Envy (Seven Deadly Sins) [Library Binding]

Robin Wasserman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2008 | Series: Seven Deadly Sins

Kane and Harper know what they want:

Beth and Adam.

And they know how to get it:

Break up the shiny happy couple once and for all.

Miranda thinks she knows how to hit on Kane (Mr. Unattainable). But she could take a few pointers from the all-knowing Kaia, who's seducing Mr. Powell, teacher en franÇais. And Reed? Well, he just knows how to have a good time....

Know the feeling?

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up–This sequel to Lust (S & S, 2005) rejoins the overindulged, morally bankrupt students of Haven High who are looking to entertain themselves with sex, parties, and alcohol. They all want relationships with someone who is unavailable and are willing to do anything, and hurt anyone, to achieve their goal. As with the earlier book, the truly unlikable characters are overshadowed by surprisingly good storytelling. Honor and trust are unimportant and the cruelty shown to best friends is especially appalling. Readers who are looking for a fast-paced, soap-opera-style novel will enjoy this compelling and frightening look into what kids today are talking about and dealing with.–Stephanie L. Petruso, Anne Arundel County Public Library, Odenton, MD
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Robin Wasserman's teen novels include Skinned, Crashed, Wired, Hacking Harvard, and the Seven Deadly Sins series. She lives in Brooklyn. Visit her at robinwasserman.com, friend her at facebook.com/robinwasserman, and follow her at twitter.com/robinwasserman. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Library Binding
• Publisher: Paw Prints 2008-03-01 (March 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1435228073
• ISBN-13: 978-1435228078
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,532,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eclipses the original!, December 29, 2005

By 

Marti Muller "Tiffany Vira" (Conway, AR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Envy (Seven Deadly Sins (Simon Pulse)) (Paperback)

Let me say how happy I am to be the first to review ENVY (I do so love being number 1)! Now let's get down to it.

Robin Wasserman's Envy had some sizeable shoes to fill after the release of Lust in Mid September and many (including yours truly) did not expect this book to surpass it's predecessor. But, in fact, it does. Envy is by far better than Lust in that there is just as much action and even better exploration of who the characters are and how they came to be who they are.

One basic flaw of Lust was that Miranda and Adam were immediately introduced as dear friends of Alpha Girl Harper, but then there was little interaction between the characters and Harper. There was little evidence supporting many of Wasserman's claims (such as Miranda being snarky, Adam and Harper being best friends, Harper being witchy and selfish) but in this book, Wasserman raises the bar by taking the focus off of sex (shocking for a teen book of this day and age) and creates a more personal analysis of personality and background, the former more so than the latter.

Kane and Kaia, for example, were portrayed in Lust as the troublemakers. The manipulative, heartless schemers who just took what they wanted and to heck with everyone else. In the latest installment of the series, there are rare moments where Kaia recalls her childhood (being passed around like luggage by two uncaring parents) and readers glimpse Kane's conscience. Wasserman makes these moments memorable without overdoing it. She doesn't try to go too far too fast in "redeeming" these characters. She just makes them understood, if not immensely liked. Also notable are the interactions between Harper and Kaia and Harper and Adam. The Harper/Adam relationship becomes believable and natural and the moments between Kaia and Harper, two virtual enemies are pure fun. Kaia and Harper's scenes light up the page with their snide remarks and witty banter. They are so much alike, and it was hilarious to see them bond and become partners in crime. The author does a fabulous job of illustrating that while they are enemies, Harper and Kaia are the real soulmates in this book.

By far the best part of Envy is the action packed last chapters. Unlike Lust, the book had a huge payoff and all the plotting and schemeing came to a head. Very few will be disappointed by the conclusion.

However, as delightful as this book was, there were a few drawbacks. First off, Harper became a complete witch as she abandoned Miranda in her time of need and gave up her old loyalties to chase blindly after Adam. While Harper is so well-developed a character that readers will certainly forgive her, it is disappointing to watch her downard spiral into witchiness. Miranda also spiraled down into a whiny, whimpering brat that should be smacked in the face and forced to take responsibility for her own life. There were also too many Beth scenes (the series is written in third person, but the book is separated into segments told from the point of view of different characters) and she became a stereotype, a whimpy excuse for a character who could not stand up for herself and needed a man's support. She should take a few pointers from Kaia; enough is enough already. Beth is by far the most annoying character in the book and her selfish nature and constant ridicule of her boyfriend Adam makes it impossible to sympathize with her (and easy to root for Harper).

Best parts of the book: Kane segments, Kaia and Harper's weird relationship, Kane and Harper's reference to The Incident, Harper and Adam.

Worst parts of the book: Miranda not standing up for herself, Beth, Beth, Beth, and Beth.

Is this series worhwhile? Absolutely. Seven Deadly Sins exceeds expectations and is destined to become a favorite among teen readers. These books are incredibly addictive, and a tad bit mature. Viewer discretion advised, but otherwise, enjoy!