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Quick answer: If you liked I Am Number Four, try The 5th Wave, The Maze Runner, Divergent, Legend, Uglies and Unwind. They share fast action, secrets and teens with unusual powers.
I Am Number Four (2010) follows John Smith, an alien refugee hiding on Earth while hunters pursue his kind. It is a fast, action-filled story with romance. Readers who finish it want more YA science fiction with secrets, powers and chases. These 15 books suit ages 13 and up and include violence.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Power of Six | Pittacus Lore | 13+ | the direct sequel |
| The 5th Wave | Rick Yancey | 13+ | readers who like alien invasion |
| The Maze Runner | James Dashner | 12+ | readers who like puzzles |
| Divergent | Veronica Roth | 13+ | dystopia fans |
| Legend | Marie Lu | 13+ | readers who like cat-and-mouse |
| Uglies | Scott Westerfeld | 12+ | readers who like social critique |
| Unwind | Neal Shusterman | 13+ | older teens |
| The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins | 12+ | survival fans |
| Ender's Game | Orson Scott Card | 13+ | sci-fi fans |
| The Host | Stephenie Meyer | 14+ | readers who like romance |
| Obsidian | Jennifer L. Armentrout | 14+ | readers who like romance |
| Across the Universe | Beth Revis | 13+ | readers who like space mysteries |
| The Darkest Minds | Alexandra Bracken | 13+ | readers who like road-trip dystopia |
| Skyward | Brandon Sanderson | 13+ | readers who like space adventure |
| Illuminae | Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff | 14+ | readers who like unusual formats |
1. The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
The second Lorien Legacies book. Another teen with powers joins the story.
Best for: the direct sequel.
2. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Cassie survives alien attacks and tries to save her brother. Tense and twisty.
Best for: readers who like alien invasion.
3. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Thomas wakes in a maze with other boys. Mystery and suspense.
Best for: readers who like puzzles.
4. Divergent by Veronica Roth
Tris chooses a faction in a divided Chicago. Fast and romantic.
Best for: dystopia fans.
5. Legend by Marie Lu
June, a prodigy soldier, hunts Day, the country's most wanted criminal. Fast and dual-narrated.
Best for: readers who like cat-and-mouse.
6. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Tally lives in a world where everyone is made pretty at 16. Fast and thoughtful.
Best for: readers who like social critique.
7. Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Teens in a future society can be unwound for their organs. Dark and gripping.
Best for: older teens.
8. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Katniss volunteers for a televised fight to the death. Tense and fast.
Best for: survival fans.
9. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Ender is trained to fight an alien war in space. A classic of young genius.
Best for: sci-fi fans.
10. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
An alien soul inhabits a human body, and the human fights back. A romantic sci-fi novel.
Best for: readers who like romance.
11. Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Katy meets Daemon, a handsome alien neighbor. Romance and action.
Best for: readers who like romance.
12. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Amy wakes on a spaceship and finds a murder mystery. Atmospheric and twisty.
Best for: readers who like space mysteries.
13. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Ruby, a teen with powers, escapes a camp and joins other fugitives. Fast and emotional.
Best for: readers who like road-trip dystopia.
14. Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
Spensa trains to be a pilot to defend her planet. Fast and funny.
Best for: readers who like space adventure.
15. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
A space colony is attacked, told through files and chats. Fast and visual.
Best for: readers who like unusual formats.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick is a real, widely available book that shares something specific with I Am Number Four: its tone, its themes, its pace or the kind of characters it puts at the center. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious titles, and we noted who each book suits best so you can match it to the reader. Where a book belongs to a series, we list the first volume so you can start at the beginning.
How to Choose
For the next Lorien Legacies book, read The Power of Six. For alien invasion, start with The 5th Wave. For dystopia, read Legend or Divergent. For romance, choose Obsidian or The Host. A simple plan is to pick one invasion story and one dystopia each month. Most include violence and some romance. For a good reading path, start with the sequel, then try a book with a similar alien theme, and finally one with more romance. Many of these series have audiobooks that fit travel and chores. Check the age ratings if you are choosing for younger teens. If you like the hidden-identity angle, read the first three books in the Lorien Legacies series back to back, then try a standalone like The Host for a change of pace. Reading with a friend or in a club makes the long series more fun.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pittacus Lore?
It is a pen name used for the Lorien Legacies series, with James Frey and Jobie Hughes as co-writers.
How many books are in the series?
The main series has seven books and there are also novellas.
Is there a movie?
Yes. A 2011 film adapted the first book.
What age is it for?
It is recommended for ages 13 and up.
Is I Am Number Four a movie?
Yes, but fans say the books contain more detail and a longer plot.
Are the sequels as good?
Opinions vary, but many readers enjoy the growing cast and the action.
Is the series finished?
Yes. The main series ended with the seventh book, with extra novellas and spin-offs.