Origin
By Jennifer L. Armentrout
Published by Entangled Teens
Book #4 of The LUX series
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?
Genre:
Triggers:
Violence, Death, Experimentation, Captive (not by MC)
Origin is the fourth installment to the LUX series, and holy shit. It does not disappoint. It picks up almost right away from Opal's cliffhanger ending, when Katy was captured and separated from Daemon. There are settle differences. It's a bit more adult in nature. There is torture, killing, and sex. Still geared towards teenagers, as it's not as crude as some romance books I have read, but still steamy.
This book has a lot of information, so I am going to start by writing mt thoughts on the characters first, before ending with my thoughts of the story as a whole.
Kat is kick ass. Not just strong physically, but the fact that she doesn't lose her mind after 4 months of captivity and torture, shows how much she has changed. She has grown quite a bit from the girl who almost cried when Daemon was rude to her, to a woman who is willing to do anything for those she loves. She can fight alongside Daemon, and isn't a hindrance. This isn't what shows her strength though. Her vulnerability, and how she deals with trauma, is what shows her true courage.
She stood up for herself, knowing that Daedalus would torture her with Onyx.
She didn't want to hurt other hybrids during the stress tests, so she was beaten up, over and over again, and didn't fight back. When she lost control, and killed Blake, she felt guilt. After everything Blake had done to her, and those she loves, she felt remorse for killing him. Because it wasn't self-defense. It was anger.
I am such a sucker for Daemon. As he would say, he is pretty awesome. He escapes confinement in an onyx covered cabin at the Luxen community, using sheer will, finds Luc for the purpose of kicking his ass, thinking he betrayed Katy and him, and instead getting his help, and then turns himself into Daedalus to get to Katy. He makes a deal with the devil (Nancy) to get to Katy. To see that she is safe.
If there was any doubt he loved her, it disappears in Origin. He is just so good to her. Hell, he even admits to himself that Katy is more important to him than his family. Pretty huge for someone who saw himself as the protector of his family. He has grown quite a bit as well. He has fully accepted his feelings for Katy for a while now, but going from a guy who fought tooth and nail his feelings for Katy, to proposing and marrying her the same day? Big steps. We also learn a bit more about JUST how much stronger he is than other Luxen in the tests that Daedalus makes him do.
Daedalus isn't a character, but lets just say those assholes suck. Dasher and Nancy Husher are actual monsters. The doctor was disgusting. I felt physically uncomfortable when Katy is forced to have medical procedures, specifically a vaginal exam, when she didn't want to. It was horrifying as a woman to think how awful that would be. The tests were pretty brutal ... but the doctor slicing into her back, over and over again, exposing her spinal cord, and putting her in a state that would kill her slowly, just for Daemon to heal her? Truly horrifying. For her. For Daemon to have to see that. When Daemon, Katy, and Archer escape, I didn't feel bad for any of the people who died.
Archer is an interesting character. I knew right away that something had to be up with him, and he wasn't as committed to Daedalus as he seemed to be. A part of me had a hard time getting past the fact that he let Katy go through the horrible torture with her back. He had a part to play though in the grand scheme of things though. He had to keep up the ruse. He protected Katy in the only way he could, which was to provide comfort, even in secret. By the end, I love Archer's character. He is a little odd, due to him not being exposed to the world as much. His attraction to Dee leads to some funny moments between her, and Daemon, and by the end, I get a feeling Archer is going to be an amazing asset to the story, in regards to his strength and loyalty.
We learn a bit more about the mysterious Luc in Origin. He is an origin, who has in fact, escaped Daedalus. He isn't as heartless as he tries to appear. We don't learn why he needed the LH-11, but we do learn he is strong, fierce, loyal, and cunning. I can't wait to see more from him.
So Blake is dead. As much as I hated his character, I would love a back story on him. I do have some assumptions, but it would be nice to know for sure. He said Chris was never in danger. They would have let him go at anytime. Meaning Blake chose to work with Daedalus. At the end of Opal, he is dragging an unconscious Chris out of Mount Weather, and it was obvious he was punched. I wonder if Chris is disgusted with Blake, and hates him. I wonder if Blake hates Luxen, and that's why he sides with Daedalus. It would make sense. His mutation leads to his family being tortured and murdered in front of him. While I can see why he makes some of the decisions he makes, and understand them, he was obviously sick. Crawling into bed with a sleeping Katy, kissing her in her sleep ... gross. It's not hard to see where Katy's anger came from, and how easy it was for her to kill him. It just sucks because bad person or not, Katy feels awful for doing it.
We don't see a whole lot of the others in Origin, not until the last third of the book. I loved that Dee and Dawson were reunited with Daemon. Dee seem's to have forgiven Katy for what happened in Onyx, and seems open to the idea of moving on with the handsome Archer. Dawson and Bethany are together, and happy. Bethany still has some rough days mentally from her captivity in Daedalus, but she seems to be slowly healing. I wonder how her pregnancy will affect the next book.
The Thompson's fate is really sad. By Origin, they are tolerate of Katy, and put their lives on the line not just for the Black's, but Beth and Katy as well. It's heartbreaking that they lose their lives in the battle with Daedalus.
Matthew's story was a shocker for me. The fact that he betrayed first Dawson and Beth, and then Daemon and Katy, to protect the others, well, I didn't see it coming. I get why he did what he did, but it was so wrong. I am surprised, and also not surprised that Dawson is the one who kills him. I thought it would have been Daemon, but honestly, its fitting that either one of them did it. Because of Matthew, they, and the women they love, were confined, and brutally tortured.
Origin is a game changer is the LUX series. It propels the story into more adult terrain, and answers some lingering questions left behind in the past 3 books. I honestly couldn't put it down, and my heart was racing. In the end, I was bawling. What is going to happen in the next book, now that thousands of Luxen have invaded Earth? What happened to Daemon, Dee and Dawson? I honestly can't wait to find out.
Ethan: "Is she truly worth this?"
Daemon: "Yes. She is worth everything."
Dee: "You know, I always knew she liked you before she admitted it to me or herself."
Daemon: "Yeah, same here."
Katy: "I'm going to kill you one day."
Blake: "You've killed, Katy. You know how it feels to take a life, but you aren't a murderer. You aren't a killer. Not yet, at least."
Kat had a thing for dandelions. She couldn't keep her fingers off them when we'd been training with the onyx. From the moment those yellow weeds started poking through the ground, she'd snap them up and pop their heads off. A wry grin tugged at my lips as I skidded to a stop in front of the windowless door. Demented Kitten. - Daemon
Daemon: "How does it feel to have this pointed at your head?
Big Boy: "Ain't feelin' real good."
Daemon: "Didn't think so. I'd like to keep my pretty boy face intact."
Big Boy: "And you do have a pretty face."
Hunter: "Our little mutual white flag of friendship is going to come to a halt if you tell me to shut up again."
Daemon: "Shut. Up."
Luc: Enough! I don't have all day, guys. I have things to do. A nap I want to take this afternoon. There's a new movie on Netflix I want to watch, and a god-damn coupon for a free Whopper Jr. that's calling my name."
Daemon: "Really? Kat's angry? Could it be because you're holding her captive?"
Nancy: "She attacked several members of my team"
A smile spread across my face. That's my girl. - Daemon
On the screen were Kat and freaking Blake, squaring off. She whirled, grabbing for a lamp, but he darted in front, blocking her. When she swung on him, pride swelled in me. That was my Kitten, claws and all. - Daemon
Daemon: "As close as you're riding me, man, I feel like I need to take you out to dinner or something. At least I should get your name."
Daemon: "You're my - you're my everything, Kat. Come on, Kitten, did you really expect anything less from me? I love you."
Katy: "You're crazy. You're absolutely crazy, but I love you. I love you so much. I don't want you here, but I love you."
Daemon: "If I had a Mogwai, I'd totally feed it after midnight. That Mohawk gremlin was a badass."
Katy: "Why doesn't that surprise me? You'd totally bond with the gremlin."
Daemon: "What can I say? It's my sparkling personality."
Katy: "Say it."
Daemon: "Say what, Kitten?"
Katy: "You know."
Daemon: "I love ... my car, Dolly."
Katy: "That's not it."
Daemon: "I know. I love Ghost Investigators."
Katy: :You're such a douche."
Daemon: "But you love me."
Katy: "I do."
Daemon: "I love you. I love you more than anything."
You know how I like it when you touch me in this form. - Daemon
Why do you have to make everything sound so dirty? - Katy
Daemon: "Well, aren't you just a special snowflake."
Archer: "That I am."
I don't expect a normal life. I just expect a life with you. - Katy
Katy: "So you just laid there and let me stare at you like a creeper?"
Daemon: "Pretty much, Kitten. I figured I'd let you get your fill, but then you kissed me and, well, I like to be a bit more involved in that."
Daemon: "Aren't you bossy?"
Katy: "Shut up and take your true form so you feel better. How about that for bossy?"
Daemon: "I love it."
I couldn't hold back a small grin. Her and her nerdy reading habits. Made me want to kiss her and do other stuff. - Daemon
Archer: "Luc's never betrayed you, has he? And I would never betray Luc. Even I'm a bit scared of that little shit."
Katy: "Well, we know they won't kill you. You're too awesome."
Daemon: "You betcha."
Katy: "What? You didn't think I would do it?"
Archer: "Stairwell!"
Daemon: "Didn't realize you shooting a gun would be so sexy."
Daemon: "You should see yourself right now. Like a kitten - that's what I keep telling you. Your hackles are raised."
Katy: "I'm a little slow sometimes."
Daemon: "Good thing I don't like you for your brains."
Katy: "You're such a dog sometimes."
Daemon: "Remember what I said about you petting me."
Katy: "Yeah, I remember."
Daemon: "Keep that in mind for later."
Dee: "Ash said you probably hated me - hated us."
Katy: "Ash is a douche."
Dee: "So let's move on to better stuff. Like that fine-looking specimen of a man who came in with you - the one with the military cut?
Katy: "Archer?"
Dee: "Yes. He's hot. And I'd spell that H-A-W-T."
Katy laughs so hard she cries.
Dee: "What?"
Katy: "I'm sorry. It's just that I'm positive Daemon would stroke out if he heard that."
Katy: "The origins have some freaky abilities. He can read your mind without you even knowing."
Dee: "Oh God."
Katy: "What?"
Dee: "Well, the whole time we were downstairs, I was so picturing him naked."
Dee: "I'm Dee Black. I'm the sister of the douchebag known as Daemon. But you probably already know that."
Archer: "That's he's a douchebag or that he's your brother? The answer is yes to both."
Daemon: "Am I also the brother who's going to kick your ass if you don't let go of my sister's hand? The answer is yes to that, too."
Dee: "Ignore him. He has poor social skills."
Katy: "I can vouch for that."
Daemon: "Are you having impure thoughts about me? Gasp."
Katy: "Impure thoughts? I wouldn't go that far."
Daemon: "I'd go that far and then some."
Daemon: "I was terrified the whole time they had you and I didn't know where you were. I was scared out of my mind that I would never see you again or get to hold you. And when I did see you? I was afraid I'd never hear you laugh again, or see your beautiful smile. So yeah, I lied. i was terrified. I'm still lying.
Katy: "Daemon ..."
Daemon: "I'm scared shitless that I'll never be able to make this up to you. That I'll never be able to give you back your life and-"
Katy: "Stop."
Daemon: "I've taken everything from you - your mom, your blog, your life. So much so that you found enjoyment in eating something just because it wasn't on a plastic tray. And your back ... And I have no idea how I'm going to fix all of that, but I will. I will keep you safe. I will make sure that we have a future to hold on to and look forward to. I promise you."
Katy: "Listen to me, Daemon. This isn't your fault. I wouldn't change a damn thing. Okay? Yes, things have sucked, but I'd go through it all again if I had to. There are things I would want to change, but not you - never you. I love you. That's never going to change."
Daemon: "Say it again."
Katy: "I love you."
Daemon: "The other words, too."
Katy: "I love you. That's never going to change."
Katy: "There you go again with the adverbs."
Daemon: "You love it when I whip out the adverbs."
Daemon: "I don't deserve you."
Katy: "You deserve everything."
Daemon: "I want to get to know every freckle and every curve on a personal level."
Katy: "I think you did that last night."
Daemon: "Nah. That was just a meet and greet. I want to know their hopes and dreams."
Katy: "You know, there's this thing called pants. You should try it out."
Daemon: "You'd be devastated. Just think, you get to see this every day from here on out."
Katy: "Your naked ass? Gee. Sign me up for that."
Daemon: "So I was thinking. There're eighty-six thousand, four hundred seconds in a day, right? There're one thousand, four hundred, and forty minutes in a day."
Katy: "Okay. I'll take your word for it."
Daemon: "I'm right. A lot of useless information up here. Anyway, are you following me? There're one hundred and sixty-eight hours in a year, and you know what?"
Katy: "What?"
Daemon: "I want to spend every second, every minute, every hour with you. I want a year's worth of seconds and minutes with you. I want a decade's worth of hours, so many that I can't add them up. Do you want that?"
Katy: "Yes. I want that. You know I want that."
Daemon: "Good. So let's get married."
Daemon: "I want to marry you because I'm in love with you, Kat. I will always be in love with you. That's not going to change today, or two weeks from now. I will be just as in love with you in twenty years as I am today."
Daemon: "Will you make me the luckiest bastard on Earth and marry me, Katy Swartz?"
Katy: "Yes."
Katy: "Daemon is just ... you know, a bit overprotective when it comes to you."
Dee: "A bit?"
Katy: "Okay. A lot. It's not against Archer. He's actually a really good guy. He helped me - helped us - while we were with Daedalus, but he's older, he's different, and he -"
Dee: "Has a penis? Because I think that's Daemon's main problem."
Luc: "Wrong answer. You always have a choice. It's the one thing that no one can strip from us."
Daemon: "I think he's trying to look on the bright and stupid side of things, Kitten. Who are we to bring a dose of reality into the mix?"
Thanks for the update, Captain Dickhead. - Daemon
You saved my life. That is so hot. - Daemon
Katy: "Okay."
Daemon: "Okay? You're not going to give me evil Kitten eyes?"
Katy: "We'll all do crazy shit to protect the ones we love. It may not be right, but ... but it is what it is. And you can't beat yourself up over this. Not when you told me I couldn't beat myself up over what happened with Adam because of the decisions I made. I couldn't hate you. Ever. I love you no matter what. And it doesn't matter what happens in the future or what happened before this. I will always love you. And we are in this together. That's never going to change. Do you understand?"
Dawson: "That's some shit, though. God, they were like family. It's not going to be the same without them. They didn't deserve to die like that."
Daemon: "And Matthew ..."
Dawson: "Screw Matthew."
Daemon: "We sort of did the same thing, bro. We risked people's lives to keep Dee and the girls safe."
Dawson: "That's different."
Daemon: "Is it?"
Dawson: "Well, then screw us."
Luc: "Oh shit. ET so phoned home, kids"
Check out the rest of the LUX series below! (Oblivion is split into three parts)