
Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane #1)
The Sabina Kane Series by Jaye Wells.
Genres and Sub-Genres[]
Urban Fantasy
Series Description or Overview[]
Sabina Kane is a mixed-blood born into a world where vampires and mages are immortal enemies. Raised to be an assassin by her grandmother, who is the leader of the vampire race, she totally ignored her mage heritage. That is until a mage named Adam Lazarus came into the picture and revealed that her grandmother had been keeping secrets about her past—and her possible future.
As war looms between mages and vampires, Sabina must navigate a treacherous path to her own destiny as The Chosen, who is prophesized to unite all the Dark Races. ~ Sabina Kane | Jaye Wells
Lead's Species[]
- Mage / Vampire hybrid
Primary Supe[]
- vampires
What Sets it Apart[]
- A vampire and mage hybrid lead
- Hair color designating races
- A hairless cat-demon for a sidekick
Narrative Type and Narrators[]
- First person narrative told by Sabina Kane
Books in Series[]
Sabina Kane aeries:
- Red-headed Stepchild (2009)
- The Mage in Black (2010)
- Green-Eyed Demon (2011)
- Silver-Tongued Devil (2012)
- Blue-Blooded Vamp (2012) ~ Final book
~ First Chapters here: Sabina Kane | Jaye Wells
Shorts, Anthologies and Guides[]
- 0.5. "Vampsloitation" in The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2: Love Bites (2009) ~ anthology (Sabina, Slade Corbin)
- 2.5. "Violet Tendencies" (2011) ~ eShort, 31 pages (Sabina)
- 5.5. "Rusted Veins" (2013) ~ eShort, 84 pages
~ Free stories; Extras « Jaye Wells – Urban Fantasy Author
Other Series by Author onsite[]
Themes[]
- Balance: Sabina's journey is one of seeking blance between her two opposing sides—the two opposing races thae she was born into, finding self-acceptance.
World Building[]
Setting[]
- New York City
Places:
- New Orleans
- Irkalla: the Underworld
- Vein: Slade's vampire nightclub
- Georgia
- Los Angeles, California
- Bourbon Street
- Jackson Square
- Rome, Italy
- Bloodlands
- Europe
Supernatural Elements[]
✥ dark races: vampires, dhampir, mages, fae, shifters, demons, Cain, supernatural roller derby team, cult, Chosen One, prophecy, , ,
Glossary:[]
- Lilim: aka Lilitu there defining a vampire.
- Adamites: term defining humans.
- Mancies: term for Mage.
- Dominae: Vampire race that Sabina grew up in, her grandmother is it's leader.
- Undercouncil
- Chthonic magic: earth magic—Sabina has it
Groups & Organizations:[]
- Dominae Council: aka the Vampire Council. They rule over the vampires.
- Hekate Council: aka the Mage Council. They rule over the mages.
- Temple of the Moon: like a cult; the church led by Clovis Trakiya. He preaches about the unity of all the supernatural beings.
- The Caste of Nod: The Caste is a secret society rumored to be the protectors of the Preascarium Lilitu. It is supposedly a myth. They seem to hate most supernaturals.
- Demon League: They rule over the demons.
- Seelie Court: They rule over the faeries.
World[]
In this world, all vampires have red hair, while mages (magic users) have various shades of brown or black hair. Because Sabina has red-streaked black hair, the world knows that she is of mixed blood—a half-breed and, therefore, an outcast. Contributing to Sabina's isolation is the fact that her aristocratic vampire grandmother, Livinia, has raised Sabina to be a mage-hating slayer who hunts down and kills at the behest of the Vampire Council.
Prophecy: There is a prophecy involved, too: that Sabina is the Chosen—the one who will unite all of the dark races (i.e., vampires, mages, fae). This prophecy complicates Sabina's life because there are many among the dark races who want to get rid of Sabina so the unification can never occur. Although humans are included in the series, they serve mostly as a backdrop to the supernatural happenings.
An interesting note: applewood stakes and apple-juice-filled bullets can kill these vampires—a connection with the forbidden fruit of Adam and Eve’s downfall. Some of the characters in that biblical story also play major roles in the later books of the series, including the villainous Cain. ~ Fang-tastic Fiction: Jaye Wells: SABINA KANE
Cain and Lilith: In addition to being the man who invented murder, Cain was also the psycho ex-boyfriend of the Great Mother. They'd created the vampire race together before Lilith kicked him to the curb to marry the demon Asmodeus and become the Queen of Irkalla [aka the Underworld]. Cain was convinced he and Lilith belonged together, and most of his plots revolved around getting her back. But according to the prophecies...if any of the dark races gained power over the other races, Lilith would return to the mortal realm and kill us all....Cain's obsession would have been sad and desperate if succeeding didn't mean the destruction of all the dark races." (p. 17)
Protagonist[]
Sabina’s primary love interest is Adam Lazarus, a mage from New York City, but an old flame—Slade, a fellow hunter—turns up in book 2 to complicate matters. Near the end of book 1, Adam unveils to Sabina the secrets of her mysterious birth and the mage family she never knew she had. In each book, Sabina and her friends fight against political and personal enemies in both the vampire and the mage world. Another group that causes problems for Sabina and her allies is the Caste of Nod, a secret society of humans who seem to hate most supernaturals. ~ Fang-tastic Fiction: Jaye Wells: SABINA KANE
Sidekick[]
Name: Giguhl, "Mr Giggles" / What: hairless cat/demon / Sidekick-to: Sabina / About: Sabina's sarcastic, randy Mischief minion / Book First Seen In:
- Comic relief comes in the form of Giguhl, Sabina's sarcastic and randy Mischief demon minion, who turns into a hairless cat when he's not in full demon form.
- "I’m surprised by all the ladies who see Giguhl as some sort of sex symbol. In my head, he’s pretty gnarly looking, but I guess a good sense of humor and a forked penis can make up for green, scaly skin and black horns." — Jaye Wells, author ~ interview
Characters Chart[]
Characters | What | About |
---|---|---|
Sabina Kane | Half-famp, half-mage | raised to be a mage-hating slayer: hunts & kills for the Vampire Council; teams w: Vinca & Adam to take down a host of villains |
Livinia Kane | aristocratic vampire grandmother | raised Sabina to be a mage-hating slayer |
Adam Lazarus | mage; love interest | follows Sabina around; two purposes: to convince Sabina to accept her mage heritage and to solve the the disappearance of a huge number of mages |
Giguhl, "Mr Giggles" | Mischief demon / hairless cat | Sabina's sarcastic, randy Mischief minion; Mischief demon: shakes things up and usually is a good guy; was sent to kill Sabina |
Maisie | Sabina's twin sister | sent Adam to find Sabina; Sabina rescues her from their evil grandmother, Lavinia |
Pussy Willow | trans-sexual exotic dancer | |
Clovis Trakiya | demon / vampire | Leader of the Church of the Moon; poses a threat to the Vampire Council; |
Vinca, | Sabina's fae roommate | part of Sabina's team hunting villains |
Slade | fellow hunter | old flame; |
Caste of Nod | secret human society | seem to hate most supes |
Cain | original Cain | Cain wants to use Sabina's Chthonic magic to help him kidnap Lilith; he and Lilith created the vampire race together |
Abel | mage | Sabina is |
Lilith | Great Mother, Queen of Irkalla | she and Cain created the vampire race together; married demon Asmodeus; her return to the mortal realm would kill all; |
Franco Allegheri | vampire? | he works for Clovis. Sabina calls him "Frank" |
Ameritat | mage | Hekate Council member |
David Duchamp | vampire? | works for Clovis; Sabina's friend |
To expand the table, in Edit–Visual mode, right-press on a Row of the table or Column (Control-press on a Mac)—choose add Row or Column.
Author[]

Jaye Wells
- Website: Jaye Wells | Urban Fantasy
- Genres: Urban Fantasy, Dystopian Vampire Fantasy, PNR, Fantasy
- Pen names: Kate Eden is Jaye’s paranormal romance (PNR) pen name.
Bio: Jaye Wells is a USA Today-bestselling author of urban fantasy and speculative crime fiction. Raised by booksellers, she loved reading books from a very young ago. That gateway drug eventually led to a full-blown writing addiction. When she’s not chasing the word dragon, she loves to travel, drink good bourbon and do things that scare her so she can put them in her books. Jaye lives in Texas with her husband and son. ~ Goodreads | Jaye Wells
✥ After several years as a magazine editor and freelance writer, USA TODAY Bestselling author Jaye Wells finally decided to leave the facts behind and make up her own reality. Her overactive imagination and life-long fascination with the arcane and freakish blended nicely with this new career path. Her Sabina Kane urban fantasy series is a blend of dark themes, grave stakes and wicked humor. Jaye lives in Texas with her saintly husband and devilish son. Her work is represented by Rebecca Strauss of DeFiore and Co. ~ About « Jaye Wells
Cover Artist[]
Artist: Craig White ~ Source; Sabina Kane - Series Bibliography
Publishing Information[]
- Publisher: Orbit
- Author Page:
- Bk-1: Paperback, 325 pages, Pub: April 1st 2009—ISBN: 0316037761
- Bk-2: Paperback, 326 pages, Pub: April 1st 2010—ISBN: 1841497576
- Bk-3: Paperback, 376 pages, Pub: March 1st 2011—ISBN: 031603777X
- Bk-4: Paperback, 405 pages, Pub: Jan 5th 2012—ISBN: 9780356500074
- Bk-5: Paperback, 352 pages, Pub: May 22nd 2012—ISBN: 0748129979
Cover Blurbs[]
✤ BOOK ONE—Red-Headed Stepchild (): 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 the 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. — This time, it’s personal. ~ Maryse's Book Blog and Red-headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells - FF
✤ BOOK TWO—The Mage in Black: 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 vampires were bloodthirsty. ~ Goodreads
✤ BOOK THREE—Green-Eyed Demon: >Things to do:
- Rescue sister.
- Murder grandmother.
- Don't upset the voodoo priestess.
The clock is ticking for Sabina Kane. Her sister has been kidnapped by her grandmother, the Dark Races are on the brink of war, and a mysterious order is manipulating everyone behind the scenes. Working on information provided by an unlikely ally, Sabina and her trusty sidekicks--a sexy mage named Adam Lazarus and Giguhl, a Mischief demon—head to New Orleans to begin the hunt for her sister. Once there, they must contend with belligerent werewolves, magic-wielding vampires and--perhaps most frightening of all—humans. 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 most, she must save herself from the ghosts of her past. ~ Goodreads | Green-Eyed Demon (Sabina Kane, #3)
✤ BOOK FOUR—Silver-Tongued Devil: Now that the threat of war has passed, Sabina Kane is ready to focus on the future. Her relationship with Adam Lazarus is getting stronger and she's helping her sister, Maisie, overcome the trauma of her captivity in New Orleans. Even Giguhl is managing to stay out of trouble thanks to the arrival of Pussy Willow and his new roller derby team. But as much as Sabina wants to feel hopeful about the future, part of her doesn't trust that peace is possible. Her suspicions are confirmed when a string of sadistic murders threaten to stall treaty negotiations between the mages and the vampires. Sabina pitches in to find the killer, but her investigation soon leads her down dark paths that have her questioning everyone she thought she could trust. And the closer she gets to the killer, the more Sabina begins to suspect this is one foe she may not be able to kill. ~ Goodreads | Silver-Tongued Devil (Sabina Kane, #4) by Jaye Wells
✤ BOOK FIVE—Blue-Blooded Vamp: The epic conclusion to the amazing Sabina Kane urban fantasy series. Sabina Kane is on the hunt. Her prey: Cain, the father of the vampire race and the one who murdered her family and her friends. Unfortunately, Cain is hunting Sabina, too. The one man who holds the key to defeating Cain is, of course, Abel. A mage with secrets to spare and, hopefully, the power to match it. Unfortunately, for Sabina, he's in Rome and may not want to be found. Sabina sets out for Italy with her friends, Giguhl and Adam Lazarus, to track down the only man who can get her the revenge she hungers for. But will he help her or oppose her? And just who is Abel, really? Worst of all, when Sabina figures out the goddess Lilith has a plan for her-she realizes this trip is getting deadlier by the minute. — As they say: when in Rome-SURVIVE. ~ Goodreads | Blue-Blooded Vamp
First Sentences[]
- Red-headed Stepchild (2009) — Digging graves is hell on a manicure, but I was taught good vampires clean up after every meal.
- The Mage in Black (2010) — The Kum-N-Go's roadside-chic interior was bathed ina sickly fluorescent glow.
- Green-Eyed Demon (2011) — On my extensive list of enemies, the top two spots belong to Lavinia Kane and time.
- Silver-Tongued Devil (2012) — Blue lights flashed off the undersides of leaves
- Blue-Blooded Vamp (2012) — The St. Charles streetcar lumbered its way toward the Garden district like a mourner in a funeral procession.
Quotes[]
- Jaye Wells Quotes (Author of Red-Headed Stepchild) ~ GR
- Sabina Kane Series ~ Shelfari
Trivia[]
- Lists That Contain Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane, #1) by Jaye Wells
- Lists That Contain The Mage in Black (Sabina Kane, #2) by Jaye Wells
- Lists That Contain Green-Eyed Demon (Sabina Kane, #3) by Jaye Wells
- Lists That Contain Silver-Tongued Devil (Sabina Kane, #4) by Jaye Wells
- Lists That Contain Blue-Blooded Vamp (Sabina Kane, #5) by Jaye Wells
Awards[]
Read Alikes (suggestions)[]
— If you like these, you may like this:
- Night Huntress series
- Chicagoland Vampires series
- Kara Gillian series
- Allie Beckstrom series
- Alex Craft series
- Guild Hunter series
- Cassandra Palmer series
- Dreg City series
- Blood Singer series
- Charlie Madigan series
Notes[]
See Also[]
- Prospero's War series
- Jaye Wells
- Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2: Love Bites
- List of Sidekicks
- 2014 UF Release Schedule
- List of Vampires of Urban Fantasy
- List of UF Anthologies — UF Anthologies
- List of Cover Artists
- Urban Fantasy Links
- Category links at bottom of page
External References[]
Books:
- Books « Jaye Wells – Urban Fantasy Author
- Sabina Kane series by Trisha Telep ~ Goodreads
- Sabina Kane - Series Bibliography ~ ISFdb
- Sabina Kane Series ~ Shelfari
- Jaye Wells - FF
- Sabina Kane - Series Bibliography ~ ISFdb
- Sabina Kane Series ~ Shelfari
- Sabina Kane | Series ~ LibraryThing
- Jaye Wells author of Sabina Kane, The Prospero's War series
- Jaye Wells - Summary Bibliography ~ ISFdb
- Sabina Kane Series Reading Order - Maryse's Book Blog
Summaries, Reviews, Articles:
- Fang-tastic Fiction: Jaye Wells: SABINA KANE
- Celebrating the Sabina Kane series – Jaye Wells | (the original) Urban Fantasy Land
- Once Upon a Series: Series of the Week: Sabina Kane Series by Jaye Wells
Exerpts, Chapters, Freebies:
- Free stories; Extras « Jaye Wells – Urban Fantasy Author
- An Extract From RED-HEADED STEPCHILD | Orbit Books
- THE MAGE IN BLACK by Jaye Wells - Extract | Orbit Books
- An Extract From GREEN-EYED DEMON | Orbit Books
- A sample from SILVER-TONGUED DEVIL | Orbit Books
World, Characters, etc:
- Fang-tastic Fiction: Jaye Wells: SABINA KANE
- Sabina Kane Series ~ Shelfari
- Top 10 Urban Fantasy Sidekicks | Tor.com
Reviews:
- Red-Headed #3 Stepchild by Jaye Wells : Book Review ~ Love Vampires
- The Mage In Black #2 by Jaye Wells : Book Review ~ Love Vampires
Interviews:
- An interview with Jaye Wells on RED-HEADED STEPCHILD - Orbit Books
- AAD Author Spotlight: Interview: Jaye Wells | Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks
- An Interview with Paranormal Author Jaye Wells — Barnes & Noble Reads
- Jaye Wells Interview | syfy.co.uk
- Mysteristas | Interview: Jaye Wells
- Interview - Jaye Wells | Truths, triumphs, tragedies of an independent writer.
- Sci-Fi Fan Letter: Author Interview: Jaye Wells
- Stephen dines with Jaye Wells | Fantasy Literature
- Interview, Jaye Wells - Green-Eyed Demon | My Bookish Ways
- Between dreams and reality | Interview with Jaye Wells – Sabina Kane series
- 30 Days of Vampires, Interview: Jaye Wells | Lori Devoti
- Sabina Kane Read A Long: Interview with Jaye Wells | The Book Nympho
- Interview With Jaye Wells | Wicked Lil Pixie Reviews
- 30 Days of Demons – Day 20 – Jaye Wells | Michelle Rowen
- Fantasy Book Critic: Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells and Mini Q/A
- Book Monster Reviews: Interview & Giveaway with Jaye Wells
- Eating Authors: Jaye Wells | Lawrence M. Schoen
Audio & Video interviews:
- Podcast #136 – Interview Jaye Wells & Halloween Comic Book Day | SciFiFX.com
- An Interview with Jaye Wells | Hide and Create
- ▶ Jaye Wells Interview Part 1 - YouTube
- ▶ Jaye Wells Author @ Conestoga 12 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, - YouTube
Author:
- Jaye Wells – Urban Fantasy Author
- About « Jaye Wells – Urban Fantasy Author
- Goodreads | Jaye Wells (Author of Red-Headed Stepchild)
- Jaye Wells - Wikipedia
Community, Fan Sites: