I Am Number Four

Title: I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies #1)

Author: Pittacus Lore

Pages: 440

Rating: ****1/2

Summary (from Goodreads): In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now.

The Nine had to separate and go into hiding. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

I AM NUMBER FOUR is the thrilling launch of a series about an exceptional group of teens as they struggle to outrun their past, discover their future—and live a normal life on Earth.

I AM NUMBER FOUR.
I AM NEXT.

Review: I tried to describe this book to some friends, and it comes off sounding incredibly nerdy: "Oh well, these aliens are living on earth because their planet was destroyed, and now the people who destroyed their planet want to kill them and eventually take over earth." Lame, right?

THIS BOOK IS SO FAR FROM LAME! I'm not big on all the alien theories and such, but I loved this book. It sucked me in; it's over 400 pages, and yet I finished it in less than five hours. Yeah. That's how awesome this book is.

The writing is pretty good. I've read better, but it was far from terrible. It kept me interested, obviously, and it wove a very unique story that I couldn't bear to step away from. What kept it from being great was how stupid John acts sometimes. I have to keep reminding myself he's a fifteen year old guy, and they don't always make the best decisions. But I felt like, as one of the last members of his race, he should have a certain set of priorities.

But that's as far as I'm going to go into spoiler zone.

The characters were incredible; I don't read many books from the male perspective, so it was nice to get a new take on things. John was as realistic a teenage boy as an alien can be; there were some stock characters, however, such as Sarah and Sam, but they still add plenty to the story.

This book will knock your socks off. Perfect as a last minute addition to your own Christmas list, or a quick gift for a friend.

The sequel, The Power of Six, is said to be coming out June 7, 2011!

Recommended for: sci-fi, supernatural lovers

AND I am Number Four is being released as a movie this spring! And, as those of you who remember my Mortal Instruments review will recall, one of my favorite young actors will be gracing the screen as John Smith: ALEX PETTYFER!!!

*swoons*

Anyway, here's the totally epic-looking trailer!*WARNING: it does give away a plot twist from late in the book...but it didn't ruin anything for me.*****