Alienated by Melissa Landers
Narrator: Madeleine Lambert
Series: Alienated #1
Published by Tantor Media
Published on: May 21, 2014
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Length: 8 hours, 27 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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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.
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I am not a huge science fiction fan of the outer space kind of way. I have liked some romances featuring humans and aliens in the past however. This book, although young adult, fit the bill as far as a fairly good romance. After seeing it everywhere, I snapped this up from Audible and just recently got to finally listen.
Cara Sweeney is a teenager driven to succeed; she works until she receives the honor of being valedictorian of her senior high school class. Little does she know that it comes with an honor of another sort. In this world, the planet L’heir had made contact with Earth a couple of years before. Human’s are very similar to L’heirs inhabitants with some big exceptions. Their people are light years ahead of earth in technology and in travel as well. Cara’s honor is that she will get a full ride to her dream university, if her family will take in one of three exchange students from L’heir. Initially not wanting to do it, Cara finally accepts, much to her boyfriend’s dismay. As for the alien, Aelyx is super good looking, but doesn’t want to be touched due to the lack of touching on his planet. It makes him uncomfortable and it doesn’t help that Cara’s family is so touchy feely and loving-something he has never known on his planet.
It was fun seeing Earth through Aelyx’s eyes. Or through Cara’s as she befriends him and walks him through everyday life. But of course, people are not liking the fact that Cara’s family is sheltering an alien. To them, they think he is all part of a scheme by the aliens to take over earth. This brings me to the social commentary part of this. When groups are formed to try and get Aelyx and his friends-both of which are in other countries-thrown off earth, or worse killed, life for Cara and her family is turned upside down. Bigotry in any form, is still bigotry. When Cara and Aelyx fall in love, things get even more heated up-both in their relationship, and by the haters in the town.
I enjoyed the narration by Madeleine Lambert, and I thought she did a good job with changing up the voices. Her male voices were well done as well. At some points Cara’s voice sounded impossibly young for a seventeen year old, but mostly was spot on. I will be listening to the next(and last) book as well, hopefully.
Of course, this is a young adult book/listen. Even so, I did enjoy it for the most part. I did have a few problems with Cara’s parents in the end part-they were more accepting of things that happen than most parents ever would be. I found the world building for L’heir to be pretty fascinating, as well as Aelyx’s view of our world. The romance was actually pretty intense at times, although no actual sex takes place-but some fooling around definitely does! For that reason, I would recommend this to young adults 16+ to adults. Good listen!
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Alienated Series
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I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
Not my kind of read, but I am glad you enjoyed it.
I did like it :)Thanks!
I enjoyed this series and I am not a huge sci-fi fan but I considered it lite sci-fi. 🙂
Yes that’s good way to put it-lite sci-fi!
Very cool cover btw
Yes, I thought so too. The second one is similar as well 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Audiobook Review: Alienated by Melissa Landers (@Mollykatie112, @Melissa_Landers, @TantorAudio)
The only thing I don’t like about these type of books is that they make the aliens all human-like. Though in their defence, it’s not like we know for sure what they look like. Lol. Anyway, I’m glad you like this! And can I say that I’m surprise to see you read YA? 😀 I think it’s great!
I actually read quite a bit of young adult. Do you read YA? As far as aliens looking human-I don’t think I would read a romance about them if they didn’t! lol
I remember reading this and liking it but for some reason didn’t continue the series, not sure why. I think I even have book two somewhere, funny how that works sometimes. So glad you listened to this and that you did enjoy it, especially because I know this isn’t your go to genre. 😉
I know exactly what you mean. I have every intention of reading the next book in a series and then I just forget.
This definitely sounds different! Glad you enjoyed. I hardly ever run into alien themes.
It was very different! And actually pretty good as well 🙂
Glad it turned out good. I have this on my TBR pile b/c I do like YA sci-fi. I just need to get to it. 🙂 I like when YA has good social messages as long as they don’t take over the story which this doesn’t seem like it does. Hope the next two are good.
I think theres just one more isn’t there? Although I can see how this could be a long series. I hope you enjoy it!
Lorna recently posted…Audiobook Review: Alienated by Melissa Landers (@Mollykatie112, @Melissa_Landers, @TantorAudio)
OOoh nice! I picked this one up just last year but still need to read it. I thought it sounded interesting and I think lately I have been really liking the alien romance! I guess my love of Roswell was revived with the Lux books! Looking forward to reading this one! Great review!
The Lux books are a favorite series of mine. I hope you like this one 🙂
I enjoyed this one as well, but wasn’t audio book for me
I am sure I would have enjoyed reading it just as well 🙂 Glad you liked it as well!
I was a bit curious about this one but I finally saw mixed reviews so I passed, I’m glad it was a good one for you.
Yes, I can see why some people might not care for it. I did have some problems with it myself, especially towards the end, but all in all, I enjoyed the read 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Audiobook Review: Alienated by Melissa Landers (@Mollykatie112, @Melissa_Landers, @TantorAudio)
I’ve always wanted to read this because of the cover. 😉 I’m glad you enjoyed the listen overall, Lorna. I may just give it a go in audio…we’ll see. But I definitely like how the story sounds and that it has a message. 🙂
I love the cover as well-definitely drew me to the book in the first place. It really did have a message too 🙂 If you decide to try it, I hope you like it Brandee!
Lorna recently posted…Audiobook Review: Alienated by Melissa Landers (@Mollykatie112, @Melissa_Landers, @TantorAudio)
I own a copy of this one (and have for a while now) but I have yet to read it. I just know I’ll love it though and your review pretty much confirmed that 😀 I WILL be reading it in 2016, hopefully early enough! I can’t wait to experience it for myself! Lovely review^^
Micheline recently posted…Fandom Mashup #34
Oh, I hope you enjoy! Happy reading in 2016!
Lorna recently posted…Audiobook Review: Alienated by Melissa Landers (@Mollykatie112, @Melissa_Landers, @TantorAudio)
I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Lorna! It’s been on my kindle for ages, and I do enjoy sci-fi / space stories, so I’m confident I’ll enjoy it as well 🙂
Lexxie recently posted…Review and Giveaway : Anything For You – Kristan Higgins
It’s definitely young adult if you like those, and I really did enjoy the read 🙂
I read and enjoyed this one, although I still need to read book two..LOL
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…What You Need by Lorelei James
Yes, now that I listened to the first, I may listen to the second too. Not sure yet 🙂
Great review Lorna! I enjoyed this series and I’m hoping there will be more. I have to agree with your comments on the parents though. I’m a parent and I’m sorry, I couldn’t have been quite so supportive of the decisions made at the end of the book. Have you read Invaded yet?
Thank you! No haven’t yet-I may listen to it like I did this one-not sure yet. You are certainly right about the parents-pretty unrealistic even if we are talking about aliens!
Wow… I cannot imagine seeing Earth through new eyes, especially for Aelyx. It’d be cool to be an exchange student to another planet though! I think I’d enjoy Cara’s story!
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