Alienated (Alienated #1) by Melissa Landers

Author: Melissa Landers
Publication: February 4, 2013
By: Disney-Hyperion
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5 Stars!

Interplanetary relations have never been more exciting! The first in a funny, romantic YA sci-fi series.

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.

This was SUCH A FUN book to read, so I thought I'd do something different my review. 

Soundtrack: The songs listed are ones that inspired me while I was on this intergalactic voyage of reading awesome.

For the record, I'd take a pinch on the neck from Mr. Aelyx any day. (If you don't get this Beastie Boys reference, then I can't help you.)  

Intergalactic - 2009 Digital Remaster

Starlight    

Fat Bottomed Girls

Only Human 

Goody Two Shoes   

Kiss Me  

Meant To Be  

What If  

Everything Has Changed

Out Of My League  

You Belong Here  

Glory And Gore

Character Casting: Here is what I imagine the two main characters look like...

Cara

 And this...

Aelyx aka "A-licks"

What I Loved: (Besides Aelyx? Just kidding.) It's rare that I find a book I'm unable to put down. Told from a dual POV, ALIENATED is the perfect blend of science fiction, creative world-building and witty humor. It also has a sizzling romance that is out of this world! (Pun completely intended. You're welcome.)

Cara and Aelyx, (aka "Cah-ra", and "A-licks") are both well developed and highly entertaining life forms. They start out as strangers and watching Aelyx adapt to life on Earth and the lengths that Cara goes to in order to make him feel welcome are as hilarious as they are heartwarming.

 "It's chocolate. You'll love it." 

"That's what you said about Skittles. I vomited a rainbow afterward." 
 
I also love that Cara has a blog! You know, for obvious reasons. :)

The romance was a slow build filled with lots of sweet and funny moments, and there was one scene in particular that made me do this...

Like any good space story, there are always people on both sides of the galaxy who are not quite ready to gather around the spacefire and sing kumbaya. Throw in a little interplanatary deception, a few fear mongers and it's a recipe for disaster. Cara and Aelyx find themselves not only in a fight for their love, but a fight for lives and her home planet too. I was on the edge of my seat with my heart in my throat right up to the very end and I CAN NOT wait to see what happens next!

What Left Me Wanting More: Is it 2015 yet? Because I NEED book two!

Final Verdict: A fantastic voyage you don't want to miss!

About the Author:

Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds. A proud sci-fi geek, she isn’t afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public—just ask her husband and three kids. She lives just outside Cincinnati and writes adult contemporary romance as Macy Beckett.

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