United As One (Lorien Legacies #7), Pittacus Lore, Penguin Random House, ISBN: 978 0 718 18490 2
THIS seventh and final book in the Lorien Legacies brings the I am Number Four series to a spectacular close.
I have been a fan of this series since its release in 2010 – and it only gets better.
The final installment explodes off the page with non-stop action, but also brings resolution and answers a multitude of questions which arise throughout the series.
Told from the alternating points of view of Number Four and Number Six, United as One moves seamlessly from one point of view to another, giving the reader an all-round experience of the plot as it unfolds.
In this book, John develops Ximic, yet further proof that he is the Garde member descended from Pittacus Lore. John, who has always been a fan favourite and a firm candidate for the role given his lumen legacy, shows huge character growth in this book and we see a side to him that we haven’t been exposed to before.
There is a maturity and a quiet confidence about him that was lacking in the previous books, and which is brought about through a heart-wrenching and unexpected loss.
A new Loric is introduced who, in my opinion, doesn’t add much to the plot, but does shed some light on the Garde’s history.
The real revelation is exposed through Ella’s newfound ability to connect with Lorien, as we finally learn the full history of Pittacus and Setrakus Ra.
Through Ella’s connection, new Garde emerges among the humans, which, while hinted at in The Fate of Ten, was a surprising twist.
The battle against Earth and the warships are reminiscent of Independence Day, and the unity between the Garde, and mankind is well-written and emotive.
As always, the dynamic humour between Number Nine and Number Five lightens the tone and provides some much-needed comic relief to a nail-biting book that is almost impossible to put down, but be warned: the authors pull no punches in this devastating finale.
Everything about this series is original, down to the collective pseudonym used by the authors James Frey, Greg Boose and, formerly, Jobie Hughes.
