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Young Adult Alien Huntress #1
Red Handed
She's been chosen to fight the elusive enemy among us....
Phoenix Germaine has been trying to earn back her mother's trust after going into rehab and kicking Onadyn -- the drug of choice for New Chicago teens. But when a party in the woods turns into an all-out battle with the most ferocious aliens Phoenix has never seen, she's brought home in what appears to be an Onadyn-induced state. Hello, reform school.
Except, what her mother doesn't know is that Phoenix has just been recruited to join the elite Alien Investigation and Removal agency, where she'll learn to fight dirty, track hard, and destroy the enemy. Her professional training will be rigorous and dangerous, and the fact that one of her instructors is Ryan Stone -- the drop-dead gorgeous, nineteen-year-old agent she met in the woods that night -- doesn't make things any easier. Especially when dating him is totally against the rules....
Wildly imaginative, action-packed, and thrilling, Red Handed launches Gena Showalter's stunning new alien huntress series.
288 pages, Paperback
First published June 19, 2007
31 people are currently reading
2949 people want to read
About the author
Gena Showalter
262 books27.9k followersGena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over seventy books, including the acclaimed Lords of the Underworld series, the Gods of War series, the White Rabbit Chronicles, and the Forest of Good and Evil series. She writes sizzling paranormal romance, heartwarming contemporary romance, and unputdownable young adult novels, and lives in Oklahoma City with her family and menagerie of dogs and cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
January 30, 2013
I knew that this book and the next book were meant to be read in-between the Alien Huntress books and I also knew that they happened at the same time as the Alien Huntress books... I think I believed that because they were Y.A. (and I do enjoy a lot of Y.A. books), they wouldn't have the same impact.
Wrong!!! The story grabbed me within the first two pages and I was hooked. If I hadn't of had to go to work, this book would have been dusted in one session, unfortunately I have to pay my bills somehow so reality had to come first!
I was about 40% in and so hooked that somehow I hadn't realised that Mia was our very own Mia from book 1!!! (doh), I was just so engrossed!
Anyway, from the characters in the book, I understood that this book fit perfectly with the timing of things, gave us additional insights into further characters that I am betting show up in the future Alien Huntress books and I simply can't wait.
I loved Phoenix and totally understood why Mia wanted her, Kitten was just so freakin adorable!! But, let's face it, Ryan was - wait for it - yeah, HOT! For a Y.A. book, it was brilliant, but like I said, I enjoy Y.A. books as well as our Adult books... hell, any book by Gena seems to be brilliant!!!
This book basically centres around the recruitment into A.I.R and the reasons why the recruits are chosen, it also happens alongside the Alien Huntress books as stated, which seems to make things more tangible for me. Phoenix is a fantastic girl - growing into a young woman and her story is what hooked me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what happens in Blacklisted - it obviously carries on but down a slightly different route!
Wrong!!! The story grabbed me within the first two pages and I was hooked. If I hadn't of had to go to work, this book would have been dusted in one session, unfortunately I have to pay my bills somehow so reality had to come first!
I was about 40% in and so hooked that somehow I hadn't realised that Mia was our very own Mia from book 1!!! (doh), I was just so engrossed!
Anyway, from the characters in the book, I understood that this book fit perfectly with the timing of things, gave us additional insights into further characters that I am betting show up in the future Alien Huntress books and I simply can't wait.
I loved Phoenix and totally understood why Mia wanted her, Kitten was just so freakin adorable!! But, let's face it, Ryan was - wait for it - yeah, HOT! For a Y.A. book, it was brilliant, but like I said, I enjoy Y.A. books as well as our Adult books... hell, any book by Gena seems to be brilliant!!!
This book basically centres around the recruitment into A.I.R and the reasons why the recruits are chosen, it also happens alongside the Alien Huntress books as stated, which seems to make things more tangible for me. Phoenix is a fantastic girl - growing into a young woman and her story is what hooked me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what happens in Blacklisted - it obviously carries on but down a slightly different route!
November 3, 2010
I really hate YA books. I would rather skip over these 2 in the series, yet if I do I will miss some vital piece of information. I have got to drag myself through 2 books of self-torture. This book takes place at the elite A.I.R. training facility. These individuals fight the predatorily aggressive aliens. A.I.R. agents are described as the toughest, meanest, most reliable agents out there. Why are they recruiting high school kids? Wouldn’t make more sense to look to the military and other law enforcement officials for recruits? There is plenty of lust and sexual frustration. The book is definitely YA so we also have a ton of teen angst and self-loathing.
September 18, 2014
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Fun story with engaging characters, awesome writing, and tons of action. I would highly recommend this to any YA sci-fi fans that love aliens!
Opening Sentence: I’d always loved the night, where anything could happen and everything usually did.
The Review:
Phoenix Germaine has a serious drug problem with Onadyn. It is a drug that was designed to help aliens deal with our oxygen levels, for humans it will give you the most amazing high. It is very addictive and once you start using it is almost impossible to stop. Phoenix has been to rehab twice and this time she is determined to stay clean. But one night she decides to go out with her friends to a party, and things go terribly wrong when a bunch of hostile aliens show up. Phoenix ends up being taken home and it looks like she is high as a kite. Her mother decides to send her to reform school because she just doesn’t know what else to do.
But it turns out the Phoenix has actually been recruited to join A.I.R., a secret agency that hunts down dangerous aliens and protects humans from them. Aliens have been a part of the world for a long time now and most people think that they are completely harmless, but A.I.R. knows better. Most aliens do live on earth peacefully and the government wants the general public to ignore any of the dangerous ones so they don’t cause problems with the peaceful aliens. At the school Phoenix will be taught how to fight, track, and eliminate any threat from aliens. She has finally found where she belongs, but this school has very strict rules and if you break any of them you will be kicked out. This isn’t a problem until Phoenix realizes that one of her instructors is the gorgeous Ryan Stone, one of the guys that helped rescue her friends in the woods, and student/instructor relationships is very much against the rules.
Phoenix was a great heroine that I liked instantly! She was feisty, smart and determined. I loved that she has a rough past and has made some really bad decisions, it made her feel more human. She has owned up to her mistakes and is doing everything in her power to change herself. I respect her for being so strong when it came to her addiction and making something of herself. She has a fun spunky attitude and is one of those people that always has a comeback. She was so easy to like and I am glad I got to read her story.
Ryan was a sexy love interest, but I felt that I didn’t really get to know him very well. He’s not in the book a whole lot and the few moments where he is you don’t really get to learn about him. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t like him because I did, he was interesting and drop dead gorgeous so what’s not to like. His relationship with Phoenix was full of great sexual tension and they had awesome chemistry. I wish I would have been able to know more about his background just so I could have connected with him better, but he was still a very fun character.
Red Handed was a very quick read full of action, romance, and fun characters. It is one of those books that you pick up and just fly right through it. I wouldn’t say that there was a ton of substance to the story but it was still very entertaining. While I did enjoy the romance it did have a slightly instalove feel to it, and I wish it would have been a little more developed. I am actually fairly new to Showalter’s works but everything I have read by her so far has been fantastic. I love her writing, it is quirky, creative, sexy, and just fun. This is a YA spinoff of Showalter’s adult Alien Huntress series, but this can be read completely separate. I personally haven’t read the adult series but I know that some of the same characters appear in the story, so if you were a fan of Alien Huntress series I would recommend you give this one a try. Also, if you are just a YA sci-fi fan and are looking for a great read you should check this one out.
Notable Scene:
I was once again alone with Ryan—who I wasn’t sure I liked. He was too bossy, too arrogant, too everything. But I knew I liked to look at him. He was a (sexy) mystery, a (beautiful) confusing puzzle.
“What’s your name?” he asked me. His blue eyes were swirling, churning. Like an ocean tempest.
“Phoenix.”
“Cute,” he said.
“You wouldn’t think so if it was your name,” I grumbled.
His lips twitched into a smile. (I was talking about you, not the name. But I like that, too.”
FTC Advisory: MTV Books/Simon & Schuster provided me with a copy of Red Handed. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Fun story with engaging characters, awesome writing, and tons of action. I would highly recommend this to any YA sci-fi fans that love aliens!
Opening Sentence: I’d always loved the night, where anything could happen and everything usually did.
The Review:
Phoenix Germaine has a serious drug problem with Onadyn. It is a drug that was designed to help aliens deal with our oxygen levels, for humans it will give you the most amazing high. It is very addictive and once you start using it is almost impossible to stop. Phoenix has been to rehab twice and this time she is determined to stay clean. But one night she decides to go out with her friends to a party, and things go terribly wrong when a bunch of hostile aliens show up. Phoenix ends up being taken home and it looks like she is high as a kite. Her mother decides to send her to reform school because she just doesn’t know what else to do.
But it turns out the Phoenix has actually been recruited to join A.I.R., a secret agency that hunts down dangerous aliens and protects humans from them. Aliens have been a part of the world for a long time now and most people think that they are completely harmless, but A.I.R. knows better. Most aliens do live on earth peacefully and the government wants the general public to ignore any of the dangerous ones so they don’t cause problems with the peaceful aliens. At the school Phoenix will be taught how to fight, track, and eliminate any threat from aliens. She has finally found where she belongs, but this school has very strict rules and if you break any of them you will be kicked out. This isn’t a problem until Phoenix realizes that one of her instructors is the gorgeous Ryan Stone, one of the guys that helped rescue her friends in the woods, and student/instructor relationships is very much against the rules.
Phoenix was a great heroine that I liked instantly! She was feisty, smart and determined. I loved that she has a rough past and has made some really bad decisions, it made her feel more human. She has owned up to her mistakes and is doing everything in her power to change herself. I respect her for being so strong when it came to her addiction and making something of herself. She has a fun spunky attitude and is one of those people that always has a comeback. She was so easy to like and I am glad I got to read her story.
Ryan was a sexy love interest, but I felt that I didn’t really get to know him very well. He’s not in the book a whole lot and the few moments where he is you don’t really get to learn about him. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t like him because I did, he was interesting and drop dead gorgeous so what’s not to like. His relationship with Phoenix was full of great sexual tension and they had awesome chemistry. I wish I would have been able to know more about his background just so I could have connected with him better, but he was still a very fun character.
Red Handed was a very quick read full of action, romance, and fun characters. It is one of those books that you pick up and just fly right through it. I wouldn’t say that there was a ton of substance to the story but it was still very entertaining. While I did enjoy the romance it did have a slightly instalove feel to it, and I wish it would have been a little more developed. I am actually fairly new to Showalter’s works but everything I have read by her so far has been fantastic. I love her writing, it is quirky, creative, sexy, and just fun. This is a YA spinoff of Showalter’s adult Alien Huntress series, but this can be read completely separate. I personally haven’t read the adult series but I know that some of the same characters appear in the story, so if you were a fan of Alien Huntress series I would recommend you give this one a try. Also, if you are just a YA sci-fi fan and are looking for a great read you should check this one out.
Notable Scene:
I was once again alone with Ryan—who I wasn’t sure I liked. He was too bossy, too arrogant, too everything. But I knew I liked to look at him. He was a (sexy) mystery, a (beautiful) confusing puzzle.
“What’s your name?” he asked me. His blue eyes were swirling, churning. Like an ocean tempest.
“Phoenix.”
“Cute,” he said.
“You wouldn’t think so if it was your name,” I grumbled.
His lips twitched into a smile. (I was talking about you, not the name. But I like that, too.”
FTC Advisory: MTV Books/Simon & Schuster provided me with a copy of Red Handed. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
March 6, 2011
Gena Showalter’s “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.
PLOT SPOILERS:
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 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. 4 stars.
PLOT SPOILERS:
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 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. 4 stars.
June 22, 2012
ohhhhh! me encanto , corto pero me gusto mucho! xD
October 16, 2012
I'm still on the fence about whether this deserved 3 or 4 stars...
I really enjoyed it and loved the non-annoyingly rebellious main character, Phoenix. She wasn't a rebel without a cause and proves her worth and can save herself, rather than waiting for prince charming to solve her problems. So I appreciated that she was realistically challenged by her past indiscressions and is a warrior in her own right because she has had the mental strength and determination to change people's perceptions of her and challenge herself to be a better person.
It was also really interesting to hear about the training and lessons taught to keep order amongst the aliens roaming around "New Chicago". I especially liked the other similarly socially unacceptable peers she befriends at Alien Investigation and Removal boot camp. Like her, they all have a past and have been told they are failures in mainstream society, so it's heart-warming to see them find an environment they fit and thrive in.
So all in all, it was enjoyable. A good YA complete with romance, fighting, a flawed but strong and compassionate main character, and nice world building.
But i wanted more!
I got so many tantalizing slivers of unsolved mysteries (or perhaps just undivulged in this book) dangled in my face I thought she would expand on some of those things later or they would end up playing a bigger role later on... but that never happened!!! That straight-forwardness kind of threw me off. I was able to kind of get past that though because my imagination tends to run wild with all of the side-stories that could be happening... but what it comes down to, is that they aren't real. So it does end up feeling like Showalter is skimming the surface of a storyline that could potentially be really deep and perplexing. So this left me a bit unsatisfied with the ending and mediocre expectations of future series installments.
Everything was well developed but just not expanded on enough.
I'm sure a few of these mysteries are to be revealed in Showalter's adult Alien Huntress Series or the sequel Blacklisted (since they are set in the same world and share characters), or perhaps this was originally supposed to turn into a series that didn't pan out--but as a stand alone story it felt kind of incomplete. As in, Uh oh, someone forgot to insert the last 4th of the story with all of the surprise revelations.
And with only one sequel (that will focus on a minor character from this book), I'm pretty sure I'll be left feeling a little short-changed because the author didn't delve into more detail about the A.I.R. school and instructors as well as Phoenix's development and relationship. [Please correct me if I am wrong about this.]
I still enjoyed it though, and will definitely check out some of Showalter's other books. Haven't decided if I'll purchase Blacklisted yet though. I really appreciated her writing style and her characters, so perhaps a different series of hers will hit the spot for me.
I really enjoyed it and loved the non-annoyingly rebellious main character, Phoenix. She wasn't a rebel without a cause and proves her worth and can save herself, rather than waiting for prince charming to solve her problems. So I appreciated that she was realistically challenged by her past indiscressions and is a warrior in her own right because she has had the mental strength and determination to change people's perceptions of her and challenge herself to be a better person.
It was also really interesting to hear about the training and lessons taught to keep order amongst the aliens roaming around "New Chicago". I especially liked the other similarly socially unacceptable peers she befriends at Alien Investigation and Removal boot camp. Like her, they all have a past and have been told they are failures in mainstream society, so it's heart-warming to see them find an environment they fit and thrive in.
So all in all, it was enjoyable. A good YA complete with romance, fighting, a flawed but strong and compassionate main character, and nice world building.
But i wanted more!
I got so many tantalizing slivers of unsolved mysteries (or perhaps just undivulged in this book) dangled in my face I thought she would expand on some of those things later or they would end up playing a bigger role later on... but that never happened!!! That straight-forwardness kind of threw me off. I was able to kind of get past that though because my imagination tends to run wild with all of the side-stories that could be happening... but what it comes down to, is that they aren't real. So it does end up feeling like Showalter is skimming the surface of a storyline that could potentially be really deep and perplexing. So this left me a bit unsatisfied with the ending and mediocre expectations of future series installments.
Everything was well developed but just not expanded on enough.
I'm sure a few of these mysteries are to be revealed in Showalter's adult Alien Huntress Series or the sequel Blacklisted (since they are set in the same world and share characters), or perhaps this was originally supposed to turn into a series that didn't pan out--but as a stand alone story it felt kind of incomplete. As in, Uh oh, someone forgot to insert the last 4th of the story with all of the surprise revelations.
And with only one sequel (that will focus on a minor character from this book), I'm pretty sure I'll be left feeling a little short-changed because the author didn't delve into more detail about the A.I.R. school and instructors as well as Phoenix's development and relationship. [Please correct me if I am wrong about this.]
I still enjoyed it though, and will definitely check out some of Showalter's other books. Haven't decided if I'll purchase Blacklisted yet though. I really appreciated her writing style and her characters, so perhaps a different series of hers will hit the spot for me.
November 21, 2010
I give this book a very high 4.5... i was really suprised that i loved this book when i really didnt enjoy the first AdulT Alien Huntress book. I think i liked this one is because it reminded me a little of Rose and Dimitri with the forbidden romance and the "Training Sessions". I loved Phoenix's character becuase even though she started out with a bad start she just wanted to make things right by kicking ass lol who wouldnt love a character like that? she was strong and worked hard and i enjoyed her book.I loved Ryan with his creepy Blue eyes i just wish this book was a little bit longer so we could have gotten more of there relationship but all in all a very good book.
January 22, 2011
When I looked this series up on a fan website for Gena Showalter this is listed as the third book in the series so I am reading it now. On Goodreads they have it listed as the first of a teen series of these books. Oh, well I guess I will see the difference. This book screams teen but I liked it. It still has excitement and a relationship that pours off the page. Definately worth reading. Also, now that I am further in the series I realize the characters from the two teen books are mentioned briefly in the adult series. I do think the ending was a little unsatifying because you are waiting for when they are finally together and it is a brief mention before the story ends.
September 13, 2010
Ages 14+ (sex, drug use)
Former Onadyn addict Phoenix finds herself at a party that's invaded by aliens, and when she comes home her mom is convinced she's been using again. Forcibly taken from her school, Phoenix assumes she's being sent back to rehab. Instead she's been recruited into an academy for A.I.R. agents - the deadly force that protects New Chicago from the threat of predatory aliens. She can stay clean, sure, but can she stay away from sexy Ryan, the instructor who saved her life at that party? Fluffy but entertaining, may appeal to fans of the Uglies series.
Former Onadyn addict Phoenix finds herself at a party that's invaded by aliens, and when she comes home her mom is convinced she's been using again. Forcibly taken from her school, Phoenix assumes she's being sent back to rehab. Instead she's been recruited into an academy for A.I.R. agents - the deadly force that protects New Chicago from the threat of predatory aliens. She can stay clean, sure, but can she stay away from sexy Ryan, the instructor who saved her life at that party? Fluffy but entertaining, may appeal to fans of the Uglies series.
September 14, 2016
3'5. Epílogo desastroso, muy apresurado y poca chica.
November 23, 2018
I LOVEEEEEEEEE THIS BOOK, IS THE BEST EVER
June 15, 2017
The book started off interestingly enough - Phoenix being addicted to drugs and her mother being deeply disappointed in her. She soon has to face an alien attack, where she proves to fight desperately well, and is able to impress a sexy alien hunter named Ryan. She is then recruited by Alien Investigation and Removal Agency where she has to go through ups and downs and control her desire for Ryan because their romance is forbidden. What I deeply disliked about the book is that it is so fast paced and rushed; there is not enough information and the days pass way too soon. It is eventually seen that Phoenix becomes a well trained combat and develops a cheeky, secret romance with Ryan. They go through another alien attack, but the battle details aren't just thrilling enough. However, the book is short and would be an interesting read for young teenagers.
January 29, 2018
I haven’t read this book, I am currently using it for a placeholder for a book that hasn’t been added to goodreads yet.
November 15, 2018
Very good
February 24, 2019
a little alien killing, and a lot of teen angst
March 28, 2020
This is the first book in read by this author and I loved it and now going on to more by them. It has a good base line of a story and you never know what's going to happen next.x
March 8, 2022
Totally fricking awesome!! Couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait to read the next book
December 5, 2023
Again I found a good read in this book. I would not mind more stories in this series.
December 6, 2016
This is a very good book, with lots of suspense. I never got bored of reading.
March 21, 2017
Gena by se měla držet této délky knih, protože jinak z toho většinou udělá totálně nudnou blbost.
December 31, 2021
Ive read this book multiple times from when I was in high school till now and I love it just as much. Its the most amazing story
July 15, 2013
Před mnoha lety přišli na Zemi mimozemšťané a vypukla válka. Po mnoha bojích a ztrátách na obou stranách byla nakonec podepsána mírová smlouva a všichni teď spolu žijí v míru. Nebo ne?
Tohle bylo to, co si sedmnáctiletá Phoenix myslela a co ji učili ve škole. Ale jako závislá na droze Onadyn, která je nutná pro přežití mimozemšťanů/=Outerů a smrtelně nebezpečná pro lidi, Phoenix byla už dvakrát na odvykačce.
Čtrnáct dní co se vrátila z té poslední se vyplíží na párty v lese, kde se zjeví tajemný Ryan Stone, který ji varuje ať zmizí před mimozemšťany a ona se mu jen vysměje. Mimozemšťané nejsou nebezpeční. Neútočí na lidi.
Tento fakt je jí ale vyvrácen zhruba o dvě vteřiny později, když je napadne smečka Outerů, o jejichž existenci nikdy neslyšela a snaží se zabít ji i její přátele.
Domů se vrátí ve stavu, který připomíná užití Onadynu a její matka se rozhodne pro ultimátní krok - pošle ji pryč, do tábora.
To, co ale Phoenix nikdy nečekala, je, že tábor je výcvikovým místem agentům A.I.R, speciální elitní jednotky pro vyšetřování a odstraňování Outerů.
A to, že sexy Ryan je instruktor a v táboře je přísný zákaz randění s instruktory ničemu vůbec nepomáhá.
„Jak se jmenuješ?“ Zeptal se mě. Jeho modré oči se točily, vířily. Jako hurikán.
„Phoenix.“
„Rozkošné,“ řekl.
„Nemyslel by sis to, kdyby to bylo tvoje jméno,“ zamumlala jsem.
Jeho rty se zaškubaly v úsměvu. „Mluvil jsem o tobě, ne o jméně. Ale líbí se mi také.“
On si myslel, že jsem rozkošná? „Je hloupé.“
„Ale vůbec.“
„Každý den mě někdo přirovnává k ptákovi, který shoří.“
„Ten pták povstane ze svého vlastního popela, silnější, než kdykoli předtím.“
Dobře. Teď se mi konečně líbilo mé jméno. Nikdy jsem o tom nepřemýšlela takto, ale ten obraz se mi líbil. Povstala jsem ze svého popela a snažila jsem se žít lepším životem.
str. 27
Phoenix je dobrá hrdinka. Hodně dobrá. Má tuhý kořínek a konečně je pevně rozhodntá udělat něco se svým životem a dát mu smysl. Tábor A.I.R se jeví jako dobrá příležitost a ona se snaží zapadnout a najít si přátele.
Ryan je jedna velká záhada. A to po vetšinu knížky, pořád se ochomýtá kolem, je tajemný a sexy a trousí otravné a provokativní poznámky.
Zbytek postav, čili osazenstva tábora se pohybuje v mezích na-nervy jdoucích teenagerům po agenty, kteří navás bez zaváhání vystřelí, takže vás usmaží žhavý paprsek a nic z vás nezbyde.
Musím podotknout, že dobrou práci odvedla i Phoenixina máma, která se na rozdíl od nějakých knih chovala skutečně jako rodič, který má starost o své dítě.
Strana jedna A.I.R. Příručky pro cvičence
Byli jste vybráni pro tento program, protože jste prokázali potenciál, statečnost a správnou zapálenost. Což znamená, že zbytek světa vás považuje za příliš divoké, příliš nedisciplinované a příliš násilné.
I když tyto vlastnosti obdivujeme, nedělejte tu chybu, abyste si mysleli, že tu budete nespoutaní.
Budete snášet více pravidel a předpisů, než kdykoliv předtím, a budete se jimi řídit, pravděpodobně poprvé ve svém životě. Pokud ne, budete přísně potrestáni.
Modlete se, abyste nikdy nezjistili, co jsem tím myslel.
str. 85
Co říct? Knížku jsem začala číst něco po desáté večer a skončila s ní okolo třetí ráno, protože jsem se nemohla odtrhnout.
Tahle série je sice spin-offem Lovkyní mimozemšťaů, ale není třeba to číst, pochopit se to dá i bez toho, protože na začátku je zde vše stručně, ale dostatečně vysvětleno, takže víte, v jakém světě se pohybujete.
Děj má rychlý spád a žádná slepá místa. Phoenix se snaží držet svých předsevzetí a vy jen otáčíte stránku za stránkou abyste věděli, co bude sál. V knize je plno vtipných hlášek a dialogů a já se chvílemi smála jako šílená.
Ať tedy dělám, co dělám, nezbývá mi nic jiného než knížce dát 10/10. Vážně jsem byla dost překvapená, protože jsem tomu moc šancí nedávala. Možná proto, že jako první jsem četla druhý díl, na který bude recenze co nejdřív a který mi přišel stěží průměrný.
Tohle bylo to, co si sedmnáctiletá Phoenix myslela a co ji učili ve škole. Ale jako závislá na droze Onadyn, která je nutná pro přežití mimozemšťanů/=Outerů a smrtelně nebezpečná pro lidi, Phoenix byla už dvakrát na odvykačce.
Čtrnáct dní co se vrátila z té poslední se vyplíží na párty v lese, kde se zjeví tajemný Ryan Stone, který ji varuje ať zmizí před mimozemšťany a ona se mu jen vysměje. Mimozemšťané nejsou nebezpeční. Neútočí na lidi.
Tento fakt je jí ale vyvrácen zhruba o dvě vteřiny později, když je napadne smečka Outerů, o jejichž existenci nikdy neslyšela a snaží se zabít ji i její přátele.
Domů se vrátí ve stavu, který připomíná užití Onadynu a její matka se rozhodne pro ultimátní krok - pošle ji pryč, do tábora.
To, co ale Phoenix nikdy nečekala, je, že tábor je výcvikovým místem agentům A.I.R, speciální elitní jednotky pro vyšetřování a odstraňování Outerů.
A to, že sexy Ryan je instruktor a v táboře je přísný zákaz randění s instruktory ničemu vůbec nepomáhá.
„Jak se jmenuješ?“ Zeptal se mě. Jeho modré oči se točily, vířily. Jako hurikán.
„Phoenix.“
„Rozkošné,“ řekl.
„Nemyslel by sis to, kdyby to bylo tvoje jméno,“ zamumlala jsem.
Jeho rty se zaškubaly v úsměvu. „Mluvil jsem o tobě, ne o jméně. Ale líbí se mi také.“
On si myslel, že jsem rozkošná? „Je hloupé.“
„Ale vůbec.“
„Každý den mě někdo přirovnává k ptákovi, který shoří.“
„Ten pták povstane ze svého vlastního popela, silnější, než kdykoli předtím.“
Dobře. Teď se mi konečně líbilo mé jméno. Nikdy jsem o tom nepřemýšlela takto, ale ten obraz se mi líbil. Povstala jsem ze svého popela a snažila jsem se žít lepším životem.
str. 27
Phoenix je dobrá hrdinka. Hodně dobrá. Má tuhý kořínek a konečně je pevně rozhodntá udělat něco se svým životem a dát mu smysl. Tábor A.I.R se jeví jako dobrá příležitost a ona se snaží zapadnout a najít si přátele.
Ryan je jedna velká záhada. A to po vetšinu knížky, pořád se ochomýtá kolem, je tajemný a sexy a trousí otravné a provokativní poznámky.
Zbytek postav, čili osazenstva tábora se pohybuje v mezích na-nervy jdoucích teenagerům po agenty, kteří navás bez zaváhání vystřelí, takže vás usmaží žhavý paprsek a nic z vás nezbyde.
Musím podotknout, že dobrou práci odvedla i Phoenixina máma, která se na rozdíl od nějakých knih chovala skutečně jako rodič, který má starost o své dítě.
Strana jedna A.I.R. Příručky pro cvičence
Byli jste vybráni pro tento program, protože jste prokázali potenciál, statečnost a správnou zapálenost. Což znamená, že zbytek světa vás považuje za příliš divoké, příliš nedisciplinované a příliš násilné.
I když tyto vlastnosti obdivujeme, nedělejte tu chybu, abyste si mysleli, že tu budete nespoutaní.
Budete snášet více pravidel a předpisů, než kdykoliv předtím, a budete se jimi řídit, pravděpodobně poprvé ve svém životě. Pokud ne, budete přísně potrestáni.
Modlete se, abyste nikdy nezjistili, co jsem tím myslel.
str. 85
Co říct? Knížku jsem začala číst něco po desáté večer a skončila s ní okolo třetí ráno, protože jsem se nemohla odtrhnout.
Tahle série je sice spin-offem Lovkyní mimozemšťaů, ale není třeba to číst, pochopit se to dá i bez toho, protože na začátku je zde vše stručně, ale dostatečně vysvětleno, takže víte, v jakém světě se pohybujete.
Děj má rychlý spád a žádná slepá místa. Phoenix se snaží držet svých předsevzetí a vy jen otáčíte stránku za stránkou abyste věděli, co bude sál. V knize je plno vtipných hlášek a dialogů a já se chvílemi smála jako šílená.
Ať tedy dělám, co dělám, nezbývá mi nic jiného než knížce dát 10/10. Vážně jsem byla dost překvapená, protože jsem tomu moc šancí nedávala. Možná proto, že jako první jsem četla druhý díl, na který bude recenze co nejdřív a který mi přišel stěží průměrný.
January 7, 2008
Picture a world where humans and aliens live side by side. They haven't always lived side by side in peace though. When aliens first came to our planet there was a long and difficult battle. Damages done to the earth were so devastating that natural resources had to be replaced by synthetic materials. Eventually a peace treaty was signed and a "new world" was formed. A part of that new world was the AIR, Alien Investigation and Removal, a highly trained organization that policed the aliens in order to ensure the safety of the humans. This is the world Phoenix knows.
Phoenix lives in New Chicago and is a recovering addict. She wasted many of her days "flying" on Onadyn, a drug introduced to the world after aliens started inhabiting it with us. The aliens need Onadyn to help them with the oxygen found in our atmosphere. Without it, some of the alien races will die. For humans, it produces a sense of soaring and invincibility. Phoenix has been to rehab twice and now is determined to stay clean and earn back her mother's trust.
Her resolve is tested when she attends a party with her friends, all of whom are still "flying" whenever they can. When a group of predatory aliens surrounds the party and begin to attack her friends, Phoenix feels the need to stay and protect them since they are incapacitated because of their Onadyn high. She notices two other partygoers that are helping with the fight and fighting expertly at that. One is Allison, a girl from school that is a member of the popular crowd and doesn't give Phoenix the time of day, and the other is Ryan, Allison's handsome brother. She soon realizes they are both members of the AIR.
The aliens that attacked were the type that sucked the oxygen out of a person's body until it shriveled up and died. Phoenix was held down by one of the aliens, but because of her experience with Onadyn, it didn't hurt her as fast as it would someone else. She was able to keep a clear head and get loose. However, the after effects were still the same. By the time AIR took her home she was lethargic, her skin was dry, and her lips had a blue tint to them so of course her mother assumed she had been "flying."
The next day, Phoenix's mother informed her that she was sending her to another rehab facility. The man who took Phoenix home the previous night gave her mother the number to this boot camp type clinic. Phoenix begged her mother not to send her away again, but the pleas fell on deaf ears. Phoenix was called out of class and taken directly to the facility. She didn't even have a chance to say goodbye to her mother. What she finds when she arrives is nothing like a rehab facility though and she soon learns that she is being interviewed for AIR training, due to the fighting skills she exhibited during the attack at the party.
Once she is accepted, she meets new friends, learns amazing skills, and totally falls for the handsome Ryan who turns out to be one of her teachers. Phoenix knows she can't afford to blow this opportunity. Three strikes and you're out is the rule during AIR training and dating one of the teachers is definitely considered a strike.
Red Handed is the first in Gena Showalter's Alien Huntress Series. It is action packed and even though it is set in a sci-fi setting, the emotions and attitudes of the characters are ones that people here on our plain ol' earth can relate to. If you like this one, be sure to read Blacklisted, the second book in this series.
Phoenix lives in New Chicago and is a recovering addict. She wasted many of her days "flying" on Onadyn, a drug introduced to the world after aliens started inhabiting it with us. The aliens need Onadyn to help them with the oxygen found in our atmosphere. Without it, some of the alien races will die. For humans, it produces a sense of soaring and invincibility. Phoenix has been to rehab twice and now is determined to stay clean and earn back her mother's trust.
Her resolve is tested when she attends a party with her friends, all of whom are still "flying" whenever they can. When a group of predatory aliens surrounds the party and begin to attack her friends, Phoenix feels the need to stay and protect them since they are incapacitated because of their Onadyn high. She notices two other partygoers that are helping with the fight and fighting expertly at that. One is Allison, a girl from school that is a member of the popular crowd and doesn't give Phoenix the time of day, and the other is Ryan, Allison's handsome brother. She soon realizes they are both members of the AIR.
The aliens that attacked were the type that sucked the oxygen out of a person's body until it shriveled up and died. Phoenix was held down by one of the aliens, but because of her experience with Onadyn, it didn't hurt her as fast as it would someone else. She was able to keep a clear head and get loose. However, the after effects were still the same. By the time AIR took her home she was lethargic, her skin was dry, and her lips had a blue tint to them so of course her mother assumed she had been "flying."
The next day, Phoenix's mother informed her that she was sending her to another rehab facility. The man who took Phoenix home the previous night gave her mother the number to this boot camp type clinic. Phoenix begged her mother not to send her away again, but the pleas fell on deaf ears. Phoenix was called out of class and taken directly to the facility. She didn't even have a chance to say goodbye to her mother. What she finds when she arrives is nothing like a rehab facility though and she soon learns that she is being interviewed for AIR training, due to the fighting skills she exhibited during the attack at the party.
Once she is accepted, she meets new friends, learns amazing skills, and totally falls for the handsome Ryan who turns out to be one of her teachers. Phoenix knows she can't afford to blow this opportunity. Three strikes and you're out is the rule during AIR training and dating one of the teachers is definitely considered a strike.
Red Handed is the first in Gena Showalter's Alien Huntress Series. It is action packed and even though it is set in a sci-fi setting, the emotions and attitudes of the characters are ones that people here on our plain ol' earth can relate to. If you like this one, be sure to read Blacklisted, the second book in this series.
December 23, 2008
Red Handed
By: Gena Showalter
262 pp. New York, NY.
Simon & Schuster. $9.95.
ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-3224-8
Red Handed by Gena Showalter, captures many young adult reader's minds. It is an addictivly thrilling -- suspenseful story that will bring you despair in moments, humor at times, curiosity at others, and even a bit of fear. But no matter what it will keep you obsessed with the book until you finish it, to the very end. It is undoubtfully a wildly imaginative book. The story takes place in the future when humans and aliens live, work, and play alongside each other, in peace after years of war. But of course "peace" never lasts long.
Many aliens are still bloodthirsty and hunt humans for pleasure and sustenance. Which was why A.I.R (Alien Investigation and Removal) exists. A.I.R., according to Showalter A.I.R is, "...an elite unite very similar to police or military or FBI. Except deadlier. Meaner. More blood thirsty." It is populated with teenagers that have been discovered and recruited, willingly or not, to be brought in for training. So what will our main character, Phoenix Germaine do when she finds herself in laserbands, which Showalter describes as a kind of handcuff in the future that can cut to the bone if you attempted to take it off, and practically kidnapped to A.I.R. training camp, completely against her will!
But once Phoenix is there, she finds herself wanting to be accepted by everyone at A.I.R. and wanting for a seconde chance. Phoenix, is constantly always trying to prove to others that she is no longer a Onadyn addict but simply only a former user. Throughout the book, Phoenix encounters many A.I.R counselors and other people, who doubt she will become an A.I.R. agent. "Why is she even here? This is ridiculous. A user is always a user." Even though many people are discouraging her, Phoenix, continues to attempt to prove them wrong. "I wasn't that girl anymore-- no matter what everyone thought." Phoenix is a character who believes everyone deserves a second chance.
Showalter's book is a very well-written story of rebellion, love, friendship and growing up. It is definitely a great book for Twilight fans. Red Handed like Twilight tells the story of forbbiden love except told in a better way. Unlike Bella's and Edward's relationship which was so obvious from the very begining, Phoenix's and Ryan Stone's, her instructor, relationship is much more intense and thrilling. Also both these books involve a bit of fantasy. Except in Showalter's book it seems a bit more realistic than Meyer's. Showalter made it seems as if in the future that maybe one day the earth really will be inhabited with aliens.
So do you think Phoenix can prove to A.I.R. she has changed? Will they accept Phoenix and her flaws? What will happen to Ryan's and Phoenix's forbidden relationship? Is it possible for Phoenix's mother to forgive her? When will Phoenix overcome all these obstacles? Will it even happen?
By: Gena Showalter
262 pp. New York, NY.
Simon & Schuster. $9.95.
ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-3224-8
Red Handed by Gena Showalter, captures many young adult reader's minds. It is an addictivly thrilling -- suspenseful story that will bring you despair in moments, humor at times, curiosity at others, and even a bit of fear. But no matter what it will keep you obsessed with the book until you finish it, to the very end. It is undoubtfully a wildly imaginative book. The story takes place in the future when humans and aliens live, work, and play alongside each other, in peace after years of war. But of course "peace" never lasts long.
Many aliens are still bloodthirsty and hunt humans for pleasure and sustenance. Which was why A.I.R (Alien Investigation and Removal) exists. A.I.R., according to Showalter A.I.R is, "...an elite unite very similar to police or military or FBI. Except deadlier. Meaner. More blood thirsty." It is populated with teenagers that have been discovered and recruited, willingly or not, to be brought in for training. So what will our main character, Phoenix Germaine do when she finds herself in laserbands, which Showalter describes as a kind of handcuff in the future that can cut to the bone if you attempted to take it off, and practically kidnapped to A.I.R. training camp, completely against her will!
But once Phoenix is there, she finds herself wanting to be accepted by everyone at A.I.R. and wanting for a seconde chance. Phoenix, is constantly always trying to prove to others that she is no longer a Onadyn addict but simply only a former user. Throughout the book, Phoenix encounters many A.I.R counselors and other people, who doubt she will become an A.I.R. agent. "Why is she even here? This is ridiculous. A user is always a user." Even though many people are discouraging her, Phoenix, continues to attempt to prove them wrong. "I wasn't that girl anymore-- no matter what everyone thought." Phoenix is a character who believes everyone deserves a second chance.
Showalter's book is a very well-written story of rebellion, love, friendship and growing up. It is definitely a great book for Twilight fans. Red Handed like Twilight tells the story of forbbiden love except told in a better way. Unlike Bella's and Edward's relationship which was so obvious from the very begining, Phoenix's and Ryan Stone's, her instructor, relationship is much more intense and thrilling. Also both these books involve a bit of fantasy. Except in Showalter's book it seems a bit more realistic than Meyer's. Showalter made it seems as if in the future that maybe one day the earth really will be inhabited with aliens.
So do you think Phoenix can prove to A.I.R. she has changed? Will they accept Phoenix and her flaws? What will happen to Ryan's and Phoenix's forbidden relationship? Is it possible for Phoenix's mother to forgive her? When will Phoenix overcome all these obstacles? Will it even happen?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2014
Red Handed is an action packed and highly-enjoyable read. While the first few chapters are a little predictable for some, the story soon develops into a incredibly imaginative world where humans and aliens alike battle together for the safety of planet Earth.
I remember reading one of the YA Alien Huntress books a few years ago – and I remember really enjoying it. Mistakenly, I thought it was this one, and decided to re-read to complete the series (it’s only two books so far and I’m not sure if Gena Showalter plans on expanding) but within a few chapters, I realized that I had in fact read Blacklisted (the second book) all those years ago. So, my venture into the YA Alien Huntress series became a new one all over again and I’m pleasantly surprised with what I found.
Gena Showalter has a way of writing YA fiction that isn’t completely dumbed down. We get those steamy scenes without them being ‘full-on’ – like the would be in the adult section – but they’re not vanilla, either. It’s a welcome change.
Red Handed is also incredibly light, but somehow all the action and world-building manages to fit between the pages. It’ll prove to be a quick and speedy read while at the same time being enjoyable. I must admit I’m interested in reading the original Alien Huntress series now that I’m familiar with the characters. I do enjoy Gena Showalter’s writing.
I loved the tense relationship between Phoenix and Ryan, though I am disappointed it wasn’t expanded upon further. I guess that’s what the Epilogue was for though. I know where Blacklisted leads, as I’ve read it so many years ago, and I know that it’s more of a companion novel than a sequel, as it centers around different characters that only had a small role in Red Handed. I think Gena had the potential to spread out this series more, into more books narrated by Phoenix, but instead we get the second novel set a year later after all is said and done. I guess this stops it from being repetative, but still, I would have liked to see more between Ryan and Phoenix.
Another bonus point in Red Handed was the ‘realness’ of the secondary characters. All too often they’re swept under the rug and seemed nothing more than paper cut-outs. Kitten, Emma, Cara and even the instructors made great personalities with a great deal of individuality to them.
I read another person’s goodreads review that said: “Think a younger, sexier Men In Black” I couldn’t agree more with this comment! Gena Showalter has created a great world with this series (and the original adult series I’m guessing) and I really recommend it!
Recommended to: Highly recommend to readers looking for a not so ‘vanilla’ YA series full of action and great characters.
December 30, 2010
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.
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.
February 4, 2011
First Read: February 4, 2011
Red Handed is book one of the YA Alien Huntress Series by Gena Showalter. Like the adult Alien Huntress books, this does not disappoint.
Phoenix Germaine is a 17 year old teen who is battling an addiction to drugs, Onadyn to be more specific. She turned to drugs after her father walked out on her mother and never looked back. Phoenix got clean after two trips to rehab and lots of regretful behaviour.
Ryan Stone is a 19 year old agent for Alien Investigation and Removal (A.I.R) Agency. He is strong, intelligent, gorgeous, and a half-alien instructor for the A.I.R. training camp.
Phoenix and Ryan meet at a party in the woods, two weeks after Phoenix returns home from rehab. Ryan and his sister are there to keep the humans safe from an alien attack, while Phoenix is hoping to reconnect with friends and prove she can be clean when her friends are using. While the kids are drunk and high, aliens attack. Phoenix joins the fight, while the humans either pass out or stagger to safety, and kiss alien butt. After the alien fight, Ryan knocks her out and she is returned to her mother in what appears to be a drug-induced state. The agent tells her mother that he’s a police officer and gave her a card of a boot camp, where he supposedly sent his troubled teen. The next morning, Phoenix is removed from school and sent to what she believes is boot camp.
Luckily, the camp is actually A.I.R. training camp and Phoenix is given the chance to turn her life around and live with purpose. She will be trained to protect the human race from predatory aliens. Phoenix and Ryan were drawn to one another from the moment they met. It’s against the rules for an instructor and student to date, no matter their ages. Phoenix makes lots of great friends and finds that she truly fits into this world. Phoenix and Ryan finally kiss, just as the training centre is attacked by aliens. They battle, Phoenix kicks alien butt, but is threatened by losing her new life because she broke the rules. They’re both given a slap on the wrist and decide to wait for her to graduate to heat up the romance.
I loved this book and gave it four stars. It would have gotten five stars if the book was a little longer and not so rushed at the end. I felt like the reader missed out on a lot of detail and was surprised there wasn’t any twist at the end.
I can’t wait to check out the next one.
Red Handed is book one of the YA Alien Huntress Series by Gena Showalter. Like the adult Alien Huntress books, this does not disappoint.
Phoenix Germaine is a 17 year old teen who is battling an addiction to drugs, Onadyn to be more specific. She turned to drugs after her father walked out on her mother and never looked back. Phoenix got clean after two trips to rehab and lots of regretful behaviour.
Ryan Stone is a 19 year old agent for Alien Investigation and Removal (A.I.R) Agency. He is strong, intelligent, gorgeous, and a half-alien instructor for the A.I.R. training camp.
Phoenix and Ryan meet at a party in the woods, two weeks after Phoenix returns home from rehab. Ryan and his sister are there to keep the humans safe from an alien attack, while Phoenix is hoping to reconnect with friends and prove she can be clean when her friends are using. While the kids are drunk and high, aliens attack. Phoenix joins the fight, while the humans either pass out or stagger to safety, and kiss alien butt. After the alien fight, Ryan knocks her out and she is returned to her mother in what appears to be a drug-induced state. The agent tells her mother that he’s a police officer and gave her a card of a boot camp, where he supposedly sent his troubled teen. The next morning, Phoenix is removed from school and sent to what she believes is boot camp.
Luckily, the camp is actually A.I.R. training camp and Phoenix is given the chance to turn her life around and live with purpose. She will be trained to protect the human race from predatory aliens. Phoenix and Ryan were drawn to one another from the moment they met. It’s against the rules for an instructor and student to date, no matter their ages. Phoenix makes lots of great friends and finds that she truly fits into this world. Phoenix and Ryan finally kiss, just as the training centre is attacked by aliens. They battle, Phoenix kicks alien butt, but is threatened by losing her new life because she broke the rules. They’re both given a slap on the wrist and decide to wait for her to graduate to heat up the romance.
I loved this book and gave it four stars. It would have gotten five stars if the book was a little longer and not so rushed at the end. I felt like the reader missed out on a lot of detail and was surprised there wasn’t any twist at the end.
I can’t wait to check out the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2013
Review by Cassandra from Book Talk
She has been chosen. Phoenix Germaine has been trying her best to earn her mother's trust back after once again being put into rehab and kicking her Onadyn habit, the drug of choice for New Chicago teens. Unfortunately for her, a party in the woods ends up in a battle with the worst aliens Phoenix has ever seen, and she is brought home in what seems to be an Onadyn-induced state. Reform school is now in her future. Except, the reform school isn't what it seems. Phoenix's mother has unknowingly sent her daughter to be recruited to join the elite Alien Investigation and Removal agency. She will now learn how to fight dirty, track hard, and destroy the enemy. Her training will be dangerous and rigorous. Add on to that, the fact that one of her new instructors is Ryan Stone, the gorgeous nineteen-year old agent she fought alongside in the woods that night, makes things a lot harder on Phoenix. Especially since dating between students and instructors is forbidden.
This is a new side of A.I.R. that we get to witness in this book. The training and recruitment of their agents is an aspect we have not seen before and it is very intriguing. Phoenix has battled her Onadyn addiction and has finally beaten it. It may be too late though, no one seems to believe she is clean and doubts she can remain that way. Phoenix is determined to gain a better life and prove everyone wrong. She becomes a strong, brave, and independent woman. Her greatest challenge however, is trying to resist her attraction and feelings for her instructor, Ryan Stone. Ryan is battling his own struggle with his attraction to one of his students and seems to be losing the fight. We also get to see a few of previous books' characters and new ones who will appear in future books. Even though I'm not a big fan of YA, I had to read this book since I can't read a series with missing books! Luckily for me, it was worth it. In my opinion, it was actually too short. I would have loved to see more interaction with Phoenix and the other characters especially her relationship with Ryan. It would've been even better if the epilogue would've been even longer. Basically, I would have loved to have an adult, later years, version to go along with this book. It's a great addition to this series but just in case you were wondering, you can still read the series without the YA without having any problems. I just wouldn't recommend skipping it because it is a good book.
She has been chosen. Phoenix Germaine has been trying her best to earn her mother's trust back after once again being put into rehab and kicking her Onadyn habit, the drug of choice for New Chicago teens. Unfortunately for her, a party in the woods ends up in a battle with the worst aliens Phoenix has ever seen, and she is brought home in what seems to be an Onadyn-induced state. Reform school is now in her future. Except, the reform school isn't what it seems. Phoenix's mother has unknowingly sent her daughter to be recruited to join the elite Alien Investigation and Removal agency. She will now learn how to fight dirty, track hard, and destroy the enemy. Her training will be dangerous and rigorous. Add on to that, the fact that one of her new instructors is Ryan Stone, the gorgeous nineteen-year old agent she fought alongside in the woods that night, makes things a lot harder on Phoenix. Especially since dating between students and instructors is forbidden.
This is a new side of A.I.R. that we get to witness in this book. The training and recruitment of their agents is an aspect we have not seen before and it is very intriguing. Phoenix has battled her Onadyn addiction and has finally beaten it. It may be too late though, no one seems to believe she is clean and doubts she can remain that way. Phoenix is determined to gain a better life and prove everyone wrong. She becomes a strong, brave, and independent woman. Her greatest challenge however, is trying to resist her attraction and feelings for her instructor, Ryan Stone. Ryan is battling his own struggle with his attraction to one of his students and seems to be losing the fight. We also get to see a few of previous books' characters and new ones who will appear in future books. Even though I'm not a big fan of YA, I had to read this book since I can't read a series with missing books! Luckily for me, it was worth it. In my opinion, it was actually too short. I would have loved to see more interaction with Phoenix and the other characters especially her relationship with Ryan. It would've been even better if the epilogue would've been even longer. Basically, I would have loved to have an adult, later years, version to go along with this book. It's a great addition to this series but just in case you were wondering, you can still read the series without the YA without having any problems. I just wouldn't recommend skipping it because it is a good book.
October 3, 2015
Red Handed by Gena Showalter :SPOILER-LESS REVIEW:
Rated: 5 stars
Okay despite the fact that i've read this book more than a few times and love it, i very vaguely remember it.
BUT, what i remember from this book is pure awesomeness.
She's been chosen to fight the elusive enemy among us....
Phoenix Germaine has been trying to earn back her mother's trust after going into rehab and kicking Onadyn -- the drug of choice for New Chicago teens. But when a party in the woods turns into an all-out battle with the most ferocious aliens Phoenix has never seen, she's brought home in what appears to be an Onadyn-induced state. Hello, reform school.
Except, what her mother doesn't know is that Phoenix has just been recruited to join the elite Alien Investigation and Removal agency, where she'll learn to fight dirty, track hard, and destroy the enemy. Her professional training will be rigorous and dangerous, and the fact that one of her instructors is Ryan Stone -- the drop-dead gorgeous, nineteen-year-old agent she met in the woods that night -- doesn't make things any easier. Especially when dating him is totally against the rules....
Don't you just want to read this? Btw, not that it's not all innocent.
“What’s your name?” he asked me. His blue eyes were swirling, churning. Like an ocean tempest.
“Phoenix.”
“Cute,” he said.
“You wouldn’t think so if it was your name,” I grumbled.
His lips twitched into a smile. I was talking about you, not the name. But I like that, too.”
Oh and then there were those "training sessions"
Overall, great short read, recommended to anyone who can read.
Rated: 5 stars
Okay despite the fact that i've read this book more than a few times and love it, i very vaguely remember it.
BUT, what i remember from this book is pure awesomeness.
She's been chosen to fight the elusive enemy among us....
Phoenix Germaine has been trying to earn back her mother's trust after going into rehab and kicking Onadyn -- the drug of choice for New Chicago teens. But when a party in the woods turns into an all-out battle with the most ferocious aliens Phoenix has never seen, she's brought home in what appears to be an Onadyn-induced state. Hello, reform school.
Except, what her mother doesn't know is that Phoenix has just been recruited to join the elite Alien Investigation and Removal agency, where she'll learn to fight dirty, track hard, and destroy the enemy. Her professional training will be rigorous and dangerous, and the fact that one of her instructors is Ryan Stone -- the drop-dead gorgeous, nineteen-year-old agent she met in the woods that night -- doesn't make things any easier. Especially when dating him is totally against the rules....
Don't you just want to read this? Btw, not that it's not all innocent.
“What’s your name?” he asked me. His blue eyes were swirling, churning. Like an ocean tempest.
“Phoenix.”
“Cute,” he said.
“You wouldn’t think so if it was your name,” I grumbled.
His lips twitched into a smile. I was talking about you, not the name. But I like that, too.”
Oh and then there were those "training sessions"
Overall, great short read, recommended to anyone who can read.
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