Hardcover; 372 pages
Expected publication: September 4, 2012 by Razorbill
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Pia has grown up in a secret laboratory hidden deep in the Amazon rain forest. She was raised by a team of scientists who have created her to be the start of a new immortal race. But on the night of her seventeenth birthday, Pia discovers a hole in the electric fence that surrounds her sterile home—and sneaks outside the compound for the first time in her life.
Free in the jungle, Pia meets Eio, a boy from a nearby village. Together, they embark on a race against time to discover the truth about Pia’s origin—a truth with deadly consequences that will change their lives forever.
Origin is a beautifully told, shocking new way to look at an age-old desire: to live forever, no matter the cost. This is a supremely compelling debut novel that blends the awakening romance of Matched with the mystery and jungle conspiracy of Lost.
Basically I went from being bored, to loving the story, to disappointed in the path it took.
The premise is fascinating, and even after reading the book, I still stand by that. It was an interesting concept and I wish I had been a bigger fan of the execution. I was a tad disappointed when the scientific explanations began to fall apart. Maybe that was the part of me that needs an explanation for everything.
At least an entire star goes to the world-building. It was my favorite part of the story. You feel like you’re in the rain forest the entire time. Whether it be out in the wild or behind Pia’s glass wall, you could practically hear the animals. You could practically see the greenery, and feel the moisture in the air. It was very, very well done.
I wasn’t a fan of the romance. It was rapid and under-developed. Pia and Eio didn’t spend much time together throughout the entire book, and I was supposed to believe they were in love? It wasn’t a possibility for me. I didn’t buy into their relationship, not even for a second. That said, I did like them individually, as characters. I wish we had seen more of Eio and gotten to know him better.
Origin wasn’t what I was expecting, but I would still recommend people give it a shot, especially if you aren’t bothered by insta-love.
2.5/5 Stars
*insta-love* lol
ReplyDeleteGood review, the premise really does sound exciting! :)
aww I was looking forward to reading the book! But I probably still give it a shot like you said!
ReplyDeleteI have this arc but haven't read, hmmm.... I guess I'll wait to read it later.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this review! I want to read this book so badly!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! Perhaps I should consider putting this off for a bit, as there are so many greats books in my TBR pile as it is.
ReplyDeleteI read a review of this book on another blog and they were also disappointed. It sounded like a good book so it's good to here two opinions that weren't thrilled by it.
ReplyDeleteDang! I hate when books pick up and then disappoint. :( Sorry it didn't live up to expectations!
ReplyDeleteI really hate getting books that just don't live up to their hype, especially when I paid a fortune for them :(
ReplyDeletedarn! i've been looking forward to this book for a long time now. i guess i will wait & see if i can find it at the library before i try buying it. i really appreciate honest reviews though!
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot of negative things about this and I wasn't all too keen on the Breathless Reads teaser I read for this; looks like I'll give it a miss. Thanks for the review. :)
ReplyDeleteI saw this on the store shelf. I wondered if the premise was good as it sounds.I am glad I read your review, Amanda. I will pass for now. I will revisit the book later if it comes up.
ReplyDeleteCyndee Thomas
cyndee.thomas0@gmail.com
Sorry to hear that you didn't like the book as much as you wanted to. I have high hopes for Origin as well but now I can see there are some weak points. Thanks for your review.
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot of negative things about this book and I'm still not too sure if I want to read it. Thanks for the review. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, good to know as I was going to purchase this book for my teen but as she is a (very good) writer, I doubt she would enjoy this book. She gets bored easily while reading.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review....
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honesty - sounds like a less riveting version of The Hunger Games.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, it sounds like an interesting book I'd like to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I've had my eye on this. The blurb sounds really good but I'm a tough sell if there is not much of a romance. Something I will have to think more on
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I've been on the fence about buying this book and this really helped me to make a decision.I may just borrow this from the library instead. I'm not a fan of the insta-love that has been plaguing YA lit for a while now so any books that have that kind of relationship are an instant turnoff.
ReplyDeleteOh no! Really? Well that sucks. I mean I wasn't rushing of to read it either, but I received a copy as a gift and it's been sitting on my shelve for quite a while now. I don't know If i'll pick it up anytime soon though. Thanks for the review!
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