I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies #1) by Pittacus Lore

Rating: 3/5

This is Book 1 of the Lorien Legacies Series

Sequel: The Power of Six (to be released August 23, 2011)

Synopsis:

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.

Review:

Oh god. I think I've wronged this book by being utterly bored when I read. But so far, I do like it.
Here's the thing: I really liked the sci-fi idea and the effort to create a version of aliens that are completely less-odd than green guys with bug-shaped eyes.

As John held the first person perspective of it all, the books allowed the readers to see the world he walks in, the danger of it all, and the people he loved. We can see through John's heart completely--as an alien, and as a person. I like the idea of seeing the boy's perspective for a change. Or at least the stronger of the two people in love tells you the story. Usually, it's the human girl or ordinary boy telling you the odds of a surreal world their loved one walks into. Which is considerable, since I knew love was on the sidelines and his whole being was in the spotlight. His love for Sarah was undeniably there, putting her in his priority list, but you can see how his emotions and questions relatively tell you that she's part of knowing himself. Getting into John's head meant I've read every single thing he thinks and asks to himself. From those flow of thinking and emotions, I am certain he is more human than I ever thought.

I like the general idea of Lorien and Mogadore. Each serves as a warning to continually preserve the Earth and it's natural resources. After all, if there really is a Lorien and a Mogadore out there, I don't really think we're capable to settle for our lives there either. Other than that, we have no where to go. This books tells you how harsh can people get and how we continually abuse nature on Earth.

I do like the idea and the plot. I'm not really satisfied with the action though (you can throw tomatoes at me now). But other than a few I didn't like, I don't really see why people wouldn't like to recommend this to other readers.