Numbers by Rachel Ward

"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..."

     If you read the front flap of Numbers it gives you the impression that it is Jem and Spider and them during a terrorist bombing in London.  Not so.  The bombing takes up about one chapter of the book and has no great importance the book! Extremely miss leading.  From the very beginning of the book you get a feeling deep inside you of helplessness.  Jem's pain is catchable, letting you feel like you are her.  That is the result of good writing. Simply put, Numbers is a very bleak and blunt book about life, death, and relationships.

      Seriously, my feet were dragging throughout this whole book.  I've read a lot of books and have found that there are about three types of books.  The Awesome books (were it's got you hooked from the very beginning.) The Pick-up books, (this type of book is the one were it's boring, slow and dry at first but within a few chapters it picks up and gets you involved.) and the Doomed books. (were the books never strikes your interest and even though you stick it out, You feel as though it was a waist of your time. These books are doomed from the beginning.) I rate numbers as a Doomed book.  It never piqued my interest.  I was depressed by the end of the book. 

     Character Development wise, I didn't ever connect with Jem or Spider. Jem was a strong pessimist and while Spider was cheerful no matter what the circumstances it got annoying after a while. 

     Numbers seems to be a book that you either love or hate.  I just so happen to have not found many redeeming qualities.  I was very dissapointed in this book and most liklely will not be reading any of Rachel Wards future works.