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Seven Deadly Sins #1
Original Sin
Haunted by chilling memories of demonic possession and murder, Moira O’Donnell has spent seven years hunting down her mother, Fiona, whose command of black magic has granted her unprecedented control of the underworld. Now Moira’s global search has led her to a small California town that’s about to become hell on earth.
Tormented by his own terrifying past and driven by powers he can’t explain, ex-seminarian Rafe Cooper joins Moira’s dangerous quest. But Fiona is one devilish step ahead. Hungry for greater power, eternal youth, and stunning beauty, the sorceress is unleashing upon the mortal world the living incarnations of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Together with a demonologist, a tough female sheriff, and a pair of star-crossed teenagers, Moira and Rafe are humanity’s last chance to snatch salvation from the howling jaws of damnation.
Tormented by his own terrifying past and driven by powers he can’t explain, ex-seminarian Rafe Cooper joins Moira’s dangerous quest. But Fiona is one devilish step ahead. Hungry for greater power, eternal youth, and stunning beauty, the sorceress is unleashing upon the mortal world the living incarnations of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Together with a demonologist, a tough female sheriff, and a pair of star-crossed teenagers, Moira and Rafe are humanity’s last chance to snatch salvation from the howling jaws of damnation.
464 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
194 people are currently reading
2333 people want to read
About the author
Allison Brennan
110 books5,290 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Allison Brennan believes that life is too short to be bored, so she had five children and writes three books a year.
In 2019, Allison relocated from Northern California to Arizona with her family and assorted pets. She loves baseball, hiking, family game night, and (of course) reading.
RT Book Reviews called Allison “a master of suspense” and her books “haunting,” “mesmerizing,” “pulse-pounding” and “emotionally complex.” She's been nominated for many awards, and is a three time winner of the Reviewer's Choice award winner for RT Book Reviews as well as the Daphne du Maurier award. Most recently, she was nominated for Best Paperback Original by International Thriller Writers.
With over 45 books and dozens of short stories, Allison is writing multiple series and the occasional stand alone thriller. Her most recent book out now is THE MISSING WITNESS, part of the Quinn & Costa series. In June Allison is launching a new Phoenix-set series about a family of private investigators starting with YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME.
You can reach Allison through Goodreads or her website.
In 2019, Allison relocated from Northern California to Arizona with her family and assorted pets. She loves baseball, hiking, family game night, and (of course) reading.
RT Book Reviews called Allison “a master of suspense” and her books “haunting,” “mesmerizing,” “pulse-pounding” and “emotionally complex.” She's been nominated for many awards, and is a three time winner of the Reviewer's Choice award winner for RT Book Reviews as well as the Daphne du Maurier award. Most recently, she was nominated for Best Paperback Original by International Thriller Writers.
With over 45 books and dozens of short stories, Allison is writing multiple series and the occasional stand alone thriller. Her most recent book out now is THE MISSING WITNESS, part of the Quinn & Costa series. In June Allison is launching a new Phoenix-set series about a family of private investigators starting with YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME.
You can reach Allison through Goodreads or her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
March 2, 2017
“Victory is sweet, but sweeter when your opponent is butt-ass naked in defeat.”
This unusual Urban Fantasy starts right in the middle of the conflict, and I mean seriously right in the middle. The prologue sets up the story, but it's almost like the first chapter is another prologue in itself. Since it starts with so much already established and in the middle of the action, it feels like a sequel instead of a starter. Strange. People with history are already in town on the eve of fighting and doing a big showdown. There's catching a reader's interest, then there's being confusing.
Despite hyperized action, there is little violence and no gore, with the implications of what the characters are dealing with being the more disturbing thing. There's some eeriness in a few scenes, and unsettling situations, but it's not something people who shy from gore couldn't stomach. It's definitely a darker-themed UF with no emphasis on romance, although there is a mild one that pops up at the very end as a minor thing. It's an afterthought.
Fiona and some of the baddies are a little cliche, but the heroes of the story were better written. The author gave a blend of intriguing characters from the guilt-written Moira to the brave and love-struck sheriff. Dialogue suffered some when villains presented themselves, but overall the writing technique was fine.
Sometimes it grew exhausting because I didn't get a chance to care about about the characters or situation before being plopped right into it. Some of the motivation is revealed much later, but I didn't care as much as I would have otherwise. I do like the surreal and dark feel of Moira, but I didn't care for the head-hopping which was a little too frequent. I'll admit the story confused me in several areas too, which doesn't help the enjoyment. It's like the author had tons to say and they had to fit it in the first book, and they were definitely enthusiastic about the material and what they were writing, but left some emotion behind in the midst of over-churned conflict.
February 14, 2010
Review courtesy of AllThingsUrbanFantasy.blogspot.com
It’s never a good sign when you start reading a book and seriously think that the printer mixed up the pages, but that was the only conclusion I could come to during the first 60 pages of Original Sin. Come to find out that Allison Brennan actually started this series with a short story DELIVER US FROM EVIL in the 2007 anthology What You Can't See.
If you read this book and find yourself as frustrated with it as I did, consider skipping ahead to page 60 and read the seven pages of Moira’s flashback explaining her history with her mother and her role in the coven etc. I don’t know why the author didn’t include that passage much earlier in the story as very little makes sense without that background information.
The most powerful witch in the world has spent her life searching for the Book of Knowledge in order to summon the Seven Deadly Sins, embodied by powerful fallen angels, from the bowels of Hell to do her bidding. The only one capable of stopping her is her daughter Moira. Original Sin opens with Moira plagued by horrific nightmares full of human sacrifices and on the run from her mother as she seeks out information to kill her. Aided by the priest who is the closest thing to a father she’s ever known, a demonologist (and his sheriff girlfriend)who blames her for the death of his brother, and the mysterious Rafe, Moira the the only hope the world has left.
I really wanted to like this book. A lot of reviewers who I typically agree with loved it. Me not so much. The writing is fairly generic and the beginning of the book frustratingly unclear in terms of character motivations. But even later on when certain things were explained, the story was needlessly complicated. Fiona, Moira’s mother is constantly talking about killing her daughter, yet when she gets the opportunity she decides to come back later!?!
And as is typical of thrillers, there are a lot of characters and POV’s going on in this book, often several per chapter. Sometimes this works, sometimes not. Guess which one Original Sin is? Perhaps if the characters had been more sharply defined they would have made more of an impact, but I read this entire book in one day yet I couldn’t remember who was who without flipping back again and again.
One unique aspect of the world building in Original Sin is that Magic, in and of itself, is categorically evil. Witches are likewise bad without exception. Well, except for Moira who has shunned her powers.
There is also a lot of Biblical references and Catholic theology tweaked and borrowed from here, as well as the traditional concepts of Heaven and Hell. I’m not a Catholic so I can’t comment on how accurate any of that is.
Overall, Original Sin is a bloated thriller with paranormal trappings and a slew of flat characters. The dialogue is occasionally cringe worthy, the action sequences relentless without seeming to advance the story, and the romance (little that there is) forced. Not exactly a glowing endorsement. I’m giving this book 2 bats out of 5 only because this book qualifies more as ‘not good’ as opposed to simply ‘bad.’
Sexual Content: One vague, brief sex scene. One extended and graphic sex scene
My Rating: 2 out of 5
It’s never a good sign when you start reading a book and seriously think that the printer mixed up the pages, but that was the only conclusion I could come to during the first 60 pages of Original Sin. Come to find out that Allison Brennan actually started this series with a short story DELIVER US FROM EVIL in the 2007 anthology What You Can't See.
If you read this book and find yourself as frustrated with it as I did, consider skipping ahead to page 60 and read the seven pages of Moira’s flashback explaining her history with her mother and her role in the coven etc. I don’t know why the author didn’t include that passage much earlier in the story as very little makes sense without that background information.
The most powerful witch in the world has spent her life searching for the Book of Knowledge in order to summon the Seven Deadly Sins, embodied by powerful fallen angels, from the bowels of Hell to do her bidding. The only one capable of stopping her is her daughter Moira. Original Sin opens with Moira plagued by horrific nightmares full of human sacrifices and on the run from her mother as she seeks out information to kill her. Aided by the priest who is the closest thing to a father she’s ever known, a demonologist (and his sheriff girlfriend)who blames her for the death of his brother, and the mysterious Rafe, Moira the the only hope the world has left.
I really wanted to like this book. A lot of reviewers who I typically agree with loved it. Me not so much. The writing is fairly generic and the beginning of the book frustratingly unclear in terms of character motivations. But even later on when certain things were explained, the story was needlessly complicated. Fiona, Moira’s mother is constantly talking about killing her daughter, yet when she gets the opportunity she decides to come back later!?!
And as is typical of thrillers, there are a lot of characters and POV’s going on in this book, often several per chapter. Sometimes this works, sometimes not. Guess which one Original Sin is? Perhaps if the characters had been more sharply defined they would have made more of an impact, but I read this entire book in one day yet I couldn’t remember who was who without flipping back again and again.
One unique aspect of the world building in Original Sin is that Magic, in and of itself, is categorically evil. Witches are likewise bad without exception. Well, except for Moira who has shunned her powers.
There is also a lot of Biblical references and Catholic theology tweaked and borrowed from here, as well as the traditional concepts of Heaven and Hell. I’m not a Catholic so I can’t comment on how accurate any of that is.
Overall, Original Sin is a bloated thriller with paranormal trappings and a slew of flat characters. The dialogue is occasionally cringe worthy, the action sequences relentless without seeming to advance the story, and the romance (little that there is) forced. Not exactly a glowing endorsement. I’m giving this book 2 bats out of 5 only because this book qualifies more as ‘not good’ as opposed to simply ‘bad.’
Sexual Content: One vague, brief sex scene. One extended and graphic sex scene
My Rating: 2 out of 5
April 19, 2020
I read this YEARS ago when I still borrowed physical books from the library, haha! This time around I borrowed the eAudio (from the library, ;) ) and am not sure why I liked this the first time. Nothing wrong with the narration, just the story was, well, boring. So much telling and not enough showing. And so much going on! This story is full of characters and changes POV often. Very off-putting and confusing to keep track of who did what and where they are. I do NOT remember the book going this way the first time and I am very disappointed. I never finished the series the first time around and wanted to know how it ended. Now I never will because I am not going to keep going (I made it to book 2 the first time). Oh well. Sometimes books just don't pass the test of time.
Those who enjoy paranormal/witches/demons and MF romance, then I think you will enjoy this. Like I said, I certainly enjoyed it the first time.
Narration 4 stars (narrator had lots of great accents but at times it was hard to tell who was talking)
Story 2 stars. It was ok, I guess, bordering impossible. I skipped A LOT because it was just explanations of demons and witches and other things. Only finished to see how it ended.
Those who enjoy paranormal/witches/demons and MF romance, then I think you will enjoy this. Like I said, I certainly enjoyed it the first time.
Narration 4 stars (narrator had lots of great accents but at times it was hard to tell who was talking)
Story 2 stars. It was ok, I guess, bordering impossible. I skipped A LOT because it was just explanations of demons and witches and other things. Only finished to see how it ended.
July 27, 2018
I'm disappointed. I read some other book from Allison Brennan, the romantic suspense one, and it was so much better. This one is just boring. I totally couldn't get into it. I have started it, then put it down for a moth and read some other books instead.
I feel like the whole story is more complicated than it should be. With lots of drama and unnecessary twists. And you are given not enough answers on what happens. I'm not sure I truly understand the idea of magic in this book. And it's a pity since it could be something new and fresh.
The other thing are the characters. Moira, the heroine, despite her sombre story is not a person you can easily get attached to. I'm not completely convinced that I like her or even care about her.
I will probably give this series another chance one day but necessarily just now.
I feel like the whole story is more complicated than it should be. With lots of drama and unnecessary twists. And you are given not enough answers on what happens. I'm not sure I truly understand the idea of magic in this book. And it's a pity since it could be something new and fresh.
The other thing are the characters. Moira, the heroine, despite her sombre story is not a person you can easily get attached to. I'm not completely convinced that I like her or even care about her.
I will probably give this series another chance one day but necessarily just now.
February 26, 2010
Original Sin is a hot mess, and I’m not quite sure where to start.
Allison Brennan may not have known where to start, either. The early chapters jump around in time to a head-spinning degree. There are so many flashbacks to years ago, and references to events of weeks ago, that Original Sin gives the impression of beginning in the wrong place. If the monastery murders and fire are so important, why not put them in the novel? Well, it turns out they occurred in a previously published short story. The story is called “Deliver Us from Evil” and appears in an anthology called What You Can’t See. Not having read the story, I spent a lot of time feeling like I’d missed something. The priests’ naming conventions don’t help either. The reader does eventually learn where the names come from — after spending a whole chapter wondering why half the cast is surnamed Zaccardi.
When the plot settles firmly into the present timeline, it focuses on a witch coven that has released the demonic avatars of the Seven Deadly Sins, and on the four people who aim to stop them: Anthony, a demonologist; Skye, the sheriff; Raphael (or “Rafe”), a disaffected seminarian; and Moira, the estranged daughter of the witch-queen Fiona. The main threads of the plot are:
(a) The Seven Deadlies influencing people to do bad things.
(b) The same two people being kidnapped and rescued over and over, to the point that it’s easy to lose track of whether they’re in safety or danger at any given moment. Wait, the witches have Lily again?
(c) Fiona’s attempts to kill Moira. Judging by what Fiona does when she gets Moira in her clutches, her dastardly plan seems to be death-by-monologue.
Original Sin contains several passages that are real head-scratchers, such as:
By the age of twenty-one, the “calling” of all St. Michael’s children was clear. Whether they were to be priests, exorcists, empaths, demon hunters, demonologists, scholars, linguists, or one of the many other specialties was discerned no later than twenty-one. Some, like Anthony, had been discerned at an early age. Others, like Raphael, were more elusive. He was in his thirties and still unsettled.
So… by the age of twenty-one, they all know what their calling is. Except when they don’t. From the next-to-last sentence, it doesn’t even sound like Rafe is an unprecedented exception, so why the “all”? Or:
Serena threw something small, a crystal smaller than a Ping-Pong ball, on the ground, while saying, “In the name of your master Baal, in the name of your master Baltach, I command thee Prziel to steal Andra Moira’s soul!”
The small ball of glass shattered on the sidewalk.
Either Serena spoke that long incantation before she threw the ball, in which case I don’t know why Moira didn’t punch her in the nose in the meantime, or else she managed to get all of that out while the ball was falling, which isn’t quite the way I remember physics working.
Then there’s the religion. In Brennan’s universe, all magic is bad. It always summons demons, even when you use it with good intentions, and it’s addictive like a drug. But the Catholic rites are safe to use. I don’t want to get into a debate about the real-world theology, but within the context of the novel, the Catholic rites seem to work just like magic, except without the downside. Every other type of magic is bad. Witchcraft is demonic, voodoo is the same thing as witchcraft, the Wiccans are unknowingly invoking evil, and all the Protestants we meet are either secretly witches or else being controlled by the secret witches. Original Sin may be off-putting to readers who aren’t Christian, and maybe even to readers who are Christian but not specifically Catholic.
Add in lots of head-hopping, too much talky info-dumping, and a scantily developed romance (Why are Rafe and Moira suddenly in love? They’ve barely spoken), and the fact that Original Sin is a long book and feels like it. I don’t think I’ll be continuing with the SEVEN DEADLY SINS series.
Review originally published at Fantasy Literature
Allison Brennan may not have known where to start, either. The early chapters jump around in time to a head-spinning degree. There are so many flashbacks to years ago, and references to events of weeks ago, that Original Sin gives the impression of beginning in the wrong place. If the monastery murders and fire are so important, why not put them in the novel? Well, it turns out they occurred in a previously published short story. The story is called “Deliver Us from Evil” and appears in an anthology called What You Can’t See. Not having read the story, I spent a lot of time feeling like I’d missed something. The priests’ naming conventions don’t help either. The reader does eventually learn where the names come from — after spending a whole chapter wondering why half the cast is surnamed Zaccardi.
When the plot settles firmly into the present timeline, it focuses on a witch coven that has released the demonic avatars of the Seven Deadly Sins, and on the four people who aim to stop them: Anthony, a demonologist; Skye, the sheriff; Raphael (or “Rafe”), a disaffected seminarian; and Moira, the estranged daughter of the witch-queen Fiona. The main threads of the plot are:
(a) The Seven Deadlies influencing people to do bad things.
(b) The same two people being kidnapped and rescued over and over, to the point that it’s easy to lose track of whether they’re in safety or danger at any given moment. Wait, the witches have Lily again?
(c) Fiona’s attempts to kill Moira. Judging by what Fiona does when she gets Moira in her clutches, her dastardly plan seems to be death-by-monologue.
Original Sin contains several passages that are real head-scratchers, such as:
By the age of twenty-one, the “calling” of all St. Michael’s children was clear. Whether they were to be priests, exorcists, empaths, demon hunters, demonologists, scholars, linguists, or one of the many other specialties was discerned no later than twenty-one. Some, like Anthony, had been discerned at an early age. Others, like Raphael, were more elusive. He was in his thirties and still unsettled.
So… by the age of twenty-one, they all know what their calling is. Except when they don’t. From the next-to-last sentence, it doesn’t even sound like Rafe is an unprecedented exception, so why the “all”? Or:
Serena threw something small, a crystal smaller than a Ping-Pong ball, on the ground, while saying, “In the name of your master Baal, in the name of your master Baltach, I command thee Prziel to steal Andra Moira’s soul!”
The small ball of glass shattered on the sidewalk.
Either Serena spoke that long incantation before she threw the ball, in which case I don’t know why Moira didn’t punch her in the nose in the meantime, or else she managed to get all of that out while the ball was falling, which isn’t quite the way I remember physics working.
Then there’s the religion. In Brennan’s universe, all magic is bad. It always summons demons, even when you use it with good intentions, and it’s addictive like a drug. But the Catholic rites are safe to use. I don’t want to get into a debate about the real-world theology, but within the context of the novel, the Catholic rites seem to work just like magic, except without the downside. Every other type of magic is bad. Witchcraft is demonic, voodoo is the same thing as witchcraft, the Wiccans are unknowingly invoking evil, and all the Protestants we meet are either secretly witches or else being controlled by the secret witches. Original Sin may be off-putting to readers who aren’t Christian, and maybe even to readers who are Christian but not specifically Catholic.
Add in lots of head-hopping, too much talky info-dumping, and a scantily developed romance (Why are Rafe and Moira suddenly in love? They’ve barely spoken), and the fact that Original Sin is a long book and feels like it. I don’t think I’ll be continuing with the SEVEN DEADLY SINS series.
Review originally published at Fantasy Literature
July 31, 2015
4 demon slaying stars!
Very different story (book 1 in the trilogy) for this author but, WOWSA! Super cool & INNNN- TENSE!
Very different story (book 1 in the trilogy) for this author but, WOWSA! Super cool & INNNN- TENSE!
January 18, 2010
When I first heard about Original Sin by Allison Brennan I was intrigued by it but I wasn't prepared to be blown away. There are two primary things that can keep me glued to a book, one the story revolves around the paranormal and two there is enough mystery to keep me to locked in suspense. Original Sin by Allison Brennan did both. If I could have read this book in one sitting, I would have.
This book had a very different view on witches then what you ordinarily see in Urban Fantasy. There are no good witches. The premise here is that any magic is bad and there is no such thing as good magic. And so the suspense starts to build from the very beginning because how is an ex-witch suppose to battle her super powerful, wicked witch of a mom without magic? What can Moira use to stop her mother Fiona from opening the gates of Hell and save the world from the Seven Deadly Sins?
What made this story click for me was the building suspense as I read, the realistic characters and the men of St. Michael's Monastery. Moira seems liked damaged goods with need to atone for the past but she is resilient and strong. Rafe has an air of strength and mystery about him while at the same time he seems vulnerable. Anthony comes across as a hard-case, not willing to give Moira the benefit of the doubt because as far as he's concerned once a witch always a witch. Skye is tough and dogs the witches' evil plans right along with Moira, Rafe and Anthony. Then there's Fiona and the minions of her coven. I found Fiona to be a treacherously, evil character and her diabolical plans had me gripping the book tight as I read.
I mentioned the men of St. Michael's Monastery as being one of the high point for me, the reason being it's been awhile since I've read a story where supposedly ordinary men, who were not a super-being such as a vamp or a shapeshifter, has captured my attention. Both Rafe and Anthony are men of St. Michael's Monastery. Ms. Brennan has weaved such a strong air of mystery around these men that I'm dying to know more about them. They each seem to possess qualities of being more than just ordinary but it's just not blatantly obvious what it is.
Original Sin by Allison Brennan was a terrific mixture of suspense, mystery and a lot of action with a hint of romance told from the different characters' perspectives. I found myself repeatedly surprised by the turns in the plot. I have definitely been pulled into the world of the Seven Deadly Sins and I cannot wait until Cardinal Sin releases later this year.
April 7, 2016
More of a 2.75 paranormal novel with a bit of romance thrown in. I don't dislike it, I don't love it. The story and the writing is solid enough and the author's ideas about magic, demons and witches are interesting, but the too-dominating good v.s. evil theme, the Christianity mytho and the 'all magic is evil' theme are a bit too tiring to my liking.
As to the characters, the good guys are actually doing okay, they have their own flaws and issues to work on, but they are not useless or stupid. The bad guys are actually doing pretty good too! Although once again the female leader of the evil coven is one of those 'I want power because I want to be young and pretty forever' female villains. LOL
As to the characters, the good guys are actually doing okay, they have their own flaws and issues to work on, but they are not useless or stupid. The bad guys are actually doing pretty good too! Although once again the female leader of the evil coven is one of those 'I want power because I want to be young and pretty forever' female villains. LOL
July 24, 2010
'Original Sin' is a black and white tale of good versus evil. The main character is Moira, the daughter of Fiona, a dark and powerful black witch. Seven years ago, Moira escaped her mother's evil coven and found sanctuary in The Order of St Michaels, a worldwide group of monasteries dedicated to fighting evil.
Despite escaping, Moira has never found peace. Trained by the monastery to be a warrior, she is a dedicated servant to their fight. The problem is the daughter of a powerful witch, is also a witch. And magic and the use of magic of any kind is evil and corrupts. So Moira has never found acceptance from St Michaels with the exception of from one elderly priest: Father Phillip. Leaving her very alone and often frustrated and angry.
But St Michaels needs Moira, Fiona's coven has been growing in power its evil spreading. They are performing some of the darkest rituals and releasing some of the most powerful demons and magic from the underworld, and Father Phillip believes that Moira is one of the few people that can stop her.
As part of their mission, The Order take in young orphaned boys often with a calling to the greater cause and train and nurture them. Be it as a warrior, a demonologist or a priest. There is a calling for them all.
Rafe was one of these boys, a man now, he is yet to find his calling. The monastery in Santa Monica where he lived was attacked by the coven several months ago, and everyone in it was killed except him, leaving Rafe in a coma ever since.
As the book opens the coven are performing one of their most deadliest rituals yet, and unleash a terror onto earth that hasn't been seen since Adam and Eve were alive.
I have to confess I struggled with this book. The premise of the novel seemed fantastic, and I was really interested in reading it. But there were three really big problems with it for me.
The first is the both the characterisation and the number of characters. The book is written in the third person, which isn't a problem at all. But, it swaps character point of view very regularly, more than once a chapter. If this had been between two or three characters or even four this would of been fine, but it was so many characters that it became very difficult to keep track, particularly at the beginning. Because of this the plot very quickly became a mash of characters, that made it a very confusing read. It also means that the characterisation even for the main characters was quite shallow and a lot of assumptions seem to have been made.
While Moira is definitely the main protagonist and is the most rounded of them all. There are at least seven other characters that take up the narrative regularly and this excludes various perspectives from people in the town who take up the story just once or twice.
You don't get any real understanding of who they are which makes it very difficult to identify with them. Moira is often quite terse & snappy and her dialogue switches rapidly from inquisitive to churlish without any explanation as to why, meaning the flow of the dialogue is not as good as it could be. I wanted to understand Moira, but I found that I just couldn't.
Two of the other main characters are Anthony a demonologist who is in a relationship with the local Deputy Sheriff Skye. Anthony has been raised by St Michaels and wholly distrusts and dislikes Moira because of her past. But Anthony and Skye leads to my second criticism the book, which is its reference to past events. Anthony and Skye are as important as main characters in the novel as Moira. They met and fell in love when Anthony came to help after the monastery in Santa Monica was destroyed. This event is referred to regularly in the novel and has such importance to the narrative that it feels like this is the second book in the series and you've missed the first. I kept wondering what exactly had happened and why. How had such an unlikely couple as Anthony and Skye fallen in love and how had Rafe ended up in a coma. While this is explained loosely, it felt like parts of the story are missing.
In fact in parts I got both confused as to what was going on and at the lack of explanation as to why characters were feeling or behaving in a certain way, that if I'm honest if I had not committed to review this book, I would have probably given up on it.
Finally and thirdly is the love story. I liked Rafe, Moira's love interest, probably the most out of all the characters. But, while I have not gone and taken count, at a guess I would say that Moira and Rafe were in no more than ten chapters together (there are forty one in the novel overall). So there was little time for the author to build any chemistry between them let alone a smouldering love scene. I have seen this book classified as a paranormal romance, personally I don't think it's really a romance at all and think it is more likely to appeal to horror and fantasy fans.
The most frustrating thing for me though, is that this book has so much potential. If the author could have cut half the characters out, fleshed out the main ones and took her time to tell is the story in two books instead of one, then this could have been a brilliant book (or two).
I think it's important for me to say that while I have been quite critical of this novel, that if you look on Goodreads this book has received some very mixed reviews. It has incited a real diversity of opinion from people loving it and giving it five stars out of five, to people really disliking it. So while it was not for me and I don't intend on finishing the series, you may very well disagree.
Verdict:
This is a book with a lot of potential. But it never really gets off the ground and becomes lost in web of far too many characters who don't have enough time to develop.
As a result the plot becomes muddled which consequently means you don't engage or feel connected to the main characters.
I also missed my shades of grey, all magic cannot be evil now can it?
Originally reviewed for www.bookchickcity.com
Despite escaping, Moira has never found peace. Trained by the monastery to be a warrior, she is a dedicated servant to their fight. The problem is the daughter of a powerful witch, is also a witch. And magic and the use of magic of any kind is evil and corrupts. So Moira has never found acceptance from St Michaels with the exception of from one elderly priest: Father Phillip. Leaving her very alone and often frustrated and angry.
But St Michaels needs Moira, Fiona's coven has been growing in power its evil spreading. They are performing some of the darkest rituals and releasing some of the most powerful demons and magic from the underworld, and Father Phillip believes that Moira is one of the few people that can stop her.
As part of their mission, The Order take in young orphaned boys often with a calling to the greater cause and train and nurture them. Be it as a warrior, a demonologist or a priest. There is a calling for them all.
Rafe was one of these boys, a man now, he is yet to find his calling. The monastery in Santa Monica where he lived was attacked by the coven several months ago, and everyone in it was killed except him, leaving Rafe in a coma ever since.
As the book opens the coven are performing one of their most deadliest rituals yet, and unleash a terror onto earth that hasn't been seen since Adam and Eve were alive.
I have to confess I struggled with this book. The premise of the novel seemed fantastic, and I was really interested in reading it. But there were three really big problems with it for me.
The first is the both the characterisation and the number of characters. The book is written in the third person, which isn't a problem at all. But, it swaps character point of view very regularly, more than once a chapter. If this had been between two or three characters or even four this would of been fine, but it was so many characters that it became very difficult to keep track, particularly at the beginning. Because of this the plot very quickly became a mash of characters, that made it a very confusing read. It also means that the characterisation even for the main characters was quite shallow and a lot of assumptions seem to have been made.
While Moira is definitely the main protagonist and is the most rounded of them all. There are at least seven other characters that take up the narrative regularly and this excludes various perspectives from people in the town who take up the story just once or twice.
You don't get any real understanding of who they are which makes it very difficult to identify with them. Moira is often quite terse & snappy and her dialogue switches rapidly from inquisitive to churlish without any explanation as to why, meaning the flow of the dialogue is not as good as it could be. I wanted to understand Moira, but I found that I just couldn't.
Two of the other main characters are Anthony a demonologist who is in a relationship with the local Deputy Sheriff Skye. Anthony has been raised by St Michaels and wholly distrusts and dislikes Moira because of her past. But Anthony and Skye leads to my second criticism the book, which is its reference to past events. Anthony and Skye are as important as main characters in the novel as Moira. They met and fell in love when Anthony came to help after the monastery in Santa Monica was destroyed. This event is referred to regularly in the novel and has such importance to the narrative that it feels like this is the second book in the series and you've missed the first. I kept wondering what exactly had happened and why. How had such an unlikely couple as Anthony and Skye fallen in love and how had Rafe ended up in a coma. While this is explained loosely, it felt like parts of the story are missing.
In fact in parts I got both confused as to what was going on and at the lack of explanation as to why characters were feeling or behaving in a certain way, that if I'm honest if I had not committed to review this book, I would have probably given up on it.
Finally and thirdly is the love story. I liked Rafe, Moira's love interest, probably the most out of all the characters. But, while I have not gone and taken count, at a guess I would say that Moira and Rafe were in no more than ten chapters together (there are forty one in the novel overall). So there was little time for the author to build any chemistry between them let alone a smouldering love scene. I have seen this book classified as a paranormal romance, personally I don't think it's really a romance at all and think it is more likely to appeal to horror and fantasy fans.
The most frustrating thing for me though, is that this book has so much potential. If the author could have cut half the characters out, fleshed out the main ones and took her time to tell is the story in two books instead of one, then this could have been a brilliant book (or two).
I think it's important for me to say that while I have been quite critical of this novel, that if you look on Goodreads this book has received some very mixed reviews. It has incited a real diversity of opinion from people loving it and giving it five stars out of five, to people really disliking it. So while it was not for me and I don't intend on finishing the series, you may very well disagree.
Verdict:
This is a book with a lot of potential. But it never really gets off the ground and becomes lost in web of far too many characters who don't have enough time to develop.
As a result the plot becomes muddled which consequently means you don't engage or feel connected to the main characters.
I also missed my shades of grey, all magic cannot be evil now can it?
Originally reviewed for www.bookchickcity.com
April 16, 2010
I read a review of this book where the reviewer said that it was too religious for her so she had a hard time getting into it. O_o Uh, duh. With a title like Original Sin, part of the Seven Deadly Sins series, it certainly wasn't going to be nondenominational, now was it?
Anyway, have you ever read a book where it feels like you're reading forever and when you go to stop and put the bookmark in, you look at the top of the book to see how much more you have to go before the end and it looks like the bookmark hasn't moved at all? That's what this book was like for me. I had a hard time getting into it and staying interested.
It's not that it was bad. There were some parts I enjoyed. One was the execution of the Seven Deadly Sins (not as in their deaths but in how they were used in the story). These are sneaky little bastards that don't need to actually possess a body but they can infect them with their sin of choice with a brush, or even a presence. The sin overwhelms a person, like they lose self control and start acting purely on their id. They feel like they're not acting like themselves but it doesn't feel like a separate entity's invaded their body. I just really like that concept and I really liked how it was played out in the story.
The rest of it . . . meh. I felt the action was cyclical and redundant at times. A lot of the time I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over because it felt like the same action was being replayed, as were the same emotions and the same circumstances. It got old quick and kept me from wanting to read on.
The demon thing overall was just a little too campy for me. It read like something out of a cheesy B horror movie made in the 90s or something. Moira's snarky lines when she was faced with one didn't come off as working but as something contrived. Yeah, because when I'm faced with a demon, I'm going to crack jokes, right? I think it was meant to portray her personality but I didn't think it worked.
I didn't feel any growth for any of the characters at all in the book. Moira, Anthony, even Skye, I felt all stayed the same from beginning to end. I didn't see any of them reaching beyond their character. They all stuck firmly to their roles and didn't branch out. Despite all the demon stuff, it kept the story kind of boring.
I'm also not a fan of the "all magic, black or white, is evil" notion either. Maybe it fits into the plot the story dictates, but it's not something that sits well with me, especially witches actually preferring to be called magicians. Pardon the pun, but not a snowball's chance in hell.
The gratuitous sex scene was interesting. Rather random and unnecessary but there you go. It was a way to wedge the word 'cock' into the manuscript. The story wouldn't have been any less lively without it.
The ending irked me, especially Fiona's too-easy hand-over of the situation. It was like, "You've won this time, but the battle's just begun." Very cliche and the situation was wrapped up way too easily for my liking. I felt Fiona as a whole was just a very cliche villain. Basically she's out for world domination and eternal beauty and youth. Just not very original to me and I didn't find her a very compelling antagonist because of that.
I mean, it's not a bad book. The writing's okay but the overall story really isn't for me. I like a certain kind of cheese but this isn't it. I think it might be just a little too much for me. But it's supernatural and it does have some interesting takes on the ways of demons. I think it'd make a decent beach read but it'd be a one time thing and then just pass on the book or donate it to the library or something.
Anyway, have you ever read a book where it feels like you're reading forever and when you go to stop and put the bookmark in, you look at the top of the book to see how much more you have to go before the end and it looks like the bookmark hasn't moved at all? That's what this book was like for me. I had a hard time getting into it and staying interested.
It's not that it was bad. There were some parts I enjoyed. One was the execution of the Seven Deadly Sins (not as in their deaths but in how they were used in the story). These are sneaky little bastards that don't need to actually possess a body but they can infect them with their sin of choice with a brush, or even a presence. The sin overwhelms a person, like they lose self control and start acting purely on their id. They feel like they're not acting like themselves but it doesn't feel like a separate entity's invaded their body. I just really like that concept and I really liked how it was played out in the story.
The rest of it . . . meh. I felt the action was cyclical and redundant at times. A lot of the time I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over because it felt like the same action was being replayed, as were the same emotions and the same circumstances. It got old quick and kept me from wanting to read on.
The demon thing overall was just a little too campy for me. It read like something out of a cheesy B horror movie made in the 90s or something. Moira's snarky lines when she was faced with one didn't come off as working but as something contrived. Yeah, because when I'm faced with a demon, I'm going to crack jokes, right? I think it was meant to portray her personality but I didn't think it worked.
I didn't feel any growth for any of the characters at all in the book. Moira, Anthony, even Skye, I felt all stayed the same from beginning to end. I didn't see any of them reaching beyond their character. They all stuck firmly to their roles and didn't branch out. Despite all the demon stuff, it kept the story kind of boring.
I'm also not a fan of the "all magic, black or white, is evil" notion either. Maybe it fits into the plot the story dictates, but it's not something that sits well with me, especially witches actually preferring to be called magicians. Pardon the pun, but not a snowball's chance in hell.
The gratuitous sex scene was interesting. Rather random and unnecessary but there you go. It was a way to wedge the word 'cock' into the manuscript. The story wouldn't have been any less lively without it.
The ending irked me, especially Fiona's too-easy hand-over of the situation. It was like, "You've won this time, but the battle's just begun." Very cliche and the situation was wrapped up way too easily for my liking. I felt Fiona as a whole was just a very cliche villain. Basically she's out for world domination and eternal beauty and youth. Just not very original to me and I didn't find her a very compelling antagonist because of that.
I mean, it's not a bad book. The writing's okay but the overall story really isn't for me. I like a certain kind of cheese but this isn't it. I think it might be just a little too much for me. But it's supernatural and it does have some interesting takes on the ways of demons. I think it'd make a decent beach read but it'd be a one time thing and then just pass on the book or donate it to the library or something.
March 8, 2010
Last thoughts - Ms. Brennan created quite a stir in me, with Original Sin – rich back story, amazingly strong characters, tons of twists and turns and LOTS of action! I am excited to read the next installment of The Seven Deadly Sins titled, Carnal Sin which is being released June 2010! As well as keep Allison Brennan on my radar, and check out some of her other works! I give Original Sin a 4 mushrooms, if you like fast passed, action, with a paranormal twist – you will LOVE it! I can't wait for Carnal Sin - book 2 in the Seven Deadly Sins!
Read my full review - Original Sin
Read my full review - Original Sin
February 23, 2010
Original Sin was one of those books that’s received a lot of mixed reviews. I’ve read reviews raving about it and reviews bashing it, so I was kind of on the fence with my expectations, which is actually where I like to be, because it allows me to make more of my own decisions while reading the book.
I’m going to say outright that I really enjoyed Original Sin, but I can see why some people might have disliked it. The book is heavy in Christian mythology, but it’s by no means Christian fiction or “preachy.” To me, Christian mythology was a part of the book the way faeries or vampires are part of a book: it’s a crucial part of the plot, but the characters are more than just a faery or just a vampire (or just a Christian, in this case). (The mythology in Original Sin plays a very similar part in the book as it does in the television series, Supernatural, so if you like that sort of thing, then this is probably the book for you). The main character is far from your stereotypical die-hard conservative. In fact, she’s kind of undecided about what she believes in herself. Not that she doesn’t have excuse, because she definitely does.
I thought that most of the characters in the book were well-developed. There were a few minor characters that I was wishy-washy on, because I felt they were used pretty much only to advance the plot, but I don’t think the author could’ve have done it a better way. Anyways, it didn’t bother me badly enough to inhibit my enjoyment of the book. I will definitely be reading the sequel, Carnal Sin, which is scheduled to be released on May 25th, 2010.
Overall, Original Sin provides an exciting supernatural adventure with intriguing characters and an interesting plot.
I’m going to say outright that I really enjoyed Original Sin, but I can see why some people might have disliked it. The book is heavy in Christian mythology, but it’s by no means Christian fiction or “preachy.” To me, Christian mythology was a part of the book the way faeries or vampires are part of a book: it’s a crucial part of the plot, but the characters are more than just a faery or just a vampire (or just a Christian, in this case). (The mythology in Original Sin plays a very similar part in the book as it does in the television series, Supernatural, so if you like that sort of thing, then this is probably the book for you). The main character is far from your stereotypical die-hard conservative. In fact, she’s kind of undecided about what she believes in herself. Not that she doesn’t have excuse, because she definitely does.
I thought that most of the characters in the book were well-developed. There were a few minor characters that I was wishy-washy on, because I felt they were used pretty much only to advance the plot, but I don’t think the author could’ve have done it a better way. Anyways, it didn’t bother me badly enough to inhibit my enjoyment of the book. I will definitely be reading the sequel, Carnal Sin, which is scheduled to be released on May 25th, 2010.
Overall, Original Sin provides an exciting supernatural adventure with intriguing characters and an interesting plot.
September 20, 2010
At its heart OS is about good vs evil, but it is also about one's will to do something bad or the harder choice to do something good. Moira is now on the hunt for her mother Fiona and they are both powerful witches.
Fiona wants to bring The Seven Sins (fallen angels that make up envy, lust, greed, sloth, pride, gluttony, anger)up from Hell and make them her own pets in order to have all the power on earth in which to rule and reign terror on humans. Moira who has renounced her witchcraft is determined to stop her and her half-sister Serena.
Moira isn't alone, she has her love interest Rafe, demonologist Anthony, his love interest Sky and others that are going to help them battle evil in the next installments of the series.
These books are going to be need to be read in order I feel. I didn't read the anthology for the prequel and felt lost for quite a ways in. If you like witches, demons and love conquers all then you might like this series. The romance is evident, but light.
Fiona wants to bring The Seven Sins (fallen angels that make up envy, lust, greed, sloth, pride, gluttony, anger)up from Hell and make them her own pets in order to have all the power on earth in which to rule and reign terror on humans. Moira who has renounced her witchcraft is determined to stop her and her half-sister Serena.
Moira isn't alone, she has her love interest Rafe, demonologist Anthony, his love interest Sky and others that are going to help them battle evil in the next installments of the series.
These books are going to be need to be read in order I feel. I didn't read the anthology for the prequel and felt lost for quite a ways in. If you like witches, demons and love conquers all then you might like this series. The romance is evident, but light.
September 10, 2015
really liked how it was all about the 7 deadly sins. lots of action and kept my attention. really enjoyed it.
August 12, 2015
I didn’t like Moira. Her personality and attitude rubbed me the wrong way. She cussed a lot and I don’t know how many times the word fear was used, but it was like a hundred times too many. She was fearful, afraid, had been afraid in the past, was afraid now, would be afraid, was just consumed with fear and that’s all she was talking about. I don’t like babies as main characters. I want a strong heroine that isn’t afraid, or if she is afraid she’ll overcome it and stop whining about it. She even had to tell herself to stop feeling sorry for herself. That sucks. She was rude with the 18 year old, Jared, I understand she was impatient to get to her mom before the portal to hell opened, but it was mean.
Rafe wasn’t any stronger. He was afraid and questioning and doubting himself. Not really the strong, masculine image I was expecting. He just seemed weak and it wasn’t attractive. I could’ve done without Skye’s point of view. I didn’t like her at all. He referred to an attack in November, that Skye was a part of and he had gotten a scar and 12 priests had been killed in St. Michael’s in Italy. It just felt like I was missing something. I felt like there had been a previous book, and that shouldn’t happen because this is the first book in the series. It wasn’t a good introduction into the series because I felt left out and lost and the author wasn’t really connecting dots in the most understandable way. She also used words in another language and didn’t even deign to say what they meant. I knew puttana meant whore bcuz I’m Italian and I’ve heard of it before but doilain and medea I had no idea about. This book needed a dictionary. Don’t assume readers know another language and don’t use a language without giving the meaning. That’s like watching tv in a language you don’t know; you get absolutely nothing out of it. That is so stupid.
Moira’s weakness was one of the most irritating things I’ve ever read. It went on and on and knew no bounds.
They’re gone, she lamented. And for a split second, she was relieved. She wasn’t ready for this confrontation; she wasn’t ready to die.”
She wanted to run back to the small, safe island off Sicily and lock herself inside St. Michael’s fortress.
His truck was driving away when she whispered, “Don’t leave me.”
This last said about Jared, the 18 year old boy who knows nothing of demons or witchcraft or supernatural things and has no idea how to fight them. 29 year old demon hunter Moira wants the presence of an 18 year old human with her. What a freaking baby.
I couldn’t stand Skye, being the stupid cop asking a million questions and detaining Moira when she needed to leave. Anthony is mean to Moira, calling her a whore, and she’s as annoying as every other character. I thought he was interesting, but his relationship with Skye and treatment of Moira makes he not like him. The author didn’t know how to mesh the real world with the supernatural. Moira knows she needs to leave the scene, yet lets herself be questioning and arrested by Skye. Just leave. You’re a itch and you can’t even evade the police for the good of the world? What good is being a witch if you can’t do anything? What a waste. She can’t use magic because all magic is bad, no matter your good intention, but she was nothing more than a glorified human, as susceptible to human problems as supernatural ones. What a bore. Anthony wanted her arrested, which seemed very childish and made him even more unlikable to me, because he hates her for Peter’s death. Then he wants her deported, so stupid, annoying Skye is talking about calling immigration and talking to the DA and seeing if they have a reason to deport her. We don’t have time for the human conventions of law and politics. This involves magic and witchcraft so keep the stupid humans out of it. All Skye does is ask queston after question, I don’t care about Anthony’s relationship with her. Humans have no place in a book like this. They’re incompetent and insist on human logic and don’t grasp anything due to their puny human minds. Worst decision ever placing Anthony with a dumb human cop that thinks she can do something when all she does is hold them back, get in their way and cause complications. She has no place in this story.
Anthony told Skye that Moira killed his friend, so Skye was disdainful of Moira. Moira turned sarcastic, saying her and Anthony go way back, and winked saying “but he meant nothing to me.” Which gave Skye the idea that they were together, sparking jealousy in Skye that was yet one more annoyance for me to contend with, another petty human emotion that further complicates the story. Skye had more POV than Moira did. I thought Moira was the main character, but you sure wouldn’t know it. Father Philip, Anthony, Skye, Fiona, Jared, Serena, Ari, it seemed like everyone had face time while Moira was a side character. Skye was badgering the coroner about cause of death on Abby the teenager. Hello, you da, he isn’t going to find anything. SHE DIED OF SUPERNATURAL CAUSES, NOT HUMAN. HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU HAVE TO BE TOLD THAT? Does this lady have a brain? It’s like the author sat down and wanted to make this as annoying as possible, aggravate readers so much they just threw the book down. Bertrand, who is working with Fiona, calls Skye, who is Rafe’s contact. Why the heck would this human idiot be his contact? Anyway, this complete moron starts suspecting Rafe, he’d been missing 2 hours before Abby’s murder and was a suspect in the murder of the 12 priests, even tho Anthony had told her it was a demon, she’s thinking Rafe isn’t as innocent as Anthony made him out to be. I thought she believed Anthony, she said she did. So why is she thinking she knows more about supernatural stuff than Anthony? Just what the doctor ordered, an interfering cop that knows nothing and does harm instead of good.
Moira told Skye she was screwing Anthony, so they’d hurt her because she’s involved with him. A very crude way of saying that. My, this character is charming. And she said she thought of Jared and Lily as problems rather than people. She was rude and short with them, cussing instead of being proactive. I know they were really annoying because they never listened, and they were so freaking annoying because they literally did the exact opposite of everything she said, following the pattern of every character in here being annoying, but Moira was just unlikable. There were so many things going on, so many people introduced, it was so hard to keep up and I skimmed over Skye and the student Chris and his girlfriend troubles with Ari, and the librarian that stole the car. We didn’t need their POVs, it should’ve just been told to one of the characters that it had happened, rather than us getting their perspective. Not necessary and not good writing. I didn’t care about them so I just skimmed right over it.
Moira finally does something. I almost fell out of my chair when she looks for Rafe at the cliffs where the murder took place. But then she’s yelling that is isn’t fair, she doesn’t want to die and be used like a martyr, even pounds the ground. I’m just wondering when the tirade I’d expect from a 5 year old will be over and when this grown woman will start acting her age when she says hours had passed before she realizes the deadly sin of sloth had been affected her. But as per usual, the only capability she has it to doubt and be scared. What a colossal baby.
I hated that Rafe had been seduced by someone willingly, had even thought that he wasn’t meant for priesthood and doubted God had ever called him there. That really sucked. I didn’t like that Moira had been in love with Peter. They had been in love, fought it for months, because it violated Peter’s lifestyle, and there was guilt when they were together. I would’ve preferred that Moira and Rafe make this commitment for the first with each other, not other people. It ruined the story for me that they had felt so much for other people.
I thought it was so laughable how Rafe said Moira’s character was solid, steadfast and resolute, and she has physical as well as inner strength. He also mentions a desire he can never act on. Come on, they just met and he’s noticing her beauty and mentioning desire. I hate instant attraction, it’s so annoying. And I knew long before the author divulged it that Serena had slept with Rafe. Really wonderful. But she didn’t lie to him, bcuz she actually loves him and wants him to love her. Rafe thinks she lied and seduced him but I am utterly grossed out and ticked off that the author would choose Moira’s half-sister to have slept with the man she’s going to get with. Who would want to get with someone who has been with your half-sister? That is so twisted.
I almost laughed out loud when Rafe, coming out of a nightmare, hits her and Moira says it’s okay, I’m tough. What a joke. She is the furthest thing from tough. And Serena said that Moira was more powerful than their mother knew, that she was underestimated. How funny. So she obviously has powers through no effort of her own. I felt like she was unworthy because she was so freaking weak. They should’ve gone to someone that was strong enough to handle it, not someone that cowers in fear and can’t make a move without quaking.
She goes to get Rafe back from Fiona’s clutches, stabs the demon with a dart and it bites her. Rafe even says she’s being a baby in regards to her not wanting him to look at it. Jeeze. As they get up they kiss, which came out of nowhere, like because the book is almost over the characters have to kiss whether they’re ready for it or not. They just met each other, spent barely any time together, and then they’re just kissing. And she’s saying things like her need for him grew not unexpectedly. Um, yeah, this is unexpected because she’s been babysitting teenagers and “investigating” people, so she literally spent no time thinking about Rafe in this way or anything like that. Now though, let’s throw in romance cuz it’s a romance book. And from the moment she’d found him she’d felt connected to him in ways she couldn’t explain and didn’t want to understand. He breaks it off and she says any other time she would’ve pursued it. Sex with a stranger, wonderful. Is that all it takes, he’s a man and she’s a woman so that’s all you need? I can’t stand casual, rushed feelings and sex.
Rafe is speaking the demon language from the C book, he doesn’t know she loved Peter, Moira doesn’t know he slept with her sister. I assume that’s going to be an issue in the next book, at least I hope it is. Might wanna put the brakes on sleeping with a guy that’s been with your half-sister. They don’t know what controls him. He knows Matthew, the pastor that is Serena’s father, but we don’t know how they know. He cut Moira and her blood killed the demon Envy. Anthony trapped it in the tabernacle. Fiona and Matthew are going to find Moira’s father.. It’s just a conglomeration. And of all things, Rafe says “I’ll do anything to protect you, my love. Anything.” Wow, slap that on a little thicker. They don’t even know each other and love is mentioned?! Come the freak on. Father Philip dying was the icing on the cake. I knew he was going to die, not necessarily in this one, but he’d known he was going to die, and these idiots certainly couldn’t stop it. Half the time they were reduced to pleading with the enemy to stop what they were doing, as if that would accomplish anything.
They weren’t regal or sophisticated or polished and strong like I expected. He’s so normal and mundane, and as weak as everyone else. They’re just pathetic and I can’t respect them because they’re so unbelievably weak it isn’t even funny. They might as well be blind fumbling around in the dark with no clue as to what they’re doing. And the cop that has to tie everything back to a human. It’s like everything was designed to be as annoying and scornful as possible. Everyone was “doing things,” a lot, researching, checking into people, rushing off to save someone, fighting a demon, while simultaneously achieving absolutely nothing! Amazing. The only thing they accomplished was trapping the demon in the tabernacle. I’m literally watching these purportedly strong beings who can fight demons waiting for a human to hurt, stop and kill them. So many times they would watch and wait for a human with a gun, knife, spell to kill them. They couldn’t do anything. It was like a bunch of morons standing around falling prey to all manner of action against the, susceptible to it all.
There were long, italicized sections of the past that I had to slog through. It just wasn’t good writing and nothing about it was eloquent or moving or inspiring, just drab and not enjoyable to read at all. It had none of the elements of a romance novel. It was dominated by the witchcraft, long dialogues and explanations and repeating what should have been understood the first time. It was a pain to read.
Rafe wasn’t any stronger. He was afraid and questioning and doubting himself. Not really the strong, masculine image I was expecting. He just seemed weak and it wasn’t attractive. I could’ve done without Skye’s point of view. I didn’t like her at all. He referred to an attack in November, that Skye was a part of and he had gotten a scar and 12 priests had been killed in St. Michael’s in Italy. It just felt like I was missing something. I felt like there had been a previous book, and that shouldn’t happen because this is the first book in the series. It wasn’t a good introduction into the series because I felt left out and lost and the author wasn’t really connecting dots in the most understandable way. She also used words in another language and didn’t even deign to say what they meant. I knew puttana meant whore bcuz I’m Italian and I’ve heard of it before but doilain and medea I had no idea about. This book needed a dictionary. Don’t assume readers know another language and don’t use a language without giving the meaning. That’s like watching tv in a language you don’t know; you get absolutely nothing out of it. That is so stupid.
Moira’s weakness was one of the most irritating things I’ve ever read. It went on and on and knew no bounds.
They’re gone, she lamented. And for a split second, she was relieved. She wasn’t ready for this confrontation; she wasn’t ready to die.”
She wanted to run back to the small, safe island off Sicily and lock herself inside St. Michael’s fortress.
His truck was driving away when she whispered, “Don’t leave me.”
This last said about Jared, the 18 year old boy who knows nothing of demons or witchcraft or supernatural things and has no idea how to fight them. 29 year old demon hunter Moira wants the presence of an 18 year old human with her. What a freaking baby.
I couldn’t stand Skye, being the stupid cop asking a million questions and detaining Moira when she needed to leave. Anthony is mean to Moira, calling her a whore, and she’s as annoying as every other character. I thought he was interesting, but his relationship with Skye and treatment of Moira makes he not like him. The author didn’t know how to mesh the real world with the supernatural. Moira knows she needs to leave the scene, yet lets herself be questioning and arrested by Skye. Just leave. You’re a itch and you can’t even evade the police for the good of the world? What good is being a witch if you can’t do anything? What a waste. She can’t use magic because all magic is bad, no matter your good intention, but she was nothing more than a glorified human, as susceptible to human problems as supernatural ones. What a bore. Anthony wanted her arrested, which seemed very childish and made him even more unlikable to me, because he hates her for Peter’s death. Then he wants her deported, so stupid, annoying Skye is talking about calling immigration and talking to the DA and seeing if they have a reason to deport her. We don’t have time for the human conventions of law and politics. This involves magic and witchcraft so keep the stupid humans out of it. All Skye does is ask queston after question, I don’t care about Anthony’s relationship with her. Humans have no place in a book like this. They’re incompetent and insist on human logic and don’t grasp anything due to their puny human minds. Worst decision ever placing Anthony with a dumb human cop that thinks she can do something when all she does is hold them back, get in their way and cause complications. She has no place in this story.
Anthony told Skye that Moira killed his friend, so Skye was disdainful of Moira. Moira turned sarcastic, saying her and Anthony go way back, and winked saying “but he meant nothing to me.” Which gave Skye the idea that they were together, sparking jealousy in Skye that was yet one more annoyance for me to contend with, another petty human emotion that further complicates the story. Skye had more POV than Moira did. I thought Moira was the main character, but you sure wouldn’t know it. Father Philip, Anthony, Skye, Fiona, Jared, Serena, Ari, it seemed like everyone had face time while Moira was a side character. Skye was badgering the coroner about cause of death on Abby the teenager. Hello, you da, he isn’t going to find anything. SHE DIED OF SUPERNATURAL CAUSES, NOT HUMAN. HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU HAVE TO BE TOLD THAT? Does this lady have a brain? It’s like the author sat down and wanted to make this as annoying as possible, aggravate readers so much they just threw the book down. Bertrand, who is working with Fiona, calls Skye, who is Rafe’s contact. Why the heck would this human idiot be his contact? Anyway, this complete moron starts suspecting Rafe, he’d been missing 2 hours before Abby’s murder and was a suspect in the murder of the 12 priests, even tho Anthony had told her it was a demon, she’s thinking Rafe isn’t as innocent as Anthony made him out to be. I thought she believed Anthony, she said she did. So why is she thinking she knows more about supernatural stuff than Anthony? Just what the doctor ordered, an interfering cop that knows nothing and does harm instead of good.
Moira told Skye she was screwing Anthony, so they’d hurt her because she’s involved with him. A very crude way of saying that. My, this character is charming. And she said she thought of Jared and Lily as problems rather than people. She was rude and short with them, cussing instead of being proactive. I know they were really annoying because they never listened, and they were so freaking annoying because they literally did the exact opposite of everything she said, following the pattern of every character in here being annoying, but Moira was just unlikable. There were so many things going on, so many people introduced, it was so hard to keep up and I skimmed over Skye and the student Chris and his girlfriend troubles with Ari, and the librarian that stole the car. We didn’t need their POVs, it should’ve just been told to one of the characters that it had happened, rather than us getting their perspective. Not necessary and not good writing. I didn’t care about them so I just skimmed right over it.
Moira finally does something. I almost fell out of my chair when she looks for Rafe at the cliffs where the murder took place. But then she’s yelling that is isn’t fair, she doesn’t want to die and be used like a martyr, even pounds the ground. I’m just wondering when the tirade I’d expect from a 5 year old will be over and when this grown woman will start acting her age when she says hours had passed before she realizes the deadly sin of sloth had been affected her. But as per usual, the only capability she has it to doubt and be scared. What a colossal baby.
I hated that Rafe had been seduced by someone willingly, had even thought that he wasn’t meant for priesthood and doubted God had ever called him there. That really sucked. I didn’t like that Moira had been in love with Peter. They had been in love, fought it for months, because it violated Peter’s lifestyle, and there was guilt when they were together. I would’ve preferred that Moira and Rafe make this commitment for the first with each other, not other people. It ruined the story for me that they had felt so much for other people.
I thought it was so laughable how Rafe said Moira’s character was solid, steadfast and resolute, and she has physical as well as inner strength. He also mentions a desire he can never act on. Come on, they just met and he’s noticing her beauty and mentioning desire. I hate instant attraction, it’s so annoying. And I knew long before the author divulged it that Serena had slept with Rafe. Really wonderful. But she didn’t lie to him, bcuz she actually loves him and wants him to love her. Rafe thinks she lied and seduced him but I am utterly grossed out and ticked off that the author would choose Moira’s half-sister to have slept with the man she’s going to get with. Who would want to get with someone who has been with your half-sister? That is so twisted.
I almost laughed out loud when Rafe, coming out of a nightmare, hits her and Moira says it’s okay, I’m tough. What a joke. She is the furthest thing from tough. And Serena said that Moira was more powerful than their mother knew, that she was underestimated. How funny. So she obviously has powers through no effort of her own. I felt like she was unworthy because she was so freaking weak. They should’ve gone to someone that was strong enough to handle it, not someone that cowers in fear and can’t make a move without quaking.
She goes to get Rafe back from Fiona’s clutches, stabs the demon with a dart and it bites her. Rafe even says she’s being a baby in regards to her not wanting him to look at it. Jeeze. As they get up they kiss, which came out of nowhere, like because the book is almost over the characters have to kiss whether they’re ready for it or not. They just met each other, spent barely any time together, and then they’re just kissing. And she’s saying things like her need for him grew not unexpectedly. Um, yeah, this is unexpected because she’s been babysitting teenagers and “investigating” people, so she literally spent no time thinking about Rafe in this way or anything like that. Now though, let’s throw in romance cuz it’s a romance book. And from the moment she’d found him she’d felt connected to him in ways she couldn’t explain and didn’t want to understand. He breaks it off and she says any other time she would’ve pursued it. Sex with a stranger, wonderful. Is that all it takes, he’s a man and she’s a woman so that’s all you need? I can’t stand casual, rushed feelings and sex.
Rafe is speaking the demon language from the C book, he doesn’t know she loved Peter, Moira doesn’t know he slept with her sister. I assume that’s going to be an issue in the next book, at least I hope it is. Might wanna put the brakes on sleeping with a guy that’s been with your half-sister. They don’t know what controls him. He knows Matthew, the pastor that is Serena’s father, but we don’t know how they know. He cut Moira and her blood killed the demon Envy. Anthony trapped it in the tabernacle. Fiona and Matthew are going to find Moira’s father.. It’s just a conglomeration. And of all things, Rafe says “I’ll do anything to protect you, my love. Anything.” Wow, slap that on a little thicker. They don’t even know each other and love is mentioned?! Come the freak on. Father Philip dying was the icing on the cake. I knew he was going to die, not necessarily in this one, but he’d known he was going to die, and these idiots certainly couldn’t stop it. Half the time they were reduced to pleading with the enemy to stop what they were doing, as if that would accomplish anything.
They weren’t regal or sophisticated or polished and strong like I expected. He’s so normal and mundane, and as weak as everyone else. They’re just pathetic and I can’t respect them because they’re so unbelievably weak it isn’t even funny. They might as well be blind fumbling around in the dark with no clue as to what they’re doing. And the cop that has to tie everything back to a human. It’s like everything was designed to be as annoying and scornful as possible. Everyone was “doing things,” a lot, researching, checking into people, rushing off to save someone, fighting a demon, while simultaneously achieving absolutely nothing! Amazing. The only thing they accomplished was trapping the demon in the tabernacle. I’m literally watching these purportedly strong beings who can fight demons waiting for a human to hurt, stop and kill them. So many times they would watch and wait for a human with a gun, knife, spell to kill them. They couldn’t do anything. It was like a bunch of morons standing around falling prey to all manner of action against the, susceptible to it all.
There were long, italicized sections of the past that I had to slog through. It just wasn’t good writing and nothing about it was eloquent or moving or inspiring, just drab and not enjoyable to read at all. It had none of the elements of a romance novel. It was dominated by the witchcraft, long dialogues and explanations and repeating what should have been understood the first time. It was a pain to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2017
2.5 Could have been so much better than it was, too bad. The writing was choppy, seemed to miss lots of opportunity. Seems like most of the book was talking about what happened in another book. I could have just read that one then! Also seemed to repeat a lot of things over and over. I will not be reading any of the other books.
July 8, 2010
3.25 stars
Since the back cover blurb describes efficiently what the book is about I'm not starting with my own plot summary but will dive straight into what my thoughts about this book were.
Before I give my opinion of this book I must sketch a little background of how I came about reading and reviewing it. I have had books by Allison Brennan on my shelves for a few years now. I think since Speak No Evil was released. A fan of romantic suspense/thrillers I glommed her entire backlist up to that moment and have bought every new release from her ever since. However, they are all still on my TBR pile because I just haven't gotten around to reading any. Then I read about the start of a new series by her, The Seven Deadly Sins and its first installment ORIGINAL SIN. The author called it a supernatural thriller and my attention was immediately drawn and there it went...on the order list. When the book was offered to me for review I didn't even hesitate and almost fell over my feet, running to accept it. I took it with me on vacation and started reading it about halfway through my vacation.
And here is where my expectations harshly collided with what I actually got from the book. I was expecting a fast-paced read full of suspense, action and engaging characters. I was expecting a paranormal romance combined with romantic suspense. What I got was a book that to me qualifies as Urban Fantasy, a genre that is not high on my reading menu and I think this was the main reason of why I struggled so much with this book. I am absolutely convinced that if you like Urban Fantasy you will love Original Sin, despite the slow pace, the extensive and complicated world-building with info-dumps and flashbacks. For me, unfortunately, the book didn't work until about the last 150 pages of the book.
My main struggles were with Moira’s characterization, the excruciatingly slow pace (until the last part), and the fact that the book doesn't contain a rounded, stand-alone story. It's very clearly an introductory first book in an UF-like series and I suspect that everything I was expecting in this book, will be offered in the following installment(s). Because I do have to admit that the last part of ORIGINAL SIN has made me curious about a lot of things that were revealed and I am very tempted to get CARNAL SIN to find out more.
Another thing that impeded my full enjoyment of the book was Moira. She and I just didn't click, especially in the beginning. She was too guilt-ridden, too insecure. This improved a bit once she and Rafe were put together and I did like that she developed a bit to being more confident and less guilt-ridden. Despite the flashbacks and characterization of the main characters through the multiple POVs I didn't have the feeling that I have gotten to know the characters. They all stay on the surface, again contributing to my feeling that there is so much more to be revealed about all of them.
Despite the above I cannot say that ORIGINAL SIN is a bad book. Absolutely not. Even if the build-up and pace were slow I was intrigued by the premise of the all magic is evil plot and the deadly sins that have been unleashed on the world. And the suspense building was well done too because in every chapter small revelations were subtly imbedded into the many flashbacks and information, revelations intriguing enough to keep me reading despite Urban Fantasy feel of the book.
The last part of the book worked the best for me because after the slow start and world building, from about 3/4 into the book, Brennan gave me the pace and action I was longing for. In a considerably faster pace the suspense grew and some threads were unraveled with surprising and unexpected revelations. After how ORIGINAL SIN ended I am heavily speculating about some stuff surrounding Rafe and Moira and I'm curious to see if my speculations are correct.
So despite the things that didn't work for me in this book, the last 150 pages were great and that part is making me look forward to the next installment because now I need to know how things are going to play out and what's further in store for Moira, Rafe, Skye, Anthony and the rest. And I have high hopes for a more romantic focus in the future books because even if there was no clear romance thread in this book, there were subtle suggestions that something is developing between Moira and Rafe. The romance lover in me clung to these subtle hints and to the romance between Anthony and Skye.
In conclusion, as UF is not my favorite genre and this book really leans strongly towards it, it could not enthrall me as much as I hoped it would but even if the book didn't quite work for me, I do believe this book will greatly appeal to UF readers and lovers and I do plan to read more by Allison Brennan, starting with her straight-up romantic suspense/thrillers because that thread in ORIGINAL SIN pulled it up from a disappointing to a fairly satisfactory read.
Rating: 6.7 out of 10
Since the back cover blurb describes efficiently what the book is about I'm not starting with my own plot summary but will dive straight into what my thoughts about this book were.
Before I give my opinion of this book I must sketch a little background of how I came about reading and reviewing it. I have had books by Allison Brennan on my shelves for a few years now. I think since Speak No Evil was released. A fan of romantic suspense/thrillers I glommed her entire backlist up to that moment and have bought every new release from her ever since. However, they are all still on my TBR pile because I just haven't gotten around to reading any. Then I read about the start of a new series by her, The Seven Deadly Sins and its first installment ORIGINAL SIN. The author called it a supernatural thriller and my attention was immediately drawn and there it went...on the order list. When the book was offered to me for review I didn't even hesitate and almost fell over my feet, running to accept it. I took it with me on vacation and started reading it about halfway through my vacation.
And here is where my expectations harshly collided with what I actually got from the book. I was expecting a fast-paced read full of suspense, action and engaging characters. I was expecting a paranormal romance combined with romantic suspense. What I got was a book that to me qualifies as Urban Fantasy, a genre that is not high on my reading menu and I think this was the main reason of why I struggled so much with this book. I am absolutely convinced that if you like Urban Fantasy you will love Original Sin, despite the slow pace, the extensive and complicated world-building with info-dumps and flashbacks. For me, unfortunately, the book didn't work until about the last 150 pages of the book.
My main struggles were with Moira’s characterization, the excruciatingly slow pace (until the last part), and the fact that the book doesn't contain a rounded, stand-alone story. It's very clearly an introductory first book in an UF-like series and I suspect that everything I was expecting in this book, will be offered in the following installment(s). Because I do have to admit that the last part of ORIGINAL SIN has made me curious about a lot of things that were revealed and I am very tempted to get CARNAL SIN to find out more.
Another thing that impeded my full enjoyment of the book was Moira. She and I just didn't click, especially in the beginning. She was too guilt-ridden, too insecure. This improved a bit once she and Rafe were put together and I did like that she developed a bit to being more confident and less guilt-ridden. Despite the flashbacks and characterization of the main characters through the multiple POVs I didn't have the feeling that I have gotten to know the characters. They all stay on the surface, again contributing to my feeling that there is so much more to be revealed about all of them.
Despite the above I cannot say that ORIGINAL SIN is a bad book. Absolutely not. Even if the build-up and pace were slow I was intrigued by the premise of the all magic is evil plot and the deadly sins that have been unleashed on the world. And the suspense building was well done too because in every chapter small revelations were subtly imbedded into the many flashbacks and information, revelations intriguing enough to keep me reading despite Urban Fantasy feel of the book.
The last part of the book worked the best for me because after the slow start and world building, from about 3/4 into the book, Brennan gave me the pace and action I was longing for. In a considerably faster pace the suspense grew and some threads were unraveled with surprising and unexpected revelations. After how ORIGINAL SIN ended I am heavily speculating about some stuff surrounding Rafe and Moira and I'm curious to see if my speculations are correct.
So despite the things that didn't work for me in this book, the last 150 pages were great and that part is making me look forward to the next installment because now I need to know how things are going to play out and what's further in store for Moira, Rafe, Skye, Anthony and the rest. And I have high hopes for a more romantic focus in the future books because even if there was no clear romance thread in this book, there were subtle suggestions that something is developing between Moira and Rafe. The romance lover in me clung to these subtle hints and to the romance between Anthony and Skye.
In conclusion, as UF is not my favorite genre and this book really leans strongly towards it, it could not enthrall me as much as I hoped it would but even if the book didn't quite work for me, I do believe this book will greatly appeal to UF readers and lovers and I do plan to read more by Allison Brennan, starting with her straight-up romantic suspense/thrillers because that thread in ORIGINAL SIN pulled it up from a disappointing to a fairly satisfactory read.
Rating: 6.7 out of 10
February 8, 2010
GUEST REVIEWER TORI
Allison Brennan's newest series-Original Sins deals with the premise that the seven deadly sins are fallen angels/demons that are set to be released on Earth.
Moira O'Donnell is a witch who was conceived and raised with the sole purpose of being a demon mediator (vessel) by her mother Fiona, a powerful witch and coven leader. Moira refused her heritage and escaped with her life barely intact.
She ends up at the Order of St. Michaels under the tutelage of Father Phillip. St Michaels is one of many orders that are fighting the evil that Fiona is trying to unleash upon the Earth.
The order trains demon fighters and they take Moira in to their fold even though they do not trust her as she is a witch and considered the enemy. Moira learns that Fiona is in Saint Lucie and heads there to try to stop her. Mioria arrives too late; but learns that the summoning was interrupted. As Moira searches the town for Fiona she is helped by Anthony and Skye. Anthony works for the order as a demonologist and despises Moira. Anthony blames Moira for the death of his best friend, and her lover.
Skye is the local Sheriff and Anthony's lover. Though Skye is human, you are informed she has been through something similar with Anthony and keeps an open mind. Moiria and Anthony soon learn that Rafe, a member of the order who has been incapacitated for weeks, is the one who disrupted the summoning. Unanswered questions about how Rafe escaped and what he is up to helps in building the suspense. As you head to the showdown between Fiona and the Order you are led through many twists and turns that leave you breathless and intrigued.
Having always been a HUGE fan of Allison Brennan's romantic suspense novels I was thrilled to learn she was divulging into the paranormal. Original Sin reads like a roller coaster ride. Your dipped and twirled through the air only to suddenly drop 100 feet and hang on for dear life.
Moira, who is the main protagonist, is well portrayed as the reluctant heroine. She is strong and independent with a vulnerable side. You are able to clearly see how tortured she is by Peter's death and her fear in having to confront her mother.
Fiona is so villainous that you love to hate her. Her scheming and narcissistic nature shocks you yet you can't help but want to see more. The villains are deliciously evil and the heroes are humanly flawed. The story reads smoothly at a fast pace guaranteed to leave you wanting more.
Though toted as a Paranormal romance, the romance plays second to the main plot and seemed more as an place marker for future books in this series. I would place this more into the Urban Fantasy genre. It worked for me on many levels with the allure of the paranormal and the suspense of the plot.
I am looking forward to see more of Moira and Fiona in the second book of this series, Cardinal Sin, due to release later this year.
Allison Brennan's newest series-Original Sins deals with the premise that the seven deadly sins are fallen angels/demons that are set to be released on Earth.
Moira O'Donnell is a witch who was conceived and raised with the sole purpose of being a demon mediator (vessel) by her mother Fiona, a powerful witch and coven leader. Moira refused her heritage and escaped with her life barely intact.
She ends up at the Order of St. Michaels under the tutelage of Father Phillip. St Michaels is one of many orders that are fighting the evil that Fiona is trying to unleash upon the Earth.
The order trains demon fighters and they take Moira in to their fold even though they do not trust her as she is a witch and considered the enemy. Moira learns that Fiona is in Saint Lucie and heads there to try to stop her. Mioria arrives too late; but learns that the summoning was interrupted. As Moira searches the town for Fiona she is helped by Anthony and Skye. Anthony works for the order as a demonologist and despises Moira. Anthony blames Moira for the death of his best friend, and her lover.
Skye is the local Sheriff and Anthony's lover. Though Skye is human, you are informed she has been through something similar with Anthony and keeps an open mind. Moiria and Anthony soon learn that Rafe, a member of the order who has been incapacitated for weeks, is the one who disrupted the summoning. Unanswered questions about how Rafe escaped and what he is up to helps in building the suspense. As you head to the showdown between Fiona and the Order you are led through many twists and turns that leave you breathless and intrigued.
Having always been a HUGE fan of Allison Brennan's romantic suspense novels I was thrilled to learn she was divulging into the paranormal. Original Sin reads like a roller coaster ride. Your dipped and twirled through the air only to suddenly drop 100 feet and hang on for dear life.
Moira, who is the main protagonist, is well portrayed as the reluctant heroine. She is strong and independent with a vulnerable side. You are able to clearly see how tortured she is by Peter's death and her fear in having to confront her mother.
Fiona is so villainous that you love to hate her. Her scheming and narcissistic nature shocks you yet you can't help but want to see more. The villains are deliciously evil and the heroes are humanly flawed. The story reads smoothly at a fast pace guaranteed to leave you wanting more.
Though toted as a Paranormal romance, the romance plays second to the main plot and seemed more as an place marker for future books in this series. I would place this more into the Urban Fantasy genre. It worked for me on many levels with the allure of the paranormal and the suspense of the plot.
I am looking forward to see more of Moira and Fiona in the second book of this series, Cardinal Sin, due to release later this year.
May 27, 2010
This was my first book by Allison Brennan and she has hooked me for life. In simple terms, I loved this book. Loved it! I found the perfect balance of a supernatural storyline (witches and demons, anyone?) with a touch of romance, all helmed by a strong, independent and very likable heroine. What could possibly be wrong with it?
While Original Sin was full of supernatural themes, witchery and demonology I found it more suspenseful than terrifying (and I mean that as a compliment). There were more than a few lunch hours that I stretched out because I simply did not want to put the book down, so engrossed with Moira, Fiona, Serena, Rafe and Anthony I had become. I was both impatient to get to the end of the book and dreaded turning that final page.
Ms. Brennan's writing is crisp, descriptive and draws the reader in quickly. I could picture not only the characters but the targeted town of Santa Louisa, as well as the demons and demonic creatures that were peppered throughout the novel.
Moira was perhaps one of the best heroines I have recently had the pleasure of meeting through reading. She's strong and determined and can take care of herself without benefit of a man just fine, thank you. What a nice surprise to have a heroine who doesn't fall apart at the first sign of trouble or danger!
Original Sin certainly isn't the first book to use the Seven Deadly Sins as its basis, nor will it be the last, but how much worse a villain could there be but Satan? I found the central Satan/Seven Deadly Sins storyline fascinating enough but Moira's backstory of being born for a purpose, running from her dangerous mother for seven years and a lost fiance were the blood red cherry on top of this paranormal sundae.
As much as I hated for this book to end, I took some consolation in knowing that Original Sin is but the first book in a three book series. I simply cannot wait for the next book to be released so I can catch up with Moira in her quest to fight off demonic forces.
I would recommend this book to any reader who enjoys supernatural, horror or thriller genres. For readers who appreciate a lot of romance, Original Sin may not be your cup of tea. By the same token, if you are easily offended by crude language and/or scenes of a sexual nature, you might be more offended than interested. I would also recommend to any television or film producer looking for a good project to look no further - - Original Sin would make a fantastic movie!
While Original Sin was full of supernatural themes, witchery and demonology I found it more suspenseful than terrifying (and I mean that as a compliment). There were more than a few lunch hours that I stretched out because I simply did not want to put the book down, so engrossed with Moira, Fiona, Serena, Rafe and Anthony I had become. I was both impatient to get to the end of the book and dreaded turning that final page.
Ms. Brennan's writing is crisp, descriptive and draws the reader in quickly. I could picture not only the characters but the targeted town of Santa Louisa, as well as the demons and demonic creatures that were peppered throughout the novel.
Moira was perhaps one of the best heroines I have recently had the pleasure of meeting through reading. She's strong and determined and can take care of herself without benefit of a man just fine, thank you. What a nice surprise to have a heroine who doesn't fall apart at the first sign of trouble or danger!
Original Sin certainly isn't the first book to use the Seven Deadly Sins as its basis, nor will it be the last, but how much worse a villain could there be but Satan? I found the central Satan/Seven Deadly Sins storyline fascinating enough but Moira's backstory of being born for a purpose, running from her dangerous mother for seven years and a lost fiance were the blood red cherry on top of this paranormal sundae.
As much as I hated for this book to end, I took some consolation in knowing that Original Sin is but the first book in a three book series. I simply cannot wait for the next book to be released so I can catch up with Moira in her quest to fight off demonic forces.
I would recommend this book to any reader who enjoys supernatural, horror or thriller genres. For readers who appreciate a lot of romance, Original Sin may not be your cup of tea. By the same token, if you are easily offended by crude language and/or scenes of a sexual nature, you might be more offended than interested. I would also recommend to any television or film producer looking for a good project to look no further - - Original Sin would make a fantastic movie!
April 7, 2010
I received this book as a review copy from Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc. and started it in February. As you can see it took me forever to finish this one. Here are a few reason why I think this is not my kind of book:
1. The beginning of the book confused me. All the background information you get is scattered through the story line and I had problems trying to keep up. It felt like a bit too much from time to time.
2. I don't really like Moira. Always a bad sign for a book. For me it felt like Ms. Brennan doesn't want us to like Moira or perhaps Moira is just not a person I would like. Moira doesn't even like herself. Perhaps it was just too dark for me.
3. This book is written out of so many POVs and it was way too many for me. I can live with 2 or 3 but here we have way too many for my taste. And I have to admit I didn't really like characters. Rafe was okay but his appearance was too late to save the book in my eyes.
4. I thought this book was categorized as paranormal romance but it's not really one. Not enough romance for my taste. I would call it urban fantasy if it would play in a bigger city. I'm not sure which genre it really is.
Okay now to the things I liked and enjoyed:
1. The mystical background was intriguing and I liked how Ms. Brennan created the world itself.
2. Rafe is wonderful character. I really enjoyed his part in the book. I wanted to figure him out and why all that stuff (won't say what cuz of spoilers and all) happened to him.
3. The end was thrilling and I devoured the last 100 pages or so.
All in all I was a bit disappointed that I didn't like the book as much as I thought I would. I read so many great reviews. But after all it's good that we don't all like the same things or this world would really be boring.
I would recommend this books to lovers of dark urban fantasy who like this genre even without a big romance in it.
1. The beginning of the book confused me. All the background information you get is scattered through the story line and I had problems trying to keep up. It felt like a bit too much from time to time.
2. I don't really like Moira. Always a bad sign for a book. For me it felt like Ms. Brennan doesn't want us to like Moira or perhaps Moira is just not a person I would like. Moira doesn't even like herself. Perhaps it was just too dark for me.
3. This book is written out of so many POVs and it was way too many for me. I can live with 2 or 3 but here we have way too many for my taste. And I have to admit I didn't really like characters. Rafe was okay but his appearance was too late to save the book in my eyes.
4. I thought this book was categorized as paranormal romance but it's not really one. Not enough romance for my taste. I would call it urban fantasy if it would play in a bigger city. I'm not sure which genre it really is.
Okay now to the things I liked and enjoyed:
1. The mystical background was intriguing and I liked how Ms. Brennan created the world itself.
2. Rafe is wonderful character. I really enjoyed his part in the book. I wanted to figure him out and why all that stuff (won't say what cuz of spoilers and all) happened to him.
3. The end was thrilling and I devoured the last 100 pages or so.
All in all I was a bit disappointed that I didn't like the book as much as I thought I would. I read so many great reviews. But after all it's good that we don't all like the same things or this world would really be boring.
I would recommend this books to lovers of dark urban fantasy who like this genre even without a big romance in it.
February 17, 2010
Wow! Original Sin is an intense read. Allison Brennan created a frightening thrill ride of a story, with never a moment to let us breathe before moving onto the next major event. The whole idea of seven, incredibly evil demons unleashed on the world is scary in itself. Combine that with the also incredibly evil witches/magicians who summoned them.. we have ourselves on whopper of a problem.
The book started off slow for me, honestly. There was a lot of build-up and background, and it wasn't until about the middle of the book that it really picked up. I understand that the author has to get in the background somehow, and hopefully now that we've got that out of the way, the rest of the novels will be addicting from beginning to end. This is my first book by her, and holy smokes does Allison Brennan know how to write suspense. Even though the build-up was slow, there were still moments that had my heart racing. Then when the action picked up.. wow. I couldn't get enough of the action and she truly never let us take a breather. Ms. Brennan is not nice to her characters either. They get almost blown up, beat up, kidnapped and are constantly battling against black magic. Crazy!
The characters were all right. I was more enamored of the suspense and thrill ride, then I was of the characters. We have seven books to go in the series, so I'm sure that by the end I will be just as in love with them as I am the writing.
I recommend the book. It was a thorougly entertaining read. Well worth the time
The book started off slow for me, honestly. There was a lot of build-up and background, and it wasn't until about the middle of the book that it really picked up. I understand that the author has to get in the background somehow, and hopefully now that we've got that out of the way, the rest of the novels will be addicting from beginning to end. This is my first book by her, and holy smokes does Allison Brennan know how to write suspense. Even though the build-up was slow, there were still moments that had my heart racing. Then when the action picked up.. wow. I couldn't get enough of the action and she truly never let us take a breather. Ms. Brennan is not nice to her characters either. They get almost blown up, beat up, kidnapped and are constantly battling against black magic. Crazy!
The characters were all right. I was more enamored of the suspense and thrill ride, then I was of the characters. We have seven books to go in the series, so I'm sure that by the end I will be just as in love with them as I am the writing.
I recommend the book. It was a thorougly entertaining read. Well worth the time
January 10, 2011
i really liked this book esp the fact that the characters were mostly human(yes some are witches but theyre still human) which is def different from the supernatural books, i usually read. but in saying that this book is untimately about the fight against good and evil, so in turn demons play a major part in this book
i have to say i love moira and rafe!! still a little unsure on anthony but im getting there.:D......selena may surprise me later i think. i think there is more to her character then meets the eye.
cant wait to read the sequel!!
i have to say i love moira and rafe!! still a little unsure on anthony but im getting there.:D......selena may surprise me later i think. i think there is more to her character then meets the eye.
cant wait to read the sequel!!
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June 18, 2010Original Sin (Seven Deadly Sins) by Allison Brennan (2010)
June 26, 2010
Original Sin - Original Concept. Well worth reading.
dnf
February 18, 2013Too over the top with the doomsday predictions...
May 7, 2013
I really like Allison Brennan but didn't like this one at all. I really like her FBI series though. I guess I just don't like the paranormal stuff.
Read
March 30, 2012Didn't like it. Couldn't get into it. The characters were unbelievable and their reactions a bit unrealistic.
March 7, 2022
Didn't like this one much. It drug on so slowly and was full of droning filler. A bit violent and had ok monster descriptions.
Spice was ... Not spicy.
Spice was ... Not spicy.
November 20, 2018
DNF after 2 hours of listening.
I tried. But like many of the other reviews, I just couldn't get on with it.
Very info dump. However, you are left feeling like you are missing REALLY IMPORTANT events, that apparently happened in a previous novella.
Way too many POV shifts for such short periods.
Way too many time jumps for such short periods.
I didn't get on with Moira. Within the first hour (probably less), she was "afraid" more times than I can count, it was noticeable. Even before I read it in someone else's review.
Even within the first 2 hours of listening, the 'ALL MAGIC IS EVIL' vibe came across pretty strong. And that irked me.
I had absolutely NO attachment to any of the characters within the first 2 hours of listening. I couldn't even tell you anything about the characters other than one spoke with an Irish accent and was afraid, and one spoke with an Italian accent.
I think I would have liked this if it were not for those things. But nah... I don't have time for this. I tried. I've got better things to read.
I tried. But like many of the other reviews, I just couldn't get on with it.
Very info dump. However, you are left feeling like you are missing REALLY IMPORTANT events, that apparently happened in a previous novella.
Way too many POV shifts for such short periods.
Way too many time jumps for such short periods.
I didn't get on with Moira. Within the first hour (probably less), she was "afraid" more times than I can count, it was noticeable. Even before I read it in someone else's review.
Even within the first 2 hours of listening, the 'ALL MAGIC IS EVIL' vibe came across pretty strong. And that irked me.
I had absolutely NO attachment to any of the characters within the first 2 hours of listening. I couldn't even tell you anything about the characters other than one spoke with an Irish accent and was afraid, and one spoke with an Italian accent.
I think I would have liked this if it were not for those things. But nah... I don't have time for this. I tried. I've got better things to read.
February 23, 2018
Original sin is a blend of Supernatural, The mortal instruments series and The Originals tv show. Although i can hardly call the story unique, nevertheless it is a well put together book that formed the perfect literary escape on the otherwise dull commute.
Moira is a witch by blood, her ancestry spanning multiple generations. She has unusual premonitions which depict not future events but display what is currently happening. Moira's mother Fiona, head of her coven and the typical "more power" villain seeks to unleash a dangerous part of hell on earth in her quest to become all powerful. Moira must work with the St. Micheals order, an ancient brotherhood, to eleviate the danger Fiona poses.
Although Original Sin is not original in its concept, it is still a very enjoyable, saucy novel for anyone who enjoys reading supernatural works.
Moira is a witch by blood, her ancestry spanning multiple generations. She has unusual premonitions which depict not future events but display what is currently happening. Moira's mother Fiona, head of her coven and the typical "more power" villain seeks to unleash a dangerous part of hell on earth in her quest to become all powerful. Moira must work with the St. Micheals order, an ancient brotherhood, to eleviate the danger Fiona poses.
Although Original Sin is not original in its concept, it is still a very enjoyable, saucy novel for anyone who enjoys reading supernatural works.
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