I was one of those people who, when I saw the leak, I was sure that it had to be real. So when they announced the game the look of Alear was something I was ready for. I really like her though, I find it genuinely interesting how different she acts than Byleth. Like even in the game where Byleth isn't controlled by you, she's cold and pretty much ready to throw down all the time. She also, while having emotions, seems to have a problem conveying them.
Alear seems to be the opposite and she feels like she is very upset at times or cautious at others and the like. I like this kind of character and I would like them to continue doing this same thing. I kind of wish we could get the character design thing back from Fates, but I think that would make animated cutscenes a pain for them.
If there is anything I dislike about Alear it is how she seems to drop off in power level near the middle of the first half of the game. I found myself having to depend on a lot of other units to carry the weight and it feels like I only just started to get her back around where I am.
The (English) voice acting is good, she feels awkward and kind of unsure of what to do with the attention thrust upon her and the people worshipping her. It helps that some of them, like Framme, say some unhinged stuff from time to time. But her reactions to it are great.