Review - Silver-Tongued Devil by Jaye Wells

Silver-Tongued Devil (Sabina Kane #4) by Jaye Wells
Librarything / Goodreads

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Received for review from publishers (Netgalley)

Rating: 4.5 stars
Pages: 432
Publisher: Orbit

Summary: Spoilers for the first 3 books! Life is looking up for Sabina Kane. Now that her scheming grandmother is dead, the threat of war has passed and the rulers of the dark races are about to sign a treaty to ensure ongoing peace. Her relationship with sexy mage Adam Lazarus is strong and all her friends are around her. Even her magic training is progressing further than she ever expected. The only two dark spots in her otherwise settled life are her guilt over her sister Maisie's fragile mental state and Sabina's own sinking sense that she's got unfinished business with Cain, the mysterious cult leader she let get away months earlier.

When a string of murders rock the New York dark races community and threatens to stall the peace negotiations, Sabina finds herself helping to find the killer. Her investigation leads her down troubling paths that have her questioning everything - and everyone - she knows. And the closer she gets to the murderer, the more Sabina realises this is one foe she may not able to kill.

Thoughts: Silver-Tongued Devil was brilliant. I expected great things from Jaye Wells, but truth is that Green-Eyed Demon left me wondering where she could go with the series. Everything had ended so happily that I couldn't really work out why Wells needed two more books.

The reason? Because there is no such thing as a happy ending, not even in fiction! In real life, people don't just go from being a ruthless assassin for 50 years to being a warm-hearted softie overnight. And in real life, love and friendship aren't the only ingredients to lasting relationships. So while Sabina might want to ride into the sunset, that wasn't going to happen any time soon. And to honest, I am so very grateful for that!

Let's start with Sabina. She's one of my favourite characters in fiction, she is a take-no-prisoners woman who has a panache for violence. It's fabulous and depressing at the same time. But in the third book in the series, it felt like she was trying to be someone she wasn't. Luckily, that attempt is dealt with head-on in Silver-Tongued Devil. Not only did she deal with her own demons, she dealt with the way people around her were treating her too. *cough* Adam. *cough*

And while all the inter-character relationships were fantastically done, it was the gargantuan plot twists that made this book stand out. Jaye Wells is not afraid to "go there". She made some pretty big revaluations in this book and made her characters suffer through pretty horrific consequences because of them. What was especially gratifying was the way the plot built on existing scenes - Wells has been laying the groundwork for the events of Silver-Tongued Devil over the entire series. Now that? That's a real writer.

While the first half of the book was good, the second half was fantastic. The pace and the plot just grew more and more intriguing with each page - I found myself thinking about the book whenever I'd put it down. This book made going about my day a very frustrating venture, as all I wanted to do was read!! The only reason it isn't getting 5 stars? Well, it's not quite as funny as its predecessors. Other than that, it was perfection.

Bottom line? Silver-Tongued Devil was everything I didn't even know I wanted. It was a gripping installment to an already brilliant series. Go forth and read it!

Cover Alert! Silver-Tongued Devil by Jaye Wells

So, I was scrolling through twitter when, lo and behold, I saw that the cover to Jaye Wells' fourth book in her Sabina Kane series had been unveiled!  Take a look at the pretty:

This is probably my favourite cover yet.  For the first time, we get a bit of a background behind Sabina, but it doesn't change the tone of the covers at all.  Sabina is looking fiercer than ever!  I am super happy about this cover, as the cover tease Jaye gave us a few months ago had me worried it would descend into the mid-drift-baring badness that dominates most UF.  But not for our girl Sabina!

Anyhow, you will no doubt be seeing this cover a few more times this year - as the book does not (alas) come out until January 2012. *sighs*

Review - Green-Eyed Demon by Jaye Wells

Green-Eyed Demon (Sabina Kane #3) by Jaye Wells
Bookdepository / Amazon UK / Amazon US
Librarything / Goodreads

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Received for review from Netgalley

Rating: 4 stars
Pages: 400

Summary: The clock is ticking for Sabina Kane. She has to save her sister from her mysterious captors. And in order to do that, she has to broker a deal between the mages and the vampires before all hell breaks loose.

But as much as Sabina is focused on surviving the present, the past won’t be ignored. Before she can save those she cares about, she’s got to save herself from the ghosts of her past. Because the past is haunting her. Literally.

Thoughts: It's no secret that I am a fan of Jaye Wells - a big fan. This woman can make me laugh and cry and squee in delight, I love her. Green-Eyed Demon was fantabulous: lots of snarky dialogue by characters that I have grown to adore. It was not quite as strong as the first two books in the series, but I blame that on the fact that I read it on my computer... and I never love things I read on a computer. It's my reading equivalent of watching a film on a plane - distracting and unpleasant. So that I loved it as much as I did? Pretty impressive.

Sabina is still as kick-ass as ever, although she has really grown since the first time we met her. Her first instinct is to killkillkill, but she is gradually starting to get that under control. She also takes quite a few "grown-up" decisions regarding her relationship with Adam. I am so proud of this chick for getting her act together while still remaining true to herself. However, there were a few times when I felt like the development was a bit too explicit: Sabina would compare "Old Sabina" to "New Sabina" and my eyes would glaze over in boredom. *sigh*

But Wells takes strides developing Adam and Maisie. They seemed to have it all in the first two books, but the events of Green-Eyed Demon will spark a profound change both of them. I can't wait to see what Wells does with them in the next book, Silver-Tongued Devil. I am so glad that her series was extended another two books and can't wait to see what she has in store for us!

I also adored the New Orleans setting in this book - drag queens, voodoo . I adore New Orleans - y'all probably don't know, but I was born in the city and a bit of me never left. Jaye Wells just gets the deep south in a way that I didn't think a non-Southerner could (sorry Ms. Wells, but Texas doesn't quite count). If you love the Sookie Stackhouse books and you will love this installment of the Sabina Kane series.

Above all, it's the humour which makes this series stand out. Jaye Wells is as snarky and flat-out hysterical as she's ever been - mocking Twilight, making some kick-ass Star Trek references, giving a brief glimpse at a funny-yet-crazy-disturbing orgy, and giving demon!cat! Giguhl some lines that you will want to draw hearts over.

Bottom line? Sakina Kane still kicks some serious ass. Wells' frank, tell-it-like-it-is style will have you chomping at the bits for more.

Review – The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells

The Mage in Black (Sabina Kane Series, Book 2) by Jaye Wells
Bookdepository / Amazon UK / Amazon US
Librarything / Goodreads
Genre: Urban Fantasy 

Rating: 5 stars
Pages: 326

Summary: 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.

Thoughts: I absolutely adore Jaye Wells.  Her writing, her characters, her blog – everything.  She writes snarky-but-serious urban fantasy that is violent but amusing.  It is a flawless combination that can hook even the most skeptical of UF fans. Honest to God, if I could only read one urban fantasy author for the rest of my life – it would be this one.

Mage in Black picks up right where Red-Headed Stepchild left off. Wells introduces a dozen new characters within the first few chapters – including Sabina’s long-lost twin and her vampire ex.  Both of these characters has serious potential to make me hate them – I mean, really, how could I like a competitor for Sabina’s attention when she has the sexy hexy Adam after her?

That I loved both of these so-easy-to-hate characters?  Friggin’ awesome.  Her sister is adorable and her ex is – frankly – swoonable. (despite being slightly sociopathic – but hey, on Slade it was hot).

Everything I loved about RHSC was in this book – especially the humour!  Demon/Cat!Giguhl is back in action – complete with inappropriately violent funnies (Rule #1! You do not talk about Demon Fight Club!).  There is also a ton of Sabina Kane character development.  She is still the gritty, distrusting and jaded Sabina from RHSC – the words “emotionally traumatised” have nothing on this girl.  But she is fundamentally good – or, well, at least not-evil – and watching her start to get that was amazing to read.  I am relatively certain that one day she will have a rock-solid moral code.

Until then, this is the Sabina we get to enjoy:

"Believe it or not, there are plenty of ways to satisfy your need for blood without harming anyone."
I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, but where's the fun in that?"
- Chapter 6, The Mage in Black

One of the things I love about Wells’ writing is that the humour is just so natural.  It doesn’t feel like she is trying to write a “funny” book – instead, she’s writing a book with funny characters.  That’s how the series manages to remain an oh-so-serious!UF/Horror novel and not a chick-lit paranormal comedy.  Wells can make you want to cry and then have you in hysterics a few pages later.

Even though I gave RHSC 5 stars, I’d say this book is even better than the first.  5.5 stars, if you will.  Ok, there’s not as much Adam (*woe is me*), but the villain was 100x more badass and Sabina’s character development goes into the sky-high levels of awesome. 



Bottom line? The Mage in Black is gritty, bloody, painfully tragic, kick-ass and hysterical.  GO BUY IT.  And then lament the fact that the third book in the series, Green-Eyed Demon, doesn’t come out til March 2011.

Give this book to a boy!  If you are looking for male-friendly UF, try Jaye Wells on an unsuspecting guy.  Unlike a lot of UF out there, Sabina has no one-twu-wuv waiting at home.  And no one could claim Sabina was at all “girly” about her feelings.

At least, not without getting their ass kicked.

Book Release Blowout: Sabina Kane Kicks Ass!

Today is the release date of THE MAGE IN BLACK by JAYE WELLS!  *applauds*  This is book two of the Sabina Kane trilogy that started with the Jaye's awesome debut novel THE RED-HEADED STEPCHILD.

It is out today in the US (April 1st in the UK) - I would out searching the city for a copy this very moment if it weren't for the fact I'm on holiday.  *sighs*

So what is all the fuss about?  Well, besides being an amazing writer, Jaye Wells has created what is probably the most kick-ass universe I have read in a looong while.  The Red-Headed Stepchild is pure action-packed, no-frills urban fantasy - with a giant dollop of brilliant humour.  Wells can make me scared and make me laugh - it's insane.  Seriously, I'd be jealous if I weren't hooked on every word.

Read my fangirly review here!  And while you're at it, check out Jaye Wells' lovely and lively blog.  ♥

Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells

Summary: In a world where being of mixed blood is a major liability, Sabina doesn't really fit in. And being an assassin - the only profession fit for an outcast - doesn't help matters. But she's never brought her work home. Until now.

Her latest mission is uncomfortably complex and threatens the fragile peace between vampire and mage races. As Sabina scrambles to figure out which side she's on, she uncovers a tangled political web, some nasty facts about her family, and some unexpected new talents. Any of these things could be worryingly life changing, but together they could be fatal...

Sabina Kane: She's down, but she's not out.

Get your copy of The Mage in Black:

• UK/International - Bookdepository / Amazon UK / Waterstones 
• USA - Amazon US / IndieBound / Barnes and Noble 

Waiting on Wednesday - The Mage in Black (Sabina Kane, #2) by Jaye Wells

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are being eagerly anticipated.

The Mage in Black (Sabina Kane, #2) by Jaye Wells
Urban Fantasy - April 1st 2010 by Orbit - Goodreads
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 just finished the first book in this series last week, and was head-over-heels. I cannot wait to see how Jaye Wells continues the series... and I'm hoping for a bit of action between her and the hot mancy Adam! *sighs* Can. Not. Wait!

Review - Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane, #1) by Jaye Wells

Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane, #1) by Jaye Wells
Bookdepository / Amazon US / Amazon UK
Librarything / Goodreads

Rating: 5 stars
Pages: 304

Summary: In a world where being of mixed blood is a major liability, Sabina doesn't really fit in. And being an assassin - the only profession fit for an outcast - doesn't help matters. But she's never brought her work home. Until now.

Her latest mission is uncomfortably complex and threatens the fragile peace between vampire and mage races. As Sabina scrambles to figure out which side she's on, she uncovers a tangled political web, some nasty facts about her family, and some unexpected new talents. Any of these things could be worryingly life changing, but together they could be fatal...

Sabina Kane: She's down, but she's not out.

Thoughts: I LOVED this book! This is my first five star read this year, and to come from an author I knew nothing about, well, it is a pleasant surprise!

Where to start? Well, RHSC is really pure, action-packed, no-frills urban fantasy. But it is just plain funny! Even though this was a tough book, it was also really hysterical. Jaye Wells has a great sense of humour and here is one scene that I just have to share:

"Why haven't you exploded yet?" The demon was closer now, only a few feet away. I opened one eye to look at the arrow. Blood bloomed from the site of impact, just over my left breast.

"I—I don't know." Holding myself up became difficult as the seconds passed.

"Hmm. I wonder if I should stake you just to be sure."

"I'd really prefer it if you didn't," I said. "I'm sure I'll ignite any second."

The book only gets funnier from there. Jaye Wells manages to fit in humour in the most unlikely of places - a lot of it coming from her astounding secondary characters. I was head-over-heels with the demon!cat Giguhl and the mysterious!hot!mage Adam.

The universe is a super complicated one and even though we are tossed straight into the action, it is still an easy verse to get a handle on. She somehow manages to incorporate humour, world-building, appropriate sexual tension, and politics into her faeries, mages, vampires and demons.  Wells says she is inspired by Kim Harrison, and while I can see that in her work, I have to say that I much prefer her work over what I have read from Harrison so far.

As for Sabina, well... it took a while for me to warm up to her. She is cold as ice at the beginning of the book, and I wondered if I could like a character who seemed - at least to start with - to be utterly devoid of a concience! But it meant that watching her open up - even a little bit - to new people with different ideas became very satisfying. Although I am still not in love with Sabina,  I understand her. I see masses of potential in her and can't wait for the next book!