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Raine Benares #8
Treasure & Treason
An ancient power.
Hidden for millennia in a legendary city on an uninhabited continent, the Heart of Nidaar can harness the forces of nature itself. In the wrong hands, the artifact is a weapon that can command the power of the earth and seas to destroy all life. Just the type of power a sinister goblin brotherhood finds irresistible. In their hands, kingdoms will be forced to surrender to their rule.
A team of royals and rogues.
Chief mage (and nearly rehabilitated practitioner of black magic) Tamnais Nathrach is the perfect goblin duke to stop them. Along with elf pirate Phaelan Benares, these two have a roguish plan to sail to Aquas and snatch the Heart of Nidaar before it can fall into the wrong hands. After all, stealing hearts is what these two do best. Who cares if goblins and elves have been in a near constant state of war for centuries? This common enemy is enough motivation for some teamwork and a little professional competition.
The adventure of a lifetime.
Perhaps Tamnais and Phaelan have forgotten one small fact. Expeditions that sail to the continent of Aquas never return. It’s a blighted wasteland filled with creatures from nightmare and Tamnais might have failed to mention that the Heart has guardians, an ancient race willing to use deadly force to keep themselves and the artifact hidden. Alliances are tested, courage is challenged, and nothing less than the future of all life in the Seven Kingdoms is at stake in the deadliest—and most competitive—treasure hunt of all time.
Hidden for millennia in a legendary city on an uninhabited continent, the Heart of Nidaar can harness the forces of nature itself. In the wrong hands, the artifact is a weapon that can command the power of the earth and seas to destroy all life. Just the type of power a sinister goblin brotherhood finds irresistible. In their hands, kingdoms will be forced to surrender to their rule.
A team of royals and rogues.
Chief mage (and nearly rehabilitated practitioner of black magic) Tamnais Nathrach is the perfect goblin duke to stop them. Along with elf pirate Phaelan Benares, these two have a roguish plan to sail to Aquas and snatch the Heart of Nidaar before it can fall into the wrong hands. After all, stealing hearts is what these two do best. Who cares if goblins and elves have been in a near constant state of war for centuries? This common enemy is enough motivation for some teamwork and a little professional competition.
The adventure of a lifetime.
Perhaps Tamnais and Phaelan have forgotten one small fact. Expeditions that sail to the continent of Aquas never return. It’s a blighted wasteland filled with creatures from nightmare and Tamnais might have failed to mention that the Heart has guardians, an ancient race willing to use deadly force to keep themselves and the artifact hidden. Alliances are tested, courage is challenged, and nothing less than the future of all life in the Seven Kingdoms is at stake in the deadliest—and most competitive—treasure hunt of all time.
263 pages, Unknown Binding
First published November 15, 2016
63 people are currently reading
736 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 59 reviews
March 17, 2018
I love the Raine Benares series and enjoyed reconnecting with the characters. The action is fast paced, but I was expecting much more banter between Tam and Phaelan and the book ends just before the big battle, which was immensely frustrating. Therefore, only three stars and I’m not invested enough to carry on with this series.
June 19, 2022
I expected Tam to be twistier in person, but when you're reading from his point of view, he actually loses some of his mystery. Still a really good read.
December 3, 2017
Don't read it without having the next book, Ruins & Revenge , it ends in the middle of the story.
OMG was it fuuuuun!!!!
OMG was it fuuuuun!!!!
July 3, 2018
Hmmm, I liked it, but, no it was not as good as the Raine series, yes this is still that series, but at the same time not. As it has a new POV.
Now it's Tam's turn and I was all for that (Raine should SO be with him, and not that boring Mychael, boooooo, Team Tam!!!) But, were the Raine books in first person? Cos this was and it felt weird...
ALso way too little of Phaelan, maybe he should have gotten his book. I just felt Tam was not evil enough. He was so dark in the series and here he was like..nice. Ugh. Nice, right so dull.
Ok so bad peeps want a stone. Oh and invaders from another plane! A lot to take care of. Tam to the rescue!
It was a nice little adventure, do not get me wrong. But it just did not pack the same funny punch as the previous books. I want more goblins more evil and Phaelan was not even in pirate mode!
Still a nice book, but could have been more.
Now it's Tam's turn and I was all for that (Raine should SO be with him, and not that boring Mychael, boooooo, Team Tam!!!) But, were the Raine books in first person? Cos this was and it felt weird...
ALso way too little of Phaelan, maybe he should have gotten his book. I just felt Tam was not evil enough. He was so dark in the series and here he was like..nice. Ugh. Nice, right so dull.
Ok so bad peeps want a stone. Oh and invaders from another plane! A lot to take care of. Tam to the rescue!
It was a nice little adventure, do not get me wrong. But it just did not pack the same funny punch as the previous books. I want more goblins more evil and Phaelan was not even in pirate mode!
Still a nice book, but could have been more.
August 24, 2022
A fun, action packed addition to the series. Nice to see things from the goblin pov.
Warning this isn't the full adventure plot arc - it goes to a certain point and 'to be continued in our next episode '.
Warning this isn't the full adventure plot arc - it goes to a certain point and 'to be continued in our next episode '.
September 1, 2024
Cliffhanger ending. The story is about the trip to the destination & then it stops. 3 stars not as entertaining as I thought it’d be.
February 11, 2017
The entry for this book describes it as "Raine Benares #8", but it isn't - which is a pity, because that series was great fun to read. "Treasure and Treason" is a spin-off novel: Take a few supporting characters from the earlier series. Come up with a slightly-different McGuffin (the same bad guys are after *another* magic stone). Have the bad guys pop up every few pages to attack the good guys until the book runs out of pages. (It doesn't say "to be continued", but the book ends with the characters still traveling towards the McGuffin.)
If you've read the first series, and hope for more of the same, you won't find it here. If you haven't read the first series, you'll likely find that this book does not stand on its own.
If you've read the first series, and hope for more of the same, you won't find it here. If you haven't read the first series, you'll likely find that this book does not stand on its own.
November 18, 2016
3.5, rounded up to 4.
I love this whole series, and was glad to have the chance to come back to this world again.
This is an action-packed installment, but it suffers from a lack of editing. While I enjoyed the plot the prose sometimes got in the way and the book would have been much improved by a sharp red pen.
That said, the buckles did swash, the rips did roar and it was a fun adventure. I will absolutely be aboard for the next book in the series.
I love this whole series, and was glad to have the chance to come back to this world again.
This is an action-packed installment, but it suffers from a lack of editing. While I enjoyed the plot the prose sometimes got in the way and the book would have been much improved by a sharp red pen.
That said, the buckles did swash, the rips did roar and it was a fun adventure. I will absolutely be aboard for the next book in the series.
July 7, 2017
Treasure & Treason is the first major book in the Raine Benares series that isn’t from Raine’s point of view. Instead, Tamnais Nathrach, her formerly-dark-mage goblin ally, is the protagonist. Tam is organizing an expedition to the continent of Aquas. He hopes to beat the Khrynsani, who are working with Sarad Nukpana’s mother and evil alien invaders, to finding the Heart of Nidaar. It’s another magic rock, this one with Earth Magic instead of Soul Magic, and letting the Khrynsani control it would be bad news. Before the expedition can set out, however, Tam has to gather his crew. Treasure and Treason is more like that first part of Ocean’s Eleven where we meet all the various members of the sprawling ensemble cast. Unlike that movie, however, this book isn’t so much a heist as a quest—albeit a quest interrupted.
After my somewhat lukewarm attitude towards Wedding Bells, Magic Spells, I was very much looking forward to a book from Tam’s perspective. I hoped it would bring a freshness to the series. Shearin delivers in this respect. Tam’s voice is much huskier, more set and determined than Raine’s. Whereas Raine has a playfulness to her, which comes out even in the darkest moments, there is an edge of desperation to Tam that is no doubt a result of his days as a dark mage, steeped in the blackest of magic. Tam has seen some shit, and even if he is back on the wagon now, Shearin is careful to show us close he comes to falling off.
Treasure & Treason also showcases much more of goblin culture, albeit from Tam’s limited perspective. Characters who played minor roles in previous stories, such as Imala, or Tam’s own son, Talon, return for larger parts here. Shearin has more time to show off the structure of goblin society and explain why paranoia and intrigue are such essential parts of their lives. We really get the sense that not only are goblins used to shenanigans regarding the monarchy and, shall we say, “forced successions”, but it’s almost as if they enjoy it. Or, as Sarad puts it:
Literally chills ran down my spine as I read this. Shearin’s prose is often more functional than it is beautiful, but this passage shines. Sarad’s pronouncement is chilling but reads as very true: the goblins like unrest because it is challenging. He has tapped into a question that affects us all: without adversity, what is the point of living?
Not that I’m on the soul-stealing, body-snatching, dream-invading evil goblin sorcerer’s side. Nuh-uh.
Anyway, I quite liked the story here. The first part drags on a little, in my opinion, with more exposition than I would like, before we finally get to some serious action. My favourite action scene, though, has to be when Tam gets to ride a dragon and take out another ship in the process. It’s tightly written, exquisitely paced, and extremely dramatic. I appreciate how Shearin has her characters make a plan, then when the plan inevitably turns into ashes, they improvise splendidly.
Alas, this really feels like the first half of a story instead of the full story. It takes so long to get going on this adventure that we end with a cliffhanger just as the real fun is beginning—this is more the prelude to the expedition than the expedition proper. I gather the sequel will pick up pretty much where this book leaves off. This might be a valid strategy, but I would have preferred one, longer but singular book instead of splitting the story across two books like this.
Treasure & Treason makes me think we’re in Stargate SG-1 seasons 9 and 10 territory here. The main story arc over, the cast is remixed and new problems found to extend the life of the series. That isn’t a bad thing, mind you—I liked much of seasons 9 and 10! But there’s a marked difference between the stories of the first 8 seasons and the last two, and the same can be said here. I will keep reading Shearin’s stories in this universe, because they are good, but I’m wondering if the coherence of the first Raine arc is just so strong it will overshadow everything else.
My reviews of the Raine Benares series:
← Wedding Bells, Magic Spells
After my somewhat lukewarm attitude towards Wedding Bells, Magic Spells, I was very much looking forward to a book from Tam’s perspective. I hoped it would bring a freshness to the series. Shearin delivers in this respect. Tam’s voice is much huskier, more set and determined than Raine’s. Whereas Raine has a playfulness to her, which comes out even in the darkest moments, there is an edge of desperation to Tam that is no doubt a result of his days as a dark mage, steeped in the blackest of magic. Tam has seen some shit, and even if he is back on the wagon now, Shearin is careful to show us close he comes to falling off.
Treasure & Treason also showcases much more of goblin culture, albeit from Tam’s limited perspective. Characters who played minor roles in previous stories, such as Imala, or Tam’s own son, Talon, return for larger parts here. Shearin has more time to show off the structure of goblin society and explain why paranoia and intrigue are such essential parts of their lives. We really get the sense that not only are goblins used to shenanigans regarding the monarchy and, shall we say, “forced successions”, but it’s almost as if they enjoy it. Or, as Sarad puts it:
You will find that your beloved goblin people bore easily. There is no challenge in peace, no us versus them, no hunting your enemies in the dark of night. Quite frankly, you’ve taken away our collective reason to live.
Literally chills ran down my spine as I read this. Shearin’s prose is often more functional than it is beautiful, but this passage shines. Sarad’s pronouncement is chilling but reads as very true: the goblins like unrest because it is challenging. He has tapped into a question that affects us all: without adversity, what is the point of living?
Not that I’m on the soul-stealing, body-snatching, dream-invading evil goblin sorcerer’s side. Nuh-uh.
Anyway, I quite liked the story here. The first part drags on a little, in my opinion, with more exposition than I would like, before we finally get to some serious action. My favourite action scene, though, has to be when Tam gets to ride a dragon and take out another ship in the process. It’s tightly written, exquisitely paced, and extremely dramatic. I appreciate how Shearin has her characters make a plan, then when the plan inevitably turns into ashes, they improvise splendidly.
Alas, this really feels like the first half of a story instead of the full story. It takes so long to get going on this adventure that we end with a cliffhanger just as the real fun is beginning—this is more the prelude to the expedition than the expedition proper. I gather the sequel will pick up pretty much where this book leaves off. This might be a valid strategy, but I would have preferred one, longer but singular book instead of splitting the story across two books like this.
Treasure & Treason makes me think we’re in Stargate SG-1 seasons 9 and 10 territory here. The main story arc over, the cast is remixed and new problems found to extend the life of the series. That isn’t a bad thing, mind you—I liked much of seasons 9 and 10! But there’s a marked difference between the stories of the first 8 seasons and the last two, and the same can be said here. I will keep reading Shearin’s stories in this universe, because they are good, but I’m wondering if the coherence of the first Raine arc is just so strong it will overshadow everything else.
My reviews of the Raine Benares series:
← Wedding Bells, Magic Spells
April 26, 2021
2021 bk 72. If you are looking for a story featuring Raine - she isn't here - she is on her honeymoon. This story centers on her cousin Phelan and Tam, her friend and the search for another stone of power. The story is a good continuation of the series and I enjoyed seeing Raine's world through Tam's point of view. Still a good story that is well told.
August 12, 2022
3.5 to 4 Stars:)
February 10, 2017
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.
TREASURE & TREASON, the book I assume Raine Benares fans have been clamoring for, features Tam and Phaelan. AMAZING, am I right??? These two characters, the reformed dark magic practitioner goblin Tam and the endlessly amusing magic-fearing pirate captain and thief Phaelan, together - just the idea is spectacular. Reading TREASURE & TREASON is a treat, especially for fans of the series, and even new readers would find something to love, I suspect.
Tam has always been one of my favorite characters in this series, and I'm so happy to see him finally get his own book. Phaelan, too, but Tam always had that dark mysterious side that makes him that much more intriguing. The premise was great- throwing Tam and Phaelan on a boat together, with no way to escape the other is hysterical, and Shearin definitely makes plenty of jokes despite the drama that of course happens. After all, it is a Raine Benares world novel- something has to go down. And plenty does, with fight scenes and bad guys popping up out of the woodwork, and into dreams, it seems there's no escape for our intrepid heroes.
My one complaint, and this may be because I recently read another Shearin book, is the repetition. It is really drilled in that Tam is pissed at the bad guys, that he's willing to do whatever it takes to do what needs to be done, that he's willing to make sacrifices, on and on his inner monologue is full of thoughts like that. It just starts to get a little frustrating. This could also be the way Shearin writes and I just haven't noticed it before since I haven't read multiple books so close together. The other thing is the cliff hanger - I felt like the book was a little slow to start and then it just ENDED, right before what I felt would have been the most exciting part. So there was that, too.
Like I said, TREASURE & TREASON might be a good place for a newbie to the series to jump in. We've got a new main character, and while there is a lot of background, there isn't nearly as much as in previous books with Raine and Tam frequently mentions the information you might need to know. Plus, there's new characters and a new setting, so that makes it different than previous books as well.
All in all, TREASURE & TREASON is a delight. Shearin is a clever writer, interspersing laugh out loud funny moments with action and magic, and it is definitely worth the read.
Sexual content: N/A
TREASURE & TREASON, the book I assume Raine Benares fans have been clamoring for, features Tam and Phaelan. AMAZING, am I right??? These two characters, the reformed dark magic practitioner goblin Tam and the endlessly amusing magic-fearing pirate captain and thief Phaelan, together - just the idea is spectacular. Reading TREASURE & TREASON is a treat, especially for fans of the series, and even new readers would find something to love, I suspect.
Tam has always been one of my favorite characters in this series, and I'm so happy to see him finally get his own book. Phaelan, too, but Tam always had that dark mysterious side that makes him that much more intriguing. The premise was great- throwing Tam and Phaelan on a boat together, with no way to escape the other is hysterical, and Shearin definitely makes plenty of jokes despite the drama that of course happens. After all, it is a Raine Benares world novel- something has to go down. And plenty does, with fight scenes and bad guys popping up out of the woodwork, and into dreams, it seems there's no escape for our intrepid heroes.
My one complaint, and this may be because I recently read another Shearin book, is the repetition. It is really drilled in that Tam is pissed at the bad guys, that he's willing to do whatever it takes to do what needs to be done, that he's willing to make sacrifices, on and on his inner monologue is full of thoughts like that. It just starts to get a little frustrating. This could also be the way Shearin writes and I just haven't noticed it before since I haven't read multiple books so close together. The other thing is the cliff hanger - I felt like the book was a little slow to start and then it just ENDED, right before what I felt would have been the most exciting part. So there was that, too.
Like I said, TREASURE & TREASON might be a good place for a newbie to the series to jump in. We've got a new main character, and while there is a lot of background, there isn't nearly as much as in previous books with Raine and Tam frequently mentions the information you might need to know. Plus, there's new characters and a new setting, so that makes it different than previous books as well.
All in all, TREASURE & TREASON is a delight. Shearin is a clever writer, interspersing laugh out loud funny moments with action and magic, and it is definitely worth the read.
Sexual content: N/A
September 8, 2018
It took me a really long time to get through this. Because, well, I just didn't really like it. Mostly because I found it to be some paternalistic bullshit.
Here's the thing.
The best part about this series has always been Raine, at least to me. And in this series, Raine's primary nemesis has been Sarad Nukpana. Furthermore, Raine's new job is tracking and recovering other dangerous magical objects (like the Saghred) to prevent evil people from using them.
This book feels like it is sidelining her from her own story. Like, the men-folk have decided to step in and handle her business for her. Because Sarad is back, and there's a new dangerous magical object... and not only is she not on the team to handle the situation, but the characters in this book do not even tell her about it. The boys tell each other. And the message, about our heroine, seems to be "aww, don't worry your pretty little head, let us handle all your work."
I despise it.
This undercuts our (series) lead character horrifically. It is, furthermore, stupid (and not just on a meta level). Because there are all kinds of superpowers being displayed in this book that are beyond anything our characters have experienced before, and nothing they can do seems to counter it. Too bad they don't know anyone on Team Good Guy who has inexplicable powers like that, huh? Oh wait...
I don't even have words to describe how stupid it is that she's not on this mission.
Nor can I underscore enough how insulting it is that this team of guys have decided to sideline her while they handle her job.
I honestly don't even want to read the next book. But I hear there's another book actually featuring Raine in the near future - gasp! - and I don't want to not understand the story going into it. Because I've always loved the Raine books (I think every one of them are 5 stars in my ratings), and I'm sure I will love the next one, assuming the paternalistic bullshit doesn't inexplicably continue on.
I also want to say that Phaelan and Tam are some of my favorite secondary characters in the series (and I enjoy all the others - Talon, Kesyn, Imala - too), and so it was particularly disappointing, to me, for them to be so asinine in this book. Like, I'm hoping that they learn the error of their ways in the next book... by dying.
So yeah, I'm that disappointed.
Here's the thing.
The best part about this series has always been Raine, at least to me. And in this series, Raine's primary nemesis has been Sarad Nukpana. Furthermore, Raine's new job is tracking and recovering other dangerous magical objects (like the Saghred) to prevent evil people from using them.
This book feels like it is sidelining her from her own story. Like, the men-folk have decided to step in and handle her business for her. Because Sarad is back, and there's a new dangerous magical object... and not only is she not on the team to handle the situation, but the characters in this book do not even tell her about it. The boys tell each other. And the message, about our heroine, seems to be "aww, don't worry your pretty little head, let us handle all your work."
I despise it.
This undercuts our (series) lead character horrifically. It is, furthermore, stupid (and not just on a meta level). Because there are all kinds of superpowers being displayed in this book that are beyond anything our characters have experienced before, and nothing they can do seems to counter it. Too bad they don't know anyone on Team Good Guy who has inexplicable powers like that, huh? Oh wait...
I don't even have words to describe how stupid it is that she's not on this mission.
Nor can I underscore enough how insulting it is that this team of guys have decided to sideline her while they handle her job.
I honestly don't even want to read the next book. But I hear there's another book actually featuring Raine in the near future - gasp! - and I don't want to not understand the story going into it. Because I've always loved the Raine books (I think every one of them are 5 stars in my ratings), and I'm sure I will love the next one, assuming the paternalistic bullshit doesn't inexplicably continue on.
I also want to say that Phaelan and Tam are some of my favorite secondary characters in the series (and I enjoy all the others - Talon, Kesyn, Imala - too), and so it was particularly disappointing, to me, for them to be so asinine in this book. Like, I'm hoping that they learn the error of their ways in the next book... by dying.
So yeah, I'm that disappointed.
March 23, 2022
Raine Benares is one of my absolute favorite series. This follow up is incredibly disappointing. And, I am putting the same review here and on book 9, because, to me, each of these is half a book. The first one ends smack dab in the middle of the action, so definitely pick up both.
We have broken the Saghred and moved on with life. But, oh wait! there is another evil stone that we must deal with. And, this time Tam and Phaelan must deal with it. Ya know, they've already dealt with one, so this one should be easy peasy, right? Nope. Apparently, the evil bad guy can even find his way out of death.
So. We basically have the same story, with new leads. The same bad guys - just a bit twisted. But, this is not as well done as Raine. I don't know if Raine is just more likeable? (I don't think so - I adore Tam.) Maybe she has more personality to work through a plot? I'm just not sure, but Tam does not work here for me. There is all the trade mark sarcasm, but, again, it just doesn't work. I think there is not enough Phaelan for me.
It is readable. I'm glad I read it - but it is definitely not as good as its predecessors.
We have broken the Saghred and moved on with life. But, oh wait! there is another evil stone that we must deal with. And, this time Tam and Phaelan must deal with it. Ya know, they've already dealt with one, so this one should be easy peasy, right? Nope. Apparently, the evil bad guy can even find his way out of death.
So. We basically have the same story, with new leads. The same bad guys - just a bit twisted. But, this is not as well done as Raine. I don't know if Raine is just more likeable? (I don't think so - I adore Tam.) Maybe she has more personality to work through a plot? I'm just not sure, but Tam does not work here for me. There is all the trade mark sarcasm, but, again, it just doesn't work. I think there is not enough Phaelan for me.
It is readable. I'm glad I read it - but it is definitely not as good as its predecessors.
October 16, 2017
I was team Tam in the first set of books and I thought having a book from his POV would be up my alley. It didn't seem to grab me though despite several tries. I think a big part of this though is that it's been so long since I've read the original series. I might come back to this someday if I decide to reread the previous books.
November 30, 2016
I love this series and was so happy that Shearin decided to continue it. And Tam has always been one of my favorite characters, so it was great to see him finally get his own book.
July 1, 2017
3.5 stars
September 17, 2018
I wanted to love this - I mean it's Tam and Phaelan, I really wanted to love this, but I just didn't. It is impossible to review this without comparing it to the Raine Benares series (which I believe this is a spin-off of . . . or a continuation - I'm actually not 100% clear on that).
First off, this book hit one of my major pet peeves which is that it didn't really complete the story. In each of the Raine Benares books, it felt like there was a beginning, middle, and end. This book kind of failed at the end part, it just kind of stopped. It was jarring and not very fun to read, but I will say that I am glad I waited until Revenge and Ruins (the follow up to this) was also published before I read this one.
This is supposed to be from Tam's POV and I finally realized that what was bothering me throughout the book was that it didn't feel like Tam. I just don't feel like there was enough differentiation between Tam's voice and Raine's. I expected Tam's POV to be really interesting because it would allow us to get a deeper view of the politics in goblin court and also would let us have a guy's perspective. Honestly, it felt like a mopier version of Raine. Tam is still suffering from guilt over his past life (fair enough, but he didn't seem all that guilty or bad off when he was just the Sirens owner that Raine knew back in the beginning of that series).
I don't know if Tam and Phaelan had some issues in the past or what, but he seems to have a particularly negative (or just questionable I suppose) opinion of our favorite pirate. To be fair, Phaelan often encourages others to underestimate him and benefits from their mistakes, but Tam has been part of Raine's whole story and knows how Phaelan stepped up there, so it seems a bit odd to underestimate him. I can understand the concern about Phaelan and Tam's goblin crew having issues, but not the other stuff.
Also, can we please stop with Tam and Talon both being attracted to the same women? It is kind of a joke in the original series and now it is just weird. Plus, I was really hoping to at least see a bit more of the relationship between Tam and Imala that had been hinted at for so long, but that was a no go.
Overall, not my favorite, which makes me sad because I love the original series and had high hopes here.
First off, this book hit one of my major pet peeves which is that it didn't really complete the story. In each of the Raine Benares books, it felt like there was a beginning, middle, and end. This book kind of failed at the end part, it just kind of stopped. It was jarring and not very fun to read, but I will say that I am glad I waited until Revenge and Ruins (the follow up to this) was also published before I read this one.
This is supposed to be from Tam's POV and I finally realized that what was bothering me throughout the book was that it didn't feel like Tam. I just don't feel like there was enough differentiation between Tam's voice and Raine's. I expected Tam's POV to be really interesting because it would allow us to get a deeper view of the politics in goblin court and also would let us have a guy's perspective. Honestly, it felt like a mopier version of Raine. Tam is still suffering from guilt over his past life (fair enough, but he didn't seem all that guilty or bad off when he was just the Sirens owner that Raine knew back in the beginning of that series).
I don't know if Tam and Phaelan had some issues in the past or what, but he seems to have a particularly negative (or just questionable I suppose) opinion of our favorite pirate. To be fair, Phaelan often encourages others to underestimate him and benefits from their mistakes, but Tam has been part of Raine's whole story and knows how Phaelan stepped up there, so it seems a bit odd to underestimate him. I can understand the concern about Phaelan and Tam's goblin crew having issues, but not the other stuff.
Also, can we please stop with Tam and Talon both being attracted to the same women? It is kind of a joke in the original series and now it is just weird. Plus, I was really hoping to at least see a bit more of the relationship between Tam and Imala that had been hinted at for so long, but that was a no go.
Overall, not my favorite, which makes me sad because I love the original series and had high hopes here.
April 5, 2018
Tam is one of my favorite characters. Unlike most literary "bad boys" Tam doesn't use his angst as an excuse to treat others poorly or rely on his traumatic past to justify the negative effects his black magic use had on his family and friends. He unflinchingly accepts that he chose the wrong path in the past and it hurt the people he cares for. It's incredibly refreshing to see a male character actively rely on the people around him instead of playing the stoic and acting like he needs no help. Character growth is a beautiful thing.
Tam isn't the only one who matures. Talon has come a long way from the reckless teenager we saw in the Raine books. He's still impetuous, but he's willing to listen to reason. Which is great, because his lone ranger antics in the previous books got a bit frustrating.
Of course, this book wouldn't be complete without a Benares tagging along. Phaelan and his crew step up to help out the expedition to Aquas. We get to see a brand new side to Phaelan: the authoritative Captain Benares. When their expedition comes under attack, we get to see the characteristics that make the Benares fleet the most feared in the Seven Kingdoms. For all his goofiness, Phaelan is brave and resourceful.
We meet some new characters, too. Agata Azul is an incredibly powerful gem mage who agrees to help them find the Heart of Nidaar. She's also Keysn's former student, and is therefore somewhat immune to Tam's charms. She's a tough, no-nonsense kind of woman. Agata reminds me a little of Imala: far more powerful than she appears and devoted to the goblin people.
It was honestly refreshing to get away from all the politics on Mid. Negotiations between the nations are obviously an important plot point, but the squabbling got exhausting. All the action in this book made the story fly by. Of course nothing can ever go smoothly for our heroes. The Khrynsani and their off-world allies try everything in their power to stop the expedition. And the little book Tam brings along is much more dangerous than it first appears. It turns out Sarad Nukpana may not be so out of the picture. The team is going to have their work cut out for them, and I am excited to see how they're going to pull this off.
Tam isn't the only one who matures. Talon has come a long way from the reckless teenager we saw in the Raine books. He's still impetuous, but he's willing to listen to reason. Which is great, because his lone ranger antics in the previous books got a bit frustrating.
Of course, this book wouldn't be complete without a Benares tagging along. Phaelan and his crew step up to help out the expedition to Aquas. We get to see a brand new side to Phaelan: the authoritative Captain Benares. When their expedition comes under attack, we get to see the characteristics that make the Benares fleet the most feared in the Seven Kingdoms. For all his goofiness, Phaelan is brave and resourceful.
We meet some new characters, too. Agata Azul is an incredibly powerful gem mage who agrees to help them find the Heart of Nidaar. She's also Keysn's former student, and is therefore somewhat immune to Tam's charms. She's a tough, no-nonsense kind of woman. Agata reminds me a little of Imala: far more powerful than she appears and devoted to the goblin people.
It was honestly refreshing to get away from all the politics on Mid. Negotiations between the nations are obviously an important plot point, but the squabbling got exhausting. All the action in this book made the story fly by. Of course nothing can ever go smoothly for our heroes. The Khrynsani and their off-world allies try everything in their power to stop the expedition. And the little book Tam brings along is much more dangerous than it first appears. It turns out Sarad Nukpana may not be so out of the picture. The team is going to have their work cut out for them, and I am excited to see how they're going to pull this off.
November 23, 2016
3.5 stars
I always like Tam in the Raine Benares books, and now it seems he has a series of his own.
The Saghred was destroyed at the end of the last series, but now it seems there is another powerful rock on which the bad guys want to get their hands. There is at least one baddie faction that wants to use this rock to open gates for an invasion of elf, goblin, and human lands, and they've allied themselves with an alien race that previously wiped out a civilization. Another faction seems to want the rock for some other reason, and Tam and his allies want to stop them all.
Raine's pirate cousin Phaelen, a young rock and crystal mage, and Tam's son join Tam on a voyage to a mythical place where the rock resides, a place from which few have ever returned. There are enough explanations for the reader to recall history and characters from the Raine Benares series, and there's plenty of action along the way.
Readers should note, however, that this book is not a self-contained story but merely the opening segment of this new adventure. The characters and problems are introduced and Tam and his allies make a bit of progress in their quest, but nothing is resolved. It's not a cliffhanger in the respect that something dire happens at the end of the book and we must wait to see what happens. It's more that this segment of the story has come to a pause and we'll have to wait to continue it.
I enjoyed it enough that I'll look forward to the next book to see what happens next.
I always like Tam in the Raine Benares books, and now it seems he has a series of his own.
The Saghred was destroyed at the end of the last series, but now it seems there is another powerful rock on which the bad guys want to get their hands. There is at least one baddie faction that wants to use this rock to open gates for an invasion of elf, goblin, and human lands, and they've allied themselves with an alien race that previously wiped out a civilization. Another faction seems to want the rock for some other reason, and Tam and his allies want to stop them all.
Raine's pirate cousin Phaelen, a young rock and crystal mage, and Tam's son join Tam on a voyage to a mythical place where the rock resides, a place from which few have ever returned. There are enough explanations for the reader to recall history and characters from the Raine Benares series, and there's plenty of action along the way.
Readers should note, however, that this book is not a self-contained story but merely the opening segment of this new adventure. The characters and problems are introduced and Tam and his allies make a bit of progress in their quest, but nothing is resolved. It's not a cliffhanger in the respect that something dire happens at the end of the book and we must wait to see what happens. It's more that this segment of the story has come to a pause and we'll have to wait to continue it.
I enjoyed it enough that I'll look forward to the next book to see what happens next.
December 6, 2020
This should have been subtitled A Raine Benares World novel, bk. 8. It's not about her at all, though she gets a reference or two, offstage as it were.
Goblin Chancellor Tamnais Nathrach, who is also a dark mage who once embraced the darkest of black magic is now a reformed character. He and Raine's cousin Phaelan Benares are taking an expedition to the other side of their world to seek out a fabled near-mythical city of golden goblins and their powerful stone the Heart of Nidaar to keep that stone out of the hands of the villainous Sandrina Ghalfari and the evil Khrynsani who want to use the power of the stone to take over the Seven Kingdoms and enslave their people.
There are some new antagonists with a new kind of magic and even some news of Sarad Nukpana, who had been carried off to the lower hells by a demon in a previous book.
To help his quest, Tam needs a skilled and powerful gem mage so he recruits one, only to have her house fire-bombed out from under them.
Along on the expedition Tam intends to take his recently discovered son who is half-elf, half-goblin and wildly talented, strong and impulsive.
Interesting cast of characters. The book could have used some more editing though. It feels padded in places, and some of the dialog feels stilted. It also feels like half a book with the next book being a required second half.
Goblin Chancellor Tamnais Nathrach, who is also a dark mage who once embraced the darkest of black magic is now a reformed character. He and Raine's cousin Phaelan Benares are taking an expedition to the other side of their world to seek out a fabled near-mythical city of golden goblins and their powerful stone the Heart of Nidaar to keep that stone out of the hands of the villainous Sandrina Ghalfari and the evil Khrynsani who want to use the power of the stone to take over the Seven Kingdoms and enslave their people.
There are some new antagonists with a new kind of magic and even some news of Sarad Nukpana, who had been carried off to the lower hells by a demon in a previous book.
To help his quest, Tam needs a skilled and powerful gem mage so he recruits one, only to have her house fire-bombed out from under them.
Along on the expedition Tam intends to take his recently discovered son who is half-elf, half-goblin and wildly talented, strong and impulsive.
Interesting cast of characters. The book could have used some more editing though. It feels padded in places, and some of the dialog feels stilted. It also feels like half a book with the next book being a required second half.
November 29, 2021
This is a spin off from the Raine Benares series and I may like this one more than the original!
This story is from the POV of Tam who is a goblin dark mage. He has recruited Phaelan to escort a team to a distant island that no one has visited in recent memory, that has a stone of power that could be used to open gates between worlds and that reputedly has a race of goblins guarding it. What could possibly go wrong? Tam's goal is to prevent the use of the stone to open gates and bring through alien invaders who has foreign magic and are known to destroy worlds.
Tam is confident in who and what he is while at the same time knowing that the mission is extreme in its difficulty. I very much enjoyed learning more about different characters, old and new, in Raine's world. The action takes place far from the island of Mid so the characters do not have a lot of overlap with the original series. This book does end rather abruptly and without the end of the mission. I am excited to see how everything turns out in the next book!
This story is from the POV of Tam who is a goblin dark mage. He has recruited Phaelan to escort a team to a distant island that no one has visited in recent memory, that has a stone of power that could be used to open gates between worlds and that reputedly has a race of goblins guarding it. What could possibly go wrong? Tam's goal is to prevent the use of the stone to open gates and bring through alien invaders who has foreign magic and are known to destroy worlds.
Tam is confident in who and what he is while at the same time knowing that the mission is extreme in its difficulty. I very much enjoyed learning more about different characters, old and new, in Raine's world. The action takes place far from the island of Mid so the characters do not have a lot of overlap with the original series. This book does end rather abruptly and without the end of the mission. I am excited to see how everything turns out in the next book!
November 21, 2016
I adore this series, and have been looking forward to reading more about Tam in this latest installment. I would give this 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for an intriguing new plot arch and fun new characters.
The novel had some heavy exposition in the beginning that is unnecessary if you've just re-read any of the previous novels. I felt like a lot could have been edited out, as the action was slow to manifest when compared to some of the other novels.
Treasure & Treason is told from Tam's point of view, and I actually had a slightly difficult time distinguishing it from Raine's. The thought sentence structure was similar, and I felt like it was lacking some of the sophistication I would have expected from Tam. Despite that, I still enjoyed seeing a different side of this fascinating world and exploring some of the secondary characters more in-depth.
The ending was a bit unsatisfactory because nothing is really resolved, but now I'm dying to read the next book!
The novel had some heavy exposition in the beginning that is unnecessary if you've just re-read any of the previous novels. I felt like a lot could have been edited out, as the action was slow to manifest when compared to some of the other novels.
Treasure & Treason is told from Tam's point of view, and I actually had a slightly difficult time distinguishing it from Raine's. The thought sentence structure was similar, and I felt like it was lacking some of the sophistication I would have expected from Tam. Despite that, I still enjoyed seeing a different side of this fascinating world and exploring some of the secondary characters more in-depth.
The ending was a bit unsatisfactory because nothing is really resolved, but now I'm dying to read the next book!
October 14, 2024
The story - what there was of it - was fine, but there was way too much recapping of the previous books. I also didn't like that there was hardly any action until way past the half way point, and that it was only half a story...you have to get the next book to get a resolution. The other books in the "Raine's world" series at least concluded the main storyline of their books, even if the story of the sagred dragged on, but this one just stopped once they got to their destination.
I also wish it hadn't been written from Tam's POV, because unfortunately, being inside Tam's head didn't sound much different from being inside Raine's. I actually forgot we were listening to Tam a few times and thought it was Raine and got confused (probably my fault because I read all of Raine's books quite recently).
I also wish it hadn't been written from Tam's POV, because unfortunately, being inside Tam's head didn't sound much different from being inside Raine's. I actually forgot we were listening to Tam a few times and thought it was Raine and got confused (probably my fault because I read all of Raine's books quite recently).
October 8, 2018
Hmm, I don't give out many five stars. This one is more of a 4.33. Lisa started out as a good writer and has gotten better. The actions are great, her descriptions are well done and the story is really good.
She gets into her main character's mind and goes deep into his heart. There is angst-for a number of reasons-and surprises. New characters and new enemies and new ways of fighting. It is part of an ongoing series so the story doesn't end and you do not care for that means more of the story you can read.
I totally recommend it if you like fantasy or even action packed adventure tales. You might be able to get all of what is happening but it would be better to read the previous ones first though.
She gets into her main character's mind and goes deep into his heart. There is angst-for a number of reasons-and surprises. New characters and new enemies and new ways of fighting. It is part of an ongoing series so the story doesn't end and you do not care for that means more of the story you can read.
I totally recommend it if you like fantasy or even action packed adventure tales. You might be able to get all of what is happening but it would be better to read the previous ones first though.
March 25, 2017
Raine Benares family are a bunch of pirates, very successful ones, which is why when Tam Nathrach needs to sail off to a place that few return from to deal with another stone of immense power – the Heart of Nidaar – he takes ship with Raine’s cousin Phaelan Benares. Phelan doesn’t trust magic, and with good reason. This is the usual fast-paced plot that I’ve come to expect from Lisa Shearin. It was all going so well... until it simply stopped. Beware it ends on a cliffhanger – one of my pet hates.
July 9, 2025
The book follows the story after the Raine Benares books in a similar vein.
As someone who has always adored Tam, I was quite excited that he got a book of his own where he could fully shine brightly. The addition of Phaolan to the mix seemed like an even greater idea. Although I’ve enjoyed this book, the truth is I was expecting more interaction between the two. Even so, it’s an entertaining book with an interesting premise.
I can’t wait to see what happens next in Tam’s adventure!
As someone who has always adored Tam, I was quite excited that he got a book of his own where he could fully shine brightly. The addition of Phaolan to the mix seemed like an even greater idea. Although I’ve enjoyed this book, the truth is I was expecting more interaction between the two. Even so, it’s an entertaining book with an interesting premise.
I can’t wait to see what happens next in Tam’s adventure!
February 8, 2022
Set in the same world as the Raine Benares novels, but this one's all about Tam. Which is a good thing. A very good thing. See the cover illustration - though since the drake is with him, that should actually be his son, Talon... Regardless, it has the same engaging mix of action and humor, with likable characters.
October 15, 2023
A wonderful addition to the series.
This book features some of the side characters of the other books and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so you will want to have the next book cued up before reading. The characters are wonderful and quirky. The world building is superb. The plot is twisty. I can't wait to read the next book!
This book features some of the side characters of the other books and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so you will want to have the next book cued up before reading. The characters are wonderful and quirky. The world building is superb. The plot is twisty. I can't wait to read the next book!
January 3, 2024
Why hello, what's this now? A duology centered on Tam and Phaelan off on a new adventure rather that Raine and her ever boring romance with the equally boring Mychael? These two were easily my favourite characters from the previous books and I enjoyed seeing things from Tam's perspective for a change. A thoroughly fun read.
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