A Review for The Fall of Five (Lorien Legacies #4) by Pittacus Lore

Posted by Donna
Release Date: August 29th, 2013
Finished Date: 

Publishers: Penguin UK
Genre: YA Sci-fi
Source: For Review

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 352

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

The Garde are finally reunited, but do they have what it takes to win the war against the Mogadorians?

John Smith—Number Four—thought that things would change once the Garde found each other. They would stop running. They would fight the Mogadorians. And they would win.

But he was wrong. After facing off with the Mogadorian ruler and almost being annihilated, the Garde know they are drastically unprepared and hopelessly outgunned. Now they’re hiding out in Nine’s Chicago penthouse, trying to figure out their next move.

The six of them are powerful, but they’re not strong enough yet to take on an entire army—even with the return of an old ally. To defeat their enemy, the Garde must master their Legacies and learn to work together as a team. More importantly, they’ll have to discover the truth about the Elders and their plan for the Loric survivors.

And when the Garde receive a sign from Number Five—a crop circle in the shape of a Loric symbol—they know they are so close to being reunited. But could it be a trap? Time is running out, and the only thing they know for certain is that they have to get to Five before it’s too late.

The Garde may have lost battles, but they will not lose this war.

Lorien will rise again.

The Review: Holy smokes - I was totally not expecting that! Before going into The Fall of Five, I have to say, I wasn't expecting a lot. I've seen other reviews were people feel as though this is the weak book in the series - I'd have to disagree with that.

Like the The Rise of Nine, The Fall of Five is told from multiple points of view, however this time, we see Sam (yay!), John and Marina. They're all coming to their own conclusions of whats happened over the last few weeks, but they all want things to change. They want to become stronger and better so they can defeat the Mogadorian'. It's not until number Five sends a message to the remaining Garde that they realise they need to reach him before the Mog's do.

After reading The Rise of Nine, which I didn't enjoyed as the first two books, I guess you could say it lowered my expectations for the fourth book, but I was glad to be proven wrong. The Fall of Five was a great read for me, it was fast paced and full on surprises. There were a few exciting twists that I wasn't expecting, and some that I did, but still it didn't make me enjoy the book any less, I still loved it. I wasn't sure which direction Pittacus Lore would take, but it was very interesting and so important to the Lorien's journey - it was great. It leaves me questioning a lot of things but I know I'll soon have the answers. 

One thing that I always enjoy from these stories are the multiple points of view and this one didn't disappointment. There's one scene in particular that I loved - it's a fight scene between the characters training and Pittacus Lore jumps back and fourth between Sam, Marina and John. It was really good to read, very entertaining and very thrilling! It was good for the characters to have some down time and enjoy spending time together. I think it's important that they do that because, well, they do need to start rebuilding a race/world together eventually - if they win the war. I did kind of miss Six's point of view but Sam made up for that. It was good to FINALLY see Sam. I missed him the last book, so this definitely made up for it. 

I love all the characters - except Sarah, but the one I like the most is Eight. I don't know why but there's something about him - he's sweet and caring and the way he is with Marina is touching. And then there's Nine, arrogant and cocky Nine. It would definitely be dull without him. 

Now onto the romance, I love the romance in this book, however and this is a big however. I want the aliens to be with the aliens. I know! I know! I love Sam but not keen on Sarah, but I want John and Six together! I was so hoping it would happen but Sarah (Grrr) is there. I haven't lost hope yet but it doesn't look good. Or maybe Six and Nine - I guess that could work. ;)

Overall, The Lorien Legacies is one of my favourite series and I'm glad it's still going strong. I'm more than excited for the next two books because you honestly just don't know what's going to happen. If you're looking for a fast page turner, then this is the series for you.

A Review for The Rise of Nine (Lorien Legacies #3) by Pittacus Lore

Posted by Donna

UK Release Date:  August 21st, 2012

Finished Date: July 14th, 2012

Publishers: Puffin

Source: For Review 

Format: Harback ARC 

Pages:  384
Buy : Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Until the day I met John Smith, Number Four, I'd been on the run alone, hiding and fighting to stay alive. Together, we are much more powerful. But it could only last so long before we had to separate to find the others. . . .
I went to Spain to find Seven, and I found even more, including a tenth member of the Garde who escaped from Lorien alive. Ella is younger than the rest of us, but just as brave. Now we're looking for the others--including John.
But so are they. They caught Number One in Malaysia. Number Two in England. And Number Three in Kenya. They caught me in New York--but I escaped. I am Number Six. They want to finish what they started. But they'll have to fight us first.

The Review: This is the third book in the Lorien Legacies series by author Pittacus Lore and wow, what a series it is. It’s full of heart-pounding, exhilarating and explosive scenes, ones that are very imaginable and full of lovable characters.  I adore everything about this series and The Rise of Nine just proves that there is still so much more awesomeness to come and I can’t wait. 
.
The Rise of Nine is told in three points of views, Four, Six and Seven so not only do we get inside one or two heads of the characters but three, and yes it was fantastic. We see Four recovering from his time with the Mogadorian’s and he has the help of Nine. Their in hiding, laying low and trying to figure out what the rest of their items are in their chests, but soon someone is hot on their trails. Six and Seven are with Ten and Clayton where they are travelling to India to try and find another Lorien member; Eight. However that proves to be difficult when he’s hidden away in the mountains and they have to fight an army to get to him. And we also see the arrival of the Mogadorian’s leader who really is a scary as they say and if they want to defeat the Mogadorians, then then all need to stick together. 
.
Another great book to a fantastic series! The Rise of Nine is dangerous, addictive, captivating and one hell of a ride. I can’t describe how much I enjoy this series and Pittacus Lore continues to throw so many amazing curveballs into the story that it really keeps you on you’re toes.  I loved the story from Six and Seven’s point of view, maybe because they had a more enjoyable and harder journey than Four and Eight's. Six, Seven & Ten have a fantastic relationship together and I really like seeing them getting to know each other.  I like Four aka John but I found he mopped around a lot over Sarah and Sam – who are pretty much MIA during this book, and then he was bickering with Nine a lot too. Their story in this book took me away from the Six and Seven’s and I didn’t enjoy it as much as I would hence my four star rating. Seven aka Marina was definitely my favourite character this time around. She really comes into her own person, instead of hiding away like she’s done all the years. She takes risks and defends the other members of the Guard. She really grows because she’s quite shy and hasn’t got much confidence in herself, so by the end of the book, it was nice to see a stronger Marina. I adored the moments when all the characters got together and this is where I have hopes for book 4 that they won’t spilt up again. 
.
What I enjoyed most about this book was seeing all the guard member’s powers in full force. Especially Eight, Nine and Seven whose we’ve not really seen before. Even Four has some new stuff to show us, so there’s always something exciting and new coming from these characters. I can’t wait for book 4 now. I just want to be in this amazing world again, with these characters and see them find the rest of the members of the guard. I want them to defeat the Mogadorian’s leader and I want them to find a way home and start making little alien babies. I know there is another 3 books still but I have hopes that we will see them make it to Lorien. There are also still so many answers I want to know though. Will they ever get home? Can humans like Sam and Sarah go with them? Will they find their ships? There’s a ton! And I can't wait to find out. 
.
All in all, this series is a perfect sci-fi series that really has won me over that sci-fi books are just as good as paranormal ones. Definitely my favourite sci-fi series ever and definitely one you don’t want to miss out on. 

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

Posted by Jess

Published Date: 3rd August, 2010

Finished Date: 18th December, 2011

Source: RAK

Format: Paperback

Pages: 448

The Blurb from Goodreads: Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books—but we are real.

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. we have lived among you without you knowing.

But they know.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.

I am Number Four.

I am next.

The Review: I'm not one for Sci-fi alien books. I had a hard time reading one called POD, and thought I'd stop at that. But then I was RAK'ed I Am Number Four by our friend Misty. I'd wanted to read it because of the hype, and then the movie came out with Alex Pettyfer and because I'm quite partial to him as a person (obvious reasons lol), it made me want to read the book even more before finally watching the movie. So I started the book, and I really enjoyed it. I was hooked from page 1 and pretty much couldn't put it down. The writing is incredible and the characters and world building is one that will leave you with pictures in your head (if you don't already have the movie in your head). Sadly, because I already knew Alex Pettyfer was to play John Smith, I pictured him through out the entire time I read the book. And that's totally fine with me, but it was still a little weird when I found out that the book John was actually only 15, Alex Pettyfer for intense and purposes doesn't look 15...any more. Anyway, I'm not here to talk about the differences between the book and the movie (even though there was  a lot).

I pretty much loved every minute of this book. I found John an easy character to like and it was refreshing to finally read a book from a male narrative rather than a 'sometimes' whiny female narrative. I loved all the powers that came to John, his lights, his fire resistance, and his telekinesis. The training scenes with he and Henri were especially fun to read about. 

I'm not going to talk much about the book because the less you know, the better it will be when everything comes into play on the page. But pretty much this book is always full of action, full of romance, full of funny moments, full of a total douche bag named Mark James (who by the way redeems himself in the end). Anyway there's always something going on on the page and its full of mystery and thrills.

I don't have a lot of cons about this book, except one. Towards the end so much happens in a long space of time, that it made the book seem a little long and a little blahh. I got a little fed up towards the end (during the epic battle I might add), I think I was just ready to have everything come together after going through so much in the book. Other than a serious amount of action and information in the end there isn't anything remotely bad about this book.

Read it, enjoy it, love it.

A Review for The Power of Six (Lorien Legacies #2) by Pittacus Lore

Posted by Donna
Expected Published Date: August 23rd, 2011
Finished Date: August 17th, 2011
Publishers: Penguin (Michael Joseph) 
Source: Received for Review
Format: Hardback
Pages: 352
<
The blurb from Goodreads: 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? 
<
The Review: "I was just thinking that, out of the four of us, three are aliens, two are fugitives with terrorist ties, and not a single one of us has a valid driver's licence. Something tells me things might get interesting."

Whoooo! Before I start this review, can I just say that Lore absolutely smashed ‘I am Number Four’ out of the park with this! The Power of Six is an absolutely fantastic sequel that has left me dying to know to more.

The Power of Six is told from alternate point of views. We’re introduced to a new character, Marina who is Number Seven and of course, we’re back with John who is Number Four. The story starts with Marina who slowly tells us her story and then we’re taken to John, Six & Sam whose journey has only just begun.

While on the run from the police and Mogadorians, John and the gang try to figure out what to do next and where to go. All they know is they need to try and find the other remaining Aliens but it’s sure going to be a dangerous and bumpy ride. On the other side of the world, Marina is also trying to find a way to get to Ohio because she believes John is like her but with her Cepán that has chosen God over Lorien, Marina is left to figure things out on her own…..and it’s not easy.

I’ll be honest when I say, I’m not a huge fan of Sci-Fi but Lore has created such an amazing and addictive series that I’m absolutely hooked with the story of Lorien. I find myself mesmerised by the whole world of the Lorien and the Legacies. When I think I’m completely amazed by Lore’s imagination and creative story-telling, something else will pop up and I’m again left amazed and completely stunned. The descriptions used are imaginable and leave us readers really picturing what life is like to be a member of Lorien and I for one didn’t think The Power of Six would be as good as the first book but boy, am I glad to be wrong.

The story itself is fast, intense and exciting. Our characters are taken on a whirlwind of a journey which is action packed, thrilling and of course, dangerous. We finally find out some truths about Lorien and the second ship but there are also a few other events that will leave you shocked and begging to know more. The twists and turns through-out managed to surprise me all the way through; some were expected and some weren’t but the story develops at such a rapid speed that you can’t help but try to slow down so you don’t plough through too quickly. Could I slow down? Hell no! I was dying to get this book finished because it was just impossible to put down and I was certainly left disappointed that I’d finished it so soon. Seriously, I NEED MORE!!!!

Were introduced to some new characters and all of them were a fantastic addition. Marina is superb and I loved finding out her story but there are also some surprise character’s that pop up that I’m really looking forward to getting to know too. Now Sarah, John’s girlfriend, is pretty missing from most of the book and I honestly didn’t even miss her. I was a huge fan of the whole Sarah/John romance in the first book but now Six is here and the attraction and connection between John and Six is undeniable. I’m now rooting for them to be together. I think they’d make an awesome couple.

Overall, Lore doesn’t disappoint with The Power of Six. It’s an intense and action packed sequel that has something for everyone. If you haven’t read this series, start it because I’m know you’ll love it!