Invaded

December 15, 2014
Romance takes a back seat to suspense in this sequel to Alienated (2014).Star-crossed lovers Aelyx and Cara Sweeney are wrenched galaxies apart after the near-catastrophic collapse of the human-L'eihr student-exchange program. He is ordered on a goodwill tour of Earth to repair the interplanetary alliance; she is dispatched to the L'eihr equivalent of high school. Neither mission fares well: Terrorists keep trying to assassinate Aelyx, and Cara learns that prejudice and bullying aren't unique to humanity. Worse still, they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot threatening both worlds. While retaining the alternating viewpoints and distinctive voices of the first title, the protagonists' forced separation for nearly the entire story paradoxically gives greater depth and authenticity to their romance. Without the hazy glow of adolescent hormones, each learns to turn a critical eye upon the flaws of their native societies while confronting genuine obstacles to a future together. These complications only underscore the growing sense of menace-from overt threats, hidden betrayals and possibly a third alien species-tensions that propel the narrative to an action-packed climax. If Cara's final decision, with all its unlikely consequences, strains belief...well, it's not inconsistent with the characters and cultures present from the first. The last few pages set up the inevitable sequel; if it is as entertaining as this tale, it can't come soon enough. (Science fiction. 12-18)

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December 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-In Alienated, Cara Sweeney, high school overachiever and class valedictorian, has been selected to host the first L'eihr exchange student. Initial excitement and pride are quickly overshadowed by doubt and unease upon meeting the alien Aelyx. Although almost genetically identical, the two cultures are as different as night and day and the level of discomfort is evident. Further complicating matters is anti-alien paranoia and violence directed not only at Aelyx and the other exchange students, but also at Cara and her family. Drawn together due to circumstance, the teens start falling for each other. In Invaded, the couple continues to try to forge an alliance between the two planets, as mutual survival of both populations are depending on it. Amid hate and an unknown future, Cara must decide between love, the unknown, and the future she always dreamed of having. Excellent character development and a nice integration between modern reality and science fiction drive the plot in a satisfying story arc. Continuation of the story line is seamless between series installments, giving readers a continued interest in and connection to the protagonists. Themes of racism and environmentalism are integral to understanding and developing the emotional level of the story as well as the momentum of the plot. Teens will be rooting for the galactic couple while enjoying the action and suspense that runs through the two volumes. A fun pick for fans of sci-fi with a bit of romance.-Elizabeth Speer, Cisco College, TX

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2015
Grades 8-11 This second installment in the Alienated series finds Cara trying to adjust to life on L'eihr as her alien boyfriend, Aelyx, works tirelessly back on earth to repair human-L'eihr relations. As if the punishing school curriculum and social isolation in her new home weren't enough to deal with, Cara notices strange behavior from two governing members of the Way that leaves her suspicious of their true motives. As Aelyx narrowly escapes several attempts on his life, he too becomes less trusting of his superiors as they dismiss threats and hide information. What is it the L'eihr really hope to gain from an alliance with the human race? Readers will love the seamless blend of suspense, humor, and romance set against an interstellar landscape. Dual narratives and a well-plotted mystery keep the suspense running high, and the chemistry between Aelyx and Cara smolders. This is a fun, genre-blending series that is sure to appeal to a wide audience and will likely gain traction as it continues.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)