John Smith is not your average teenager. He regularly moves from small town to small town. He changes his name and identity. He does not put down roots. He cannot tell anyone who or what he really is. If he stops moving those who hunt him will find and kill him. But you can’t run forever. So when he stops in Paradise, Ohio, John decides to try and settle down. To fit in. And for the first time he makes some real friends. People he cares about – and who care about him. Never in John’s short life has there been space for friendship, or even love. But it’s just a matter of time before John’s secret is revealed. He was once one of nine. Three of them have been killed. John is Number Four. He knows that he is next…
Nine humanlike aliens have arrived on earth. They have escaped their home planet, which was destroyed by the Mogordians, an evil and wicked race. After arriving on our lovely planet the nine and there guardians find out that the Mogordians have followed them there.
John is the main character in this book and after he finds out that Number 3 is killed, John and his guardian Henri make a run for it. They end up in the town of Paradise, Ohio. While living there John wants to make more of his life. Make new friends, go to school, have a girlfriend. You can probably see how the story will continue from there…
As those stories go, he discovers his legacies (powers, skills), which draws the attention of the Mogordians and that is where the action really kicks in. Imagine telekinesis, invisibility, fireball’s, moving objects,… all the stuff you dreamed about and felt disappointed that you weren’t able to, after you woke up. I’m almost past my 20’s and I still feel bad not being able to silence the alarm clock with a stare, though at least I can make it crash against the wall with a little initiative!
Now what to say about I Am Number Four? It’s written in the first person perspective. It lingers somewhere between young-adult and “real” fantasy/ science-fiction books (whatever that may be). Harry Potter and Twilight fans will probably like this book.
Don’t read/buy this book when you are looking for a twisted, unexpected, breathtaking story. It is a very cliché storyline. No witty gritty humour, deep world changing thoughts or language goodies. This book has little of that.
So, I can hear you thinking, why am I reading this review? This guy’s wasting my time; it’s obviously not a good book! Well, let me stop you there and tell you why you should read this book.
First of all, it is a rather small book (about 400 pages), so when on a road trip, airplane or whenever you have a few hours to spend, you can finish it. Its major strength is in its fluidity. It reads like a damn train! Very fast paced, always something happening. You might see it coming from a mile away, but that didn’t really bother me. I call these books “movie books”. Everyone watches action movies. Even though the plot is not always that original or convincing, you still watch it. You want to be entertained and you don’t want to think too much about different twists, conspiracies or entirely new worlds. This book does exactly that! It’s easy, fun entertainment, over the course of a few hours. Deep down everyone has dreamed about being superman or having some kind of mystical power. So, if you do, then read this book! You will not be disappointed!
If you want to spend 2 hours, instead of 4 or 5, you can go and check out the movie based on the book. You can find the trailer here. For the people that loved the book, there is some good news. The next book The Power of Six will be released August 23, 2011 (according to Amazon).
Jennie Ivins