Another YA adventure that is a huge amount of fun, at least until you stop reading and start thinking about it. Enjoy the book, don’t worry about the thinking part.
From the Harper Collins Website:
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.
They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.I am Number Four.
I am next.
I thought the setup for this book (and the series) was interesting and well executed. The world building was successful in giving a framework for a continuing story.
I often find teen boys in books a little too obnoxious for my tastes, but Number Four (Aka John) struck the tricky balance between realism and being bearable.
The teen romance was sweet, the sidekick amusing, the parental stand-in wise but not all-seeing. It isn’t new or earth-shattering, but it is fun!
It’s unusual for me, but I actually pictured this book in my mind as I was reading it. Maybe it was the present tense writing, or maybe it was knowing the movie is already on the way.
Number Four was a Zac Efron generic good looking nice guy. His guardian Henri was played by Joe Morton, the guy that plays Henry on Eureka. I think it’s unlikely that it would be cast that way, but it’s what ran though my head.
I liked the book. My 12 year old daughter grew more and more intrigued as I told her about it, she’s looking forward to reading it as well.
I picked up this book for review while attending Book Expo America. Thank you to Harper Collins.
bermudaonion
August 11, 2010 at 4:50 am
If you think teen-age boys are annoying in books, you should see them in real life! LOL I didn’t realize this is already set as a movie. Glad to see you enjoyed it.
Amanda
August 14, 2010 at 6:00 am
When I brought this home from BEA, I had no idea it was about aliens. That was a little disappointing for me, and I gave this one away.