A review by reading_rainy
Population by Elizabeth Stephens

5.0

The path to trust is forged in faith.

I absolutely LOVED reading this story! If I had to pick something similar, I’d say it’s a cross between Beauty and the Beast, Twilight, mixed with [b:Angelfall|15863832|Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, #1)|Susan Ee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1464206558l/15863832._SY75_.jpg|16435765].

Aliens have invaded Earth over twelve years ago.

“You are aliens to us.”
“We were here first”
“I’m sure your indigenous communities said the same to their invaders.”
“That doesn’t make it right.”
“No. It makes history.”

They look like humans, but most of the elite are over seven feet fall. The ruling class have these glowing orbs inside their chests which made me think of Iron Man. The world is set up almost like old-England feudalism. The poorest of the humans live in a place called Population, where they fight for their very existence. As with other books by this author, the world building is excellent.

Able is of mixed race, half black and half Cherokee heritage. I loved her strength! Just when you think she’s done for, she’ll surprise you and kick some more ass. Kane is ridiculously swoony for an alien dude.

“If I ever attempt to take from you that which you do not freely give, I give you every permission in this world to take may sword and gut me with it.”

I do wish that there had been more of a build-up from them being enemies, to friends, to lovers. This part bothered me the most

Spoiler

How did she go from getting her ass beat, face punched, almost dying, to learning formal dances, and walking in high heels, in only two days?!! I can’t stretch my imagination to go that far!

There were a few inconsistencies throughout the story but the core of Stephens writing is so damn good that those things didn’t bother me too much.

This is a slow burn of sorts, however, when things get hot, they get HOT. I’m still thinking about that kitchen scene.

I do wish the aliens in this story were more alien and less human-like. But then again, I loved stories like [b:Cottonwood|17563213|Cottonwood|R. Lee Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1362690504l/17563213._SX50_.jpg|24495752] and [b:The E.T. Guy|33139830|The E.T. Guy (Office Aliens, #1)|V.C. Lancaster|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1480294482l/33139830._SY75_.jpg|53821507] and not everyone enjoys their insect/aliens. There is a crazy cliffhanger at the end of this book, so be prepared!