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Overview
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.
Editorials
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"The intense pace, bigger-than-life fight scenes, and good vs. evil showdown set up a series that will easily draw in action-oriented sci-fi fans, who will eagerly await the next round."The Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books
“The intense pace, bigger-than-life fight scenes, and good vs. evil showdown set up a series that will easily draw in action-oriented sci-fi fans, who will eagerly await the next round.”Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“The intense pace, bigger-than-life fight scenes, and good vs. evil showdown set up a series that will easily draw in action-oriented sci-fi fans, who will eagerly await the next round.”VOYA
The Power of Six picks up the story started in Lore's I Am Number Four (HarperCollins, 2010/VOYA December 2010)—do not bother looking for five—which was adapted into a movie. The story follows several of nine superhot, superpowered teenaged aliens who can only be killed in a particular order by a powerful rival race, or if they are all together. The sequel finds John Smith (Number Four) on the run with his best friend, Sam, and a female fellow alien, known only as Six. John's mentor is dead, and he misses his human girlfriend, but he is also starting to pick up on a same-species attraction with Six, who knows how to kick rump and take names. The action also jumps to a new character, Seven, who hides out with her guide at a Spanish convent and searches desperately for any news of John, fearful that the enemies are closing in. Lore—presumably really author James Frey—picks up and expands on a strong premise that originated in the first novel. An intriguing potential romantic triangle brewing between John, Six, and Sam adds layers as they search for answers, and the Seven plot line is more engrossing than it has any right to be. Like I Am Number Four, The Power of Six only stumbles as it concludes, casting those factors which make the story bold and fresh aside in favor of an easy, cinematic conflict as it prepares for the next title and builds toward a final numerical showdown. Reviewer: Matthew WeaverChildren's Literature
Courageous Lorien and malevolent Mogadorian aliens continue vying to destroy each other in this second book in the "Lorien Legacies" series. Readers meet Marina, Number Seven of the Lorien Nine, and her Cepan Adeline, living at a Spanish convent. The story then shifts to John Smith's whereabouts. Recovering from the battle which destroyed his Paradise, Ohio school, John eludes authorities seeking to capture him, traveling with his friends Sam and Six. The narrative alternates American and Spanish accounts in separate chapters and then within chapters as the aliens' destinies merge. Marina reads news online about John, notices strangers lurking near the convent, and fears the Mogs have located her. She befriends orphaned Ella who demonstrates extraordinary skills and Hector who lives in the nearby village. John grieves his Cepan Henri, finally reading his letter. He learns about Six's experiences with her Cepan Katarina, especially details of the pair's torture and confiscation of Six's chest by Mogadorians at those cruel aliens' West Virginia mountain lair. The trio risks returning to Paradise when they discover Sam's missing father left a clue there. Six becomes aware of Marina's plight, traveling to Spain to assist her, while John and Sam go to West Virginia to find Six's chest. Action swiftly intensifies as the two groups of Lorien warriors fight enemies and suffer losses. The Lorien aliens' exploits will satisfy fans who will be eager for resolution of cliffhangers in this book and development of roles for new characters. Compare the use of science fiction literary elements to depict Lorien protagonists with portrayals of combat training in Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game (1985) and alien objects in William Sleator's The Boxes (1998). Reviewer: Elizabeth D. SchaferKirkus Reviews
The James Frey assembly-line approach to teen lit has generated another boomfest.
John is Number Four, the next alien teen in line to be killed by the vile Mogadorians. A charm dictates that John and the other nine destined planet-saviors be killed in numerical order because... just because, okay? Since the conclusion ofI Am Number Four(2010), John's been on the run with his best friend Sam and alien girl Number Six. Despite the title, Number Six's only role here is to be the butt-kicking object of Sam's and John's affections; John's quests, which range chaotically from escape to rescuing Sam to mooning over his high-school girlfriend, are always paramount. John's chapters interweave with those of Marina, Number Seven, hiding in a convent school in Spain. As Marina's story line involves a tiny bit of actual depth, the frequent cuts back to John only make him seem more vapid by comparison. Ultimately, the two stories climax with flaming green fireballs, mobs of alien monsters, heroes wielding lightning and the conflagration of countless Mogadorians. Michael Bay (who produced the 2011 film adaptation of book one) will surely be pleased.
Straight to blockbuster without any stops for character development, worldbuilding or internal logic along the way.(Science fiction. 12-14)