Helpful Score: 4
It's official: I am a fan of Pittacus Lore. Hands-down my favorite alien since ET.
In I Am Number Four -- the first book of the Lorian Legacies, penned by the aforementioned Lore -- we're introduced to, well, Number Four, known in this book as John Smith. He's one of the nine Lorian Legacies sent to Earth to save their planet and their species from the vicious Mogadorians, a brutal race that destroyed Lorian years ago -- and now has its eye on Earth.
Although they live in secret, isolated from each other and hidden away all over the world, the Mogadorians have been hunting the Lorian Legacies and killing them one by one. They caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John, hidden away with his guardian Henri in Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next to die, and that Mogadorian soldiers are getting closer to finding him by the day.
But despite his developing powers and strange history, John is very much like an average teenager. He has run-ins with the school bully, and falls for blond overachiever, Sarah. He struggles to find his place in a world he can't form attachments to. He fights his mentor and father figure for independence. Oh, and at the same time, has to learn how to become fireproof, interpret his strange visions of his decimated home planet, and figure out a way to save his new planet from the same fate.
Overall, I loved I Am Number Four. I think its one of the most exciting new series out now, and with the movie tie-in slated for this year, should cement its place as the Next Big Thing in YA literature. That designation will be well-earned. Pittacus Lore (*cough* James Frey *cough*) has created a new, modern take on the classic "aliens living among us" story. It's a welcome reinvention and should be a hot series in 2011. I can't wait to learn more about the Lorians and follow Four and his companions on their adventures in the next book in the series, The Power of Six.
And as an aside, how brilliant was Frey for choosing to write under a pseudonym? Smart move -- create buzz, write a book that's a total departure from his previous controversial work, and ditch all the bad associations your name could bring to the series. Seems to have worked out well for him. ;-)
In I Am Number Four -- the first book of the Lorian Legacies, penned by the aforementioned Lore -- we're introduced to, well, Number Four, known in this book as John Smith. He's one of the nine Lorian Legacies sent to Earth to save their planet and their species from the vicious Mogadorians, a brutal race that destroyed Lorian years ago -- and now has its eye on Earth.
Although they live in secret, isolated from each other and hidden away all over the world, the Mogadorians have been hunting the Lorian Legacies and killing them one by one. They caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John, hidden away with his guardian Henri in Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next to die, and that Mogadorian soldiers are getting closer to finding him by the day.
But despite his developing powers and strange history, John is very much like an average teenager. He has run-ins with the school bully, and falls for blond overachiever, Sarah. He struggles to find his place in a world he can't form attachments to. He fights his mentor and father figure for independence. Oh, and at the same time, has to learn how to become fireproof, interpret his strange visions of his decimated home planet, and figure out a way to save his new planet from the same fate.
Overall, I loved I Am Number Four. I think its one of the most exciting new series out now, and with the movie tie-in slated for this year, should cement its place as the Next Big Thing in YA literature. That designation will be well-earned. Pittacus Lore (*cough* James Frey *cough*) has created a new, modern take on the classic "aliens living among us" story. It's a welcome reinvention and should be a hot series in 2011. I can't wait to learn more about the Lorians and follow Four and his companions on their adventures in the next book in the series, The Power of Six.
And as an aside, how brilliant was Frey for choosing to write under a pseudonym? Smart move -- create buzz, write a book that's a total departure from his previous controversial work, and ditch all the bad associations your name could bring to the series. Seems to have worked out well for him. ;-)
Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed I am Number Four (Lorien Legacies, Bk 1) on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com
Nine Lorien teenagers were sent to earth to await their legacies, special powers that each possess, in order to return to their planet to save it. Number Four, Daniel Jones, is moving from Florida to Paradise, Ohio, with his new name, John Smith, and his Cepan, or guardian, Henri.
In Paradise, John tries to start a life as he acquaints himself with Sarah Hart, a friendly, smart ex-cheerleader. Of course, with an ex-cheerleader there's an ex-boyfriend, Mark James, who isn't so happy about the chemistry between John and Sarah. As John begins to fall for Sara, she becomes another person who would be in danger from the Mogadorians, another alien race that are hunting the Lorien teens.
Each Lorien teen is at a different place on Earth. Three have already been caught and killed, which is made clear through the scars on each of the remaining teens' ankles. As another one dies, another scar will appear in order to determine who will be hunted next. Because of a charm, the nine teens must be killed in their chronological order. As number four, John knows he's next.
Despite its controversial co-author, one can't argue that I AM NUMBER FOUR reads just like a script, so it's no surprise that it has been turned into a movie. The novel itself has scenes that are so action-packed, with a little romance thrown in, that it will captivate readers of all ages.
With the sequel, THE POWER OF SIX, releasing in August 2011, only read I AM NUMBER FOUR if you are willing to become addicted to another series.
Nine Lorien teenagers were sent to earth to await their legacies, special powers that each possess, in order to return to their planet to save it. Number Four, Daniel Jones, is moving from Florida to Paradise, Ohio, with his new name, John Smith, and his Cepan, or guardian, Henri.
In Paradise, John tries to start a life as he acquaints himself with Sarah Hart, a friendly, smart ex-cheerleader. Of course, with an ex-cheerleader there's an ex-boyfriend, Mark James, who isn't so happy about the chemistry between John and Sarah. As John begins to fall for Sara, she becomes another person who would be in danger from the Mogadorians, another alien race that are hunting the Lorien teens.
Each Lorien teen is at a different place on Earth. Three have already been caught and killed, which is made clear through the scars on each of the remaining teens' ankles. As another one dies, another scar will appear in order to determine who will be hunted next. Because of a charm, the nine teens must be killed in their chronological order. As number four, John knows he's next.
Despite its controversial co-author, one can't argue that I AM NUMBER FOUR reads just like a script, so it's no surprise that it has been turned into a movie. The novel itself has scenes that are so action-packed, with a little romance thrown in, that it will captivate readers of all ages.
With the sequel, THE POWER OF SIX, releasing in August 2011, only read I AM NUMBER FOUR if you are willing to become addicted to another series.
