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.
Review:
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:
Demonologist Anthony Zaccardi can't save the twelve priests brutally slaughtered at a California mission, but he's determined to send the killer -- an ancient demon -- back to hell. And when tough, sexy local sheriff Skye McPherson refuses to believe something supernatural is at work, Anthony realizes that to "Deliver Us From Evil" he must first win Skye's trust, then her heart.
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 (out of 5):
Click HERE to read an excerpt of Original Sin
Discloser: I received this book courtesy of Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc.
Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
- Publisher: Ballantine Books; Original edition (January 26, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0345511670
- ISBN-13: 978-0345511676
- Cover Art: Tony Mauro
Disagree with my review? Email me your review for this or any other book I reviewed and I might use it for 2nd Opinion Review
Normally I can read about 200 pages a day. I started this book on Sunday PM, right now I am on page 156. I read another review that said it got really intense after about 100 pages. I am still waiting. I don't think it is bad, I just can't get into it. Very glad to hear I am not the only one having trouble with the story. Thanks for the honest review.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I agree this one leaves you going HUH? For a while - for me it picked up, thankfully I was about to abandon it for good - sorry it was not your cup of nice relaxing tea - but great review! :)
ReplyDeleteI have not picked this one up yet. But I do appreciate an honest review! So thank you. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI guess I won't be reading this one after all.
ReplyDeleteI started reading it and I was confused. I think I will turn this one down.
ReplyDeleteYeah, most of the reviews I've read of this one have been positive. Thanks for the honest assessment. I'll probably give it a shot to see how it sits with me.
ReplyDeleteThis one's sitting in my review pile, right after I finish Spider's Bite. I've been hearing a lot of mixed reviews on Original Sin, but I definitely appreciate your honesty. I have to read it for review's sakes anyways, so here's to hoping that I like it! :)
ReplyDeleteI hate, hate, hate it when authors start new series with novellas. It's one of my number one nitpicks, because the poor reader is left wondering why she's missing part of the back story on an introduction book. It's a terrible practice.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll pass on this one. Thanks for the review Abigail.
I'm glad there's someone else out there who didn't like this book- I couldn't even finish it! I had read a ton of positive reviews and couldn't figure out how we were all reading the same book- everyone else was talking about action and interesting points and I was like, where are they? Great review though, and I agree with your points completely!
ReplyDelete@Angiegirl & Natalie -Like I said, I know several reputable reviews who loved this book. It wasn't for me, but hopefully you both with find it more to your liking...and then, hey! Send me a 2nd Opinion Review :)
ReplyDelete@Rebecca -I especially hate it when there is no mention on the previous novella anywhere on the book. I only accidentally discovered the anthology while writing my review. Arghh!
@Emily - You definitely aren't alone!
ReplyDeleteI'm one of the reviewers who loved this one. I wasn't confused at any given point while reading Original Sin, maybe I missed something?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the novella tip, I didn't know there was one.
@Donna-I know. I was really looking forward to it after reading your review. Different strokes...I guess :)
ReplyDeleteI actually have the novella, but its great to know how important that info is. I was looking forward to starting it...although I haven't purchased a copy yet.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that a novella should never start a series. First book, should be the first, which is why I never start a series from book 3. Thanks for the great review
I was curious to see what you thought of the book. I have heard many great reviews but I have heard some... well, not so great reviews. I am curious of the book with the different views.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the informative and great review!
I read the majority of the book - its good but a little confusing with all the left out info - before skipping to the middle of the next book.
ReplyDeleteThe second book "Carnal Sin" starts off a LOT faster in the beginning and I love the books and don't think you should give up on them just because of what you have heard.