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.

Original Sin by Allison Brennan (Seven Deadly Sins #1)
Paranormal Romantic Suspense
January 26, 2010
Paperback, 416 Pages
Ballantine
Reviewed by 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.

Rating: 4/5

Recent Reviews:
The Book Lush – good start to series
Fiction Vixen – 4/5
Book Binge – 4.25/5
Leontine’s Book Realm – 4.5/5
Fantasy Dreamer’s Ramblings – 5/5

Allison Brennan Website.