I am Number Four Review -

     When you hear the book title I am Number Four, what do you usually think? Some may think, "the best book I've ever read" or "the book I can't put down". Maybe you think its the typical best selling teenage book which consists of great characters, an exciting plot, and something like a love triangle. This book is just that, but somehow manages to be bad. Interestingly enough, I was able to get through this book even though it was terrible.

     9 children from the life sustaining planet of Lorien, each accompanied by a guardian, were sent to Earth after the planet was taken over by members of another life sustaining, but dying, planet. The Mogadorians needed Lorien's resources in order to keep their own race alive. These Mogadorians followed the Loriens to Earth, intending to kill every one of them. Each child has supernatural powers in which the guardian helps them develop. In the beginning, John finds out that he's next on the list to be killed, so he moves to Paradise, Ohio. Throughout the story John and his guardian, Henri, face many situations that could reveal their secret identities and put them in grave danger along with the good friends that they have made. 

     I know what you're thinking. You're thinking (for those who haven't read this book) that I am Number Four sounds like a good book, and that you want to read it. Think again. The plot of this book is slightly interesting but highly predictable. Some parts of the book can be considered thrilling (fighting/action events) but other than that, it falls flat. For example, one power that John develops is the ability to withstand fire. Then in chapter 25, something awful happens. "And that's when we all hear it. A long terrible scream. And dogs barking. My heart drops...Gasps filter throughout the crowd." (Lore 310) Of course Sarah, John's girlfriend (who was a Mark's ex girlfriend), gets stuck in a house on fire. Obviously John is going into the house to save his girlfriend since he can withstand fire. I question why only Sarah doesn't get out. Out of everyone in that house (there was a party at Mark's house) she's the one stuck in the house. The story left me with many other questions such as >>
     -How did Henri explain what was happening to Mark?
     -Why did Sarah accept that John is an alien so easily?
Most part of this book consists of sappy typical teen drama. The characters love life, the bully, trying to fit in, etc. There's only so much teen drama one can handle.
     Moving on to the characters. The first thing I noticed was their name, John Smith, Sarah, Mark, Sam, all boring names. Most of the characters lacked personality although here were some likable characters like, Six and Henri (both were well developed). John is the typical superhero with supernatural powers who gets the girl. Sarah is the typical "perfect" girlfriend who "helps the world" (she helps at animal shelters). Mark is the stereotypical bully/jerk football player. And then there's Sam, who's the typical nerd in most stories. Not to mention the romance between John and Sarah was awful. The relationship didn't pull at my heartstrings or trigger any of my emotions. It's one of the most boring relationships I have ever read. They talked to each other on the phone for hours, always holding hands, and kissing. "She reaches up and kisses me again, her hand lightly pressed to my cheek. For the first few seconds I'm lost in the feel of her lips on mine and in the idea that I'm with this beautiful girl." (Lore 163) These 2 characters fell in love so quickly, it was unconvincing and  unrealistic.

Cliche teenage romance-Sarah & John (from the movie)

     The book's writing was pretty bad. Short choppy sentences, repetitive, no feelings. The text was not challenging at all: you didn't need to "read between the words" or interpret anything. This book is for teens, but was written like it was for 10 year olds. Blame it on the perspective, told by John in a very boring way.
     When asked the question "what is the theme of this book?" I get: trying to be yourself and fit in. Not very well thought out is it? I'm not sure if anyone can pull out a deeper meaning/theme from this book or if anyone learned anything. I know I didn't.
     Overall, the novel underwhelmed me. Maybe it was because I expected too much out of this book. I would give this book 2 stars and not recommend it to anyone. This novel is like a wannabe amazing teen novel: trying but failing. 

Thrilling Thrillers -

     The genre that I was assigned to was Thriller/Adrenaline Fiction so I chose the book I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore. Thrillers can be characterized as fast paced, having frequent action, while including many risky situations. Similar to mystery novels, they can contain a lot of suspense, red herrings, etc.. Thriller novel heroes usually have to prevent or stop the plan of an enemy. When a thriller reaches the climax, the hero is able to defeat the antagonist without getting him or herself killed; saving himself/herself and sometimes the lives of other people.
     Subcategories of thrillers include: political thriller, legal thriller, techno thriller, mystery thriller, supernatural thriller, or psychological thriller (of course these aren't all the sub categories)

     Just to name a few, some popular thriller novels are: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo  by Stieg Larsson, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Did you know that the story Little Red Riding Hood is considered a thriller?
     Some popular thriller novel writers are: James Patterson, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Stephen King, plus many more. You can search for more thriller authors here.

     Although my book, I am Number Four, is mainly considered a science fiction novel, I also consider it a thriller. (It can be a supernatural thriller if you're talking about subcategories.) There are so many suspenseful situations that makes me want to read more of the book, like when Henri (the main character's guardian) goes missing. Also I am Number Four's plot includes the hero trying to stop an enemy (the Mogadorians) from killing his own race (the Loriens). Because this novel is about aliens who are disguised as humans with super-natural powers, there are many violent situations. For example the main character John is faced with the bully/jerk Mark James at his new school. Although John looks like a human, he's stronger and faster than one. When John gets into a fight with Mark and his football friends, things get real ugly.

     Side note: the book is really good so far!

Thanks to my sources: https://www.goodreads.com, http://www.amazon.com, 

Third Book - I am Number Four

     For the third book, I was placed in the adrenaline genre. Because I was placed in this group, I have decided to read the book I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore. It's a 440 page book published in 2010 that can also be categorized (by genre) as science fiction or action. So far there are 4 books total out of a proposed, 7. There was also a movie adaptation of it released in 2011.

     I chose this book because of the talk. I've heard many of my friends talk about this book and how good the series is. Also many of my friends have recommended it to me. They all said it was really exciting and just "so good". If you didn't know already, I have this urge to read all the popular novels. Most of the popular novels that I read turn out to be good, and I have been thinking about reading this book ever since it got popular. 

     So far I think that the book is pretty interesting, although I've only read 20 pages. I thought the text would be written for adults but actually it turns out that it's really easy to read. I would've preferred a harder text but an exciting plot might make up for this loss. The information is really clear and this book might be a fast read. 

     I'm excited about reading the book. Hopefully this will turn out to be a good one!