Sunday, April 4, 2010

Review: Original Sin by Allison Brennan


Original Sin is a bit of a twist on the classic Good vs. Evil theme. Moira O'Donnell is a witch. She was conceived with a specific fate in mind for her. Her mother, Fiona is a witch straight out of a fairy tale- evil to the core. Once Moira was old enough to realize her mother's true purpose, she ran away and vowed to destroy the evil she'd done.

As the book opens, Moira is dreaming about her posession by demons that caused her to kill her boyfriend/lover. As always, after the nightmare comes a horrible vision. She calls her Priest/mentor for advice, and is able to generalize where the things in this vision are taking place. Fast forward 10 weeks, and Moira has been at the location of the vision, piecing together what happened and trying to figure out what's coming next. She knows her mother is involved, and is hoping for a chance to kill Fiona so she can stop running.

Fiona has been busy in the last few years. She's become leader of a powerful coven, and in an attempt to gain immortality has perfected a spell/ritual that will bring forth the 7 demons for her to control. At the moment of truth, however, something goes terribly wrong.

This book had a lot going on. There was a lot of previous background between Moira and the other characters to the point where a couple of times I felt like I had accidentally picked up the second book in the series instead of the first. I think Moira's backstory growing up with Fiona and her subsequent escape; meeting Peter and their relationship; and Peter and Anthony's upbringing would have made an interesting story.

There were also a LOT of other character points-of-view: Her priest/mentor Fr. Philip, her dead boyfriend's best friend and demonologist Anthony, another member of the Church order Raphael Cooper, Rico - another member of the Church/Moira's mentor that is often referenced but I don't think we ever got his point of view, her mother Fiona, and her half sister/witch Serena. There were others but I think those were the POVs most important to the story. I don't usually mind multiple POVs, but there were so many that I did find it a bit frustrating.

This book seems to be billed as a Paranormal Romance, but I don't think it is. There was a short sex scene that had nothing to do with Moira; BUT, I can see where future books in the series may fall into that PNR category. This story was a bit darker than I usually read, with a bit less romance than I prefer, but the premise of the Seven Deadly Sins escaping and roaming the earth is interesting. There was a twist with one character I didn't see coming, and I enjoyed the animosity between Moira and Anthony, even though they were on the same team. I liked her young friend Jared and hope we'll see him in the next book.

I give Original Sin 3 out of 5 stars.

This book was provide to me by Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc. free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

9 comments:

  1. Great honest review. I was intrigued by the title of this story and the cover, so I've been debating looking into it further. Switching character POV between so many characters would definitely drive me insane, so I think I'll have to pass on this book.

    Thanks!

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  2. I can already tell that I'd get confused and frustrated by the multiple PoV/headhopping...

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  3. I started this and was so muddled I had to put it down. I'll pick it up again so I can give it a review, but I can't honestly say it's something I'm dying back into. I read somewhere else that after page 60 it starts to clear up and get better. Thanks for the review, it already cleared up some things up for me!

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  4. Great review Patti!

    I have this one in my TBR pile and can't wait to read!

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  5. Interesting review. I always like reading another's thoughts on books I have read. :) I agree. It was quite light on the romance, and the story was told from various POV's. I am looking forward to the sequel and found the idea of the 7 deadly sins intriguing as well!

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  6. Nice review, dunno about that sex scene, I don't like to read sex scenes that have nothing to do with the main characters

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  7. Tori: I'm curious to see what sin she focuses on in the next book.

    Chris: The multiple POVs were a bit confusing for me at first.

    Julie: Glad I could help, looking forward to reading your review!

    Razlover: Thanks! Can't wait to read your thoughts!

    Lily: Agree!

    Blodeuedd: It was a main character, just not THE main character....and I'm willing to bet Moira may get busy in the next few books!

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  8. Ya I agree with everyone else...switching POV for me is ok BUT not to many times. Not only do i get confused but i feel i dont get enough time with that certain character which leads me to feel disconnected form them :o/ BUT I gotta say this book does strike up my attention! ;o) Good review sweets!

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  9. I have to agree with you and everyone who has commented Patti. Does sound like a confusing tale. I'm good with first person, as long as we stay in the 'first' lol..

    Hey, you are reading Lover Eternal. I'm not a huge Ward fan anymore, but I have to say that one remains one of my all time favorites. I hope you enjoy!

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