All Spell Breaks Loose

Raine Benares has finally parted ways with the Saghred, a malevolent power-boosting rock, although her bond with it remains (as described in Con & Conjure). Unfortunately for Raine, the Saghred is now in the hands of megalomaniacal goblin Sarad Nukpana, whose plans for the rock and the magic it can give him involve world conquest%E2%80%94and Raine's death. Raine and her allies will have no choice but to brave the heart of enemy territory. Not only will Raine have to save the world without a shred of her magical powers to assist her, but some of her supposed allies are working for Sarad. Shearin provides a fast-moving assembly of well-worn and familiar story components, from the wise-cracking first person protagonist to her motley crew of tragically backstoried compatriots, for Raine's sixth adventure. The unambitious, unsurprising story blurs down the greased rails of its plot toward an inevitable end, dragging the reader along. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary Agency. (June)