Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Pretty standard YA dystopian novel. Khoury does a great job incorporating pretty imagery and comparisons that are (mostly) relevant to the story/themes, and her writing is repetitive and simple for young readers (Pia is very explicit in her thoughts and feelings, and there is little reading between the lines to be done in this novel). She especially does a great job using paradoxes that teen readers will be able to understand. However, her protagonist is inconsistent in character and abilities, and she tends to gloss over the darker details of the story in order to enhance the romance. The thinly veiled science v. religion theme was trite and too Hollywood-esque, and though she almost raises some good challenging questions on morality and humanity, Khoury makes plain her world view through Pia's decisions and thoughts.
It was a fast read and somewhat enjoyable and complex, but predictable and nothing groundbreaking.
It was a fast read and somewhat enjoyable and complex, but predictable and nothing groundbreaking.
Am I the only one who thought that the romance in this book seemed like it was going on between two twelve year olds?
Much better than some of the YA I've read lately! My only complaint is the insta-love that happened, but it could be overlooked. :)
Oh, and I was only a bit right about where the story was going. It was nice that it wasn't entirely predictable!
Oh, and I was only a bit right about where the story was going. It was nice that it wasn't entirely predictable!
A young-adult novel, and the author's first work, Origin is admittedly clumsy at parts. However, the story is fast-paced and intriguing, and while not exactly revolutionary, the book is worth putting on your to-read list.
I managed to get an Advanced Reader copy of this book. I picked up on a whim and I'm glad I did, because it was surprisingly a good story.
One thing I really enjoyed about it was how the author dealt with topics such as morality versus scientific exploration, belonging and loneliness, and of course life and death. The theme of life and death links the whole story together, as one might imagine with an immortal girl as the main character.
Before anyone reads this, I think it's fair to warn that there are episodes of animal cruelty. One scene in particular actually brought me to tears. The author clearly doesn't condone this, but I know some people are sensitive to it.
One thing I would've loved to see was more development of secondary characters. For people that Pia has known her entire life, some of the workers in Little Cam didn't seen three-dimensional.
The romance was fairly typical of teen fiction. If you've read enough of it, you know how the romance unfolds.
However, I found it an enjoyable read overall and will probably read it again in the future. It deviated from the vampire/werewolf/angel craze that's been going around teen fiction lately, which for me was very refreshing. True Pia is immortal, but it's due to science.
I would certainly recommend this to people who like teen fiction but want something different.
One thing I really enjoyed about it was how the author dealt with topics such as morality versus scientific exploration, belonging and loneliness, and of course life and death. The theme of life and death links the whole story together, as one might imagine with an immortal girl as the main character.
Before anyone reads this, I think it's fair to warn that there are episodes of animal cruelty. One scene in particular actually brought me to tears. The author clearly doesn't condone this, but I know some people are sensitive to it.
One thing I would've loved to see was more development of secondary characters. For people that Pia has known her entire life, some of the workers in Little Cam didn't seen three-dimensional.
The romance was fairly typical of teen fiction. If you've read enough of it, you know how the romance unfolds.
However, I found it an enjoyable read overall and will probably read it again in the future. It deviated from the vampire/werewolf/angel craze that's been going around teen fiction lately, which for me was very refreshing. True Pia is immortal, but it's due to science.
I would certainly recommend this to people who like teen fiction but want something different.
Absolutely genius! This book had me on my toes the entire read. The mystery and the twists are just so amazing. I recommend this to everyone who can read.
Okay I've come to this conclusion: This is a semi-entertaining read, but a crappy piece of literature.
It tells the story of Pia, an immortal sixteen year old girl, who lives in the Amazon rainforest, imprisoned by scientists. Her destiny is to populate an immortal race in the future. She falls in love with a young villag boy who pleads with her to escape her cage. Along with him, Eio, they discover her true origin.
Doesn't that sound just a little bit intriguing? I'll admit, it did to me when I read the blurb. Problem? It sinks itself in the most boring dystopian trend I've ever read. It reminded me a bit of Runes, which I read in January and hated. Both are entertaining to read, and engrossing, just horrible in general. This book has the most unfortunate and incredulous insta-love story I've read in a while. The whole secret behind her existence is predictable and rather boring, as is the conclusion and ending.
The villain is cliche and nothing new, and Pia's personality, in general, is plain and boring. If it were me, I'd see Eio more of as a stalker than a love interest (just like Edward, and Patch, but whatever).
The reason I give it two stars, and not much lower is the intriguing plot premise and only one character that made the story interesting.
Overall, it was really disappointing of an interesting moral to tackle (immortality and love), with a decent start, that lead to a slow and dull road to the cliche dystopia and boring love interest that makes this story forgettable.
It tells the story of Pia, an immortal sixteen year old girl, who lives in the Amazon rainforest, imprisoned by scientists. Her destiny is to populate an immortal race in the future. She falls in love with a young villag boy who pleads with her to escape her cage. Along with him, Eio, they discover her true origin.
Doesn't that sound just a little bit intriguing? I'll admit, it did to me when I read the blurb. Problem? It sinks itself in the most boring dystopian trend I've ever read. It reminded me a bit of Runes, which I read in January and hated. Both are entertaining to read, and engrossing, just horrible in general. This book has the most unfortunate and incredulous insta-love story I've read in a while. The whole secret behind her existence is predictable and rather boring, as is the conclusion and ending.
The villain is cliche and nothing new, and Pia's personality, in general, is plain and boring. If it were me, I'd see Eio more of as a stalker than a love interest (just like Edward, and Patch, but whatever).
The reason I give it two stars, and not much lower is the intriguing plot premise and only one character that made the story interesting.
Spoiler
Uncle Antonio, who unfortunately diedSpoiler
Overall, it was really disappointing of an interesting moral to tackle (immortality and love), with a decent start, that lead to a slow and dull road to the cliche dystopia and boring love interest that makes this story forgettable.
4.5
A very special book. About a girl who knows too much...and nothing at the same time. It is not the best Sci-fi you will read, it doesn't have the best character or character development, but the plot and mystery are interesting and the lesson it teaches is worth it.
"La jungla esconde a una chica que no puede morir". Después de leer eso obviamente el libro pico mi curiosidad, debo decir que aunque no es la octava maravilla del mundo literario, la autora mezcla la ciencia y el mundo moderno con personajes primitivos y algo mitológicos de forma excelente. Y ese balance fue el mejor acierto de esta novela.
Me gusto sobretodo porque la idea central es muy sencilla y se expresa de forma correcta, y hoy en día es tan difícil encontrar eso :(
Todo es sencillo, la trama, la fluidez, el desenvolvimiento de los personajes principales y secundarios. Y tiene una presencia antagónica suficientemente bien elaborada.
Me gusto mucho el final y la historia contada por los aldeanos sobre el origen de esta flor que ayuda a crear a Pia, la chica inmortal. La mejor parte de la historia sin duda!
No tiene la máxima puntuación porque como todo buen libro YA, tiene romance....NO NO NO, no es malo, solo no convence mucho, y a mitad de libro intentan desarrollar el romance un poco y se cae la fluidez por varios capítulos, pero no como para arruinar el libro ;)
Les juro que la lección que intenta enseñar este libro es tan sencilla, y tan pura que no puedo creer lo bien planteado que estuvo todo para decirnos esas palabras tan comunes.
El toque perfecto de Ciencia ficción y humanidad. Super recomendable.
A very special book. About a girl who knows too much...and nothing at the same time. It is not the best Sci-fi you will read, it doesn't have the best character or character development, but the plot and mystery are interesting and the lesson it teaches is worth it.
We were too greedy, grasping for immortality too soon. Perhaps if we had only been patient, content to wait, we would all have forever in the end.
"La jungla esconde a una chica que no puede morir". Después de leer eso obviamente el libro pico mi curiosidad, debo decir que aunque no es la octava maravilla del mundo literario, la autora mezcla la ciencia y el mundo moderno con personajes primitivos y algo mitológicos de forma excelente. Y ese balance fue el mejor acierto de esta novela.
Me gusto sobretodo porque la idea central es muy sencilla y se expresa de forma correcta, y hoy en día es tan difícil encontrar eso :(
Todo es sencillo, la trama, la fluidez, el desenvolvimiento de los personajes principales y secundarios. Y tiene una presencia antagónica suficientemente bien elaborada.
Me gusto mucho el final y la historia contada por los aldeanos sobre el origen de esta flor que ayuda a crear a Pia, la chica inmortal. La mejor parte de la historia sin duda!
No tiene la máxima puntuación porque como todo buen libro YA, tiene romance....NO NO NO, no es malo, solo no convence mucho, y a mitad de libro intentan desarrollar el romance un poco y se cae la fluidez por varios capítulos, pero no como para arruinar el libro ;)
Les juro que la lección que intenta enseñar este libro es tan sencilla, y tan pura que no puedo creer lo bien planteado que estuvo todo para decirnos esas palabras tan comunes.
El toque perfecto de Ciencia ficción y humanidad. Super recomendable.
Because sooner or later, we must all face eternity.
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes