ALIENATED by Melissa Landers

Okay, so I've come to a conclusion: I <3 Aliens.

And apparently so do a lot of other people :-).

Aliens are making a comeback, and I'm loving every second.  I was a big Roswell fan back in the day (still am, actually--Liz and Max, Michael and Maria, Isabel and Alex…yes, yes, YES).  There's this new show, Star Crossed, which I like more than I thought I would.  There's also an Asian drama with an alien/human romance that I'm watching, My Love From Another Star.  FYI: I love me some Asian drama!!  I haven't read Obsidian (yet), though a lot of people fangirl over it.  Didn't love I Am Number Four, didn't hate it.

Anyway, my point is aliens are a thing, like a real trend in books and other media, and I'm enjoying the ride.

Alienated is another nice addition to the alien/human romance category.  Although I can't say I fell in love with the book, I did like it.  From the idea of an alien exchange student to the adversity of humans vs. aliens to the chemistry between our two MCs, this story had a lot going for it.

My favorite thing about Cara was how she stood by Aelyx the entire time.  She was loyal to him and, more importantly, to her convictions.  Even when her friends gave up on her, Cara didn't give into the ignorance of fear and hate, and I really respected her for that.

Different anti-alien groups rose up, distrustful of the L'eihrs, and tried to force them to go back home using scare tactics and violence.  But they also targeted Cara and her family.  This kind of plot really works for me.  The discrimination against a new race of people, the fear, the hatred of the unknown.  Even if you don't believe in aliens, history has shown that people do react this way, and it makes the story more believable.

(Star Crossed does this--a bit better imo--which is one of the reasons I enjoy it.)

The chemistry was there as well.  Cara and Aelyx, two opposing personalities who can't help but be attracted to each other--and one is a super-intelligent, super-hot alien?  Yes, please!  Also, I loved how the L'eirh vs. human mindset differed about things like romance, emotion, food etc.

I didn't like how Cara's "best friend" Tori abandoned and then betrayed her.  I didn't like that two of the people Cara considered her friends would become part of the anti-L'eihr hate group--and hook up behind her back.  I mean, WTH?  I've read a couple books in a row where the BFF ends up stabbing the MC in the back, and I am not a big fan.  Sisters before misters, always.  Also, I didn't love the ending.  I know it's a series, but there were a lot of things left up in the air.

Again, I <3 Aliens--but did I <3 Alienated?  I'm not sure I'd go that far, but I did enjoy it.  Guess you'll have to make up your own mind on this one ;).

Happy reading,

Ninja Girl

TUNE IN TUESDAY: MIX

Hi there! Tune in Tuesday is a GReads meme currently hosted over at Kate's Tales of Books and Bands.  My picks for this Tuesday are a mixed bag.  Hopefully, there's something in there you'll like :-).

Hope you're having a great week!

Ninja Girl

UNINVITED by Sophie Jordan

The premise of this book was SO right on!  I couldn't say no, and I'm glad I didn't because it was a really great read.

In Sophie Jordan's Uninvited, scientists have discovered a gene that can predict whether a person will become a murderer.  This idea hooked me even though I've seen it before.  Minority Report, anyone?  I actually enjoyed MR.  But this YA was so much better, and I'll explain why.

Instead of a Tom Cruise-ish character, who's all secret agent-y and capable of kicking some major butt, our heroine is a high school senior.  Davy Hamilton has her whole life ahead of her.  She's a music prodigy who's been accepted to Julliard.  She's got friends, loving parents, and a hot boyfriend.

But all that changes the moment Davy finds out she has HTS (Homicidal Tendency Syndrome).

Her entire life falls apart--and we get to see it crumble.  This was one of my favorite things about the book.  I got to experience everything Davy experiences after finding out she carries the kill gene.  Her disbelief that quickly morphs into despair, her heartbreak when everyone she thought she could depend on turns against her.

Davy's parents basically pretend she doesn't exist.   Her boyfriend turns out to be a jerk (called that one wayyy before Zac showed his true colors ;)).  Her best friend betrays her in an awful way.  She's "uninvited" from her high-brow private school.  The only person who stands by her is her older brother Mitchell--who I absolutely adored!  Mitchell, the loser-problem-child-screw up, was such a great big brother and character.

Actually, there was one other person who stood by Davy, and I'd say he's possibly the #1 reason to read the book.

Sean O'Rourke.  Gahhh, what can I say about Sean?  He's another HTS carrier, but he looks the part: big, tough, amazingly HOT, tattooed with the circled-H that marks you for life as violent.  The scenes with him are charged.  Sexy, sweet, and completely captivating.  I hoped for a great romance to match the awesome plot, and Jordan didn't disappoint.  Sean was everything I look for in a book boyfriend and more :-D.

Another thing I loved was how Jordan kept Davy in her home environment.  She wasn't suddenly spirited away to a government facility or internment camp.  By keeping her in the same setting, we got to really see the "Before" and "After."  It was so much more emotionally affecting than if Davy had been taken somewhere else immediately after finding out she has HTS.

If you couldn't tell: I loved this book!!  I'd definitely recommend it.  With so many series out there--especially in YA--Uninvited is a definite Must-Read.

Happy Reading,

Ninja Girl

STACKING THE SHELVES (21)

Hi there! Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

List of Books: Unite Me by Tahereh Mafi
                       Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
                       Slow Burn by Julie Garwood
                       Foreplay by Sophie Jordan
                       Also Known As by Robin Benway

List of e-Books: As You Turn Away by Molli Moran

Not really sure which book I'm most excited about this week :).  I've already read two of the books in this batch--Foreplay which I LOVED and Unite Me which I bought b/c I needed to own Destroy Me in paperback.  Julie Garwood is one of my fave authors, and I'm so happy for Molli and the release of her book!!

How did you guys make out this week?  Hope you got some great books!

Ninja Girl

TUNE IN TUESDAY: ANNIE EVE

Hi there! Tune in Tuesday is a GReads meme currently hosted over at Kate's Tales of Books and Bands.  I just discovered this fantastic artist named Annie Eve.  Her voice is smooth, unique and fragile.  The music, the lyrics are...sigh.  They reach right inside and pull on your heartstrings <3.  This is my favorite of her songs, "Southern."  Hope you enjoy!

But I never got bored with you.  I never got bored of us.

Hope you're having a great week!

Ninja Girl