Scan barcode
mscooper's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sweetrosegirl76's review
5.0
Feb 18, 2014: It's amazing. Just completely and utterly amazing. The plot, the action, the characters and that plot twist though! But I can't stop crying. New scar and I'm so upset. I really can't wait until the next one!
Nov 16, 2022: the only reason why I knew someone would die was bc of my previous review. Genuinely I don't think I could have predicted the twist or the death without it. I guessed correctly who would die and the person who will develop a new legacy as a result, but I think that's only bc I read my old review. The book still hold up, it's a great series. Might be my fave of the series so far bc of how action packed it is. I do remember the good Mog and his name, and I do remember who betrayed them from my first read through but that's all I could recall. I feel like I'm reading this series for the first time.
POV: John/Four, Marina/Seven, Sam.
Nov 16, 2022: the only reason why I knew someone would die was bc of my previous review. Genuinely I don't think I could have predicted the twist or the death without it. I guessed correctly who would die and the person who will develop a new legacy as a result, but I think that's only bc I read my old review. The book still hold up, it's a great series. Might be my fave of the series so far bc of how action packed it is. I do remember the good Mog and his name, and I do remember who betrayed them from my first read through but that's all I could recall. I feel like I'm reading this series for the first time.
POV: John/Four, Marina/Seven, Sam.
ciaranfitz27's review
adventurous
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
willeh's review
4.0
Let me start with saying that I am a huge fan of this series. I have read it since the start but never have written a review that fully details how I feel.
I’m not about to do that about all the books. Instead, I will try to stick to this one as best I can.
This book was just as great as the previous ones. With that said, I did hate the outcome. When I first read the title I got a bad feeling. Pittacus Lore has managed to make every single title relevant in all the books. I expected no less of this one. I was not let down.
This book, unlike most that are part of a series, is not a filler book. Sure, you get some details here and there and some new information but this book, I believe, is a major step to the final battle. I’m not sure if the next will be the last but it could very well be. I liked the plot and the way the book was structured. I liked the twists as well.
For the major part, the reader gets exactly what he wants. Suspense, a love story or two, some action, and some bit of what we love from each of the characters we’ve come to admire and fall head over heels for. Team Nine. Well, just because he’s hot really. I do love them all. We also, unfortunately get our hearts wrenched. One line in the book, NO SERIOUSLY! ONE LINE! changes everything and makes it all go to shit. For lack of a better way to put it. The climax is basically the end of the book as usual, leaving us with another cliffhanger. One bigger than ever before.
I don’t want to give away spoilers, honestly. I liked the book but not the consequences of the whole mess that’s happening. The end of the synopsis says, “Lorien will rise.” Well, by the end, Lorien seems closer to destruction than ever before.
I’m not about to do that about all the books. Instead, I will try to stick to this one as best I can.
This book was just as great as the previous ones. With that said, I did hate the outcome. When I first read the title I got a bad feeling. Pittacus Lore has managed to make every single title relevant in all the books. I expected no less of this one. I was not let down.
This book, unlike most that are part of a series, is not a filler book. Sure, you get some details here and there and some new information but this book, I believe, is a major step to the final battle. I’m not sure if the next will be the last but it could very well be. I liked the plot and the way the book was structured. I liked the twists as well.
For the major part, the reader gets exactly what he wants. Suspense, a love story or two, some action, and some bit of what we love from each of the characters we’ve come to admire and fall head over heels for.
I don’t want to give away spoilers, honestly. I liked the book but not the consequences of the whole mess that’s happening. The end of the synopsis says, “Lorien will rise.” Well, by the end, Lorien seems closer to destruction than ever before.
emerygirl's review
4.0
Wow! It keeps getting better and better. The story definitely gets more complex as extra layers are added. We are finally introduced to the entire Guard. My only complaint with the book is the constant jumping between stories. The book is written in the first person and the story jumps, sometimes mid-chapter, from character to character. It is hard to figure out who’s perspective you are reading. Other than that, this series is amazing.
luiscruz64's review
5.0
It’s actually insane how much better these books keep getting. All I want to do is move on to the next book. I remember why this is one of my favorite series. It’s all so good.
nicole_litwin's review
5.0
Forth book done.... But talk about leaving me in the most high action place ever!
dherzey's review
3.0
Pre-reading:
I really hope that there are new interesting events in here. The 2nd and 3rd book is action-packed but verging on predictable. The books actually seemed to be written with the same plot patterns.
I also hope that Four wouldn't be as annoying and lovesick as before. And I'm expecting more of Eight and Nine and Sam (please, bring him back!).
Read (02/1/2014)
My mind is still in a turmoil, so I'll just gonna list the good and the bad that I found in this book. Be warned though, this may be a bit of a rant...
THE GOOD
[1] The get-together of the characters. Since the beginning of the series, I am actually anticipating this. It's fun to see the Garde plus Malcolm and (finally) Sam in one roof.
[2] Marina/Number Seven. Two books ago, when Marina first started to appear, I would probably won't consider her as a likable character. She's too boring and too helpless. But just imagine my joy when Marina proved to be more than what she is. That she is capable of doing something even if she's not as strong as Nine or Six. She also remained good-natured through and through. Actually, Marina might be my favorite character in this book.
[3] Enjoyable. Never boring. I read this book for 2 and a half days, not to mention that I got lots of work to do. The thing about this book (despite the inconsistent plot and underdeveloped characters *more on that later*) is that it doesn't fail to keep things interesting. The whole idea and the way the author (or authors) distribute all the information about Lorien without being too tedious is actually pretty good.
[4] Nine. I know, I know. He's a d-bag, an a-hole and annoying all over but I think Nine is one of the most interesting characters here. I think what I like about him is that while the other characters are all moping and getting all emotional, Nine is always playing cool. Cool but caring all the same. He's pretty funny too and the one who takes out the stress from this book (even though there's a war out there and everything.) At the end though, when Eight died after teleporting in front of Nine and taking the stab from the traitor Five (which could actually be avoided if Nine didn't taunt Five) except of blaming Nine from what happened, I actually felt excited because I think this will be a great development on Nine's part in the next book. You know, in a totally psychological and emotional way. I'm pretty much hoping for that because this book really needs some serious character development and dynamic characters (*more on that later*).
*drum roll*
THE BAD
[1] John/Number Four *sigh* He's always the problem. Since book one, my feelings for Four stood in a delicate line. On one hand, he's a loyal friend but on the other, he could act like a 16 year old girl, going all over Sarah and worrying a lot and acting real stupid. I'm actually gonna be pissed if it turns out he is really the reincarnation of Pittacus Lore *gags* I mean, come on. There's also a part in this book when John and Sarah went to the zoo and saw three Mogs doing some secret mission and John responded by blasting them with his fireballs! I know they're retrieving some information from the traitor Garde and they probably know that the Garde is in Chicago by that point, but the others don't know that, and John is supposed to be a good and smart leader, instead he goes shooting fireballs and may even risk revealing their location. Smooth, man.
[2] Sarah. If John do really care about her, why didn't he just left her in Paradise? I don't really hate Sarah, but she is a distraction for John and he needs to focus! Also, Sarah became this totally badasss girl in here, which is pretty nice because John really needs additional bodyguards to prevent him from getting himself killed. (Note the sarcasm)
[3] Six. What the hell happened to Six?! She barely gets a mention in here and seemed totally dull. Maybe because I'm used to hearing her POV, but even if the author took her POV, shouldn't she still needs to feel like a character instead of a cardboard cut-out? And her problem with John and Sarah? Author, are you trying to deliberately let us hate and forget Six?!
[4] Sarah and John. Omygod, stop being cheesy, just stop. It makes me wanna puke.
[5] Where is character development?. Where is it? Did it jumped off the cliff? Or did it commit suicide? Jeez, I'm expecting a lot for this area, instead what I got is a bunch of characters who is both forgettable and just too one-dimensional (maybe except for Seven and Nine). Four is still Four, Six becomes this broody, bitter girl, Ella is Ella and we are not shown much of Eight to really care. There is no depth in all the characters. And there's also the fact that they all actually think the same which leads us to...
[6] Indistinguishable POVs. Thank goodness for the changing of fonts or there will be no way to distinguish who is speaking (although John and Sam's POV fonts are nearly the same). I'm actually looking for the POV of Eight and Nine because it's their time to shine and all but the author killed Eight without as much giving him a shot to develop and have his own POV. The two of them seemed like more interesting characters than the rest.
[7] The Death I don't mind an author killing one of the main characters or the secondary characters. I'm cool with that even if it will probably tear me apart because sometimes it is really necessary and important to either show something or served as a motivation to do something. Like in The Deathly Hallows when Dobby died, it shows that he remained loyal to Harry till the end. On The Half-Blood Prince when Dumbledore died, we all know it is inevitable and served a purpose, same with the others (Sirius, Lupin, Fred, Snape). But going back, Eight's death in here? It's absurd. I know I mention before that it might be a good development in Nine's and maybe the other characters part, but is it really necessary? I think it might if the author gave us a chance to really get to know Eight well, but he died, and I barely cared. Except get upset over the fact that if our world will be invaded by a bunch of aliens and these good aliens are our supposed to be saviors, I will willingly walk to the dark side. Because these good aliens are powerful yet stupid and there's also the fact that the Garde is only down to like, six, and one of them is a traitor and one is an heir to Setrakus Ra.
I know there's the humans and they might help but they won't stand a chance until somehow, miraculously, the real Ten (is there even one? Probably, this series keeps spitting out twists) will show up and have resurrection powers or something or maybe have that same thing with Adam, with One living in another body. But whatever the author planned, it should be worthy.
[8] The oh-all-mighty plot. Talk about redundant. The plot is the same like any other. The Garde will go save or look for something, Mogs will come, a bit of fighting, they'll gonna go back to their hideout and try to come out with a plan that leads to nothing, some info will be dump and maybe a revelation or two, something terrible will happen like Four getting sucked into Ella's nightmare, change of plans, Mogs coming, somebody dies. NOTHING REALLY HAPPENED THAT GETS THEM CLOSER TO THEIR GOAL!
And if the readers be subjected to the same thing throughout the next book...
WOW. JUST WOW.
[9] Interesting idea, poor execution. The book struggles with the building of its characters, plot and story. Sometimes, it seems like the author don't know where or don't know how he will make use of his ideas to move the book.
EXPECTATIONS FOR THE NEXT BOOK/S:
1. Character development.
2. A concrete plot and not just a plot full of twists without really getting forward.
3.Can you just kill Four?
4. Number Ten or the other Garde developing necromancy or something.
5. Number Five changing his mind
6. Smart plans....
7. More badassery
I won't expect much but I'm hoping. And if by chance, Earth was really invaded and cannot be stopped by the Garde, just make sure it will be executed well enough.
I really hope that there are new interesting events in here. The 2nd and 3rd book is action-packed but verging on predictable. The books actually seemed to be written with the same plot patterns.
I also hope that Four wouldn't be as annoying and lovesick as before. And I'm expecting more of Eight and Nine and Sam (please, bring him back!).
Read (02/1/2014)
WARNING: Major spoilers ahead!
My mind is still in a turmoil, so I'll just gonna list the good and the bad that I found in this book. Be warned though, this may be a bit of a rant...
THE GOOD
[1] The get-together of the characters. Since the beginning of the series, I am actually anticipating this. It's fun to see the Garde plus Malcolm and (finally) Sam in one roof.
[2] Marina/Number Seven. Two books ago, when Marina first started to appear, I would probably won't consider her as a likable character. She's too boring and too helpless. But just imagine my joy when Marina proved to be more than what she is. That she is capable of doing something even if she's not as strong as Nine or Six. She also remained good-natured through and through. Actually, Marina might be my favorite character in this book.
[3] Enjoyable. Never boring. I read this book for 2 and a half days, not to mention that I got lots of work to do. The thing about this book (despite the inconsistent plot and underdeveloped characters *more on that later*) is that it doesn't fail to keep things interesting. The whole idea and the way the author (or authors) distribute all the information about Lorien without being too tedious is actually pretty good.
[4] Nine. I know, I know. He's a d-bag, an a-hole and annoying all over but I think Nine is one of the most interesting characters here. I think what I like about him is that while the other characters are all moping and getting all emotional, Nine is always playing cool. Cool but caring all the same. He's pretty funny too and the one who takes out the stress from this book (even though there's a war out there and everything.) At the end though, when Eight died after teleporting in front of Nine and taking the stab from the traitor Five (which could actually be avoided if Nine didn't taunt Five) except of blaming Nine from what happened, I actually felt excited because I think this will be a great development on Nine's part in the next book. You know, in a totally psychological and emotional way. I'm pretty much hoping for that because this book really needs some serious character development and dynamic characters (*more on that later*).
*drum roll*
THE BAD
[1] John/Number Four *sigh* He's always the problem. Since book one, my feelings for Four stood in a delicate line. On one hand, he's a loyal friend but on the other, he could act like a 16 year old girl, going all over Sarah and worrying a lot and acting real stupid. I'm actually gonna be pissed if it turns out he is really the reincarnation of Pittacus Lore *gags* I mean, come on. There's also a part in this book when John and Sarah went to the zoo and saw three Mogs doing some secret mission and John responded by blasting them with his fireballs! I know they're retrieving some information from the traitor Garde and they probably know that the Garde is in Chicago by that point, but the others don't know that, and John is supposed to be a good and smart leader, instead he goes shooting fireballs and may even risk revealing their location. Smooth, man.
[2] Sarah. If John do really care about her, why didn't he just left her in Paradise? I don't really hate Sarah, but she is a distraction for John and he needs to focus! Also, Sarah became this totally badasss girl in here, which is pretty nice because John really needs additional bodyguards to prevent him from getting himself killed. (Note the sarcasm)
[3] Six. What the hell happened to Six?! She barely gets a mention in here and seemed totally dull. Maybe because I'm used to hearing her POV, but even if the author took her POV, shouldn't she still needs to feel like a character instead of a cardboard cut-out? And her problem with John and Sarah? Author, are you trying to deliberately let us hate and forget Six?!
[4] Sarah and John. Omygod, stop being cheesy, just stop. It makes me wanna puke.
[5] Where is character development?. Where is it? Did it jumped off the cliff? Or did it commit suicide? Jeez, I'm expecting a lot for this area, instead what I got is a bunch of characters who is both forgettable and just too one-dimensional (maybe except for Seven and Nine). Four is still Four, Six becomes this broody, bitter girl, Ella is Ella and we are not shown much of Eight to really care. There is no depth in all the characters. And there's also the fact that they all actually think the same which leads us to...
[6] Indistinguishable POVs. Thank goodness for the changing of fonts or there will be no way to distinguish who is speaking (although John and Sam's POV fonts are nearly the same). I'm actually looking for the POV of Eight and Nine because it's their time to shine and all but the author killed Eight without as much giving him a shot to develop and have his own POV. The two of them seemed like more interesting characters than the rest.
[7] The Death I don't mind an author killing one of the main characters or the secondary characters. I'm cool with that even if it will probably tear me apart because sometimes it is really necessary and important to either show something or served as a motivation to do something. Like in The Deathly Hallows when Dobby died, it shows that he remained loyal to Harry till the end. On The Half-Blood Prince when Dumbledore died, we all know it is inevitable and served a purpose, same with the others (Sirius, Lupin, Fred, Snape). But going back, Eight's death in here? It's absurd. I know I mention before that it might be a good development in Nine's and maybe the other characters part, but is it really necessary? I think it might if the author gave us a chance to really get to know Eight well, but he died, and I barely cared. Except get upset over the fact that if our world will be invaded by a bunch of aliens and these good aliens are our supposed to be saviors, I will willingly walk to the dark side. Because these good aliens are powerful yet stupid and there's also the fact that the Garde is only down to like, six, and one of them is a traitor and one is an heir to Setrakus Ra.
I know there's the humans and they might help but they won't stand a chance until somehow, miraculously, the real Ten (is there even one? Probably, this series keeps spitting out twists) will show up and have resurrection powers or something or maybe have that same thing with Adam, with One living in another body. But whatever the author planned, it should be worthy.
[8] The oh-all-mighty plot. Talk about redundant. The plot is the same like any other. The Garde will go save or look for something, Mogs will come, a bit of fighting, they'll gonna go back to their hideout and try to come out with a plan that leads to nothing, some info will be dump and maybe a revelation or two, something terrible will happen like Four getting sucked into Ella's nightmare, change of plans, Mogs coming, somebody dies. NOTHING REALLY HAPPENED THAT GETS THEM CLOSER TO THEIR GOAL!
And if the readers be subjected to the same thing throughout the next book...
WOW. JUST WOW.
[9] Interesting idea, poor execution. The book struggles with the building of its characters, plot and story. Sometimes, it seems like the author don't know where or don't know how he will make use of his ideas to move the book.
EXPECTATIONS FOR THE NEXT BOOK/S:
1. Character development.
2. A concrete plot and not just a plot full of twists without really getting forward.
3.
4. Number Ten or the other Garde developing necromancy or something.
5. Number Five changing his mind
6. Smart plans....
7. More badassery
I won't expect much but I'm hoping. And if by chance, Earth was really invaded and cannot be stopped by the Garde, just make sure it will be executed well enough.