Customer Reviews

Red Handed (Teen Alien Huntress)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Phoenix is nearly 18 and has had a problem with addiction to the drug Onadyn for several years, including 2 stints to rehab, to the despair of her mother. She's trying to get her act together and make her mother proud; unfortunately, events conspire to make it appear that she's using her drug of choice again... and thus begins a new chapter in her life.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. We get to see how A.I.R. (Alien Investigation and Retrieval) agents are recruited and trained, and what that entails. A few characters from the adult Alien Huntress series make an appearance as well (I won't spoil it for you). In many ways, it also reminds me of Holly Black's book Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie, book 2 in the series, which also deals with teenage alienation in a paranormal world.

This book is a great addition to the Alien Huntress repertoire; my one "beef" is the issue of Phoenix's father (again, I won't reveal too much) - the events and rationale surrounding him and his actions are never made clear, which was a bit frustrating because they were/are the impetus that drives Phoenix.

Blacklisted is the sequel to Red Handed, and, thankfully, releasing on the tail of the first book.

Welcome to New Chicago, where numerous alien species are abundant, and some can get along with humans. But the ones who viciously attack must be destroyed. Enter the Alien Investigation and Removal agency.

With two stints in rehab to combat her addiction to Onadyn, Phoenix Germaine is living the clean life - even when her best friend isn't, and repeatedly offers her the drug. (Some friend, eh?) A party in the woods turns chaotic when Sybilins attack and Phoenix is returned home in what appears to be an Onadyn-induced state. Her mother sends her away to what Phoenix learns to be the AIR training academy. There she and her fellow recruits undergo strict studying and prac work that will prepare them for the rigours of life as a fully fledged AIR agent.

Be warned that this is a character-driven novel, not plot-driven. The story seems as if written by the pants and not plotted. Phoenix's back-story, entering the academy, learning her lessons, social interaction... There is the obligatory second stoush with the Sybilins at the climax, but it seemed like it was just thrown in there.

Characterisation is kind of scattered - some work well, and others don't. While Phoenix's character is interesting enough, her obsession with Ryan distracted from an otherwise intriguing read. Allison, the designated bad girl, seems like your typical fictional nemesis, although she and Phoenix are not enemies at the end. I often got the classmates confused for one another, but by far the most fascinating character is Kitten, Phoenix's new BFF who's a Teran, a species of alien that has commonalities with felines.

Note that this is a companion series of sorts to the author's Alien Huntress series for adults. Mia Snow and Mishka Le'Ace, instructors at the academy, have their own novels, as does Eden Black, whom we don't meet here but whose name is mentioned.

The epilogue seems extraneous. So while RED HANDED has its flaws, it focuses on what's dearly missing in teen fiction (aliens) and showcases fabulous world-building that I can't wait to read more about.

Phoenix Germaine knows she has given her mother no reason to trust her. After all the lies, the stealing, the cruel words, and the two trips to rehab, Phoenix has used up her mother's store of faith in her. So when a strange man brings her home unconscious and showing all the classic signs of Onadyn abuse, Phoenix's mom leaps to the obvious conclusion: Phoenix is using the alien drug again. For once though, her mom is wrong. Phoenix wasn't using at all, she was caught up in a battle between predatory aliens and the A.I.R. - the hardass Alien Investigation and Removal Agency.

Given the lack of publicized alien aggression over the past few decades, Phoenix's mom is more than skeptical. She decides to follow the strange man's advice and send Phoenix to a tough-love boot camp for abusers and other `difficult' teens. When Phoenix arrives, she discovers she's been recruited to train for the A.I.R. Not unexpectedly, most of the A.I.R. agents don't want a former addict around any more than her mother did. If she wants to stay (and she's not entirely sure she does), Phoenix will have to work twice as hard as the other recruits. The consolation? Hot Ryan Stone is one of her instructors. That's a good thing, even if relationships between instructors and recruits are forbidden.

This is definitely a book for the older teen crowd - even though the romance/sexual references are limited, they're a little mature for tweens and younger teens. That having been said, this is a great read - fun and fast-paced with interesting characters - and one fans of paranormal romance will eat up.

I loved this book. It was full of action and everything an alien book should have.

Being a fan of Gena Showalter's paranormal INTERTWINED series, I was intrigued when I came across this seemingly well received YA Alien Huntress series. I am delighted to say Showalter did not disappoint.

RED HANDED (YA Alien Huntress #1), hmm.. think a younger sexier Men In Black. I was instantly drawn into this fully action loaded story, as we are introduced to Phoenix, our 17 year old heroin. Phoenix has had a tough go of it in her short life so far.. Her dad abandoned her and her mother, she turned to drugs, booze and sex, and now fresh out of her second stint in rehab, just as this troubled teen was starting to get her life back on track, her world is turned upside-down on her again.

This compelling read is full of strange alien creatures, great fight scenes, heart pounding forbidden romance and a fantastic start to a promising and different kind of paranormal/sci-fi series. The characters are colorful and believably written, with varying personalities; from humorous and snarky to up-tight and goodie good, but all amusing and entertaining. RED HANDED is definitely a page turner that is hard to put down and I am eager to start BLACKLISTED, the next book in the series.

"Red Handed" is the first of two YA books in the Alien Huntress world. Its heroine is Phoenix, a 17 year-old with a rocky past. She has a drug history but is working to overcome it as she learns that the peace between humans and aliens is more fragile than she ever knew. She begins training to become an agent for the Alien Investigation and Removal agency... and develops feelings for one of her trainers, Ryan.

Phoenix is freshly out of rehab when she is at a party that's crashed by evil aliens. She fights them off, capturing the attention of AIR. Her mom thinks she's using again and sends her off to what she thinks is a boot camp. It's actually training for AIR. Phoenix has a lot to overcome, but really begins to feel at home in her new environment. She makes friends and fights her feelings for Ryan, as a relationship between them could get her kicked out of the program.

WHAT WORKS:
I like Phoenix. She is smart and brave and loyal, but she's no Mary Sue. I was rooting for her and Ryan and their short scenes together were memorable. I also enjoyed seeing Mia Snow from Awaken Me Darkly (Alien Huntress, Book 1) as an instructor.

WHAT DOESN'T:
I was happy to find out that Phoenix and Ryan get their HEA, but a year seems like a long time for them to hold out. Plus, we didn't get "the scene" -just a summary of it. Of course, it's YA, so it won't be what we're used to from Gena Showalter.

OVERALL:
I liked it. I hope to see more of Phoenix and Ryan -maybe in the grown-up version of the series. 5 stars.

I liked the first couple books in Showalter's Alien Huntress series, but didn't like the last few. So, I had mixed feelings about reading the Teen Alien Huntress series. Luckily this was a pretty darn good book. It is not high literature, but is fun to read and full of action.

Phoenix has been through rehab twice already and is trying to kick her addiction to Onadyn for good. Still she needs to see her friends sometimes, so she sneaks out to a party to meet up with them. There she meets the super hot Ryan who warns her to leave because some Outers are coming to attack the party. Phoenix doesn't listen (she has a real attitude problem) and instead hangs around. When the party is attacked by Sybilins (water sucking aliens, that will literally suck you dry) Phoenix stays and fights instead of leaving like she was told. Afterwards Ryan knocks her out and returns her home. Phoenix's mom thinks she's been using again and this time it is the last straw. Phoenix's mom signs her up to go to a new "hard-love" rehab school. Only the school isn't what it seems to be and Phoenix is learning about *way* more than how to kick her habit.

This was a fun read and action packed. The characters aren't the greatest ever created, but they are somewhat interesting and engaging. The world Showalter has created with multiple human races isn't gone into in any great depth, but promises to be interesting. For those who have read the adult Alien Huntress series (definitely not appropriate for younger readers because of being so heavy on the sex) you will recognize many of the teachers at the school; Mia is there as well as Le'Ace. I actually liked this book a lot better than the Adult Alien Huntress series, maybe because more page space is given to action and plot.

While Phoenix is definitely not a role-model for young adults, she does grow throughout the book and starts to become someone readers can admire as the plot progresses. The action scenes are well-written. For those who have read Vampire Academy and are intrigued by the teacher-student relationship between Rose and Dimitri, you will find something similar in this book. Ryan and Phoenix really hit it off, but as Ryan is one of Phoenix's teachers their relationship is (of course) forbidden. This adds some nice tension to the story.

Much of the story is spent with Phoenix learning her new skills and learning about Otherworlders. The story is engaging and a fast, fun read. I am looking forward to reading "Blacklisted" the second Teen Alien Huntress book.

This was one of the best books ive ever read!Pheonix, the main character, has just gotten out of rehab for the second time due to an addiction to a drug called onadyn, witch can be lethal to humans but is needed by some aliens for survival. She ends up going to a party with old friends, the only people who have ever accepted her, where she is surrounded by the temptation to use again, she wants to leave but stays for fear something might happen to her best friend if shes left alone. As the night progresses she finds herself in a highly unexpected situation for which life as she knows it will never be the same! But can she survive in a place where everyone expects her to fail?

Red Handed is the first book in the Teen Alien Huntress series. Phoenix is a compelling character in both her actions and voice. She is a recovering addict from Onadyn, a deoxygenating drug that is only meant for aliens. Her biggest worry now is how to regain the trust of her mom and make her proud after her undesirable behavior as a drug addict. This is still one of her top priorities when the party she is at is attacked by a water-sucking alien breed, then when she is recruited for the Alien Investigation and Removal agency after being able to hold her own against them. Readers will be drawn to Phoenix because of her tough, snarky attitude, but it is her strive to succeed as a recruit when her previous addiction puts her under more intense scrutiny that makes her stand out the most. There is great romantic tension between her and Ryan, an instructor that is against the rules for her to date. There is a whole cast of other characters as well who are just as fleshed-out and amusing to read about, making this an even quicker read. The end, while satisfying, leaves you hungry for more, which is why I can't be wait to be caught red handed with the next book in the series, Blacklisted, as soon as possible.

Phoenix has been in more than a bit of trouble lately, thanks to Onadyn, a new drug that she used. She's gone to rehab and kicked it now, but her mother still doesn't trust her. And when she's at a party in the woods that turns into a fight with aliens, her mother thinks it was more drugs.

That's the last straw.

However, this new program that Phoenix is taken to turns out to be not another drug rehab or anything, but a training facility. Phoenix is going to learn to fight aliens. She's been recruited to become a part of the elite Alien Investigation and Removal agency, or AIR.

RED HANDED is a real page-turner! Strong characters and a very imaginative and interesting premise make this book well worth reading. It's action-packed, and, as such, is a much quicker read than its 250+ pages would suggest. The world in which this book takes place is created very well, too.

RED HANDED easily captures the reader's attention from the first page, and as soon as you're done you'll want to pick up the next book in the TEEN ALIEN HUNTRESS series, Blacklisted, as soon as possible!

Reviewed by: Jocelyn Pearce