Review - Blue-Blooded Vamp (Sabina Kane, #5) by Jaye Wells

Title: Blue-Blooded Vamp

Author: Jaye Wells

Series: 5th (Red-Head Stepchild, The Mage in Black, Green-Eyed Demon, Silver-Tongued Devil)

Pages: 352

Published:  May 22nd 2012 by Orbit

ISBN:  9780316178457

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Sabina Kane is on the hunt. Her prey: Cain, the father of the vampire race and the one who murdered her family and her friends. Unfortunately, Cain is hunting Sabina, too.  The one man who holds the key to defeating Cain is, of course, Abel. A mage with secrets to spare and, hopefully, the power to match it. Unfortunately, for Sabina, he's in Rome and may not want to be found.  Sabina sets out for Italy with her friends, Giguhl and Adam Lazarus, to track down the only man who can get her the revenge she hungers for. But will he help her or oppose her? And just who is Abel, really? Worst of all, when Sabina figures out the goddess Lilith has a plan for her-she realizes this trip is getting deadlier by the minute. As they say: when in Rome-SURVIVE.

I Give This ...

I have to say it's nice to see the end of a series.  I no longer have to wait until the next book nor do I have to worry that the author is going to carry out a series to long.  I will miss Sabina, Adam, and the gang.  But, I'm more that satisfied with how this series ended.

Sabina really takes a pounding in this book.  In order to become The Chosen One, she must literally give up everything she is.  And while her friends are allowed to accompany her in the Underworld, she alone has to make the sacrifices.  The Sabina we met in book one would not have even considered any of the options she willingly endures throughout this book.  She truly embraces her destiny even when people walk away from her telling her there is no way that it can be done.

I liked the chain of events the happen though out this book.  I enjoyed how they have to track down Abel and the kink it throws into the story when we discover who he really is.  I liked the journey into and through the underworld.  I liked the mythological elements that were brought into the story.  I liked how each races occupies a space and how each one has a different feel.  I liked how the story ended even though I felt it lost a little bit of it's edge in that moment.  The only thing I could have done with out....mischief demon babies.  That was a bit much.

Review - Silver-Tongued Devil (Sabina Kane #4) by Jaye Wells

Title: Silver-Tongued Devil

Author: Jaye Wells

Series: 4th (Red-Headed Stepchild, The Mage in Black, Green-Eyed Demon)

Pages: 405

Published: January 1st 2012 by Orbit 

ISBN: 9780316178433

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Now that the threat of war has passed, Sabina Kane is ready to focus on the future. Her relationship with Adam Lazarus is getting stronger and she's helping her sister, Maisie, overcome the trauma of her captivity in New Orleans. Even Giguhl is managing to stay out of trouble thanks to the arrival of Pussy Willow and his new roller derby team. But as much as Sabina wants to feel hopeful about the future, part of her doesn't believe that peace is possible. Her suspicions are confirmed when a string of sadistic murders threatens to stall treaty negotiations between the mages and the vampires. Sabina pitches in to find the killer, but her investigation soon leads her down dark paths that have her questioning everyone she thought she could trust. And the closer she gets to the killer, the more Sabina begins to suspect this is one foe she may not be able to kill.

I Give This ...

It's been awhile since I read the last in the series, so I was hoping I hadn't really forgotten any of the events.   This book dives right in basically.  It's briefly mentions some of the major points and I was able to remember the details that seemed a little fuzzy.

I kind of felt like Sabina got the short end of the stick in this book.   I think she's trying to fit into too many people's idea of who she should be instead of just being who she wants to be.  She's both Mage and Vampire and I think she can fully embrace both without deny either side of herself.  She also has a really hard time with authority, and with good reason.  Those around her need to realize the more you tell her what she HAS to do, the less likely she will do it.  But, all of that forces Sabina to acknowledge who she is.   

I liked how much the actions forces certain events out into the open.  Sabina has to admit to the fact that she has a relationship with Slade.   Everyone has to realize that Maisie is far more troubled that she wants people to think about the events that happened at the end of book 3.  Adam has to acknowledge the Sabina has past darker than he would like to admit.  

I love how this book has it all.   Humor...Demon Roller Derby anybody?  Romance, because Sabina and Adam are awesome when they want to be!  And of course there is plenty of violence, mystery and paranormal activity.  I originally started this series simply because of the title of the first book.  You cab bet that I will be finishing it though!  And not just because there's only one book left in the series.

 

Review: Green-Eyed Demon (Sabina Kane #3) by Jaye Wells

Title: Green-Eyed Demon

Author: Jaye Wells

Series: 3rd in Sabina Kane

Pages:376

Published: Available now from Orbit

ISBN: 9780316037778

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Things to do: 1. Rescue sister. 2. Murder grandmother. 3. Don't upset the voodoo priestess. The clock is ticking for Sabina Kane. Her sister has been kidnapped by her grandmother, the Dark Races are on the brink of war, and a mysterious order is manipulating everyone behind the scenes. Working on information provided by an unlikely ally, Sabina and her trusty sidekicks--a sexy mage named Adam Lazarus and Giguhl, a Mischief demon--head to New Orleans to begin the hunt for her sister. Once there, they must contend with belligerent werewolves, magic-wielding vampires and--perhaps most frightening of all--humans. But as much as Sabina is focused on surviving the present, the past won't be ignored. Before she can save those she cares about most, she must save herself from the ghosts of her past.

I Give This ...

 

My word Sabina has a lot on her plate.  Just when things were starting to look up, she's slammed with another life threatening situation.  It's a good thing her previous occupation was an assassin, because I think it's enabled her to be able to react to the intense situations that she gets herself in.

While I'm a little tired of the constant change in scenery,  I think I've enjoyed this book set in New Orleans the best.  The feel it gives the story fit into everything else that goes on.  I particularly enjoyed their involvement with the voodoo priestess.  The fact that she was human made for some interesting events and usually the made the priestess look more capable that anybody else.  I loved the scene in the graveyard were they manage to animate a dead body into a zombie!

Sabina grows in leaps and bounds it seems.  She acknowledges that her grandmother is nothing more than an evil vampire who feels to family connection to her.  I think she's also coming to terms with having a twin sister.  Plus, she finally admits both to herself and out loud how she really feels about Adam.  It's funny how paranormal races have such an issue with commitment!

Overall this installment was intense and brought a lot of issues to a close.  But, because we love Sabina, Adam, and Giguhl (can I have a demon minion?) so much, we get new issues.  Who is the leader of the Caste and what does he want?  I my biggest thought...will someone please put the fairy queen in her place!!  I think she might be just as bad as Sabina's grandmother!

Review: The Mage in Black (Sabina Kane #2) by Jaye Wells

Title: The Mage in Black

Author: Jaye Wells

Series: 2nd in Sabina Kane

Pages: 326

Published: Available now from Orbit

ISBN: 9781841497570

Source: Personal copy

Description: Sabina Kane doesn't have the best track record when it comes to family. After all, her own grandmother, leader of the vampire race, wants her dead. So when she arrives in New York to meet her mage relatives, the reunion puts the fun in dysfunctional. Not only is mage culture completely bizarre, but everyone seems to think she's some kind of 'Chosen' who'll unite the dark races. Sabina doesn't care who chose her, she's not into destiny. But the mages aren't Sabina's only problem. In New York's Black Light District, she has run-ins with fighting demons, hostile werewolves and an opportunistic old flame. Sabina thought she'd take a bite out of the Big Apple - but it looks like it wants to bite back.

I Give This ...

 

I have to be honest that I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this series.  Adult paranormal tends to be hit or miss with me, but this series has really surprised me.

I love that Sabina is so unsure of herself during this book.  Who wouldn't be when the only living family you thought you had wants you dead.  Add in a twin sister you never knew you had, who was brought up by the very race you were raised to hate.  I think it makes for some interesting dynamics in our lead character.  I love her back and forth relationship with Adam.  It's very real to me.  I LOVE her demon, Giguhl.  He is pretty much the perfect sidekick.

I liked the direction the story takes.   Maisie was an interesting addition to the cast of characters.  She seems to be the complete opposite of Sabina.  I enjoyed the magic lessons.  I particularly enjoyed the demon fighting rings and the scenes with Slade.  I still like Adam more, but Slade cause Sabina to react in some very emotional ways.

There wasn't a lot of interaction with the vampires with this one.  Which was ok because we get tension with werewolves, descent within the mages, and some interesting scenes with the fairies.  I really liked this book and can't wait to dig into Green-Eyed Demon.  

Review: Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane #1) by Jaye Wells

Title: Red-Headed Stepchild

Author: Jaye Wells

Series: 1st in Sabina Kane

Pages: 325

Published: Available now from Orbit

ISBN: 9780316037761

Source: Personal Copy

Description: In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina Kane has the only profession fit for an outcast: assassin. But, her latest mission threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races and Sabina must scramble to figure out which side she's on. She's never brought her work home with her---until now. This time, it's personal.

I Give This ...

 

I find it easier to pick out my books at the beginning of the week.  That way I don't find myself staring at the shelves wondering what to read next.  For the most part it works out.  When I realized I would be reading two vampire books back to back, I was a little hesitant.  It's not that I don't like vampires, but they're the "it" thing right now and I try to space them out.  Turns out my worries were for nothing, because Red-Headed Stepchild was great!

I've discovered that adult paranormal can be a hard genre to write.  You have to have the right lead character, a little romance, and the paranormal world without it all being overwhelming.   I found this one to fill out all those categories nicely.  I was a little afraid of Sabina at first.  I thought she might just be a cold-hearted assassin.  She had way more depth than that, and I found that I actually really enjoyed her character.   


I was also really impressed with the paranormal world that the author has created.  It's very well balanced.  I enjoyed learning about the different groups that have a place in this world.  The each have something unique to offer the story.  I also really loved Sabina's place in this world.  It was a really interesting mix.


I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this series.  I'm glad that I have the second already sitting in my to read pile just waiting for me to get to it!