Title: I Am Number Four
Author: Pittacus Lore
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 440
Publication Date: August 3, 2010

from Goodreads:
In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now.

The Nine had to separate and go into hiding. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

I AM NUMBER FOUR is the thrilling launch of a series about an exceptional group of teens as they struggle to outrun their past, discover their future—and live a normal life on Earth.

I AM NUMBER FOUR.
I AM NEXT.

Review:
A fifteen year old alien hides in a small Ohio town from the evil aliens, Mogadorians.  The Mogadorians are on the hunt for Number Four ever since they destroyed Four's planet, Lorien, when he was young.  Four has been on the run and has only just settled in Paradise, Ohio, where ironically enough (just like a paradise) he finds his first girlfriend, makes friends, and discovers his first Legacy.  But all is not well, the Mogadorians catch Four's scent.  If Four dies, the Mogadorians will be that much closer in killing off the rest of Lorien's residents and then they will destroy Earth.
I enjoyed this novel (looking at the rating down below, most won't agree with me), but I thought it could be much better.  I wanted it to be better.  My complaints may be solely aimed at the fact that I really do not like reading sci-fi that much, but I do not think it's the case. 
It was very evident (though I have no proof, so this is just my opinion) that Pittacus Lore self-edited his own novel.  Why am I under the impression that he did so?  Not even one page into Chapter One, Lore writes:

"It was warm, a soft wind bxlew in from the water..."

I'm not really trying to pinpoint just one mistake, but throughout the entire novel, there were several mistakes.  That- for me- took away something in the book, that left me shaking my head. 
The characters were okay.  I liked Sam Goode (though his name doesn't sound very original).  However, Lore could have definitely discussed a bit more when trying to develop his character.  John/Four was pretty well-developed.  I enjoyed his alien-ness.  I am definitely awaiting the upcoming release of I Am Number Four in theaters, because Alex Pettyfer will just play John/Four wonderfully.  Henri was my favorite character.  Mostly because he was so sweet and down-to-Earth (even though he was an alien... ha- my bad attempts at making jokes).  It's hard not to love him.  One thing I hated was Sarah and John's relationship.  To start off, Sarah's whole character was a bit flat- she was boring and predictable.  Sarah and John fall for each other and not even the third day of school, they are already making corny jokes and longing looks from across the room.  By the end of the novel, they are convinced they love each other.  That whole sort of relationship annoyed me, it was done to quickly and it didn't even seem real. 
The plot was great, it surely keeps you on your toes. 
Sci-fi lovers and independent readers (well, a much younger age group- like 10-14 year olds) will most likely enjoy this book.

Cover: 4

Characters: 2

Plot: 4

Writing Style: 3

Ending: 3

Overall: 3