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.

Despite its high potential, the book's inconsistencies, predictability and the fact that it is fully stuffed with clichés make it impossible for me to get totally absorb into the story. The pace of the book is just nice and there is a lot of action to be enjoyed. However, if you're looking for more, this is not really a good choice.