Original Sinner by Kait Ballenger | GSMC Book Review Podcast

Sarah welcomes bestselling author Kait Ballenger to discuss her dark romantasy novel Original Sinner, a bold reimagining of the seven deadly sins set in modern-day New York City.In Ballenger’s world, the sins are ultrarich power brokers—Lust runs brothels, Sloth dominates streaming media, and Pride, known as Lucifer, rules with beauty, control, and danger. When a private rant about Lucifer goes public, his assistant is thrust into a high-stakes fake engagement that blurs the line between performance and desire. What begins as a media distraction quickly becomes something far more seductive, dangerous, and transformative.Sarah and Kait Ballenger talk about crafting morally gray characters, especially Lucifer as both romantic lead and embodiment of Pride, and how power, shame, and self-discovery shape the story’s emotional core. The conversation also explores blending fantasy, mythology, and contemporary romance, writing intense chemistry with purpose, and building a sin-driven hierarchy that feels both modern and mythic.Listeners will hear behind-the-scenes insights into Ballenger’s creative process, the inspiration behind turning the seven deadly sins into a ruling elite, and what defines dark romantasy as a genre that continues to captivate readers. Whether you love fantasy romance, complex antiheroes, or stories that challenge traditional ideas of desire and control, this episode offers a compelling look at one of the genre’s most provocative new series.Tune in to the GSMC Book Review Podcast, where Sarah brings you thoughtful conversations with today’s most exciting authors and keeps you up to date on the books readers can’t stop talking about.If you enjoyed this episode, follow and subscribe to the show: you can find us on iTunes or on any app that carries podcasts as well as on YouTube. Please remember to subscribe and give us a nice review. This way you will always be among the first to get the latest GSMC Book Review Podcasts. We would like to thank our Sponsor: GSMC Podcast NetworkApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gsmc-book-review-podcast/id1123769087GSMC YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-EKO3toL1ATwitter: https://twitter.com/GSMC_BookReviewFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GSMCBookReview/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gsmcbookreviewTiktok: @gsmcbookreviewBluesky: @gsmcbookreview.bsky.socialThreads: @gsmc_bookreviewGSMC Podcast Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@gsmcpodcastnetwork GSMC Sports Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCSportsNetwork. GSMC Entertainment Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCEntertainmentNetwork GSMC News Network YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GSMCNEWSNETWORK Disclaimer: The views expressed on the GSMC Book Review Podcast are for entertainment purposes only. Reproduction, copying, or redistribution of The GSMC Book Review Podcast without the express written consent of Golden State Media Concepts LLC is prohibited.