Monday, September 13, 2010

The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen D. Randle

Genre: YA fiction
Published: Originally 1995, this edition 2009; 224 pgs.
Source: New acquisition for personal library

Review: 5/5


A couple of weeks ago I attended the Utah Book Bloggers Summer Social. I never blogged about it (and I probably won't at this point) but it was a lot of fun and it was great to meet more bloggers and authors and be reacquainted with others. We had a book swap and I was lucky enough to end up with The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen D. Randle. For the book swap we just laid out all the books and then everyone took turns picking one out. There was the opportunity to "steal" a book from someone who has already chosen. I was standing next to Bree Despain, author of The Dark Divine and when it was her turn she said, "If no one wants this book then I'll just take it back. It's really good." Hearing her say that was push I needed to be able to decide. I "stole" it from her, and I'm glad I did. Thank you, Bree.

I have to say that the title and the cover turned me off of this one to begin with and it was only Bree's high recommendation that got me to read it. Having read it, I now understand the cover and title and I think they fit very well. The story is told by Ginny who has just moved across the country with her family. It's a huge adjustment for her but she soon makes friends in her new high school and neighborhood. On her first day in her new high school she becomes fascinated with a strange boy who many kids have called "the Alien" for years. I'm not going to say anything more about the plot because I think it is very interesting to watch the story unfold and I don't want to spoil anything. Let me just say that it is compelling and moving and I couldn't put it down. Fortunately, I didn't really need to on the day that I read it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely recommend it.

Rating: 1.2.1 I've already forgotten what kind of content was in this book but I remember thinking as I read it that it was remarkably clean. There may be a little profanity that I don't remember and perhaps some innuendo but I think it was quite clean.

6 comments:

Suey said...

Good for you for stealing it from Bree! :) And good for you for reading it already! I don't think I'll get to my book swap books for awhile.

Will we see you tomorrow at book club? I would seriously love you to come!

Laura at Library of Clean Reads said...

Your review has sparked my curiosity for this book! And how fun to get together with other bloggers from your area.

Charlotte said...

Loved it! Finished it last night. Thanks for the recommendation, Kim. I can always count on you.

Annette W. said...

Laura Fabiani sent me over today when I asked her if she knew of other sites like hers...and then I said how I wished books had ratings like movies...I guess we think the same way!

melissa @ 1lbr said...

I've heard such great things about this one. I gotta get on it. BTW, I have my copy of MATCHED all ready to pass along to you, if you need it :) Just email me.

Melee said...

I am overjoyed to find your blog! These days I have been reading almost anything I can get my hands on. And, while I've found many great books, I have had to work hard to find books that will be clean yet satisfying. {I am no prude - but I do have my values!}
Finally I had an epiphany to google "good clean books" which led me to this blog. And I am quite glad it did. :)