char931's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lissajean7's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it the first time I read it. I loved it still the second time--maybe not as much as the first time, but still great. I never finished the series the first time around (they hadn't been written yet), so I'm excited to see how it ends!
carrieat's review against another edition
3.0
I give this a 3.5, could have been a 4 but the arrogance behind it with the co author and the movie taints things a little.
Was am interesting read with some great ideas but often felt rush and stereotypical. Had more time been spent developing the characters and plot I think this book could have been great.
Very much targeted towards an audience who are going to lap up good looking boys and so neglect the more hard core sci-fi fans. Definitely feels like a merchandise spinner than a must read book.
Was am interesting read with some great ideas but often felt rush and stereotypical. Had more time been spent developing the characters and plot I think this book could have been great.
Very much targeted towards an audience who are going to lap up good looking boys and so neglect the more hard core sci-fi fans. Definitely feels like a merchandise spinner than a must read book.
jack_lavellan's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
akacya's review against another edition
4.0
2023 reads: 339/350
2023 tbr: 79/100
nine superheroes came to earth with the plan to grow and train. but the first three have been caught and killed. now, number four has to stay on his feet to do what he came here to do.
i’ve been meaning to read this series forever, and this was a strong start! i enjoyed all the lore and can’t wait to find out more.
ffilippa's review against another edition
2.0
This book was not for me. I'm not really surprised that I wasn't that into I Am Number Four, to be fair. My expectations were not very high and I'm okay with the book not proving me wrong. This was just something I read because I bought it earlier that day on a whim, for really cheap. I think it ruined it for me watching the story before reading it. If compared to the movie, the book felt kind of childish and dull. The movie was better in my opinion.
The story was missing something I cannot put my finger on, but I could feel it throughout the whole book. The story wasn't particularly boring, just not super entertaining. The characters were boring though, very plain. And they were so young. 14? 15? Number Four isn't 15. It just doesn't feel right to me.
Finally, I cannot forget to say this: I Am Number Four and the Lux series (especially books 4 and 5) are so similar. The alien invasion, the dying planet, the evil aliens vs. the good aliens. So many similarities. (I just wanted to add that fact.) Perhaps I've had too much of that to still enjoy it...? I will maybe read the second book in this series. Maybe.
The story was missing something I cannot put my finger on, but I could feel it throughout the whole book. The story wasn't particularly boring, just not super entertaining. The characters were boring though, very plain. And they were so young. 14? 15? Number Four isn't 15. It just doesn't feel right to me.
Finally, I cannot forget to say this: I Am Number Four and the Lux series (especially books 4 and 5) are so similar. The alien invasion, the dying planet, the evil aliens vs. the good aliens. So many similarities. (I just wanted to add that fact.) Perhaps I've had too much of that to still enjoy it...? I will maybe read the second book in this series. Maybe.
husnaibrahim_'s review
2.25
Awesome concept, really nice world building even, but TERRIBLE execution!
This storyline could have been so much better if it weren’t centered around teenagers, particularly John, who at times could be really annoying. He’s erratic, swinging from impulsive and foolish actions to seemingly logical decisions. The incident with the meatballs during lunch is a prime example. He acted irrationally, and then suddenly in the principal’s office, he was composed and refused to clear his name and Sam’s.
And it wasn’t just that; so many situations, like the monkey at the park or the Halloween night fight, the fire at Sarah’s house, kept happening, and John didn’t even confide in Henri about any of them. All because of some girl that he just met a few months prior. Putting his life, Henri’s life and the other six gardes lives in danger.
So yeah, I just found a lot of things annoying tbh. It’s a real pity because the storyline, especially with the Lorien or alien elements, had immense potential. At least the ending did manage to put some excitement into the plot and prevented me from entirely disliking it.
Unfortunately, I spent too much time trying not to cringe to actually fully enjoy it. And it makes me hesitant about diving into the other books in the series. It’s likely they’ll have similar teenage dynamics that I found hard to enjoy.
One thing is for sure, so many things would and could have been avoided if he just told Henri everything anytime something happened. As Henri rightfully said, ‘We don’t lie to each other.’ And I don’t care if I’m being Sentimental but Henri’s blood, his life, is on his hands. So It’s frustrating to have to overlook this fact in favor of praising John’s supposed acts of bravery or love. Or whatever sick thing we are meant to call it.
This storyline could have been so much better if it weren’t centered around teenagers, particularly John, who at times could be really annoying. He’s erratic, swinging from impulsive and foolish actions to seemingly logical decisions. The incident with the meatballs during lunch is a prime example. He acted irrationally, and then suddenly in the principal’s office, he was composed and refused to clear his name and Sam’s.
And it wasn’t just that; so many situations, like the monkey at the park or the Halloween night fight, the fire at Sarah’s house, kept happening, and John didn’t even confide in Henri about any of them. All because of some girl that he just met a few months prior. Putting his life, Henri’s life and the other six gardes lives in danger.
So yeah, I just found a lot of things annoying tbh. It’s a real pity because the storyline, especially with the Lorien or alien elements, had immense potential. At least the ending did manage to put some excitement into the plot and prevented me from entirely disliking it.
Unfortunately, I spent too much time trying not to cringe to actually fully enjoy it. And it makes me hesitant about diving into the other books in the series. It’s likely they’ll have similar teenage dynamics that I found hard to enjoy.
One thing is for sure, so many things would and could have been avoided if he just told Henri everything anytime something happened. As Henri rightfully said, ‘We don’t lie to each other.’ And I don’t care if I’m being Sentimental but Henri’s blood, his life, is on his hands. So It’s frustrating to have to overlook this fact in favor of praising John’s supposed acts of bravery or love. Or whatever sick thing we are meant to call it.
rosiereads2000's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75