Novella Review – Alphas: Origins by Ilona Andrews (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Science Fiction
Length: 157 pages
Publisher: InterMix
Release Date: April 19, 2016
ASIN: B016JPTGN6
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5 stars

“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.”

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.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– Paranormal Reading Challenge