Review: Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells

Red-Headed Stepchild 

by Jaye Wells

(Sabina Kane #1) 

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 mission threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races and Sabina must scramble to figure out which side she's on. She's never brought her work home with her---until now.

This time, it's personal.

Red-Headed Stepchild is a fantastic start to the Sabina Kane series. Jaye Wells does a great job of balancing humor and action in this fast pace urban fantasy novel with a hard-ass heroine that grows a heart by the end of the book.

The book almost read like two for me. The 1st half we have a tough as nails heroine that would rather just do her job as an assassin for Domina, the vampire council, than have any down time and friends. In fact in the opening scene we see Sabina kill her friend because her grandmother, a member of the Domina told her to. No real questions asked.

Lavinia, Sabina's grandmother, is a total bitch and has treated Sabina as a second rate citizen all her life because she is half mage. But Sabina is good enough to carry out the death sentences that Lavinia is too good to do herself.

The second half of the book we Sabina change when she starts to realize that she has made friends with the small group of people that is helping her with her undercover assignment that the Domina has sent her on. She doesn't know how to act seeing as she's never really had any friends.

Among the group of friends is a super sexy mage named, Adam. Sabina learns about the mages' way of life from Adam, including how to use magic. Adam comes off as a stalker at first until his story unfolds. Then he is someone that Sabina is glad to have around.

Another person that Sabina finds herself being friends is the demon, Giguhl that was summoned to "test" Sabina by trying to kill her but one funny thing after another happens and Sabina finds herself with a house quest she can't get rid of. Giguhl is an AWESOME side character and helps bring humor to the story and I can't wait to see more of Mr. Giggles (the pet name that Sabina gives him).

All in all Red-Headed Stepchild is an urban fantasy book with everything, action, humor and a budding romance and an evil bad guy looking to take ove the paranormal world. If you like kick ass herione with a surprising soft side and Demons that are addicted to the home shopping network you should give  Jaye Well's Red-Headed Stepchild a go.