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We Are the Origin
She was a shadow.
Forced into a life of serving the queendom before she was old enough to deny them, Brandi was a cultivator of death and the queen’s own blade, reserved only for the disloyal and the blasphemous. Crafted by the queendom and forged in blood, she was nothing more than a tool. She was never meant to have an opinion on whose blood she shed — never meant to question whose back she was pressed into or whose throat she was slipped across.
She was destruction.
But when Freya, the goddess of life and judger of souls, demands that she protect rather than destroy, Brandi has no choice but to obey her new orders. And while abandoning the queendom comes with its own set of problems, being hunted by the people she once called family is the least of her worries when the gods reveal to her an enemy who exists beyond the reach of their power. So, with a helpless princess in tow, she begins her search for a way to fight this impossible enemy and save the realm from destruction.
Because she is the wrath of the gods.
And it was foolish for anyone to forget that.
Forced into a life of serving the queendom before she was old enough to deny them, Brandi was a cultivator of death and the queen’s own blade, reserved only for the disloyal and the blasphemous. Crafted by the queendom and forged in blood, she was nothing more than a tool. She was never meant to have an opinion on whose blood she shed — never meant to question whose back she was pressed into or whose throat she was slipped across.
She was destruction.
But when Freya, the goddess of life and judger of souls, demands that she protect rather than destroy, Brandi has no choice but to obey her new orders. And while abandoning the queendom comes with its own set of problems, being hunted by the people she once called family is the least of her worries when the gods reveal to her an enemy who exists beyond the reach of their power. So, with a helpless princess in tow, she begins her search for a way to fight this impossible enemy and save the realm from destruction.
Because she is the wrath of the gods.
And it was foolish for anyone to forget that.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2022
58 people are currently reading
1978 people want to read
About the author
C.M. Lockhart
9 books135 followersC. M. Lockhart (also known as Chelsea) is a Black writer of fantasy because she loves creating worlds, exploring relationships, and writing stories about Black girls who aren't all that nice. She is the founder of Written in Melanin LLC — which encompasses a weekly podcast and YouTube channel of the same name — and the Melanin Library, an online database of books written by Black authors.
She is also a lover of video games and anime, so whenever she isn't reading and writing — or talking about reading and writing — she's watching anime, playing her Switch, and dreaming about the day her books get animated.
She is also a lover of video games and anime, so whenever she isn't reading and writing — or talking about reading and writing — she's watching anime, playing her Switch, and dreaming about the day her books get animated.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
July 18, 2022
I freaking loved this book! Black fantasy with gods and murder?? Sign me up!
April 28, 2022
A world crafted with beauty and darkness comes alive in 'We Are the Origin,' and I loved it! Magic, technology, love, and hate are all woven together to create a refreshing take on political intrigue and elite assassins. I can't wait for the next installment!
March 19, 2024
I received this to review for the Indie Ink Awards for best narration. Aure Nash did a fantastic job that I really enjoyed. In particular, the voices she did for the gods had these larger than life almost ethereal edits on them.
This one features great representation as well. Black fantasy with lush character designs and cultures. Dreads and braids as well as great descriptors on the variety of skin tones really sells the world as diverse and rich.
I did listen through this one while going through some personal changes, so I am afraid I was a bit distracted. So let me just point that out. However, I found myself slipping in and out of the story throughout. In the beginning I was locked in, but the kind of meandering pace and continued scenes of intervention from the gods kind of made this one lack stakes. For me, the characters read pretty much the same as when they started, they may have come to some realizations, but I didn’t feel as if they actually grew. And the intervention of the gods kind of made what little action there was fall a little flat. I didn’t feel like I had to worry about the characters not surviving, and the action was cool when it happened, so I wish there was more.
Personally a 3/5* for me.
This one features great representation as well. Black fantasy with lush character designs and cultures. Dreads and braids as well as great descriptors on the variety of skin tones really sells the world as diverse and rich.
I did listen through this one while going through some personal changes, so I am afraid I was a bit distracted. So let me just point that out. However, I found myself slipping in and out of the story throughout. In the beginning I was locked in, but the kind of meandering pace and continued scenes of intervention from the gods kind of made this one lack stakes. For me, the characters read pretty much the same as when they started, they may have come to some realizations, but I didn’t feel as if they actually grew. And the intervention of the gods kind of made what little action there was fall a little flat. I didn’t feel like I had to worry about the characters not surviving, and the action was cool when it happened, so I wish there was more.
Personally a 3/5* for me.
August 2, 2022
This book, this book.
I had the pleasure of reading an early copy and I knew from the first page it was gonna be a hit. First off, the worldbuilding is incredible; Lockhart does a great job of unraveling the intricacies of this world at the right times so it feels so lived in and not rushed, totally thought out down to the last, minute detail.
Second, the characters! I truly love characters who are unapologetically themselves, especially ones who are supposed to be morally gray. And damn, these characters were just that but I loved every minute of it. Brandi is such a complex and beautifully written character and her relationship with Jack was the balance needed for her complexity — she was ready to crack skulls at any time but she was also so tender with him.
Third, the pantheon. It's refreshing to find one that's wholly new and I really enjoyed their inclusion and their relationships with each other and their vessels.
Overall, this is an excellent read that would also make an excellent anime TV show or movie. If you love unapologetically Black characters, morally gray characters, political intrigue, mystery, and extensive world-building then what're you waiting for? Get. This. Book.
I had the pleasure of reading an early copy and I knew from the first page it was gonna be a hit. First off, the worldbuilding is incredible; Lockhart does a great job of unraveling the intricacies of this world at the right times so it feels so lived in and not rushed, totally thought out down to the last, minute detail.
Second, the characters! I truly love characters who are unapologetically themselves, especially ones who are supposed to be morally gray. And damn, these characters were just that but I loved every minute of it. Brandi is such a complex and beautifully written character and her relationship with Jack was the balance needed for her complexity — she was ready to crack skulls at any time but she was also so tender with him.
Third, the pantheon. It's refreshing to find one that's wholly new and I really enjoyed their inclusion and their relationships with each other and their vessels.
Overall, this is an excellent read that would also make an excellent anime TV show or movie. If you love unapologetically Black characters, morally gray characters, political intrigue, mystery, and extensive world-building then what're you waiting for? Get. This. Book.
February 12, 2023
probably 3.5
rtc
rtc
June 23, 2022
This book was awesome! It just came out and I am so happy to kick off my summer reading with it. I was hooked within the first few pages. The author is someone I follow online because of her website Melanin Library and her Written in Melalin podcast. The author said something on her TikTok page that she writes books about Black girls that aren't all that nice and as Black girl with Wicked tattoo'd on myself, her words resonated with me! The characters in this book are well written and I really enjoyed the pacing. It was the world building and storytelling of the gods that had me hooked. I am a sucker for anything magical with a gorgeous cover. I'm an avid fantasy reader and a mood reader. "When you stand before the gods, make sure you tell them Brandi sent you" that line right there! My mood was activated and it made me shelve the other books I was reading to focus on this. I was not disappointed and I don't think you will be either. Not to rush her but when is book 2?
October 21, 2022
(4.5 rounded up)
Wow, this was so much better than I expected it to be! This book delivered on everything.
We have found family, bad ass gods, a ruthless female assassin, riveting plot, and Black characters galore!
I love how C.M. Lockhart seamlessly tied the lore of the world and the gods into the overall story without making the book feel bogged down.
There was never a dull moment in this book and I will be first in line when Book 2 releases.
Wow, this was so much better than I expected it to be! This book delivered on everything.
We have found family, bad ass gods, a ruthless female assassin, riveting plot, and Black characters galore!
I love how C.M. Lockhart seamlessly tied the lore of the world and the gods into the overall story without making the book feel bogged down.
There was never a dull moment in this book and I will be first in line when Book 2 releases.
August 10, 2022
Fantasy, Gods, Incarnation & Assassins what's not to like? The world building is extensive but not too confusing to understand. The world built around these characters and the dynamic given to us as readers is something I'd call authentic and probably the most creative I've seen in a while. I was not disappointed at all with this book and I'm excited to see where we go next.
August 15, 2023
C.M. Lockhart's "We Are the Origin" is an amazing exploration of resilience, difficult choices, and the pursuit of purpose in a world shaped by the gods. With colloquial charm, Lockhart beckons readers into a fusion of science fiction and fantasy. While the informal tone may resonate predominantly with fans of young adult fiction, it adds a layer of accessibility that engages readers across diverse tastes.
Set against a backdrop of queendom politics and enigmatic gods, Brandi emerges as a product of her circumstances—a weapon forged in the crucible of duty and death. Forced into a life of servitude, her destiny takes an unforeseen turn when Freya, the goddess of life, redirects her path. From an agent of destruction, she transforms into a guardian of hope, thrust into a realm of uncharted responsibilities and unforeseen adversaries.
Lockhart crafts a narrative that unfolds with deliberate precision, inviting readers to journey alongside Brandi as she navigates the labyrinthine complexities of her world. Within this rich tapestry, the interplay between gods and mortals injects an air of mystique and wonder, fueling the inexorable momentum of the plot. While Brandi's transformation echoes the book's profound message of resilience and destiny, all of the characters mirror the theme of making the best of difficult lives. While the novel boasts a cast as diverse as its world, some characters may feel overshadowed, struggling to find their unique place within the narrative's complexity.
One can't help but commend the author for diversifying the literary landscape with an indie offering that resonates so strongly. The introduction of BIPOC perspective breathes new life into a genre that often craves fresh voices. A strong debut and I can't wait to read more.
Set against a backdrop of queendom politics and enigmatic gods, Brandi emerges as a product of her circumstances—a weapon forged in the crucible of duty and death. Forced into a life of servitude, her destiny takes an unforeseen turn when Freya, the goddess of life, redirects her path. From an agent of destruction, she transforms into a guardian of hope, thrust into a realm of uncharted responsibilities and unforeseen adversaries.
Lockhart crafts a narrative that unfolds with deliberate precision, inviting readers to journey alongside Brandi as she navigates the labyrinthine complexities of her world. Within this rich tapestry, the interplay between gods and mortals injects an air of mystique and wonder, fueling the inexorable momentum of the plot. While Brandi's transformation echoes the book's profound message of resilience and destiny, all of the characters mirror the theme of making the best of difficult lives. While the novel boasts a cast as diverse as its world, some characters may feel overshadowed, struggling to find their unique place within the narrative's complexity.
One can't help but commend the author for diversifying the literary landscape with an indie offering that resonates so strongly. The introduction of BIPOC perspective breathes new life into a genre that often craves fresh voices. A strong debut and I can't wait to read more.
August 26, 2022
It's time for a book review 🤍
𝐖𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧 | 𝐂. 𝐌. 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★★★★
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞:🌶
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝗡𝗔 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘆
⇘ 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ⇙
💚 Where do I even start? This easily made it to my top fave reads of the year. I absolutely loved everything about it! I couldn't put this book down.. IT WAS THAT GOOD! And this book got me out of my reading slump
💚 We enter into a world where the Goddess of Freya and her lovers who are also Gods have a realm where they watch over their children who are mortals. We meet Brandi, our baddass MC, who is the incarnate of Freya. And when I tell you, I loved everything about Brandi? I related so much to her, and I loved how fearless she was.
💚 The world building was great, the author did well and it was easy to understand how the world is, and learning about the different domains that belonged to a certain God. It was really interesting, and I loved how if you were from a certain domain you have certain physical traits.
💚 I loved the characters introduced, they had traits that I wasnt fond of but also traits I loved which too me, makes them all pretty much great well rounded characters. They all brought something to the table, I think it was interesting that at a certain point we got a little bit of Sarah's point of view and her thoughts. I believe it was the same with Jack when he was saving Brandi and took her to Sarah in the beginning chapters of the book. I also enjoyed even learning how Noble met Brandi and how he became a vessel.
💚 This is an amazing story, if you love anything mythology and learning about the Goddess Freya, pick up this book! I love how diverse this book is as well (our mc is a woc and pretty much everyone else is a poc as well). I cannot wait to read the second book. I am OBSESSED!
Follow my ig @/tashamoonreads
𝐖𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧 | 𝐂. 𝐌. 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★★★★
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞:🌶
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝗡𝗔 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘆
⇘ 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ⇙
💚 Where do I even start? This easily made it to my top fave reads of the year. I absolutely loved everything about it! I couldn't put this book down.. IT WAS THAT GOOD! And this book got me out of my reading slump
💚 We enter into a world where the Goddess of Freya and her lovers who are also Gods have a realm where they watch over their children who are mortals. We meet Brandi, our baddass MC, who is the incarnate of Freya. And when I tell you, I loved everything about Brandi? I related so much to her, and I loved how fearless she was.
💚 The world building was great, the author did well and it was easy to understand how the world is, and learning about the different domains that belonged to a certain God. It was really interesting, and I loved how if you were from a certain domain you have certain physical traits.
💚 I loved the characters introduced, they had traits that I wasnt fond of but also traits I loved which too me, makes them all pretty much great well rounded characters. They all brought something to the table, I think it was interesting that at a certain point we got a little bit of Sarah's point of view and her thoughts. I believe it was the same with Jack when he was saving Brandi and took her to Sarah in the beginning chapters of the book. I also enjoyed even learning how Noble met Brandi and how he became a vessel.
💚 This is an amazing story, if you love anything mythology and learning about the Goddess Freya, pick up this book! I love how diverse this book is as well (our mc is a woc and pretty much everyone else is a poc as well). I cannot wait to read the second book. I am OBSESSED!
Follow my ig @/tashamoonreads
August 9, 2022
There are very few books that I want to reread immediately after the first read. Before reading this book, that list had only three books on it and now, there are four.
I absolutely love this book.
From the world building, to the characters, the gods, the twists, and the relationships, this book was everything. I am looking forward to book 2, and seeing the characters grow. The last sentence...*chef's kiss*. Perfect wrap up and cliffhanger.
This book is a must read.
I absolutely love this book.
From the world building, to the characters, the gods, the twists, and the relationships, this book was everything. I am looking forward to book 2, and seeing the characters grow. The last sentence...*chef's kiss*. Perfect wrap up and cliffhanger.
This book is a must read.
March 3, 2023
It’s more of 4.25. I was so interested in the world and the way the author reveal parts was so NICEEEE. It was very digestible. I respect Brandi and I’m afraid of her. The moments between she and Jack were just so relaxing. Sarah 😭😭😭😭 I was going through it with her. She is just learning more about the world and doing what she can. I just connected with her the most and I can’t wait to see her growth. They stressing her and she just wanted some peace in her life and someone to want her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2022
I stepped out of my box and purchased the book. I was NOT disappointed. The characters, flow of the book and story line engaged me from the beginning. To have a fantasy written with POC as the main characters and focused with a purpose was phenomenal. I was hooked by chapter 2. Would strongly recommend for people of all ages (I'm 58).
Waiting on the sequel!!
Waiting on the sequel!!
August 7, 2022
I read this book in a day, not because it’s short but because I couldn’t leave the world that C.M Lockhart built around Brandi and her friends. This story of the gods, their vessels and the battle ahead is the most original and authentic that I’ve read in a while. As soon as I read the last word I looked for the next book. It’s not published yet but when it is I’m there.
September 11, 2023
DNF (Did Not Finish)
I’m sorry I just couldn’t get into it. I love me a good fantasy read & it’s rare that I DNF books because I’m the type of person where if I start it, I HAVE to finish it but I just couldn’t.
I’m sorry I just couldn’t get into it. I love me a good fantasy read & it’s rare that I DNF books because I’m the type of person where if I start it, I HAVE to finish it but I just couldn’t.
June 14, 2023
It was okay — I was waiting for something to happen, and of course it wasn’t till the last few chapters, hoping the next book is better
October 13, 2023
Allow me to introduce you to the first book in the Wrath of the Gods series. I saw one video on this book earlier in the year, and I knew I wanted to see what it was all about. It did NOT disappoint. It’s phenomenal!!! Every time I would find out more about this world that the author has created, I would just say to myself, “This world building is insanely good.” It’s so well done. I felt like every twist, surprise, and revelation was revealed at just the right time to really allow the story to come to fruition and keep me on my toes.
After I finished, I purchased the 2nd book of the series after realizing it was already out! I cannot wait to find out what happens to Brandi and everyone else. Brandi is so badass and mean, and absolutely no one can make her soft… except Jack 🫶🏻 I love them, your honor! They slowly form a group of trained assassins to figure out how to deal with the enemy that the gods have been waiting for. AHHH. It’s so good. Please read it immediately!!!!!?!!!! I was able to listen to the audiobook on Hoopla, which was SO GOOD. I’ll be reading the 2nd book in the next few weeks on my kindle.
Okay, here I am - a voice in the void telling you that if you like fantasy with technology and gods and secrets and vessels and shadows and assassins and more… read this book! I cannot wait to continue the series.
@clockhartwrite - you created a complex and diverse world that I am now obsessed with! All of the applause today goes to you. 💚🫶🏻
CW: death, violence, injury/injury detail
After I finished, I purchased the 2nd book of the series after realizing it was already out! I cannot wait to find out what happens to Brandi and everyone else. Brandi is so badass and mean, and absolutely no one can make her soft… except Jack 🫶🏻 I love them, your honor! They slowly form a group of trained assassins to figure out how to deal with the enemy that the gods have been waiting for. AHHH. It’s so good. Please read it immediately!!!!!?!!!! I was able to listen to the audiobook on Hoopla, which was SO GOOD. I’ll be reading the 2nd book in the next few weeks on my kindle.
Okay, here I am - a voice in the void telling you that if you like fantasy with technology and gods and secrets and vessels and shadows and assassins and more… read this book! I cannot wait to continue the series.
@clockhartwrite - you created a complex and diverse world that I am now obsessed with! All of the applause today goes to you. 💚🫶🏻
CW: death, violence, injury/injury detail
September 13, 2023
The last like 20-ish percent of the book really kicked things into overdrive for me & I’m left with a lot of questions that needs answers but in a good way.
But overall this was a nice easy to follow story, can’t say that I care too much for any of the characters - I like them enough to want to know how this ends.
I really enjoyed the world building & it being a matriarchal society and actually showing it, in both the queendom, the head of the shadows, most of the shadows being women & having equal opportunity for advancement when applicable.
I personally didn’t care for the gods & how they treated their children like dirt but then claimed to love Freya….it was an ongoing contradiction that had me side eyeing them, especially Asair (he annoyed me the most).
But most importantly I really loved how easy to follow this book was, it didn’t sound elementary but it had a flow to it like you were explaining a movie to a friend - I enjoyed that. Also enjoyed listening to it on audio, I think that helped added an extra flare.
I mean overall, just know that the vibes were immaculate for this story & I’m looking forward to book 2 (hopefully Sarah gets more of a backbone 😭😭😭)
But overall this was a nice easy to follow story, can’t say that I care too much for any of the characters - I like them enough to want to know how this ends.
I really enjoyed the world building & it being a matriarchal society and actually showing it, in both the queendom, the head of the shadows, most of the shadows being women & having equal opportunity for advancement when applicable.
I personally didn’t care for the gods & how they treated their children like dirt but then claimed to love Freya….it was an ongoing contradiction that had me side eyeing them, especially Asair (he annoyed me the most).
But most importantly I really loved how easy to follow this book was, it didn’t sound elementary but it had a flow to it like you were explaining a movie to a friend - I enjoyed that. Also enjoyed listening to it on audio, I think that helped added an extra flare.
I mean overall, just know that the vibes were immaculate for this story & I’m looking forward to book 2 (hopefully Sarah gets more of a backbone 😭😭😭)
January 13, 2024
I enjoyed the story but some things confused me at times with the amount of characters to keep up with. The worldbuilding was good and leaned on a more scientific approach but was not hard to follow. The action was good as well. The ending had me intrigued and I've got book two so I can continue with the series.
Read
July 29, 2022This book is for all age groups. I started reading and was not able to stop. Every spare moment I had, I was reading it. You will want to know what's coming next. I am the type of reader that will try to guess what is going to happen but I was unable to guess the ending. This is a must read.
May 30, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. I cannot wait for book 2 to release. I loved reading about Brandi & her “friends”. If you want a black fantasy that has main characters that are not nice but will burn the entire world to the ground over the people they love, this is the book for you.
March 10, 2023
I'm not sure I can wait for the next installment! I really enjoyed the blending of fantasy and scifi. I was nervous about the length of the book not keeping a tight plot but C.M. Lockhart has delivered. The characters are complicated with there being just enough movements in time to deepen the characters and keep you wanting to know more. The world is fascinating and feels dynamic. While there is violence, it didn't feel like the author was dwelling or reveling in it.
For anyone who may need trigger warnings like me: most of the scenes that could be hard to read are generally short and not too detailed with the exception to this as one of the characters is not a trained assasin who knows all the things and they are regularly and throughout the book are scoffed at and made to feel like they have very little to contribute and a burden, the book revolves around assasins so there is a lot of casual talk of "sending [someone] to the gods", violence is mostly quick but there are threats of torture, there are also scenes involving "blessings" that are described using fire/burn language, sex is mentioned but it's consensual and more euphemic than descriptive there is a character that is objectified by many characters in a sexual manner and that character rolls with it and hurts other characters because of it, there is kidnapping,
Ultimately it ends in a "to be continued" and is hopeful not "all is lost"
I very much enjoyed it and eagerly wait for anything else C.M. Lockhart might bring out next.
For anyone who may need trigger warnings like me: most of the scenes that could be hard to read are generally short and not too detailed with the exception to this as one of the characters is not a trained assasin who knows all the things and they are regularly and throughout the book are scoffed at and made to feel like they have very little to contribute and a burden, the book revolves around assasins so there is a lot of casual talk of "sending [someone] to the gods", violence is mostly quick but there are threats of torture, there are also scenes involving "blessings" that are described using fire/burn language, sex is mentioned but it's consensual and more euphemic than descriptive there is a character that is objectified by many characters in a sexual manner and that character rolls with it and hurts other characters because of it, there is kidnapping,
Ultimately it ends in a "to be continued" and is hopeful not "all is lost"
I very much enjoyed it and eagerly wait for anything else C.M. Lockhart might bring out next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2023
I have read this book twice this year. I read it for the first time in back in February and it was my favorite book that month. Then I read it again July (this time via audiobook) and it was just as fantastic as the first time. The Narrator, Aure Nash, does an incredible job narrating this book.
This book follows Brandi who has been raised from when she was very young to be an assassin for the Queendom. She is basically the Queen’s blade and she is sent on missions to assassinate people who threaten the Queendom. When she’s sent on a mission to go and kill a lost, runaway princess, the gods give her another mission instead she must protect the princess. So now she must protect this princess from the people she called her family while also figuring out what the Gods have planned for her and this princess.
The world building, mythology and lore in this book is just phenomenal. I’m in awe of Chelsea(C. M. Lockhart)’s mind. She created such a wonderful world and characters. The characters are well rounded and thought out and flawed. You’ll love them, you’ll hate them and you’ll love to hate them. The Gods are also super interesting characters and I can’t wait to learn more about them. In fact I’d read a book just about the Gods and the creation of the realm because its amazing and I’m so fascinated by them.
This book ends on a cliffhanger though so I cannot wait for book 2!
This book follows Brandi who has been raised from when she was very young to be an assassin for the Queendom. She is basically the Queen’s blade and she is sent on missions to assassinate people who threaten the Queendom. When she’s sent on a mission to go and kill a lost, runaway princess, the gods give her another mission instead she must protect the princess. So now she must protect this princess from the people she called her family while also figuring out what the Gods have planned for her and this princess.
The world building, mythology and lore in this book is just phenomenal. I’m in awe of Chelsea(C. M. Lockhart)’s mind. She created such a wonderful world and characters. The characters are well rounded and thought out and flawed. You’ll love them, you’ll hate them and you’ll love to hate them. The Gods are also super interesting characters and I can’t wait to learn more about them. In fact I’d read a book just about the Gods and the creation of the realm because its amazing and I’m so fascinated by them.
This book ends on a cliffhanger though so I cannot wait for book 2!
October 31, 2024
If you enjoy defiant & hardcore main characters, complex relationships between mortals and gods, and unique world building & creation stories, then you should pick up We Are the Origin.
Brandi is a skilled assassin, serving her queendom and her goddess with a magical bow and an aim that never misses. She was raised to be a shadow and to NEVER question orders to send someone to the gods. Until her orders from the throne clash against her orders from the goddess of life, Freya.
Now she’s being asked to turn against the fellow assassins she views as family and tuck a (mostly incompetent) princess under her wing as she takes on her biggest enemy yet. One the gods themselves can’t even fight … and one who threatens the existence of her entire world.
Luckily, Brandi is up for the challenge.
If you like a female main character that never backs down, knows her power, swims around in moral murkiness, is kinda mean (complimentary), and kills those that cross her between blinks … you’re going to adore Brandi.
The supporting characters are each so different and so interesting. Jack’s journey from a scrappy boy who only trusted himself to becoming Brandi’s reliable partner was really sweet. The fellow shadows piqued my curiosity, though we didn’t get as much backstory on them. Sarah is the most frustrating one by far because she is fully flailing, but her group also needs to learn to treat her with compassion and throw her a bone every once in a while if she’s going to be part of the team.
I appreciated all the forms of love shown here. There’s polyamorous romantic love, there’s folks who have found their soulmate, there’s found family love, there’s worship love, and so much more. I thought the depth of love shown between Brandi and Jack was touching, and was curious about how all these venn diagrams of love between mortals and gods both challenged and supported each other.
I was less interested in the budding romance between Sarah and Noble, mostly because it felt a bit more shallow and silly compared to the stakes of everything else. (Also I don’t really like romance plotlines, so it’s for sure personal as well.) My other biggest stumble was that the language was clunky at times. The sentences didn’t always flow, and sometimes tenses (or other things) would make me have to reread a paragraph a couple of times.
There is a lot of set up here for the rest of the series (also just making sure everyone knows that this IS a series because it isn’t quite clear from the description), and I’m hungry for more. We collect our group of protagonists throughout the course of the book and every one of them has major growth to do. They all have super different personal journeys in store and I can’t wait.
This story was fresh, vibrant, and compelling.
CW: death (parent), murder, injury, violence, blood, grief, suicide, torture, toxic relationship
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(I received a free copy of this book; this is my honest review.)
Brandi is a skilled assassin, serving her queendom and her goddess with a magical bow and an aim that never misses. She was raised to be a shadow and to NEVER question orders to send someone to the gods. Until her orders from the throne clash against her orders from the goddess of life, Freya.
Now she’s being asked to turn against the fellow assassins she views as family and tuck a (mostly incompetent) princess under her wing as she takes on her biggest enemy yet. One the gods themselves can’t even fight … and one who threatens the existence of her entire world.
Luckily, Brandi is up for the challenge.
If you like a female main character that never backs down, knows her power, swims around in moral murkiness, is kinda mean (complimentary), and kills those that cross her between blinks … you’re going to adore Brandi.
The supporting characters are each so different and so interesting. Jack’s journey from a scrappy boy who only trusted himself to becoming Brandi’s reliable partner was really sweet. The fellow shadows piqued my curiosity, though we didn’t get as much backstory on them. Sarah is the most frustrating one by far because she is fully flailing, but her group also needs to learn to treat her with compassion and throw her a bone every once in a while if she’s going to be part of the team.
I appreciated all the forms of love shown here. There’s polyamorous romantic love, there’s folks who have found their soulmate, there’s found family love, there’s worship love, and so much more. I thought the depth of love shown between Brandi and Jack was touching, and was curious about how all these venn diagrams of love between mortals and gods both challenged and supported each other.
I was less interested in the budding romance between Sarah and Noble, mostly because it felt a bit more shallow and silly compared to the stakes of everything else. (Also I don’t really like romance plotlines, so it’s for sure personal as well.) My other biggest stumble was that the language was clunky at times. The sentences didn’t always flow, and sometimes tenses (or other things) would make me have to reread a paragraph a couple of times.
There is a lot of set up here for the rest of the series (also just making sure everyone knows that this IS a series because it isn’t quite clear from the description), and I’m hungry for more. We collect our group of protagonists throughout the course of the book and every one of them has major growth to do. They all have super different personal journeys in store and I can’t wait.
This story was fresh, vibrant, and compelling.
CW: death (parent), murder, injury, violence, blood, grief, suicide, torture, toxic relationship
Follow me on social media for book recommendations!
(I received a free copy of this book; this is my honest review.)
October 26, 2022
Content: violence, murder
When the sword has wrath by its side, there’s no stopping her.
We Are the Origin by C. M. Lockhart is the first in the Wrath of the Gods Series and was an intense and in your face bombass story! Brandi, the sword of the Gods, was nothing more than a killer. All she knew was fulfilling her purpose, which was to kill whoever she was told, with no question. Until, one day, she was told by another God, Freya, to protect the one person she’s supposed to kill. Can she fulfill her purpose, create a new one or perish in the process?
I was hooked from the start! The prologue was so juicy with a combination of chaos, a story within a story, and a cool way to introduce a lot of exposition. It felt like it could easily become a movie or show. I got so excited to find out what happened next and ended up reading the whole thing way faster than expected. It just kept getting better and better.
I loved that it was not a typical heroine with that run of the mill niceness. We got to see a blatant character being as vicious as she was meant to be. So cool! It is refreshing to see these types of characters from time to time and still be able to root for them and their journeys. Thank you for bringing Brandi into our world! I highly recommend you experience the wrath of Brandi and dive into her world.
The only thing I didn’t enjoy was that it was over so soon! I can’t wait for the next novel to come out! The “to be continued” hit me hard!
If you love a powerful, savagely hardcore heroine of color, with a mix of Gods and an awesome fantasy adventure, then this is for you! Expect the unexpected.
Other books by C.M. Lockhart: Keeping Promises
*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of We Are the Origin from C. M. Lockhart via Cocoa Chapters
When the sword has wrath by its side, there’s no stopping her.
We Are the Origin by C. M. Lockhart is the first in the Wrath of the Gods Series and was an intense and in your face bombass story! Brandi, the sword of the Gods, was nothing more than a killer. All she knew was fulfilling her purpose, which was to kill whoever she was told, with no question. Until, one day, she was told by another God, Freya, to protect the one person she’s supposed to kill. Can she fulfill her purpose, create a new one or perish in the process?
I was hooked from the start! The prologue was so juicy with a combination of chaos, a story within a story, and a cool way to introduce a lot of exposition. It felt like it could easily become a movie or show. I got so excited to find out what happened next and ended up reading the whole thing way faster than expected. It just kept getting better and better.
I loved that it was not a typical heroine with that run of the mill niceness. We got to see a blatant character being as vicious as she was meant to be. So cool! It is refreshing to see these types of characters from time to time and still be able to root for them and their journeys. Thank you for bringing Brandi into our world! I highly recommend you experience the wrath of Brandi and dive into her world.
The only thing I didn’t enjoy was that it was over so soon! I can’t wait for the next novel to come out! The “to be continued” hit me hard!
If you love a powerful, savagely hardcore heroine of color, with a mix of Gods and an awesome fantasy adventure, then this is for you! Expect the unexpected.
Other books by C.M. Lockhart: Keeping Promises
*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of We Are the Origin from C. M. Lockhart via Cocoa Chapters
July 30, 2023
Chelsea!!!!!! You did not have to write this amazing book ,BUT I am beyond grateful that you did .
This book has amazing characters, world building, and originality that I’m truly upset that I didn’t discover this book sooner.
This story follows FMC Brandi whose soul is that of the goddess of the realm, Freya. Brandi was apart of an elite group of mercenaries, who would send people to the gods (unalive) under the order of the Queen . One day Brandi decides she no longer wants to be a mersonaryu of the queen due to an order she felt she couldn’t follow through with. When Brandi makes this decision she has to go into hiding as she will be hunted by her once friends , fellow mersonaries . Also the goddess.whose soul resides inside of Brandi lets her know that she is to find the one who controls time in order to help save the realm.
This story is so well written. It had me seeing it as if it was a movie with a soundtrack. I loved the way the story developed and gave us details on everything . No stone was left unturned when it came to what was happening and why. Chelsea did a wonderful job at showing us that black girls are strong and never too weak to fight back. Especially when you have the power of a Goddess inside of you :). Brandi is one bad ass fighter and will stop at nothing to protect her love and keep her promises. I’m so excited for book 2 and I urge anyone who reads fantasy to try this book out. It’s not only beautiful but it’s absolutely amazing. One of my most favorite books of the year .
Chelsea well done .
This book has amazing characters, world building, and originality that I’m truly upset that I didn’t discover this book sooner.
This story follows FMC Brandi whose soul is that of the goddess of the realm, Freya. Brandi was apart of an elite group of mercenaries, who would send people to the gods (unalive) under the order of the Queen . One day Brandi decides she no longer wants to be a mersonaryu of the queen due to an order she felt she couldn’t follow through with. When Brandi makes this decision she has to go into hiding as she will be hunted by her once friends , fellow mersonaries . Also the goddess.whose soul resides inside of Brandi lets her know that she is to find the one who controls time in order to help save the realm.
This story is so well written. It had me seeing it as if it was a movie with a soundtrack. I loved the way the story developed and gave us details on everything . No stone was left unturned when it came to what was happening and why. Chelsea did a wonderful job at showing us that black girls are strong and never too weak to fight back. Especially when you have the power of a Goddess inside of you :). Brandi is one bad ass fighter and will stop at nothing to protect her love and keep her promises. I’m so excited for book 2 and I urge anyone who reads fantasy to try this book out. It’s not only beautiful but it’s absolutely amazing. One of my most favorite books of the year .
Chelsea well done .
July 24, 2022
First of all, I want to say thank God for the BookTok community on TikTok, because I would have never discovered this amazing author. C.M Lockhart blessed us, readers, with some new Magical Girls that happen to be Black! (We need more BMGs.)
C.M Lockhart was able to write a book that readers could easily follow and stay engaged with. I appreciated how whenever she decided to go back in time she had a header, so there was no confusion on where the story was taking place. The world-building and character development were phenomenal. She also wasn't overly descriptive which I loved, because it gives readers a chance to build on the characters and scenery with their own imagination.
Not to mention, this book contains love-making scenes that are tasteful. She lets readers know what's going down or about to go down, but not too much. This book by no means is a romance/erotica. It's a true YA fantasy with action. I cannot wait for the sequel.
P.S- "She is the wrath of the gods," is stuck in my head. Lol, Brandi played no games. She is fierce and tough as nails. She has a soft side around Jack though. (winks)
C.M Lockhart was able to write a book that readers could easily follow and stay engaged with. I appreciated how whenever she decided to go back in time she had a header, so there was no confusion on where the story was taking place. The world-building and character development were phenomenal. She also wasn't overly descriptive which I loved, because it gives readers a chance to build on the characters and scenery with their own imagination.
Not to mention, this book contains love-making scenes that are tasteful. She lets readers know what's going down or about to go down, but not too much. This book by no means is a romance/erotica. It's a true YA fantasy with action. I cannot wait for the sequel.
P.S- "She is the wrath of the gods," is stuck in my head. Lol, Brandi played no games. She is fierce and tough as nails. She has a soft side around Jack though. (winks)
September 13, 2022
Brandi is a shadow assassin of the realm’s Queen and also the reincarnation of the goddess Freya. When an assigned hit goes against the goddess’ wishes, Brandi defects from the shadow organization and old friends and foes alike follow close behind.
I really loved the world building in this book. It was very unique and interesting. The realm is ruled by a matriarchy modeled after the pantheon of their gods. The relationship between the gods and how they interact with the mortal realm reminded me a lot of N. K. Jemisin’s A Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. Each god has a specific realm that they rule over and would often grant blessings (magic) to those that live within their realm. In addition, a person’s characteristics are dependent on which god realm they are born in.
My biggest critique is that the pacing is really slow and most of the book is a set up for a larger conflict coming in the rest of the series between the gods, their vessels, and a rogue time god.
I really loved the world building in this book. It was very unique and interesting. The realm is ruled by a matriarchy modeled after the pantheon of their gods. The relationship between the gods and how they interact with the mortal realm reminded me a lot of N. K. Jemisin’s A Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. Each god has a specific realm that they rule over and would often grant blessings (magic) to those that live within their realm. In addition, a person’s characteristics are dependent on which god realm they are born in.
My biggest critique is that the pacing is really slow and most of the book is a set up for a larger conflict coming in the rest of the series between the gods, their vessels, and a rogue time god.
October 8, 2022
A FANTASTIC BOOK WITH A WICKED CLIFFHANGER!!!
We Are the Origin does a great job at combing all the things I enjoy seeing in media, black women, deception, assassins, and magic. When I first read the synopsis I thought oh wow this sounds great but I was heavily relying on the primarily black cast as my main factor for reading BUT BOY LET ME TELL YOU I LOVED EVERY SINGLE LINE OF THIS BOOK HERE!
I found myself obsessed with all characters, mortals and gods alike. I just couldn’t put the book down for a single moment. It was one of the few books that I am going crazy waiting for the sequel (I literally gasped at the end). C. M. Lockhart knows how to write a great book and I promise you won’t regret reading this one. I can’t wait for the sequel to see just how Brandi can manage saving the realm she calls home after all she is the wrath of the gods…
We Are the Origin does a great job at combing all the things I enjoy seeing in media, black women, deception, assassins, and magic. When I first read the synopsis I thought oh wow this sounds great but I was heavily relying on the primarily black cast as my main factor for reading BUT BOY LET ME TELL YOU I LOVED EVERY SINGLE LINE OF THIS BOOK HERE!
I found myself obsessed with all characters, mortals and gods alike. I just couldn’t put the book down for a single moment. It was one of the few books that I am going crazy waiting for the sequel (I literally gasped at the end). C. M. Lockhart knows how to write a great book and I promise you won’t regret reading this one. I can’t wait for the sequel to see just how Brandi can manage saving the realm she calls home after all she is the wrath of the gods…
January 23, 2024
Useless white women make me ick. Shout out to my girl Brandi, the baddest to ever do it, for roughing it with that woman for so long 🫡
I liked the magic system of this book and how Brandi was unapologetically fierce and calculating throughout the book. Jack loves her down and has from the beginning. Having them be in a committed relationship from the beginning was a nice change from a lot of books I read where the couple is budding. The 3rd person omniscient pov had my head spinning sometimes. That is not my preferred pov, so it was hard to read in that regard. That paired with every time I was put in Sarah's head made me itch. I think the point of view also made it so we only see pieces of Jack and Brandi's dynamic and mostly only from the outside. Made them seem unattainable as a couple. Other than that, I think this was a strong debut.
I liked the magic system of this book and how Brandi was unapologetically fierce and calculating throughout the book. Jack loves her down and has from the beginning. Having them be in a committed relationship from the beginning was a nice change from a lot of books I read where the couple is budding. The 3rd person omniscient pov had my head spinning sometimes. That is not my preferred pov, so it was hard to read in that regard. That paired with every time I was put in Sarah's head made me itch. I think the point of view also made it so we only see pieces of Jack and Brandi's dynamic and mostly only from the outside. Made them seem unattainable as a couple. Other than that, I think this was a strong debut.
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