****Copy received for an honest review via Netgalley. Alienated releases February 4th 2014.****
Alienated (Alienated, book 1) by Melissa Landers
Genre: Sci/Fi Young Adult
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Alienated
Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.
Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.
Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.
But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.
Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.
Review:
Upon finishing Alienated I stared into it's pages (OK, ebook page), said thank you, and gave it a big hug! Finally a book had delivered on the alien/human romance my heart had been yearning for! Too long had the YA alien romance titles felt hollow. Genre catering and practically fan pandering the story out. Which was an amazing feat because going into Alienated I was there for the pretty cover, and maybe the off chance that I'd find something interesting.
Readers are introduced to Cara as she finds out that she's been picked as part of the a program called LEAP: the L'eihr Exchange Ambassador Program. America, France, and China are taking part as a way to see if an alliance can be made. The authenticity of it really made me one happy bookworm! Landers was creating a legit world and the romance had something solid to start off on. Sure Cara accidentally mooning Aelyx—her L'eihr exchange student—was really silly. It's funny the thing that really pulled me into the book was that Cara called her journalistic alien blog Alienated: May the Source Be With You. Then the way she wrote her entries. I love clever humor. From then on I felt like Landers whole book was one fun and clever creation. The romance was done beautifully and I felt—experienced—it with Cara every step of the way.
Alienated is not a fluff piece. It might be mainly marketed, and is, a romance title for young adults. It touches on many important issues. Such as xenophobia. Showing how a small group can let their fears move them into becoming a terrorist group. More so is that by Cara and her family are ostracized, threatened by the very people they've helped, and even lose there friends. It's a chilling example how we as humans can be completely gripped my fear and lose their rational minds. Even better is the point of view from Aelyx that shares how his world seems perfect to him and more advanced, but might not be any better. He's even there to toss a wrench in the plan of uniting the two worlds . . . which I won't give anymore away on. There's more to this then the first book goes into. Aelyx's home planet needs the humans on earth, something is up with there genetic altercations and cloning. And now the Earth needs them. With a taste of the cure for cancer and a few other bits that lead to Earth's entire ecosystem being threatened. The alliance has never been more vital.
Another plus for me is not only how fully realized Landers' world is, but her characters. It was a relief that Cara didn't just look as Aelyx and go “He's so freaking gorgeous, I'm in love.” Even more was Aelyx experiences tapping into his emotions. Especially the research done on both sides for alien and human “mating.” Despite both characters realizing how much they love each other they still have to overcome obstacles and fight for trust—and each other. Cara's family is amazing and I'm so thankful that a loving family is represented in Alienated. What's more powerful is that a character, readers never truly get to meet, had such an impact on the story that when certain events unfolded I was moved to a misty eyed state.
There is soooooooo much more to be revealed in what's really happening on L'eihr. (Personally I think there is some shady business going on behind this seemingly peaceful and perfect race.) The development of not only the alliance and the romance already has me impatiently awaiting the next book! 2015 can't come fast enough! It's wonderful to have a romance that feels so authentic and makes me feel all happy giddy! Sometimes it's nice to be able to fan girl out! Even better is a romance taking place in a fully developed world. One that I hunger for more of! Can’t wait to see how Cara will represent the human race and show the L'eihrs that even with the negative side of humanity, comes the beautiful.
Sexual Content: Sexual humor, talk about sex, making out, and some slightly slanderous talk about girls.
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.
| Previous book(s) in series: | ||
| Reviewed on BW: | Amazon: | Goodreads: |
| Alienated (1) Invaded (2) | Alienated (1) | Alienated (1) Invaded (2) |
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