FULL REVIEW: This has definitely been the year for alien-inspired YA projects. From Demitria Lunetta's "In the After" to Eve Silver's "Rush", to Rick Yancey's "The 5th Wave", aliens of all shapes and size are now dominating YA books. Now, to add to that list, is Stacey Kade's "The Rules". The first time I heard about the book, it was described to me as a a "sophisticated, literary version of Roswell". Given how much I loved the show when it first came out on the WB, I knew I had to check it out.
PLOT OVERVIEW: Since escaping from the lab where she was first created, half-human, half-alien hybrid Ariane has lived by a set of five rules. The rules are strict, but they were all designed to help protect Ariane and her adopted father from the people who will do just about anything to get her back. However, after multiple encounters with the school bully goes awry, Ariane lands on the radar of the popular Zane Bradshaw, who also happens to be the police chief's son. He initially enlists Ariane to help him get revenge with the popular clique, but soon finds that he's actually interested in the shy, withdrawn girl. Now, as Ariane's experiencing emotions and experiences that go against everything she's ever practiced, she has to figure out how to cope with these new changes. At the same time, she has to cope with the idea that the people she's afraid of the most, may be closer than she believes.
THINGS THAT WORKED: * CHARACTERIZATIONS.I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Ariane, at first. Just how does one effectively write the personality of a half-human, half-alien hybrid? Will she be funny, creepy or just plain emotionless, like we often seen from aliens in films? Well, Kade proves that there is "definitely" a way to effectively write a hybrid character. Ariane is odd and physically quirky - thus, befitting her alien origins - but also sweet and likable. She's passionate about helping people who are less fortunate. She has endearing quirks like collecting used name brand jeans, because she relishes in the luxury denim after a childhood of wearing scratchy medical scrubs. Kade perfectly captures Ariane's teenage voice, putting just the right amount of humor, intelligence and strength into her thoughts and actions. I was especially touched by Ariane's realization that she was falling in love for the first time. Her feelings of uncertainty and panic, coupled with the dawning realization that Zane's presence just made her feel "good", was especially well-done. As for Zane - I liked him a "lot", in spite of some of the stereotypes used in his characterization. Yes, the whole male character-can't-live-up-to-sibiling trope has been done before. As has the male-character-has-abusive-older-father trope. But Kade does these tropes "so" well, and infuses such humor, intelligence and clarity into Zane's voice, I quickly fell for him anyway. I could easily see why he could be the one person who would understand Ariane, and how she could let her guard down around him. * WRITINGTwo things of note:* First, Kade writes teenage voices exceptionally well. The book goes back and forth between Ariane and Zane's narrations, and both voices are distinctive and engaging. Unlike some books, where alternating characters basically sound the same, there was never any doubt in my mind whether I was in Ariane or Zane's mind. * Second, Kade has a snarky, witty sense of humor which clearly comes through in her writing. To paraphrase Mitch's review, there was a delightful wryness in Kade's words that kept me riveted, and made me want to keep reading. * PLOTTING: * "The Rules" does move fairly slowly in the beginning, but Kade does a good idea of setting up Ariane's background with GTX and her current situation, without necessarily bombarding the reader with unnecessary or copious amounts of information. After the initial chapters, Kade begins to raise the stakes. She increases the dangers being experienced by Ariane - including a situation where Ariane is literally a danger to herself - and also ups the emotional stakes. All of this eventually leads to...* THE ENDINGWithout giving away too many spoilers, I genuinely didn't expect "that" type of ending. I thought the book would end up going a certain way, and "boom" Kade dropped a giant bombshell. I think the ending was actually perfect in terms of setting up enough questions and loose ends for the next book in the series, and I look forward to seeing how Kade plans on resolving everything.
THINGS THAT DIDN'T WORK/THINGS TO CONSIDER: * Stylistically, I felt that the first few chapters didn't fully set up just how unique Kade's story would be. A lot of the back and forth between Ariane-Rachel-Jenna-Kane felt like something out of a stereotypical high school YA, and didn't necessarily deliver that same sense of drama! and urgency! that I expected after reading the synopsis. So I would definitely advise readers that if they're not necessarily feeling the book in the first few chapters, to stick it out - the book builds up to a climax that will knock your socks off.
FINAL VERDICT: Stacey Kade's "The Rules", is a scintillating start to what is sure to be an exciting, thrilling series. Ariane is a quiet, unexpected heroine who shows readers that bravery and heroism will sometimes come in the most unexpected of packages. I recommend this book for readers who are looking for a unique sci-fi which is focused more on the interpersonal journey, rather than the science. (Though that's well-done too). I would recommend this book for fans of Debra Driza, Michelle Gagnon and Lydia Kang.
Credit: truth-just-ahead.blogspot.com
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