Numbers 2: The Chaos by Rachel Ward

Numbers 2: The Chaos by Rachel Ward

Chicken House, March 1, 2001

Read for A-Z Reading Challenge

Summary from Goodreads:

Adam has more than inherited his mother's curse: When he looks in someone's eyes, he not only sees the date of their death...he feels the searing, shocking pain of it. Since Jem died, Adam has lived by the sea with his great-grandmother, Val. But when rising tides flood the coast, they return to London. The city is an alien, exciting, frightening place. Most disturbing of all, Adam can't help but clock how many people's numbers are in January 2027; how many are on New Year's Day. What chaos awaits the world? Can he and Sarah stop a catastrophe? Or are they, too, counted among the "twenty-sevens"?

I loved the first Numbers book, and I was surprised that more people didn't feel the same way. I thought the premise and the story were quite original. So imagine how excited I was to realize Rachel Ward wrote a sequel! And imagine my surprise to discover that the second book was even better than the first! In my opinion, of course.


Please don't read any further if you haven't read Numbers; I try really hard not to include spoilers, but with a sequel it's difficult!


Baby Adam is no longer a baby; he's a troubled teenager living with his great-grandmother. The pair have recently moved back to London after time spent in the country. Adam, having inherited his mother's gift, sees a person's death date when he looks in their eyes. Not surprisingly, he tries to avoid contact at all costs. When he does see someone's death date, Adam takes meticulous notes on the where, when, and who. When Adam begins seeing 01012017 (January 1, 2027) on dozens, hundreds, thousands of faces, he knows something huge is brewing. And whatever it is, it'll be going down in London.


Sarah is a new student at Adam's school, and is plagued by horrific nightmares foretelling the future. Upon seeing Adam at school Sarah realizes that he is the unnamed man who haunts her dreams. The pair need to put their differences aside so they can work together to prevent whatever tragedy is due to befall London...and the world.


I was riveted by this story, even more so than the first. Chapters alternate between Adam's and Sarah's points of view, so we learn about events from both parties. I have to admit, I was kind of wishing Sarah had the same gift as Adam, if for no other reason than to learn his death date (Adam only sees death dates when looking someone in the eye--mirrors don't count.). And the ending--holy cliffhanger!! Cannot wait for book 3, Infinity, which (as of the writing of this review) should be released on June 6!


Enjoy your reading!
Christi