Numbers by Rachel Ward
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: The Chicken House
Available: February 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0545142991
Genre: Young Adult-Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Book received from: Big Honcho Media
Ever since she was child, Jem has kept a secret: Whenever she meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die. Burdened with such awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. The two plan a trip to the city. But while waiting to ride the Eye ferris wheel, Jem is terrified to see that all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today’s number. Today’s date. Terrorists are going to attack London. Jem’s world is about to explode!
Jem can see the death date of people by looking into their eyes. As if that’s not a big enough burden to bear, Jem lost her mother to a drug overdose as a young child and is now in the foster care system. She considers herself an outcast and does her best to avoid personal relationships.
When she meets Spider another so-called outcast, Jem gives in to her loneliness and she slowly begins to build a friendship with him. One day when spending a day together in London they witness a terrorist attack and flee the scene. Believing they could be suspects, they go on the run together and their friendship grows into something more.
I was intrigued by the concept of this book right away. I can’t imagine how it would be for a teen, or anyone else for that matter, to know the death date of everyone she meets. I would think the psychological impact of that would be too much for anyone to bear let alone a teen with a very tragic background.
Right off I struggled to connect with Spider and Jem on an emotional level. I continued to read but after reading 18 chapters I decided not to finish the book. I thought the story started out slow, failed to gain momentum and I eventually came to realize the book just wasn’t for me. It was at the point where Spider and Jem decided to take their relationship to a physical level where I decided to give up. I didn’t feel a strong romantic connection between the two characters and felt that the physical relationship was born of desperation and loneliness, lacking a romantic connection.
After discussing the book with fellow book bloggers, Natasha at Wicked Lil Pixie and Mandi at SmexyBooks and hearing their contrary opinions of the book, I decided to give it another go. I am going to admit, I am really glad I did. While the first half of the book seemed slow and the characters just didn’t move me, the second half picked up nicely and the characters came alive. Although Jem was somewhat hardened, I found her to be remarkably vulnerable and yet strong in ways I didn’t pick up in the beginning. Spider and Jem’s emotional journey was touching and ending did not disappoint.
After finishing Numbers I decided to see what other readers thought of the book. I was surprised to find a wide range of opinions on it. Some glowing reviews, others less favorable. I was interested to see that some readers thought the book started strong and ended on a weak note, completely opposite to my impressions. So in fairness, I’ll link a few reviews with differing opinions.
Wondrous Reads Rating: 3.5 of 5
Wicked Lil Pixie Rating: 5 of 5
SmexyBooks Rating 4 of 5
Book Love Affair Rating: 4 of 10
Book Crazy Rating: 4 of 5
Today’s Adventure Rating: 3.5 of 5
My Rating:
Purchase a copy of Numbers by Rachel Ward
Visit Rachel Ward at: Website | GoodReads
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GIVEAWAY
Thanks to Big Honcho Media, I have 3 copies of Num8ers by Rachel Ward to giveaway.
Simply leave a comment here telling me how book reviews on blogs affect your decision to read a book or not.
Contest is open to US residents only. Contest ends March 19 at 8 p.m. PST, winner will be announced the following day.
Good luck to all who enter!
I rely on book reviews to hear about books I might otherwise miss but also to make sure they are worth buying before going to the store.
Thanks!
Jase
vslavetopassionv(at)aol(dot)com
This one is on my TBR and sounds interesting. I think I'll give it a go. When I do I'll let you know what I thought.
This book has been getting such different reviews from the book blogs I follow – I'm really curious about the book!
I have this on my TBR list also, look forward to it.
Sometimes its hard when a book is slow in the beginning because at times you do give up on the best part. Glad you stuck with it.
Reviews definitely help keep up with what is coming out. Rarely would one put me off from reading a book. The review would have to be pretty bad for that to happen.
dyockman–I'm really glad to hear that. I tend to make a final decision on a book based on my own impressions but I will admit if I see tons of glowing reviews I'm more inclined to check out a book.
I use book reviews on blogs to tell me about books that are coming out or that I havent heard of. There are a few bloggers that I know if they really liked it I probably will too. But I dont let the reviews affect my final decision unless it waiting for a pb copy vs hardcover. I try to let the story or author's writing style decide if I will read it or not.
I would like to say that it takes only one review to make up my mind about a book, but I haven't yet found a book reviewer that I ultimately agree with. Mostly, I try to find reviews of books that produce the same type of reviews and then decide if it's worth the buy or not.
I like getting some background on books via book blogs. I don't really take too much of opinions on it, unless I know the person has the same book taste as I do..
sexywomenread@yahoo.com
They usually don't sway me on buying a book! tWarner419@aol.com
Book reviews give me an idea if it's a book I would really be interested in or should I just pass it up.
When i come across a book I am interested in, I don't look up reviews to see if I should read it or not. I just read the book and see for myself. I use book reviews to find books I have not heard of. I read the review and based on the rating I will see if I will add it to my To Read pile. The closer the bloggers taste echos mine the higher the probability I will give the book a go.
srhgrz12@gmail.com
I rely pretty heavily on what other bloggers think of books. Blogs are a primary source for me on what books to read next – I don't like being disappointed, and if a book looks promising but falls flat, that's a huge disappointment in my eyes. So rather than using the "hope for the best" method, I (usually) just see what other bloggers have said about the book before I go out and purchase it.
Review are very important to me. If i see a book and it looks good, i always look for some reviews. If the book had a lot of bad reviews i wont get it, if the reviews are good, ill give it a try. Sometimes the reviews are good but i didnt like the book, but things happen right?
-Leilani
vampiregirl813@gmail.com
Book reviews actually effect me, but not because I specifically remember how the book was reviewed. I simply remember the artwork of the book & then pick it up in the store. Now, if it got a terrible review (and I mean terrible, not mediocre), I usually remember there's "some reason" I don't want to buy it. On the other hand, if a book gets an all-out-great review, I'll usually see if I can pick it up in the library, then try to find it in the store/amazon.
really would like this. i'd have to say bloggers have increased my book buying, I like to read different opinions it helps me save money also since i can tell by a review if a book is something i would like
Wow! That is a wide range of book reviews and it took me a while to read them all. Overall, I think the concept is the most intriguing and now I feel like I MUST read the book myself to come to my on conclusions on the book. I have to admit, the creepy trailer is a very nice touch for the book.
Reviews really to stir my interests. I'm new to book blogging, and I like reading about what I should be reading! I think reviews are very helpful and I value them. With so many good books out there and so little time, I dont want to waste my time on reading a book that is not deemed worthy by those I hold whose opinion I value.
I heavily rely on reviews/blogs to pick my reads for new authors. I will very rarely selecting a random book from the shelf.
I usually find back cover synopses to be relatively informative, so I generally skip the parts of reviews that recap the story and go straight for the reviewers insights/opinions, enjoying hearing what they like and, sometimes more importantly, what they didn't like.
Also, if a trusted reviewer praises a book on my tbr, I'll often shift it toward the top of my list.
I have seen this book reviewed on many blogs and find the concept fascinating. The concept is both intriguing and horrifying all at once.
I check out book blogs for reviews on books by new authors and my favorite authors too. A reviewer that I trust sways my opinion on whether to buy the book.
I actually rely pretty heavily on book reviews on blogs. I like to be able to see how others view a book I have thought of reading. My email is bangersis(at)msn(dot)com
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
Please enter me in the giveaway.
Blogs are a big influence on what I read. If I hear a lot of good reviews on a book, I put that book on TBR list and get it.
Reviews help me determine if I should buy a book. I read all reviews I can find before I buy, especially if it's an author I'm not sure about.
I do need reviews to help me decide. But I usually get books from the library to test the waters; a new genre, author, etc. I do like reading reviews about books I have already read (probably the best), because I like to see if people have the same opinions on them as I do.
I read all the reviews and the interviews because they can give me an insight into the author's thoughts when writing the book. I do make my decisions based on what I take from the reviews and bits and pieces from the interviews, and cover, then make my decision.
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
If I Read A Book Review On A Blog And It Is Very Favorable I Will Tend To Look Up That Book And Read As Much About It As I Can And Decide From There If It Has Peaked My Interest Enough To Buy It. A Bad Blog Review Won't Really Affect Me Because Just Because One Person Doesn't Like A Particular Book Does Not Mean I Will Not Like It As Well. My Feeling Is Not All Book Reviewers Will Like The Same Books I Am Into So I Can't Necessarily Go On Just What They Say. But Whether Someone Is In Favor Of A Book Or Disliking A Book I Love Hearing Other People's Opinions Because That Gives Me A Better Basis On Which To Judge My Own Interest On.
skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com
Based on the reviews I read I know whether or not it falls short of its expectations, also if a book has everyone saying its not good then I won't read it.
crazypplrok@gmail.com
Firstly when I browse through book reviews I see a lot of new books unknown to me yet, and when the review piques my interest then I sure will add that book to my TBR. Also, when I'm familiar with a book blogger reading taste and know that our expectations of a novel are similar, then I will give his/her reviews a lot of consideration when deciding whether to pick up that book or not.
stella.exlibris (at) gmail DOT com
Blog reviews do help me weed out which books will truly interest me and be good reads. I don't have an unlimited book budget, so I appreciate the opinions of others. I like to read reviews of books I've already read, to see if the blogger and I have the same taste. If they do, that makes the review more creditable.
heatwave96(at)hotmail.com
When a bunch of blogs give positive reviews it makes me more likely to read the book. When the reviews are mixed like this one it is harder to decide though. I generally won't spend money on a book that has mixed reviews, but I might check it out of the library. Of course winning a copy would also work.
ajolly1456 at gmail dot com
Positive reviews will encourage me to pick up a book, which I will likely do whenever I have the chance.
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I definitely look to/read reviews by specific friends who have blogs and are avid readers who also have the same reading preferences I do. I definitely go with the majority especially if I am considering purchasing a new release.-Amy
tnsongbird865@aol.com
Book reviews greatly determine whether or not I'll read something. Especially if that person has the general same thoughts or tastes at me. Who knows better than an avid reader? I've saved myself a lot of time with reviews.
-Lena
longhorn08fan(at)gmail(dot)com