Publisher: Samhain
Publish Date: 8 Apr
How I got this book: ARC from the author
After fourteen torturous years as a slave on a galaxy roving entertainment ship, Siri carries only vague memories of parents who loved her, Gwinarian food, and her beautiful home planet of Kithra.
When two space pirates burst into her owner’s room, the choice they offer her is all too easy: stay and face government questioning about the two intruders, or take a chance and go with them.
Claybourne and Anders had planned to help expose the pleasure ship owner’s involvement in Kithra’s destruction. But when they happen upon Siri, saving one of the last—and most beautiful—of the Gwinarian race takes precedence.
This blurb came from the author’s website.
I absolutely love this particular SFR series by Worth. Ever since I discovered the first one, Kithra, I have eagerly awaited the next installment and have reviewed the previous installment Catalyst on the blog. The story so far has followed the trail of a few Gwinarians, native to Kithra, and the other humanoid species that grow to love them as they work to discover who sabotaged Kithra, murdered thousands of Gwinarians, and rendered the planet uninhabitable for years. Actions during Catalyst uncovered some leads to the location of a couple of key individuals involved in the sabotage so Worth opened Origin with a raid on an entertainment ship owned by Lashin, one of those individuals.
Claybourne and Anders, pirates introduced in Catalyst with distant ties to Kithra, were on hand for the raid to ensure Lashin’s capture when they stumbled upon Siri. Siri had been an abused slave most of her life and only vaguely remembered her early happy childhood on Kithra. She tried to protect Clay and Anders from discovery but when they gave her the chance to be free, leave with them, and return home she decided to risk it.
I loved watching Siri regain her sense of self and confidence on Clay and Anders’ ship. Worth did a great job of having Siri slowly start to relax, trust, and even experiment with new flavors and sensations. As she grew more accustomed to the world outside slavery again she gradually realized her thoughts and feelings for Clay and Anders were significant. She felt both attracted and safe around them but thought because of the incredible amount of tension, angst, and attraction between them she was in the way. Watching Siri develop her own relationship with Clay and Anders separately was a treat even as she tried to understand their complicated history. I was very glad to see that Siri didn’t have an insta-cure even when she returned to Kithra and was surrounded by things from her memories. As a result, I saw Siri as a three-dimensional character and her previous situation seriously impacted her character instead of being used to demonstrate how horrible some people could be.
I was super excited to find out the reasons behind Clay and Anders behavior. From the moment they were introduced in Catalyst I found them fascinating. Worth provide glimpses of their tension and attraction as part of their characters but focused on other characters in that installment. In addition to learning their back-story and seeing Clay and Anders were caught in a rut of angst, sniping, and unrequited attraction I loved watching how gentle they were with Siri and also how protective while giving her space to grow and recover. And the scenes between the two men when they finally decided to talk things through were INTENSE with or without Siri’s presence and participation.
Along with focusing on Siri, Clay, and Anders, Worth populated the pirate ship with other interesting characters I wouldn’t mind revisiting. She provided glimpses of how previous main characters were progressing in their relationships which is one of the reasons I enjoy reading series. When one of her multi-book threads was tied up I had a smile on my face even as I dabbed at my eyes at the happiness of the characters involved. She also provided a reminder of another complex back-story whose origins seem to be very closely linked to the reasons behind the sabotage and that I continue to anticipate the reveal. In addition to Worth’s skill at characterization she also moved the plot forward on the mystery of the Kithran sabotage and a few other unexplained events across the universe.
Origin was a very enjoyable installment in Worth’s Kithran Regenesis series. I loved seeing it expanded beyond the length of a novella because she was able to include so much more character development, mystery, and world building outside of a ship, Kithra, and a port or two. I thought Clay and Anders’ story was well worth waiting for and Siri’s inclusion just perfect. She was a reminder that even before the sabotage, life wasn’t entirely idealic for the Gwinarians. Worth’s Kithran Regenesis series continues to provide me adventure, space, daring piloting, mystery, vivid scenery and characters, and some rather hot relationships. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
I give Origin an A
BP NOTE: To read an exclusive excerpt before release day and to enter a giveway for one of two copies of Origin take a look over here.