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’s blurb drew me in with its intriguing
sounding storyline, and of course the fact that I completely heart Urban
Fantasy series and always hunt for more to add to my growing obsession
collection. The story line promises a mix and blend of mages and vampires, so
think of uber magic and an intricate world with a set-up system. Unfortunately
the beginning book was a letdown for several reasons, which aren’t the usual
ones.
Generally I have a loose form of order I cover in reviews,
with characters rarely being discussed first, but Red-Headed Stepchild forces
me to change my rule because my dislike for the main character overshadowed
everything else. Seriously. If you truly despise the character it’s hard to
follow them around as they encounter situations, care about their issues, get
into the plot without gritting your teeth, or even care much about the sideline
characters.
The ‘heroine’ starts off the book by doing something
unforgivable to a friend all in the name of misplaced orders. She does feel
regret, but to me it’s certainly not enough. Even if she is living in a world
and mindset where the rules always come first (something else I have a hard
time understanding as I’m not like that,) more remorse would have been
appreciated as she carried it out.
Her abrasive attitude is hard to take. The annoying smugness
and overbearing harshness were turn offs. She thankfully does thaw out a bit as
pages drag, but frankly she’s so unlikeable it ruined most of the book for me,
yech. She’ so incredibly hot headed she acts and speaks without thinking like
an enraged, assassin monkey.
It’s not just her personality that rubbed me the wrong way
either, but that she’s so clueless. By the end of this book I was fed up with
how amazingly blind and dull-witted Sabina was. I mean, seriously? She never
would face up to the obvious that sat in front of her face, that was constantly
shoved down her throat, painted for her in pictures, and told to her by almost
everyone she ran into.
At least Clover and the Grandmother were twisted villains you also like hating, but hating because you should, but liking as villains (Especially Clover….le sigh.) Sidekicks and friends were also engaging, especially with the injected humor coming from the unusual companion who starts tagging along with her, Giguhl.
Now, to the plot. It was certainly a unique one and I hold
no faults with it. I’m not really into the whole Lilith vampire storylines,
though, I see them sometimes and it doesn’t do much for me, but will wait to
reserve judgment on that. The author does an admirable job of blending
vampires, mages, fairies, and even unusually crafted demons into a bizarre,
legendary mix. The world building isn’t as well structured as some but it’s
worthy for a start.
My other complaint of the book is an unusual one I don’t see
often. A lot of Urban Fantasies (and other genres) can be dark, gritty, and
deep and have humor that works incredibly well too. This book attempted that.
The humor worked with flying colors, too. Dialogue is especially funny. But
what’s odd is how uneven the humor and the dark stuff was applied. It stood out
like a sore thumb. It was like one chapter would be filled with humor and
lightness, then the next chapter would be grim and depressing, and then it
would keep repeating the cycle. It was almost a merging of two different books
or writing styles. Bizarre.
Bottom line is I’ll give the second a chance, the first book
may have been a weaker start to the series. And, since Sabina was shown the
error of her ways, maybe she’ll start improving as a character. I can only hope
so. Overall Sabina’s negative outlook, childish temper, and blind devotion was
a turnoff, and the humor and grittiness needs to be applied more convincingly.
It’s not a book I can recommend.
Book Quotes:
“By now, I should have learned that luck, if she was a lady, was a mean-spirited bitch with a grudge against me.”
“My eyes bulged out of my head as I saw what rested between his hips. “Good Lord!” I said without thinking. A forked penis will do that to a girl. He glanced down at the appendage and smiled knowingly. “Once you go demon you never go back.”
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