Recently there seems to have been an obsession with supernatural creatures in young adult fiction books. Everything from zombies to werewolves has been written about. Then, there are the books focusing on faeries and witches. However, very few books about aliens line the bookshelves. Until I started reading Pittacus Lore’s Lorien Legacies series, I did not realize that.
Never before have I wanted to be an alien, or to know one. Lore’s books changed that completely. Suddenly I wanted to part of that world. I think that is one reason why Lore’s books stand out amongst the other young adult books.
On August 23 Lore released the second book in the Lorien Legacies series: The Power of Six. The book starts where the first one, I Am Number Four, left off. John Smith (aka Number Four, Sam Goode, and Number Six are still on the run from the government because they presume that John is a terrorist rather than an alien learning to protect Earth.
While I Am Number Four certainly had action in it, that book focused mostly on John Smith’s struggle with trying to be normal and his romance with Sarah Hart. In The Power of Six there is so much more action and I loved that about the book. At the same time I thought Number Seven’s struggle with her protector, Adelina, was an interesting relationship. Adelina, who is meant to teach Marina (Number Seven) about her legacies, or skills she will develop to help protect Earth, refuses to acknowledge her duties. Rather, Adelina has turned her life to serving God and pushed aside any connections with the world she came from.
While there is very little action in those scenes, there is plenty of it in John Smith’s story, which also appears in The Power of Six. Without giving away too much, John Smith and the others have to run from a helicopter, save a lost item, and then fight against the big, bad Mogadorians who want to take over Earth.
There are also romantic issues to add to the story’s plot. It is more than just a love triangle in John Smith’s life. He believes that he will only love Sarah Hart, and yet he finds himself attracted to Six. To make complicate matters, Sam has a huge crush on Six. And, who does Six like? Well, I cannot spoil that part.
My only problem reading the book was the abrupt change from Marina to John’s story. The only clue that Lore has changed characters is the styling of the font. As I moved through the story, it became less of a jolt and actually flowed well. However, that first time I was uncertain of what had happened. I expected the chapter to acknowledge the character’s point of view. Later in the story, though, the acknowledging of point of view would end up taking the reader from the story. The earlier chapters revolve around one point of view at a time. Then, when their stories begin to connect, it is not uncommon for two points of view per chapter. The movements happen quickly and the subtle change in font keeps the story moving without jolting the reader.
I am sincerely excited about the third book and what will happen to the characters. A lot of new information is revealed at the end of the book. Plus, one of my favorite characters has gone missing so I am dying to see what happens to them.
If you enjoy reading young adult books, but would like to read something unique, then I think the Lorien Legacies are for you. The books combine aliens, teenage issues, and action into an amazing series that deserves to be read. Much like the Harry Potter series, I think that this one is perfect for people of any age. It is not just for a younger market.
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