I Am Number Four - Pittacus Lore

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.

4/5 - Exciting.

I absolutely could not put this book down for more than five minutes. I loved it. Everything about it drew me in and kept me reading. Despite the fact that it wasn't an altogether brand-new, original, never before used idea, Pittacus made this story his own. Aliens coming to Earth to re-inhabit may seem cliche, or even just plain stupid, a statement that I would usually agree with, but this book is different. I'll never think of aliens as little green men with big heads ever again.

Apart from a great, strong, admiral lead character with a strong sense of justice (John/Number Four), the supporting characters in this book were outstanding. They are what made the story real and alive to me. Also, for some reason, the settings appeared crystal-clear in my mind, undoubtedly realistic and genuine. Pittacus took familiar, every day settings we are used to and turned them into battle grounds full of aliens and hideous beasts. I know, sounds cheesy. Maybe it is a bit cheesy, but with just enough originality and new ideas to make it it's own and keep me intrigued.

The last 50 or so pages of this book can only be describes as intense. My heart was pounding as I flipped the pages, eager to find out what would happen. The book was very well-paced, always keeping me extremely interested.

My sister read this book and didn't care for it. Perhaps it's just a different taste in books, and I'm sure this book could be either a sink or swim with broader audiences. As for me, I view the book as a great teen read and am eager to see the movie being release February 18, 2011. This book will surely be adored by sci fi lovers everywhere who are open to something new, but I think that this book can stretch to broader audiences. If you're open to something different but classic at the same time, 'I Am Number Four' is the book for you.

Specials - Scott Westerfeld

“Tally thought they were a rumour, but now she’s one of them. A Special. A super-amped fighting machine, engineered to keep the uglies down and the pretties stupid.

But maybe being perfectly programmed with strength and focus isn’t better than anything she’s ever known. Tally still has memories of something else.

But is’s easy for her to tune that out – until she’s offered a chance to stamp out the rebels of the New Smoke permanently. It all comes down to one last choice: listen to that tiny, faint heart-beat, or carry out the mission she’s been programmed to complete. Either way, Tally’s world will never be the same.”

5/5 - Simply Amazing

This is one of those books that just takes my breath away.

It makes my head spin to think of all three books as a whole and see how these characters have grown, changed, and developed. Westerfeld has truly brought Tally and Shay to life. Specials blew my expectations out of the water with this exciting, enthralling, thought provoking third book. It was full of action that had me holding my breath with unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing how the book was going to end.

The end of the book was simply spectacular - a true work of art. The closure this book provides leaves me with so many emotions all tangled up, but very, very content. This is one of those books that will keep me thinking for weeks on end about the true meanings of beauty, friendship, love, betrayal, and being yourself. 

This book is an original masterpiece that is out of this world, full of creativity that brings me into an entirely different world full of danger, excitement, and truly special circumstances where things are never as they seem.  


See Also : Uglies, Pretties