Book Review: Origin

Goodreads summary:

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.

My review:

I wasn't expecting that I would love Origin so much.  I thought I'd dislike the jungle setting or that it would be full of insta-love and an annoying romance, but I was so wrong!  Origin is much more than I'd ever expected.

First off, the characters.  Anyone who's ever read my reviews knows that characters are usually the most important part of a book to me, and I really connected to the characters in Origin.  Pia is observant, confident, curious, and full of life.  She has this innocence about her, but she has a fierce side too.  She was different than most characters in YA fiction, and I loved that!

Now for Eio, because he deserves his own paragraph.  I loved Eio!  I was bracing myself for a rebellious bad boy, but he was the total opposite!  He was so sweet, and honest too.  He was straightforward and simple when he talked to Pia, and I loved that.  One of my favorite quotes he says is, "I will climb that fence, if you ask it of me, and I will bring you out."  AHH!  He's prepared to protect her no matter what.  So.  Sweet!

And the villains...ohh, they were well-done.  All the scientists at Little Cam were so creepy!  And one of my favorite characters was Aunt Harriet.  She definitely deserves mention!  I grew to love her character; she was such a great addition to the story!

The plot: beautiful.  I know, like, what?  Why am I calling a plot beautiful?  Well, it is.  It's about Pia breaking free and discovering what life is about.  She has to struggle with the fact that she's immortal and what it means for her life.  The challenges she faces really brought up some thought-provoking questions.   I loved every aspect of the plot.  I kept turning the pages faster because I needed to know how it ended and how all of Pia's problems were solved!

Lastly I want to mention the writing.  Normally I don't gush about an author's writing style, but I thought Khoury's prose was fantastic!  It all flowed together naturally and just drew me into the story.  Her writing style is simple, concise, and clear, which makes for great reading during action scenes.  And yet she also blends in some poetic prose, like during scenes where Pia is pondering her future, talking to Eio, etc.  For example:  "All I see is a blue-eyed boy sitting by the river, giving me the stars."  Gorgeous!

I would definitely recommend Origin.  Honestly I didn't think I would like it all that much, but it really is a beautiful, well-told story that everyone should read.  Give it a try; it's amazing!

My rating: 9 out of 10