Origin Story is one of those reads that is so unique and well written that it becomes unlike anything you have ever read. While it covers extremely sensitive topics and comes with a lot of trigger warnings (see below) it is so painful in such a beautiful way because it forces you to face the hurt and pain head on. It may even bring up things within yourself that you didn't know were there.

The book is set in the late-1990s and is written in chapters, but is paired with document style writing, such as screen plays, email exchanges, etc. The unique format gives the reader a better picture of the main characters, Peter and Tai, and keeps you engaged. The book is written in parts and addresses trauma and sexuality in such sensitive terms. I found myself relating to Tai a lot, and as a social worker myself, I was saddened by the social workers in the novel and how they wanted Tai to repress his female self in order to be "adoptable" because they felt that it was just a trauma response.

Origin Story felt very transformative to me because I connected a lot with the issues of gender, and how if you've experienced trauma, others may "blame" your gender orientation on your trauma and not validate you as a person. Reiter included a plethora of resources at the end of the book if any of the topics discussed are sensitive to you, which I appreciated.

This book will also be especially great for people who have found solace in comic books, because that is a big focus of the story. As a passionate comic book reader myself, I enjoyed that aspect. Just make sure that you are prepared for the sensitive topics before going in.
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⚠️Trigger Warnings: child sexual abuse, repressed memories, self-harm and suicidality, intimate partner violence, dysphoria, misgendering and religious homophobia.