Silver-Tongued Devil by Jaye Wells

Title: Silver-Tongued Devil

Author: Jaye Wells
Publisher: Orbit
ISBN: 978-0-356-50074-4
Pages: 405
Series: Sabina Kane #4
Type: Adult Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchased
Goodreads


Life seems to be looking up for Sabina Kane. The threat of war is passed, her family is reunited and her romance with sexy hexy Adam Lazarus is going from strength to strength. But Sabina doesn't quite trust that peace is possible so when a series of brutual murders shocks New York, Sabina is the only one not surprised. With the peace talks stalled Sabina and Adam must work quickly to find the killer before everything crumbles around them.

This is the fourth book in the Sabina Kane series (after Red-Headed Stepchild, The Mage in Black and Green-Eyed Demon) and moves the series to a whole new level. Previously Sabina was facing off against people from her past, but now there are gods and immortal bad guys coming out of the woodwork and her battles just got that much harder. Again, if you're new to the series, I'd recommend starting at the beginning.

This installment feels more introspective than the others as Sabina is trying to adapt completely to mage life, living only off bagged blood and not killing anymore. She's ended up a little lost between her vampire and mage instincts, especially when a vamp arrives who is incredibly similar to the old Sabina, and there's a realistic search for identity here that had me rooting for Sabina even more. The pacing is excellent from the dramatic start, through all the twists and turns to the "OMG!" ending which had be reaching for the next book straight away.

It isn't just Sabina who is struggling. Maisie has been left badly scarred by her experiences in New Orleans and is locking herself away in her room, refusing to talk to anyone. PW is still firmly clinging to her feminine identity (and ends up becoming incredibly bitchy) and even Mac and Georgia are having issues. The latter is incredibly heart-wrenching and well written with a bittersweet feel.

The setting returns to New York, which also means returning to Slade's club. Giguhl's beloved demon fight club has been replaced with demonic roller derby, which means he swiftly ends up coaching the Manhattan Marauders leading to some brilliant one liners. The return to New York also means that secrets buried in previous books are revealed with far-reaching results.

Sabina's "Things to-do" list remains and is just as awesome as ever.
     1. Find a murderer
     2. Learn how to be a team player
     3. Save the future of the dark races

All in all this was an excellent read and I can't wait for Blue-Blooded Vamp.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 9/10
Cover: 8/10

Overall: 47/50