Review: Uh oh, Earth is about to get some unwanted guests!
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 09 12, 2013
From first few pages, I was hooked as Operation Earth starts in an alien ship and Earth is about to get some unwanted guests.  I liked the reasoning as to why the aliens showed up and are so determined to assimilate humans, and I especially liked how the author makes you sympathize with both viewpoints.  You can see why humans would be more than a tad bit upset with aliens showing up and trying to mold them into what the aliens think are right, and you can also see how the aliens are trying to do the best they can to make human and alien life better.This is billed as a science fiction although there is romance that ends up being  a huge factor with the two main leads: Rachael and Peter.  I preferred the science fiction elements over the romance between the leads but that's mostly because I wasn't too fond of Rachael.  I like the descriptions of the alien technology and wish there would have been more of that in the story.  Ms. Hammarblad creates such an interesting alien culture that I wished should could have gone more into it.  Otherwise, with the aliens wanting to enact changes for the good of the world, it was fun to see Rachael's reaction as she struggles with not being able to have those oh-so necessary essentials-like chocolate and coffee (mmmm...).  I did like the scenes she had showing Peter why earth culture rocks.  Throughout the story, as they fall in love and get closer, you feel bad for them as they both have the knowledge that a future together is unlikely.As mentioned before, humans aren't very happy with this arrangement so rebellions form and poor Rachael gets dragged into it.  There's an air of suspense and danger throughout the novel, because people are scared and willing to kill and do violence.  The one downside is that there is a lot of inner dialogue snippets, which ruined the flow for me.  However, those who like to hear exactly what the characters are thinking would enjoy it.  I would have preferred having the author describe in depth what the character was feeling and thinking rather than only hearing brief thoughts.  It was as if reading a book told in 90% third person and 10% first person so it didn't flow as smoothly as it could have.Although there is romance, it's fade to black scenes without graphic terminology so it's fairly clean with a low heat level.  The science fiction elements are very easy to understand.  You're mostly reading about the human and alien response to the alien invasion.  If you like the TV series Jericho or V or the Borg from Star Trek, you'll probably enjoy this book (I loved the shout out to V in the book)!  Overall, this was a 3 out of 5 for me.(Originally posted on my blog; I was given a review copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)