In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina Kane has the only profession fit for an outcast: assassin. But, her latest missi...
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reviews
Mar 31, 2009
Julie (jjmachshev)
rated it: 
"Red-Headed Stepchild" is a debut fantasy novel from Jaye Wells with a good dose of sexual tension. As a debut novel there was quite a bit of world-building and scene setting, but the story still moved along at a rapid pace with not too much lag time. The heroine is a kick-butt assassin who becomes torn between her two worlds as the novel progresses.
Sabrina is the product of a forbidden union between a vamp and a mage. Her mother died not long after her birth and she was More...
Sabrina is the product of a forbidden union between a vamp and a mage. Her mother died not long after her birth and she was More...
2 comments
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(18 people liked it)
Sep 22, 2011
Book Chick City
rated it:
'Red-Headed Stepchild' was such a fab read! It's the first in the 'Sabina Kane' series and what a fantastic start. I was pulled into Sabina's life from the get-go and I liked her immediately.
Sabina Kane is an assassin, which means she's one tough cookie. She fights hard and enjoys it, but to do this she has to sacrifice her personal life and do the bidding of her grandmother, the head of the Dominae, to the point that she will kill even her friends. She's also a 'half-blood' - half v More...
Sabina Kane is an assassin, which means she's one tough cookie. She fights hard and enjoys it, but to do this she has to sacrifice her personal life and do the bidding of her grandmother, the head of the Dominae, to the point that she will kill even her friends. She's also a 'half-blood' - half v More...
7 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Feb 12, 2009
Mark
rated it: 
Sabina's a half-breed vamp with a little bit of the magixes in her! An assassin with a near impossible task and a secret history worthy of the best of Jerry Springer, Vamp edition! While it's not a comedy per se, there are tons of laugh out loud moments and Sabina's as engaging an urban fantasy heroine as I've read in years.
Ps. Loved me some Giguhl, Sabina's demon sidekick. I could read a whole spin-off of Mr. Giggles!
Ps. Loved me some Giguhl, Sabina's demon sidekick. I could read a whole spin-off of Mr. Giggles!
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(10 people liked it)
Apr 05, 2009
DarkHeart "Vehngeance"
rated it:
A wonderful debut novel to a promising new series. I really enjoyed the characters of Sabina, Adam, and Vinca. Throw a hairless demon cat into the mix and you're set for an exciting adventure. I look forward to reading more about Sabina as she uncovers the secrets of her identity.
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(4 people liked it)
Jun 18, 2010
Mistress ~ ♠ Mistral's Kiss ♠ ~
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(8 people liked it)
Apr 05, 2010
Cathy
rated it: 
Really a 3.5, but definately not a 4. It has all of the right urban fantasy elements, almost a checklist. Tough chick, tough decisions, wacky friends, hot guy she starts out hating but starts to fall for, betrayal, etc. But I jus didn't have the zip or energy it needs to be a 4. I like Sabina and the story, I am looking forward to the next book, but... I do like her different take on vamps, mages, elves and demons. She uses the tried and true Lilith myth, but in a new way. The supporting charact
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4 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Mar 21, 2009
Monie
rated it:
Half vampire, half mage Sabina Kane is an assassin working for the Dominae vampire council. Her latest job is to infiltrate the renegade group of vampires led by Clovis Trakiya who is recruiting vampires and other paranormal beings to ultimately overthrow the Dominae.
Raised by her grandmother, a powerful leader in the Dominae council, Sabina has always been required to suppress the mage side of her abilities. In the midst of infiltrating Clovis' group she's approached by a mage who More...
Raised by her grandmother, a powerful leader in the Dominae council, Sabina has always been required to suppress the mage side of her abilities. In the midst of infiltrating Clovis' group she's approached by a mage who More...
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Jan 20, 2012
Carina
rated it: 
First off just let me say that I truly wanted to like this book. I really did! I was in love with the cover, the description of the summary, and even though I had seen many mixed reviews about the book, it sounded like a story that I could really enjoy.
Before I start ranting about all the aspects of the book that I didn't like, let me begin with what I did like.
I really enjoyed the author's take on vampires. Having already done some research of my own, I was already aware of More...
Before I start ranting about all the aspects of the book that I didn't like, let me begin with what I did like.
I really enjoyed the author's take on vampires. Having already done some research of my own, I was already aware of More...
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Jul 18, 2011
Mariya
rated it:
So we have a half-vampire, half mage assassin named Sabina who is trying to gain acceptance from her vampire grandmother who shows no love or adoration to Sabina. Sabina gets herself in some shit and finds out more about herself in the process from hunky and sexy mage named Adam who looked ultimately delicious in nothing but a towel. And now she has to choose sides, the Mages or the Vampires. No one said life was easy.
Sabina was one tough cookie. I don't think she really stood out l More...
Sabina was one tough cookie. I don't think she really stood out l More...
11 comments
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Apr 22, 2011
Ros
rated it:
This book was so well written! Being that I'm in the middle of a rage against everything Vampires, I was almost turned off reading the book, but Jaye Wells did something totally different with the genre which made it not only bareable, but incredibly addictive - I can't wait to read more about the awesomness that is Sabina Kane...
Nov 22, 2011
Glass
rated it:
Well, it started quite promising, but then something happened and until the last fifty pages or so I was annoyed. Demon turned into the cuddly ugly cat... Give me a break!
Plot is interesting, Sabina is badass and I like mythology behind the vamps and mages.
But it was the red hair that got me! When I was thirteen, I wanted to dye my hair - take the wild guess - red, but my mom didn't want to hear about it. So, in the my not so smart rebelious moment, I dyed it with color shampoo. Ther More...
Plot is interesting, Sabina is badass and I like mythology behind the vamps and mages.
But it was the red hair that got me! When I was thirteen, I wanted to dye my hair - take the wild guess - red, but my mom didn't want to hear about it. So, in the my not so smart rebelious moment, I dyed it with color shampoo. Ther More...
2 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Jan 24, 2012
Aly (Lothaire) Daciano
rated it:
3.75*
It was an ok book... I didn't like it much at the start, though I loved the first sentence :D
I loved V and I am so sad that JW killed her. I like Adam and the G-demon, they're funny and cool.
Sabina is annoying, she is impulsive and it seems to me that she does things without thinking. I mean, come on, how idiot can you be to change allegiance and go to NYC to piss of your grandma? IMO she needs to grow up a lot.
In the end, I think that I would have liked the book m More...
It was an ok book... I didn't like it much at the start, though I loved the first sentence :D
I loved V and I am so sad that JW killed her. I like Adam and the G-demon, they're funny and cool.
Sabina is annoying, she is impulsive and it seems to me that she does things without thinking. I mean, come on, how idiot can you be to change allegiance and go to NYC to piss of your grandma? IMO she needs to grow up a lot.
In the end, I think that I would have liked the book m More...
7 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Feb 08, 2012
drey
rated it:
The first time I heard about Jaye Wells’ Sabina Kane series was in a what-would-you-buy-if-you-won giveaway comment. And it kept popping up, so I had to pick it up…
drey’s thoughts:
If you:
1. like urban fantasy
2. prefer your heroines smart-mouthed and sassy and able to open a can of whoop-ass with her pinky finger
3. want some plot amidst the action
then you’re going to love Sabina Kane in Jaye Wells’ Red-Headed Stepchild. How do I know? If you More...
Jan 28, 2012
Felicia
rated it:
What I Loved: Sabina Kane was a complicated heroin who was flawed yet very likable. Grim was the best demon sidekick hairless cat a gal could ask for. The whole cast of characters were very enjoyable to read.
What I Liked: I did not know what to expect when I picked up this book. I had never heard of Jaye Wells but the topic of Mages (Mancies), Vampires, and Faeries are topics I like to read about. Jaye does a wonderful job of introducing Sabina from the get-go with an action sequenc More...
What I Liked: I did not know what to expect when I picked up this book. I had never heard of Jaye Wells but the topic of Mages (Mancies), Vampires, and Faeries are topics I like to read about. Jaye does a wonderful job of introducing Sabina from the get-go with an action sequenc More...
Jan 11, 2012
Amanda
rated it:
This book was so much fun. I'm delighted by the fact that the heroine is a assassin and drinks from humans, sometimes to the point of death [she hates drinking synthetic blood]... True she does go for drug dealers and would-be rapists ala Dexter, but it's still a ton better then most of the other "blood is yuck" and "kiss don't kill" otherworldly heroines many publishers are trying to sell to me. If I'm looking at a book about vampires, cults and assassins I know that I'm goi
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Jan 02, 2012
MandyM
rated it:
Interesting but frustrating urban fantasy about a half vampire/half mage assassin, Sabina, who has been brainwashed and lied to all her life by her powerful vampire Grandmother, the leader of the Dominae. Sabina is sent by the Dominae to infiltrate a rebel group but along the way Sabina realises the truth and starts to switch her allegiance.
The problem I had with this story was Sabina's assassination of her life-long friend David in the first chapter. It was a morally reprehensible act More...
The problem I had with this story was Sabina's assassination of her life-long friend David in the first chapter. It was a morally reprehensible act More...
Nov 06, 2011
Sonia
rated it:
Great new urban fantasy! Well, new for me anyway :-)
Sabina Kane is a mixed-blood - half vampire, half mage. Raised by her grandmother, the powerful leader of the Dominae, the leading council of the vampires, she became an assassin for the council, always seeking approval from her grandmother. Now she was sent on an undercover mission to kill one of the Dominae´s enemies. But what she discovers makes her rethink her loyalties to her own race and to the woman who raised her.
More...
Sabina Kane is a mixed-blood - half vampire, half mage. Raised by her grandmother, the powerful leader of the Dominae, the leading council of the vampires, she became an assassin for the council, always seeking approval from her grandmother. Now she was sent on an undercover mission to kill one of the Dominae´s enemies. But what she discovers makes her rethink her loyalties to her own race and to the woman who raised her.
More...
Oct 28, 2011
Treedee
rated it:
Pros: Good pace. Entertaining read. Interesting characters/character relationships.
Cons: Superficial/stereotypical book. Mentally stunted & unbelievably naive main character.
The Setup: The novel opens at a good pace by introducing Sabina Kane, the protagonist of Red-Headed Stepchild, assassinating her friend for the Dominae, rulers of the vampires. Killing a friend unnerves Sabina, but her loyalty to the Dominae and lifelong struggle for the grandmother’s acceptance More...
Cons: Superficial/stereotypical book. Mentally stunted & unbelievably naive main character.
The Setup: The novel opens at a good pace by introducing Sabina Kane, the protagonist of Red-Headed Stepchild, assassinating her friend for the Dominae, rulers of the vampires. Killing a friend unnerves Sabina, but her loyalty to the Dominae and lifelong struggle for the grandmother’s acceptance More...
Sep 26, 2011
Mel
rated it:
I picked this book up shortly after it first came out having been persuaded by the advertising campaign, but it’s never made it to the top of my TBR pile until now. Having seen that my TBR pile features a lot of Urban Fantasy I’ve decided to start reading and weed out the good (loads of series for me to follow!) from the dreadful (plenty of that in the genre as well!).
RH-SC was an easy read. The world was nothing new to readers of UF but has some fun twists on the usual set up such a More...
RH-SC was an easy read. The world was nothing new to readers of UF but has some fun twists on the usual set up such a More...
Aug 28, 2011
Claire
rated it:
Do you have an 'A' list of books and a 'B' list? My wishlists always have books from the 'B' list on it. Reminders in case I'm ever hard up for a book and need something that isn't going to be a complete disaster but then again isn't an auto-buy. Unfortunately, despite having this on my to-read list (oh boy, I have waaaaaayyy too many lists. I apologize!) for over a year, the Red Headed Stepchild and the rest of the series is going on the 'B' list. I just couldn't get into it, couldn't fall in
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Jul 22, 2011
Bell
rated it: 
Full disclosure: I couldn't finish it. I forced myself to read to page 100 and then decided I would rather do just about anything than read this book. I took it to the playground to read while the kids were on the flying fox, and at one point I decided it was more interesting to stare at the sky than read this book.
Half of the problem was the writing: It was clunky in a way that seemed designed to appeal to a tween audience (e.g. when the eponymous narrator informs the reader that al More...
Half of the problem was the writing: It was clunky in a way that seemed designed to appeal to a tween audience (e.g. when the eponymous narrator informs the reader that al More...
Jul 13, 2011
(´*•.¸ღBexღ¸.•*´)
rated it:
Sabina Kane is a professional assassin for a powerful vampire sect. But she is only half vampire, a fact that has been a burden for Sabina her entire life. And when a mage approaches her with information about her mage family, Sabina finds herself torn between the life she knows and betrayal. Her latest mission is to infiltrate a cult and assassinate its founder. But Sabina soon becomes caught up in more than she can handle in a battle among the races. But she isn't sure which side she should ch
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Jun 12, 2011
Marcia
rated it:
Dear urban fantasy authors: Please take twenty minutes before you start a book to write up a somewhat detailed character analysis of your protagonist. Add quirks, traits both good and bad, likes and dislikes. If you get stuck after writing "aggressive, abrasive, quick to anger but slow to think, has vague supernatural abilities," then perhaps you should wait to write your book until you have more information. Because I have read this character what feels like a hundred times now, and I
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Apr 19, 2011
This was a book that I was very skeptical about at first, I didn't know if I would like it or not...I love anything paranormal, but, I also like a lot of romance...So my concern upon taking on this book was that it was going to be basically just this book about a female assassin who was half mage and half vampire and just a lot of gore, fighting, and action only...Not really a storyline, emphasis on the supernatural elements, or romance...Not so at all, this book was totally awesome...I would ha
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Feb 07, 2011
James
rated it:
Sabina Kane is a half-blood in a world where half-bloods are not allowed to exist. Raised by her cold grandmother, the head of the Dominae—the governing sect of vampires—who has filled her with a constant longing for approval, she does the only job that she’s qualified for: killing people who oppose the Dominae, whether they be friend or lifelong enemy of the vampire race.
When Sabina is asked to infiltrate a growing threat opposing the vampire race, she accepts, ostensibly to defend he More...
When Sabina is asked to infiltrate a growing threat opposing the vampire race, she accepts, ostensibly to defend he More...
Jan 12, 2011
Ithlilian
rated it:
Sabina is like an M&M, hard shell, but sweet inside. You may not get that right away from this book because she starts out being tough, gritty, and a bit unlikable. I don't mind tough chicks, but this one got to me at first. I also am not really into tough cookies that go soft all of the sudden. So why do I like this book? Well, it has one of my favorite elements, realism. I understood why Sabina did everything she did. The choices she made were for a reason. They might be a little hard to under
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Aug 03, 2010
Kt from A Book Obsession..
rated it:
Sabina is an assassin, the only career she was allowed to have because of her mixed heritage. The entire vampire race, looks down upon her as if she were contaminated. It has been forbidden for Mages and Vampires to mate. Since Sabina is the result of such a couple, she is continually "punished" for her parent's sins. She has been trying to make her grandmother, the leader of the vampires, proud of her all her life. But no matter how hard Sabina tries, her stone cold grandmother only
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May 20, 2010
Natasha
rated it:
March 17, 8:30 am - I'm having some issues getting involved in the story. I am surprised that I am 3/4 of the way through. I will finish it and add some thoughts when I am done
March 18, 12:26 pm - I finished reading the book last night, and I just wanted some time to stew before I actually wrote anything down.
I can't say that I LOVE the book, but I definitely didn't hate it. I really enjoyed the story line. I felt that Jaye was able to introduce a unique feature into her More...
March 18, 12:26 pm - I finished reading the book last night, and I just wanted some time to stew before I actually wrote anything down.
I can't say that I LOVE the book, but I definitely didn't hate it. I really enjoyed the story line. I felt that Jaye was able to introduce a unique feature into her More...
Apr 11, 2010
Cat
rated it:
(stolen from my blog)
I was up until 1:00 am finishing this book. I found the story enjoyable, easy to follow and humourous at times. Something nagged at me while reading though. Even though I wanted to find out what was going to happen and I kept reading, something was missing. I liked the characters quite a bit, though I think I found them sort of flat. I don’t know how to describe what bothered me throughout the book. I think it was that I never got really excited about the characters or More...
I was up until 1:00 am finishing this book. I found the story enjoyable, easy to follow and humourous at times. Something nagged at me while reading though. Even though I wanted to find out what was going to happen and I kept reading, something was missing. I liked the characters quite a bit, though I think I found them sort of flat. I don’t know how to describe what bothered me throughout the book. I think it was that I never got really excited about the characters or More...
Apr 11, 2010
Mardel
rated it:
Red-Headed Stepchild started out very strong for me, The heroine seemed pretty kick-ass and ruthless. Her grandmother is even more ruthless and thoroughly unlikeable. The Grand-Mama does not treat Sabina very well, because Sabina is a mixed race child, father was a mage, mother a vampire. In this world mages have black hair, and vampires have red hair, so Sabina's hair is an intriguing mix of black and red.
Sabina is a ruthless assassin for the vampires, her grandmother is on the head More...
Sabina is a ruthless assassin for the vampires, her grandmother is on the head More...
