This is the second version of my review for I am Number Four. I have updated the review so it could better express the book's true brilliance!

I am Number Four is out-of-this world! :) The brilliant characterization, plot, world-building and writing all combine to create a breathtaking, edge-of-your-seat read that you'll never forget!

^^^This is the book. It's perfection is so great that it can only be compared to McKayla Maroney.

^^^This is my reaction to the brilliance that this book holds. It's truly indescribable!

THE PLOT I love the plot of I am Number Four! This is one of the most creative and original plots I've read in a LONG time, and it truly impressed me!         

In the beginning there were nine. When the planet Lorien is attacked by a viscous group of aliens called Mogdorians, nine special children are sent to Earth. These children look just like normal human children - but they're not. They will soon develop powers (called "Legacies") beyond anything you can ever imagine.         

Now there are only six. The Mogdorians have found the children - and they will stop at nothing until each and every one of them is dead.         

They killed Number One in Malaysia.         

Number Two perished in England.         

And Number Three was brutally murded in Kenya.         

Our protagonist is Number Four - a.k.a. John Smith - and he is on the run. But, truthfully, all John wants is a normal life. But his wish might just cause his fate...

Dun dun dunnn!

THE WRITING The writing in I am Number Four is SPECTACULAR! Sure, it's not quite [book: Hunger Games|2767052] quality, but it does itself justice. “Pittacus Lore” does a phenomenal job writing action sequences – which I really enjoyed. Considering there is a LOT of action elements in the story, this was a definite highlight! I also liked the amount of suspense in the story. It truly keeps readers on their toes, wondering what’s going to happen to John, Henri, and the rest of their favorite characters. Promising a never-dull experience, every once in a while an unpredictable twist is thrown in - just to ensure readers a roller-coaster ride!         

Pittacus Lore definitely follows the “show, don’t tell” rule quite precisely – so precisely, in fact, that the book is laid out somewhat like a screen-play – making it virtually impossible to not imagine the story playing out right in front of you on a huge screen at a movie theater.

“When you have lost hope, you have lost everything. And when you think all is lost, when all is dire and bleak, there is always hope.”

THE CHARACTERS & THE ROMANCE  The characters in I am Number Four are definitely one of the highlights of the story! They’re all so well developed and have so much depth and personality that they truly felt real to me! I enjoyed that each and every character transformed from the beginning to the end of the story.         

The story had an incredible cast of characters. John Smith – Number 4 – was an exceptional narrator and hero for the story. I enjoyed how realistic he was – he seemed like your average teenager – hormone-driven, yet he was sweet and down-to-earth. And Number Six? Her grand entrance at the end of the story during John’s final battle against the Mogadorians – and just in the nick of time, too – was definitely my personal highlight of the story. She’s definitely kick-butt; and I truly enjoyed her presence in the story and can’t wait to see more of her in the sequel. And I absolutely LOVED Sam! He was geeky and smart – but completely loyal; shy, and brave. I also enjoyed Mark’s complete transformation from your typical high school bully to a worthy ally in the end. The romance between Sarah and John was also beautiful and refreshing! I truly saw the “spark” between each of them; and I really enjoyed it – and, best of all, it doesn’t seem to “take over” the overall plot; which was a refreshing change.         

I truly enjoyed how Sarah had no idea whatsoever about who John was and the massive danger he was in. Yet, I saw how much John truly wanted to trust Sarah – giving her subtle clues here and there. I truly felt this was an extraordinarily realistic portrayal of your average high-school romance (considering the circumstances of course).         

Without inserting any spoilers, I truly loved their romance – and I thought that their moment at the end of the book was beautiful, realistic, and perfectly done. THE WORLD-BUILDING I honestly think the world-building was my favorite aspect of the book. I was really impressed with how "Pittacus Lore" was able to create an entire history for Lorien! A history filled with happiness and sorrow, war and death, love and sacrifice, hope and determination - a beautiful planet with amazingly unique traditions and customs whose history vanished after a single war - one so well-planned, so gruesome, so unexpected - that they simply could not win. Yet, they tried anyway.         

THIS is what I consider beautiful, well-done world-building. THIS is how every book's world-building should be done. I LOVED IT - and I can't wait to see more of Lorien's beauty.         

I also loved the idea of Legacies - "superpowers" that those from Lorien develop during their teen years. I specifically enjoyed both John and Number Six's Legacies - they were SUPER COOL! John's Legacies include animal telepathy, the ability to see visions of the future and immunity to fire. Six's Legacies include invisibility & the ability to control the weather. They both can move objects with their minds ("telekinesis") and are much faster and stronger than normal humans. The unveiling of the Legacies was an interesting aspect of the book and I truly enjoyed reading about them! All in all, I highly recommend this to everyone who hasn't read it - especially fans of The Fifth Wave and Ender's Game! It's a captivating read that you'll never forget and I can't recommend it more!