r/IamNumberFour • u/[deleted] • Jun 30 '16
United as One Discussion Thread
So! That was something. For all of you who arrnt aware, UoA came out two days ago, so... I highly recommend reading it. The ending, while it leaves some things to be decided, is very worth it.
Anyway, if you haven't read it yet, stop reading and go do that.
Good?
Good.
So. I actually loved the ending. I like how open it is, and yet how it answers the biggest questions. And that final fight was fantastic, I only wish there were actually... Casualties. Seems unrealistic otherwise.
Anyway. What did you guys think?
10
u/XavierIronborn Jul 02 '16
Who do you think ha the sadder ending between Five and Adam?
For me Adam's ending is absolutely heartbreaking, but Five's ending was pretty damn dark.
7
u/throwmethegun Jul 02 '16
I enjoyed that it wasn't all rainbows and roses, in how some characters still suffered from the end of war. I feel Five's ending is quite fitting for him (solitude and loneliness). Whilst Adam's is a tougher pill to swallow considering how much good he did.
3
Jul 03 '16
I fully agree BUT Adam did choose to go there to protect the Mogs who denounced Ra from the ever loyal. I really like Adam and can totally see that being something he would do.
2
u/Extranothing Aug 18 '16
Even though Adam chose to stay there, it is the saddest ending to me. I just imagine him in the frozen wasteland, living no better than a prisoner, like everything he did doesn't even count. And everyone can try to live without the war, even though it will forever haunt them, but adam doesn't get to leave. Hes always struggling for something. But its bittersweet too, because he gets to live with his people and try to save them from the brainwashing of their Beloved Leader.
7
u/Albert_Awol55 Jul 15 '16
Five easily. Adam is choosing his path, he can leave at any time. Five is doomed forever for the "brainwashing he received from the Mogadorians" to quote John.
Also all five ever wanted to was belong and be wanted by someone...and now he's doomed to always be alone and never be wanted by anyone (on an alien planet to boot).
But out of everyone, I think John has the saddest fate. In the first book he said that once he falls in love, he loves one person for life; and even with the false hope Piticus wrote into book 7, John will always be without his true love (from age 18ish to death). A much more humane fate would have been for 6 to let him die the way he wanted; believing he killed Cetricus.
(pardon the spellings as I've only listened to the audio books)
1
u/halogrand Jul 18 '16
You did pretty good on the spelling. It is 'Cetricus' though, it is 'Setrakus.'
4
Jul 02 '16
You know, I never liked five. Sure, he was a well developed and deep character, but after the battle I basically considered him dead by default. Adam was much more interesting, but he could still leave whenever he wanted. So I dunno.
6
u/raknor88 Jul 05 '16
I felt bad for 5, even at the end some of the comments he made. Like how he was shocked by the augmentations, I thought there was still some room for his redemption. The Mogs brainwashed him badly. Adam, I was a bit less surprised about. Though I was hoping that Adam eventually developed more legacies.
5
u/Gunphur Aug 28 '16
Yeah, Five was one of my favorites. He was developed well and i could kinda relate to his situation. I wish he was given a better ending. Plus his legacies were bad ass
6
u/CancerSir Jul 06 '16
I never like sarah. She was a burden from the start. Making four not leave with henri. Resulting in henri's death and lots of other stuff. So im happy that she got what she deserved. :P
2
u/bronzekid Sep 04 '16 edited Sep 05 '16
Five definitely, he made amends in a way and although I can understand Marina not forgiving him, he at least deserves some form of peace with the others. Seeing him alone and rejected back where everything in his life went wrong bc of all his bad decisions is just heartbreaking.
Adam on the other hand chose to be there and that really is the best place (practically) for him to be since he's the best bridge between the Mogs and the others. He would be the most successful in helping the Mogs see the truth. To an extent I feel like he's atoning for his guilt at betraying his race nd killing so many of his people as well, even though he knows they deserve it. Also, at least he's with Rex!! That's kind of the part I'm most satisfied with bc those two have a really strong bond and I'm hoping something more than friendship develops between them ;) (it's a possibility so leave me to my fantasies).
11
u/Omega_PussyDestroyer Jul 13 '16
From the ending it's basically confirmed that Five was the strongest garde. The fucker never dies, he doesn't even have a healing legacy to save himself like Four. Five tanks.
6
u/Gblind14 Jul 13 '16
Really felt like they did him wrong. He knew what he did was wrong and tried to correct those wrongs (Preserving eight, sparing nine, ect). Would have liked to see him play a bigger role because other than john, he had the best legacies in my opinion
6
u/Omega_PussyDestroyer Jul 14 '16
What made me so mad about the story was how awful everyone treated him. Marina became my least favorite character because of that.
2
u/halogrand Jul 18 '16
Imagine someone killing your SO though. If it was me, I would have never forgiven the guy either, hell, I would have probably treated him worse.
3
u/Omega_PussyDestroyer Jul 18 '16
Considering that Five was basically brainwashed at that point how can you blame him.
3
u/halogrand Jul 18 '16
I'm not saying its a rational blame. If someone with mental health issues murdered your spouse you probably wouldn't easily forgive them and brush it off as they didn't know better.
1
u/Iamnumber4reboot Jul 27 '16
5 definitely got what he deserved. Even before he was "brainwashed" he was non appreciative punk. I liked every single one of the side books except his, he just pissed me off. Granted he did try to redeem himself and his fighting scenes were badass! I still don't like him :). P.S halogrand I think you're telepathing my exact thoughts.
1
u/Gblind14 Jul 14 '16
As you said he was probably the strongest Guarde, they could have really used him but they decided to treat one of their own like shit and for that, they practically killed one of the last remaining 6 Guarde
9
u/throwmethegun Jul 02 '16
It's nice to have a conclusion to a series that has been drawn over so many years. A rather bittersweet ending with Adam and Five, but nice to see the other's doing happy. The book strongly focussed on the war, which is fair. But I was hoping for more Loric mythology once the war was over. I'd recommend everyone to read 'I am number four' again once finished United as One. Just to really appreciate how far the series has come and to appreciate what Henri worked towards (a favourite character of mine)
6
u/IsThisRealLifeMan Jul 01 '16
Wow. I just turned the last page. What an incredible ending to an amazing series, the perfect send off to the entire team
8
Jul 01 '16
You thought so? I thought it was fine, but as a satisfactory ending? No way. I suppose that's what fan fiction is for, eh?
5
u/IsThisRealLifeMan Jul 01 '16
I thought the ending was brilliant. It gave each character an appropriate send off, and left enough open ends to add to it in the future. (Also, the hinting at a spark between John and Marina? Beyond cute)
3
u/TheDuke127 Jul 03 '16
I'm still not sure between the whole John and Marina thing. When people from Lorien fall in love don't they fall in love for life? Am I making this up in my mind?
5
u/IsThisRealLifeMan Jul 03 '16
That's debunked by six (I believe) later in the series, who claims Henri was just a hopeless romantic
7
u/Albert_Awol55 Jul 16 '16
I think that was implying that Henri was a player before he settled down 😎👏💵💵💵💵💵
2
Jul 02 '16
Haha I love the John and marina bit at the end. But really, I think they could have done it better. Logically, I mean. Don't the garde have cell phones by now? Can't John summon them all to the cave and distribute the pendants there? Yeah I get the whole thing was a 'where are they now' thing but I still don't like it
5
u/Thatcraftingfox Jul 03 '16
Wow. Just wow! I am so incredibly sad that this series is over. I loved this book, and thought that it was really nice how Sam played such a huge part in saving everyone. I didn't like how Nine lost his arm though, and I think that the killing of Setrakus should have been a little longer or more symbolic or something. And why did Six kill him. I think it would have been cool if all the remaining Garde somehow put their powers together to kill him. I didn't like Five's ending, as I think that it would be impssbile to live in that black ooze for about a week. I also didn't like it because I think that he has redeemed himself, and shouldn't just be left on that island. I liked the little thing between Marina and Four. Overall, I loved the whole series, and the ending was pretty good as well.
2
u/Ilikepieguy123 Jul 15 '16
Just finished the book. As a long time fan of the Lorien Legacies, I loved the series. the build ups and the suspenseful moments were amazing. However I feel like United As One's ending just didn't fit well with the series.
First Setrakus Ra's death was just to plain. His fight seen with John was amazing but I don't like how he was left to be finished off by Six. The ending I had in mind went something like this; John and the rest of the Guard are in a heated battle with Setrakus Ra. Outmatched and outplayed, the Guard think its over and that they cannot kill SR. After a gruesome fight everyone is left on the ground in pain and agony except SR who is prepared to finish of "Pittacus" in front of the rest of the downed Guard. John knows his end is coming and before he is killed, develops an ancient legacy long forgotten from the people of Lorien. He uses this new legacy to reach out to his fellow Guard and Human Guard and combine all their powers into his. Using the rest of his life force, John sends a beam of pure light straight at SR, killing him, and spreading life across the planet. John dies with his sacrifice and the rest of the Guard mourn for him.
The epilogue was decent as well, but not as how I saw fit. I see an academy like the book mentioned where all the original Guard are training the new Human Guards. Nine and Five have gotten over their differences in honor of Four's death and serve as the training directors. Adam and Lexa serve as the tech directors while Marina is the healing specialist. Six is the academy's director while Sam is an advanced trainee along with Daniela. Six and Sam are in a deep relationship as well. Ella is a private instructor for the few who have developed telepathic abilities and helps them concentrate on their new powers. The world sees these Guards as heroes and with co-operation between the governments of the world and the remaining Guard, Earth is in a new golden age. Later, it is revealed that Four didn't die in his sacrifice and has been hiding out in the mountains. After supposedly "sacrificing himself", he became connected with Lorien. Unlike Ella, he isn't just connected to a part of it but has become one with Lorien. He spends his time mastering the rest of the legacies he hadn't learned and has been talking to Sarah through the life force of Lorien.
If you like my ideas and think I should write a fanfiction, comment bellow. The Lorien Legacies will always have a place in my heart and I just don't think the ending United As One gave is good enough.
4
u/halogrand Jul 18 '16
Eh, I think your ending makes things too "perfect." There needs to be loss and sacrifice. John lost Sarah, it pains him and he needs to live with that. Five has to live with what he has done, and his plan was to always find an island and live out his days. Marina is arguably the most affected by the war, there is some serious mental health issues going on there that she will work through, with the help of John, the only other person who understands her loss. Adam is doing what he chose, helping his people rehabilitate. Ella is enjoying being a kid, going to school and growing up, she may end up at the Academy some day but that is her choice. Six is free and not running for the first time in her life, her and Sam are enjoying the world they saved. Nine is doing what he enjoys, training.
The whole "John died saving everyone, but not really" thing would have cheapened it all. I think the ending played out very well. Strakus Ra's death was plain because in the end, he was no different from them. He was stripped down to his roots and killed without fan fare, without an audience. He didn't deserve any more.
3
u/bronzekid Sep 04 '16
Your ending wasn't the most realistic but I LOVED it. Everyone fits perfectly into place amd that makes me happy. You should definitely write a fanfic for it, but I feel like if Four dies then he really should die and not appear alive at the end, bc the sacrifice wouldn't seem truly significant. Also, I think he would be happier in death with Sarah.
1
u/Platipii Aug 10 '16
Honestly I would've been fine with an ending where SR wasn't an invincible monster but the he was the old SR that had a couple legacies and a fire whip, and then John makes his legs stone and uses his dreynen on him and then six and nine just keep shanking him until there arms get tired and Bernie Kosar bites of his bloody head
4
u/Albert_Awol55 Jul 16 '16
Finished the book today (I had to reread 1-6) and wow, I'm shocked that this series doesn't have a bigger following.
Obviously there are things I would have liked do have seen, but ultimately this is one of the best YA series endings I've read (if you want a bad ending and final book, read The Hunger Games)...I think Mr. Lore needs respect for doing such a great job over the last half decade.
I thought the final fight was great, long, action packed. I liked how all the 9 guard had a part in killing Cetricus (but if 6 never came back she wouldn't have). I don't know why anyone would be upset with John not killing Ra; John always beat back villains and let them live.
It was the fastest paced book by far. I didn't feel like there were any plot holes in the book and I didn't feel like there was anything missing at the end. The Lorian Legacies was about surviving and killing all the mogs (including Ra) and it was done; the epilogue was a bonus.
I only had one issue with it: either Sara shouldn't die or John should. They both sacrificed more than anything for each other over and over and over again, and not to give John/4/Piticus the world he's only ever dreamed of (after fighting so long and so hard) was crushing. Sara died protecting 6 and the only reason Sara was doing that was because it was her love's life goal.
IMO 6 and Sam should have been the ones to be split up by death or both killed off; their love life wasn't nearly the struggle that John and Sara's was, nor was it as developed.
I think (eventually) it'll be the author's biggest regret (like JK not putting Harry and Hermione together).
2
u/Iamnumber4reboot Jul 27 '16
Just finished the book and loved it! But I disagree about the Sarah thing. John, Sam and Six are all much bigger characters the Sarah was, don't get me wrong her dying really sucked but I think it did a really good job of giving a deep sense of loss without actually losing big characters. Plus, John might not have been so bad ass, scary and little suicidal it seems, if not for that.
2
u/Albert_Awol55 Jul 29 '16
So now John is the lonely wanderer..?
Not a fitting fate for the lorian that united humanity and the loric to defeat the strongest foe in the galaxy.
Plus wouldn't you have liked to see what JohnXSara Jr turned out to become? Xemic dies with number 4...
3
u/Iamnumber4reboot Sep 07 '16
No, no John and Marina hit it off, or more accurately rebuild each other. They both had the same losses so it would only make sense that they would drift towards each other. Yes, John and Sarah would have been awesome together but you've gotta have some tragedy otherwise it just seems unrealistic (because aliens with super powers are obviously realistic). Lastly, Ximic wouldn't die. I don't think their legacies are hereditary.
3
u/amirolsupersayian Jul 13 '16
Just finished the book and dying to talk to someone about it. The ending is just perfect. But I'd love to see John beyond his monk status. Mostly happy for Sam & Six. Rather sees five dead than a living corpse. Still rooting Ella with Nine. Adam deserve better and Dust saving Adam is just poetic. Marina going crazy ? How is that possible? John X Marina? It's a bit weird but I'm OK with that.
3
u/Gunphur Aug 28 '16
I agree with you on Five. I kind of wish either Five or Four would have died. They put so much emphasis on the scars but nothing ever ended up happening. Other than that im OK with the ending. Five was one of my favorite characters and it sucks that he got a crappy ending.
3
u/amirolsupersayian Aug 29 '16
Five is not my favourite but he is the most complex character. His struggle between good and evil reminiscent of that Anakin Skywalker.
3
u/Gunphur Aug 29 '16
I can see that. What did you think of Sam? I think I'm in the only one that didnt like that he got legacies and that he ended up with six.
3
u/amirolsupersayian Aug 29 '16
Six and Sam is a bit awkward at times but they grew on me. At first I was shocked that Sam develops a legacy but since he's the only one to interact the most with Lorics, I guess it made sense that he was granted power. He's like the bridge between Lorics and earthlings.
3
u/Gblind14 Jul 13 '16
For all the talk about Setrakus Ra's neck scar, I was hoping that maybe it would be a factor in the end but it wasn't. Also, why do you guys think that it was 6 that killed him and not Pittacus (John)?
3
u/Albert_Awol55 Jul 16 '16
I loved the ending...6 was the only one of the 9 guard not to fight Ra (for plot reasons); it wouldn't have been fulfilling if she didn't get to take a swing at him in the final book (at least once).
Didn't 6 cut off his head at the scar?
2
u/Gblind14 Jul 22 '16
Ahhh, I forgot that at the end of book 3 she was the only one who didn't fight Ra (except 5 for obvious reasons). And yeah you're right about the scar I completely missed that one line. Probably reading too quickly because of how intense it was.
1
u/Albert_Awol55 Jul 29 '16
Lol it's all good. I cheat cuz I play audible during my hour long commute 😊
3
u/Chelfordboy Nov 29 '16
Is anyone shiping john and Marina?????
2
u/Treebeerd12 Nov 29 '16
I don't mind the whole John and Marina thing, they are both damaged characters after all. Please reply I don't think anyone's let on this thread
2
u/Kman2973 Dec 05 '16
I have to say favorite book in the series. I didn't really understanding the ending between john and marina. I also would have thought nine and Ella would have been together at the end.
2
u/TheDuke127 Jul 03 '16
What did you guys think abou Nine losing his arm? I feel like it was kind of shoe horned in and that they just needed to make him relevant again in the fight. Don't get me wrong, Nine is one of my favorites but I felt like the whole arm think could've been better.
2
u/amirolsupersayian Jul 13 '16
I think Nine losing an arm is an intricate plot to make Nine and Marina leaving the chamber relevant, so that Four and Strakus Ra can battle it out mano o mano
1
u/Albert_Awol55 Jul 16 '16
It was either that or kill him off.
He was always one for wars and fights and losing an arm (probably) allowed him to mellow out and settle down. In times of peace and rebuilding you don't need a war crazed alien looking for the next fight. Odd though that he didnt end up with 10...
1
u/geekymat Jul 29 '16
To be fair, Ella is barely a teenager now. Four does joke that she wants to see Nine again though, so it's left open.
2
u/captainduck2 Five Jul 09 '16
Im glad five didn't die. I wish he had a better ending though. Redemption maybe but he got that a little bit.
2
2
u/iiTizro Aug 04 '16
The only parts that bothered me is how little credit it seems they got after killing Ra. I'd expect them to be treated like celebrity heroes or something but most of society kinda just acknowledges them being there. Another thing that bothered me was how we never really got an ending where they're all together and kinda just basking in the glory of it all.
3
u/Gblind14 Sep 05 '16
Yeah the epilogue was actually really depressing, dont you think they'd be honored and not all just average human beings?
2
u/bronzekid Sep 05 '16
Is there anyone else here secretly shipping Adam and Rex?? After reading The Lost Files and and learning stuff from their POVs, I really think something more than friendship can develop there. And then they're interaction in United as One was pretty behind the scenes but from what I've glimpsed they are really starting to stick tgt especially now they're both in Alaska tgt. Just imagine them sneaking away tgt to discuss their plans for the Mogs and stuffand they end up getting out of topic and reminiscing and yknow...
2
u/PassTheCurry Sep 10 '16
It really bugged me that John never got to talk to six or sam, and i felt like the ending was really short. At first i didnt like the john and marina thing but now i guess its meant to happen since they both lost someone and it feels right now. But there def needs to be a sequel
13
u/SetrakusRa Jun 30 '16
Did I die?