Becoming Alpha (Alpha Girl, #1)

by Aileen Erin

[Angie]

I really liked Becoming Alpha! In some ways, it's a pretty typical YA paranormal, but in other ways it felt totally fresh. Either way, it was a lot of fun, because Tessa isn't one to just sit back and let others run her. Her family has just moved from LA to Texas due to her father's job. Tessa is dreading the move, but also looking forward to being somewhere new where she isn't known as a freak. She's a psychometric, so whatever she touches gives her flashes of that objects past. She also sometimes gets visions from skin-to-skin contact, so she's careful to not touch anyone and wears gloves. Well, the new Tessa still doesn't fit in, since she gets bitten by a werewolf her first weekend, and has to transfer to the special school.

It's no secret that I adore special school settings, and Becoming Alpha did not disappoint in that regard! The school actually seems pretty normal, except that all of the students and faculty are werewolves. They still have normal classes, but mixed in with things like Metaphysics and Yoga. Tessa's transition wasn't so smooth though, since she knows literally nothing about werewolves. I mean, they did give her The Werewolf Bible, but too many people have touched it for her to actually read it. Plus there's this matter of being mated.

Of course, there's a romance, but it's not too huge of a part of Becoming Alpha. Well, the romance is kind of the reason Tessa was bitten and the cause of some of her problems at the new school. Dastien bit her because of reasons! He's super hot, but kind of moody, but that's his wolf. I was actually worried about the romance in the beginning, but there are reasons. And Tessa doesn't just automatically accept those reasons, and Dastien doesn't push her. They actually spend some time together, have common interests, and no one is proclaiming undying love. It's pretty great actually.

I also really liked the plot. Becoming Alpha isn't just about werewolves. Tessa's powers come about because she's half-witch. Then there's also vampires, who are the bad guys! In fact, some come to attack the school, even though it's well hidden, because there's a traitor at the school! Obviously, Tessa has to use her abilities and her fresh perspective to solve the case and save the day. It was still exciting though, since even though we know who's behind it, there's still the matter of rescuing everybody and fighting off the undead!

Becoming Alpha was just a fun read. I loved the combination of supernaturals, and I really liked Tessa. Sure she complains a lot, but her whole life was just uprooted and she's having to learn a whole new culture that she's been thrust into. She questions everything and fights for her rights, and all that good stuff.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.