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Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane, Bk 1)
RedHeaded Stepchild - Sabina Kane, Bk 1
Author: Jaye Wells
THINGS TO DO: — 1) Infiltrate rival vampire cult an assassinate leader — 2) Get rid of demon houseguest — 3) Ditch the hot mage stalker — 4) Betray family — 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&...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780316037761
ISBN-10: 0316037761
Publication Date: 4/1/2009
Pages: 342
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 164

3.7 stars, based on 164 ratings
Publisher: Orbit
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

mariep avatar reviewed Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane, Bk 1) on + 51 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Red Headed Stepchild is the story of Sabina, a 1/2 mage, 1/2 vampire whose parents are dead and she is being raised by vampires. She is a conflicted character that has to deal w/ trying to be accepted as a mixed race "person" in a society that shuns all but the full bloods. Her life is further conflicted as the grandmother that raises her is also the head of the vampires. As is common in many UF books, Sabina is trying to find herself and is at times not a likeable characters. She does grow through the book and I look ward to reading the next. Even though there were some rough parts overall I thought this was a good book that shows potential by a a new author.
reviewed Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane, Bk 1) on + 248 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
The book was a mixed review for me. Sabina acted so adolescent at times that I could not believe the author designated her as 53yo. In fact, I may have just insulted some teens by saying Sabina displayed adolescent thinking and actions. The humor, especially with the demon, was frequently laugh out funny. The story line varied from very good to ridiculous. I plan to read the next installment as I hope this new author moves forward with her writing by building on her strengths and vanquishing her problem areas.
reviewed Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane, Bk 1) on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
My book shelf is overflowing with vampire books, which is perfectly fine with me. I simply can't get enough of them. I found out about this intriguing series on Twitter and had to rush out and buy a copy of Red-Headed Stepchild. I honestly didn't know what to expect and my expectations were minimal. Wells really let the creative juices flow and definitely added a much needed spark to a genre that is filled with books that ultimately sound the same.

Sabina Kane is a super bad*** heroine with more than enough personality to keep you enthralled in her story. She may have been raised within the vampire society but being a mixed blood doesn't offer her the equality of her brethren. In a way, Sabina is an abomination due to her half vampire, half mage blood. Her mixed blood puts her in the middle of a war that could provide answers to questions about her life and her family.

It's always exciting to come across a truly creative idea in a novel that adds a little something to a vampire's character. Wells created a new quality to her vampires by giving them red hair, varying shades based on age. I thought this change was kinda cool and was a fresh change to the typical vampire look.

Overall, I enjoyed the characters and the plot was great. I do have to admit it was a little on the slow side and I would have loved for there to be a tad more action. But still a very enjoyable read. Would I read it again? Sure. Am I going to continue reading this series? Heck Yes!
alterlisa avatar reviewed Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane, Bk 1) on + 335 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Was a great start to what I hope will be a great series. I didn't particularlly like Sabina but she evolved into a very likable person by the end of the book. Love her demon sidekick. Laughed out loud numerous times at the antics and descriptive nature of the poor "hairless"(after one of Sabina's spells went wrong) cat. Hope he features more in the upcoming books cause he was a hoot
stephanie13w avatar reviewed Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane, Bk 1) on + 300 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book was good! At first I didn't care much for Sabina but as I learned more about her I could see why she acted & felt the way she did. She is a half breed (vamp & mage) & a trained killer. As the story progresses she questions everything she thought she knew to be true & becomes an even stronger character. I can't wait for the next one in the series.
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reviewed Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane, Bk 1) on + 392 more book reviews
Sabina Kane is an assassin in the employ of the Dominae, the elders of the vampire race, one of which is her grandmother. However, due to her half-mage heritage, instead of being a high-ranking vampire herself, she is an outcast who must fight for every scrap of respect and validation. When her grandmother, the Alpha Dominae, sends her on her latest assignment, everything is questioned and Sabina must reevaluate her place in the world
ra7 avatar reviewed Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane, Bk 1) on + 1009 more book reviews
I started out not caring for Sabina, but ended up liking her a little more by the end. Sabina's greatest weaknesses are her blind trust to her family and her inability to trust herself completely. She makes great strides in both by the end (thank goodness!). Hopefully she will learn more about the world she lives in as well. "Again I wondered how I could have lived so long and not known more about the other races."
Nice twist with the certain family member(s) too.
mbeer avatar reviewed Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
This book is so slow, terrible weak, and very unbelievable. If I am to believe that Sabina is a badass assassin, then shouldn't she act like one? She was insecure, and totally gets her butt handed to her by the mage. Which she just keeps taking and taking. She lets everybody else decide the fate of her life. Not really a very inspiring female lead character. I did not like her, nor did I like the story. When do you ever read of an assassin letling someone go "so she can see me destroy everything she holds sacred." Total waste of time!

Book Wiki

Series
Sabina Kane  1 of 3
People/Characters
Sabina Kane (Primary Character)
Adam Lazarus (Primary Character)
Lavinia (Major Character)
Clovis Trakiya (Major Character)
Giguhl (Minor Character)

Genres: