ARC Review: Origin (Lux Series #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published: August 27, 2013 Entangled Publishing
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Fantasy
Format: Kindle

Source: Sent by publisher for honest review

Goodreads Summary 

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything.

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on?

And will they even be together?

He said he'd burn down the world to save her. He wasn't kidding.

I was not prepared for this book and all that was in the pages when I read it. I would have had my review up sooner, but I really had to process everything that went on before I'd be able to discuss it without giving away too many spoilers.

The Good

I am so thrilled that Origin was written in dual POV between Daemon and Katy. I love getting to hear Deamon's thoughts on everything. It was very well-done too as the characters are in sync but very much their own. I knew who was speaking at all times.

Armentrout pulled out all the stops for this one. I truly didn't know this series could go in this direction, and turn this heart-pounding. I was mortified in some parts at what Kat was put through, hopeful during some turn of events, biting my nails in anxiety, and completely blown away. When I started this series, it was a fun and often light read filled with witty banter, excellent characters, and a romance that I enjoy rooting for. Origin turns all of that on its head. There is no going back. If this is an idea of what else is to come, I absolutely can't wait.

The characters that I love are still here, and there are great romantic moments, but the plot-line and action revved up 100% over what I saw in the previous books. I learned a lot of secrets about the world in this one and it was fantastic knowing more about the Luxen, the Hybrids, and the government. I was so shocked at the lengths the government would go to and the fact that they honestly believe themselves to be the good guys.

Daemon, Daemon, Daemon. This guy was not lying when he said he would put it all on the line to get his Kitten back. Do I agree with all of his choices? No, but I definitely understand the pain and driving factor behind them so I respect that he is an absolute protector at heart. Daemon and Kat both show their strong sides and put their butt-kicking to the test.

Armentrout creates a lot of fight scenes in Origin and I love that she doesn't have qualms about making her story real and believable since it is such a fantastical world.

The Bad

That ending!! Oh, Armentrout you hurt my heart. Don't get me wrong, it was beautifully written and incredibly surprising which I adore, but it is a mega cliff-hanger. If you thought the ending of Opal was bad, you haven't seen anything yet. With the way she wrote Origin, I immediately wanted the next one to sink my teeth into. I HAVE to know what happens. Oh the wait!! It kills me.

The Romance

I adore the romance in this one. I felt blessed to be inside Daemon's head so I wasn't away from either of these characters for long. Kat and Daemon are meant to be together and their love is such a joy for me to read. Armentrout didn't hold back on the good stuff either. There is plenty of lovey-dovey even though Origin is filled with so much action and pain. It made for a great mix.

Conclusion

I was very lucky to receive an ARC of this one, and will be begging, praying, and pleading to receive an ARC of the next one. I have to know what happens next! Origin is a start of something completely different, everything is turned on its head, and there is no going back from here. The characters are absolutely fantastic, the world amazingly believable, and the action heart-pounding. I actually read this one as slowly as I could to prolong the pleasure. This is Armentrout's best work that I've read so far, and I have always loved her. Origin is a heart-pounding cliff-jump with a bungee cord rebound at the end. Absolutely recommended.