- Pub. Date: February 4, 2014
- Publisher: Disney Hyperion
- Pages:352
- Series: Alienated #1
- Goodreads/Amazon/Book Depository
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.
First Line: " Winning Cara Sweeny had made it her business, and business was good. "
Review: I had really high expectations for this one with all the rave reviews I saw popping up everywhere BUT I'm going to be one of those buzz kills and say that hey I did like it but I just didn't see what all the hype was about. Also I really loved the cover until I started reading the book and realized that Aelyx's description in no way matches the guy that they used in the cover...just saying.
There is an intergalactic student exchange program which Cara has agreed to after a little bit of hesitation but after finding out they will pay for her way through college and what not she was all for hosting a L'eihr exchange student. Unfortunately she didn't realize the amount of hate and prejudices that would come her way because of her decision.
As far as the characters go I can't really say I fully connected with Cara or Aelyx but I did admire Cara for standing up for her beliefs and remaining so strong when everyone including the people who she thought were on her side turned their back on her and started to become hateful and even physically violent towards her Cara still stood strong and was ready to do the right thing no matter what. As for Aelyx his character seemed a little bland to me I need a little bit more personality from a character in order to connect and I just didn't feel he had any for majority of the book. Another issue I had was the romance between the two, it just didn't feel real I felt no chemistry whatsoever.
What I did like was the parts when Cara got Aelyx to talk about his planet and their way of life. I think the author did a wonderful job being detailed in that aspect and learning about where Aelyx came from is what kept me reading.I also liked how the parents were not non-existent and how they stood behind Cara even when the community they lived in started shunning them as well.
Overall I found it to be a light read with some heavy moments here and there but I feel like not much happened for majority of the book until the last twenty percent of the book and then there was the ending which felt totally rushed.
There is an intergalactic student exchange program which Cara has agreed to after a little bit of hesitation but after finding out they will pay for her way through college and what not she was all for hosting a L'eihr exchange student. Unfortunately she didn't realize the amount of hate and prejudices that would come her way because of her decision.
As far as the characters go I can't really say I fully connected with Cara or Aelyx but I did admire Cara for standing up for her beliefs and remaining so strong when everyone including the people who she thought were on her side turned their back on her and started to become hateful and even physically violent towards her Cara still stood strong and was ready to do the right thing no matter what. As for Aelyx his character seemed a little bland to me I need a little bit more personality from a character in order to connect and I just didn't feel he had any for majority of the book. Another issue I had was the romance between the two, it just didn't feel real I felt no chemistry whatsoever.
What I did like was the parts when Cara got Aelyx to talk about his planet and their way of life. I think the author did a wonderful job being detailed in that aspect and learning about where Aelyx came from is what kept me reading.I also liked how the parents were not non-existent and how they stood behind Cara even when the community they lived in started shunning them as well.
Overall I found it to be a light read with some heavy moments here and there but I feel like not much happened for majority of the book until the last twenty percent of the book and then there was the ending which felt totally rushed.
Memorable Quotes: ~" Look what I made for you. A bowl of diabetes."
~"It's common knowledge that shiny rocks are preferred among human females."
