The Mage In Black Review

The Mage In Black (Sabina Kane 2)

-          Jay Wells

Publisher: UK – Orbit

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.

I read the first of the Sabine Kane books, Red-Headed Stepchild a few weeks ago and quite enjoyed it (Read my review here). Picking up immediately following the end of the first book, this one sees Sabina move from California to New York and exploring her mage heritage along with some unexpected family and an old flame re-appears.

As before Sabina is a girl who reveals in action and snarky comments. I love her conversations with her demon minion, Giguhl – there is a great banter between the two of them that flies of the page. This time round Sabina is a little more relaxed, she’s not undercover this  time so you get to explore her off time habits in more detail. Whether it’s exploring her suppressed mage powers or just hanging out at the bar I felt I got to see more of Sabina ticks this time. While there wasn’t the urgency that the first novel had, there is still the over-hanging threat of war and Sabina’s Grandmother is still after her for her ‘betrayal’ in the first book. All this builds up to a huge finale and a cliff hanger ending – I’m looking forward to Green-Eyed Demon, the third book released in March 2011.

Once again I was swept up with the story and practically inhaled the whole book! While Sabina doesn’t linger in my imagination as much as others there (I’m thinking Elana Michaels and Mercy Thompson) I do enjoy spending time in her world – if only for some genuine amusing banter and some great fight scenes.

Recommended for Patricia Briggs and Charlaine Harris fans. 8 out of 10