BOOK REVIEW - I AM NUMBER FOUR by PITTACUS LORE

By: PITTACUS LORE ( pseudonym)
Published By : Penguin
Released : Available Now
Details : Paperback, 360 Pages

RATING: 3.75 STARS

Book Blurb : Taken 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
 

BOOK REVIEW:
 
Hmmmm...Where to begin with this book review. I being a very honest book reviewer are at a lost for words how to wrap this review up without tripping over my words and landing on my face.
 
I have this relationship with this book that doesn't appear fully..um..what's the words to use here...'honest'...don't quote me I am having trouble here. Let me explain...
 
By now those of you who have cottoned on to 'Pittacus Lore' and the knowledge of who this mysterious author is will know it is infact two authors. James Frey ( yes that  James )..Oprah....lied about a book he wrote..'A Million Little Pieces',  ..blaa..blaa...google it , I don't want to make it the focus of my review.  I get that authors use pen names, if I was ever to have the fortune to crank out a book I too would use a pen name, nothing wrong with that. Using a character from you book ( yes Pittacus Lore is a character within the pages of , 'I Am Number Four') and then page 218 for those of you who have my version of paperback will see that they ( being the 2 authors involved in this creation , James Frey and Jobie Hughes) , have also plopped themselves in swapping last names with each other. I can't help thinking , taking the 'mickey', a bit. Maybe it's just me. It may well be , just me. In which case I duck any pillows thrown at my head for having the audacity to feel a tad annoyed. I can't help feeling that to be up front and use the genuine author name would have given me more pleasure reading this book . I did not like what James did lying on Oprah, I was shocked he could do that. I know he was sorry ..blaa..blaa...but then I feel like he is hiding behind his name with 'Pittacus Lore' and then placing  their names within the pages , but swapping surnames.
 
Anyhooooo...moving along any publicity is good publicity in this world we live in.
 
Now for the actual story. I again apologise as I do not see what everybody is raving about. The story was a good story, not one I would rave about. I felt there was a lack of emotion in parts but then towards the end of the book I did start to feel Henri And Johns connection more. I felt Sarah and John's connection wasn't written very well. Sam and John , I felt the connection was written very well. Sam's reaction upon finding out that John was an Alien was a normal reaction. Sarah's was..' I love you',  didn't bat an eyelid...lol!!
 
The book travelled along nicely, not fast paced as I thought it would be all danger and action and excitement. It had its parts, but I thought if you instantly were aware when your number was up to be hunted down, I would have been showing more intense writing.
The Mogadorians are 100 miles away, couple hours and you aren't high tailing it . I know there is love involved but it didnt feel that well connected to me. The end result in the book was inevitable, so why not high tail it and then sort that love out , makes for more intense read. I kept getting annoyed with the 'chest'. John wasn't allowed to look in it, but in the end he is the only one who can open it and it's all there to look in to his hearts content.
Henri's character I liked but felt sometimes he wasn't written to the strength he could have been.
 
What came first? The chicken or the egg? The book or the movie?
I have looked at the movie trailers and the film does look VERY exciting. I will watch it as it has my fave guy actor of the moment, Alex Pettyfer as John. Who knows maybe a case of movie is better than the book? 

 I did enjoy this book but I felt it lacked depth of characters in parts and sometimes the storyline wasn't strong.
Other readers rave about it, so maybe I am having an off day. I am glad I read it.

Check out the trailers below for the movie. It looks very exciting and has Australias , Teresa Palmer as Number 6 and just quietly she is looking very badass. Michael Bay produced ( Transformers) , so it's going to be action a plenty:)

EXTENDED TRAILER FOR - I AM NUMBER FOUR- WOW!!

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/imdb/vi2997656345/

 
 

 
 
 

Michelle