Alienated

Alienated, Book 1

By: Melissa Landers

Narrated by: Madeleine Lambert

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.

©2014 Melissa Landers (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A perfect blend of sizzling romance, action, and suspense." (Jennifer L. Armentrout, New York Times best-selling author)

Alien romance

So aliens and humans made contact, and are sorta, kinda, a little bit trying to make a alliance. Cara Sweeney is picked to be the human to host one of the first alien exchange students, Aelyx. Even though her friends are declaring they'll hate her for it, Cara basically decides to host an alien in her home because of the blog potential...
--seriously?
But when I thought about it this is soo believable about humans today that it's scary. I mean who needs friends when you have followers, right? But I still like Cara, she's a little know-it-all-ish and a bit preachy, but she's supposed to be smart and actually seems smart which a lot of times doesn't happen in novels. Aelyx is like this emotionally sterile, cold complete know it all. Not my favorite kind of love interest, personally. He just seems so bland, which I guess is the point but... doesn't really interest me.

But thankfully the scenes where Cara and Aelyx are together usually end up hilarious. Like, laugh out loud, embarrass yourself in public hilarious. I was not too into the premise until the scene where Aelyx and Cara meet which was fantastic.

This book basically alternated between great embarrassingly hilarious moments and boring stretches. But more than anything the romance was great. So, obviously this book was very mixed for me. I mean yes, I like the idea but think it's a little -- hard to believe that aliens would be just like gorgeous, ultra-modern, psychic, communists. Aelyx just seems like any other superior-feeling exchange student (jerk) to me, which I guess is the point but isn't all that much of a risk if you know what I mean. That said, I do think that Cara and her friends had realistic personalities and reactions to events. Aelyx, not as much, his only redeeming quality seemed like that he started being passionate around and for Cara... but I enjoyed his interactions with Cara so that's something. Probably not going to continue with this series though, in the next book Aelyx and Cara are going to be separated (for most of it...supposedly) and that just doesn't really appeal to me.

Pretty trashy, but not unenjoyable

Any additional comments?

For a sci-fi, YA romance, this is definitely better than most of the drivel I have been downloading of late. Though I am not really in a position to speak so harshly, because despite constant disappointment, I seem to keep trying. The main character is both likeable and tough and while the romance is slightly unbelievable in parts, it is better than most. I will most likely download book two the next time I am going on a long run.However, one point that I would like to highlight to the author (if you ever read reviews Melissa Landers), is something that particularly grated on me.

Early in the book the human protagonist, who is characterized as academically brilliant asks the highly evolved alien if there are seasons on his planet. (paraphrasing... ), she answers herself, “you live on a planet that revolves around the sun, of course you have seasons...” and the super brain never corrects her!

The earth revolving around the sun gives us DAYS AND NIGHTS, not seasons. We have seasons because of the earth's obliquity or axial tilt. I am not an American, but I learnt this in the 7th grade. I find it a bit hard to believe that a valedictorian and a highly evolved super brain would not be aware of this.

I don't really know why, but as one of the few actual "scientific" references in this book was so obviously wrong, and poorly characterized, it diminished my enjoyment of the rest of the book!

Loud, LOUD and LOUDER!

This was in all reality, absolutely nothing to do with Aliens. It is, at heart, a teen romance. Nowt wrong with that. I bought the Kindle version of it as well, and that is just fine and dandy.

The audible version, however, leaves quite a bit to be desired. For me, the narrator was too loud, relentless and LOUD. This doesn't mean in DB, I'm sure the producers got the levels correct, but the racket of the voice was so loud I was unable to concentrate on the material. There's no space between the sentences, no room for a breath. Very tiring on the ear. Pity that more care was not taken.

We read, "Performed," and, "Directed," and, "Produced," when if I were anywhere near this production I would have instructed the narrator to knock the volume and pressure back a TON on hearing the first paragraph. The producer was surely asleep at the wheel during this.

I'm sorry to be so hard on a narrator. I dislike to be so critical, but Madeleine Lambert needs to read this. Poor narration can ruin even a really good book, and there is plenty of competition out there.



brendan

cant wait for book two.

Would you consider the audio edition of Alienated to be better than the print version?

Yes I always like audio better than print.

What did you like best about this story?

I was captivated by the story in the first 3 minutes . This store grabs you and pulls you in fast. Before I knew it I was on chapter 12. I really like the idea that this could happen to earth one day. The whole idea of aliens coming here in peace. But, what's a store without some excitement and love.

What does Madeleine Lambert bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She was a great story teller. I found nothing wrong with the way she choose to use her voice. I was never confused about who was who and I hate when a girl tries to sound like a man or boy and do it terribly.She sounded great with every character.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I just knew from the start that there was going to be a big problem. I was happy to see that as a human we love ,hate, or just have passion. A lesson that people not from earth don't understand. Until they start living with us.

Any additional comments?

It's a great book I never write reviews but, I thought this book needs to be read by other people because ,it's so good.

Definitely a YA storyline but good for what it is

I found this an entertaining listen in the YA genre. Not as mature a story as some other YA series, but solidly written for the type of book and good narration.

Glad I gave this book a chance.

Even though it's about aliens and teenagers it still is fun and entertaining. Some cussing (not too bad) innuendos about sex and some slight petting. Good parent role models but her friends pretty much let her down and it's her against the world, defending the aliens. No love triangle. She dis have a boyfriend in the beginning but he was a jerk. That didn't last long at all.

Super Cute!

Would you consider the audio edition of Alienated to be better than the print version?

Most of the time this depends on the narrator. This narrator was good. Her voice is NOT annoying in any way and she does a great job of differentiating between characters. Females sound like females, Males sound like males. The narrator does justice to the banter between Alyx and Cara for sure.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Alienated?

When Alyx and Cara are caught by her father in her bedroom with the door locked. Very funny.

Any additional comments?

This is a very cute story with developed characters that have pretty entertaining personalities. There is well developed conflict and romance between Cara and Alyx as well as other characters in the book. There are some developed moral issues of racism, sacrifice and forgiveness that play out pretty well. I enjoyed this for sure. This was a win win situation for me. I will definitely buy book two.

Amazing

I loved this book, thrilling, suspense , and steamy romance. I was hooked instantly. can't wait for the second book!

Beautiful

So well written it blew me away! And Im not one for Sci-fi. Cant wait for Invaded to release!

interesting story and better tan expected

Was a series recommended to me and had no expectation about it. Really didn't know much about it before listening to first book. Kind of refreshing, no blubbering idiot heroin, jerk hero and cliché monologs. Yes Aelyx was a monotone, unfeeling drone at first but like he acted as his upbringing. Makes him more real, and Cara act like a intelligent teenage from Midwest. Its good story telling how they learned and adapted to each other. Is also a good hidden plot that not even talked about but more felt as things just don't add up on al that L’eihr saying. Hope to learn more in second book, or maybe my hunch is wrong. A enjoyable story and presented well.