Numbers - Rachel Ward

Hardcover, 325 pages*Please note that this review will not be as fresh as I would have liked it to be. I was asked to do a review on this, awhile after I had finished this.*

Published February 1st 2010 by Chicken House/Scholastic Inc



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.

This book was a really great action packed, thriller.
The plot was so different to anything I have read. The concept of this book was what really pulled me towards reading this one. I thought that the idea about Jem being able to see peoples numbers (the date that they would die) was just scary!


In this book, there are really only two main characters, Jem and Spider. I'm not going to lie, when I started reading this book I hated them both with a passion! The reason for this was simply because they were just rough, dirty and very rude. However, as the book went along, I began to really appreciate this.
Rachel Ward has produced modern characteristics, something you don't read about so often, especially in  the Y.A genre. As well as this, the fact that Jem found out that Spider had little time left, just added to the whirlwind of suspense.


The setting on this book again, was real, and made you feel like you were standing alongside the characters.
I loved the fact that this book was set in London too, since I have been there so could really visualize everything. From the packed grimy streets to the sparkling London Eye - everything.


I loved watching the characters both develop, both emotionally and physically. The romance aspect of this book was real and honest.


The ending in this book really took a punch. After everything you had been through with the characters and the realization Jem discovered, that maybe she could change numbers, the ending for me was a complete surprise.
This book isn't necessarily one that affects you, more one that lingers on your mind for a while.


4/5

Look out for the second book, Numbers 2 - The Chaos.