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Liked It2 of 2 members found this review helpful “Oh me, oh my I have found a new author that I will most definitely be following! Red-Headed Stepchild was an awesome debut and I'm happy to say the beginning of a trilogy (I believe). Sabina is half vampire and half mage which means she is an outcast amongst the vampires who are her family. She...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Debut novel ‘Red-Headed Stepchild’ from Jaye Wells is going to go down as my 2009 ‘book with the most potential’, or perhaps the book with the best opening line “Digging graves is hell on a manicure, but I was taught good vampires clean up after every meal” – just such a great set up!...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Debut novel ‘Red-Headed Stepchild’ from Jaye Wells is going to go down as my 2009 ‘book with the most potential’, or perhaps the book with the best opening line “Digging graves is hell on a manicure, but I was taught good vampires clean up after every meal” – just such a great set up!
Alison S wrote this review 3 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Jaye Wells have developed a story with some excellent concepts (the bright red hair all vampires had for one), but she just didn’t quite get there in the plot development.
I found some of the plot information was delivered almost in a bad stage whisper (like the occult salesman, who doesn’t like vampires, doesn’t like Sabina, but shares this big story with her, then tells her not to tell anyone). Much of the story was a bit obvious, and I found most of the ‘erotic’ encounters lacking in subtlety.
Giguhl the demon is the greatest character. He’s probably also the character with the most depth and the most developed personality. He’s witty, funny, and loyal – and I’d just love for him to meet Simi (of Sherrilyn Kenyon Dark Hunter series) – I’m definitely seeing some similar genetics here. But even here I found some of his lines a little obvious.
Sibina has a serious chip on her shoulder. Understandably perhaps, but I still found it a little hard to actually like her too much. She started to come into her own near the end, but we had to wait to get through a lot of self loathing first.
The Red-Headed Stepchild shows that Jay Wells is an author to keep an eye on – there’s great promise from her as an author, and from this series. We just need to see a little more development of her art, once she’s got the hang of just letting the story flow through she’s going to be hitting bestseller lists all over the show.
A book to be read, and a series to be enjoyed –but stay tuned for the next book “Mage In Black”, which promises to share a little more of the potential hunk Adam (due for release in Australia in April 2010)
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“Funny, fast-paced read. I like the red-heads = vamps thing... no more making fun of gingas!”
Deyara wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I liked this book. Vampires from a newish angle. Usually I go for werewolves and fae, but I liked this. Wells had a really cool and original background theory for where vampires came from (if you have red hair you have a vampire in your bloodline, btw) and there was a cool conflict. Eagerly awaiting the next installment.”
Gray W wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“New spin on Vampire cult. Very entertaining, page turner. Looking forward to the next book, Black Mage.”
Shelby F wrote this review Friday, November 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No![RY RY =]](http://shelfari-userimages.s3.amazonaws.com/usr2252436633970703343175167.jpg)
“looks dark, wich those types of books i luv”
RY RY =] wrote this review Sunday, November 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Phew, imagine my surprise when I picked this book up from the Sci/Fi & Fantasy section only to discover this book was much much more!
Wildwitch wrote this review Tuesday, November 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The story begins with an Assassin named Sabina Kane. She is a Vampire but she is also a Mage. A Vampire always has hair that is a shade of red and it changes as they age. But a Mage usually has the dark hair. As you can see she is half Mage and half Vampire.
Vampires were actually created back in the day of Adam and Eve and the story explains how the forbidden fruit, apple wood, is one of the few ways to kill a Vampire. Please note that her Vampires are truly killers in this story. No vegetarians here. (Yippppeeee)
Sabina was raised by her Vampire family who is dominated by her Vampire Grandmother. The Vampires are the Dominae and they rule and dictate Vampire law. Sabina has done everything possible to take away the shame of her birth. Vampires and Mages are mortal enemies and her parents committed the worst sin possible. They fell in love and created a child. The Mages are ruled by the Hekate Council.
Sabina is sent to kill a traitor to the Dominae. Her friend David. She must prove to the Vampires that she will do her duty and make them proud no matter what. So she confronts David...
Soon she struggles to figure out what the secret is behind the Dominae. They sent her to become a spy against a "cult" who wants to join all the dark forces. The Fae, the Demons, the Vampires, the Mages, etc...Sabina's job is to infiltrate the cult and find out what they are up to. Then she is to kill the leader. She has always been an Assassin and has never been a spy. But she needs to show her loyalty to the Vampires and hopes to make her Grandmother proud.
There are secrets within the cult and these secrets involve both the Vampires and the Mages.
I don't want to spoil this but I can honestly say this is a great story, such strong characters and they will bring out several emotions as you read and get to know them. Highly recommended if you need a good read...not a fluff story!”
“Love it.. Great strong characters and action filled. One funny demon !!! This book was a style like Kim Harrison's novels, a favorite. I can't wait till the next book in this series.”
Debbie P ..aka Yodamom wrote this review Sunday, October 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I enjoyed reading this book by Jaye Wells. There was a bunch of action with a little of romance and humor thrown in. (A demon who is turned into a hairless cat and made to wear sweaters.) I hadn't hear of mages until this book and had to look up what it meant (it's a person who has magical abilities). I don't really have too much to say about the book except that this is the first book in a trilogy, and I will be putting the other books on my WL!
Purplg8r wrote this review Saturday, October 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“Interesting premise- could have been edgier. I like how the vampires actually killed their meals rather than finding some synthetic.”
Gretchen T wrote this review Friday, September 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Cross between of Karen Chance's Cassandra Palmer series and Kati MacAlister's Aisling Grey series but (slightly) inferior to both. Sabina's mysterious birthmark is just too cliched to be taken seriously but Wells does present a couple of neat new twists on vampire lore. ”
Carmen B wrote this review Wednesday, September 23 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
