Spin-off Saturdays: On Saturdays, I will review a series that is a spin-off series. It is recommended that you read the original series first in order to get the most out of the spin-off series. Here is this week’s offering:
Lorien Legacies Reborn Series is a spin-off of the Lorien Legacies Series
SERIESous’ Top Picks: 2019 Fave
Series: The Lorien Legacies Reborn
This is a spinoff of the Lorien Legacies Series.
Author: Pittacus Lore
# of Books: 3 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Action
Heat Rating: cool
Point of View: Third Person, Multiple
Publication Date: June 2017 – June 2019
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook
WARNING: If you have not finished the original series, this review may have spoilers!
My Expectations?
I’m always happy to return the world of Lorien so when this spin-off series was announced, I was stoked. I couldn’t wait to see old friends and maybe get some of those lingering questions answered.
How Does It Compare To The Original?
You can read all about my experience with the first book of the original series, I am Number Four, here — but the short version is that the first book didn’t impress me all that much. It was slow and not as action packed as I wanted but by the end, I could see the bigger picture and I was willing to give the sequel a shot. And I’m so glad I did!
This spin-off series doesn’t start slow at all. It dives into the action and sets the stakes high pretty quickly. Perhaps that’s because most readers are going in already knowing how the world works and what state it is in since they read the original series. You don’t have to spend so much time establishing everything; I’m not sure what it would be like if you’ve never read the original series but I feel like there is enough world-building that you’d get up to speed quickly.
But this had everything you like in a solid spin-off. A new set of characters that captivate you; the return of old favourites; action; romance; and the resolutions to some of those open-ended questions from the original series.
Anything I Didn’t Like?
Truthfully, the final book (Return to Zero) in the series wasn’t my favourite. The book spent so much time building up that the climax seemed a little lacklustre given how it resolves itself. And while I appreciate the extended epilogues, I found myself wanting a little more than I got. I could have used a fourth book.
My Audiobook Experience:
While the original series was one of the first novels I ever read as an eBook, I wanted to try the audiobook version this time around.
It was a great choice! Despite only having one narrator for a multiple POV story, everyone had their own distinct voice. I also think it allowed me to get a deeper understanding of the new cast of characters because of how their reactions and emotions were conveyed through voice. The series has great character growth despite the numerous new characters we are introduced to in such a short span (3 novels compared to the original series’ 7) and I think the audio version helped me connect with them better.
Series Rating: 4.5/5
Generation One 5/5 | Fugitive Six 4.5/5 | Return to Zero 4/5
It was great to return to one of my all-time favourite worlds. This was a solid spin-off that had its own voice all the while echoing and honouring its source material perfectly.
Read if You Like: world-building, aliens, YA Science Fiction
Avoid if You: want more romance, dislike science fiction
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Synopsis for Generation One (from Goodreads):
The first book in a pulse-pounding new series that’s set in the world of the #1 New York Times bestselling I Am Number Four series. The war may be over—but for the next generation, the battle has just begun!
It has been over a year since the invasion of Earth was thwarted in Pittacus Lore’s United as One. But in order to win, our alien allies known as the Garde unleashed their Loric energy that spread throughout the globe. Now human teenagers have begun to develop incredible powers of their own, known as Legacies.
To help these incredible and potentially dangerous individuals—and put the world at ease—the Garde have created an academy where they can train this new generation to control their powers and hopefully one day help mankind. But not everyone thinks that’s the best use of their talents. And the teens may need to use their Legacies sooner than they ever imagined.
Perfect for fans of Marvel’s X-Men and Rick Yancey’s The 5th Wave, this epic new series follows a diverse cast of teens as they struggle to hone their abilities and decide what, if anything, they should do with them. As a spin-off of the bestselling I Am Number Four series, those familiar with the original books and newcomers alike will devour this fast-paced, action-packed sci-fi adventure.
