The Mage in Black (Sabina Kane #2)by Jaye Wells

Sabina Kane doesn't have the best track record when it comes to family. After all, her own grandmother, the leader of the vampire race, just tried to kill her. When she arrives in New York to meet the mage side of her family, the reunion takes the fun out of dysfunctional.On top of that, the Hekate Council wants to use her as a pawn in the brewing war against the vampires. Her mission will take her into the bowels of New York's Black Light district, entangles her in mage politics, and challenges her beliefs about the race she was raised to distrust. And Sabina thought  vampireswere bloodthirsty. (goodreads.com)

I am tired of having to wait a year in between books in a series I am reading. This wouldn't be so bad if the books I was waiting for didn't all come out during the same time of year. At least if I knew I had various series scattered throughout the year it would be easier. But no. Most of the books I read tend to come out between Jan - March. This leaves a lot of waiting and trying to find other things to read.Last summer I discovered the first book in this series and it seemed like a forever-long wait for the sequel to come out and now I have to wait an entire year for the next book. Hmmph. I'm cranky about that.I did not like Mage in Black as much as I liked Red-Headed Stepchild, but it was still enjoyable. I very much like Sabina and I love her demon Giguhl (although I have re-named him Google, since that's how I read it each time). However I found this particular story to be somewhat rushed and oddly timed. The hunches I had at the beginning of the story proved to be right on and therefore I wasn't surprised by the ending and how everything played out. This second book just seemed to be leading right to the next book the entire time. I would have liked to have seen more interaction between Sabina and her twin, Maisie. I felt like that was lacking in the plot.I have to sit impatiently and wait for Green-Eyed Demon, which is scheduled to publish in March 2011. Per the author's website she's still finishing it up, but at least there's a cover for it! Ha! I do love the covers for this series as well.Overall I appreciate the aspects of the story that keep this urban-fantasy novel different from the rest. Jaye Wells' vampires are not your average run of the mill vamps. And her series isn't your average run of the mill UF series. It's original and her wit is strong. I'd recommend it to lovers of UF for sure.Sabina Kane series

1. Red-Headed Stepchild
2. The Mage in Black
3. Green-Eyed Demon
4. Silver-Tongued Devil
5. Blue-Blooded Vamp - June 2012