Numbers
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3.0 • 5 Ratings
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- £5.49
Publisher Description
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. Knowing that nothing lasts forever, she shuts out relationships - until another outsider, Spider, manages to penetrate her spiky shell. Suddenly Jem's world seems brighter. But on a trip to London, she foresees a chain of events that will explode their lives forever. In the queue for the London Eye, everyone has the same number in their eyes. Right here, right now, their numbers are up. Something terrible is going to happen... Shortlisted for the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Fifteen-year-old Jem has a singular and terrifying ability looking people in the eye reveals to her the date they will die. Needless to say, she avoids eye contact. Her mother overdosed; she's on her umpteenth foster home; and school (when she goes) is a dead-end special education class. But school also brings her closer to Spider, a gangly bundle of raw energy who genuinely likes Jem and who she knows has just weeks to live. Their bittersweet courtship becomes terrifying when their first date ends in a terrorist bombing at the London Eye. Jem escapes with Spider moments before the blast, but witnesses report their flight and suddenly they are persons of interest in a police investigation. It's a gritty tale, unsparingly told, and debut novelist Ward demonstrates exceptional control of her material. Her characters remain true to themselves and their bleak circumstances, making for some excruciating moments. This is not an easy read, but it isn't entirely hopeless either. Despite its supernatural premise, Jem's story shines a stark and honest light on the lives of teens on the fringe. Ages 14 18.
