raine turns to her most trusted friends for help and answers which ends up leading to even more trouble. This was a great fantasy read with an interesting new world full of goblins, elves, and other magical things friendly and otherwise. Raine is resourceful, witty, and surprising likable. She easily kept my interest as each new page seemed to bring out her personality just a bit more. The secondary characters were a treat too - a young spellsinger who is like a little brother to Raine, a shady but devilishly handsome club owner, and her wizard Godfather among others constantly liven things up. They all leapt off the page and helped to define Raine as a character so much more. I will for sure be checking out the rest of this enjoyable series. ( )

This was a lot of fun - it took a bit to get going for me (though the story jumps right into action), but pays off.

Raine is a cool, tough elf who's used her mild magic abilities to help her in her job as a seeker - finding lost items for clients. When a friend gets into trouble with a mysterious amulet, Raine tries to help him by hiding the amulet for him. Unfortunately, the amulet somehow binds itself to her, in turn getting her involved with warring goblin princes and various sketchy members of the thieving underworld. ( )

I picked this up in a charity shop because I thought it looked entertaining, a bit different from the usual fantasy I read, and a bit silly. I was not disappointed on any of these counts.

Lightweight, light-toned, sarcastic, witty, frothy magical world-type fantasy with a sort-of urban setting. It has some romance, but not so much of it that I think it has been mis-sold, or that I felt very bored by, or annoyed about, its presence. It seemed to fit with the story, or be a brief diversion, rather than having the rest of the story be a diversion to a big romance, which I don't generally like. I don't remember finding any outright irritating characters.

This is a quick, action packed story, which I found good to unwind with when the day had been too busy/stressful/anxiety-inducing. This is book is not at all a heavy-going fantasy with intricate history and philosophy, minute details, epic struggles, war, poverty, personal trauma et cetera. This is really a bit of lark.

Another reviewer mentioned role-playing, and I think it does have that feel, and in patches it reminds me of a couple of computer role playing games settings or characters I have played. This book makes a nice contrast to some other light fantasy books I read that were very much role-playing game influenced, where I felt I would much rather be playing the game than reading the book, because the book seemed to make everything much more dull than necessary.

Entertaining on the first read. I don't know what it will be like on a second read, but will let it sit for a while (while I forget) before finding out. ( )

First of all, I hated the title. Too awkward and not descriptive enough. About the writing though -

When I started reading this, I really felt like I had missed something. Was this the second in a series? Because I was kind of lost. It just opens with Raine in the middle of danger, lots of references to places, people, and ideas I didn't understand. But no, this is the first book in the series, and things do gradually get explained as the book goes on.

Raine's friend Quentin is a thief. He has just taken on a dangerous new job, and she doesn't plan on letting him out of her sight, just in case he needs backup. So she uses her magic as a seeker to keep an eye on him.

It's a good thing. Suddenly Quentin is surrounded by goblins who are after the item he's stolen, and Raine winds up in the middle of the fight. She discovers that Quentin has been hired to steal an amulet. To keep it away from Quentin, Raine puts it on her own neck. And that's when the trouble really starts.

I liked this book. Like I said, it was at times confusing. The author had obviously created this new world and lots of complex characters. But the reader just has to figure things out as they go, and that means that I was confused for longer than I should have been, and had a harder time connecting with the characters, because I was trying to keep things straight in my head. Still, plenty of action, a strong setting, and an appealing main character. ( )

Raine Benares is an elven sorceress of meagre talent, and a seeker. When her friend Quentin is paid to burgle a powerful and nasty necromancer, who he is terrified of, Raine watches him from a distance to make sure he's safe. But when goblins suddenly appear out of no where, for the purpose of going after whatever it is Quentin is stealing, Raine, along with her cousin, get involved.

Finding out the stolen object is an amulet, Raine takes it from Quentin for safe keeping until they can find out what the hell is happening. They soon realise that the Khrynsani, an army of militant goblins, lead by Sarad Nukpana, an evil, insane, extremely powerful goblin shaman, are after the amulet, as well as the Conclave Guardians, the protectors of the governing body of magical users in all seven kingdoms. Unable to take the powerful amulet off without almost dying, everyone is suddenly after Raine, and no where is safe. Raine has to work out what the amulet is and how to get it off, before anyone catches up with her and takes it off for her.

I absolutely loved this book! It is extremely fast paced, with such great characters - and there are quite a few of them. They're all very individual, and very well developed, with some you like immediately, and others you dislike. You've got to love Piaras, so sweet and innocent at first, and so gifted! Garadin, the wise old father figure. Tarsilia, the touch cookie. Tam... that guy is just fantastic if you ask me. Who said all bad boys are bad? Then there's Mychael. Oh, Mychael. I'm telling you, Raine is one lucky girl to be in the company of these two guys. Even Phaelan isn't bad, but he's related to Raine. And Raine herself is pretty awesome, strong emotionally and mentally, as well as being a pretty kick-ass chick! This book is FULL of prominant characters, practically every character Raine comes across in this book has a huge part to play, it's awesome.

Magic Lost, Trouble Found is exciting and suspenseful, and it very much gets the adrenaline flowing. Every time you turn around there is something else going on. This book is never slow, never boring, and very, very hard to put down. An extra plus? This is my first high fantasy where the protag is female! Even though I have no magic, I'm not an elf, and I don't know these people, I found it incredibly easy to relate to Raine. Who wouldn't want to protect friends and family like she does?

This is one of those books that goes against what I normally like. As you've probably read, I don't really like books where too much happens in them. There tends to be a lack of detail for my liking. Not in this case. There is so much going on in this book, that detail is needed, and it's all there. And, well, visiting different people doesn't really count as a lot happening, but it's not long before Raine's off to see someone else. I have no problem with it! It's just all so intriguing...

What is this amulet? Why does everyone want it? Why can't she take it off? Why is it making her more powerful? How on earth is she going to survive?

There is a slither of romance going on in this book, and it's very interesting. Obviously, with your life on the line, love isn't at the forefront of your mind, but there is a hint of things possibly happening. It's excruciating! I have no idea what exactly is going to happen until the next book. Will they, won't they? Or perhaps...? I love it!

Just to avoid confusion, the possible romance goes into the next book, but the storyline for this book is resolved. Even so, I want the next book now! These aren't characters I can leave behind just yet. So it's over to Amazon to buy the next one. HIGHLY recommend!

And can I just say, how beautiful is the cover? ( )