“The Connection” by Dana Claire

In the beginning of The Connection, a new novel by Dana Claire, Bea’s trying to be a normal high-schooler after her mother’s death. She runs track and hangs out with her friends, nothing special. It’s a bit Twilight-y when she gets the attention of the strangely attractive, very aloof Cash. There’s a lot of meaningful eye contact and Bea’s besties know something’s up. 

Cash’s real identity, as a Ferroan alien with almost endless powers,  comes out when he’s tasked with protecting her. It’s hard to say who hates this protection more, Bea or Cash. Both of them are sassy and mouthy about it, with an added annoyance for poor Cash who’s really trying to keep Bea out of danger. And, man, there’s a lot of danger. I really liked feeling like there was a whole Ferroan world and history, that it all absolutely existed and everything was connected, but our Bea didn’t know anything about it.  I also liked how the things that seemed strange in the beginning of the book came together to create an alien world with long-lasting secret connections to earth, with Bea at the heart of it. 

As Bea and Cash begin to have feelings for each other — No, who are we kidding? They had feelings since they first met! As Bea and Cash begin to admit they have feelings for each other, their romance is complicated by Bea’s status as a host (for his lost girlfriend’s spirit, no less) and by a frightening prophesy that might mean the destruction of Earth, Ferro, or both.

I really liked how the Ferroans’ changed their opinion of Bea over time. At first, she’s treated like a parcel to be delivered safely. She’s a precious and important parcel, of course, because she’s the host and a key to the prophecy, but they’re not particularly interested in her thoughts or feelings. This changes over time, as Bea earns their respect over the course of the novel. 

Without spoilers, there’s a really surprising discovery at the end of The Connection that points to an upcoming sequel.