Review: Need by Carrie Jones

Title: Need

Author: Carrie Jones
Published: Bloomsbury (1 Feb 2010)
No. of Pages: 306
Grade Rating: B+

Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - no human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

This was the first Carrie Jones book I have ever read and was immediately intrigued due to the gorgeous cover and blurb. Need is a fast-paced page turner that will keep you guessing until the last few chapters. The incredible force that kept you wanting to know more throughout this book was amazing!

First and foremost, I couldn't get over the intense, interesting and unique fantasy that Carrie Jones has created. This is the first book I have read involving pixies and wasn't sure at all how they would be portrayed in todays society as faeries have changed from the kind, pretty creatures into evil, killer savages. I thought that the specimens Jones created were well thought about characters that differ from obvious stereotypes of pixies. I was fascinated whilst reading about them and the magic that swirls around them but not as keen on some of the other characters.

I didn't like Zara. In fact, I found most of the characters rather two-dimensional with serious room for improvement and development. Zara seemed, in my opinion, very whiny, annoying and sometimes just plain stupid. I didn't identify with her and found it very hard to put up with her constant need for attention and brash stupidity. Sometimes, I felt differently towards her but most of the time I had blunt emotions. I also found that the supporting characters (Issie, Devyn, Nick) to be quite transparent. I didn't really feel any sense as to who they were nor did I get a sense of their personalities. What annoyed me most about the characters, was how they acted differently (as in they had a total personality check) depending upon different events. I felt that these characters needed to be more solid and strong.

On a more positive note, Need was a definite heart pumper! What I loved the most about it was that it kept you guessing until the last page. It is a case of thinking you know what is about to happen and then being proven wrong. The plot is fun, original and totally engaging. Without an intended pun, you need to buy it!