Customer Reviews

Dancing with an Alien

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a sci-fi fan with a romantic streak, I found this book enjoyable on both levels. Do not be fooled by the small size, however. This book is not for children. There is no graphic sex, but there are several technical references and a very short non-graphic scene.

I give this book four stars instead of three because of the final message. Putting women on a pedestal is not the same as respecting them as people. If a culture strongly admires women because of their ability to reproduce, they are not truly honouring women. Only wombs.

Ed Iverson's review (see below) is right on target. This is just another in a long, long line of "young adult" novels in which the message boils down to: When you find the "right" guy, have sex with him. It doesn't really matter that, in this case, the "guy" is from another planet.
And from a science-fiction standpoint it leaves very much to be desired. It's strongly implied that Branko, a human-like alien, comes from a planet in our solar system. That's an idea that's outdated by at least a half century, if not much more than that.

When I first saw this book I thought it had great potential. As an avid fan of the teen tv drama "Roswell" I thought, hey an alien, a girl....could be good. Alas I fear I was mistaken. "Dancing with an Alien" to me was full of sentimental nothing!.The scene was layed most colorfully but that is where the imagination stopped. I felt like I was reading a technical manual. The culmination scene in the end which the whole book builds up to, was like one sentence long. I'm sorry this may seem harsh but like I said I had expected more. I feel that this tale was only the bits and pieces of a once great, LONGER novel which I for one would have loved to read.

Have you ever danced with an alien? Well,I know I havn't. Well,in this book a girl named Tonia doesn't neccessarily dance with an alien..... There's a boy named Branko who comes down to earth to find a female,and bring her back because in their planet all the women died of a serious disease. So, Tonia and Branko meet and become close. And so then Branko explains to Tonia why he was there and Tonia decides to go back with Branko. But Branko figures that she wouldn't really enjoy her life.....so if you want to know what happens next then you should read Dancing with an Alien. I gave it 4 stars it was a good book!

First romance is a tender time, and Logue handles well the feelings of the main characters in this novel meant for upper level teens, despite its easy read style. The Science Fiction idea of romance with an alien is also intriguing, but not well-developed. My only hesitation, the consumation scene toward the end which really wasn't necessary, unless Logue intends a sequal to this novel,if then.

Boy meets girl. Girl experiences 'first love'. Boy realizes that he loves Girl too much to accomplish his 'mission' and returns in disgrace to his home planet. Despite the authors occasional attempts to create authenticity, the alien 'boy' knows way too much about Minneapolis to be credible. The tale would have been innocuous and merely vapid but for the ending, where the author deems it necessary for the girl to give herself to the alien. The message seems to be that its OK for teenagers to 'slow dance' if the circumstances warrant. Just what we need...YA authors encouraging kids to be sexually active...'but only if you're sure that its "right" for you'!

Dancing With An Alien is a thoughtful and romantic book, filled with just the right amount of angst--a perfect read for sci fi and romance fans.

Dancing With An Alien is a complete joy to read with two main characters spinning out the tale in alternating chapters. One voice is that of a teenage girl, full of youthful dreams and conflicts. The other voice is an alien young man who is visiting Earth on a special mission. Ms. Logue's humor glitters as she gives us Branko's slightly confused look at our world and human relationships. Highly recommended!

Boy meets girl. Girl experiences 'first love'. Boy realizes that he loves Girl too much to accomplish his 'mission' and returns in disgrace to his home planet. Despite the authors occasional attempts to create authenticity, the alien 'boy' knows way too much about Minneapolis to be credible. The tale would have been innocuous and merely vapid but for the ending, where the author deems it necessary for the girl to give herself to the alien. The message seems to be that its OK for teenagers to 'slow dance' if the circumstances warrant. Just what we need...YA authors encouraging kids to be sexually active...'but only if you're sure that its "right" for you'!

Entertaining, tender tale, reminiscent of the 80s movie STARMAN, marrying sci fi space fantasy with young love. Kind of wish the ending was a bit different. This beautiful story also reminds me of another sci-fi love book, SUMMER OF THE GREEN STAR, from '81, which I also enjoyed, but the mood of this story is darker. Again, five (green?) stars