Title: Alienated
Author: Melissa Landers
Series: Alienated, book #1
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Source: received from publisher via Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon |
Barnes & Noble
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.

I think what I liked best about
Alienated was that although it tackles some larger issues, it doesn't deign to take itself too seriously. It was when this novel was funny that I enjoyed it best, and there are plenty of funny, awkward moments to be had. The book does take a turn toward the serious, especially as the two alien races take a more divisive stance toward one another, but I'll get to that.
I've read quite a few novels recently that dealt with space travel and aliens and they were all such somber tales, so I was glad to discover how quirky and cute this story was. The interactions between Cara and Aelyx made this book what it was, even when they were barely cordial to each other in the beginning. I just felt that their encounters were natural, whereas a lot of the other scenarios in the book -- especially where the ex-boyfriend, ex-best friend, and that douchey leader of the junior HALOs were concerned -- felt forced, and a lot of those confrontations just seemed juvenile and immature, most especially the dialogue.
But I found myself delighted whenever Cara and Aelyx had page-time together. Obviously, newly single Cara can't help but fall for the hot new alien living under her roof, but the pacing of the relationship was perfect. The romance actually had stages and worked up to the intense attraction, rather than throwing it in your face from the moment they first meet. I do think that maybe the professing of love could have waited a bit, but I
am old and sometimes forget what it was like to be sixteen and have all of those feelings that I just can't keep inside. =)
Have you ever had a foreign exchange student living with you? My older sister signed up for a French exchange student when she was in high school and I was probably eight, and even at that age, I could tell how awkward it was for everyone involved, at least in the beginning, especially with somewhat of a language barrier on both accounts. So, I felt like the way Aelyx is received into Cara's home and how everyone treats him at first was portrayed rather accurately. The only other people who interacted with Cara and Aelyx that seemed genuine were Cara's parents, which I was happy to see. I've said it before but I'll say it again: good, involved parents are an asset to young adult novels.
I have to admit, the cover is the first thing that drew me to request this book. Not only is it pretty, but it's representative of what's inside the book, as well: two very different worlds, two different alien races coming together and still not together. The L'eihr have initiated contact, and after providing Earth with some serious medical advancements, an understanding has been reached to try to learn more about each other's culture. Each group has motivations for the alliance, and each race stands to benefit immensely from it.
But there will always be dissenters, those who don't like change. This is where things get serious. It starts out harmless enough, as most situations like this do, but quickly escalates as allegations and threats are made...against the L'eihr. It's human nature for us to question change, but I'll never understand how some people can be so closed-minded, so distrustful. Discrimination will always exist, no matter what aspect or trait is being discriminated against, which is unfortunate. That being said, this novel takes the subject to a dangerous level. It doesn't matter that there's a strong possibility that we could have evolved from the L'eihr...to some people, preconceived notions will always hold true.
Alienated is charming and romantic, quirky and fun, with undertones of discrimination and betrayal to even things out. I love how Landers tackled the subject of friendship in the face of diversity with humor and sass, and I'll definitely be picking up the next installment to see how the duo fare when the shoe is on the other foot.
GIF it to me straight:
Oh, the giddy, happy feelings this book elicited!
About the author:
Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds. A proud sci-fi geek, she isn’t afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public—just ask her husband and three kids. She lives just outside Cincinnati and writes adult contemporary romance as Macy Beckett.
Find Melissa:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
{WOW} STARFALL by Melissa Landers
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
's Pick:
Author: Melissa Landers
Series: Starflight, book #2
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: February 7, 2017
I loved Starflight. So far, it's my favorite of Melissa Landers' books. Spaceships. Banter. Hate-to-love romance. What's not to love? And although this sequel doesn't feature the same couple as the first book, I'm equally as excited because I loved the chemistry between Cassia and Kane. Plus, it's always nice to revisit old friends. :)
What are you desperately waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comments or share a link to your own WoW post!
Thursday, February 4, 2016
{Mini Reviews} WOLF BY WOLF and STARFLIGHT
Author(s): Ryan Graudin
Narrator(s): Christa Lewis
Series: Wolf by Wolf, book #1
Length: 10 hrs 31 mins
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Publication Date: October 20, 2015
Source: purchased audiobook
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
So, I wasn't all that interested in this book when it came out last year and everyone was talking about it. Which is weird because I always interested in studying and reading about World War II. But people just kept talking about this book, and now there's a novella releasing and a sequel, and I figured, why the hell not? I've got 7 Audible credits to use up. :P
And it was legitimately good. I'm also VERY glad I went the audio route because the narrator was much more adept at the accents than I could ever dream of being. And because of the narrator, I felt every bit of Yael's fear of discovery, her loss of self as she became someone else.
Yael's character is something else. Revisiting her pain through flashbacks and following her along the race gives you so much insight into her character. And though there's not a ton of action, the pacing is still quick, making you feel as if you're racing toward an unseen ending, too. And then there's Luka, whom I absolutely must know more about.
I'm glad I finished this book knowing that another is in the works. It was a satisfying ending but definitely one that left me wanting more.
Author(s): Melissa Landers
Narrator(s): Amanda Dolan
Series: Starflight, book #1
Length: 9 hrs 44 mins
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Publication Date: February 2, 2016
Source: purchased audiobook
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Oh, man, this book was so much fun! I've never seen Firefly -- I know...I know -- but this story was so action-packed and funny that I can't imagine sci-fi fans, and fans of the show alike, not enjoying it to some extent. It was one of those stories where Heaven help the person who interrupts me while I'm listening to it because violence may result. And I'm only kind of kidding.
There was banter and spaceships and a one-legged captain (and his pet sugar bear) and a wedding and explosions and death and conspiracies and space chases and pirates and anything and everything your little sci-fi loving heart could want. And there was not one but three groups of bad guys chasing the Banshee as they worked their way to Planet X and did they mean business!
Also, a hate-to-love romance. One of my favorites because it has to be a slow-burn...unless hate-sex is involved, in which case all bets are off. Not the case here, though. Doran has been ruthless where Solara is concerned, and it was nice to see the tables turned for a bit, even if it didn't last all that long. They made great strides toward becoming friends and then something more in this book, and I really liked how the author developed their relationship.
Starflight was just such a captivating listen from start to finish. I've listened to several novels narrated by Amanda Dolan, but this is by far my favorite. And though a sequel is planned, I am inordinately happy with how this first book ended. This was just an all-around FUN book.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
{Promo} STARFLIGHT Launch Blitz & Giveaway
I’m author Melissa Landers, and I’m thrilled to announce the release of STARFLIGHT, the first in a brand new sci-fi series from Disney-Hyperion. I originally pitched this story to my editor as “Overboard” (one of my favorite romantic comedies) meets “Firefly” (an amazing show that was tragically cancelled after one season). STARFLIGHT follows the misadventures of Solara Brooks, a penniless felon who indentures herself to her high school nemesis, Doran Spaulding, in exchange for passage to a new world. But when Doran’s memory is temporarily erased, Solara convinces him their roles are reversed—that she’s the master and he’s the servant—and leads him onto a renegade spaceship, where intergalactic shenanigans ensue. STARFLIGHT is very different in tone from the Alienated trilogy, but the story is still filled with all the things I love: humor, heart, and adventure.
What do reviewers have to say?
“Get ready for blast-off! Action-packed and utterly addictive, nobody writes like Melissa Landers. A smart, satisfying romance set in a vividly detailed world, Starflight was just plain fun!” – New York Times bestselling author Amie Kaufman
“Teens will be bracing themselves during the swashbuckling action scenes. A great choice for fans of raw sci-fi action, reminiscent of the lawlessness presented in the television series Firefly.” – School Library Journal
“A lively tale of romance, space pirates, conspiracy, and made (as opposed to genetic) families.” – Booklist
If you like your sci-fi adventure served with a side of romance, I hope you’ll pick up a copy of STARFLIGHT today. It’s now available in stores and online.
Author: Melissa Landers
Series: Starflight, book #1
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: February 2, 2016
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Indiebound
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Best of luck, and happy reading!
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
{Promo} Alienated by Melissa Landers: The Aliens Have Landed (Launch Day Post) + a Giveaway!
Hey, fiction lovers. I’m author Melissa Landers, and I’m thrilled to announce that my debut YA sci-fi romance, ALIENATED, is finally available from Disney-Hyperion! Cue the dancers and toss the confetti, because it’s been a long wait!
In a nutshell, ALIENATED is the story of valedictorian Cara Sweeney, who gets more than she bargained for when she agrees to host the nation’s first intergalactic exchange student, the gorgeous but emotionally-stilted Aelyx (pronounced A-licks) from planet L’eihr. The tone is light and humorous, but I explore some deeper themes as well.
What do reviewers have to say?
If you like hot, swoony science fiction as much as I do, I hope you’ll give ALIENATED a try. It’s now available in stores and online.
Author: Melissa Landers
Series: Alienated, book #1
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Indiebound
To celebrate my book birthday, I’m offering one lucky winner a Nook Simple Touch. I’ll even throw in a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble so you can fill your new e-reader with whatever you want!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Now for the fine print: This giveaway is open to US residents only. (Sorry, international friends, but you need a US billing address to buy digital content on the Nook.) Due to sweepstakes laws, entrants must be 18 years or older to participate.
Best of luck, and happy reading!
Monday, February 3, 2014
Review: Alienated by Melissa Landers
Author: Melissa Landers
Series: Alienated, book #1
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Source: received from publisher via Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
I pretty much jump on any book that has sci fi elements to it. So when I saw this one on NetGalley I immediately requested it. I’m glad I did because I really liked it.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Review: Alienated by Melissa Landers
Author: Melissa Landers
Series: Alienated, book #1
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Source: received from publisher via Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
I think what I liked best about Alienated was that although it tackles some larger issues, it doesn't deign to take itself too seriously. It was when this novel was funny that I enjoyed it best, and there are plenty of funny, awkward moments to be had. The book does take a turn toward the serious, especially as the two alien races take a more divisive stance toward one another, but I'll get to that.
I've read quite a few novels recently that dealt with space travel and aliens and they were all such somber tales, so I was glad to discover how quirky and cute this story was. The interactions between Cara and Aelyx made this book what it was, even when they were barely cordial to each other in the beginning. I just felt that their encounters were natural, whereas a lot of the other scenarios in the book -- especially where the ex-boyfriend, ex-best friend, and that douchey leader of the junior HALOs were concerned -- felt forced, and a lot of those confrontations just seemed juvenile and immature, most especially the dialogue.
But I found myself delighted whenever Cara and Aelyx had page-time together. Obviously, newly single Cara can't help but fall for the hot new alien living under her roof, but the pacing of the relationship was perfect. The romance actually had stages and worked up to the intense attraction, rather than throwing it in your face from the moment they first meet. I do think that maybe the professing of love could have waited a bit, but I am old and sometimes forget what it was like to be sixteen and have all of those feelings that I just can't keep inside. =)
Have you ever had a foreign exchange student living with you? My older sister signed up for a French exchange student when she was in high school and I was probably eight, and even at that age, I could tell how awkward it was for everyone involved, at least in the beginning, especially with somewhat of a language barrier on both accounts. So, I felt like the way Aelyx is received into Cara's home and how everyone treats him at first was portrayed rather accurately. The only other people who interacted with Cara and Aelyx that seemed genuine were Cara's parents, which I was happy to see. I've said it before but I'll say it again: good, involved parents are an asset to young adult novels.
I have to admit, the cover is the first thing that drew me to request this book. Not only is it pretty, but it's representative of what's inside the book, as well: two very different worlds, two different alien races coming together and still not together. The L'eihr have initiated contact, and after providing Earth with some serious medical advancements, an understanding has been reached to try to learn more about each other's culture. Each group has motivations for the alliance, and each race stands to benefit immensely from it.
But there will always be dissenters, those who don't like change. This is where things get serious. It starts out harmless enough, as most situations like this do, but quickly escalates as allegations and threats are made...against the L'eihr. It's human nature for us to question change, but I'll never understand how some people can be so closed-minded, so distrustful. Discrimination will always exist, no matter what aspect or trait is being discriminated against, which is unfortunate. That being said, this novel takes the subject to a dangerous level. It doesn't matter that there's a strong possibility that we could have evolved from the L'eihr...to some people, preconceived notions will always hold true.
Alienated is charming and romantic, quirky and fun, with undertones of discrimination and betrayal to even things out. I love how Landers tackled the subject of friendship in the face of diversity with humor and sass, and I'll definitely be picking up the next installment to see how the duo fare when the shoe is on the other foot.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Teaser Tuesday #88: Alienated by Melissa Landers
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Author: Melissa Landers
Series: Alienated, book #1
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Source: received from publisher via Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
My teasers:
I was initially drawn to the cover for Alienated, but the idea of alien exchange students really grabbed my attention. Foreign exchange students always intrigued me, so one from another planet would be interesting, to say the least. But it sounds like maybe the exchange isn't going all that well...
What are you teasing this week? Share it in the comments or leave a link so I can visit!
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starryeyedjen
- I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
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