Title: Numbers
Author: Rachel Ward
First published November 8, 2008
368 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9788408105961 (ISBN10: 8408105965)
Rating: 3.47
Overview
Ever since she was a child, Jem has had a unique ability – she can see the date of someone’s death just by looking into their eyes. While some might see this as a gift, Jem considers it a burden.
Her strange talent has left her feeling isolated and alone, until she meets Spider. When the two of them sense that something bad is about to happen, they flee London together, embarking on a journey that will take them far from the lives they once knew.
As they become fugitives, Jem and Spider will discover that escaping their fate is not as easy as they thought. But in the end, they’ll learn that what truly matters is not the end of the journey, but the experiences they share along the way.
Editoral Review
Numbers by Rachel Ward: A Thrilling YA Novel Full of Mystery and Suspense
Rachel Ward’s Numbers is a young-adult novel that explores the themes of hope, fate, and sacrifice. First published on November 8, 2008, the book has garnered wide critical acclaim and has been praised for its bold storytelling, pace, and structure.
The book is a gripping page-turner that explores the complexities of being young in a world that is often unforgiving and harsh. Set in London, Numbers follows the journey of fifteen-year-old Jem, who lives in a world where every person has a specific number in their minds.
When Jem looks into people’s eyes, she sees numbers, which represent the day of their death. This gift has made her an outcast, and she has learned to keep away from people to avoid seeing their numbers.
However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets a boy named Spider, whose number she cannot see. Together, they embark on a thrilling adventure, trying to understand their relationship and escape the curse of Jem’s gift.
Ward’s writing is vivid and evocative, capturing the gritty realism of London’s streets and the small moments of tenderness and care that make life worth living. Despite the young-adult demographic, the themes explored in Numbers are universal, making the book relatable and enjoyable for readers of all ages.
Ward makes excellent use of foreshadowing and plot twists to keep the story moving at a brisk pace, and the book culminates in a satisfying and poignant conclusion. One of the strengths of Numbers is its well-developed characters.
Jem and Spider are complex individuals with tragic pasts that have shaped their present lives. Ward skillfully explores the dynamics of their relationship, making the reader invested in their journey.
Their interactions are authentic and honest, with moments of levity and heartbreak. The secondary characters are also well fleshed out, giving the story a sense of realism and depth.
However, the book has a few limitations. The book’s central plot device, Jem’s gift, is not fully explored, and the mechanics of how it works are not entirely clear, leaving some plot holes.
Additionally, the pacing of the novel is uneven, with some plot points feeling rushed or underdeveloped. These issues do not detract from the overall enjoyment of the book, but they do prevent it from being a truly great work of fiction.
In conclusion, Numbers is an excellent YA novel that provides an exciting and immersive reading experience. It’s a book with plenty of emotional depth, relatable characters, and thrilling plot twists that will keep readers engaged from start to finish.
While there are a few flaws in the novel’s structure and execution, they are overshadowed by Rachel Ward’s exciting storytelling and her ability to craft a memorable and highly entertaining novel. This book is highly recommended to anyone who loves mysteries, thrillers, and coming-of-age stories.
