The Mage in Black (Sabina Kane) [Paperback]

I read the first one (Redheaded Stepchild) and thought, "that was good but the second one will be better". And I was happy to find I was right. I enjoyed the plot of this one more than the first. Sabina has moved to New York to meet her twin sister and learn more about her mage side, but there are forces in NY that don't want to see her succeed.

With her comical demon sick-kick Sabina leaves behind LA and her grandmother, to take on angry werewolves, sexy ex-lovers and powerful mages. Filled with action, laughs and suspense, Mage in Black is a page turner.

If you like other urban fantasy authors such as Patricia Briggs, Kim Harrison and Jeaniene Frost, then you're sure to enjoy this new and exciting series. I'm really looking forward to the third one, Green Eyed Demon, and have a feeling it will be even better! I hope I'm right again.

The Mage In Black is the second book in the Sabina Kane series. The first book, Red-headed Stepchild, was really good, with great characters and plot, despite a few slower moments of world building. One of the real high points of the book, was the humor. In particular where demon cat Giguhl was concerned. So I was really looking forward to this second book and learning more about the mage race.

It starts up quick with a lot of action, picking up just after the events of book 1. Sabina is thrown in to the Mage world, so different from the life she's known under the Dominae. She's confused, resentful and desperate for revenge. But quickly finds herself in trouble again, with new foes and old.

I really liked this book. It was fast paced, fun and had a good plot with some great twists and turns. Several threads from the previous book were picked up and explained further, giving a much better sense of the world Sabina lives in, as well as giving us a better look at Sabina herself as she struggles to find a place in this world that seems so new to her. The romantic subplot with Adam is fun and hot, but doesn't take away from the main plots. It actually adds to it very nicely. Giguhl is once again the real comedy relief from the life and death fight Sabina is constantly in. There is the introduction of several new characters in this book. I like that they're not all rolled out at once, but given more detail over time so they're not 2d but without dragging the story down with information.

However, despite the good characters and plot, I didn't find myself getting lost in this book. It was good, very good in places, but unlike a few I've read lately, I didn't feel that desperate need to finish it and I found I could put it down quite easily. Despite that though, I finished in within a few days. And it is a very good follow up to Red-headed Stepchild, just not a book about to become a favourite. Well worth reading but I really recommend reading the first book first, because this one would likely be pretty confusing otherwise. And for those who don't know, there is a short story in The Mammoth book of Vampire Romance 2 (otherwise known as Love Bites) which features Sabina and introduces Slade, who is featured quite heavily in this book. Not necessary to read it, but might give some insight in to Sabina's reactions/feelings towards him and his character on the whole. Will certainly be looking for the next book in this series, and it's one I'd recommend, just not a favourite for me.

I have to admit that I love it when I discover a new author however I always feel a bit worried by the second novel as I'm left wondering was the first a fluke or did they let the pressure get to them too much promising way too much against what they have to offer. What Jaye has gone on to prove with this tale is that she's no one hit wonder. Sabina jumps back into the saddle with her rapier wit, her snarky comments and above all never knowing when to shut up. Add to this the factors that she's learning to cope with new feelings on a personal level as well as trying to balance her burgeoning talents and you know that you've gotten a treat. The only negative to the whole piece is that Jaye leave the reader on tenterhooks with a real cliff-hanger that hopefully the next novel will pick up upon. That said it will feel like a real old fashioned Saturday Matinee to the older reader and we can only wait to see what Jaye has in mind for our intrepid heroine.