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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Very interesting book. It's one book but with many stories. In many ways its like different scenes in a movie. Definitely makes you want to read more and see how the story develops.
I slid easily back into the world of the Lorien Legacies. For the uninitiated, it's a science fiction version or Earth where 9 alien children with protectors have been sent in secret to be the legacy of their world which is on the brink of destruction. The first book in the series, I Am Number Four, was adapted into a film in 2011. I really enjoy seeing what had happened to the characters from the first book, as well as being introduced to new characters on similar but different journeys. One of the reasons I really enjoy this series is that it's one of the few books where I see the action (fights, confrontations, abilities) happening, and quite vividly in all their science fiction glory. This is such a treat! Often in books I just skim over action-centric scenes because I don't *see* them. But here I do. We get to see more perspectives from different people, and more of the conspiracy theory stuff which was really cool. Overall, it was very well rounded and I was thrilled to get back into the story, even though it had been a while since I read the first book. I will definitely continue reading the series.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
I set you aside and now I found you again! I will finish you soon! I am dying to know what happens to #6 & 9!!
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Even though I didn't read the first book (watched the movie) it was easy to get sucked onto the story. Very enjoyable and will def read the next installment
I'm just gonna say it: this one was pretty slow. A pretty good chunk of the book was either Marina or John complaining about something or other, with not a whole lot of action interspersed throughout. The best part was undoubtedly the end, when the final showdowns take place in Spain and the U.S. For whoever has their heart set on reading this series, push through this one, because The Rise of Nine is so worth it.
Sequels can be tough because they honestly can go two different ways in terms of quality and how faithful they are to their overlying series. I have to say that Power of Six, in the best sense of the phrase, far exceeded the first installment in the LORIEN LEGACIES series. In fact, now that I have read it, I find myself returning to my review of the first book, I Am Number Four. In hindsight, after reading Power of Six, the first book now seems to fall flat in many ways that weren't apparent when I first read it. Don't get me wrong, it was the beginning to a new series that has, so far, proven to be EPIC. I can best compare it to going back and reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone now that the whole series is published. It was a riveting beginning to a worldwide phenomenon. However, that first novel, looking back at it, really only gets its praise because of the series it kicked off. It really isn't a strong novel by itself, and certainly isn't as flattering as later installments in the Harry Potter series. I Am Number Four will suffer the same fate, I believe.
If I could sum up my two favorite things that Power of Six did, they'd be VOICE and RELATIONSHIPS. The pseudonym-veiled author(s) took a BIG chance when he decided to employ two very different and EXTREMELY independent and strong voices to unfold the story line in Power of Six...complete with two different font faces depending on the narrator. I'm normally very skeptical of novels that try to do this, and I have often shied away from doing it in my own writing because it can have disastrous consequences with your readers. Stephenie Meyer tried it in the Twilight series, although briefly, and ended up making Jacob, the one who got a brief chance to narrate, more enjoyable than whiny Bella. Fail. Michael Scott tried it in The Alchemyst, which lent itself to reminding us EXACTLY who was speaking practically every other sentence. FAIL. James Patterson tried it in Witch & Wizard, and even though he swore they were two different narrators, one a boy and one a girl, I honestly could not tell the difference and felt the whole story could have been told from a single point of view, with the other character dying a miserable death and readers never missing that character. EPIC FAIL!
What I'm getting at is that John's voice and Marina's voice were so distinctive, and the way their individual stories were unfolded meshed perfectly until they (sort of?) converged. I don't want to spoil anything, but the typical thing that happens in stories with multiple narrators DOES NOT happen in Power of Six, which, in itself, was a refreshing change.
Characterization of relationships within the LORIEN LEGACIES story world got a great start in I Am Number Four. Thankfully, this second novel drew on that trend even more, and made things even more complex. Let's just say this: no good story with a fair bit of romance is complete without a love triangle, and you'll certainly find one within these pages. Fortunately, the story doesn't dwell on it too hard, and sticks to the on-the-run action and piecemeal fight scenes that the series has come to be known for. And speaking of those fight scenes...there's a LOT MORE of them in this book, and they are described so very well that it's not daunting to read at all. Actually, it's quite enjoyable.
In terms of character, best friends John and Sam have forged a great connection that has something to do with Sam's dad, plus Sam has developed quite a crush on Six....but then, so has John and, in spite of his love for Sarah, which he believes is permanent and that he'll never fall for anyone else, he really can't help the feelings he's been having for Six since they went on the run after their epic battle at Paradise High School.
Sarah makes a comeback, too, albeit a very brief one. And let's just say...you won't like it. I'll leave it at that.
We also get introduced to a brand new setting: the high, mountainous altitudes of northern Spain. I've never had a particular desire to visit Spain, but after reading Marina's portion of the story, I find myself wanting to go. The way she describes her home makes it sound very serene, but yet there is also this impending sense of trouble and a desperate need for Marina to get out away from where she is and join the other members of the Garde in their fight against the Mogadorians.
That brings me to my final point, and because it was established in the first book, it's probably going to be the reason for a maximum 4-star rating for every book in this series, providing they are all as compelling as the first two. It's the made-up names of these people and places. Honestly, I find myself trying to come up with different ones to substitute them in my own head. I mean, right out of the gate we have LORIEN. As in LOTHLORIEN, from Lord of the Rings? Elves? Ring a bell? Plus, like, EVERYTHING dealing with the planet, including names of its Elders and many of its species and people, all derive from LOR somehow. That's really my only complaint. The nomenclature in this series seems so contrived and, well, just pesky.
But all in all, I can't honestly say that it distracts me enough to even get CLOSE to even THINKING ABOUT dismissing this great new series. I'll deal with pesky naming, because I'm too invested in the characters. And if you've read any of my other reviews, or if you read books at all yourself, you'll know that's of prime importance. If you don't have sturdy, believable characters who you feel for and with whom you suffer, it just won't work.
If I could sum up my two favorite things that Power of Six did, they'd be VOICE and RELATIONSHIPS. The pseudonym-veiled author(s) took a BIG chance when he decided to employ two very different and EXTREMELY independent and strong voices to unfold the story line in Power of Six...complete with two different font faces depending on the narrator. I'm normally very skeptical of novels that try to do this, and I have often shied away from doing it in my own writing because it can have disastrous consequences with your readers. Stephenie Meyer tried it in the Twilight series, although briefly, and ended up making Jacob, the one who got a brief chance to narrate, more enjoyable than whiny Bella. Fail. Michael Scott tried it in The Alchemyst, which lent itself to reminding us EXACTLY who was speaking practically every other sentence. FAIL. James Patterson tried it in Witch & Wizard, and even though he swore they were two different narrators, one a boy and one a girl, I honestly could not tell the difference and felt the whole story could have been told from a single point of view, with the other character dying a miserable death and readers never missing that character. EPIC FAIL!
What I'm getting at is that John's voice and Marina's voice were so distinctive, and the way their individual stories were unfolded meshed perfectly until they (sort of?) converged. I don't want to spoil anything, but the typical thing that happens in stories with multiple narrators DOES NOT happen in Power of Six, which, in itself, was a refreshing change.
Characterization of relationships within the LORIEN LEGACIES story world got a great start in I Am Number Four. Thankfully, this second novel drew on that trend even more, and made things even more complex. Let's just say this: no good story with a fair bit of romance is complete without a love triangle, and you'll certainly find one within these pages. Fortunately, the story doesn't dwell on it too hard, and sticks to the on-the-run action and piecemeal fight scenes that the series has come to be known for. And speaking of those fight scenes...there's a LOT MORE of them in this book, and they are described so very well that it's not daunting to read at all. Actually, it's quite enjoyable.
In terms of character, best friends John and Sam have forged a great connection that has something to do with Sam's dad, plus Sam has developed quite a crush on Six....but then, so has John and, in spite of his love for Sarah, which he believes is permanent and that he'll never fall for anyone else, he really can't help the feelings he's been having for Six since they went on the run after their epic battle at Paradise High School.
Sarah makes a comeback, too, albeit a very brief one. And let's just say...you won't like it. I'll leave it at that.
We also get introduced to a brand new setting: the high, mountainous altitudes of northern Spain. I've never had a particular desire to visit Spain, but after reading Marina's portion of the story, I find myself wanting to go. The way she describes her home makes it sound very serene, but yet there is also this impending sense of trouble and a desperate need for Marina to get out away from where she is and join the other members of the Garde in their fight against the Mogadorians.
That brings me to my final point, and because it was established in the first book, it's probably going to be the reason for a maximum 4-star rating for every book in this series, providing they are all as compelling as the first two. It's the made-up names of these people and places. Honestly, I find myself trying to come up with different ones to substitute them in my own head. I mean, right out of the gate we have LORIEN. As in LOTHLORIEN, from Lord of the Rings? Elves? Ring a bell? Plus, like, EVERYTHING dealing with the planet, including names of its Elders and many of its species and people, all derive from LOR somehow. That's really my only complaint. The nomenclature in this series seems so contrived and, well, just pesky.
But all in all, I can't honestly say that it distracts me enough to even get CLOSE to even THINKING ABOUT dismissing this great new series. I'll deal with pesky naming, because I'm too invested in the characters. And if you've read any of my other reviews, or if you read books at all yourself, you'll know that's of prime importance. If you don't have sturdy, believable characters who you feel for and with whom you suffer, it just won't work.