Original Sin by Allison Brennan
Mass Market Paperback: 416 Pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Available: January 26th 2010
ISBN-13: 9780345511676
Genre: Paranormal Suspense 
Book received from: Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc.

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.

Moira O’Donnell is a powerful witch who no longer practices witch craft. She was born to an evil magician who dedicated her at birth to evil but wants no part of this life. She is both on the run from and hunting her mother who seeks to use her or kill her.  She has trained with Father Philip of St. Michael's Monastery to help fight those like her mother who summon demons from hell by practicing black magic. 

Moira discovers her mother and her coven in the small town of Santa Louisa and travels there knowing she may die in a confrontation with her.  She discovers evidence that her mother and the coven have been conducting rituals drawing evil to this small town. 

When Fiona, Moira’s mother, attempts to summon and trap the demons from hell known as the seven deadly sins, something goes terribly wrong and the demons are released on earth to wreak havoc.  Moira and her allies may be the only hope in trapping the demons and sending them back to hell.

There were a few characters that stood out for me.  Moira first of all, was a great heroine.  Courageous doesn’t even begin to describe her.  She has to face down her own mother, who is a powerful witch hell bent on capturing and using her or destroying her.  Not only does Moira  face her mother but she battles the most vile demons from hell.  Anthony, a demonologist, comes off hard and jaded.  He’s angry and doesn’t trust Moira blaming her for the death of his friend and her former lover.  Although he distrusts Moira he still works with her for the greater good.  Rafe, Moira’s love interest is brother from the Monetary.  He was a bit a of a mystery to me and I never really could get a handle on his character.  While committed to the cause and key to the plot, he seemed to take a backseat in character. I never really understood where the romantic connection between Rafe and Moira originated or why it evolved though. Fiona is the villain of all villains.  She is evil, self centered and worst of all uses her own children in the pursuit of power.

This book was billed as a paranormal romance however the romance was very light taking a backseat to the more prevalent mystery and suspense aspect of the book.  If you’re looking for a more traditional paranormal romance then you may be disappointed in Original Sin.  Being a romance lover myself, I will say that I didn’t miss the romance angle at all as the plot was strong and the characterization good and I think the tiny bit of romance was not needed at all.

Original Sin worked for me on several different levels.  The suspense build-up alone was enough to keep me turning the pages and the mystery held right up until the very end.  I will admit, it took me about 6 chapters to really get into it but once the action started I did not want to put this book down.

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Other books in the series: Carnal Sin coming June 22, 2010

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