“The only thing worse than a broken heart was a heart that had never loved at all.”
— Rhage reflecting on his past and the pain of lost love.
Archivist's Choice
Covet
J.R. Ward (2009)
Genre
Fantasy / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
474 min
Key Themes
See below
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A cynical, revenge-driven fallen angel must save seven souls embodying the deadly sins, starting with a workaholic businessman ensnared by lust, as he battles a relentless demon in a high-stakes war for humanity's redemption.
Synopsis
Jim Heron, a newly fallen angel with a past of revenge, must save seven souls from the seven deadly sins. His first target is Vin DiPietro, a businessman consumed by greed, who unknowingly sold his soul to his company. Jim, initially doubtful of his role, intervenes in Vin's life, often with a direct approach, to guide him from sin. Vin, resistant and cynical, finds his world complicated by Marie-Teresa, a compassionate woman who challenges his hardened exterior and awakens emotions he thought were gone. As Jim guides Vin, a demon named Devina actively tempts Vin and tries to stop Jim's mission. Vin's past business dealings and personal history are revealed, forcing him to face the results of his ambition. Through Marie-Teresa's support and his growing love for her, Vin experiences a crisis of conscience. He chooses redemption, changing from a self-serving individual into a man capable of love and connection, saving his soul. With Vin's soul secure, Jim Heron, now more accepting of his role, prepares for his next mission.
Reading time
474 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Dark, Romantic, Redemptive, Suspenseful
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy urban fantasy with a strong romance plot, morally gray protagonists, and a battle between good and evil.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer fantasy without explicit religious undertones (fallen angels, demons, sin) or dislike intense romantic subplots.
Plot Summary
A New Calling for Jim Heron
Jim Heron, an ex-mercenary with a past of violence and revenge, has a supernatural encounter. An angel, later identified as the Archangel Michael, appears, explaining that Jim is now a 'fallen angel' chosen for a divine mission. Jim must save the souls of seven people who embody the seven deadly sins. His first target is Vin DiPietro, a successful but ruthless businessman who shows the sin of Covetousness. Jim, initially skeptical, has no choice but to accept this responsibility, as humanity's fate depends on it. He is told that if he fails, the world will fall into spiritual darkness.
Introducing Vin DiPietro and Marie-Teresa
Vin DiPietro is a successful real estate mogul, whose life is consumed by ambition and desire for wealth. He stops at nothing to achieve his financial goals, often at others' expense. His life changes when he meets Marie-Teresa, a kind woman working at a local diner. Marie-Teresa contrasts with Vin's materialistic world; she is compassionate and values human connection over money. Despite their differences, Vin finds himself drawn to her, a feeling that challenges his carefully built, covetous existence. He begins to feel a longing for something beyond his business empire.
Jim's Intervention and Vin's Resistance
Jim Heron appears to Vin DiPietro as an enigmatic, leather-clad biker who speaks of divine missions and saving souls. Vin, a pragmatic and cynical individual, at first dismisses Jim as a lunatic. He is uncomfortable with Jim's statements and attempts to steer him toward a more righteous path, seeing them as an intrusion into his ordered life. Despite Vin's resistance, Jim persists, subtly manipulating circumstances to force Vin to face his covetous nature and the results of his actions. Jim's methods are direct, often involving confrontation and uncomfortable truths.
The Developing Relationship with Marie-Teresa
Despite his early skepticism, Vin feels increasingly drawn to Marie-Teresa. He begins to pursue her romantically, but Marie-Teresa is not easily swayed by his wealth or status. She challenges his materialistic worldview, valuing genuine connection and kindness above all else. Their growing relationship forces Vin to confront his own values and the emptiness of his relentless pursuit of wealth. He starts to experience emotions that go beyond his business ambitions, wanting to be a better man for her. Jim observes this, recognizing Marie-Teresa as a key part of Vin's potential redemption.
Confronting Vin's Past and Business Dealings
Jim Heron continues to challenge Vin, focusing on the unethical parts of his business dealings. Jim points out instances where Vin's covetousness led him to exploit others or act in morally questionable ways. This forces Vin to face the true cost of his ambition and the impact of his actions on those around him. Vin begins to see the emptiness of his success, realizing that while he has accumulated wealth, he has alienated himself from genuine human connection and personal integrity. These confrontations are painful for Vin, but they are essential in breaking down his hardened exterior and opening him to change.
The Demon's Interference
As Jim makes progress with Vin, a demon, responsible for tempting the seven souls toward damnation, begins to interfere. This demon, a powerful enemy, sees Jim's mission as a threat to its power. The demon tries to strengthen Vin's covetous tendencies, creating situations that test his resolve and tempt him back to his old ways. It also tries to create distance between Vin and Marie-Teresa, understanding that their connection is key to Vin's redemption. Jim must not only guide Vin but also protect him from these external influences.
Vin's Crisis of Conscience
Vin reaches a critical point when he is offered a major business opportunity that promises great financial gain but requires him to compromise his new moral compass and potentially harm others. This situation forces Vin to make a difficult choice: return to his old covetous ways or embrace integrity and sacrifice immediate personal gain. The internal conflict is intense, as he struggles between his ingrained desire for wealth and his growing feelings for Marie-Teresa, who represents a life of moral uprightness. This is the ultimate test of his redemption, and Jim watches closely, knowing the stakes are high.
Marie-Teresa's Influence and Support
Throughout Vin's struggle, Marie-Teresa remains a constant source of support and inspiration. Her belief in his potential for good, despite his past, greatly impacts him. She embodies the values that Vin is slowly learning to embrace: kindness, selflessness, and genuine love. Her presence acts as a moral anchor, reminding him of what truly matters beyond material possessions. It is her love and the desire to be worthy of it that ultimately give Vin the strength to reject covetousness and choose a more ethical and compassionate life. She represents the reward of his spiritual transformation.
Vin's Redemption and Transformation
In a key decision, Vin DiPietro chooses to forgo the lucrative, but unethical, business deal. Instead, he chooses a path that aligns with his developing integrity and compassion, even if it means sacrificing significant financial profit. This selfless act marks his transformation and signifies his redemption from the sin of covetousness. He prioritizes his values, his relationship with Marie-Teresa, and his newfound sense of self-worth over material gain. This decision is a clear victory for Jim Heron, as Vin's soul is saved, proving that even the most covetous can find redemption through love and moral awakening.
Jim Heron's Next Mission
With Vin DiPietro's soul secured and his redemption complete, Jim Heron's mission for the first of the seven deadly sins closes. Vin and Marie-Teresa start a future together, built on love and connection. For Jim, however, the journey continues. Having completed his first assignment, he now faces the task of identifying and saving the remaining six souls, each embodying a different deadly sin. The book ends with Jim preparing to move on, hinting at the continuing battle between good and evil and the challenges ahead in his divine mission.
Principal Figures
Jim Heron
The Protagonist
Jim transforms from a cynical, unwilling participant to a committed, albeit still reluctant, savior, beginning to understand the profound impact of his mission.
Vin DiPietro
The Protagonist/First Soul to be Saved
Vin evolves from a greedy, self-serving businessman to a compassionate man who prioritizes love and integrity over wealth, finding true redemption.
Marie-Teresa
The Supporting
Marie-Teresa remains a consistent moral compass, inspiring Vin's change and finding true love.
Archangel Michael
The Supporting
Michael's role is largely static, serving as the initiator and overseer of Jim's mission.
The Demon (unnamed)
The Antagonist
The Demon's arc is consistent in its antagonism, serving as a constant threat to the souls and Jim's mission.
Themes & Insights
Redemption and Second Chances
The main theme is the possibility of redemption for even the most sinful. Jim Heron, a man with a violent past, gets a second chance at purpose, while Vin DiPietro, consumed by greed, is offered a path to spiritual salvation. The story explores the idea that past mistakes do not define a person's ultimate destiny and that with effort and a change of heart, anyone can find forgiveness and a new beginning. This is shown in Vin's transformation from a covetous businessman to a man prioritizing love and integrity, a journey helped by Jim's guidance and Marie-Teresa's love.
“Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about—his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charged with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins.”
The Nature of Sin and Virtue
The book examines the concept of sin, specifically 'Covetousness' through Vin DiPietro's character. It looks at how sin can appear in modern life, not just as overt evil, but as ingrained behaviors driven by desire and ambition. Conversely, it highlights virtues like compassion, integrity, and selflessness through characters like Marie-Teresa and Jim's changing actions. The story shows the internal struggle between these opposing forces and the impact of choices made in that struggle, showing how Vin's early covetousness brought him emptiness, while his eventual embrace of virtue brought him true happiness.
“Vin DiPietro long ago sold his soul to his business, and he's good with that-until fate intervenes in the form of a tough-talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior.”
Love as a Catalyst for Change
Love, especially the romantic love between Vin DiPietro and Marie-Teresa, acts as a powerful catalyst for personal transformation. Marie-Teresa's genuine affection and belief in Vin's goodness give him a reason to change that goes beyond material gain. It highlights how emotional connection and the desire to be worthy of another's love can inspire moral shifts. This is clear as Vin's feelings for Marie-Teresa prompt him to question his life choices and ultimately choose integrity over his ingrained greed, showing love's transformative power.
“And then he meets a woman who will make him question his destiny, his sanity, and his heart—and he has to work with a fallen angel to win her over and redeem his own soul.”
Free Will vs. Divine Intervention
The story explores the balance between divine intervention and an individual's free will. Jim Heron guides souls, but he cannot force them to change; the ultimate choice for redemption must come from within. While Jim sets up situations and provides guidance, Vin DiPietro's decision to forgo his covetous ways is ultimately his own, showing the power of personal choice. This theme emphasizes that even with supernatural forces at play, people retain the power to choose their own path, making their redemption more meaningful.
“Failure is not an option.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Seven Deadly Sins
A foundational framework for the series, each book focuses on a different sin.
This device serves as the overarching structure for the entire series. In 'Covet,' the sin of 'Covetousness' is personified by Vin DiPietro. This framework allows for a deep exploration of how each sin manifests in modern society and its impact on individuals. It provides Jim Heron with a clear, albeit challenging, mission objective for each installment, making the series episodic while maintaining a continuous overarching goal of saving humanity's souls.
The Fallen Angel
Jim Heron's supernatural status, granting him unique abilities and a divine mission.
Jim Heron's transformation into a 'fallen angel' is the core supernatural element that drives the plot. It provides him with the motivation, the divine mandate, and subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) abilities to influence events and guide the souls he is tasked with saving. This status elevates him beyond a mere mortal, giving him access to information and power necessary to combat demonic forces, while still grappling with his human cynicism and past.
The Catalyst Love Interest
A character whose presence ignites profound change in the protagonist.
Marie-Teresa serves as a crucial catalyst for Vin DiPietro's transformation. Her character is designed to embody the virtues that Vin lacks, forcing him to confront the emptiness of his covetous life. Her presence and the developing romantic relationship provide Vin with an emotional anchor and a powerful incentive to choose integrity and love over material wealth, making her instrumental in his redemption arc without directly participating in the supernatural conflict.
The Demonic Adversary
A supernatural antagonist actively working against the protagonist's mission.
The unnamed demon represents the forces of evil that actively try to prevent the redemption of the souls. This device creates external conflict and raises the stakes of Jim's mission. The demon's interference reinforces the difficulty of overcoming sin and highlights the constant battle between good and evil. It provides a tangible threat that Jim and his charges must overcome, making their journey towards salvation more perilous and impactful.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Sometimes the greatest strength is found in admitting your weaknesses.”
— A lesson learned by one of the younger characters.
“Family isn't always blood. It's the people who want you in their life; the ones who accept you for who you are.”
— A character expressing their understanding of true family.
“Fear can be a powerful motivator, but it can also be a paralyzing force.”
— A character facing a difficult decision and battling their fears.
“True love isn't about perfection; it's about seeing the flaws and loving them anyway.”
— A romantic moment between two main characters.
“The past is a place of reference, not a place of residence.”
— An elder character offering wisdom to a younger, troubled one.
“Sacrifice is not a weakness, but the ultimate act of love.”
— A character making a difficult choice to protect someone they care about.
“Hope is a dangerous thing, but it's also the only thing that keeps us going.”
— A character feeling despair but holding onto a glimmer of hope.
“Sometimes the answers you seek are not in the grand gestures, but in the quiet moments.”
— A character finding clarity during a moment of introspection.
“The greatest battles are often fought within oneself.”
— A character struggling with internal conflict.
“Trust is earned, not given, and once broken, it's nearly impossible to mend.”
— A character dealing with betrayal.
“Even in the darkest night, there is always a dawn.”
— A moment of comfort and reassurance between characters.
“To truly live, you must be willing to risk everything.”
— A character embracing a new, dangerous path.
“Love isn't just a feeling; it's a choice you make every single day.”
— A character reflecting on the commitment of a long-term relationship.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
'Covet' introduces Jim Heron, a human who, after an act of revenge, becomes a fallen angel. His new divine mission is to save seven souls, each representing one of the seven deadly sins, to prevent the end of the world. He must convince these individuals to choose redemption over their ingrained sinful paths.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
