The Trouble with Demons Book Review
Lisa Shearin's Raine Benares Series Takes Serious Turn in Book Three
Raine Benares' list of enemies continues to grow. By the end of Armed and Magical, Raine found new enemies in Rudra Muralin, the thousand-year-old goblin who was the Saghred's last bond servant, and Carnades Silvanus, a powerful elven mage who hates all goblins and all who associate with them. From the first chapter of The Trouble with Demons, she now has a demon army after her and the Saghred.
The Trouble with Demons (published on April 28, 2009, ISBN 9780441017126) pits Raine with more of everything: more enemies, more allies, more danger, and a more intense and complicated love triangle.
The Trouble with Demons is Not as Light
The first two books in this series were rather light-hearted and witty with twinges of serious moments typical of a fantasy novel, although the first one was far lighter than the second. The wit is still present in The Trouble with Demons, but most of the light-hearted fare is gone. However, considering that now Raine has an angry demon queen after her with her minions along with the many others who either want her dead or locked up, there is no room for the whimsical nature of Magic Lost, Trouble Found.
If that wasn't enough for Raine, she also has to deal with a rather complex and unusual love triangle between herself, Mychael and Tam. It has been obvious throughout that Tam and Mychael both like Raine and both are obvious that the other likes her as well. For the first time, Raine has realized that she has to accept that these men do have real feelings for her, and she, in turn, will have to make a decision about them.
But to make it more complicated, all three bind together magically and form a bond that has never been successfully achieved. Not to mention, the goblin realm sees this bond between Tam and Raine as a legally-binding marriage and if the Conclave finds out that Mychael joined in, he could be executed. Whether she likes it or not, Raine is with the both of them for better or for worse.
It's Not All About Raine Benares
Lisa Shearin wrote these books from Raine's point of view, but as the series has progressed, Raine isn't the only character in the limelight. Of course there is Tam and Mychael, but characters, including Phaelan, Vegard and Piaras, who were more secondary characters earlier in the series have secured leading roles. It's getting hard to imagine Raine doing anything without those three by her side, whether she wants them there or not.
In addition, Raine has found a new friend and ally in demonology professor Sora Niabi. Sora shares the same sharp wit as Raine, and the two quickly befriend one another. For the first time since Raine hung the Saghred's amulet around her neck, she has a girlfriend to confide in and fight along with. As her love triangle becomes more complicated than any soap opera writer can conjure up, she's going to need such a confidant.
Lisa Shearin's Writing Stays True
Despite the downward turn towards the darker plot, Shearin manages to keep her light writing style and Raine's humorous way of looking at the situation, but it's downplayed a little due to the seriousness of the plot. It's almost as if to say, hey the story may be heading down a dark road, but the writer is still the same and so is Raine.
Readers who have enjoyed the first two books may be initially disappointed that The Trouble with Demons isn't as light or as humorous, but their disappointment, if any, will quickly dissipate as the plot unfolds and they learn what is yet to come. For those who were wanting Raine's story to be more like the typical fantasy novel, their wish has been granted.
The Trouble with Demons book cover
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