Monday, November 2, 2015

Alienated by Melissa Landers Review *NON-SPOILER*


Alienated by Melissa Landers is a young adult novel about aliens. Cara Sweeney is the perfect student; straight A's, class valedictorian, and up for many scholarships. When she is called to the principal's office for a big opportunity, there is a catch. She has to be an exchange student for the sister planet. Aelyx, the boy on the other side of this exchange project, arrives on Earth to be paired up with Cara's family. He ends up being one of the coldest people one could meet, but over time, Cara and Aelyx warm up to each other.
One of my favorite things about this book was that aliens were a known thing to everyone. Everyone knows that aliens exist, and when they come to Earth, no one is as surprised as in every other sci-fi alien book. Even though people know about them, doesn't mean they're exactly the friendliest. Humans are as mean to L'eihrs as they were to people of other races in the 1900s. I like this aspect of the book because in most books that have any other type of fantasy species, they are completely hidden from the world and when they are open to the public, we get a bunch of "OMGGGGG ALIENSSSS!!!1!!1!1!! THOSE EXIST????!!?!??!?11?" and it's annoying.
Now most people aren't a fan of this type of romance but I love the insta-hate but turns into love thing. I hate insta-love, but I love insta-hate. Weird, right? It's understandably really awkward between the two at first because, well, they are two different species. No one of either race really wants to be with the other in any relationship, much less live in one of their homes. So when Aelyx goes to Cara's home to live, one might not enjoy the style. Or maybe Cara's singing. But eventually, after Cara's many attempts to make nice and be friendly to this hot alien, he finally gives in and the two become friends! But things go wrong when a human and L'eihr that are friends go to school with anti-Leihr protests going on.
This was another aspect that I really appreciated, not because no one likes aliens, but because it was done so well. When they show up to school that first day, there were so many signs of protest that you feel almost as overwhelmed as the characters! With everyone against you, including your best friend and ex-boyfriend, you kind of have to become pretty close with each other...
Overall, Alienated by Melissa Landers was a spectacular read. It was fast-paced with the perfect speed for romance, and because it kept me up til five-am to finish it, earned itself  a five stars from me! Now before I go I would like to add that I read this book in May of this year, and every review I've tried to write for this book since then has sucked, so if I am off on anything I'm sorry and please let me know in the comments!