• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release Date: August 23rd, 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061974552
• ISBN-13: 978-0061974557

Synopsis: 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.

In I am Number Four, Pittacus Lore introduced readers to the mysterious John Smith, an young alien on the run after his people, The Lorien, was wiped out by the brutal Mogadorians. John Smith is a member of the Garde: one of 9 Loriens who possess extraordinary powers called Legacies that can tip the scales and save the galaxy from Mogadorian subjugation. But only if he can survive long enough to learn how to master his budding powers. The book was full of all kinds of unique concepts and bits of Lore (no pun intended) and hard hitting action that its success was all but assured. So how does the sequel The Power of Six measure up?

Very well, actually.

The Power of Six picks up almost immediately where I Am Number Four left off. John has recovered from his injuries sustained battle in Paradise, Ohio, and is on the road with the enigmatic Six, his friend Sam Goode, and his faithful Chimera familiar, Bernie Kosar. The book shifts between John and his friends as they travel across America, training and generally just trying to figure out what to do next, and another member of the Garde, Marina (Number Seven), who lives in a convent in Spain with her Cepan Adelina. After learning of John and the events of Paradise Ohio, Marina is eager to join the fight and unite with the surviving six Garde. But Adelina has lost the will to fight, and refuses to teach Adelina to use her developing Legacies.

The books is as action-packed as it’s predecessor and full of revelations that shed light on the Loriens and their relationship with humanity. But for all the questions answered, the mysteries deepen making The Power of Six satisfying, but leaves you longing for more, with a cliffhanger that is reminiscent of the final scene in The Empire Strikes Back.

If I had to take an issue with this book, it would be the level of teen angst that surrounds the plot like a cloying stench. It’s understandable with Marina, who is tucked away and unable to help her fellow Garde. Where it get’s ridiculous is with John. Lorien teens seem to be as susceptible to the stupid decisions made in a haze of hormones and self-righteous, “it’s not FAIR!” as human boys and girls. That being said, this IS a novel for young adults, so critical levels of teen angst are to be expected.

The Power of Six is solid followup to the success of I am Number Four. Full of action, suspense, betrayal, and discovery the 2nd book of The Lorien Legacies sets the stage perfectly for the struggle ahead.

I give The Power of Six Four Out of Five Stars.

Pre-order your own copy of The Power of Six from Amazon today.

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