Book Review: THE RISE OF NINE

Title: THE RISE OF NINE
Author: Pittacus Lore
Publication Date: 08/21/2012
My Rating: 4.5/5--Really good!  Worth your time!
Plot in One Word: Aliens
Good if...you want something fast paced and filled with action

Until the day I met John Smith, Number Four, I'd been on the run alone, hiding and fighting to stay alive. Together, we are much more powerful. But it could only last so long before we had to separate to find the others. . . . I went to Spain to find Seven, and I found even more, including a tenth member of the Garde who escaped from Lorien alive. Ella is younger than the rest of us, but just as brave. Now we're looking for the others—including John. But so are they. 

They caught Number One in Malaysia. 
Number Two in England. 
And Number Three in Kenya. 
They caught me in New York—but I escaped. 

I am Number Six. 
They want to finish what they started. But they'll have to fight us first.

My thoughts... 
SO I recently read I AM NUMBER FOUR.  I'd seen the movie.  It was...okay, but I figured I'd give the book a try.  I'm so glad I did since I highly enjoyed it.  :)

Then I read book 2, THE POWER OF SIX, which was even better.  And after I finished I had to read book 3 immediately.  Which I did.  Also good.  

Book 1 followed John Smith (#4).  Book 2 followed John and #7 in a duel narrative.  Book 3 follows John, #7, and #6.  Getting confusing yet?  Having three different narratives did get a bit confusing at times, but it worked.  The pace of this third novel was even faster.  The tension and drama just keeps building and building.  There's this overwhelming sense of urgency.  I kept flipping those pages as fast as I could.  Highly entertaining.  Couldn't get enough. 

Bottom line: Read it.  Read them all.

Note for those who have already read these novels:  
So, this is supposed to end up being a 6 novel series.  Wow.  That's a long series.  I felt like it almost ended with this novel.  I'm not really sure 6 novels would work.  We'll see.  What do you think?  Also, I wonder if the different narratives will continue.  Three different perspectives was okay, but borderline too many.  I sure hope that trend doesn't continue.  Okay, that's all.  

Book Review: I AM NUMBER FOUR

Title: I AM NUMBER FOUR
Author: Pittacus Lore
Publication Date: 08/2010
My Rating: 4.5/5--Really good!  Worth your time!
Plot in One Word: Aliens 
Good if...you want something fast paced and filled with action

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.

My thoughts... 
I'm sure you've probably heard of I AM NUMBER FOUR.  Remember...that movie that came out a year or so ago.  Well, I saw the movie.  I liked the movie enough.  I never really considered reading the book.  Then my dad downloaded the first three books (yes, there are 3 out so far) to his eReader and since I have access to it I figured I'd give them a try.  SO glad I did!!!  Let's start with book 1: I AM NUMBER FOUR.

Basic concept: 9 aliens on earth with special powers (legacies) who are being hunted by another evil alien race who wants to first destroy them then earth.  The 9 have to be killed in order, 1-3 are dead, #4 is next.  John (his latest alias) is #4 and he's hiding out in small town Paradise Ohio with his guardian (cepan) Henri.  

This novel was pretty different then the typical YA I read.  My typical YA: paranormal romance to the max! I would classify this as more fast-paced boy-action.  It was interesting/exciting watching John discover his legacies, learn how to make friends, fit in at school, deal with school bullies, train with Henri, and then later fight the evil aliens (Mogs) at the end.  And even though the romance was 2nd rate (not all that romantic) I still high enjoyed reading this one!  Although, THE POWER OF SIX (book #2) and THE RISE OF NINE (book #3) were better.  

If you liked this novel you might also like:

ANNA DRESS IN BLOOD by Kendare Blake

BEASTLY by Alex Flinn

Bottom line:  Read it!