Review: Alienated by Melissa Landers

       Alienated by Melissa Landers

Date Published: February 4, 2014 
Format: ARC, 352 pages
Publisher: Disney Hyperion 
Source: Publisher
Series: Alienated, #1

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.



I remember that the reason I found this book was because someone recommended me this because I was looking for a book similar to The Lux Series. I was so excited to read about aliens again until I found out that this book wasn't even out yet but the publisher was nice enough to send me a copy.

My Review:

   This book was definitely not The Lux Series and I tried not to compare the two books but I did. This book was good and original but I found some things lacking.

   The writing was unique but could have been improved. In the beginning, I was really confused with the terms that the L'eihrs were using. I still don't actually. I wished that a mini dictionary for their terms in the beginning of the book would have been nice. What does sh'alear and sh'ellam? Weird words but they are aliens so I'll excuse it but I wished they had defined what it meant.

   The plot wasn't as good as I was expecting it to be. It was decent, not bad but I think it could have been better. There were times, where I found myself bored and skimming the page and I would get confused so I'd have to go back to re-read the last page. But it's not a bad book because I still want to read the second book. I guess it was just different from anything I've ever read.

   The characters were okay. I liked Cara because I can kind of relate to her. I love that she has a blog. She's a hardworking girl and she won't let anything get in the way of reaching her dreams, that's why she stuck to the exchange program even though she lost her best friend and her boyfriend. He boyfriend, Eric, was an asshole pressuring her to have sex. I didn't like him at all but I felt sorry for him at the end of the story. Her best friend, Tori, didn't seem like a good friend, especially after I found out who she hooked up with. Aelyx wasn't so bad but I wouldn't say that he made me swoon, which I love when book boys make me swoon a lot. It was funny how he had to adjust to the food on Earth. And I hated him when I found out what he was doing but I still like him.

   The love story. I found it strange how they right away just played a game of chess as if they were already friends. I was expecting a love and hate thing to go on. Then how they met with Cara changing . Awkward. I absolutely loved Aelyx's nickname for Cara. It was sweet what Cara did to stay with him but saddening. I don't know if I could have done the same as she did.

   I didn't like the ending. I didn't feel like it was a good cliffhanger. We all hate cliffhangers but it keeps us go crazy for the next book. I am still going to read the book but I think it could have been better ending.

   I loved the cover. I think it's beautiful and unique. At first I didn't pay attention to the top part because the bottom is what caught my attention but I realized how there are no colors like how Aelyx said his planet was. 

   I know I wrote more negative things about the book but I think it's still a good book and I want to give the second book a chance. This is just my opinion and I think it will appeal to other readers. So I would definitely it to those who've read The Lux Series.

3 Stars: I Liked It