Title: Red Headed StepChild
Author: Jaye Wells
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Sabina Kane #1
Number of Pages: 336
Publisher: Orbit
Confession time: I bought this book when it first came out along the same time I bought Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill. Sadly, for some unknown reason this book sat and sat and sat on my bookshelf waiting to be read, but never being picked up. I think part of it was that I just wasn't ready for yet another vampire book. Rest assured, this isn't your typical vampire book.
Sabina Kane has quickly jumped to the top of my favorite heroine list. She hasn't had an easy life. Sabina is half vampire and half mage and while her Grandmother is the leader of the dominae, the vampire council, it hasn't stopped people from making fun of her heritage. Her profession as an assassin hasn't exactly helped her make any friends either.
The mages and vampires have always been at war with each other, and the truce between them has always been fragile. When Sabina's grandmother gets wind of a plot that a rogue vampire who is also half demon is planning to overthrow her, she sends Sabina in to infiltrate the organization and to assassinate the leader of it. However, things get complicated when she finds out her grandmother hasn't exactly been truthful with her, and now must decide what side she's on before war breaks out between the two sides. Added to the problem is the hot mage Adam Lazarus, who won't leave her alone and keeps following her. Sabina thinks he's super hot, but isn't sure what his deal is with her. Then there is the demon Gighul who was summoned to kill her, but didn't succeed and she's stuck with him as a sidekick because she can't find a way to send him back where he came from.
Let me just say that I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. Sabina is such a great heroine. She is tough, yet likable. I loved seeing her change from someone who was only out for themselves to someone who gradually let others in her life. I felt like I was going through the struggle of what side to chose to be loyal to with her-do you stay loyal to the family that raised you even if they are doing horrible things or do you betray them for the side of good? Those are tough choices to make, and the decision she chose didn't come easily. The other characters in the book are just as great as Sabina. I loved Vinca, Sabina's nymph roommate-she kept me laughing, and really what's not to love about Gighul? Who can resist a wise cracking info-merical buying demon who turns into a hairless cat? Then there is Adam. This boy has the potential to become a book boyfriend. He's not your typical UF hero...he's actually nice, and there for Sabina while at the same time pushing all her buttons making her think things through. While he's nice, he has some serious magic and can kick some butt when the moment calls for it.
The world building in the book was done so well that it didn't interfere with the story being told or feel like it was taking up the entire storyline. I honestly can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series!
Curran Crush Meter: High
Barrons Hero Hotness Meter: High
Martini Sigh Meter: Medium
Rhiannon Heroine Kick Butt Meter: High
Gighul Sidekick Meter: High
