Need by Carrie Jones

From the Publisher

Zara collects phobias the way other girls collect Facebook friends. Little wonder, since life’s been pretty rough so far. Her father left, her stepfather just died, and her mother’s pretty much checked out. Now Zara’s living with her grandmother in sleepy, cold Maine so that she stays “safe.” Zara doesn’t think she’s in danger; she thinks her mother can’t deal.

Wrong. Turns out that guy she sees everywhere, the one leaving trails of gold glitter, isn’t a figment of her imagination. He’s a pixie—and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He’s the kind who has dreadful, uncontrollable needs. And he’s trailing Zara.

With suspense, romance, and paranormal themes, this exciting breakout novel has readers rapidly turning the pages.

Publishers Weekly

It's not hard to see Twilight in the DNA of this novel: Zara's stepfather has died, her mother isn't capable of caring for her, and she has been sent to live with her grandmother in a small remote town in Maine. When her car spins out of control (Calling Stephenie Meyer!), she's rescued by sexy Nick (who turns out to be a werewolf), and something might be cooking with her overachieving classmate Ian. Too bad she's being followed by someone dark and dangerous-a pixie king. This pixie is no harmless sprite: "when not mated with a queen for an unspecified amount of time," Zara learns, "the pixie kings will demand... young human men, who they kill after using them for their blood-hungry pleasures." Will Zara sacrifice herself to this vampire stand-in or let him destroy everything she loves? Jones (Love {and Other Uses for Duct Tape]) easily wins readers to Zara's side, portraying her as a funny, globally conscious teen who also "collect[s} fears like other people collect stamps" (obscure phobias serve as chapter titles). Genre fans will enjoy the sizzle between Nick and Zara as well as the paranormal cast. Ages 12-up. (Jan.)

VOYA

A fast-paced novel worthy of the fantasy greats, Need will take you for a ride. The setting was a little strange at first, but being out in the middle of nowhere allowed the story to take on a more fantastical plot while seeming possible at the same time. Zara and Nick's relationship is one to which the reader can relate, and although the book is at certain times predictable, Jones goes about it in such a way that will provide a laugh. Reviewer: Ashley Brown, Teen Reviewer

VOYA

When Zara shuts down after the sudden death of her stepfather, her mother sends Zara to live in Bedford, Maine, with his mother. Zara finds that she is not only unaccustomed to the cold temperature and ice but also not used to life in a small town where everyone knows everyone else's story. As Zara begins to make friends, she discovers that many unusual things have been happening lately, from strange accidents, boys going missing, and gold glitter on the ground to a tall, pale guy who seems to be following her. Things in Bedford are actually a whole lot more strange and far creepier than Zara could ever have imagined. The woods around Bedford are populated by pixies and the King-without a queen-is no longer able to control his powerful need or his subjects. Jones masterfully blends paranormal fantasy, suspense, and romance to craft a new supernatural tale that is certain to appeal to fans of dark urban fantasy like Marr's Wicked Lovely (HarperTeen, 2007/VOYA June 2007) and paranormal romances like Meyer's Twilight books. A likeable cast of engaging and interesting characters combines with a plot that grabs readers and refuses to let go. At times slightly predictable, there are enough surprises to keep readers guessing and a creepiness factor that will keep them on the edges of their seats. This book is an essential purchase for any library whose teens devour the supernatural and a must-read for any young reader who is ready to move beyond faeries and vampires. Reviewer: Alissa Lauzon

Kirkus Reviews

Leaving behind her warmly quirky realism to jump on the supernatural-romance bandwagon, Jones leans too hard on overly recognizable motifs. Zara's mother sends her to a remote, frigid Maine town to regain her spirit after her father dies. Boys immediately adore her, but only one electrifies her in return: Nick, an inhumanly fast runner. Polite Ian's also inhumanly fast, but new friends Issie and Devyn seem to favor Nick, despite his faintly dangerous vibe. A strange man stalks Zara, and she admits that he's been lurking in her life since the day of her father's fatal heart attack. He's a pixie, needing a queen to enhance his power lest he kidnap boys to drink their blood. Several scenes seem illogically manipulated for plot tension; choppy continuity undermines readers' ability to distinguish awkward prose from Zara's valid grief. A sense of the derivative outweighs welcome flashes of wit and humor. This one's for readers already hooked on smug supernatural males and incurious heroines less informed than anyone around them. Twi-lite. (Fantasy. YA)

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