I haven't read the Lux series yet (this is the first of a YA spinoff series), but I have been impatiently waiting to do so until closer to the release date of this book. Based on the First Impression we get here, I definitely think I'm going to like this one.
This takes place in an alternate present/near future where aliens (exceedingly attractive aliens with supernatural abilities, to be exact) have arrived on Earth and are living among us. Due to a conflict that took place in the original series briefly described in the excerpt, these aliens, the Luxen, have acquired a bad reputation with some humans and the government. Like other minorities and marginalized people in history, the Luxen are closely monitored, require 'registration' with the government, and are barred from human-only establishments. They are prohibited from intermarrying with humans, and relationships are technically illegal and subject to heavy fines. However, all of this makes them very popular with with individuals like our protagonist, Evie. Forbidden relationships with extremely attractive people? I think we all know where this story is going... :)
I like the author's writing style; Evie's thoughts are realistically those of a teenager at this point in time without being overly childish. She is candid and self-aware (e.g.: "I broke up with him over text. Yep. I was that person."). Her friend Heidi, to whom we are introduced in this scene, seems like someone I wish I'd been friends with (or been) when I was seventeen.
I am well aware that this book will contain lots of overly detailed descriptions of how "stunning"/"gorgeous", etc the aliens are, complete with swooning humans, but that's fine by me. ;)
I wish the cover was a bit more like those of the prior series. I'm not sure how I feel about this artwork. It goes with the title (a little too literal, but not at all dark...), but, when I see it, I don't get the 'this book is about hot aliens with cool powers and the women who love them' vibe. If I didn't know what it was about from the summary blurb, I don't think I would pick this up off the shelf, save for the author's reputation and previous works. Can't wait to get this one!
This takes place in an alternate present/near future where aliens (exceedingly attractive aliens with supernatural abilities, to be exact) have arrived on Earth and are living among us. Due to a conflict that took place in the original series briefly described in the excerpt, these aliens, the Luxen, have acquired a bad reputation with some humans and the government. Like other minorities and marginalized people in history, the Luxen are closely monitored, require 'registration' with the government, and are barred from human-only establishments. They are prohibited from intermarrying with humans, and relationships are technically illegal and subject to heavy fines. However, all of this makes them very popular with with individuals like our protagonist, Evie. Forbidden relationships with extremely attractive people? I think we all know where this story is going... :)
I like the author's writing style; Evie's thoughts are realistically those of a teenager at this point in time without being overly childish. She is candid and self-aware (e.g.: "I broke up with him over text. Yep. I was that person."). Her friend Heidi, to whom we are introduced in this scene, seems like someone I wish I'd been friends with (or been) when I was seventeen.
I am well aware that this book will contain lots of overly detailed descriptions of how "stunning"/"gorgeous", etc the aliens are, complete with swooning humans, but that's fine by me. ;)
I wish the cover was a bit more like those of the prior series. I'm not sure how I feel about this artwork. It goes with the title (a little too literal, but not at all dark...), but, when I see it, I don't get the 'this book is about hot aliens with cool powers and the women who love them' vibe. If I didn't know what it was about from the summary blurb, I don't think I would pick this up off the shelf, save for the author's reputation and previous works. Can't wait to get this one!