Con and Conjure by Lisa Shearin
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book five of the Raine Benares series
Publication Date: March 29, 2011
ISBN: 0441020186
Page Count: 336
My Rating: ★★★★★

Summary:

My name is Raine Benares. I’m a seeker who finds lost things and missing people. My relatives, on the other hand, steal things. They’re the most notorious criminal family in the seven kingdoms. Sometimes I wonder if they have the right idea, especially since what I’ve found lately is likely to get me killed. And the Saghred, a soul-stealing stone that has given me unlimited power, is to blame for every last bit of it.

Ever since the Saghred bonded to me, the goblin king and the elven power brokers have wanted to possess its magic themselves. But to get it, they’ll have to get me, and their pockets are deep enough to make that happen. With the help of my highly qualified family, I’ve rigged the perfect con—one that will financially ruin the elves who are spoiling for war. My family’s run elaborate scams before, but none involving this much money, government officials this highly ranked, or a war this close to starting. In our way is a goblin thief who’s after the Saghred, and my ex-fiancé—an elven assassin who may be after me. I broke up with him. Let’s just say it could have gone better.

If either the goblins or the elves get their hands on the Saghred, they have every intention of using it. Which means total annihilation will be inevitable…

REVIEW

Another great instalment to the Raine Benares series. 

Things are kind of going to hell in a hand basket for Raine at the moment. One of the things I love about this series is it's unpredictability. Often, when your hero or heroine gets themselves in a bad situation, you can usually guess how they're going to get out of it. But with Raine, I just have no clue. Her magical abilities are so unique. She's not the type of girl that sits around waiting to be rescued, that's for certain, so she normally gets herself out using her wits alone. She's crafty and ingenious, and its great fun to read.

There are so many people after Raine at the moment that the poor girl seriously needs a break! I don't foresee one coming any time soon, though, as this book ends with a less than ideal situation for Raine.

I'm greatly looking forward to the next book ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE, sometime next year. I recommend this series to anyone who likes fast-moving fantasy adventure with vivid and lovable characters, as well as smackable baddies aplenty.

P.S. this is my favourite cover so far.