Mage in Black
by Jaye Wells
by Jaye Wells
Kindle Edition File Size: 419 KB
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Orbit; Original edition (April 8, 2010)
Sold by: Hachette Book Group
From Amazon.com
Sabina Kane doesn't have the best track record when it comes to family. After all, her own grandmother, the leader of the vampire race, just tried to kill her. When she arrives in New York to meet the mage side of her family, the reunion takes the fun out of dysfunctional.
On top of that, the Hekate Council wants to use her as a pawn in the brewing war against the vampires. Her mission will take her into the bowels of New York's Black Light district, entangles her in mage politics, and challenges her beliefs about the race she was raised to distrust. And Sabina thought vampires were bloodthirsty.
My Take
Sabina is the girl a lot of other characters love to hate. Sure she was an assassin for her total bee-yotch of a grandmother and the other cronies of the Dominae, the Vampire presidium or dictatorship, but then to learn that the same woman who you spent your entire life working to please, considers you an abomination, and then tries twice to kill you. You know that has got to hurt. This all happened in Jaye's Red Headed Step Child, where Sabina also learned she had a twin sister. Both women are products of an illicit mating between a vampire and a mage (user of magic). The twins were split between the races, with Sabina going to the vampires and Maisie to the Mages. At the end of Red Headed Step Child Sabina has no choice really, but to go off with this really hot Mage Emissary, Adam, and Sabina's demon familiar, Gighul, to meet her twin, Maisie, the spiritual head of the Mage council. On their way to NYC Adam and Sabina are attacked by Vampire assassins, and the fun doesn't end there as Sabina tries to learn the ways of the Mage community, 99% of whom accept her, all of her. Apparently, there is someone or a group of someones who don't like Sabina and are trying to screw her over.
The Mage path is confusing, but it would seem Sabina has some destiny to fulfill. Also, she is fighting her growing attraction to Adam. But an old lover/rival is on the sidelines waiting to pick up the pieces when she is betrayed, which of course,she is. The betrayal starts her on a drift back to the dark side. Herein lies her test, that which will prove whether she is a villain or a heroine.
A checkered past may make Sabina the ultimate flawed heroine. Her need for acceptance, love, and maybe a little loyalty makes her redeemable. While she has killed at her grandmother's behest, she is actually loyal with a streak of honesty. And, she is royally p.o.ed at grandmama.
I really like these stories, and the characters. Sabina is Everywoman. Although she is half Vampire and half mage her plight is entirely human. Where will she ultimately fit in? Will she fit in anywhere?
I adore Gighul, who I keep seeing as Shrek in my mind, except of course when he isn't forced to be Sabina's bald cat, Mr. Giggles. The cat's name is brilliant as it gives us insight into the pronunciation of the demons real name. Gighul proves himself useful in many ways and very devoted to Sabina. Funny and a bit sad, poor Sabina sometimes reminds me of The Fugitive seeking that one piece of truth that will make her whole again.
I also like that Sabina has to face her past and herself as she takes lessons to reach her Mage powers, and decides how she will come to grips with the events in the book. No longer seeking her grannie's approval, she has to grow beyond that relationship and learn a new way of behaving.
You may have deduced my enthusiasm for this book and this series. There are enough amusing moments to lighten Sabina's plight. You are going to feel for her and want her to succeed. At the end of the book you will start counting the days until Green-Eyed Demon is released (Feb. 22, 2011). Highly recommended!
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Orbit; Original edition (April 8, 2010)
Sold by: Hachette Book Group
From Amazon.com
Sabina Kane doesn't have the best track record when it comes to family. After all, her own grandmother, the leader of the vampire race, just tried to kill her. When she arrives in New York to meet the mage side of her family, the reunion takes the fun out of dysfunctional.
On top of that, the Hekate Council wants to use her as a pawn in the brewing war against the vampires. Her mission will take her into the bowels of New York's Black Light district, entangles her in mage politics, and challenges her beliefs about the race she was raised to distrust. And Sabina thought vampires were bloodthirsty.
My Take
Sabina is the girl a lot of other characters love to hate. Sure she was an assassin for her total bee-yotch of a grandmother and the other cronies of the Dominae, the Vampire presidium or dictatorship, but then to learn that the same woman who you spent your entire life working to please, considers you an abomination, and then tries twice to kill you. You know that has got to hurt. This all happened in Jaye's Red Headed Step Child, where Sabina also learned she had a twin sister. Both women are products of an illicit mating between a vampire and a mage (user of magic). The twins were split between the races, with Sabina going to the vampires and Maisie to the Mages. At the end of Red Headed Step Child Sabina has no choice really, but to go off with this really hot Mage Emissary, Adam, and Sabina's demon familiar, Gighul, to meet her twin, Maisie, the spiritual head of the Mage council. On their way to NYC Adam and Sabina are attacked by Vampire assassins, and the fun doesn't end there as Sabina tries to learn the ways of the Mage community, 99% of whom accept her, all of her. Apparently, there is someone or a group of someones who don't like Sabina and are trying to screw her over.
The Mage path is confusing, but it would seem Sabina has some destiny to fulfill. Also, she is fighting her growing attraction to Adam. But an old lover/rival is on the sidelines waiting to pick up the pieces when she is betrayed, which of course,she is. The betrayal starts her on a drift back to the dark side. Herein lies her test, that which will prove whether she is a villain or a heroine.
A checkered past may make Sabina the ultimate flawed heroine. Her need for acceptance, love, and maybe a little loyalty makes her redeemable. While she has killed at her grandmother's behest, she is actually loyal with a streak of honesty. And, she is royally p.o.ed at grandmama.
I really like these stories, and the characters. Sabina is Everywoman. Although she is half Vampire and half mage her plight is entirely human. Where will she ultimately fit in? Will she fit in anywhere?
I adore Gighul, who I keep seeing as Shrek in my mind, except of course when he isn't forced to be Sabina's bald cat, Mr. Giggles. The cat's name is brilliant as it gives us insight into the pronunciation of the demons real name. Gighul proves himself useful in many ways and very devoted to Sabina. Funny and a bit sad, poor Sabina sometimes reminds me of The Fugitive seeking that one piece of truth that will make her whole again.
I also like that Sabina has to face her past and herself as she takes lessons to reach her Mage powers, and decides how she will come to grips with the events in the book. No longer seeking her grannie's approval, she has to grow beyond that relationship and learn a new way of behaving.
You may have deduced my enthusiasm for this book and this series. There are enough amusing moments to lighten Sabina's plight. You are going to feel for her and want her to succeed. At the end of the book you will start counting the days until Green-Eyed Demon is released (Feb. 22, 2011). Highly recommended!
Great review! I really liked book 1, but I havent read this one yet =D
ReplyDeleteHadn't heard of this book but it sounds great! What an interesting presentation of characters.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review.
Larissa and Missie, thank you for coming by!
ReplyDelete