Red-Headed Stepchild

Loved it!

Is there a delicate way to say this is like a Kim Harrison novel, only much better? The Rachel Morgan books are good, but they were never a perfect match for me, not in the way this book pleased me. I'm really stoked about this series – at least the first book in the series.

Sabina Kane is half vampire/half mage, but has only lived in the world of the former, never giving thought to the other half of her heritage. The title refers not just to her red hair, a sign of vampire blood, but also to her second class citizen, never being completely embraced status in community that raised her. It refers to her desire to gain the approval of her grandmother, because it's not freely given to her.

The story concerns Sabina being sent to infiltrate the camp of a half-demon, half-vamp, and how doing this becomes the thing that in many ways frees her.

The author, Jaye Wells, has a knack for secondary characters. My favorite, and I'm going to assume the favorite of anyone with a sense of humor, is “Mr. Giggles” – a demon who becomes her familiar and is occasionally a – well, read it and see.

I found Sabina to be a likable and sympathetic character, even if occasionally she made dumb decisions, which characters in these types of books are contractually obligated to do anyhow.

I look forward to future books.

Okay, I have a confession to make, I didn't read the entire book. * Ignoring the less than polite comments, because I know they're well deserved.* Just hear me out for a second, will you? You actually expected me to read word-for-word the whole novel? You're freaking kidding, right? I mean this has to be one of the most frustrating novels to get through, in exsistence. I mean, just anticipating from the tidbits held back from various characters, you know that the secrets, and unshared information will only get worse, right?

Sabina Kane has to be filled with the emotions of an empath at a funeral from which the deceased was deeply loved. Such rage, sadness, frustration overall was damn consuming for the times I cried for her fate, literally. (Okay, this may be a bit over the top, but give me a break, I haven't slept all night).

To say that the research done to create this novel was undoubtbly different, would be like saying a work of Picasso is neat. Neat! Damned if I didn't know the backstory on Lilith and Cain! I do now....Jaye Wells is a creator of the arts; no matter how many times you just want to throw the book down because you think you just can't take it anymore.

Sabina only knew about her heritage, her lineage from the tidbits her Grandmother was willing to share. After a month of going after an ambiguous man, her life and fate and destiny are taked in a whole oppistie direction.

If you can't take frustrating or guilt that the protanganist will throw at you, like someone I know–me–then this is not for you. If you can read between the lines and read the whole plot of the book, like someone else I know–me, again–then you'll absolutely love it! Confusing? I know; I, seriously need to sleep or drink some caffine... Whichever, I need to do it before I fall out of this chair... (Why's the computer screen tilted? Crash! Ow...)