I Am Number Four

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

My rating: 4.5/5
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. 


My review:

Wow.  What a thrilling book to read!  I never knew what would come next, what the next twist would be!


John Smith is a great character to read about, especially in first person, when you're listening to him.  I don't think that this book would have been as good if it had been written in third person form.  His description really came through to me, and I felt everything he felt, saw everything he saw, and heard everything he heard.My only regret was that it took too long to get to the climax, and not much really happened, so it started to get a little bit boring for, maybe about 75 pages. 

The battle at the end sure got me going, though.  It was a bit déjà vu for the setting, though, because I had just finished Hush Hush, and the big battle scene in that book is at a school, just like in I Am Number Four.  Like with the rest of the book, the description really called out to me.  All the emotions that ran through Johns mind swarmed in mine, and every little detail seemed to be sketched visibly on the page.  The beginning had the same sort of effect on me.  The first few chapters were so strong that I was on the edge of my seat wanting to read more.  The middle made me lose interest, but only for a little bit.  I think that  there wasn't quite enough going on to satisfy me.

Sarah was a simple character.  She was obviously the most popular girl in the school, pretty and smart.  She almost immediately fell in love with John, even though he was new, and not too many people liked him, especially Mark and his friend; the bullies of the school.  She was an interesting character to read about, but she could have been a little more brave.  At the end of the book, all she does, really, is just scream and cry.  I understand that that was probably the way that the publishers want her to be, but I still think she could have been a little more useful when the Mogadoriens (the evil aliens) attacked.

I Am Number Four was an amazing book altogether, and even the things that I griped about weren't that bad, honestly, and I would suggest that everyone watch the movie trailer!