News

04
Sep

Breathless Reads – ORIGIN Contest

Hi! Today we’re celebrating the release of Jessica Khoury’s ORIGIN. I’m especially excited about this book because it’s the first of the fall Breathless Reads, and Penguin has generously donated a copy for a contest!

“I loved Origin’s action, romance, and mystery–and I couldn’t stop thinking about the questions it raised.” –Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of Across the Universe

An electrifying action-romance that’s as thoughtful as it is tragic.

Pia has grown up in a secret laboratory hidden deep in the Amazon rain forest. She was raised by a team of scientists who have created her to be the start of a new immortal race. But on the night of her seventeenth birthday, Pia discovers a hole in the electric fence that surrounds her sterile home–and sneaks outside the compound for the first time in her life.

Free in the jungle, Pia meets Eio, a boy from a nearby village. Together, they embark on a race against time to discover the truth about Pia’s origin–a truth with deadly consequences that will change their lives forever.

Origin is a beautifully told, shocking new way to look at an age-old desire: to live forever, no matter the cost.

Whoa, right? I got to read ORIGIN early, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I had to know what was going to happen! Despite her immortality, the dangers facing Pia felt very, very real. I loved the creeping sense of unease that built until I, like Pia, didn’t know who to trust. And despite her “perfection,” Pia is very human in her flaws – she’s been purposefully sheltered, and she’s terribly naive about the world outside her compound, and she’s not a little arrogant and stubborn. She feels so real, and she grows so much over the course of the story!

Now for the interview with Jess:

1. Describe your main character in 3 adjectives + a noun.

Pia is a lonely, stubborn, conflicted science experiment.

2. Describe your book in 3 adjectives + a noun.  

ORIGIN is an exotic, suspenseful, and steamy adventure!

3. Describe yourself in 3 adjectives + a noun. 

I am a sleepy, spontaneous, and swift ginger.

4. If you could travel to any 3 countries, what would they be? 

New Zealand, Brazil, and Kenya

5. If you could take any 3 non-writing-related classes, what would they be? 

Directing for Film & Stage, Graphic Design, and Manga 101

6. If you could have 3 alternate careers, what would they be? 

Hollywood casting director, orca trainer, and National Geographic photographer

7. What are 3 of your favorite flowers? 

Snapdragon, red rose, and orchid

8. What are 3 of your favorite foods? 

Dolma, maneesh, and green bean casserole

9. What are 3 of your favorite books?

INKHEART by Cornelia Funke, ENDER’S GAME by Orson Scott Card, and REDWALL by Brian Jacques

And now for the giveaway! This is my first time using Rafflecopter. I feel a little uncomfortable asking you all to “like” and “follow” me but I want to thank those of you who already do – and remember, you don’t HAVE to do any of it except commenting on this post to be entered! Contest is open until Sunday. US only this time, since Penguin is sending the finished copy.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

38 Responses

  1. Karis

    Wow! I love the ink heart series too!!! I can’t wait to read origin. I have never read a book that bears ANY similarity to origin or it’s concept. I’m excited to see how it all unfolds I already love pia!!!

  2. Honestly, the only reason I was initially excited about Origin was the cover, but then all these amazing reviews started popping up telling me it's one of the best books ever, so that convinced me!

  3. redheadedbookworm

    Sounds interesting. Seems it would have lots of action and intrigue. My fave things in a good book. Thanks for the giveaway!

  4. Leann

    I'm excited to read Origin because it sounds like an incredible story packed with things that I love (romance? mystery? action? I like those!). Plus, I read a sampler Penguin Teen posted a few months back and really enjoyed Pia's narration. I'm curious to know what happens in the story!

    Nice interview, and thank you for the giveaway! 🙂

  5. Kassandra Fuentes

    Just by watching the trailer and reading the synopsis makes me want to read this book. Everything is just awesome, especially the cover :)!

  6. Joanna W.

    I'm stoked to read Origin because I'm all for survival stories. This one, especially, because it takes place in the Amazon rain forest. How cool is that! I can only imagine where Jessica will take us as I've yet to experience or read a book set in a rain forest. That said, I'm ready to put my imagination to work! c:

  7. christeeny

    I love dystopian novels, and I love stories that center around survival and discovering the truth because I love the emotion and intensity that goes along with it. And having a great romance is always a plus! 🙂

  8. Heather K.

    I love YA paranormal and this book sounds like it has a very original twist to it. I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for the giveaway.:)

  9. Jaime H.

    I'm excited to read Origin because I started it on the Breathless Reads Sampler & it's so good. Plus, the trailer really intrigued me and I was told it's like Matched & Lost mixed together. Talk about awesome!

  10. Christina B

    Origin sounds like such an interesting book to read. With the added mystery, the metion of being raised by scientists because you are an immortal experiment sounds exciting and I cannot wait to read it!

    Thank you!

  11. alicia marie

    I'm excited to read it because everything I've heard about it has been amazing!! It's also something completely different. I mean it takes place in the Amazon! That alone is enough to grab my interest! Definitely have to read it : )

  12. Michelle L.

    I'd love to read Origin because of the mysterious premise and how the author uses lots of animals in her story. It sounds fun and original.

  13. I'm excited because…well. I saw the book trailer on hulu. And I just fell in love. It's been a really long time since I've been this excited for a book. It's just, I KNOW this is going to be an amazing read. One that I'm sure I'll remember forever. So, whether I win or not…I'll get my copy some day.

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