There is so much exceptional paranormal fantasy being released right now, it’s hard to choose what to read next. Here are just some of the releases coming out in the next few weeks—Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris, Daemon's Mark by Caitlin Kittredge, Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews, Hard Magic by Laura Anne Gilman, Magic on the Storm by Devon Monk, Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep, Moon Sworn by Keri Arthur, and Chaos Bites by Lori Handeland!
And just like any “competitive” field—sports, business, education, politics, life, etc.—the overall quality of paranormal fantasy has increased exponentially with the rise in the quantity of releases. For example: 10 years ago, it was relatively easy to seek out and read all of the heralded debut authors in paranormal fantasy but that is a virtual impossibility now. There are just too many stellar writers hitting the shelves every month. Last year was a perfect example—2009 was loaded with extraordinary debuts: Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding, Blood Blade by Marcus Pelegrimas, Seanan McGuire’s Rosemary and Rue, Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler, Living with Ghosts by Kari Sperring, Indigo Springs by A.M. Dellamonica, Nancy Holzner’s Deadtown, D.D. Barant’s Dying Bites, and Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells, to name just a few.
As a reviewer, I particularly enjoy reading debut novelists and then seeing what happens with their writing careers in the years to come. Some authors publish one or two brilliant novels and then, for whatever reason, don’t publish anything again. (Where are you, Karen Michalson?) Others try to repeat the success of their first novels by revisiting old narrative ground—ie: milking it—by churning out a formulaic series that doesn’t really go anywhere new. Some continue to grow and evolve as writers and with every new novel further their craft in some way: a smoother narrative, improved character development, deeper themes, exploring “riskier” storylines, etc.
One such writer is Jaye Wells, author of the aforementioned Red-Headed Stepchild and the recently released The Mage in Black. Both novels feature half-mage, half-vampire Sabina Kane, arguably one of the most complex heroines to enter the paranormal fantasy arena in years—and that intricacy has virtually limitless potential in the novels to come. But here’s why I’m blogging about Jaye Wells: I liked Red-Headed Stepchild but I loved The Mage in Black. It’s like I’m witnessing a good author ascend into the stratosphere of paranormal fantasy before my very eyes.
Everything about this release is hugely improved from the first Sabina Kane novel: the pacing is seamless throughout, the characters are so much more three-dimensional (especially the HSN-addicted demon Giguhl), the brash sense of humor is spot-on, the world-building is more comprehensive, and the use of imagery and allegory (although infrequent) was powerfully moving. I specifically enjoyed the blood motif throughout: after Sabina tracks down and feeds off of a purse snatcher in an alley near Times Square, she walks the city streets at night wanting to experience "the pulse" of New York beating around her. There are fleeting moments where Jaye’s narrative reads like dark poetry…
But that’s really just the tip of the iceberg here. The use of prophecy, mysticism, innovative takes on the vampire and Biblical mythos, and a much expanded backstory revolving around the dark races (vampires, mages, and faeries) made this novel virtually unputdownable. And the beauty of it all is that the larger story arc—a looming war and the vision of Sabina as the “Chosen” to unite the dark races—hasn’t even gotten off the ground yet!
And while this impressively labyrinthine and enthralling storyline unfolds, readers can enjoy the decidedly deviant sense of humor this series glories in—from projectile vomit to forked demon penis to scrotal hernias to porn addiction (“Lawrence of the Labia”), these novels will definitely keep readers entertained!
Don’t get me wrong, The Mage in Black wasn’t a “perfect” novel by any stretch of the imagination—I thought Sabina’s twin sister Maisie was a little too “cardboard” and the ending was more like a respite than a conclusion—but it was a damn good read and if Jaye Wells continues to evolve as a writer, I have no doubt in my mind that the third Sabina Kane novel, Green-Eyed Demon (to be released in March of 2011), should be absolutely amazing.
Here’s the thing: when Laurell K. Hamilton published the first Anita Blake novel, Guilty Pleasures, in 1993 and Kim Harrison released Dead Witch Walking, which introduced the world to white witch Rachel Morgan, in 2004, both novels were successful but in no way indicative of the phenomenal, high-quality series that both sagas would eventually become. Both authors quickly improved the narratives in their respective series and succeeded in not just selling tens of millions of books, but also in playing a considerable role in nothing short of redefining genre fiction.
When I read Jaye Wells, I see yet another author on the cusp of something great. In my opinion, the potential is there for her to be the next coming of Laurell K. Hamilton and Kim Harrison.
Yep. You heard me right. It comes as no surprise, considering my high opinion of Jaye Wells, that an anagram for her name is Lay Jewels...
