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"Konrath is one of the greatest thriller writers alive."
--Blake Crouch, bestselling author of Wayward Pines
In 1906, a crew of workers at the Panama Canal unearthed something that could not be identified or explained. Something sinister. And very much alive . . .
One hundred years later, a team of scientists gather at an underground facility in New Mexico to determine what this being is--the most amazing discovery in the history of mankind--and how it has managed to survive. A biologist will analyze its structure. A veterinarian will study its behavior. A linguist will translate its language. But even the greatest minds in the world cannot answer one inescapable question: Could this ancient creature, this mockery of God and nature, actually be the ancient demon known as . . . the Beast?
ORIGIN
From bestselling author J.A. Konrath comes a tense and thrilling exploration into the mysteries of life and death, good and evil, and the original source of our darkest fears . . .
Praise for J.A. Konrath's bestselling thrillers
"EXCELLENT."--Lee Child
"UNRELENTING."--James Rollins
"CONSTANT THRILLS AND CHILLS."--Heather Graham
--Blake Crouch, bestselling author of Wayward Pines
In 1906, a crew of workers at the Panama Canal unearthed something that could not be identified or explained. Something sinister. And very much alive . . .
One hundred years later, a team of scientists gather at an underground facility in New Mexico to determine what this being is--the most amazing discovery in the history of mankind--and how it has managed to survive. A biologist will analyze its structure. A veterinarian will study its behavior. A linguist will translate its language. But even the greatest minds in the world cannot answer one inescapable question: Could this ancient creature, this mockery of God and nature, actually be the ancient demon known as . . . the Beast?
ORIGIN
From bestselling author J.A. Konrath comes a tense and thrilling exploration into the mysteries of life and death, good and evil, and the original source of our darkest fears . . .
Praise for J.A. Konrath's bestselling thrillers
"EXCELLENT."--Lee Child
"UNRELENTING."--James Rollins
"CONSTANT THRILLS AND CHILLS."--Heather Graham
Audio CD
First published April 8, 2009
706 people are currently reading
4947 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Konrath
198 books3,016 followersJoe Konrath has written over twenty novels in the Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels thriller series. They do not have to be read chronologically to be enjoyed, but the order is: Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, Rusty Nail, Dirty Martini, Shot of Tequila, Fuzzy Navel, Cherry Bomb, Dead On My Feet, Serial Killers Uncut (with Blake Crouch), Shaken, Stirred (with Blake Crouch), Dying Breath, Everybody Dies, Rum Runner, Last Call, White Russian, Shot Girl, Chaser, Old Fashioned, Bite Force, and Witch Brew. More coming soon.
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
Wow, that's a lot of Jack.
If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.
Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.
He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.
With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.
And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.
Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.
You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 591 reviews
February 28, 2012
So...the Evil One…
Just looking atCheney Satan you can tell that he’s a mean, duplicitous, evil, soul-sucking prick who greedily wallows in his own vileness like a pig on a crap carpet.
Still...there’s no denying that the "Horned One" makes a great plot device and I am a big fan of “is it really the Devil or isn’t it” stories. I especially enjoy the psychological, “closed door mystery” variety where maybe-satan is stuck in a specific location and the characters are trying to establish his bona fides as the Prince of Perdition.**
** Side Note: Outside of the Exorcist, the low budget film “Mr. Frost” staring Jeff Goldblum is the best expression of this story type I’ve ever seen
…alas, it hasn’t been released on DVD which really bites.
Well Origin starts off very well with a fresh, clever take on this storyline by bringing in the government and making the focus of the mystery one of scientific exploration rather than spiritual crisis. Though temptations and moral compass checks will still be very much involved.
PLOT SUMMARY:
1n 1906, engineers working on the Panama Canal discovered a dormant but living “creature” entombed in a large rune-covered sarcophagus. President Teddy Roosevelt says we must study this X-file style but keep it very, very hush.
Jump to 2006 where a mega, uber double secret underground government facility known as Project Samhain has spent a century studying the creature known as Bub and learning next to nothing.
Until now…because now BUB is awake.
Best way I can think to describe our star is to start with the Lord of Darkness from Legend:
make him over 20ft tall;
add massive black wings with a span equal to an F-22;
add a predatory muskiness that is just to the left of offensive; and
finally…add large amounts of sphincter-tightening creep and bladder-loosening scary.
Here’s a little nugget of info that might shed some darkness on Bub’s personality. He is fed live sheep. Bub is a predator and like to kill his meal…violently. He then likes to reanimate the corpse so he can continue to “play” with it like a sadistic kitty until he finally grows weary and gobbles it up.
Anyone who hasn’t seen Bub dine before is sure to toss their cookies the first time they witness it.
That’s Bub.
So Andy Dennison, ancient language expert, is brought in to Project Samhain to decipher Bub’s language. Through Andy’s eyes, we meet Bub along with the people that make up the rest of the research group. An interesting bunch, this gang, as each of them has a somewhat, or more than somewhat, shady past that led them to the project.
Peeking at skeletons in closets can be fun.
THOUGHTS:
J.A. Konrath is a fun author and I’ve enjoyed his Jack Daniels crime series as well as his collaboration on the mega stellar DRACULAS. He’s a good story teller and I liked what he did with the plot set up by dropping Satan into the middle of a modern day techno-thriller. Bub is an attention-grabbing character and his effect on the staff members was fun…though I would have preferred if it was handled a bit more subtly than it was. In the future, give your reader a litter credit, Mr. Konrath, we can keep up.
Anyway, the first two-thirds of this book earned a fun 4 stars from me as I was really enjoying myself.
However…
the last third of the novel turned into too much of a monster flick for me. Konrath does this kind of story very well and certainly knows his way around a good scare and a gore-orgy. There are memorable kills and much skin is flayed.
I just wanted more from this story given how well Konrath had presented the central idea. It just became a bit too campy. I find this a lot with horror novels, they will have a great, tension-filled set up and then the pay-off turns into an out of control, unfocused mess. This one didn’t suffer from it as much as some, but it was enough to leave me on the bus to 3 Starville.
Still, a good, fun thriller with a nice premise that could have been great with a better ending.
3.0 stars.
Just looking at
Still...there’s no denying that the "Horned One" makes a great plot device and I am a big fan of “is it really the Devil or isn’t it” stories. I especially enjoy the psychological, “closed door mystery” variety where maybe-satan is stuck in a specific location and the characters are trying to establish his bona fides as the Prince of Perdition.**
** Side Note: Outside of the Exorcist, the low budget film “Mr. Frost” staring Jeff Goldblum is the best expression of this story type I’ve ever seen
…alas, it hasn’t been released on DVD which really bites.
Well Origin starts off very well with a fresh, clever take on this storyline by bringing in the government and making the focus of the mystery one of scientific exploration rather than spiritual crisis. Though temptations and moral compass checks will still be very much involved.
PLOT SUMMARY:
1n 1906, engineers working on the Panama Canal discovered a dormant but living “creature” entombed in a large rune-covered sarcophagus. President Teddy Roosevelt says we must study this X-file style but keep it very, very hush.
Jump to 2006 where a mega, uber double secret underground government facility known as Project Samhain has spent a century studying the creature known as Bub and learning next to nothing.
Until now…because now BUB is awake.
Best way I can think to describe our star is to start with the Lord of Darkness from Legend:
make him over 20ft tall;
add massive black wings with a span equal to an F-22;
add a predatory muskiness that is just to the left of offensive; and
finally…add large amounts of sphincter-tightening creep and bladder-loosening scary.
Here’s a little nugget of info that might shed some darkness on Bub’s personality. He is fed live sheep. Bub is a predator and like to kill his meal…violently. He then likes to reanimate the corpse so he can continue to “play” with it like a sadistic kitty until he finally grows weary and gobbles it up.
Anyone who hasn’t seen Bub dine before is sure to toss their cookies the first time they witness it.
That’s Bub.
So Andy Dennison, ancient language expert, is brought in to Project Samhain to decipher Bub’s language. Through Andy’s eyes, we meet Bub along with the people that make up the rest of the research group. An interesting bunch, this gang, as each of them has a somewhat, or more than somewhat, shady past that led them to the project.
Peeking at skeletons in closets can be fun.
THOUGHTS:
J.A. Konrath is a fun author and I’ve enjoyed his Jack Daniels crime series as well as his collaboration on the mega stellar DRACULAS. He’s a good story teller and I liked what he did with the plot set up by dropping Satan into the middle of a modern day techno-thriller. Bub is an attention-grabbing character and his effect on the staff members was fun…though I would have preferred if it was handled a bit more subtly than it was. In the future, give your reader a litter credit, Mr. Konrath, we can keep up.
Anyway, the first two-thirds of this book earned a fun 4 stars from me as I was really enjoying myself.
However…
the last third of the novel turned into too much of a monster flick for me. Konrath does this kind of story very well and certainly knows his way around a good scare and a gore-orgy. There are memorable kills and much skin is flayed.
I just wanted more from this story given how well Konrath had presented the central idea. It just became a bit too campy. I find this a lot with horror novels, they will have a great, tension-filled set up and then the pay-off turns into an out of control, unfocused mess. This one didn’t suffer from it as much as some, but it was enough to leave me on the bus to 3 Starville.
Still, a good, fun thriller with a nice premise that could have been great with a better ending.
3.0 stars.
October 23, 2023
This was a wonderful horror story. I was greatly surprised by this book since I read it without knowing anything about it. This author did his homework researching this book and I loved the combination of science and religion being the backbone of the story. No misunderstanding! This was true horror at it's best. At one point it made me very nervous and maybe even a little frightened, and that hardly ever happens any more and I love the feeling of fear when reading a horror book.
I highly, highly recommend this book if you want a great treat. The book is so well written and flows nicely throughout it's entirety and is edited very well.
This book is not for any sensitive readers since there is a nice amount of violence, some bad language ( not too much), sexual situations (not much), but if you are sensitive about religion, then this book may not be for you.
As you can probably tell by now, I loved this book! I rate this great horror story 5 Shining stars!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I highly, highly recommend this book if you want a great treat. The book is so well written and flows nicely throughout it's entirety and is edited very well.
This book is not for any sensitive readers since there is a nice amount of violence, some bad language ( not too much), sexual situations (not much), but if you are sensitive about religion, then this book may not be for you.
As you can probably tell by now, I loved this book! I rate this great horror story 5 Shining stars!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
July 15, 2018
4.5 STARS
Well, that was unexpected...
This is a book that has been on my Kindle for months, but from the blurb I was getting this Jurassic Park meets The Thing vibe, and I was a bit reluctant to tackle this one. Now that I've read it, I can say this:
What do you get when you mix Jurassic Park and The Thing?
A big-ass budget for a big-ass movie with a different story line than this book.
I am a big Konrath/Kilborn fan, but it is inevitable that I will eventually come across something that I don't like. So, on Friday the 13th, I started this (13th Konrath novel I've read) and expected to abandon it after about 100 pages. But, damn it, man, it got real interesting before I got to that point.
Here's what to expect:
In 1906, something was discovered, buried deep. President Roosevelt decided the world was not ready for this secret. (I know, I know - it sounds like a stupid conspiracy theory, but if you look at the state of politics and the politicians who get voted into government all over the world these days, there might just be some logic to this argument...)
Operation Samhain gets born and buried - in other words, a secret location under the desert.
One hundred and three years later, this "thing" wakes up.
A linguist gets sent to help get communications going. Along with a general and his wife, a biologist, a veterinarian, a priest and a rabbi (don't you DARE think of "...walks into a bar" right now) and a doctor, they will discover much more than they could have hoped for.
All of them has a past, all of them has secrets, and none of them are prepared for what's about to happen.
_______________________________
Okay, the writing was good and the story much better than I could have hoped for.
There was one small thing that irked me a little bit, but it's a personal preference and it shouldn't bother everybody. I just can't get myself to give it five stars, though.
Recommended for horror, historian and, to some small extent, sci-fi fans.
Well, that was unexpected...
This is a book that has been on my Kindle for months, but from the blurb I was getting this Jurassic Park meets The Thing vibe, and I was a bit reluctant to tackle this one. Now that I've read it, I can say this:
What do you get when you mix Jurassic Park and The Thing?
A big-ass budget for a big-ass movie with a different story line than this book.
I am a big Konrath/Kilborn fan, but it is inevitable that I will eventually come across something that I don't like. So, on Friday the 13th, I started this (13th Konrath novel I've read) and expected to abandon it after about 100 pages. But, damn it, man, it got real interesting before I got to that point.
Here's what to expect:
In 1906, something was discovered, buried deep. President Roosevelt decided the world was not ready for this secret. (I know, I know - it sounds like a stupid conspiracy theory, but if you look at the state of politics and the politicians who get voted into government all over the world these days, there might just be some logic to this argument...)
Operation Samhain gets born and buried - in other words, a secret location under the desert.
One hundred and three years later, this "thing" wakes up.
A linguist gets sent to help get communications going. Along with a general and his wife, a biologist, a veterinarian, a priest and a rabbi (don't you DARE think of "...walks into a bar" right now) and a doctor, they will discover much more than they could have hoped for.
All of them has a past, all of them has secrets, and none of them are prepared for what's about to happen.
_______________________________
Okay, the writing was good and the story much better than I could have hoped for.
There was one small thing that irked me a little bit, but it's a personal preference and it shouldn't bother everybody. I just can't get myself to give it five stars, though.
Recommended for horror, historian and, to some small extent, sci-fi fans.
June 11, 2011
This is what I'm talking about! Just finished two mediocre books and was wanting so badly to pick up a can't-put-down story along the lines of Natural Selection and The Relic, and I chose this one on my Kindle. Great pick, if I do say so myself. Love books about ancient history and religion; throw a demon into the mix and I'm a happy camper. This book is all kinds of fun and it's taking my mind off my current troubles.
==================================================
Andy, a young linguist who speaks 30 languages is whisked away to an underground facility to act as an interpreter to a demon who has awakened 100 years after being dug up. He was found in a metal tube covered in ancient hieroglyphs.
The facility has a crew of misfits working on the project: doctors, scientists, and a rabbi and priest--all people who were in trouble with the law and whose records were cleared in return for giving up their lives above to study Bub below. Bub, short for Beelzebub the demon.
Andy is assigned to teach him English, and little by little he tells them where he came from, how old he is, and whether there's a heaven and hell and if Jesus existed. But is he telling the truth, and is he really a demon? He tells some of the more troubled and conflicted what they want to hear, and works a few miracles, like healing a sick wife for a general and making a baby out of a dead sheep for a childless woman. All he wants in return are the two codes that will release him from his habitat.
The descriptions of the demon/monsters in this book are fantastic, and the characters are fully fleshed and interesting. This is a wonderful page turner of a book.
==================================================
Andy, a young linguist who speaks 30 languages is whisked away to an underground facility to act as an interpreter to a demon who has awakened 100 years after being dug up. He was found in a metal tube covered in ancient hieroglyphs.
The facility has a crew of misfits working on the project: doctors, scientists, and a rabbi and priest--all people who were in trouble with the law and whose records were cleared in return for giving up their lives above to study Bub below. Bub, short for Beelzebub the demon.
Andy is assigned to teach him English, and little by little he tells them where he came from, how old he is, and whether there's a heaven and hell and if Jesus existed. But is he telling the truth, and is he really a demon? He tells some of the more troubled and conflicted what they want to hear, and works a few miracles, like healing a sick wife for a general and making a baby out of a dead sheep for a childless woman. All he wants in return are the two codes that will release him from his habitat.
The descriptions of the demon/monsters in this book are fantastic, and the characters are fully fleshed and interesting. This is a wonderful page turner of a book.
October 24, 2020
Origin A Technothriller
By: J. A. Konrath
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
This is an awesome thriller! A creature is found in 1906, asleep in a coma state. Its monstrous, like our idea of a demon. It is kept secret underground, examined, and monitored for all this time but now it woke up. Its making speech so they get a specialist to go with the other specialists already there. What happens and what they find out about this creature is wild! The whole story is excellent!
Narration terrific with Luke Daniels!
By: J. A. Konrath
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
This is an awesome thriller! A creature is found in 1906, asleep in a coma state. Its monstrous, like our idea of a demon. It is kept secret underground, examined, and monitored for all this time but now it woke up. Its making speech so they get a specialist to go with the other specialists already there. What happens and what they find out about this creature is wild! The whole story is excellent!
Narration terrific with Luke Daniels!
January 5, 2016
[He] didn’t like this at all.
His curiosity was being overtaken by a creepy feeling.
Pick up the "Abominog" album by Uriah Heep and stare at the front cover for at least five minutes. No, make that ten. Congratulations, you have now assimilated Origin.
If that thing on the "Abominog" cover looks like it can take a nasty bite out of you… it’s because it probably can, as this book also sets out to prove.
[Its] lips creased back, revealing a huge valley of yellow, jagged teeth.
This book is quite a conundrum for me, insofar as reviewing it is concerned. It is fairly sparsely written, that’s to say the author keeps things lean, and that makes it easy to read. Even so, it takes a while to really get moving.
Judging by the small print on the cover this is a technothriller. I understand why the author would want to sell it as such, but given the collection of broken people, the religious undertones and the gorefest that eventually ensues it’s hard for me to classify it as anything other than Horror (why? Because these are all horror staples as far as I’m concerned)
But his voice – soft, low, almost seductive – was the voice of a thousand nightmares.
Speaking of broken people: some of the characters here have serious issues and would be better off in psychiatric care. The problem is that I didn’t really care much for any of them. This is never a good thing when reading dark fiction. Oh look, so-and-so is being killed in terrible fashion! Oh well… them’s the breaks.
One of the better bits in the book concerned the differences between the Judeo-Christian religions (Judaism and Christianity). I got some interesting stuff from there, although I’m not sure I’ll remember all (or any) of it. The same thing goes for the science-y stuff. There’s a lot of discussion about DNA, genetic manipulation, genome sequencing et al. Interesting, but in the end a lot of it probably just went over my head.
It’s maw stretched open, bloody drool leaking down its chin.
Origin, and more specifically, the main antagonist, will no doubt evoke a mixed response. Things aren’t what they seem and frankly, the book leaves the reader with more questions than answers. There are some cool twists, however, and an interesting ending. I mentioned earlier that this is a reviewing conundrum for me, and that’s because I enjoyed the book, but I really wanted to enjoy it more. Some aspects of the plot just didn’t seem to gel all that well. In the end it was good but not great.
Read it for: the creature feature
”Dead dead dead.”
His curiosity was being overtaken by a creepy feeling.
Pick up the "Abominog" album by Uriah Heep and stare at the front cover for at least five minutes. No, make that ten. Congratulations, you have now assimilated Origin.
If that thing on the "Abominog" cover looks like it can take a nasty bite out of you… it’s because it probably can, as this book also sets out to prove.
[Its] lips creased back, revealing a huge valley of yellow, jagged teeth.
This book is quite a conundrum for me, insofar as reviewing it is concerned. It is fairly sparsely written, that’s to say the author keeps things lean, and that makes it easy to read. Even so, it takes a while to really get moving.
Judging by the small print on the cover this is a technothriller. I understand why the author would want to sell it as such, but given the collection of broken people, the religious undertones and the gorefest that eventually ensues it’s hard for me to classify it as anything other than Horror (why? Because these are all horror staples as far as I’m concerned)
But his voice – soft, low, almost seductive – was the voice of a thousand nightmares.
Speaking of broken people: some of the characters here have serious issues and would be better off in psychiatric care. The problem is that I didn’t really care much for any of them. This is never a good thing when reading dark fiction. Oh look, so-and-so is being killed in terrible fashion! Oh well… them’s the breaks.
One of the better bits in the book concerned the differences between the Judeo-Christian religions (Judaism and Christianity). I got some interesting stuff from there, although I’m not sure I’ll remember all (or any) of it. The same thing goes for the science-y stuff. There’s a lot of discussion about DNA, genetic manipulation, genome sequencing et al. Interesting, but in the end a lot of it probably just went over my head.
It’s maw stretched open, bloody drool leaking down its chin.
Origin, and more specifically, the main antagonist, will no doubt evoke a mixed response. Things aren’t what they seem and frankly, the book leaves the reader with more questions than answers. There are some cool twists, however, and an interesting ending. I mentioned earlier that this is a reviewing conundrum for me, and that’s because I enjoyed the book, but I really wanted to enjoy it more. Some aspects of the plot just didn’t seem to gel all that well. In the end it was good but not great.
Read it for: the creature feature
”Dead dead dead.”
July 14, 2014
This was my second reading of ORIGIN--in order to prepare for its sequel HOLES IN THE GROUND! I absolutely loved the character interaction and the scenes that Konrath had in this book. Having read most of his other novellas/novellas, it was nice to see Frank again (who was recently in the novel HAUNTED HOUSE), and get re-aquainted with what brought him to where he was in THIS novel.
A very fast-paced read, with plenty of horrific "miracles" to keep things interesting.
Highly recommended!
A very fast-paced read, with plenty of horrific "miracles" to keep things interesting.
Highly recommended!
August 5, 2024
My first official e-published book was a great thrill ride for $3 (although others have read it for free from the author's website).
A real page turner that was similar to the Preston/Child thriller, Relic. My only gripe was the ending... but no spoilers here!
This really was a great summer read!
(Reviewed 6/29/11)
A real page turner that was similar to the Preston/Child thriller, Relic. My only gripe was the ending... but no spoilers here!
This really was a great summer read!
(Reviewed 6/29/11)
October 26, 2016
Loved it. A strange, gory story with lots of action and a really nasty demon.
The ending was a cliff hanger. Can't wait to read the sequel.
The ending was a cliff hanger. Can't wait to read the sequel.
January 1, 2019
I was disappointed. This book could have been better.
September 14, 2018
They don't know that we know they know we know.
My title (from an episode of Friends) relates to a short passage in Origin on Page 78. Maybe it was intentional - maybe not - but this... "Besides, better to know what your enemy knows than to not know if he knows anything or not" made me laugh and reminded me of Friends. Damn you Konrath...it also made me think too hard and hurt my head!
I think I had an inexplicable attack of shallowness or maybe I was just too bogged down trying to fathom Moby Dick (see what I did there) but I felt the need to weigh anchor from Melville for a while, and flounder in some easy-to-read horror. Enter "Origin". Just what the reading doctor ordered.
A short read (plusses already) and a bit gory (more plusses) and an awesome demon (maximum plussness) who may be The Prince of Darkness or possibly some baritone alien, who just happens to have wings and horns. I didn't check the back cover of the book to see if he had a tail with an arrowhead on the end. Anyway - first half of the book gets a bit slow in places with philosophical, religious and scientific debate, but it doesn't strain the old grey matter too much. THEN...the last half of the story is keep-you-awake-until-you-finish non-stop action. The ending is errrm...you'll have to read it to see...but I wasn't too disappointed.
The last book that kept me awake like this was Stephen King's Bag of Bones and that was a long time ago. If, like me, you need a break from your current long read, then this is for you. Sigh! I'll never eat devilled eggs again. Back to Moby Dick for me...
My title (from an episode of Friends) relates to a short passage in Origin on Page 78. Maybe it was intentional - maybe not - but this... "Besides, better to know what your enemy knows than to not know if he knows anything or not" made me laugh and reminded me of Friends. Damn you Konrath...it also made me think too hard and hurt my head!
I think I had an inexplicable attack of shallowness or maybe I was just too bogged down trying to fathom Moby Dick (see what I did there) but I felt the need to weigh anchor from Melville for a while, and flounder in some easy-to-read horror. Enter "Origin". Just what the reading doctor ordered.
A short read (plusses already) and a bit gory (more plusses) and an awesome demon (maximum plussness) who may be The Prince of Darkness or possibly some baritone alien, who just happens to have wings and horns. I didn't check the back cover of the book to see if he had a tail with an arrowhead on the end. Anyway - first half of the book gets a bit slow in places with philosophical, religious and scientific debate, but it doesn't strain the old grey matter too much. THEN...the last half of the story is keep-you-awake-until-you-finish non-stop action. The ending is errrm...you'll have to read it to see...but I wasn't too disappointed.
The last book that kept me awake like this was Stephen King's Bag of Bones and that was a long time ago. If, like me, you need a break from your current long read, then this is for you. Sigh! I'll never eat devilled eggs again. Back to Moby Dick for me...
December 19, 2011
I'd give this one 3.5 stars especially since it's only .99 cents on Kindle. The author describes this in his afterward as Jurassic Park meets The Exorcist which I'd say is fairly accurate. It starts off with the workers building the Panama canal finding a capsule with a creature that may or may not be the devil hibernating within. Roosevelt has it shipped to the US and builds an underground facility to study and contain it. The real action starts in modern times when the thing wakes up. Overall a pretty good page turner.
May 11, 2012
An awesome read!! This story pulled me in from the beginning and didn't let up. All the characters and scenes were vivid and memorable. Plus, it's one of those stories you can't help but tell your friends and family about. If your a fan of stories like Jurassic Park by Crichton or The Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child you will love this book.
February 18, 2012
I see a lot of people liked this book, I didn't. I found the premise weak and even with his "what's really happening" take on things I had the "been there, done that, got the tee shirt" feeling from early on.
The characters did little or nothing for me. They move through the story as they're directed by the writer and they're okay, but I couldn't get involved with them. I couldn't care.
I've been reading another series by Mr. Konrath and I find that there's something in common. He either doesn't research some things all that closely, or possibly he does but changes things from actuality so they work better for his story line. Whichever it is this happens here in several statements made by characters and also in the philosophical arguments that fill the book.
The participants in these arguments are also frequently set up as "straw men" or maybe I should say have "straw man arguments" placed in their mouths. A lot of this I simply found annoying.
Also, the book is called a "technothriller". It's not. The technology is there in places, but the "thriller motif" falls flat for first 3/4 of the book.
All in all I was disappointed in the book. It ends with what is either an ambiguous "nonending type ending" (as some books do) or it's a set up for a series. If so I doubt (unless the period between books is long enough for me to forget how disappointed I was,LOL) I'll follow it up.
The characters did little or nothing for me. They move through the story as they're directed by the writer and they're okay, but I couldn't get involved with them. I couldn't care.
I've been reading another series by Mr. Konrath and I find that there's something in common. He either doesn't research some things all that closely, or possibly he does but changes things from actuality so they work better for his story line. Whichever it is this happens here in several statements made by characters and also in the philosophical arguments that fill the book.
The participants in these arguments are also frequently set up as "straw men" or maybe I should say have "straw man arguments" placed in their mouths. A lot of this I simply found annoying.
Also, the book is called a "technothriller". It's not. The technology is there in places, but the "thriller motif" falls flat for first 3/4 of the book.
All in all I was disappointed in the book. It ends with what is either an ambiguous "nonending type ending" (as some books do) or it's a set up for a series. If so I doubt (unless the period between books is long enough for me to forget how disappointed I was,LOL) I'll follow it up.
July 30, 2012
I really liked this book. It was a fast read, funny, scary and held my attention from page one. The premise was fantastic and "Bub" is truly a classic horror villain. I also liked the supporting characters and thought they were drawn out well unlike a few of the 2 star reviewers mentioned. I am a big fan of Konrath/Kilborn/Kimball and I highly recommend this book.
September 7, 2019
I wavered between 3 and 4 stars. It was a fun read though so I’m sitting on the fence with 3.5.
May 22, 2025
This was both terrifying and quite interesting. Is this creature found buried in a capsule in a coma that looks like a demon truly demonic or something else entirely? Will he wake up? What should they do with him? Where did he come from? So many questions! And of course we decided we could manage this being and study him as long as we kept it all secret. I enjoyed this quite a bit. The possible religious implication was explored from several angles. Well done!!
September 5, 2019
Workers digging The Panama Canal in 1906 discover a buried capsule that seems to include a sleeping demon inside. President Theodore Roosevelt insists on it being moved to a secure facility for study and there it has stayed under guard. Now the demon has woken up and a linguist is summoned to join the team to try and communicate with it. But 'Bub' has his own agenda and is determined to escape not just his cell but the facility itself and unleash a new kind of Hell on Earth.
I did really like the character of General Race Murdoch, the man who is currently running the facility. He is there with his wife Helen who took ill and is being treated there. He was recruited because he accidently killed his friend in a fight. He is a man that gets on well with the others, runs the facility well and I liked his personality. When trouble comes to the facility he proves that he is also brave and willing to put his own life on the line to save his people. He is also devoted to his wife, which I liked. I wasn't greatly keen on the others. Obnoxious Dr Julie was recruited to the facility after kidnapping a child and she continues to nurse that obsession. Frank the biologist was a drug addict who blew up a lab with his stupidity and killed people.
I found Andrew, the tax cheat linguist, to be quite an annoying character, that idiot guy who tries to chat you up in a bar with dumb jokes and stupid cringeworthy lines. This is how he behaves from the minute he meets Sun, who killed a human patient once, cracking jokes about her name. When he discovers that she is from Vietnam and is an animal doctor, he thinks he is being clever by joking that she is a Vietnam Vet. To say I wanted to smack him was putting it mildly. He also thinks she will be impressed if he keeps showing off all the languages that he can speak. What the hell she sees in him is a mystery and I found the focus on their sporting competitions and dates to be a distraction that adds nothing to the story.
There is also the religious debate throughout with the ongoing conflict between Rabbi Shotzen and Father Thrist. They spend most of the book arguing about religion and both believing they are right and the other is wrong. It got really annoying for me. It went on about fallen angels, demons, prophets, fighting over who Jesus was...it was repetitive, irritating and I grew sick of all the bickering. Bub of course sees the opportunity to sow even more seeds of distrust when he starts talking to members of the team. But if I'm being honest, I was bored by the religious conflicts that dominated parts of this book and I switched off every time these guys starting fighting with each other.
I loved the idea of digging up a demon and studying it, and then trying to stop it from escaping. I was very excited by the ideas in the book. However I found this book to be incredibly boring and it took forever to actually get to where the action started. I went into the book looking for a scary horror tale and it takes a long time to actually get to that happening. It gets better when Bub starts manipulating the characters in exchange for favours from each person which gets him closer to escape. The problem is that most of the book is about studying and then communicating with Bub, religious arguments and a dumb romance with no chemistry. It is page 169 out of 283 before Bub gets his first chance to really harm someone. That was just way too long to wait to keep me fully interested in the plot.
When it gets to the actual meat of the plot when Bub puts his escape plan into operation, things do improve. The battles with the demon and his minions have the tension and horror that I was looking for, and I did like the final section of the book. My issue is that with it taking so long to get to the good bits, I certainly wouldn't want to read it again. I'm also in two minds about going on to read the sequel because if it is really slow again it would be a certain DNF from me. I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet. Overall, I am a bit disappointed by this book.
2.5 stars.
I did really like the character of General Race Murdoch, the man who is currently running the facility. He is there with his wife Helen who took ill and is being treated there. He was recruited because he accidently killed his friend in a fight. He is a man that gets on well with the others, runs the facility well and I liked his personality. When trouble comes to the facility he proves that he is also brave and willing to put his own life on the line to save his people. He is also devoted to his wife, which I liked. I wasn't greatly keen on the others. Obnoxious Dr Julie was recruited to the facility after kidnapping a child and she continues to nurse that obsession. Frank the biologist was a drug addict who blew up a lab with his stupidity and killed people.
I found Andrew, the tax cheat linguist, to be quite an annoying character, that idiot guy who tries to chat you up in a bar with dumb jokes and stupid cringeworthy lines. This is how he behaves from the minute he meets Sun, who killed a human patient once, cracking jokes about her name. When he discovers that she is from Vietnam and is an animal doctor, he thinks he is being clever by joking that she is a Vietnam Vet. To say I wanted to smack him was putting it mildly. He also thinks she will be impressed if he keeps showing off all the languages that he can speak. What the hell she sees in him is a mystery and I found the focus on their sporting competitions and dates to be a distraction that adds nothing to the story.
There is also the religious debate throughout with the ongoing conflict between Rabbi Shotzen and Father Thrist. They spend most of the book arguing about religion and both believing they are right and the other is wrong. It got really annoying for me. It went on about fallen angels, demons, prophets, fighting over who Jesus was...it was repetitive, irritating and I grew sick of all the bickering. Bub of course sees the opportunity to sow even more seeds of distrust when he starts talking to members of the team. But if I'm being honest, I was bored by the religious conflicts that dominated parts of this book and I switched off every time these guys starting fighting with each other.
I loved the idea of digging up a demon and studying it, and then trying to stop it from escaping. I was very excited by the ideas in the book. However I found this book to be incredibly boring and it took forever to actually get to where the action started. I went into the book looking for a scary horror tale and it takes a long time to actually get to that happening. It gets better when Bub starts manipulating the characters in exchange for favours from each person which gets him closer to escape. The problem is that most of the book is about studying and then communicating with Bub, religious arguments and a dumb romance with no chemistry. It is page 169 out of 283 before Bub gets his first chance to really harm someone. That was just way too long to wait to keep me fully interested in the plot.
When it gets to the actual meat of the plot when Bub puts his escape plan into operation, things do improve. The battles with the demon and his minions have the tension and horror that I was looking for, and I did like the final section of the book. My issue is that with it taking so long to get to the good bits, I certainly wouldn't want to read it again. I'm also in two minds about going on to read the sequel because if it is really slow again it would be a certain DNF from me. I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet. Overall, I am a bit disappointed by this book.
2.5 stars.
May 20, 2011
I finished reading this book yesterday. I was a bit let down because I felt that the story had the potential to be a lot better. I'm not trashing it however. The premise was great. But the first half of the story dragged on a bit too long. At one point I nearly lost interest. Then a major incident (don't want to give away the spoiler) got me hooked and it became a rollercoaster ride right until the very last page. Then something else happened on the last page (no spoiler) that upset me.
The initial problems with the pacing in the first half could've been solved had there been a secondary antagonist. Furthermore the other characters could've been downgraded to minor characters. But that's just my opinion.
It should be noted that this is one of Konrath's earlier unpublished novels before he made his breakthrough with his amazing Jack Daniel's series.
Russell Brooks
Author of Unsavory Delicacies
The initial problems with the pacing in the first half could've been solved had there been a secondary antagonist. Furthermore the other characters could've been downgraded to minor characters. But that's just my opinion.
It should be noted that this is one of Konrath's earlier unpublished novels before he made his breakthrough with his amazing Jack Daniel's series.
Russell Brooks
Author of Unsavory Delicacies
September 3, 2020
Origin is one hell of an express ride. Brilliantly fast paced and scary. A completely satisfactory techno thriller, what it promised and intended to be. I read away last 180 pages in a single go, it was that hard to put down.
Decent characters, with no unnecessary manuscripts about their pasts works good here. The plot has good elements of suspense and discovery. Brilliantly described ambiance and setting against story background along with fast paced adrenaline rush driven second half. Plot just accelerates till the very last page.
However, book is not without its flaws. Could have used more character development, though this must be Konrath's writing style I guess and you may still end up rooting for some of the guys; its some of the minor characters that suffer worst.Some of the plot thread elements may have been better wound around the core too. And epilogue was bit uncalled for.
Overall, this still is a good book.
April 20, 2011
What a roller-coaster ride. While building the Panama canal in 1906, A creature is discovered that looks suspiciously like the devil. President Theodore Roosevelt has it transported in a secret subterranean laboratory in New Mexico where it can be studied. One hundred years later it wakes up.
This is the basis of a fun and scary novel that has you guessing what this thing really is all the way to the end. Konrath combined theology, physics, and other disciplines into an effective techno-horror thriller. Sometimes the plot stretches farther than believable even for this type of genre. But it remains exciting and entertaining all the way through.
This is the basis of a fun and scary novel that has you guessing what this thing really is all the way to the end. Konrath combined theology, physics, and other disciplines into an effective techno-horror thriller. Sometimes the plot stretches farther than believable even for this type of genre. But it remains exciting and entertaining all the way through.
July 12, 2023
Fascinating! Absolutely loved the deft manipulation in the debate from the 3 sides (Judaism, Catholicism, and science)regarding what Bub is. To the point where all 3 feel justly represented. Of course being a science geek I found plot entirely plausible. Loved the characters Enjoyed the realistic dialog. Bub was the best villain ever. Those eating scenes are going to haunt my memory for awhile. Not only am I giving this book 5 out of 5 stars, but it has made it to my list of top 10 books EVER!
March 18, 2014
At least a 4.5 star read. I'd been wanting to read this for a long time, and finally got to it. I wasn't disappointed. Classic Konrath, good group of characters faces down evil complete with kickass female in the lead. Loved it.
March 16, 2012
Fun and fast read, also scary, actually gave me a nightmare. This is the first novel I have read by this author, there will hopefully be many more.
December 28, 2023
I went into this book without knowing what it was about but soon got drawn into this very intense sci-fi/horror/techno-thriller. The story starts out in 1906 in Panama where a very strange creature is discovered buried in a sarcophagus-like coffin with strange hieroglyphics written on it. This is discovered during the building of the Panama Canal and President Teddy Roosevelt happens to be on sight to witness the strange being. After viewing it, he orders that it be moved to the U.S. and put in a very secure location. After one hundred years of study, the creature wakes up from the coma it was in and is still being studied by a group of scientists and others in a secret underground facility in New Mexico. There is a biologist to analyze its structure, a veterinarian to study behavior, a linguist to try to translate its language, and two theologians -- one Catholic and the other Jewish. So what is the creature? It appears to be the likeness of a demon straight from Hell. Could it actually be the Satan from the Bible? The creature seems to be impervious to harm and can regenerate body parts and heal itself almost instantaneously. But is the creature malevolent or is it benign and only wants peace? And what specifically is its origin? Does the creature pose a threat to mankind?
I found this novel to be very intense and compelling reading. The whole premise of the story was fascinating and the powers of the creature were very imaginative. I also thought the characters in the story were very well written, especially Andy the linguist, and Sun the vet. The creature, nicknamed Bub, was also a character to be reckoned with. Very imaginative and creative writing that I would recommend. This book is part of a series but I understand all the books can be read as stand-alone novels. I may be seeking out more of these.
I found this novel to be very intense and compelling reading. The whole premise of the story was fascinating and the powers of the creature were very imaginative. I also thought the characters in the story were very well written, especially Andy the linguist, and Sun the vet. The creature, nicknamed Bub, was also a character to be reckoned with. Very imaginative and creative writing that I would recommend. This book is part of a series but I understand all the books can be read as stand-alone novels. I may be seeking out more of these.
January 12, 2011
Full video review here: http://mysterythriller.tv/origin-by-j...
I’m a sucker for anything remotely spiritual or related to gods or demons. With a beginning quote from revelation I was hooked!
Plot Overview (no spoilers): When the Panama canal was being excavated a 12 foot long casket was found, marked with strange symbols. Inside was a creature of indescribable horror, alive but lying dormant which was transported back to the US and kept in a secret location in New Mexico, Project Samhain. Now, the Devil has woken up, a massively muscled, winged, hooved demon of nightmare - and the government wants to talk to him.
Great plot escalation from initial ‘friendly’ encounters with the residents of the facility, to Bub’s feeding time with the unfortunate sheep and his miraculous resurrection powers, through his speaking English, to his access to the internet where he learns all he needs to know about modern humans. He manipulates each of the characters expertly finding their weaknesses and then exploiting them.
There’s a Rabbi and a priest who debate theology, the origins of the devil myths and whether the creature is a demon or Satan himself. They ask him questions about what he has seen down the ages and the way he manipulates their faith is brilliant. I love theological discussion - it’s one of my favorite addictions!
What’s cool about the book: Brilliant premise, the government conspiracy, characters trapped within the facility, the devil on the loose. I enjoyed the discussions around what Bub is with the different characters representing different perspectives from theological to biological. The book also switches scenes and point of view characters so we get to see Bub from the different perspectives and how he impacts their lives... and their deaths.
It’s a thriller on the edge of horror with a high body count, some parts are incredibly gory, but I’m don’t like really graphic violence and I found this very enjoyable to read.
I’m a sucker for anything remotely spiritual or related to gods or demons. With a beginning quote from revelation I was hooked!
Plot Overview (no spoilers): When the Panama canal was being excavated a 12 foot long casket was found, marked with strange symbols. Inside was a creature of indescribable horror, alive but lying dormant which was transported back to the US and kept in a secret location in New Mexico, Project Samhain. Now, the Devil has woken up, a massively muscled, winged, hooved demon of nightmare - and the government wants to talk to him.
Great plot escalation from initial ‘friendly’ encounters with the residents of the facility, to Bub’s feeding time with the unfortunate sheep and his miraculous resurrection powers, through his speaking English, to his access to the internet where he learns all he needs to know about modern humans. He manipulates each of the characters expertly finding their weaknesses and then exploiting them.
There’s a Rabbi and a priest who debate theology, the origins of the devil myths and whether the creature is a demon or Satan himself. They ask him questions about what he has seen down the ages and the way he manipulates their faith is brilliant. I love theological discussion - it’s one of my favorite addictions!
What’s cool about the book: Brilliant premise, the government conspiracy, characters trapped within the facility, the devil on the loose. I enjoyed the discussions around what Bub is with the different characters representing different perspectives from theological to biological. The book also switches scenes and point of view characters so we get to see Bub from the different perspectives and how he impacts their lives... and their deaths.
It’s a thriller on the edge of horror with a high body count, some parts are incredibly gory, but I’m don’t like really graphic violence and I found this very enjoyable to read.
October 3, 2011
In 1906, workers digging the Panama Canal discovered a capsule buried deep in the earth. They found it contained a sleeping demon. The U.S. government imprisoned the beast in a secret facility buried beneath the desert where it's been studied ever since. But because an assignment to Project Samhain is a one-way ticket, the facility ends up being staffed by misfits, oddballs, and people who have screwed up so badly that they're willing to take the risk of permanent exile for a shot at redemption. This proves to be a serious mistake.
Because now the demon's awake, and he's looking to make a deal.
Like all the J.A. Konrath books I've read so far, this was a fast, fun read. There are some bumpy spots where the exposition gets a little thick (a common problem with technothrillers) , but the book moves past them quickly enough, and when Bub the Demon really gets up and roaring, you get as much blood and guts and shocks and shivers as any horror fan could hope for. Well worth the time and money.
Because now the demon's awake, and he's looking to make a deal.
Like all the J.A. Konrath books I've read so far, this was a fast, fun read. There are some bumpy spots where the exposition gets a little thick (a common problem with technothrillers) , but the book moves past them quickly enough, and when Bub the Demon really gets up and roaring, you get as much blood and guts and shocks and shivers as any horror fan could hope for. Well worth the time and money.
January 13, 2024
3.3 stars.
The beginning was interesting but as the story goes on I got bored. The mystery behind Bub was more enjoyable than the action in my opinion.
Not a bad book at all. Very friendly to the average reader that prefers a plot that moves and gets to the point.
I do think this would make a cool movie/show.
But if they did decide to make this film worthy, they definitely would need to make more use of Andy the language guru. Maybe hold back on the mystery of Bub a bit longer and really build suspense on what’s going on.
Good book.
The beginning was interesting but as the story goes on I got bored. The mystery behind Bub was more enjoyable than the action in my opinion.
Not a bad book at all. Very friendly to the average reader that prefers a plot that moves and gets to the point.
I do think this would make a cool movie/show.
But if they did decide to make this film worthy, they definitely would need to make more use of Andy the language guru. Maybe hold back on the mystery of Bub a bit longer and really build suspense on what’s going on.
Good book.
March 11, 2019
5 stars audio
2.5 stars story. Things I loved: the gore, the suspense, the action and fast pace. Things I hated: the unnecessary scientific details and explanations and stupid stupid stupid eye rolling insta attraction romance development between the two main characters. I wanted pure horror I didn't get that in this book.
2.5 stars story. Things I loved: the gore, the suspense, the action and fast pace. Things I hated: the unnecessary scientific details and explanations and stupid stupid stupid eye rolling insta attraction romance development between the two main characters. I wanted pure horror I didn't get that in this book.
August 11, 2020
Enjoyable tosh, marred by poor characterisation and a weak ending.
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