My Rating: Between 3 and 3.5 hearts for the first half; 2.5 hearts for the second half
Thoughts
on the Novel: Alienated by Melissa Landers began quite promisingly.
However, my interest slowly waned over the course of the novel because the plot
became kind of repetitive with Aelyx and Cara going to school and seeing Humans
Against L’eihr Occupation protesters on the way, being snubbed by their
classmates at school, and then coming home.
The latter portion of Alienated also
received a lower rating because it became more focused on the romance. I really
liked Aelyx and Cara’s relationship early in the novel when they were slowly
getting to know each other since neither person made a good first impression on
the other. As soon as they hooked up though, the pacing of the romance changed
dramatically. For example, after not being ready to give up her virginity to
her boyfriend (who she breaks up with later), Cara is all too willing to do so after
just one makeout session with Aelyx! Spoiler: Nor was I entirely thrilled that she
chooses to give up everything and leave Earth so that she can stay with Aelyx and then
forgives him so easily after he betrays her. I wanted her to have a reaction
more like Karou's from Laini Taylor's Days of Blood and Starlight and make Aelyx work for her forgiveness.
Although smart and stubborn, I felt
that Cara was a bit naïve as well. Just because the L’eihrs provided a drug
that cures cancer, she only briefly wonders what the L’eihrs
might eventually want from humans. Cara also never became really curious about
Aelyx’s suspicious looking nightly activities or followed him to see what he
was up to, despite reports of crop failure around all the areas where the L’eihr
exchange students were living.
I liked Aelyx a bit more because I
was able to relate to him better. While Cara perceives him as robotic in the
beginning, his own POV shows that he isn’t very happy about being sent to Earth
as an exchange student. (I’d be too if I was a more advanced species!) Slowly
though, his interactions with humans causes him to not only become more
proficient at expressing emotions, but also forces him to change his mindset.
Alienated will be released by Disney
Hyperion on February 4, 2014.
Comments
About the Cover: It’s nice and simple. I think Aelyx’s half is more
eye-catching, but Cara’s half is more relaxing.
In exchange for an honest review, this book was received from the publisher (Disney Book Group) for free via NetGalley.
Ehhh, I'm not liking the characterization here. I'm pretty sure I would have the same problems with the characters as you! Aww, I had such high hopes for this book (probably because I was lured in by the pretty cover... sigh).
ReplyDeleteSame here, I had high hopes for it as well (The Cover is so beautiful <3), but so far I haven't heard the best things about it. I'll see if I still want to read it when it comes out.
ReplyDeleteHm. I'm curious about this one Z. Being the lover of romance that I am, I can't help but wonder if the second half will be successful for me BECAUSE it focuses more strongly on the romance. I guess I just need to pick it up and find out for myself! Thanks for your thoughts on this one:)
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit worried, since I don't think these characters will work for me, Cara especially doesn't seem to be too bright or likeable. But I'll still give it a try when it comes up on my schedule. If only because of that gorgeous cover.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm glad I decided to not request this one on NG. The story didn't seem like anything new. After reading your review, I'm going to skip this one because the characterization and plotline isn't remarkable.
ReplyDeleteI actually liked the second half more than the first half, Z. I agree with what you pointed out about Cara though I didn't really notice while reading the book.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I've seen this one around but never gave it much thought. Sounds like it was a pretty average read with somewhat bland characters. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing so many mixed reviews in regards to this book. Some people loved it, others hated it. I am not sure that I would like it. It doesn't sound particularly amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review!