Review: Alienated by Melissa Landers

Title: Alienated (Alienated #1)
Author: 
Genre: Melissa Landers
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: February 4th 2014
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Summary: 

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

I remember enjoying Alienated a lot the first time I read it (which was like two weeks before I started blogging again)  and I knew I would have to reread it again before Invaded came out. I didn't think it was possible to fall anymore in love with Aelyx, I guess I was wrong on that thought though because I love him even more the second time around.

Cara Sweeney had the rest of high school planned out, but being part of the L'eihr exchange program was never part of that. Now for the next eight months, Aelyx will shadow almost everything she does. Though Cara accepted the this fact and moved on, how town can't. With constant protests and several threats her home is no longer safe anymore. Cara turns to finds comfort in the last place possible: Aelyx. 

Alientated is told from a dual point of view. I loved that we get to see the whole experience from Aelyx's eyes, he dreads having to go to Earth. He originally hates it. It is too bright. The taste of the food is too strong. There was nothing he liked. But slowly you get to see Aelyx begin to like Earth. (Maybe just a little bit. But its something!) Along with his appreciation of Earth Aelyx was slowly falling for Cara. The romance was done perfectly. It was slow and steady, not having that rushed feeling to it. Aelyx had those moments where he was like "I wander what it would be like to kiss her..." and then wonder why the hell that came from. Aelyx and Cara are incredibly adorable together though. 

Even though my love for Aelyx is strong, I liked Cara a lot as a character. Maybe because she is human? The moment I began to like her was when she was at the banquet hall and had to take off her spanx. Cara is such a strong character, she lost her boyfriend and best friend in the matter of weeks and was shunned by everyone in the town. But instead of taking the easy way out and pulling out of the exchange she pushed through it instead. As much as I loved Aelyx I didn't trust him through a good portion of the book. But his love for Cara... that was beautiful. 

Melissa's world building for L'eihr was amazing. Though the story doesn't take place on L'eihr it was described in a way of giving the reader the ability to easily picture it. I enjoyed learning about the culture, and scientific advancements that were made through out the years. I am excited to see more of L'eihr in Invaded.

Overall I really enjoyed Alienated. It was a quick read that is perfect for people who love intergalactic romances. Props for Melissa for not making the ending a cliff hanger, because though I only have to wait another few days until Invaded it would have been a long miserable two days. 

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