Review: Numbers by Rachel Ward

Numbers by Rachel Ward

Paperback, 

285 pages

Published January 5th 2009 by Chicken House

Paperback $9.99

(Amazon.com)

Rating:

Summary

Since her mother's death, fifteen-year-old Jem has kept a secret. When her eyes meet someone else's, a number pops into her head - the date on which they will die. Knowing that nothing lasts forever, Jem avoids relationships, but when she meets a boy called Spider, and they plan a day out together, her life takes a new twist and turn. Waiting for the London Eye, she sees everyone in the queue has the same number - something terrible is going to happen. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts


When our two main characters Jem and Spider begin running from the law after a terrible tragedy they didn't commit, the two begin a journey that will change both of their lives.


The entire novel is based on a premise I've hardly seen in YA lit which was pretty refreshing. I've been so used to reading about cliches or mythical creatures that seeing a normal girl in these strange and unusual circumstances was really nice. The originality of this plot mixed with the hard and gritty depiction of London life gives you an eerie story of what life would be like if you had the power to fore tell other's date of death.

With this mismatched couple of friends you see them develop into something more, all the while trying desperately to avoid Spider's inevitable death date.


In truth, it was at all what I imagined it would be like when I first picked it up. The writing is wonderful and the story is sweet and haunting. The best part was that it was so current and felt so real. It was something that could possibly happen as we speak. Oh, and did someone else catch the Skins reference? :D


Who I didn't like were a lot of the minor characters other then our Jem and Spider. They sometimes seemed undeveloped or got on my nerves.


But one thing's for sure, with an ending like the one in this book, you'll be dying to know that happens next. 


Chaos by Rachel Ward, the second in the series is out now. 



Cover/Title
With such an unusual cover it was pretty hard to resist when I saw it on the shelf at my library. I'm in love with the art and definetly one of my all time favorite covers.