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Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane #1)
Jaye Wells
Published: 2009 (Orbit)
Purchase at: Book Depository, B&N or Amazon
Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars
I love when you finish a book craving the next in the series. That’s how things go with Jaye Wells’ Red-Headed Stepchild.
Wells weaves a tale of unending rejection, resolve in new friends and a chance for both redemption and revenge. (Go ahead, just order the book. It really is that good.)
Sabina Kane is the top assassin for the Dominae (a.k.a. the vampire council). Her grandmother is their leader, but Sabina never had a chance to be in service to the Dominae in any way other than assassin. Despite being devoted and always bringing her A game, Sabina is an outcast in the vampire community because of her lineage. Her mother may have been of noble blood, but her father was a mage. And, well, that’s just not OK. Nonetheless, she’s worked tirelessly and never questioned the edicts of her grandmother and the other leaders of the Dominae.
After what the Dominae determined a mistake on her part, they decide to put her on a secret mission. They’ll tell everyone she’s been sidelined for a month, but really she’s to infiltrate an enemy’s camp, get some info and then kill the opposing leader. She’s not much for the spy business, but following orders makes sense. She agrees.
What she learns about herself — both in terms of her lineage and who she can trust — changes everything. By way of accident, she finds herself with a demon-turned-cat as a sidekick. Banter between her and Giguhl, the ugliest cat you’ve ever seen, will have you laughing out loud. Add in a cult leader with the hots for her, loads of vampire secrets and one hottie of a mage who won’t let Sabina refuse his assistance, and you’ve got the makings of one hell of an urban fantasy novel.
Magic and murder often go hand-in-hand, but with Red-Headed Stepchild we get more than that. Self-discovery, new friendships and wry humor elevate the book from good to great.
Sexual content: Kissing
I have this one on my ‘to-read absolutely no question in 2012’ list. Everyone whose taste in UF mirror mine seems to love this book/series so I can’t wait to get into it too. Great review. 🙂
it was an amazing book and I just love the others, I hope it will be the same for you ! Can’t wait to read the new one.
Sounds like a great book – as a red-head myself I feel I must read it! 😉
I just picked this book up a few weeks ago, I can’t wait to read it!!!!
I’ve always been curious about this since seeing it and wish I had a copy of it to give it a try! It definitely sounds good and I’ve heard pretty good things about it. Your review definitely sounds promising, no doubt! Can’t wait to give it a go.
I read red-headed stepchild in one go. Mage in Black yesterday
and Green-Eyed Demon today. Rip roaring. I love Sabina, she’s
Gutsy and real. Wells’s writing is a roller coaster ride of great
Action,plots and her sense of Humour rocks!!!!