Review: Magic lost, Trouble found by Lisa Shearin:

The Particulars: Fantasy, Ace, available as e-book and in print

The Source: Purchased at Kobo

The Grade: A-

The Blurb:

My name is Raine Benares. I'm a seeker. The people who hire me are usually happy when I find things. But some things are better left unfound. I'm a sorceress of moderate powers, from an extended family of smugglers and thieves. With a mix of street smarts and magic spells, I can usually take care of myself. But when my friend Quentin, a not-quite-reformed thief, steals an amulet from the home of a powerful necromancer, I find myself wrapped up in more trouble than I care for. I like attention as much as the next girl, but having an army of militant goblins hunting me down is not my idea of a good time. The amulet they're after holds limitless power, derived from an ancient, soul-stealing stone. And when I take possession of the item, it takes possession of me. Now my moderate powers are increasing beyond anything I can imagine-but is the résumé enhancement worth my soul?

The Review:

What I liked:

For a long time, I thought that this was a YA series. I am not sure why I got that misconception.   I am glad that I decided to buy the first book early 2010.  I was hooked after I have forgotten how many times I have re-read it.   This book is a delightful mix of Epic Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy.  The setting is the city of Mermeia,  filled with merchants, sorcerers, elves and goblins.  It was fascinating to read about the various districts, and the familiar problems that the various characters had. But what made the book for me was Raine.  I loved her snarky opinions about everything from Goblins to the various districts.  The plot is fast paced, and at times I felt for Raine.   A lot happens in the book, she is chased by a goblin nutcase,  the Guardians would love to get their hands on her.  And a lot more. 

What I didn’t like:

It might be picky, but I wish I had a map. Not of the world, but of the city.  Why? They move through a lot of districts in the book, and it would have been nice to follow it on a map.   But that is just a minor pickiness. The major pickiness is that it took me awhile to get into the story.  But that was probably more because of  my mood.