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Review

“Life is a book … God writes it. We’re His characters. He knows what happens on the next page, but we don’t. Heaven is where we get to read the book cover to cover and see how it all makes sense.”

This book. Fucking damn! THIS. BOOK!

6 MASSIVE STARS

Prequels to a much-loved series can be dangerous to write as the author runs the risk of spoiling an already well-crafted and complex story. But in this case, Tiffany Reisz hasn’t just given us a prequel, she’s taken The Original Sinners and given it so much more depth and heart, and I am completely astounded at how incredible this book is! I highlighted like crazy while reading, so be warned that this review is going to be extremely quote-whorey, but I just couldn’t help myself.

Every single moment of this book is so incredibly meaningful! From the first meeting between a rebellious 15 year old Eleanor, and the man who has been waiting his whole life for her, Eleanor growing up under the guidance of her mentor, the two of them falling into a soul-deep love, and then meeting the third player in their epic story, and Eleanor’s introduction into their dark world. All of it is just sensational!

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PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REVIEW IS ONE BIG SPOILER FOR FOR THE ORIGINAL SINNERS ‘RED YEARS’, SO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE READ THOSE BOOKS FIRST BEFORE PROGRESSING ANY FURTHER.

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The books is set in the present, with Nora telling us the story of how she and Søren came to be.

“I like fairytales.”
“You’ll like this one, too. It begins with a whimper but ends in a bang.”

I’ll admit, I wasn’t the biggest Søren fan while reading The Original Sinners series. I grew to like him, but seeing the beginning of their relationship – the way they are together, and all of the banter, innuendo and subtle flirting, I get it. I absolutely, totally get it. And the love story between Eleanor and Søren is absolutely amazing!

“Little One, to be with me is to hurt.”
“To be without you would hurt more.”

And it’s all so cleverly put together! Tiffany Reisz has tied in elements of the story with events that happen in the original books, and she’s opened up things that were brushed over in those books, and given it all to us in brilliant detail. And in doing so, she’s given me a completely new appreciation for everything that happens later in the story.

“If I’m going to give you forever,” she said, raising her chin higher, “I want something in return.”
“I already offered to help you out of your mess. What else do you want?”
Eleanor considered her demands. He sounded open to suggestion, which was good because she had a suggestion.
“Everything.”
“Everything?” he repeated. “As in…?”
“Every. Thing.” She stared at him across the desk, and this time it was her turn not to blink. “I give you forever, the least you can give me is everything.”

Nora is such a fantastic heroine, and I equally love her as teenage Eleanor. The girl has no fear. She is fierce, brave, completely irreverent, and she says what she’s thinking without apology, and I love that about her! And Søren , being Søren , knows exactly how to handle her, and he does it brilliantly.

“Why?”
“Because I said so, and I never once said you were freed from your vow to obey me. So obey me.”
“Can you please order me to punch your face? I’ll obey that order.”
“Later, perhaps. I have nothing but respect for your sadistic side.”

Søren is so serious, but we know the hidden meaning behind everything he says and does, which makes each interaction so much more meaningful. Everything that is said, every little gesture means so much. Seriously, one little rise of Søren’s eybrow, and I was a shivering mess! From his moments of humour and playfulness to him exposing his vulnerability and emotional declarations, he blew me away in this book.

“Are you sure you can’t tell me where you’re going?”
“Quite sure. I will say this – I wish I could take you with me.”
She smiled. Finally some of the tension started to leave her body.
“Me too. I’d go anywhere with you.”
Søren met her eyes for the first time that night and gave her the faintest of smiles.
“Don’t worry. Someday you will.”

The flirting, the innuendo, the theological discussion, it’s all epic! I love the way they both slowly and secretly start to acknowledge what is happening between them. And I loved that we got to see Søren’s caring side, as he ensures Eleanor is prepared for all that he wants with her.

“You’re not ready to have an adult relationship. No amount of wishing on either of our parts will make it so. And I care about you too much to take you anywhere you’re not ready to go.”

“There is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you, Eleanor. Nothing I wouldn’t do to help you and nothing I wouldn’t do to save you. Nothing.”

This book is essentially foreplay, but without the touching (although there is touching eventually, and NOTHING will prepare you for those scenes!). And while this relationship pushes limits in a lot of different ways – ways which will probably be shocking to some readers – there is no denying the bond between these two characters.

“I don’t see you suffering.”
“I have suffered. My suffering has ended.”
“Did you find Jesus?”
“No, I found you.”

And then, just when you think things can’t get any better, along comes Kingsley! OMG! My favourite character of the series, he is such a scene stealer! Every interaction with him is absolute gold! I think I highlighted every word out of his mouth during his first introduction to Nora.

Eleanor’s eyes widened at the sight of the man.
“I love that reaction.” He pointed at Eleanor’s face. “That is the ‘you didn’t tell me how pretty he was look, oui?”

“A pleasure to meet you at last,” he said. “I look forward to you making the acquaintance of my ceiling.”

Tiffany Reisz truly has a gift when it comes to writing, and she has done an amazing job with this book! Like the rest of the books in this series, the story is woven together brilliantly. The character dynamics are fantastic, the dialogue and banter is sensational, and I was completely caught up in their world. Be sure to start with The Original Sinners series before starting on this one, and be ready to be taken on a WILD ride!

I adored it – 6 stars

 

The Original Sinners series

 

For more information, see our Original Sinners Series Info page