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Raine Benares #7
Wedding Bells, Magic Spells
Name: Raine Benares
Race: Elf
Job: Seeker, bride, peace talks referee
Problem: Back-stabbing diplomats, bride-hating mother-in-law
You would think that after having successfully destroyed the Saghred (aka, a legendary soul-sucking rock) and sending an evil goblin demigod to the Lower Hells that I would get some time off to plan my wedding to my sexy paladin fiancé Mychael Eiliesor, right? Wrong. Not only do I have to brace for meeting Mychael’s parents and cope with my burgeoning new powers, but it seems there may be another calamity brewing.
After the recent change in goblin leadership, the new—thankfully non-psychotic—king is willing to participate in an elf/goblin/human peace treaty. The Isle of Mid is the site of these delicate negotiations, meaning all hands on deck for Mychael and his Conclave Guardians. When the head of elven intelligence (and my wedding guest) Duke Markus Sevelien is nearly assassinated upon his arrival, I suspect my mother-in-law will be the least of my concerns. Sabotaging these talks may be only the first salvo in a treacherous and deadly new apocalyptic plot!
Race: Elf
Job: Seeker, bride, peace talks referee
Problem: Back-stabbing diplomats, bride-hating mother-in-law
You would think that after having successfully destroyed the Saghred (aka, a legendary soul-sucking rock) and sending an evil goblin demigod to the Lower Hells that I would get some time off to plan my wedding to my sexy paladin fiancé Mychael Eiliesor, right? Wrong. Not only do I have to brace for meeting Mychael’s parents and cope with my burgeoning new powers, but it seems there may be another calamity brewing.
After the recent change in goblin leadership, the new—thankfully non-psychotic—king is willing to participate in an elf/goblin/human peace treaty. The Isle of Mid is the site of these delicate negotiations, meaning all hands on deck for Mychael and his Conclave Guardians. When the head of elven intelligence (and my wedding guest) Duke Markus Sevelien is nearly assassinated upon his arrival, I suspect my mother-in-law will be the least of my concerns. Sabotaging these talks may be only the first salvo in a treacherous and deadly new apocalyptic plot!
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2016
54 people are currently reading
777 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Shearin
22 books1,104 followersLisa is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Raine Benares novels and The SPI Files.
Lisa is a voracious collector of fountain pens, teapots & teacups both vintage and modern. She lives on a small farm in North Carolina with her husband, four spoiled-rotten retired racing greyhounds, and enough deer and woodland creatures to fill a Disney movie.
Lisa is a voracious collector of fountain pens, teapots & teacups both vintage and modern. She lives on a small farm in North Carolina with her husband, four spoiled-rotten retired racing greyhounds, and enough deer and woodland creatures to fill a Disney movie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
March 4, 2016
I was so looking forward to this self-published return to the world of Raine Benares but it just didn't quite live up to expectations. It was decent but there was too much recapping going on and some of it wasn't necessary at all. Do we really need to know the history of everything that happened in a room just because Raine walks into it? Especially when it's nothing more exciting than a conference room? I think not.
On the plus side, the gangs all back together - initially for Mychael and Raine's wedding and later to save the world - again - from the latest, yet familiar, threat to the Seven Kingdoms. We didn't get enough Tam though and I was hoping, after that kiss that Imala planted on him in the last book, that we'd get more development on that front. I understand though that the author is planning on a Tam centric book so hopefully that will cast more illumination on a possible romantic HEA for our favorite goblin.
I thought this was to be the last Raine book but with that ending, there has to be more coming. I'm hoping the next book will be back to classic Raine Benares fighting form.
ETA: Checked the author's blog and it seems she is planning for at least two more books to finish out this new story arc. The next book will be from Tam's POV and the book after that will return to Raine's POV.
On the plus side, the gangs all back together - initially for Mychael and Raine's wedding and later to save the world - again - from the latest, yet familiar, threat to the Seven Kingdoms. We didn't get enough Tam though and I was hoping, after that kiss that Imala planted on him in the last book, that we'd get more development on that front. I understand though that the author is planning on a Tam centric book so hopefully that will cast more illumination on a possible romantic HEA for our favorite goblin.
I thought this was to be the last Raine book but with that ending, there has to be more coming. I'm hoping the next book will be back to classic Raine Benares fighting form.
ETA: Checked the author's blog and it seems she is planning for at least two more books to finish out this new story arc. The next book will be from Tam's POV and the book after that will return to Raine's POV.
May 29, 2021
Still love this series. Love the characters, love the story, love love love. More please!
Re-read - Sept 2018
I really do adore this series. And I hope there's more coming with Raine (I know there is a "Raine Benares World" story, with Tam and Phaelan, but I've dragged my heels on it because TBH, with no Raine, I'm not particularly interested) ... because we're left in a hell of a place, with a pending invasion!
Re-read - Sept 2018
I really do adore this series. And I hope there's more coming with Raine (I know there is a "Raine Benares World" story, with Tam and Phaelan, but I've dragged my heels on it because TBH, with no Raine, I'm not particularly interested) ... because we're left in a hell of a place, with a pending invasion!
May 19, 2016
It's not the best time to read a book when you are cranky as hell, but at least it took my minds if things...for a few seconds, and then I was cranky again.
Anyway....Raine should be with Taaaam! Team Tam!!!! But no, she is marrying Mychael, always go with the nice elf. Noo, go with the goblin! Alas those days are over, but in my mind she in Tam will have goblin babies one day. I am so bad ;)
But before they can get married she must meet the inlaws *music of doom*
And they must meet her pirate family *music of doom*
She must deal with the after affects of the Sanghred *music of doom*
Someone is trying to kill everyone *music of doom*
And something bigger is coming...no music of doom, just a note to the author to write more books. pretty please.
It was fun to see Raine and the gang again, and seriously, one more book is so needed. Just one more.
Anyway....Raine should be with Taaaam! Team Tam!!!! But no, she is marrying Mychael, always go with the nice elf. Noo, go with the goblin! Alas those days are over, but in my mind she in Tam will have goblin babies one day. I am so bad ;)
But before they can get married she must meet the inlaws *music of doom*
And they must meet her pirate family *music of doom*
She must deal with the after affects of the Sanghred *music of doom*
Someone is trying to kill everyone *music of doom*
And something bigger is coming...no music of doom, just a note to the author to write more books. pretty please.
It was fun to see Raine and the gang again, and seriously, one more book is so needed. Just one more.
February 26, 2016
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.
After ALL SPELLS BREAK LOOSE, I fully expected never to read another Raine Benares book again. Lucky for us, Shearin decided to self-publish more in the series! WEDDING BELLS, MAGIC SPELLS follows almost immediately after the events in ALL SPELLS BREAK LOOSE, and follows the same formula as other books in the series - successfully, I might add.
I'll be honest - it has been a few years since I last visited Raine's world, and my details on what happened the first six books were kind of sketchy. Luckily, Shearin did manage to fit in recaps of previous events and quick rundowns on who everybody was, which worked out well for my failing memory. They would also help a reader who didn't read the first six books be able to jump into this series. Since this is mostly a brand new story arc, I think WEDDING BELLS, MAGIC SPELLS would be a good place for a new reader to start (though I recommend reading the first books if you have the time).
That being said, there was quite a bit of recap, and not as much action as previous Shearin books. I'm not sure if one was a result of the other, but even though I felt Raine was in danger some of the time, the danger didn't feel as immediate as it had in previous books in the series. This book is clearly setting up a bigger conflict to come - and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. One other disappointing thing was the small amount of time we got to spend with some of the characters, like Raine's father and Tam (gah do I love me some Tam!).
Overall, WEDDING BELLS, MAGIC SPELLS is a satisfying continuation of the Raine Benares series, and I loved being able to jump back into that world. With all the humor and wit that we're used to, Raine continues to be a charismatic heroine who is easy to love and read about. The plot twists and turns are unexpected, and we get to see almost all the Raine's group of friends we've come to know over the course of the series. I can't wait to see where Shearin takes the series next!
Sexual content: Kissing
After ALL SPELLS BREAK LOOSE, I fully expected never to read another Raine Benares book again. Lucky for us, Shearin decided to self-publish more in the series! WEDDING BELLS, MAGIC SPELLS follows almost immediately after the events in ALL SPELLS BREAK LOOSE, and follows the same formula as other books in the series - successfully, I might add.
I'll be honest - it has been a few years since I last visited Raine's world, and my details on what happened the first six books were kind of sketchy. Luckily, Shearin did manage to fit in recaps of previous events and quick rundowns on who everybody was, which worked out well for my failing memory. They would also help a reader who didn't read the first six books be able to jump into this series. Since this is mostly a brand new story arc, I think WEDDING BELLS, MAGIC SPELLS would be a good place for a new reader to start (though I recommend reading the first books if you have the time).
That being said, there was quite a bit of recap, and not as much action as previous Shearin books. I'm not sure if one was a result of the other, but even though I felt Raine was in danger some of the time, the danger didn't feel as immediate as it had in previous books in the series. This book is clearly setting up a bigger conflict to come - and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. One other disappointing thing was the small amount of time we got to spend with some of the characters, like Raine's father and Tam (gah do I love me some Tam!).
Overall, WEDDING BELLS, MAGIC SPELLS is a satisfying continuation of the Raine Benares series, and I loved being able to jump back into that world. With all the humor and wit that we're used to, Raine continues to be a charismatic heroine who is easy to love and read about. The plot twists and turns are unexpected, and we get to see almost all the Raine's group of friends we've come to know over the course of the series. I can't wait to see where Shearin takes the series next!
Sexual content: Kissing
July 19, 2016
This book has been a long time coming - so in preparation I re-read the entire series. Confirming just how good it was. Raine was a strong h. Mychael a supportive sexy H. Action was fast pace. The world was addictive - with all the power hungry mages stalking our wonderful group of good guys.
Reading this 7th in the series though - I felt under-whelmed. It lacked the spark of earlier books. Especially in the first half of the book where the author provided us with a lot of stilted re-capping. For some reason the book just failed to flow. Raine appeared to only have two modes - afraid - of her sister in law, her mother in law, her unexpected powers. Or she was operating on instinct and saving the day .
This offering felt flat. The characters felt forced. The whole back story of her mother-in-law made me groan at how trite and ridiculous it sounded. And this books entire reason for existing became clear - it was laying the groundwork for the author to resume writing her much more successful series. So we tread water in this book as she lines up the might of the bad guys. Ho-hum.
It's sad to say - but I kind of wish I'd never read this novel and just been happy with the ending provided in book 6.
Reading this 7th in the series though - I felt under-whelmed. It lacked the spark of earlier books. Especially in the first half of the book where the author provided us with a lot of stilted re-capping. For some reason the book just failed to flow. Raine appeared to only have two modes - afraid - of her sister in law, her mother in law, her unexpected powers. Or she was operating on instinct and saving the day .
This offering felt flat. The characters felt forced. The whole back story of her mother-in-law made me groan at how trite and ridiculous it sounded. And this books entire reason for existing became clear - it was laying the groundwork for the author to resume writing her much more successful series. So we tread water in this book as she lines up the might of the bad guys. Ho-hum.
It's sad to say - but I kind of wish I'd never read this novel and just been happy with the ending provided in book 6.
March 27, 2016
This book counts towards my cliterary genius A to Z challenge letter w
April 10, 2021
★★★★☆
May 2, 2016
As a longtime fan of the Raine Benares series, I was excited when I learned that Lisa Shearin was self-publishing a seventh book. Although
All Spell Breaks Loose
was a satisfying conclusion to the Saghred saga, there seems like plenty of story left to tell about Raine and this world. Sure enough, Wedding Bells, Magic Spells begins just before Raine’s wedding to Mychael. At the same time, the Isle of Mid is playing host to the equivalent of nuclear non-proliferation peace talks among the major nations. Oh, and someone is trying to kill everyone, and make it look like the goblins are doing it. This is the perfect set up for some intense, thrilling intrigue—but to be honest, for most of the book I wasn’t feeling it.
This is a difficult review, just because the amount of time that has passed since I last read this series makes it hard for me to trust how much of this is the book’s influence and how much is just the way I’ve changed since I read All Spell Breaks Loose. While I’ve always delivered honest critiques of this series in the past, I’ve also always genuinely enjoyed every single book, despite any bumps or flaws. Wedding Bells, Magic Spells is different in that it’s the first Raine Benares book I didn’t enjoy that much. Whereas previous books had great pacing and fantastical action scenes, this book largely feels like a series of recaps.
The story opens with a great deal of exposition on Raine’s background, and in particular what happened at the end of the last book. Fair enough, I thought—there was a lengthy gap between the two books, so much so that even regular readers like me would have trouble recalling the details. So I gave that one a free pass. But then it happens again. And again. And before you know it, the book feels more like “Raine explains…” than “Raine does….” There is so much more telling than showing—or, to be more accurate, Shearin shows and tells, which might be even more annoying. A character can barely sneeze without Raine analyzing the action, then explaining how it relates to that character’s culture or position or what happened three books ago. One reason I love series with rich backgrounds and mythologies is because longtime readers will understand callbacks and allusions that newcomers just won’t. We don’t need every allusion explained to us, unless it is crucial to understanding the present situation.
Shearin clearly has a very complex world (or multiverse, more like) thought out here, too. Previous books featured travels to Hell, and The SPI Files and this book have both confirmed that Shearin’s two series take place within a larger multiverse. Wedding Bells, Magic Spells also feature portals to another world, being used as a staging ground by extradimensional invaders. I love all of this so much. Firstly, there is so much more happening in this series than the Saghred, and it’s clear that there is plenty more story left to tell about Raine, Tam, Mychael, et al. Secondly, unlike her penchant for explaining what happened previously, Shearin is happy not to delve too deeply into how Raine’s world or magic works. As a result, we’ve had to wait seven books to see things like portals to other worlds and extradimensional invaders—but it’s obvious that Shearin has been planning these plot points for a while now.
Now, objectively, a lot happens in this book. In addition to the much-hyped wedding, there are assassination attempts to foil, shapeshifters, monsters infesting the Void used for mirror travel, and all sorts of mysteries and shenanigans that Raine must deal with during the peace talks. It should make for an intense story. So I was just so surprised that I dawdled with this short book. The heavy exposition really breaks the pacing, and despite all these events, it feels overwhelmingly as if Raine doesn’t do much at all.
I did enjoy getting to meet some of the new characters, particularly Mychael’s parents. Raine’s mother-in-law is great during the shapeshifter scene, and I loved their bonding afterwards. That being said, it might have been nice if not everyone had fallen head-over-heels for Raine. Shearin has a great flare for the dramatic, but she can also write really nuanced characters—Tam and his addiction to dark magic is a prime example. Unfortunately, that kind of nuance and depth seemed to be missing from most of the characters, who seemed to fall into fairly stock descriptions.
While it has its moments, Wedding Bells, Magic Spells might be my least favourite Raine Benares book yet. Diehard fans will love the ending and its resolution of what has been—for us if not for Raine and Mychael—such a long arc. That alone is definitely worth reading this book, which is not so much bad as it is just disappointingly banal. The sequel is supposedly from Tam’s point of view, and I’m hopeful this will inject some freshness into the series—I’m sad to say goodbye to Raine, even temporarily, but it might be interesting to see her through someone else’s eyes!
My reviews of the Raine Benares series:
← All Spell Breaks Loose
This is a difficult review, just because the amount of time that has passed since I last read this series makes it hard for me to trust how much of this is the book’s influence and how much is just the way I’ve changed since I read All Spell Breaks Loose. While I’ve always delivered honest critiques of this series in the past, I’ve also always genuinely enjoyed every single book, despite any bumps or flaws. Wedding Bells, Magic Spells is different in that it’s the first Raine Benares book I didn’t enjoy that much. Whereas previous books had great pacing and fantastical action scenes, this book largely feels like a series of recaps.
The story opens with a great deal of exposition on Raine’s background, and in particular what happened at the end of the last book. Fair enough, I thought—there was a lengthy gap between the two books, so much so that even regular readers like me would have trouble recalling the details. So I gave that one a free pass. But then it happens again. And again. And before you know it, the book feels more like “Raine explains…” than “Raine does….” There is so much more telling than showing—or, to be more accurate, Shearin shows and tells, which might be even more annoying. A character can barely sneeze without Raine analyzing the action, then explaining how it relates to that character’s culture or position or what happened three books ago. One reason I love series with rich backgrounds and mythologies is because longtime readers will understand callbacks and allusions that newcomers just won’t. We don’t need every allusion explained to us, unless it is crucial to understanding the present situation.
Shearin clearly has a very complex world (or multiverse, more like) thought out here, too. Previous books featured travels to Hell, and The SPI Files and this book have both confirmed that Shearin’s two series take place within a larger multiverse. Wedding Bells, Magic Spells also feature portals to another world, being used as a staging ground by extradimensional invaders. I love all of this so much. Firstly, there is so much more happening in this series than the Saghred, and it’s clear that there is plenty more story left to tell about Raine, Tam, Mychael, et al. Secondly, unlike her penchant for explaining what happened previously, Shearin is happy not to delve too deeply into how Raine’s world or magic works. As a result, we’ve had to wait seven books to see things like portals to other worlds and extradimensional invaders—but it’s obvious that Shearin has been planning these plot points for a while now.
Now, objectively, a lot happens in this book. In addition to the much-hyped wedding, there are assassination attempts to foil, shapeshifters, monsters infesting the Void used for mirror travel, and all sorts of mysteries and shenanigans that Raine must deal with during the peace talks. It should make for an intense story. So I was just so surprised that I dawdled with this short book. The heavy exposition really breaks the pacing, and despite all these events, it feels overwhelmingly as if Raine doesn’t do much at all.
I did enjoy getting to meet some of the new characters, particularly Mychael’s parents. Raine’s mother-in-law is great during the shapeshifter scene, and I loved their bonding afterwards. That being said, it might have been nice if not everyone had fallen head-over-heels for Raine. Shearin has a great flare for the dramatic, but she can also write really nuanced characters—Tam and his addiction to dark magic is a prime example. Unfortunately, that kind of nuance and depth seemed to be missing from most of the characters, who seemed to fall into fairly stock descriptions.
While it has its moments, Wedding Bells, Magic Spells might be my least favourite Raine Benares book yet. Diehard fans will love the ending and its resolution of what has been—for us if not for Raine and Mychael—such a long arc. That alone is definitely worth reading this book, which is not so much bad as it is just disappointingly banal. The sequel is supposedly from Tam’s point of view, and I’m hopeful this will inject some freshness into the series—I’m sad to say goodbye to Raine, even temporarily, but it might be interesting to see her through someone else’s eyes!
My reviews of the Raine Benares series:
← All Spell Breaks Loose
August 23, 2022
Very nice connective story between the end of the Saghred & many more books regarding the impending doom.
The twist reveal was very nicely done.
Last logged Feb 17/2016
The twist reveal was very nicely done.
Last logged Feb 17/2016
August 3, 2017
This is a hard 4 star review. It is *only* 4 stars because I enjoyed revisiting the characters. And, spending time with them. I would have been happier if this had *actually* been just the HEA and finale instead of the set up for more.
There are so many problems here. First of all - the recaps. The recaps are many and frequent. And often repetitive. They are, mostly, unnecessary. It is ok to remind us - but please do not beat us over the head with what has happened previously.
Secondly, I really did not like the whole premise. This was to set up another world wide crisis. Which is basically the same villains and the same problems - just a tad bit different. I would have been perfectly happy just to watch Tam get the goblin court in order. Rather than going back to the same old same old.
I feel like a conclusion should be a conclusion. This felt like it mostly made the previous books worthless. So, it annoyed me.
BUT - I loved spending time with the characters. I just wish we could have spent it being happy for Raine and Mychael. If you don't love spending time with these characters, don't waste your time here. The plot and set up are . . . irritating.
I gotta love some characters when I give a book 4 stars just because I loved spending time with them.
There are so many problems here. First of all - the recaps. The recaps are many and frequent. And often repetitive. They are, mostly, unnecessary. It is ok to remind us - but please do not beat us over the head with what has happened previously.
Secondly, I really did not like the whole premise. This was to set up another world wide crisis. Which is basically the same villains and the same problems - just a tad bit different. I would have been perfectly happy just to watch Tam get the goblin court in order. Rather than going back to the same old same old.
I feel like a conclusion should be a conclusion. This felt like it mostly made the previous books worthless. So, it annoyed me.
BUT - I loved spending time with the characters. I just wish we could have spent it being happy for Raine and Mychael. If you don't love spending time with these characters, don't waste your time here. The plot and set up are . . . irritating.
I gotta love some characters when I give a book 4 stars just because I loved spending time with them.
February 17, 2020
With Mychael and Raine protecting a summit of delegates, can trouble be far
behind? Raine is meeting Mychael's family for the first time. How
will things progress with Raine's mother-in-law? With all these problems,
will Mychael and Raine make it to the altar?
Find Wedding Bells, Magic Spells (Raine Benares, #7) at Westminster Public Library today!
And if you are in search of new books to read, try our services, What Do I Read Next. Our library staff are standing by to create a personalized recommendation list for you!
behind? Raine is meeting Mychael's family for the first time. How
will things progress with Raine's mother-in-law? With all these problems,
will Mychael and Raine make it to the altar?
Find Wedding Bells, Magic Spells (Raine Benares, #7) at Westminster Public Library today!
And if you are in search of new books to read, try our services, What Do I Read Next. Our library staff are standing by to create a personalized recommendation list for you!
October 21, 2017
It's been awhile since I read this series, so I appreciated the reminders of the different characters and previous major events. Unfortunately, the recapping ended up being way too detailed and repetitive. The pace slowed to a crawl because every person was given a backstory and even rooms had detailed descriptions of everything that had happened in that place from the first six books. It felt like not much actually happened throughout the book.
For those worried by the blurb (as I was), fear not. The "horrible mother-in-law" situation strongly emphasized in the blurb is barely a concern in the book and is resolved as expected.
Overall, I'm hoping now that the new story arc has been set up, the subsequent books will be more action-packed and more like the previous Raine books. *fingers crossed*
For those worried by the blurb (as I was), fear not. The "horrible mother-in-law" situation strongly emphasized in the blurb is barely a concern in the book and is resolved as expected.
Overall, I'm hoping now that the new story arc has been set up, the subsequent books will be more action-packed and more like the previous Raine books. *fingers crossed*
Read
June 28, 2022A troubled and unprecedented peace conference leads up to Rains and Mychael's wedding: traps aplenty, new monsters plus shape shifters and skirmishes with the forces of evil!
October 30, 2018
The only thing keeping it from 5* is the ending.
August 9, 2022
4.5 Stars:)
February 21, 2016
The Wedding Vows Are Perfect; The Action Plot Not So Much
It has been nearly 4 years since Lisa Shearin wrote a full-length entry in her Raine Benares fantasy series. Like many readers, I had presumed that the series was over. The 6th novel had ended in a good place and I had moved on to Shearin’s new SPI Files series, which, while not a true spin-off, contained recognizable elements from the Benares series.
Therefore, when this 7th novel in the Benares series popped up, I moved it forward on my Fantasy/Paranormal TBR list. I was happy to be back in the world of one of my favorite fantasy heroines, but, by the end of the second chapter, I knew that I would not be truly happy with the book itself.
The first chapter begins, in terms of storyline, about 3 weeks following the conclusion of the previous novel. Raine and Mychael are only one week from their wedding. However, a seven-Kingdom peace conference is scheduled in just two days. Since the ambassadors to this conference are from countries that have essentially hated each other for millennia, Raine and company have their security work cut out for them. Wedding preparations, peace treaty negotiations, political ambitions, inter-species discord – what a breeding ground for the proliferation of Murphy’s Law in a novel!
However, even with such a potpourri of plot points on which to expand, Shearin apparently felt the need to spend a large portion of her word count summarizing the events of the previous novel instead of using them to move forward. The summarizations were to-the-point, were scattered throughout the novel and were excellent background for whatever situation Raine found herself in at the moment. But there were just too many of them and they tended to jolt you out of the present storyline at just the wrong time.
Additionally, compared to the previous novels of the series, this one leans more toward philosophy than action. While action sequences do occur, there are only 4 or 5 in the entire book as opposed to an average of one every other chapter in previous novels. And these action sequences, while intense and important to the storyline, are unusually short in duration compared to previous novels.
Finally, as usual in the series, Raine’s first person POV is all we have to guide us. Her internal monologues are alternatingly poignant and laugh-out-loud hilarious. They also show a tremendous amount of character growth and maturity. Unfortunately, Shearin has us spend far more time in Raine’s thoughts than in looking out through her eyes or listening through her ears. The unbalance is obvious when compared to the plotting of previous entries.
Regardless of the time between entries in the series and regardless of how much summarizing of past events is included, this novel is definitely not a standalone work. Shearin seems to be re-opening the Raine Benares series with an expanded story arc and is using this panoply of many words and few actions to reach the launch point of that arc. In literary terms, I would deem it a bridge novel.
In crossing that bridge, we learn that revenge will be a dish served very, very warm. In crossing that bridge, we learn what has really happened to Raine’s magic as well as to the Saghred. In crossing that bridge, we come face to face with the concept and reality of “To thine own self, be true.”
And, in crossing that bridge, on the very last page, we learn the words of the marriage vows that Raine and Mychael speak to each other in unison. Shearin has written more than just the closing words of a novel. She has written a timeless promise in modern words that transcends the glitter of a wedding and gets straight to the point of a committed relationship.
The novel itself may have, in my opinion, been flawed in its overall execution, but its final page manages to achieve perfection nonetheless. Wedding aside, this has never been a series with romance at its base. Fantasy genre aside, this has always been a series about family, duty, honor, truth and friendship, wherever those concepts lead our main protagonists. And on that last page, those concepts lead us to the point that reality and fantasy are not as far apart as we might think.
It has been nearly 4 years since Lisa Shearin wrote a full-length entry in her Raine Benares fantasy series. Like many readers, I had presumed that the series was over. The 6th novel had ended in a good place and I had moved on to Shearin’s new SPI Files series, which, while not a true spin-off, contained recognizable elements from the Benares series.
Therefore, when this 7th novel in the Benares series popped up, I moved it forward on my Fantasy/Paranormal TBR list. I was happy to be back in the world of one of my favorite fantasy heroines, but, by the end of the second chapter, I knew that I would not be truly happy with the book itself.
The first chapter begins, in terms of storyline, about 3 weeks following the conclusion of the previous novel. Raine and Mychael are only one week from their wedding. However, a seven-Kingdom peace conference is scheduled in just two days. Since the ambassadors to this conference are from countries that have essentially hated each other for millennia, Raine and company have their security work cut out for them. Wedding preparations, peace treaty negotiations, political ambitions, inter-species discord – what a breeding ground for the proliferation of Murphy’s Law in a novel!
However, even with such a potpourri of plot points on which to expand, Shearin apparently felt the need to spend a large portion of her word count summarizing the events of the previous novel instead of using them to move forward. The summarizations were to-the-point, were scattered throughout the novel and were excellent background for whatever situation Raine found herself in at the moment. But there were just too many of them and they tended to jolt you out of the present storyline at just the wrong time.
Additionally, compared to the previous novels of the series, this one leans more toward philosophy than action. While action sequences do occur, there are only 4 or 5 in the entire book as opposed to an average of one every other chapter in previous novels. And these action sequences, while intense and important to the storyline, are unusually short in duration compared to previous novels.
Finally, as usual in the series, Raine’s first person POV is all we have to guide us. Her internal monologues are alternatingly poignant and laugh-out-loud hilarious. They also show a tremendous amount of character growth and maturity. Unfortunately, Shearin has us spend far more time in Raine’s thoughts than in looking out through her eyes or listening through her ears. The unbalance is obvious when compared to the plotting of previous entries.
Regardless of the time between entries in the series and regardless of how much summarizing of past events is included, this novel is definitely not a standalone work. Shearin seems to be re-opening the Raine Benares series with an expanded story arc and is using this panoply of many words and few actions to reach the launch point of that arc. In literary terms, I would deem it a bridge novel.
In crossing that bridge, we learn that revenge will be a dish served very, very warm. In crossing that bridge, we learn what has really happened to Raine’s magic as well as to the Saghred. In crossing that bridge, we come face to face with the concept and reality of “To thine own self, be true.”
And, in crossing that bridge, on the very last page, we learn the words of the marriage vows that Raine and Mychael speak to each other in unison. Shearin has written more than just the closing words of a novel. She has written a timeless promise in modern words that transcends the glitter of a wedding and gets straight to the point of a committed relationship.
The novel itself may have, in my opinion, been flawed in its overall execution, but its final page manages to achieve perfection nonetheless. Wedding aside, this has never been a series with romance at its base. Fantasy genre aside, this has always been a series about family, duty, honor, truth and friendship, wherever those concepts lead our main protagonists. And on that last page, those concepts lead us to the point that reality and fantasy are not as far apart as we might think.
March 11, 2016
I gave it 3.5 stars
It was really fun to reconnect with Raine, Mychael and the rest of our favorite secondary characters in WEDDING BELLS, MAGIC SPELLS. Raine is getting ready to marry the love of her life, but complications arrive when people start getting attacked while traveling through the mirrors. Wedding plans are still on, but Raine and her friends need to find out who is behind the attacks and put a stop to it.
I always liked Raine's character. She has a great way with words and I always love following her inner dialogue. There was a lot of lead-up to her meeting Mychael's parents and I was pleased with how that all unfolded. I missed Tam. He had always been a pretty big part of past stories, but he only had a small part in WEDDING BELLS, MAGIC SPELLS.
I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to get back into the story since it has been a few years, but Shearin did a great job—although there was a lot of it and there probably could have been less—recapping the previous events in the series. There wasn't a whole lot of action in WEDDING BELLS, MAGIC SPELLS and the action we did get was a bit short, but the 'feel' of the Raine Benares series was still very present in every part of the story.
As I said, it was great to get another Raine story and it's even better that the ending of WEDDING BELLS, MAGIC SPELLS doesn't end the conflict introduced in the book so there has to be more right? Very exciting.
* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
It was really fun to reconnect with Raine, Mychael and the rest of our favorite secondary characters in WEDDING BELLS, MAGIC SPELLS. Raine is getting ready to marry the love of her life, but complications arrive when people start getting attacked while traveling through the mirrors. Wedding plans are still on, but Raine and her friends need to find out who is behind the attacks and put a stop to it.
I always liked Raine's character. She has a great way with words and I always love following her inner dialogue. There was a lot of lead-up to her meeting Mychael's parents and I was pleased with how that all unfolded. I missed Tam. He had always been a pretty big part of past stories, but he only had a small part in WEDDING BELLS, MAGIC SPELLS.
I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to get back into the story since it has been a few years, but Shearin did a great job—although there was a lot of it and there probably could have been less—recapping the previous events in the series. There wasn't a whole lot of action in WEDDING BELLS, MAGIC SPELLS and the action we did get was a bit short, but the 'feel' of the Raine Benares series was still very present in every part of the story.
As I said, it was great to get another Raine story and it's even better that the ending of WEDDING BELLS, MAGIC SPELLS doesn't end the conflict introduced in the book so there has to be more right? Very exciting.
* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2016
I enjoyed a lot of the plot elements, and the overall pacing of this adventure felt less hectic than some of the earlier books. It was a relief to see a little more character development and introspection again. Raine's big scene with her mother-in-law was as good as any moment in the series so far.
But oh, dear god, the recapping. In the first half of the book we got paragraphs of exposition every time Raine met a familiar face or walked into a room. These trips down memory lane felt especially strange because, for Raine, it had all taken place in the last few months. I haven't reread any of the last few books since their release, but retreading all that old ground still felt like a chore.
There were a few awkward parts that could have used more editing, and my Kindle copy has some really distracting font swaps around the start of some new sections. Then the book switches into a sans-serif font for the entire last chapter. Yeah, those are minor issues, but they did tend to throw me out of the story a bit.
But oh, dear god, the recapping. In the first half of the book we got paragraphs of exposition every time Raine met a familiar face or walked into a room. These trips down memory lane felt especially strange because, for Raine, it had all taken place in the last few months. I haven't reread any of the last few books since their release, but retreading all that old ground still felt like a chore.
There were a few awkward parts that could have used more editing, and my Kindle copy has some really distracting font swaps around the start of some new sections. Then the book switches into a sans-serif font for the entire last chapter. Yeah, those are minor issues, but they did tend to throw me out of the story a bit.
June 15, 2022
Wedding Bells, Magic Spells was highly entertaining, but not as strong as All Spell Breaks Loose.
In many ways All Spell Breaks Loose felt like a series close, and Wedding Bells, Magic Spells, while offering a lot of entertainment in Lisa Shearin's signature style, didn't have, by comparison to the predecessor, nearly enough whammy to justify an extra book to the series.
In many ways All Spell Breaks Loose felt like a series close, and Wedding Bells, Magic Spells, while offering a lot of entertainment in Lisa Shearin's signature style, didn't have, by comparison to the predecessor, nearly enough whammy to justify an extra book to the series.
March 11, 2016
3.5 stars
Good but seemed to fizzle at the end. Review to come.
Good but seemed to fizzle at the end. Review to come.
January 2, 2025
AMAZING!!!!!!! Nothing more that I can say here except Lisa Shearin is a genius for creating this magnificent series. Give me the next one now!
September 17, 2018
I'm a huge fan of the Raine Benares series, so I was quite excited to read its continuation. Unfortunately, this book just didn't live up to its predecessors. It suffered from too many characters and not enough space to keep up with them. There were often times when I was left wondering why a side character that I loved through the original series (i.e. Piaras) was only briefly mentioned and then somehow disappeared.
This book is setting up the next overarching story in this world, but it was also trying to be a reunion for the characters and the happy story of Raine and Mycheal's wedding that readers all wanted to see. I wish it had stuck to one or the other because the combination felt rushed and didn't really have the same cohesiveness that I loved with the original books. I will say that I enjoyed the setup for the future a lot more than the wedding portion. On the wedding side of the story, Raine is going through some typical fears and issues that a bride-to-be will face, but she only gets to partially work though some of them because of the political intrigue part of the story. Meanwhile the other half of the story is fascinating and leads up to a new plotline that could be really exciting, but the pace is thrown off because of the wedding side of it.
Basically, I wish this book had been the start of the new set of books in this world and maybe the wedding was a novella or short story on the side. I would have really enjoyed seeing more of the characters we know and love rather than just quick overviews of where everyone is and, what started to feel like, the author moving all of the pawns around to get them ready for the next round of the game.
Despite the issues, it was still nice to get to see these characters again and I am looking forward to more Raine books in the future.
This book is setting up the next overarching story in this world, but it was also trying to be a reunion for the characters and the happy story of Raine and Mycheal's wedding that readers all wanted to see. I wish it had stuck to one or the other because the combination felt rushed and didn't really have the same cohesiveness that I loved with the original books. I will say that I enjoyed the setup for the future a lot more than the wedding portion. On the wedding side of the story, Raine is going through some typical fears and issues that a bride-to-be will face, but she only gets to partially work though some of them because of the political intrigue part of the story. Meanwhile the other half of the story is fascinating and leads up to a new plotline that could be really exciting, but the pace is thrown off because of the wedding side of it.
Basically, I wish this book had been the start of the new set of books in this world and maybe the wedding was a novella or short story on the side. I would have really enjoyed seeing more of the characters we know and love rather than just quick overviews of where everyone is and, what started to feel like, the author moving all of the pawns around to get them ready for the next round of the game.
Despite the issues, it was still nice to get to see these characters again and I am looking forward to more Raine books in the future.
January 8, 2017
There were four years in between when this book was published and the last one, so it’s been a while since I’ve read these characters. It’s kind of weird because from what I do remember the last book was supposed to be the last book so I’m not sure why this book was made.
As a reader there are series that I absolutely love and the idea of them ending causes an almost physical pain, but at the same time I’ve seen enough series run too long and suffer because of it and I’d much rather still love the series when it ends. Some characters and worlds will always have stories to tell, but sometimes you need to at least leave some characters alone and move on.
As an author I understand that it can be difficult to get readers to go with you to a new series, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. When you rely on one series for your entire income and the second one isn’t doing as well it can be tempting to go back to your cash cow. I don’t know Shearin so I don’t know if that’s what happened here, but I wonder.
Looking at a few reviews on Goodreads there were several people complaining about the ending on the previous book and the lack of closure so maybe this book is for them.
Anyway, Wedding Bells, Magic Spells was alright. Plenty of epic stuff going on, lots of governments in peril, it was just difficult to get back into caring about the characters since it’s been so long since I read them. Also it ended on a cliffhanger which means that there will be more books.
3/5
As a reader there are series that I absolutely love and the idea of them ending causes an almost physical pain, but at the same time I’ve seen enough series run too long and suffer because of it and I’d much rather still love the series when it ends. Some characters and worlds will always have stories to tell, but sometimes you need to at least leave some characters alone and move on.
As an author I understand that it can be difficult to get readers to go with you to a new series, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. When you rely on one series for your entire income and the second one isn’t doing as well it can be tempting to go back to your cash cow. I don’t know Shearin so I don’t know if that’s what happened here, but I wonder.
Looking at a few reviews on Goodreads there were several people complaining about the ending on the previous book and the lack of closure so maybe this book is for them.
Anyway, Wedding Bells, Magic Spells was alright. Plenty of epic stuff going on, lots of governments in peril, it was just difficult to get back into caring about the characters since it’s been so long since I read them. Also it ended on a cliffhanger which means that there will be more books.
3/5
March 22, 2018
You know when you hit a great series and you are tooling along, loving the world, the characters, each book makes you feel happy inside just picking it up - knowing that this author and this series will deliver - and that was the case here with this series until this book.
Now I know it was years before the author decided to go forward with this series again - but did Shearin re-read the early books? It doesn't feel like it. Raine, is not the Raine I fell in love with. She has little depth. Her reactions are inconsistent. Basically she just felt wrong.
Oh - and the recapping - the never ending re-capping - seriously, why? We are all devoted fans if we made it to book 7, none of it was needed except as page filler - since not a lot goes on with this tale. It was like the author decided to dip her big toe back into this world (half heartedly) to see if there was still interest/a nibble.
All I could think of was dollar signs as I read this irritating effort - in the author's eyes. Very disappointing.
Now I know it was years before the author decided to go forward with this series again - but did Shearin re-read the early books? It doesn't feel like it. Raine, is not the Raine I fell in love with. She has little depth. Her reactions are inconsistent. Basically she just felt wrong.
Oh - and the recapping - the never ending re-capping - seriously, why? We are all devoted fans if we made it to book 7, none of it was needed except as page filler - since not a lot goes on with this tale. It was like the author decided to dip her big toe back into this world (half heartedly) to see if there was still interest/a nibble.
All I could think of was dollar signs as I read this irritating effort - in the author's eyes. Very disappointing.
September 21, 2018
If you subtracted the exposition/recaps of previous books and events therein, you'd have a much shorter novel. One thing I've always found a little frustrating is the fact that these books take place on such a compressed time frame - it's been three months since Book 1, and we're now at Book 8. The previous book ended with some resolution to the overarching plotline, but this one takes us back to the whole open-ended multi-book sequence to actually get anywhere. A ton of new characters are introduced, most of whom aren't really very interesting (e.g. Mychael's sister Isibel, who is too stereotypically spunky, although their mom turns out to be awesome), and we end with the wedding (finally!) and a vague cliffhanger for the actual story line.
June 2, 2020
The author is reviving her money spinner series??? what a shocker, not. Unfortunately she appears to have lost her connection with Raine. Who is suddenly flat and either afraid or balls- to the walls get things done girl. With no in between or layers.
The mother-in-law back story - so trite and forced.
The constant, jerky re-capping was all but never-ending. Did the author even read through this from start to finish? Cause the flow is just bad.
And this has killed the series for me - I will happily re-read books 1 - 6, but not this book or any future books in the series, I'm done.
The mother-in-law back story - so trite and forced.
The constant, jerky re-capping was all but never-ending. Did the author even read through this from start to finish? Cause the flow is just bad.
And this has killed the series for me - I will happily re-read books 1 - 6, but not this book or any future books in the series, I'm done.
November 21, 2021
This is the end of the Raine arc in the series but there are some loose threads left over at the end of the book. In some ways I am frustrated by a cliff hanger type ending but on the other hand I appreciate an author who decides when it is time to give the main character their HEA and stop torturing them. It looks like the next two books take on the loose ends and center around Tam and Phealen. I am interested to see how the series goes with the two of them. I have enjoyed Raine but I am happy for her to not be at the center of the maelstrom.
March 25, 2017
I didn’t realise there was going to be another Raine Benares novel after everything seemed to be all set for a happyeverafter in Book 7, but I’m delighted to find that there is. All the old favourites are back again as Raine, Elf soldier Michael and dark Goblin lord Tam Nathrach try to prevent peace talks between the various kingdoms from being undermined. If Raine thought she’d given up her magical powers when she parted from the soul-sucking stone, the Saghred, she’d better think again.
June 25, 2019
The never ending endless re-capping... where the hell was the story? Raine is suddenly a quivering mess just because she's facing the future in-laws. Where was my smart, capable heroine? And Mychael hardly got a look in.
This screamed money making - the author had basically finished the series with book 6 but decided to revive it for $$$ reasons. Poorly executed. And really took the shine off the entire series.
Th author plodded her way through this, it lacked joy.
This screamed money making - the author had basically finished the series with book 6 but decided to revive it for $$$ reasons. Poorly executed. And really took the shine off the entire series.
Th author plodded her way through this, it lacked joy.
January 26, 2025
I dnf'd this at around 80% in. I just couldn't make myself read it anymore.
I'm so sorry, Lisa Shearin. I really did used to love this series, but this was just not good.
Way too much recapping, and the whole book was just them theorizing to each other about what was going on, which was so boring. Way too much tell, very little show.
I'm going to try to forget I read this book and hold on to my good memories of books 1-6.
I'm so sorry, Lisa Shearin. I really did used to love this series, but this was just not good.
Way too much recapping, and the whole book was just them theorizing to each other about what was going on, which was so boring. Way too much tell, very little show.
I'm going to try to forget I read this book and hold on to my good memories of books 1-6.
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