Reading Bites

Total Publishing, 2009
ISBN: 0-88144-487-1
Available: New Paperback

Annabell Crystal has the world at the tip of her beautiful, lethal fangs. She has vanquished an evil presence, assumed her rightful heritage as the queen of the vampires, preserved her virtue, and accepted the human, Derrick, as the love of her life and her probable king. Immortality never looked so good. Then Donavon Snider enrolls at Madison Prep High School, and Annabell’s horrific past comes crashing in to claim her soul.

An ancient German family of murderous, sociopathic vampires, the Sniders dispute Annabell’s claim to royalty, and they will stop at nothing to destroy her. Donavon has long been infatuated with the mysterious and powerful young queen. Although the Crystal family’s strength is legendary, they are matched by the psychotic determination of Donavon’s sisters, Eliza and Valisia, and Annabell is brutally kidnapped by the Snider coven. The Crystal family, along with Derrick and his best friend, Paul, will stop at nothing to save her.

Invidia, the second book in Nicci Sefton’s The Deadly Sins Series, provides tangible suspense. The pursuit and battle between the families is vigorous and well described, and Sefton includes several plot twists and a very complex historical narrative. Characters, Paul’s in particular, continue to develop as the novel progresses. He enables a story complication, and his relationship to Annabell’s formidable sister, Precious, becomes more significant. Romance is intensified, and the climax is modern and vividly imagined, set at an outdoor rock concert. Readers can clearly anticipate a sequel.

However, as in Luxuria, the story and much of the character development is very heavily influenced by other, best-selling vampire series. Also, though improved, stylistic errors in grammar, syntax and spelling continue to damage the writing throughout the novel. Careful editing would improve Sefton’s work.

Contains: mild violence, mild profanity, and sexual content
Reviewed by: Sheila Shedd