SINS OF THE SON (The Grigori Legacy #2)
by Linda Poitevin

PUBLISHER: ACE
RELEASE DATE: 27th March 2012
FORMAT: Paperback, 339 pages
GENRE: Urban Fantasy

When homicide detective Alexandra Jarvis sees a photo of Seth Benjamin on a police bulletin, she knows that Heaven’s plan to halt Armageddon has gone terribly wrong. As the only mortal who knows of Seth’s true nature, only she can save him.

Aramael was a hunter of Fallen Angels until a traitor forced him into earthly exile. Now, with no powers and only a faint memory of Alex, his mortal soul mate, he will stop at nothing to redeem himself-even if it means destroying Seth in the name of the Creator… (Goodreads)

REVIEWER: Gemma

**Contains spoilers – read at your own risk**

So the second book in this new Urban Fantasy series is now upon us and while many authors end up falling at the hurdle that is known as “Second Book Syndrome”, I can safely say… Linda Poitevin is NOT one of those authors!

After a rocky start with Sins of the Angels, the second book is a slicker, tighter and a much more satisfying read. The plot moves along at a fast pace and you don’t realise how much you have read ’till you look at the clock and realise it’s nearly one in the morning, and you have to be up in five hours for work. (yup, that was me!).

The reason that SINS OF THE SON was such a joy to read is that all the consequences from the last book are carried into this one. This could be to do with the fact that not a great deal of time has passed, but it is great to see the continuity between the two books.

Now, if you read review of Son of the Angels, then you know how much I loved Seth, a character only introduced into the world about two thirds into the book. This is his time to shine, and shine he does. Poitevin manages to convey across a character who is complex.

As part of an agreement between Lucifer and The One, humanity’s fate rests on Seths shoulders. However, rather than go along with their plans, he returns to earth, not completely mortal and fully grown, although he does have amnesia. The reason why he decides to do this is all to do with his feelings for Alexandra Jarvis, the homicide Detective from the first book whose life he saved.

I’ve seen this plot device being used many times before, but Poitevin manages to keep away from the farcical, comical amnesiac. Instead Seth comes across as a fish out of water, completely vulnerable in the world around him. Yet he has such a hidden strength within him that means he pushes this frightening experience to one side in order to protect Alexandria. If you haven’t guessed, Seth was a favourite of mine and this book cements my affection for the character.

Alex shows strength in this book that I really admired. She seems to have come to terms with what is going on. At the same time she can’t help but feel guilty for the position the whole universe is in. Being the type of person that wants to do the right thing, she steps up to the plate when the time comes. Somehow against all the odds she manages to overcome some pretty harrowing events in the book, when I know I would have crumbled .

A great example of this is the way she deals with the consequences of being effectively raped by a Fallen Angel. This has been happening to lots of human women, resulting in more Nephilims being conceived as part of Lucifers plan to build an army. To add to this horrible situation, Alex has to deal with the fact that these fast developing beings are resulting in the mothers dying in childbirth. Alex decides to have an abortion, hoping to put the traumatic experience to the back of her mind in order to save the human race. This I thought showed great courage. I remember reading it and wondering why she was not curled up in a corner trying to deal with this, but then I remembered that she had almost been disembowelled in the first book and that she knows that her problems, although huge to her, are insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

When things don’t go to plan she makes a big sacrifice in order to prevent the child being born. I did tear up especially when she was bleeding out, especially with Seth and Aramael around her.

A new character introduced into the book is Michael, or the archangel Mika’el. He is the new alpha male and is everything you except his character to be and then some. He is compassionate, yet he knows what has to be done. He never takes the easy way out and plays dirty as he knows that Lucifer won’t play fair. The fact he plays in shades of grey is intresting. He wants The One to win, but knows that there are consequences that no one else knows. It leaves him in an awkward position. I hope we see more of him as I really liked him.

As for The One and Lucifers relationship, it is explored a bit more in this book. However, more questions are thrown up than answers given. This is not completely clean cut with good versus evil. There are underlying issues that are never fully explained. We are left to surmise for ourselves what is going on. I think there is potentially some pretty good avenues for plotlines between these two and I hope we get some answers as the series moves on.

The ending is left on a cliff-hanger and I literally went “OMG!” You know what’s coming like a train hurtling towards you, yet you can do nothing to stop it. The third book can’t come quick enough.

VERDICT:

A big improvement on the first book and leaves the reader anxious for the next book. I’d recommend that you read book one first, so you know what the world is about. Then delve into this book which really amps the action and the ante.

RATING: 

LINDA POITIVEN ONLINE
Website | Goodreads |Facebook| Twitter

BOOKS IN SERIES ORDER
1. Sins of the Angels
2. Sins of the Son

BUY IT

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

REVIEW: Sins of the Angels by Linda Poitevin

Guest Post & Giveaway: Urban Fantasy Author, Linda…

MONTHLY RECS ~ April 2012

REVIEW: Bloodstone by Gillian Philip