Numbers by Rachel Ward - Review

Synopsis via the back of the book (though it's misleading to me):

Since the day her mother died, Jem has known about the numbers. When she looks in someone's eyes, she can see the date they will die.

Life is hard, until she meets a boy called Spider. Suddenly her world seems brighter.

But on a trip to London, Jem foresees a chain of events that will shatter their lives for ever...

OK, the synopsis of this book drives me a bit nuts...its not really about what you think it's going to be about. From the synopsis I would think it's about this bombing/terrorist attack that Jem is trying with the help of her friend Spider to stop...

That's not it at all...

Yes, this book is about Jem – a girl whom figures out after her mother's overdose that the numbers she sees, when she looks into the eyes of another person, is the date they will forever leave this world. As such Jem decides to basically cut off all ties with people. She's wicked, to everyone she knows, everyone who wants to help her. Until the day she meets Spider – she tries to shake him, tries to tell him to kiss off – but for one reason or another, Spider was put on this earth to love Jem, to draw her out of her shell...

One day, while visiting the city together, Jem realizes that all the people around her have the same number...which she finds puzzling – but before Spider realizes what's happening Jem has him running for what seems like his life, and hers. Just then, a bomb explodes narrowly missing them. Soon accusations are made, and Jem and Spider are wanted by the police for “questioning.”

Being teens, and with Jem's fear of people and Spider's lack of good judgment they are SURE that the police want to pin the attack on them, I mean they were seeing running FROM the bomb right? So, of course – they run!

This novel is about their journey after the attack...where could they go? Who do they turn to? Who can they trust?

It's also about Jem, though the “numbers” almost play a “back seat” though out most of this novel – you always are very much aware that they exist, as is Jem. She's trying to learn to deal with them, and figure out what they are supposed to mean, for her...does she tell the people she comes to love most, or is it really better not knowing?

Numbers for me took a long time to “get into” - I even wrote a post about it entitled “How Long” IE how long do you give a novel before you quit!

It started out really slow, and Jem, yeah I did not like her AT ALL. She just rubbed me the wrong way, she's abrasive, mean and hurtful, though out most of the novel.

Not to mention the British slang, took a bit to get used to. Not that there's anything wrong with it, I am just personally not used to it. Though, I have to say it did grow on me, in the end, I enjoyed it...

Numbers threw me for some loops and I was ready to give up...I am just REALLY glad I did not.

Jem grows on you, and I guess I should have given her some slack – she did loose her mom early on, and she does have this unique ability, that I tend to think of more as a curse than a blessing. She's a strong, kick ass kinda girl, she does not take any punches! In the end, she really grows into herself and she really worked her magic on my heart – worming her way in, no matter what I did to try to keep her out. I ended up loving her character and her rough edges!

Spider on the other hand is a “bad boy” with a golden heart, you can't help but love him, and root for him...and when Jem sees his number you can't help but pray that for some reason her ability is wrong, if only this once.

Rachel Ward has written a really dirty and gritty novel here, one that will stick with me for a while...the ending was packed with a very sad punch...and the last few sentences really left me wanting Numbers 2, The Chaos!

So while, I was sure in the beginning this novel was NOT one I would like, thinking I would never finish it, in the end it's a 4 mushroom book for me! A book that reminded me that, while it might take a while, you need to give a book a chance...it just might turn out to be something you adore!
This book also carries with it a strong message, everyone dies, that's a fact...but it's not how you die, or the date of your death that matters –it's who you are UNTIL that day! Like the quote:

Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth. ~ Mark Twain

Bottom line – the beginning is a tough ride, but I urge you to hang on...the last half makes up for it, and Jem grows on you more than you ever think she ever could! 4 mushrooms!

Numbers
Written by: Rachel Ward
285 Pages
Published: January 5, 2009
Publisher: Chicken House