I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Summary:
Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books—but we are real.
Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. We have lived among you without you knowing.
But they know.
They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.
I am Number Four.
I am next.
Review:
Back in August, I happened across the book I Am Number Four in my local bookstore. It was the cover that caught my attention right away. So I picked it up, read the back cover - even read the inside flaps...but for some reason I can't explain, I didn't buy it.
I thought about it a few times over the next several months - as yes, it did leave a lasting impression - but instead of going back out to buy it, it ended up on my Christmas list. However, it wasn't until I was stumbling through another book, that I realized the movie for I Am Number Four would be coming out in less than 3 weeks - and I wanted to have it finished, before I saw it. So, it shifted to the top of my book pile.
And I can't - for the life of me - understand why it took me so long to read this one.
Right from the start, this book took off like a bat outta hell. No joke, it had me hooked with the first 4 pages of the prologue - and the writing continued to keep me clawing through the chapters, until I had it finished 3 days later.
Not since The Hunger Games, have I found a book I've enjoyed as much. Seriously.
Every character had a reason for being in the story - and I found myself associating with all of them. Even the dog - Bernie Kosar - had me with the first bat of his paw.
There were moments were I found my heart racing right alongside the main character (John, AKA #4) - almost wanting to scream out loud for him to RUN!!!!! And at one point, I'm pretty sure I actually did...and I'm not ashamed to admit that.
I Am Number Four is filled with raw action and suspense - and it did a fabulous job of keeping me on the edge of me seat, reading until all hours of the morning, right up to the very last page. If I hadn't had to go to work, I would've finished this one in a day...I almost called in sick.
This one is a DEFINITE recommended read, hands down, no exceptions. I've been anxiously awaiting an amazing YA book, from a boy's POV - and this one fit the bill, without a doubt. John is everything a fifteen year old boy should be - minus the fact he can run faster than 60 mph, lift 30 foot trees using only his mind, and run into a building engulfed in flames, while not burning a single hair on his body (all of which, just make him that much cooler). His interactions with other boys (Sam and Mark) are typical and often times humorous - and don't even get me started on his mannerisms towards Sarah (the love interest), which I found completely believable and definitely well written.
If you don't believe me, at least read the free excerpt from the I Am Number Four website (www.iamnumberfourfans.com):
http://browseinside.harperteen.com/index...
I still have no idea why I didn't buy this one back in August - but you can bet I'll be first in line to buy the sequel, The Power Of Six, when it comes out next August.
So what are you waiting for?
Trust me, you'll wanna read this one.
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