The Power of Six Review

The Power of Six

- Pittacus Lore

Publisher: Penguin Books

We are the last defence.

I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us.
Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?
They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed.
I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.
And I'm ready to fight.

It’s been a long time since I read I Am Number Four (read my review here) and I have to confess to being generally underwhelmed with the experience – not bad particularly but I was expecting a lot more from it. So it was with a little reluctance I started reading The Power of Six hoping that a couple of positive reviews I’ve read recently were true. I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised. There is a dual narrative with this novel, one with John Smith (Number Four), his best friend Sam and Number Six on the run from the Mogadorians and the police in America which picks up pretty much from when I Am Number Four finishes. This storyline was action packed with plenty of excitement and car chases with John and Six using their Legacies extensively. The second storyline introduces Marina or Number Seven and her quiet life in a Nun run orphanage in Spain. Her Ceplan has turned her back on Lorien and left Marina struggling to cope with the emergence of her Legacies on her own. Mariana’s story certainly starts off much slower, but I was so intrigued by the way of life and Marina’s isolation that I was always wanting to read more of her story.

Marian is a lonely and isolated girl, with few friends. I loved the developing friendship between Marina and Ellie and well as her conversations with Hector and she seemed genuinely to want to do the right thing. In comparison I couldn’t help but dislike John. He behaved in a completely selfish manner throughout – flirting with Six despite knowing Sam liked her and having a girlfriend himself. He left Six to fight alone and when others were in danger he selfishly just wanted his chest back rather than helping. I really thought he was immature and needed a good slap! However, there is a greater exploration of Legacies and their chests as well as the Mogadorians with a glimpse of perhaps their true nemesis…

Overall, this is a highly readable book – it may not be the best written but it moves at a cracking pace, with action never more than a few pages away. I turned the pages compulsively – like eating a bag of chips before your Mum’s home cooked dinner. You know the chips won’t be as nice as dinner but you just can’t help yourself.

Recommended for fans of Will Hill and James Patterson. 7 out of 10

I Am Number Four Review

I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies 1)

-       Pittacus Lore

Publisher: UK- Puffin

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 . . .

I started reading this a few days after I saw the film and couldn’t help comparing the two even as I was reading. The film was an enjoyable couple of hours which was a little slow to start with action packed at the end - a little like a snickers with most of the peanuts at one end. The main difference that struck me about the book was the age of the main characters – in the film they had been 17 (but obviously played by twenty-something as is the norm in Hollywood!), but in the book John Smith, is only 14, maybe 15. This makes a huge difference in terms of driving and other elements which occur throughout the book. I think the trouble with reading a book so soon is the constant comparison you do in your head – ‘that’s not how it happened on screen!’ you mutter to yourself and it’s difficult to be truly objective.

However judged on its own, this was an enjoyable read – the prose flowed well and the ideas well expanded. Some characters are a little thin – Sarah, John’s girlfriend is a little weak and I never really felt like I got to know her that well. In fact, I was a little annoyed by the amount of screaming she did and that even without make-up, she was the prettiest girl. I think part of this is because the story is told in first person from John’s point of view and being love, he’s not the most objective person! I liked Henri though and the development of John’s rival Mark James is nicely done.

Will I pick up the next book in this series? Probably, but I won’t rush out for it.

Recommended for fans of the Vampire Diaries and Dawson’s Creek. 6 out of 10.

Part of FTC's Speculative Fiction Challenge Book 5/12