Origin

A Thriller

By: J. A. Konrath

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

When linguist Andrew Dennison is yanked from his bed by the Secret Service and taken to a top secret facility in the desert, he has no idea he's been brought there to translate the words of an ancient demon.

He joins pretty but cold veterinarian Sun Jones, eccentric molecular biologist Dr. Frank Belgium, and a hodge-podge of religious, military, and science personnel to try and figure out if the creature is, indeed, Satan.

But things quickly go bad, and very soon Andy isn't just fighting for his life, but the lives of everyone on earth…

©2012 J.A. Konrath (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

A lot of fun

Not a masterful work of literature, but it’s honestly just a fun book. Starts a little slow as the story is built but the payoff in the last third of the book is well worth it. Narration is on point as well.

A great monster story.

Would you listen to Origin again? Why?

Regardless of your take on Judeo-Christian beliefs, this is a great roller coaster ride. I would have classified it as horror, but technothriller is also pretty accurate. Gets a little bit intense in some places - not for the squeamish. Thanks, Jack. Well done.
Dana Kisor

What did you like best about this story?

It's a man vs. monster story, rather than a man vs. crazy person(s) story.

What about Luke Daniels’s performance did you like?

I liked the way he portrayed Bub.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

If the devil exists, does that prove the existence of God?

Enjoyable Thriller

Everything about this audiobook was different and enjoyable. The narrator is very good but the end makes me wonder if there will be another book coming. I recommend this audiobook because the story is very good.

ORIGIN is like watching a Monster-Movie

Any additional comments?

It's hard to define ORIGIN exactly. "Technohorror" isn't quite right. This is the first story in the Konrath/Kilborn Collective, not to be confused with a "Series" (each subsequent work building upon the same universe, but each book being a stand alone novel). In a word, I'd file ORIGIN squarely under "Monster-Horror". Bub (Beelzebub a.k.a., Satan) is a flesh & blood creature. The threat he poses isn't just psychological, he's a bloody carnivore!
ORIGIN has a slow, creepy beginning. As the story builds, it becomes more like a graphic novel in many ways. There's suspense, body-horror, survival-horror, humor, and "Bruce Cambell" style absurdity. It has elements of The Exorcist, The Thing, Aliens, Jurassic Park, Hellboy, and The Evil Dead.
The narrator does a superb job. If you didn't enjoy "The Exorcist", this book may not be for you.The question is....do you find the idea of the Devil scary or do you find the idea laughable? ORIGIN is way more "Horror" than it is "Techno"....IMO. I recommend it, highly.

P.S. Bub eats sheep....And to say that he plays with his food is putting it nicely. I mention this because I loathe any story where cats and dogs are harmed. I can't take it. So, I'm giving a heads up to anyone bothered by the depiction of live feedings.

Origin was incredible

Somewhat gory but intense and well worth the read. Luke Daniels was an excellent narrator and the story line was very interesting. Hard to put down once you started listening. Not for the faint
Of heart.

Starts Well

I very much enjoyed the beginning of this book. It started with a mystery, a slow burn, fascinating, well done. Somewhere about midway, it became a Stephen King novel. That's not a compliment. But, if you're a King fan, this book should work well for you.

As usual, Luke Daniels' performance was excellent.

it's not really sci-fi but it's ok

I am not a huge fan of horror and this is kinda what this is towards the end.... As always the narration was amazing Luke is a savant.

Pretty solid

Pretty solid. Good characters. Nice pacing. The shortcomings were in the set up, but they didn't bother me much.

Performance Heightens Story

Origin starts off quick paced, introduces clear cut characters, sets the main plot in motion, ratchets the tension, and then loses itself in the last quarter. Luke Daniels reading - thorough, inventive, and complete with unwritten grunts - compels us through to the end.

Entertaining

This was interesting enough to pass the time. It went by rather quickly. I enjoyed the story and narration. I did find some of the characters complete idiots! But other than that, worth my time.