I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Title: I am Number Four
Author: Pittacus Lore
Series: Lorien Legacies #1
Source: Personal Copy
Format: Hardback
Genre: Science Fiction
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
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.

Lorien was once a beautiful, life-sustaining planet for a race called Loric. That was until the killer race – Mogadorian – from the planet Mogadore invade their home and caused a horrific destruction. As Lorien began to die, nine young Loric Gardes were sent to Earth, accompanied by their guardians and trainers known as Cêpans, in hope that one day they will receive their powers, their Legacies that will help restore Lorien back to its glory. These Gardes were protected by a charm that makes them vulnerable to the killer in specific order.

Now Number Three has been slain, so Number Four knows that they are now after him. Nothing more could be done other than run away, change his identity and try to be as invisible as he possibly can. Four, now known as John Smith, together with his Cêpan, Henri, settled in a place called Paradise in Ohio. However, soon as he gets there, John commits his first mistake: he begins to bond, have a friendship and fall in love. In the end, it dawn to one thing: Is his personal interest more important than the person, the warrior that he is destined to become?

The author, writing under the pseudonym “Pittacus Lore”, did an excellent job in establishing the ground in I am Number Four. While I am normally the kind who does not read any book under science fiction or books related to aliens, it is still very easy for me to cruise through this book, to understand and follow the lore, the aliens’ history and the different kind of alien races that the author trying to bring forth in his book. All these were written in great detail but so carefully threaded so that readers do not feel overwhelm with the information given at one particular time. Some might say that this portion, which consume about half of the book, is slow and boring, I personally think that this is the sole reason that keeps me reading.

While the background story was written exceptionally well, I feel that the other features of the book such as the characters, the storylines and the style of writing do not manage to boost the book to the level it should. The characters, for instance, are all stereotypical – a good guy, a beautiful ex-cheerleader, a geeky bestfriend, football players as enemies (see the pattern?) – lack in dimension, monotonous and boring. The storylines on the other hand, feels askew from the original thing that matter, which is survival, the moment the love story takes place. It actually annoys me to see that the authors could put the backbone of the story aside and let it be replaced by a romance that, in my opinion, feels stale and unbelievable. There is a heart-pounding action scene towards the end of the book but even that part feels inconsistent and very predictable to me. I strongly think that sans the clichés and perhaps the love story, together with a better characterization and well-thought storylines, this book can really be a lot better than it is.

In the nutshell, I didn’t really enjoy this book as much as I thought I would when I first pick it up. There is nothing really spectacular about its writing and I believe that if you read it, it is pretty clear that it was written  for the big screen. However, if you are a big fan of action, there is quite a lot in this one for you to enjoy, but if you like details and solid book, I don’t think you’ll miss much by skipping this.

Favourite Quote: 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.

15 comments:

  1. I felt the same way as you did about this book. I really liked Henri though. Great review.
    And that was also my favorite quote from the book. :D

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  2. Great honest review, Shy. I really enjoyed this book despite being extremely annoyed with Sarah's character, but we all have our reasons! Love this review :)

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  3. THanks for the honest review. I've heard mixed reviews on this book. Great job. :)
    Lisa ~ YA Literature Lover

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  4. Hm, dunno about this one. But lovely honest review. That is the only think I ask for.
    I heard something about a movie, so will watch that insead

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  5. Seriously, you got me jealous mate! I want to read the book too!

    p/s: I dont read the review because I'm way too jealous! LOL. But really, it's on its way to me! Yeay!

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  6. Sorry that this book wasn't all you had hoped for. I'm always disappointed by characters that add nothing to a story. I only hope that your next book is more to your taste.

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  7. Fantastic review, Shy! I enjoy sci-fi but tend to be pretty picky about it, so this is good info to know. Thanks!

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  8. Great review! Sounds a bit too high fantasy for me (like a light LOTR with all out of this world things going on) but I know there are quite a few out there simply dying to get their hands on this one. Thanks for the honest review...and happy reading!

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  9. Thanks for your honesty. I am realllly looking forward to picking up my copy :)

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  10. Thanks for the review. I've seen mixed reviews on this one but would like to read it myself and see how I feel about it.

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  11. That sucks that the characters are stereotypical, but the story sounds intriguing...I'll see if my library has this one! Thanks for the great review :D

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  12. What a shame that the characters were stereotypical and the writing askew. I had hoped this book would offer more. Great review though

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  13. Written for the big screen, eh? Hmmm. I suppose that shouldn't be surprising from the author who drew the ire of Oprah for fudging his memoir. Still, the book does sound interesting.

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  14. ooh..Still I want to read it. Boring? Not that good. Honest review shy, like it. :)

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  15. I need to read this one soon.... before the movie comes out!

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