Origin (Lux, #4)

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

[Jo]

Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.

I read the first three books in the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout earlier in the year, back to back. I loved them, so different from other urban fantasy/paranormal romances I've read before because it's aliens! And they're abilities and histories are unlike anything else I've ever read. I took a break rather than continuing the series to read other books, but I recently picked up the fourth novel, Origin, to find out what happened after the unbelievable cliffhanger Opal finished on, and woah - this series is far better than I remembered!

After being captured by Daedalus after the rescue attempt to save Beth, Katy is now under their control. Each day she must undergo tests - physical tests, stress tests - shown and told things she never would have thought possible, and has everything she believed about the Luxen turned on her head. But when she's pushed to the edge in what she can take with her awful tests, and the horrendous things they put her through, can she really believe what they tell her, what she sees?
 Daemon is determined to get Katy back, no matter what it takes. So he willingly allows himself to be caught by Daedalus when no other way to get to Katy seems possible. Katy cannot believe what he's done and the danger he's put himself in, but is so relieved to be able to see him. Daemon is distraught to discover the shape Katy is in, but she won't tell him what has happened to her - only what she's discovered. But Katy has only scratched the surface on what there is to learn, and when the two find out more about what Daedalus is doing, they realise just how far in over their heads they are. Can they escape Daedalus, and if they can, what are they going to do with all they have discovered?

Firstly, what I've said above is not spoilery. All that I've revealed (though it's very vague, as you'll see when you read the book) happens within the first few chapters, and absolutely so much happens in this book. Origin is nuts. Really. It's almost like two books; Daemon and Katy being tested on by Daedalus and all they discover, and what happens later on. I'm not even going to hint at what that is, because woah. You need to discover that for yourself. But kudos to Armentrout, because this is one seriously thought out book. It's the penultimate book in the series (which I have just this second discovered as I write this), which has me thinking that Origin and Opposition, the final book, are what this series is all about.

The first three books were awesome, they introduced the characters, set up the romance, gave us all the info on the Luxen, and led to Katy's capture, from which point things start to get crazy. The story of the Lux series is not the story of a relationship, at least not completely, but a story of this alien race, and only now do things start to involve the world - humans and Luxen - rather than just the group of characters we've come to know. So many things are revealed in the first part of the book, and I have no idea how Armentrout is going to answer all the questions that crop up from Origin in Opposition. So much wow. And Daedalus are truly sick and twisted, and oh my god, I cannot believe the things they're doing! Though, at the same time, I kind of can, from their point of view, with context, it kind of makes sense, but still!

The second half of the book goes to a whole new level. So much action, so many consequences. I have never read anything quite like it, accept maybe in Harry Potter - not that the two are alike in anyway, I'm just talking the scale of the action. With how this book ends, I'm just absolutely flabbergasted. Things just got real. Really, really real. In a big way. Huge! It has me seriously excited, so very anxious - for the characters and what will happen, but also about whether I'll get satisfactory answers my questions - and sad that the series is going to end so soon. It feels soon for me.

I did have a problem with the book though. I got a bit bored with the epicness of Daemon and Katy's love. It's beautiful and it's hot, of course, but it gets a bit wearing after a while. Every move, breath, word, causes a reaction in the other that is described... too often. Yes they're in love, they're crazy about each other and they turn each other on, but not every single detail needs a corresponding reaction that needs to be poetically described. I think I now kind of prefer it when they're not all lusty and are just in danger. Thankfully, because of the situation they're in, this doesn't happen too many times in the book, so doesn't detract too much from the awesome of the whole thing.

An absolutely incredible book, and I am so, so eager to read the next book! Which I now have, but might wait a while to read. Want to keep this series from ending as long as possible. An awesome story, if you loved the first three, you're going to be in awe of Origin!