Review - The Power of Six

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore

(406 pages)

Pub. date: 08/23/11

 My rating: 3.5/5 stars

Series: The Lorien Legacies #2

About the book:

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.

My thoughts:

I wasn't overly impressed with the new character - Number Seven. That was my biggest problem throughout the novel, and most of  the reason why I'm only giving this book 3.5 stars.

Number Seven - Marina - is one of those characters who always whines about things, but never really does anything about it. She wants to be on the move like they were told to be, but when Katrina refuses to leave she stays with her. For years. In the same place. It's like alien 101 - never stay in the same place for more than a few months. Katrina was my other major problem in the book. She did nothing. Her job was to protect Marina but she was brainwashed by religion and chose to do nothing. 

I felt like Number Seven should have just forced Katrina to open the Chest, or killed her, or something, then took off on her own. But she stayed there for years. Why I'll never know. 

The Power of Six is told in alternating POVs, going back and forth between John (Number Four) and Marina (Number Seven). I much preferred John's chapters - I found them a lot more interesting and action packed. While Marina's chapters were much like the first book in a many book series (mostly getting to know the character, with only a little action), John's story was much more in the middle of things. He, Six and Sam are on the run after the big showdown in Paradise. John's face is everywhere and they have to be super careful not to get caught by the cops (oops!) and the Mogs (again, oops!) Not to mention John's personal life is much more interesting that Seven's. (Hint, hint, spoil, spoil) - things get juicy and much more complicated). 

While at times the plot slowed for John too, I was always interested on what was going on with him, while I wasn't as concerned with Marina. Maybe it's just cause she's new. Maybe I'll warm up to her eventually.  

I loved almost all of the characters on Four's side of things. Sam is funny and sweet, and completely dorky. And Six is BADASS! Do NOT mess with this girl. She will kick you back a week or two on the calendar. Sarah.... Never really liked her in I Am Number Four, and now have more reason not to like her.

One thing I really wanted to see was more of John's legacies, and was sadly disappointed that nothing much happened with that. However, the Chest holds some interesting things, which is all I'll say about that. Actually, another thing I didn't like was how certain characters didn't even meet up yet. Major disappointment, but it'll make for an interesting third book.

It wasn't until the ending that I really got interested in both character's stories. And it wasn't until the (almost very) ending where a new character got introduced. I think I'm going to like this character a lot more than I did with Number Seven.

The Power of Six ended with quite the cliffhanger, so I'm counting down the days (rather impatiently, I might add) for the release of the third book, The Rise of Nine. (The title is making me hopeful that Number Nine will be narrating some of the book. Maybe taking the place of Seven? :) :D)