Alienated by Melissa Landers - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Disney-Hyperion on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads 

Title: Alienated
Author: Melissa Landers
Year Published: 2014

My Pre-Reading

Synopsis: 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: Alienated is a lighthearted alien story of two star crossed lovers. The science-fiction is very light, but there is enough explanation for the sci-fi elements. The characters aren't in the science community or government, so the knowledge of the aliens makes sense to the story. The romance is a central part of the story. 

This was a really fun story. Before reading I thought it sounded like a Disney Channel original movie, and after reading it I could definitely see it as such. Or even a tv show on the CW or ABC Family. 

I look forward to reading the sequel. I give this novel a 4/5.


--PAUL