Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Book Reviews
Book Review: Armed & Magical
By Sandy Amazeen
May 12, 2008, 2:29 GMT

Fans of Magic Lost, Trouble Found will most certainly want to get their hands on Shearin’s second book of the Raine Benares series which picks up shortly after young sorceress lands on the Isle of Mid. Raine went there in order to learn how to free herself from an ancient and powerful soul-stealing stone known as the Saghred. Thanks to the stone’s influence, Raine’s marginal magical powers have been seriously augmented and that may not be such a good thing. The mages she seeks assistance from now fear what Raine could become as the Saghred is inherently evil, no less so thanks to its recent acquisition of the goblin sorcerer Sarad Nukpana. Although they would like to see Raine safely locked up, the mages and Guardians must use her abilities as a seeker to locate the growing number of spellsingers that have been kidnapped from their school. What emerges is a sinister plot to gain control of the Saghred and Raine is the vital key to making it all happen. It’s good thing she has some strong friends in the form of novice spellsinger Piaras, the Guardian and paladin Mychael, Tam and a few close family members watching her back.

Shearin has crafted an exciting, catch-me-if-you-can lightening fast paced tale of magic and evil filled with goblins, elves, mages and a hint of love interest that will leave fantasy readers anxiously awaiting Raine’s next adventure.