I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies: The Lost Files) (Lorien Legacies, #1)

by Pittacus Lore

John Smith is not your average teenager.

He regularly moves from small town to small town. He changes his name and identity. He does not put down roots. He cannot tell anyone who or what he really is. If he stops moving those who hunt him will find and kill him.

But you can't run forever.

So when he stops in Paradise, Ohio, John decides to try and settle down. To fit in. And for the first time he makes some real friends. People he cares about - and who care about him. Never in John's short life has there been space for friendship, or even love.

But it's just a matter of time before John's secret is revealed.

He was once one of nine. Three of them have been killed.

John is Number Four. He knows that he is next . . .

Reviewed by e_rodz_leb on

4 of 5 stars

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About two weeks ago my mom (visiting from Puerto Rico) and I rented 'I Am Number Four' and watched with my hubby. We really liked this movie, it is a fast-paced, action packed thriller, and of course it made me want to go out and get the book. So, last week when I was visiting my local library, there it was just calling my name. How was I supposed to resist the call?

I don't want to write this review to compare the movie and the book, instead I will concentrate on the novel. The book it's slow paced at the beginning, but we need to understand the background information about Lorien and what the 'children' can do and are expected to do. It is kind of strange how they are so similar to humans, right down to the nervousness, and insecurities. I was happy that not a lot of mysteries were left uncovered and we didn't have to eagerly wait for some answers (for example how to open the chest.)

The story is written on first person, from John's point of view. He is a likable character, just a tad too insecure for my taste. The rest of the characters are very distinct and well fleshed out. The romance story with Sarah is somewhat corny and they fall in love really fast, especially since this is a lifetime commitment for John. Also, how Mark goes from enemy to friend is a little hard to believe.

Overall, I enjoyed 'I Am Number Four' and will definitely read the sequel 'The Power of Six' that will be published in August of this year. 'I Am Number Four: The Lost Files: Six's Legacy' it's a spin-off from the series and it comes out in July.

About the cover: I liked this cover, better than the movie tie-in edition. The red and orange are the colors fire, which is one of Four's Legacies. If you have seen the movie, you know what the symbol is. If you haven't seen the movie, what are you waiting for? Run the the nearest Red Box now!

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 6 July, 2011: Finished reading
  • 6 July, 2011: Reviewed