Book Review: ALIENATED by Melissa Landers

Let me be the first to tell you that I do judge a book by its cover. That judgment, in fact, has led me to more than a few AMAZING books. So, a few weeks ago when I was trolling the internet for a few good reads I came across this:

I mean WOW! I didn’t even bother to read the synopsis just said “yep” and put it on my library list. But then I did read the synopsis and I was even more excited!

Here’s what’s on the back of the book:

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

And I have to say “Take me to your L’eader!”

This book was amazing! I couldn’t put it down. I think it took me at most two days to read.

Cara was relatable and funny. I loved her choice of words like Craptastic and Sucktacular! She was none too fond of “rooming” with an alien for the rest of the year, but she grudgingly accepts the task. Hoping that sharing a house with the first L’eihr would boost her blog numbers and therefore open the door for her dream job as a journalist. She is a good friend (even when it hurts) and sticks by the people she believes in.

Aleyx starts off cool and detached. His very blunt attitude serves as strange comic relief and the “silent” arguments between him and his fellow L’eihrs is perfectly written. He is blindsided by the color and flavor of Earth and he wants nothing more than to forget this trip and go home. Sure, he’s a hotty but his emotional detachment is just one of the many things that separate humans from the L’eihrs. There’s also the food. Try as she might (and Cara does) it is very difficult to please Aleyx’s palette. 

As time passes Aleyx and Cara begin to understand each other and even like each other, but the anti-L’eihr movement moves into her school and town with a force. As Cara and Aleyx try to keep the peace they are met with violence, hatred and Xenophobia. 

The building romance between them was just the right amount of steamy and stand-off. I loved it!!

This is the first book in the planned series by Melissa Landers and I can’t wait for book 2!

If you haven’t read this yet I will quote Ferris Bueller:  “You’re still here? It’s over. Go..” Now go! Get your hands on a copy of the fun, inventive, amazing book!!