The Mage in Black

The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells

Sabina Kane #2

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.

Sabina has major trust issues in this book. It is no wonder she has a hard time accepting her father's family after finding out she has been lied to and manipulated her entire life by her mother's family. She has a terrible temper and is very sarcastic, but that's only her "tough as nails" exterior, inside there is a world of hurt and pain. That facade does get a little old at times as she cannot seem to have a conversation without being snarky, but it is somewhat understandable as it is her version of "armor" to protect herself. As the book goes on, she starts to show more of her true feeling underneath.

Even though there wasn't any real progress in a relationship between Adam and Sabina, I felt more of a potential between them than in the prior book. Unfortunately, it is only a potential at this point, he was absent for too much of the book for anything to happen. Despite his absence, Sabina starts to allow herself to feel something for him and realizes at this point in her life, he is the only person she trusts to any extent. I hope in future books we get to see more of them actually together.

The mage's treatment of her irked me. If Sabina is supposed to be this "chosen" one, why does everyone seem to blow her off and act like she is an imbecile because she has lived differently than them. You would think if they believe she is that important, the mages would want to listen to her, so their dismissing behavior does not make sense to me. She does seem to gain some respect as the book goes on, but it just isn't enough in my opinion. She's either important to them, or she isn't. They cannot expect her to be this "chosen" one without their complete support.

This book was fast paced and jammed pack with action from beginning to end. Despite a few grievances, this is a pretty good book, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment.

Rating:

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The Mage in Black (Sabina Kane)