The Mage in Black (Sabina Kane, #2) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Dec 02, 2009 Literary Ames rated it liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, magic-users, weres-shifters, read-in-2010, dtb, vampires

Frustrated. I think that word sums up how both I and Sabina feel. Sabina's frustrated sexually, with her inability to pick up magic faster, with her sister and her innocent, new-age wishy washy ways, the council's inability to decide if it's going to war, their slow progress on who's trying to kill her...and so on, and so forth.

It's both exhausting and boring. I was constantly looking for the fast-paced action and the original story of vampire culture described in the great debut. I found littl ...more

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Aug 18, 2011 Nairabell rated it it was amazing

Shelves: urban-fantasy, 5-star, read-in-2012

After turning her back on her vampire upbringing half-blood Sabina Kane finds herself thrust into the mage world in New York. United with the twin sister she never knew she had, Sabina has to deal with her family issues whilst suddenly having to follow mage rules. Faced with a prophecy claiming that she is destined to unite the dark races, Sabina isn't into destiny. But faced with demonic fight club, territorial werewolves and an old flame it looks like the Big Apple may be about to take a bite After turning her back on her vampire upbringing half-blood Sabina Kane finds herself thrust into the mage world in New York. United with the twin sister she never knew she had, Sabina has to deal with her family issues whilst suddenly having to follow mage rules. Faced with a prophecy claiming that she is destined to unite the dark races, Sabina isn't into destiny. But faced with demonic fight club, territorial werewolves and an old flame it looks like the Big Apple may be about to take a bite out of her...

This is the second book in the now complete Sabina Kane series (after Red-Headed Stepchild) which is one of my favourite urban fantasy series. It really needs to be read in order from the beginning due to the character development and world building. The storyline is both well plotted and well paced, and surprised me by the amount of twists, turns and manipulation still echoing throughout Sabina's life. The mysterious Caste of Nod are covered in more detail and are beginning to come out as a key player.

Sabina is really thrown in at the deep end, both with her sister Maisie and with mage culture in general. She has to further remove herself from vampire culture (drinking bagged blood for example) and also needs to learn to harness the innate talents endowed by her mage blood. Not only is she turning her back on her childhood, Sabina really doesn't think she is capable of doing anything but assassinate people and it is her insecurity that makes her accessible.

Maisie is the complete opposite of Sabina. She is a huggy, emotionally open earth mother type who paints her dreams and automatically accepts Sabina with no questions. She even supports Sabina's much-resisted attraction to Adam, who is sadly absent for much of the book. In his place is Sabina's old flame Slade who gives Sabina a chance to access elements of her old life. Adam's absence does means that the overdone love triangle is avoided and allows Sabina the space to make a decision as to which life (and guy) she truly wants.

Slade also opens a door for Giguhl, who is still my favourite character and is just as awesome and hilarious as ever. Slade's club hosts a demon fight club where Giguhl soon finds himself star of the show. The whole idea of the fight club is hilarious and the concept is well handled, managing to be action-packed and entertaining whilst growing Sabina and Giguhl's friendship.

I love that the designers kept Sabina's "Things to do:" checklist that looks paperclipped to the back covers. This installment has:
1. Survive Magic 101
2. Bond with long-lost sister
3. Stay alive

All in all, this was another great read and I can't wait for Green-Eyed Demon.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 8/10

Overall: 48/50 ...more

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Mar 18, 2012 Jackie M rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-read-in-2012, july2012

This is the second book in the Sabina Kane series.
The Mage in Black picks up where Red-Headed Stepchild left off.
Sabina heads to New York to meet her twin sister that she has never met before.
While in New York Sabina gets to know her sister, works on her mage skills, and gets herself into some major trouble.

I really enjoyed this book because it was fast paced and Sabina is a kick-ass chick who can hold her own.
There are times when Sabina acts first without thinking, but then you see her grow a b ...more

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Nov 30, 2013 Samantha wickedshizuku Tolleson rated it really liked it

Shelves: female-lead, reviewed, 4-stars, not-manga, paranormal, 2013, vampires, title-m

photo 559756_428121783971630_733400320_n_zpsa8350cf0.jpg

Wait... What? Is this really the same author? Same characters: check. Writing style: check. Plot twist: that wasn't on the list, but check anyways.

This was a shit ton better than the first book. The action was better as was the world building. Some of the characters still need some work. Also I think that the author needs to take her time when the villain strikes. I think that is what I'm most dissatisfied with about this series. ...more

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Nov 12, 2010 Crissa rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2011, favs, favorites

This book was even better than the first! I like how things are heating up with Sabina and the mage...and a nice twist was seeing Slade and Sabina have a moment in there. A cliff hanger ending, but not near as bad as some (Moning). Book 3 please!

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