*REVIEW* Origin

Synopsis:

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.

This book was AWESOME!! There's something truly captivating about this story, I was not able to put the book down! Origin is a fantastic YA debut by author Jessica Khoury that will keep you frantically flipping the pages until you reach the end... and thinking about it long after you've put the book down.

Origin introduces us to Pia, an immortal created at Little Cam, a scientific community hidden in the middle of the rainforest. Pia is perfect, and has been told so her entire existence. Her skin is impenetrable, she never gets sick, her reflexes and senses are extremely advanced, her memory is flawless, and her intelligence is off the charts. Pia's entire life has been focused on training her to be ready to take over the Immortis project. She will be the one to usher in a new race, HER race of immortals. What else could she ever want?

The answer to that is ANSWERS... and freedom. Pia has never been outside the fence that surrounds Little Cam and it is forbidden for anyone at the compound to tell her of anything of the outside world. Pia's curiosity gets the best of her when she sees a hole in the fence, a hole that allows her to escape into the jungle. Here she meets Eio, an extremely attractive native with an interesting genetic makeup of his own. As Pia learns more about his world, and the world of his people, she starts to question where she really belongs. Could she have a life that does not revolve around elysia and the Immortis project?

Further complicating matters is shocking revelations that Pia uncovers about the true nature of the catalyst that granted her immortality. When she herself is given a task that horrifies her, will she be able to turn off her emotions and be the cold and dedicated scientist Paolo and the others require? Or is her humanity too great? Perfect is as perfect does in this amazing debut novel.

*SQUEE* I love this book!!! It's captivating, engaging, full of intrigue, romance, and even horror at times. This one will really get you thinking about right and wrong, good and evil, and the price of scientific discovery. Pia is the kind of character you just can't help rooting for. She's been sheltered and had secrets kept from her during her entire existence and getting to see her break out of that mold is wonderful.

Readers are taken on Pia's journey as she discovers everything there is to know about Little Cam and her role in the attainment of an immortal race. When it is all said and done, will she be able to make the right choice, even if the right choice means saying goodbye to everything she has ever known? And will falling in love open her eyes to a world of possibilities? All will be revealed!!

I really can't gush about this book enough. Everyone should read it! It's fresh, unique, and one of those books you just want to sit down with a glass of wine and a good friend and dissect! If you're over 21 anyway! Seriously though, this book is made of win. Be sure to grab a copy when it releases in September. Enjoy! *XOXO*

Expected publication date: September 4, 2012 by Razorbill
*thanks to Around the World Tours for the ARC*