Alphas - Origins

by Ilona Andrews

Ebook, 2016

Status

Available

Call number

Fic SF Andrews

Publication

Penguin Publishing Group

Description

Fantasy. Fiction. Romance. Science Fiction. HTML:From Ilona Andrews�??#1 New York Times bestselling author of Magic Shifts and the Kate Daniels novels�??comes a stark, seductive tale of a world torn asunder by supernatural gifts and irresistible passions... Karina Tucker is driving a van of children home from a field trip when an unplanned detour to a seemingly ordinary rest stop changes her life. There, she witnesses a world beyond humanity�??s sight, of frightful powers and chaos, where she is in death�??s grip...before an irresistibly dangerous male saves her�??only to take her captive. For she is a rare commodity in the shadowy realm she�??s entered. Karina soon finds herself caught in a violent civil war where those with inhuman powers strive to destroy each other without mercy. And it becomes all too clear that she must make a choice: submit and become a pawn, or take hold of her own destiny and fight for survival against impossible odds. Alphas: Origins originally appeared in Angels of Darkness. Praise for Ilona Andrews and the Kate Daniels Novels �??Ilona Andrews pens my favorite flavor of keeper novel: tough characters, marvelous voice, fast-paced with that sharp edge of humor that adds the final grace note.�?��??Patricia Briggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Fire Touched �??One of the brightest voices in urban fantasy. Ilona Andrews delivers only the best.�?��??Jeaniene Frost, New York Times bestselling author of Bound by Flames �??Gritty sword-clashing action and flawless characterizations will bewitch fans.�?��??Sacramento Book Review I… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member krau0098

This was an interesting novella by the Andrews and one of the few books/novellas by them that I haven’t read. I ended up really enjoying this but felt like it was way too short and abrupt. This story takes place in a new world (not one of their existing ones). It was very engaging and

entertaining but would have made an even better full length book.

This book has a very urban fantasy feel to it but also has a lot of science fiction elements. Initially it seems like it’s going to be one of those urban fantasy books with monster hunters...then things get weird when Karina wakes up in a splinter realm of Earth.

There is a ton of interesting world building and I desperately wanted to spend more time in this world. The whole civil war between different species was utterly fascinating and I was disappointed it wasn’t longer.

The characters were just as fascinating with their crazy powers and needs. Karina is in an interesting situation; she was kidnapped but only because if Lucas didn’t kidnap her she was going to die. So it’s kind of this strangely noble kidnapping rescue of sorts. Both Karina and Lucas are interesting characters with a lot of depth. They have excellent chemistry together and act like mature and responsible adults despite their bizarre situation.

Many of the side characters are awesome as well. I could see this being a great series where each book focuses on a different one of the subspecies characters that live with Lucas. Or we could get more of Karina and Lucas...I would love that too.

I was impressed by how much world-building and story occurs in this relatively short novella. However, things end very abruptly and I was dying to learn more.

Overall this was a very engaging read that was a blend of urban fantasy and science fiction. There is some awesome world-building here, a complex story, and absolutely amazing characters. I really enjoyed the story. I was disappointed at how abruptly it ended and really thought this would have made a better full length novel. Hopefully we see future books set in this world.

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LibraryThing member abycats

Ordinarily love this writer, but not their best. Characters not clearly delineated, motivations murky. For example, exactly how is this group protecting humanity? And where did the other group come from? And how is this an Alpha book? Even the powers, once determined, seem arbitrary. Plenty of

violence around, but -- unlike her other books -- the world itself doesn't seem like it could function, even if that method is undescribed background. For example, if confined to just a few buildings on a fragment detached from the "real" universe, where are the high quality foods coming from? Usually those questions are buried in the wonder of the plot and characters. Here, not. I look forward to their next book.

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LibraryThing member bm2ng

Meh

I usually love everything these two write but there were a lot of problems with this one. First, this “love story” didn’t do it for me. The poor woman was kidnapped and held prisoner by a shapeshifting monster who had to drink her blood. When he’d bite her it was extremely painful and

then he tried to keep her from her child. I just can’t buy accept the fact that she’d ever have anything but ill feelings towards him. Second, the world this takes place in required too much explanation and it didn’t really make sense to me. I just didn’t like this story. It felt like it was written very quickly and was not well thought out.

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LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey

Weird, interesting, drawing me into that world (if I can figure out which of Ilona's series it is). Karina's a lot tougher than she thinks, or than they think - which is good, she'll need it. Lucas...is a little too perfect - not in looks, but as a romance hero. Utterly tough, vicious, dangerous -

and really just wanting to be loved, to belong somewhere or to someone. Still, interesting, and I'd like to see more of him. Emily's doing pretty well for a six-year-old, though it's a good thing Henry can put her to sleep or wipe her memories at crucial moments. And the climax is excellent - outcasts for the win! Possibly the best infodump story I've ever read - it comes out in simplified dribs and drabs, for a very good in-story reason. And yes, I definitely want to read the series that this introduces.
Reread, 9 years later - I had completely forgotten this, to the point that I thought I was reading it for the first time (and then thought the ebook I read was an expansion of the short piece included in Angels of Darkness. Nope, exactly the same thing). I believe there is an Alphas series, but I haven't read any of them (at least, as far as I remember!). Still interested, though obviously not all that strongly.

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LibraryThing member jennybeast

I am a huge fan of Ilona Andrews, but holy wow, not this book.

I get that there is a certain amount of titillation in the dominance play in some of their other books, but this just takes it waaaaay too far. Blargh slavery, blargh rapey, blargh, blargh, blargh. Lots of people being horrible to each

other with kind of a lame back story, and a completely unbelievable love story. It's nice that they moved past this and have moved into newer and better realms.

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LibraryThing member jazzbird61

I think I'm really going to like this series. A bit darker than Kate or the Innkeeper, but just as good.

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