The Mage in Black (Sabina Kane) by Jaye Wells
| The Mage in Black (Sabina Kane) by Jaye Wells | |
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| Category: Fantasy | |
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Reviewer: Loralei Haylock
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| Summary: A fast paced, fun read with great humour and lots of action. Not as strong as the first instalment, but builds up to a great final set piece that promises an explosive end to the series. | |
| Buy? Maybe | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 352 | Date: April 2010 |
| Publisher: Orbit | |
| ISBN: 978-1841497570 | |
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After betraying the Dominae and siding with a Mage over the Vampires, Sabina Kane finds herself on the run. Leaving behind everything she knows, she travels with Mage, Adam, to meet the other half of her family – her twin sister, Maisie. Though the Mages welcome her with open arms, Sabina, used to the cold, displeasure of her Dominae Grandmother, can't quite accept their open affection, or their conviction that she has a destiny. Her only focus is on revenge, developing her Mage powers so she can defeat her Grandmother.
But life in New York is very different to LA. And when Sabina accidentally poaches on the territory of 'The Shade', she finds herself back in the life of an old friend turned enemy, who provides a comforting taste of home. But with war between the Dark Races ever on the horizon, eventually Sabina will have to decide whose side she's on.
There's a lot to like about Wells' sassy Urban Fantasy series. It's humorous, packed full of action and continues to build on the interesting premise of the first instalment. After the first book introduced us to Vampire society, the second explores the world of Mages. Seeing Sabina, usually confident and in control, lost and confused amongst the strange Mage rituals adds a nice edge of vulnerability to a character who could so easily fall into stereotype.
The plot isn't as strong as the first, mostly revolving round Sabina's conflicting emotions, and there's never any real doubt that eventually she'll do the hero thing and save the day, however, the ending twist packs a great punch and sets up for the third book nicely.
There's a bit of love-triangle tedium, but it's introduced well, and explored to the perfect degree – not so overdone you're sick of it, but enough so it feels plausible and not just a bad excuse for a plot point.
Overall, a fast paced, good fun read. It suffers a little bit from being the second book – all build up with none of the novelty of the first book – but it's enjoyable and a really promising set up for what will hopefully be an explosive ending.
My thanks to the publishers for sending a copy.
If you enjoy urban fantasy, check out Lilith Saintcrow, Kelley Armstrong and Jennifer Rardin.
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You can read more book reviews or buy The Mage in Black (Sabina Kane) by Jaye Wells at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
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