Honestly, I'm very conflicted to rate this one. I'm a House Andrews (HA) fans and have been for many years. But, true to HA's words on their web, Alphas: Origin is their most controversial novellas to date. It's also the darkest, grim and deal with questionable moral values. I want to give just 3 stars, but I enjoy this much compared to my previous title that I only rate 3 stars. Dammit, this is why I really want half-star rating!

Written first in 2011, for Angels of Darkness anthology (my copy still borrowed by friend, and she apparently forget to give it back), the novella were republish in a separated novella in 2016. I would said the beginning is pretty confusing, and the length of the story as novella also didn't help either. For a starter of a series, it left many unsolved thread and questions. But, the dark tone also make me understand why HA didn't plan to continue this one and I have a hutch that this novella need a really BIG overhaul. It's like HA write this novella to match the theme of Angels of Darkness. There must be an angel or angel-like appearance but the story tone must be dark. This is, imho, darker that their usual books, but I'm not finish Kate Daniels series yet and don't read Hugh book yet, so I'm not sure. 

The genre for this novella rather than urban fantasy, deal more in science fiction. There is interesting concept that connected with DNA, a concept that I'm familiar with in Hidden Legacy. There is Houses, pretty much like Hidden Legacy, and the whole of colonization, universe and multiverse whatchamalit remind me of Innkeeper Chronicles. The concept behind the Alphas is pretty interesting with all the member of the House of Daryon have interesting designation with their skill tied up to that design and they also have special term for that skill, like Demons (more like shapesifter), Wither, Mind Bender, Ripper, and etc. The only difference with another HA's novels is the heroine, Karina Tucker, is an ordinary woman with a child. I don't usually like children characters in adult novel, but I liked that Emily, Karina's daughter is far from spoiled brat. Karina is a widow, and the reason why she choose to live with the stranger that kidnapped her is to spare her children's fate from being killed and alone in the world. As for main love interest (?), Lucas, he feels like Curran, or maybe Rogan, but more alpha and broken in some ways. There are another characters like Daniel, Henry and the enigmatic Arthur as part of House Daryon that also Lucas's House. From all the characters, I like Henry the most because he remind me of Kaldar Mar. 

If I can summary my thought of this novella, is like this novella is far from finished. The idea that toyed with kidnapping and stockholm syndrome is sketchy at best. Lucas is shown interested to Karina in sexual way in the most darkest tone. He amused to himself that if he touch Karina, for him it's flirting, but for Karina (and reader too, I supposed), his action can be considered as rape. Karina herself cooperate to Lucas because she have no choice and constantly said that her freedom are taken from her, since she's a donor that can produce substance that will help Lucas. I did think that this "kidnapping then end up fall in love" trope was executed best in Nevada's novel, Burn For Me, but that's because there is a room for improve. Alphas: Origin didn't have that luxuries, therefore I said that if HA want to continue this one, it's need overhaul. The beginning that feel confusing also just explained in the end, and when Karina finally stand up to herself and prove that she is far from ordinary, is also happen in the last chapter. 

True to HA's style, there's no HEA. I think it's not HFN either, and I'm not thoroughly sold for Karina and Lucas become together just because of their close proximity and maybe, just maybe, Karina indeed get a stockholm syndrome, lel. The action also happen late, and so many things left unsolved. So,yeah, while I want to know more about the world of the Alphas and their enemy, the Ordinator, I can accept why HA didn't want to write more or maybe wait for some years to overhaul the series. Beside, they already have plenty in their palate with Kate Daniels, Aurelia Ryder, Innkeeper Chronicle. Not forget to said, Arabella's books! (still waiting hahaha)