Blog Tour: ARC Review: The Rules by Stacey Kade

Title: The Rules (Project Paper Doll #1)
Author: Stacey Kade
Pages: 416 pages
Format acquired: ARC (Paperback)
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication date: April 23rd 2013
Source: Gifted
Buy the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble



1. Never trust anyone.

2. Remember they are always searching.

3. Don’t get involved.

4. Keep your head down.

5. Don’t fall in love.

Five simple rules. Ariane Tucker has followed them since the night she escaped from the genetics lab where she was created, the result of combining human and extraterrestrial DNA. Ariane’s survival—and that of her adoptive father—depends on her ability to blend in among the full-blooded humans in a small Wisconsin town, to hide in plain sight at her high school from those who seek to recover their lost (and expensive) “project.”

But when a cruel prank at school goes awry, it puts her in the path of Zane Bradshaw, the police chief’s son and someone who sees too much. Someone who really sees her. After years of trying to be invisible, Ariane finds the attention frightening—and utterly intoxicating. Suddenly, nothing is simple anymore, especially not the rules…

(Image and summary taken from Goodreads.)

Review:

I have no idea why I assumed that this would be about a robot/android/cyborg but I did. The summary was quite vague as to what Ariane really was but when I found out that she was actually half-alien, I was pleasantly surprised. I like aliens. Totally random but my mom likes to tell me that she's an alien... and that she's also English, so aliens have a place in my heart. Interestingly enough, we have a ton of different alien-themed books rising up now. The Lorien Legacies by Pittacus Lore (aliens on the run from other aliens,) The Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout (hot aliens on the run from other hot aliens,) Superman (a very Henry Cavill in a cape and tights) and others. But the fact is, it's so hard to be able to differentiate yourself from all these famous alien books, to be able to bring a fresh and hip idea onto the table, and I was so glad that Stacey Kade was able to just that.

Ariane isn't running from her fellow extraterrestrial, she's actually running away from GTX, the company that "created" her.  That's why her father has several rules for her to follow (which play a big plot twist in the book.) I think that Ariane is one of the chillest and most apathetic characters I have ever read. Yeah, she's suspicious of people most of the time but she doesn't really care that much. But actually beneath all that, all she wants is to be normal. To be able to live a peaceful life not constantly on the run, it's so painful reading about how much she yearns for freedom. Especially with the key scene. I liked Ariane as a character and a heroine, she really isn't your average protag. She doesn't swoon over guys or worry about her grade or other mundane things. She takes things in stride and looks badass doing it. I wouldn't want to mess with Ariane (she pulls a Carrie in one scene.)

I didn't know how to feel about Zane at the start. He was one of those privileged guys who were too cool for others but has a secret somewhere inside. He wasn't particularly interesting until he started hanging out with Ariane. That was really when I started seeing his personality shine. And like I mentioned, he has a secret. You'll learn about it from the start but it's something he hides from his friends. Poor Zane... All he needs is Ariane in his life. But really, he doesn't immediately like her and vice versa. Their romance was slow, hesitant and all the more sweet. I just love their chemistry with each other. Can I just say? Their first kiss together? Sweeeeet. It wasn't tacky or exaggerated, it was... I can't even describe it, you'll have to see for yourself. As the story progressed, I really started to like him and I understand why he was the way he was. And he really showed a lot of initiative and courage even when he didn't really know what was happening at a certain part of the book while most people would have been helpless or completely useless. Kudos to you, brotha!

Over all, I really enjoyed The Rules. It felt more Contemporary than Sci-Fi at times but Stacey Kade was still able to bring back the key components of the book. I can't wait to see what's in store for Zane and Ariane with the way The Rules ended so... More, please!

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