Bewitched & Betrayed

Either it’s less over written now, or I’m getting used to it. Almost up to date with the current releases. ( )

I picked this book up in my local library. I liked the cover and was looking for a new fantasy read. I read the first few pages and liked Lisa Shearin's descriptive humor. I was hoping it would continue through the book. It did, and I must say, it's a goodread even though it's book 4 in the series. I enjoyed how she developed the characters and filled in since I didn't read the other books. Her humorous first person narrative is hilarious! I've not seen a fantasy book written this way. If you want a little different take on fantasy, I'd recommend this book. Try a Search Inside feature to read the first few pages. You won't be disappointed. ( )

I am so glad Raine's relationship is finally happening, all the tension was driving me nuts. I cried a ton at the end of this book. I LOVE all the characters in this series and can not wait to read the next book. ( )

Lisa Shearin is one of my favourite authors and I’m always excited when she has another installment of Raine Benares’ adventures on the shelf. Be forewarned: there is a spoiler in the third paragraph of this post. I’ve included it because it’s been a few months since the book’s release but please don’t read on if you haven’t already read Bewitched & Betrayed.

In Bewitched & Betrayed, Raine is dealing with the aftermath of The Trouble with Demons. She’s still bonded to the Saghred (the incredibly powerful soul-sucking stone) and she has to use her powers to track down the ghosts of six evil mages, including her nemesis Sarad Nukpana. Unfortunately, Sarad Nukpana’s also on the hunt for Raine, since he wants the power of the Saghred and needs her body to get it. And he’s not afraid to steal peoples memories, knowledge, magic, and lives to get it. On top of all this, Raine’s still in quite the love triangle with Mychael and Tam. Because she didn’t have enough on her plate with all the danger.

I was really pleased with this book. It has all of the elements that I love about the series – adventure, well-developed characters, Raine’s quippiness, interesting magic – with a little bit more romance I was expecting. (A welcome development to my mind, and wonderfully written, even though Lisa Shearin says that it’s harder for her to write the romantic scenes.) MILD SPOILER: Though I remain staunchly on Team Tam because I’m a sucker for the bad boy, it’s impossible not to appreciate Raine and Mychael’s developing relationship. SPOILER ENDS. This novel really is superlative and I wish we didn’t have to wait until next year for Con & Conjure because I’m desperate for the next installment in the series.

Finally, since I commented on the cover art last time, I feel it would be remiss of me not to say something about this one since I like it a bit better than the last one. The background is great and Raine’s holding one fierce looking weapon. The model reminds me a lot of Hudson Leick, though I’m fairly confident it’s not actually her. In any case, I think the cover captures the tone of the novel well. (Full disclosure: Looking back at the cover for The Trouble with Demons, I don’t dislike it as much as I first did. The model’s posture is still a bit awkward but I love the colours they incorporated.)

Also posted at http://ireadgood.wordpress.com ( )

There are a few things in the writing style that continued to irritate me. There is a continual repeating of events and information from the previous books. A little bit to help readers remember or get back up to speed is okay, but there was so much it really broke up the flow of the story. I am not finding the later stories as funny as the first because all the jokes are feeling the same. There is only so much mileage to be gotten from jokes about Raine's disreputable family or the character's bad luck. Perhaps because of this repeating the stories are beginning to feel the same. I really have picked up the past two stories because of Tam, Mychael, and Raine's love triangle and not because of the plot which is not all that engrossing. I am quite tired of Sarad Nakpana and some of the other villians. Can't we defeat these guys already?

On the upside we get a definite resolution to the love triangle and hints of a romance for the one who didn't get the girl. We get a glimpse of Mychael's past that was utterly addicting. We also get to meet a new lady goblin with a very intriguing personality. So it did have redeeming characteristics. ( )