Origin: Parallax, Book 1

by Matt Conant

A conspiracy threatens everyone in the colonized worlds. Only they can stop it.

In a distant future where advancements in cybernetics and gene-splicing have resulted in a dozen different variants of humanity, three individuals find themselves entangled in a conspiracy that could doom everyone in the colonized worlds.

Paige Angstrom, a fierce and loyal Peacekeeper, yearns to shield her sister Volara from a life of corporate-indentured servitude.

Hemlocke Shaw, a gene-spliced engineer, tirelessly searches for his missing eco-activist wife.

And Emrald Re, a no-nonsense bounty hunter, embarks on a mission to find a vanished wastelander named Lewis DuCane.

Amidst deadly power outages, vanishing civilians, and stalled terraforming projects, the trio unearths a cover-up of epic proportions. The revelation sends shockwaves through their lives, forcing them to confront their own identities and become unlikely heroes in the struggle against the very architects of the Terran race.

From debut authors Matt Conant and Lauren Cipollo, the Parallax series will transport you to a universe teeming with adventure, where ordinary individuals become beacons of hope in the face of oppression.

Genres: Science Fiction

Audible Audio

Published April 9, 2024

About the author

Matt Conant is a screenwriter, novelist, director, and show creator based in Los Angeles, with specialties in comedy, sci-fi, and genre properties. He has co-developed original series for networks including Amazon Studios and HBOMax, and his involvement in development on TV show Mystery Science Theater 3000 helped lead to its relaunch in 2017. He is now a writer on both MST3K (Netflix) and The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live Tour. Matt runs Cinevore Studios, which has produced digital comedy series including Nerd vs. Geek, OverAnalyzers, and Victorian Cut-out Theatre.

His first novels, the Parallax trilogy, written with co-author Lauren Cipollo, were released starting in spring 2024 from Aethon Books. A huge fan of tabletop role-playing games and gaming in general, Matt is featured on the Actual Play podcast Hella XP, and he is developing his own sci-fi TTRPG with co-author Lauren Cipollo based on the Parallax universe. Matt graduated Temple University Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Film & Media Arts.

Reviews

[Joe Burleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t often read Sci-Fi, but when I do, I want it to be this. Matt and Lauren have managed to write an intelligent yet accessible space opera. They have managed to weave the exposition into the character development and not once was I lost in a too complicated universe. These characters are rich and compelling and BONUS!…They are brought brilliantly to life by Amy Hutchins in a beautiful audio performance. The collaborative chemistry between authors and narrator is electric and I can’t wait for the next two books!

[Kristen Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much! It was my first journey into a space opera and I’m excited for books 2 & 3! The character descriptions provided just enough info that left room for my imagination to fill in the blanks and the story itself had me reaching to turn the page early! I started with the ebook version and picked up the audiobook half-way through. I highly encourage checking out both versions, but Amy Hutchins' audiobook narration will transport you directly into space with the characters! Even if you think sci-fi, space travel, or gene splicing isn’t for you, give this book a try. You’ll be glad you did and will be eagerly waiting for the next book like the rest of us!

[Amanda E Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sci-Fi isn't my usual genre. But listening to the audiobook narrated by Amy Hutchins made it easier to get through. At first I found it hard to get a feel for all of our different main characters. But after I got them down and their journeys clicked into place it was easy to follow along.
They're all unique characters and have their own fun quirks. They each have their own growth that I loved to see. Loved it when a couple main characters actually crossed paths too. I'm excited to see where the 2nd & 3rd books lead them.

[Jenni Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the great joy to receive this book as an ARC and let me first say with full confidence that I could not put it down. The world was so rich but also introduced in a way that let’s the reader settle right in. The characters are each distinct and exciting and there is a little something for everyone. For the first book in a series, it grabs you and doesn’t let go and gives enough space (pun intended) to feel satisfied but also enough cliff hangers to get you ready and eager for book 2. Would highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of sci-fi, cyberpunk, dystopian YA, or dark futuristic fantasy. Also, kittens.

[Rachel Eldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much! I was calling my husband multiple times throughout the story to tell him different cool scifi concepts that this book introduced. The characters are very likable. Each has their own distinct personality with strengths and flaws. I can’t wait to see where the next books in this series go. The audiobook is fantastic! I need more scifi like this.

[J. Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I really enjoyed this book and immediately bought the sequel. It follows POVs from different walks of life, planets, and gene splices, creating a rich universe full of unique characters. It's my favorite when characters you love in their own POV cross paths with one another, and this build up did not disappoint. Emrald Re and Volara together is my kind of badass lady duo! Can't wait to see what happens next.

[Sci-Fi Queens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Origins has amazing, new, creative aliens, planets, and humans have done cybernetics enhancements and gene-splicing resulting in different types of humans. This book keeps you engaged and elicits a heightened emotional state. I was at the edge of my seat from the first page Excellent writing and the descriptions of characters are so vivid they come alive on the page. There is intrigue with a missing person, family dynamics, and the interpersonal conflicts that will keep you interested.
By the time I was halfway through the book I knew this book needed to be turned into a TV series. This book is so good it has the potential to be an award-winning show. I have already started on the 2nd book and pre-ordered the 3rd.

[Sherri Rabinowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very exciting novel, the world building is excellent. I enjoyed all three of the main characters,
Paige Angstrom, Paige Angstrom and Emrald Re. The characterizations are fully realized. You follow these three as they try to save the Terran race.

I read this when I was sick and it was so absorbing that it helped me to ignore how lousy I felt. In fact by the third day reading, I was shocked to find I was more than halfway through. Matt Conant and Lauren Cipollo do an excellent job in this first novel of pulling you into the world they created.

[Cara Blaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful sci fi adventure! I loved the characters, and the world building was creative but also accessible and not overwhelming. The writing itself is well done. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

[Glen Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a new writer, Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle told me, (as they told every new writer) to “start the action on the first page, keep the story moving fast, and don’t worry, the reader will eventually catch up.” It is clear that Matt Conant and Lauren Cipollo have learned this lesson well! I felt like I was running a marathon to keep up with the characters in this action-packed novel.

Origin is the first novel of a trilogy in Matt and Lauren’s Parallax universe. The authors have created a rich and diverse civilization where our story follows three protagonists who are trying to survive in a complicated and dangerous society, each with their own motivations and challenges.
The novel is fast-paced and action-packed. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and each has their flaws and strengths. The authors also weave in some philosophical and ethical questions, such as what makes us human, the limits of technology, and the costs of progress. The novel is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking and emotionally gripping.

Parallax is a must-read for fans of sci-fi, adventure, and suspense. As the first book of the series it… spoiler alert, ends on a very satisfying cliffhanger! I can’t wait to read the next book. I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a captivating and immersive read.
Glen Olson, author of Desperate Endeavor and A Choice of Planets

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating, character-driven sci-fi tale, Origin seamlessly weaves together the stories of a beautifully diverse cast of characters exploring the stars and other worlds. Origin is an incredible debut, and a wonderful first installment of a trilogy that I was fortunate to ARC read for. I can’t wait to explore more!

Conant and Cipollo skillfully craft compelling, three-dimensional characters with wants and needs and desires and a wide range of perfectly human emotions that are relatable to readers from all backgrounds. Relatable, believable, and complex characters are of utmost importance to me when delving into new book worlds, especially in the scifi sphere, and Conant & Cipollo absolutely nailed it.

Beyond delivering incredible characters, Conant & Cipollo immerse you in a well-thought-out world, allowing you to explore and learn alongside the characters rather than sidetracking with exposition. It’s a delight to embark on this journey through the stars alongside Paige, Hemlock and Emrald, and I’m eager to delve even deeper when the next installment is published!

Origin is a perfect fit for fans of Becky Chambers (especially the Wayfarers series!), Christopher Paolini’s To Sleep In A Sea of Stars, the TV show Firefly, the TV show Dark Matter, and anyone who enjoys character-driven space epics or dystopian fiction with distinctly anti-corporation messaging.

[Ty Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I managed to snag an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and I'm so incredibly happy that I did. This is a true sci-fi adventure and is so much fun that at the end of it, I couldn't believe I'd read it all! The story has such relatable characters and interactions that the authors had have pulled directly from their own experiences. And in true sci-fi fashion, of course there are different "types" of people. In this world, they aren't aliens, merely humans that have been spliced with animal genes. Personally, that's sometimes more believable than the other! And the strengths and weaknesses, descriptions and personalities of all the different "splices" is so creative, it was genuinely such a pleasure to read through the book.

It does leave you on a cliffhanger, but with two more books in this series planned, I don't think we'll need to be worried about being left out to dry.

If you like Sci-Fi with strong characters, believable interactions, and a genuine space-faring adventure, then Origin needs to be on your TBR or in your hands. Go pick this up right now and tell your friends, it's a fantastic journey in a familiar, yet totally foreign, universe!

[Rob Kutner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gangbusters new SF trilogy begins! This novel has it all: action, intrigue, romance, comedy, engrossing world-building and fascinating concepts, and -- most of all -- GREAT CHARACTERS. Conant and Cipollo bring you deeply and compassionately into the minds and hearts of their multiple, highly unique and memorable protgonists, from the jump. This is often the Achilles' heel of even the "coolest" SF, but C&C lay the groundwork for you to care about what's going to happen to these folks through this book, so that you're thinking about them even when away from the book! As far as the sci-fi itself, it walks a clever tightrope of being grounded/hard with just enough weirdness and mystery to keep you guessing, and as much in the dark as your fellow space travellers. Can't wait for parts 2 and 3!

[Katherine Rothschild · Rating 5 out of 5]

The parallax world of ORIGIN is an absolutely wonderful wild ride. A complex world of 12 different types of beings in a futuristic society of spaceships, mods, and uncanny valley inventions, the story follows several characters as they head toward an intercept course. This book is an incredibly fun ride. The characterization of each player on this impressive squad is detailed and wonderful even as we switch character perspectives often. Inspired by unusual zoological creatures and the human need for love, power, affection, and comfort, we watch each character discover themselves in a satisfying way. Highly recommended this incredible world of a book!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible character-driven and creative scifi tale! The authors are masters of show-not-tell when it comes to building their expansive universe. Multiple unique character perspectives allow flexibility in narrative voice and observational style, while simultaneously driving the story forward through the characters' motivations and experiences. Excellent diversity and world-building, without getting bogged down in excessive technical jargon. Perfect for both long-time scifi fans as well as new readers looking to dip a toe into the genre! The first installment in the Parallax trilogy, Origin is certain to get you hooked and leave you anxious for more!

[Tam Delakor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this series while the narrator for the audiobook was recording the second book during a live event. I listened to it for about 5 minutes before I went onto Amazon to get book 1. I was hooked from the beginning! The authors did a great job setting up this amazing story with a great cast of characters and a plot that keeps you wanting to keep reading. And if you're an audiobook listener, the narrator does amazing bringing everything to life! If you like sci-fi, get this in your library today.

[Marshall S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Origin was a fun space opera, and I’m really happy I picked up a copy! You follow several different characters with very different traits and specialties, my favorite being Emrald. The whole story is entertaining and it cracked me up in some parts! “You help me track Tender. I cut you in half.”

[Cindy Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally read Sci-fi book but this one had me hooked. It took a bit to get to know the characters but ones I did I couldn't stop reading. Looking forward to the next one. I would highly recommend this.

[Connie Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

very good beginning for this series. I'm very anxious to read the next installment. I would recommend it for any sci-fi, fantasy fan.