Title: Num8ers
Author: Rachel Ward
Genre: YA
Page Count: 325
Book Type: Library Hardcover
Publisher: Chicken House, an Imprint of Scholastic, Inc.
ISBN: 978-0-545-14299-1
Picture from Amazon
Summary from Inside Cover of Book: Since the day her mother died, Jem has known about the numbers.
Numbers that pop into her head when she looks into someone’s eyes. They’re dates, the numbers. Dates predicting with brute accuracy each person’s death.
Burdened by such grim knowledge, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. Maybe they can find happiness together. If only the brief time that remains before his expiration date.
But on a trip to London, Jen foresees a chilling chain of events.
The city’s a target.
The clock’s running out.
The countdown is on to a blowup!
My Review: The cover of this book is pretty intriguing. I love the numbers floating around every where and how that theme is continued throughout the book at the beginning of each chapter. The veins in the eye kind of creep me out, though.
There were times that I was completely engrossed in this book and other times where I was only mildly interested. I think one of my main problems with the book was probably my own fault. When Rachel Ward was describing Spider, my mind pictured him as an old man. Just certain characteristics that he had must have associated him with an old man for me. This got to be a bit distracting, but like I said--my own fault most likely.
The “numbers” don’t play as big of a role in the book as I thought they would. I thought it was setup really well and then sort of fizzled out in the middle and picked up a bit more in the end. The major plot lines seemed to be a bit predictable and sometimes even cliche.
I did love the language in this book as it is set in London. Warning for those who don’t like swearing, there is quite a bit of it. I would definitely give another book by Rachel Ward a shot. I enjoyed her writing style and maybe with a different story I would like it even more. If I had to rate Num8ers, I would give it an average rating of 3 out of 5.
Have you read this one yet? What are your thoughts?
I haven't read anything by Ward though I hear she is a fantastic writer. I would have probably been disappointed with the numbers not playing a big role but I am a math junkie LOL
ReplyDelete@Felicia the Geeky Blogger
ReplyDeleteI did really enjoy her writing style and, like I said, I would definitely read another book of hers. I just felt like it wasn't sci-fi-ish enough and it wasn't contemporary fiction enough... it was too in the middle. I think it needed to go more in either direction and it would have been a lot better. Thanks for stopping but and commenting :)
Hmm, I have read nothing but good reviews on this one. I might have to bump this to decide for myself. Awesome honest review
ReplyDelete@Cleverly Inked
ReplyDeleteThanks. I didn't hate it, but I definitely didn't love it either. It wouldn't be something I would go back and read either, but give it a shot and see for yourself. I have read both positive and negative ones on this one.
too bad this one didn't pan out in matching the awesome numbers cover. thanks for the review.
ReplyDeletecall me a prude - but seriously, the language was more offensive than I think is appropriate for a YA book regardless of the setting.
ReplyDeleteI do agree on the "fizzling" - the awesome cover - and the wishing that the numbers played a bigger role...