Numbers

Quick & Dirty: An adrenaline producing roller-coaster ride, with a suspenseful plot that keeps you turning pages.

Opening Sentence: There are places where kids like me go.

The Review:

There’s no doubt that Jem has had a hard life. Her mother died from a drug overdose when she was young and she’s been shuffled from one foster home to the next. Jem is also plagued by this unfathomable ability. She sees numbers. Her ability tells her the date that a person is going to die. For this reason, Jem has difficulty building relationships. She doesn’t want to get close to anyone. Knowing when they will die is simply too much of a burden for her to shoulder. Jem meets Spider, another troubled teenager, and has a hard time getting rid of him. show more Even knowing that Spider’s time is up in a few weeks, Jem befriends him. As events unfold, Jem and Spider find themselves on the run, embarking on a disastrous journey of epic proportions.

I absolutely love the way this book is written. Numbers easily demonstrates Ms. Ward’s extraordinary gift for storytelling. Ms. Ward succeeds in crafting intriguing characters, giving them a unique voice and passion. Ms. Ward gives great depth to her characters and delivers a chilling, and pulse-pounding story of heartache and danger.

Jem is quite an amazing character. Being able to “see” the numbers has taken a toll on her. She’s tormented by her inability to escape the impact her ability has on her life. Jem and Spider are very sympathetic characters. They aren’t always likable, but it’s hard not to care about them. The struggles of these two inner-city kids are visceral. Having to rely on their street-smarts and each other is a daunting task. I appreciate the fact that these characters don’t always make the right decisions, and never tried to be perfect. They simply live life in the moment.

For me, one of the most important things that I took away from the story was their personal growth. It’s easy to understand their outlook on life. As the reader, I felt emotionally invested in their journey. At times I was really sad, not depressed, but felt they genuinely had nothing going for them. Things always seemed so bleak for them, yet they found comfort in each other. The ending is not quite what I expected, but satisfying nonetheless.

A bit of warning for younger readers, this book contains sex, a lot of adult language, and drug use.

Overall, Ms. Ward has crafted a thrilling novel. The reader is easily pulled into the gritty and unforgiving London scene. The character development is strong, and the reader will be deeply invested on an emotional level with these characters. I’m really looking forward to reading the sequel, The Chaos.

Notable Scene:

I was panicking, running as fast as I could. Branches along the bank whipped me as I ducked and dived my way through. I got level with him, screaming and running at the same time. He couldn’t hear me. I looked wildly around for something to reach him with. I pulled a long branch, trying to break it off, but I wasn’t strong enough. He was away from me again. The thought of him helpless, breathing in water, made my own breath nearly stop.

FTC Advisory: Big Honcho Media provided me with a copy of Num8ers . No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don’t receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site. show less

Jem Marsh is a 15-year-old London teenager who has the power to see the exact date a person will die when she looks into his or her eyes. Tormented by the anguish in her this causes, she avoids looking directly at others. This gets her stigmatized as a "weirdo," and so she has become one of a group of school outcasts (facilitated – in the cruel way kids can be - by her status as a foster child in a working-class milieu). Narrated in the first person, Jem explains her reaction to seeing how long her classmates have to live:

"They say average life expectancy’s going up, don’t they, but I guess that doesn’t apply to kids from the projects of Greater London. Most of them were only going to make their forties or fifties; quite a few show more were checking out way before that. Casualties of how we all live now, I guess – cars, booze, drugs, despair. I’d rather not have known, but it wasn’t something I could switch on and off.”

Her own life, which she describes as “crap,” slowly improves when she finds herself reluctantly forming a friendship with a tall, gangly, antsy boy in her class named Spider. She resists the relationship because she has seen his numbers, but when the two are witnesses to a terrorist act, she feels she has no choice but to join forces with Spider and open herself up to another human being.

What I liked:

British slang: I love how the language has evolved over there! (But do the British really say flashlight now instead of torch? That would be a shame! Next thing you know they’ll be calling nappies diapers!)

Teenage portrayal: Ward does a great job portraying the angst and the confusion and the anger. Why do I love reading about that? Obviously, because I’m not in the middle of it any more!

Male/Female Interaction: I love that Spider “gets” Jem’s fears and anger, and adapts to them with gentleness and understanding. Jem doesn’t like to be noticed, and she doesn’t like people to say nice things to her. Spider is terrific at making her feel at ease, and I loved how both the problem and resulting dynamic were portrayed.

Theme: This may sound like a paranormal book, but it really is a coming of age story, with just a little bit of a twist to elevate it from the bromidic.

Social Commentary: This is nicely woven into the story without didacticism. For example, when Jem meets the white grandmother who raised Spider, who is black, she observes: "The days of family photographs – Mum, Dad, two kids, all dressed up, all looking the same – did that ever happen? Is there anywhere that still happens? Not here, anyway. Families ‘round here are what they are – just your nan, like Spider, or no one, like me – black, white, brown, yellow, whatever. That’s how it is.”

Ending: Although this is the first book of a trilogy, it actually ends, and in a very clever "Twilight Zone" manner that I never anticipated (although I can visualize the entire set of bloggers who review this writing “oh, I saw that coming a mile away!)

Evaluation: Very compelling story with characters who are appealing. I’ll probably follow up on this one. show less

Per la prima volta non vuole più essere una semplice spettatrice. Sperava che il suo numero fosse sbagliato. Sperava fosse solo un frutto della sua immaginazione ma sapeva che non era così. In modo del tutto irrazionale però Jem voleva proteggerlo, anzi salvarlo dal suo destino.



Numbers è senza dubbio un romanzo per giovani, young adult secondo la terminologia attuale, ma è un libro assolutamente godibile anche per un adulto.

Nonostante presenti alcuni canoni oserei dire "standard" e individuabili in molti young adult, in realtà si distingue dalla massa per picchi di originalità e per la capacità dell'autrice di dare alla trama quel tocco di "realtà" che non guasta mai.

Jem, da quando è una bambina, guarda in viso le persone e show more vede dei numeri. Non comprende realmente cosa significhino finché, un giorno, la morte della madre non le confermerà che quelli che le riteneva dei semplici numeri non sono in realtà delle date. LE date.

Inizia così un lungo periodo di solitudine per Jem che, costretta a passare di famiglia in famiglia e di istituito in istituto, finirà per chiudersi sempre più in se stessa e con il voler perdere con accenno di femminilità che potrebbe contraddistinguerla.

Jem non è bellissima ma neanche bruttissima, è una ragazzina anonima che non si interessa minimamente di voler apparire diversamente. Lei, in realtà, vorrebbe essere invisibile per non dover essere costretta a guardare in viso le persone, per non essere costretta a conoscere il loro futuro senza poter far nulla per cambiarlo.

Finchè, un giorno, non incontra Spider e anche in questo caso l'autrice ci sorprende. Il ragazzo non è il bello e sexy della situazione, non è nemmeno ricco visto che frequenta la stessa classe di "casi particolari" di Jem e vive con sua nonna. No, Spider è un ragazzo alto e dinoccolato di colore del quale, Jem, non ne vuole sapere nulla. Non è interessata di conoscere lui ne la sua storia, visto soprattutto che la sua storia è destinata a finire molto presto.

Ma Spider, testardamente, conquisterà la sua amicizia e la sua fiducia portandola, piano piano, a scoprirsi sempre più. Fino a che, un giorno, Jem non si ritroverà completamente coinvolta, e sconvolta, da questa amicizia con il ragazzo che vorrebbe salvare da quella data che le appare ogni volta che lo guarda negli occhi. Occhi che ha imparato ad amare, nonostante tutto.

E' vero è presente una storia d'amore (alla fine), ma è anche vero che non ci sono Principi o Principesse che corrono per salvare il loro amore eterno. No, niente affatto.

La storia è un continuo perenne di tensione che tiene incollato il lettore pagina dopo pagina, senza tregua. Ci chiediamo perfino se la capacità di leggere la Morte di Jem sia vera o frutto della sua immaginazione. Il tutto mentre seguiamo silenziosamente questi due ragazzini scoprirsi, piano, come cani randagi, annusarsi per poi lentamente innamorarsi l'uno dell'altra mentre fuggono da una città che li addita come assassini e attentatori perché, Jem, aveva "visto".

In Numbers conosciamo, di riflesso, la parte di più triste e disadattata della Gran Bretagna dove il problema della delinquenza giovanile, bullismo o dell'abbandono dell'istruzione è particolarmente sentita. E' un romanzo che coinvolge, sconvolte ma fa riflettere, non potrebbe essere altrimenti ed è per questo che dico che è un ottimo spunto di lettura anche per un adulto.

Un romanzo che riesce a intrigare nel profondo fino alla fine, quando speriamo che tutto possa essere sistemato ma che, diversamente, si riconferma quanto sia impossibile farla in barba a Chi è più grande di noi. Un romanzo che termina con una flebile speranza smorzata sotto i colpi di una realtà alquanto disarmante.

Da leggere, assolutamente, anche per lo stile pulito ed estremamente avvincente dell'autrice che è riuscita, con semplicità, a tener incollato il lettore alle quasi 400 pagine del romanzo senza apparente sforzo.

Indubbiamente in alcuni tratti appare un po' poco realistico, o forse troppo "facile", come nel caso del "soccorso in extremis" ricevuto da Jem verso la fine. Tutto sommato, però, è servito a smorzare leggermente i toni cupi e oltretutto il romanzo è stato riportato in carreggiata da un finale tutt'altro che scontato.

E' indubbio che la "freddura" finale lasci aperte le possibilità per un sequel che, in effetti, è già disponibile nelle librerie americane. E noi? Non ci resta che aspettare. show less

Review courtesy of AllThingsUrbanFantasy.blogspot.com

I think the basic idea behind this book is brilliantly simplistic: a girl who knows the date of anyone’s death the moment she looks them in the eye. But the questions that her ability raises are significantly more complex. Would you want to know when your number was up? Would you tell someone else their deathdate? Could you change it? Would you try if you could?

“Shut up, Spider!” He looked a bit crestfallen. “Come on, you soft git, that sounds cool. Let’s get on with it.” – Opening line of Num8ers

This story is set in London and all the characters are British. There is just enough slang and British terminology used to remind readers that they are across the pond without show more hitting them over the head with the British flag.

It did take me a few chapters to really become invested in this story. Initially the characters of Jem and Spider seemed like such a mess that it was hard to expect any kind of turnabout in their lives. They were hard, understandably jaded, and apathetic enough that I was ready to agree with them and write them off along with the rest of the world.

Obviously, I had a change of heart (see my rating). I think it was because, like the character of Jem, as the story progressed, I was given more and more access into Jem's psyche and slowly understood the reasons and motives behind her actions. And as Jem began to open up to life and those around her, I opened up to Jem; I cared about her, rooted for her other, anguished along side her, and even identified with her in a small way.

Spider, on the other hand, was a slightly harder sell: He’s a criminal, he does drugs, he has a somewhat violent temper, and he literally stinks. I didn’t see any possible way for author Rachel Ward to turn Spider into someone I would want Jem to like. And yet, with each chapter, I found myself seeing beyond his somewhat unpleasant exterior to the loyal, selfless, and very likeable guy he was on the inside.

The ending was one that I'm sure will garner a lot of attention and debate. I won't spoil anything by saying that it was not at all the ending I expected, but in hindsight, I think it was the perfect way to end this story...that is until the sequel comes out. Overall, Num8ers is a unique and compelling paranormal thriller with a simple yet poignant premise sure to please readers of all stripes.

YA Warning: Drug use, drug dealing, death from drug overdose.

Sexual Content: A very brief, non graphic sex scene show less

Numbers is yet another victim of misleading marketing. Everything about this book's packaging - the cover, the blurb - screams Sci-Fi! Saving the world! Action! Angsty love! No wonder every negative review of it I've read says - Well, I expected Numbers to be this, but it turned out to be that, so I am totally disappointed.

Let me tell you what this novel actually is about. Numbers is a story of two poor, rough British kids who find themselves on the run when, thanks to Jem's ability to see every person's death date, they flee the scene of a bombing and are accused of causing it. Their flight is not necessary and maybe even stupid. But Jem and Spider are the kids of the lower class, children of addicts who maybe dabble in crime, and they show more do not have much faith in authorities (and rightfully so). They think that escape is their only way out. The other important driving force of the flight is Jem's knowledge that Spider's death is only mere days away. She can't allow her friend spend his last days in jail. The two are hiding and hoping for a better future for themselves.

Jem's ability has an almost allegorical meaning here. It is not a super-special world-saving power and it doesn't have much bearing on the story. This ability is more of Jem's personal burden she has to carry. It has shaped her worldview, forced her to stay away from people, to never let anyone in. What is the point of getting attached if she knows when their lives will end?

I loved almost everything about Numbers. The development of the relationship between Jem and Spider was so sincere and well done in its progression from reluctant camaraderie to genuine young love between two outcasts. I enjoyed Jem, closed out and vulnerable and funny. (Special thanks to the reader of the audio version - she was fabulous and truly brought Jem to life.) Spider is a male love interest I rarely see in YA lit - he is not particularly attractive, he is flawed, and yet infinitely caring and kind.

Finally, I appreciated the main sentiment of this story - we all are walking clocks counting down the remaining minutes, hours, days, years of our lives. Knowing that everything ends should not stop us from enjoying what we have now.

My only negative is that I wish the story was not so sad. show less

I believe this is a childrens book, since Chickenhouse are a children's publisher, but I didn't realise that when I read it. For the record, I'm not in the target audience for a children's book. It's a book that can cross over from one age group to another and everyone will be able to take something away from it. It's worth pointing out though, that while it's in keeping with the situations and characters in the book and is relevant to the story, there is a bit of colourful language and some adult themes running through this so while it's aimed at a younger audience, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under 12.... I know that some below that age-group will be mature enough to deal with this sort of content, but as a parent myself this is show more just a head's-up to any other parents who want to check content suitability before buying.

The concept of this story sounded like it had just enough weirdness to keep me interested...a 15 year old girl has the ability to see a person's date of death just by looking them in the eyes. Creepy. She has spent most of her life avoiding people as best she can, so she doesn't have to deal with the knowledge that she possesses. However, she is drawn to another loner and a bittersweet friendship evolves, and that's where the story really starts.

It's set in inner city London and although a lot of it is very dark in places and populated by some unsavoury characters, there's a sweetness about it too in parts.

Two streetwise young teens with disadvantaged backgrounds, thrown into difficult circumstances and yet they seem to both have an innocence about them that's quite touching. It's difficult to explain. They seem to be very young and yet very mature at the same time.

As the book progresses it throws up a lot of questions for lead character (Jem), which leads the reader to ponder those same questions. One of the questions I'm still left with is along the lines of 'which came first? The chicken or the egg?' Just by the fact that Jem saw the dates, did that mean they were destined to happen? Can she change things? If she didn't see them, would they still come to pass? If she saw the date and knew it was coming, did she then lay in place the chain of events that would cause the action?

She has the same thoughts and it's mindbending for the reader to get to grips with that puzzle so for Jem it must be torture.

I think that's the whole point to the story - it's torture for her and she's making do the best way she knows how, with what she's got.

The ending gave me chills and I'm glad to note that there is a follow on book which picks up where this one left off. I can't wait to read it as it sounds every bit as good as Numbers, if not better. show less

Numbers RATING: 4 stars
 
I was not expecting such a dark, realistic-sounding book. From the synopsis I thought it would be a regular young-adult book with pretend bad boys, pretend rebel girls and pretend angst. This one is so much more. I totally recommend it. It is grittier than most YA books so it won't be a winner with everyone but if you're tired of the usual fare, give this one a try. I am pretty happy I bought the sequel!
 
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Portuguese review:
 
Este livro saiu recentemente em português por isso decidi finalmente lê-lo. Custou-me um pouco entrar na leitura porque li uma edição britânica e não estou muito habituada ao calão deles pelo que tive de perceber algumas palavras pelo contexto. No entanto, show more isso não me impediu de apreciar a história. 
 
Uma das opiniões acerca deste livro no Goodreads, refere que aquele sofre de um caso de publicidade enganosa. Concordo plenamente. Quando comprei este livro, tudo - desde a sinopse à capa - me fazia acreditar tratar-se de mais um livro juvenil com uma heroína "pseudo-rebelde", um herói "pseudo-misterioso" e muita "pseudo-angústia" emocional adolescente com uma pitada de romance instantâneo. A heroína seria "especial" e "pseudo-atormentada" e o herói seria um bonzão. Coisas assim.
 
Estava completamente enganada (felizmente).
 
Jem Marsh vê números quando olha para as pessoas. Datas, mais especificamente. A data de morte de todas as pessoas que olha nos olhos. 
Atormentada por esta habilidade, Jem, uma órfã instável, decide não se dar com ninguém. Porque como é que se faz amizade com as pessoas quando se sabe o dia exacto em que elas vão morrer? É então que conhece Spider, um rapaz da sua escola. Ele não é o mais inteligente ou o mais giro de todos os rapazes, mas compreende-a. Contra a sua vontade torna-se amiga de Spider e tem de lidar com todas as implicações que isso traz. Será que ela não pode fazer nada para mudar o destino dos que ama?
Números: Luta contra o Tempo foi uma óptima leitura, exactamente por ser diferente da maioria dos livros YA que por aí andam.  
 
Primeiro que tudo, não há "insta-love" (romance instantâneo). Há uma relação entre dois jovens que é tratada de forma realista e acontece gradualmente. Gostei imenso da química entre as personagens (Spider e Jem) que longe de serem perfeitos são realmente adolescentes do século XXI. São personagens realistas, com um desenvolvimento realista e com as quais nem toda a gente se identificará uma vez que são adolescentes problemáticos, de bairros sociais e tipicamente britânicos. Mas não interessa se o leitor se identifica; o realismo está lá, é "palpável". É... refrescante. As atitudes das personagens fizeram-me pensar "aha! eu consigo imaginar um ser humano a fazer isto! A lidar com esta situação exactamente desta forma." Alguns leitores poderão não gostar de algumas das atitudes destas personagens, mas mesmo essa reacção de irritação (quando elas se queixam demais ou são ligeiramente mais cobardes do que gostaríamos), prova a mestria de Ward no que toca à construção das personagens. 
 
Também em termos de descrição física achei o livro refrescante. Nada de rapazes exageradamente "giros" e musculados que parecem saídos de uma capa de revista; não, nada disso. Temos pessoas normais com um nível de beleza normal. 
 
O enredo é formulaico nalguns aspectos, mas é sobretudo... diferente. Temos personagens perturbadas, que têm de lidar com uma situação para a qual não estão preparados: uma fuga da polícia, uma vez que são considerados "pessoas de interesse" numa investigação a um ataque terrorista. O "dom" da Jem não é o foco central, ou pelo menos não da maneira usual. É o "dom" dela que lhes arranja sarilhos, mas o livro não é acerca deste "dom", nem os protagonistas passam o livro a tentar perceber de onde ele vem. Este livro foca-se mais na mortalidade do ser humano e como nos esquecemos da mesma. E no que um "dom" como o de Jem faz à psique humana. Os origens desta habilidade são irrelevantes; é notório que esta falta de explicação para o "dom" da Jem é propositada. São as interacções dos protagonistas e destes com outras pessoas que são importantes. 
 
No geral, um livro diferente da maioria da fantasia urbana juvenil. É mais sombrio e realista do que o normal e penso que quem gosta de amores cintilantes e personagens imensamente altruístas não irá adorar este livro. Pessoalmente achei que foi muito bom e que se destaca dentro do seu género.    show less