Review: Num8ers by Rachel Ward

Title: Numb8ers

By: Rachel Ward

Publisher: Scholastic Inc (02/2010)

BookWhisperer Rating:

 

Book Description:

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.’

  Numbers was originally released in the UK, and was released this year in the US. I have been anxious to get may hands on this book for sometime. Rachel Ward offers a very creative story of a young girl with the gift of sight. Although, her sight if of a fairly add nature. Jem, whom is the main character in Numbers, has the ability to see when a person will die. The main character is a bit of a loner, and really attempt to almost ostracize herself from the rest of the world. Only this becomes a little complicated when she befriends, for lack of a better word, a thug from school. When this relationships begins to grow Jem finds herself unable to turn her back on him. Even though it appears his days may be limited, and there is nothing she can do to stop it. 

The dialect in this book can be teadious at times seeing as how it originated in the UK, but altogether I enjoyed reading this story. Jem is easy to sympathize with, and living a life that she has no choice but to endure. Her friends Spider took some time to admire, but as the story progressed I found myself interested in his character as well. I felt that Ward did an excellent job creating a story of suspense that will keep the readers guessing long after the last page. I have read there is going to be a second book in this series, and I am anxious to see if readers in the US will get a chance to read this one as well.