This is the first book in the young adult sci-fi fantasy Origin series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. It’s a continuation spin-off series from her Lux series. I highly recommend you read that series first because 1) it’s amazing and I’m obsessed and 2) this series will definitely spoil that series if you read this first and you’re missing important information and context if you don’t read the Lux series first (there is a prequel novel but I’ve never read it and would say definitely start the series from book 1, Obsidian). The second book in this series, The Burning Shadow, is expected to release 10/8/19.

When seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher is caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxen can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initially assumes is a Luxen…but he is in fact something much more powerful. Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she’d only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head…

#1 New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout returns to the universe of the Lux in this brand new series, featuring beloved characters both new and old.

I really liked this book, probably because I was so happy to be back in the Lux world, we got some fun cameos from the Lux series, and while I already liked Luc’s character from the Lux series, I loved him here.

It was a little frustrating being on the outs of everything from Evie’s perspective after knowing so much from the original series, but it was fun following her journey as she started to uncover and figure things out. I also definitely picked up on the big secret about Evie but learning the hows of it and watching it all come out was really exciting. I will say I was really hoping to see more explosive action from Evie but the series is just starting out so I’m not going to lose my hope there and she did really hold her own throughout the novel especially at the end, despite being a pretty normal non-paranormal girl.

I thought the characters were well developed and acted according to who they are and what they’ve been through well. I loved the romance!  It was complicated and angsty and gave you all those slow burn feels. You can really feel Luc trying to just go for it and hold back all at once and what that conflict feels like in his interactions with Evie.

Also – this is a rare YA book where the MC has a parent! Evie’s mom is often busy working but she’s around and is actually part of the story and works to parent Evie as best as she can.

The political intrigue in this was some of the most interesting and exciting parts of the book especially knowing the history and fallout from the Lux series. I can’t wait for this to get more developed and get more involved in the story as the series continues. I have a feeling that much like the Lux series, the story in this one will start out more micro and will become larger and more macro as the series grows to address the world they’re all struggling to survive and coexist in post-Luxen alien invasion.

In terms of recommendations I really can’t stress enough: you need to read the Lux series first!! I just can’t imagine reading this series first and not feeling lost and confused as it really is a continuation of the story told in the Lux series. Even the “bad guy” in this is more impactful if you’ve read the first series. So my only recommendation is that this is for fans of the Lux series!

5 stars!