Strength in Numbers • The Power of Six

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
Series: Lorien Legacies #2
Previous Book: I Am Number Four Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: August 23, 2011
Source: Borrowed from Macky || Paperback

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?

It's been quite a while since I read I Am Number Four. If you checked out my review, you'll know that I absolutely loved it so there was really no excuse for not reading the sequel THE POWER OF SIX right when it came out. (Completely off topic: my fiance, my sister and my sister's boyfriend all read this book before I did - and that's certainly never happens.) It took months before I finally got around to reading this book - and now I really wish I hadn't waited! 

I loved THE POWER OF SIX (though not as much as I Am Number Four) and would definitely consider it a worthy addition to The Lorien Legacies. Initially, there was less action than I would have liked, but that definitely picked up towards the end. Plus, we meet a couple of new characters and learn more about the history behind the Nine.

Though I do have a soft spot for Four and Bernie Kosar, it was really Six, Seven and Sam that I loved this time around. Six was certainly the kickass female that I expected her to be, especially when she demonstrates her fighting skills, her intelligence and her determination to keep what's left of the Nine alive. Seven, on the other hand, is a new character and it was great reading about how different her upbringing and her lessons were from the other two. And, of course, Sam - I will always love Sam. I think he's brave (and slightly reckless) for going with Six and Four, but I have to admire his determination and loyalty.

The book did start out a little bit slow for me, but there was enough intrigue (in the form of Seven's character) to reel me in. The action definitely picks up as the book continues, with an epic battle scene tossed in towards the end. 

I do only have one complaint, and it's with how abruptly the book ends. I finished the book and remember just going, "Seriously? Like, seriously?" I thought for a second that there was more to read, but was really surprised when there was none.

I'll definitely be picking up the next book in the series (The Rise of Nine, scheduled to be out August 2012), but this was a great sophomore effort to add to the series. Fans of I Am Number Four (the book, not that crazy excuse for a movie) should definitely read this one.