Need

Need, Book 1

By: Carrie Jones

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

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 - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you'd have to fear.

©2008 Carrie Jones (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"An exciting venture filled with nasty evil creatures, nail-biting action and heart-pounding romance." (teenreads.com)
"It's not hard to see Twilight in the DNA of this novel....Genre fans will enjoy the sizzle between Nick and Zara as well as the paranormal cast." ( Publishers Weekly)

Taken by surprise...in a good way.

This is what I have to label as one of the sweetest young adult paranormal romance novels that I’ve ever read. (Well listened to). I wouldn’t say that it was the greatest PNR to ever be written, or even one of the best, but...I’m completely smitten with Zara and Nick and am dying for more. Through the whole novel I just wanted to sigh in contentment as Carrie Jones described normal feelings and events so well that I could almost taste them on my tongue. Between Carrie Jone’s words and the perfect narration by Julia Whelan I was in Young Adult bliss. The sweetness that was the blooming relationship between Zara and Nick and the intensity that was Zara’s passions for her beliefs and hurt over losing her father made the novel brilliant. I had certain expectations going into NEED and I can admit I was taken completely by surprise.

The book was narrated by Julia Whelan, who is absolutely amazing. I love narration that just breaths the main character and Whelan conveyed Zara perfectly and then switched into the other characters with ease. Her pronunciation was also seamless. She has narrated a lot of books, including ELIXIR which I also reviewed. (Didn't like that book though - but the writing not the narration). I'm almost templted to download The Magnolia League just so I can hear her again.

Uncertain...

It's hard for me to accurately review Need.

I forced myself to listen to the entire audiobook because I found the storyline interesting and wanted to know what was going on.

The narrator, Julia Whelan, made the audiobook a trial to listen to. I found her narration extremely annoying. It seems as though she doesn't realise that a full stop indicates the need for a PAUSE when reading something aloud. The way she would meld two sentences together made the flow of the novel seem very jilted, and awkward. Her narration made Zara sound more like a whining, affected brat than a heroine with back bone.

I have ordered Need in book form from my local library to give it another go, and see it's better without the influence of Julia Whelan.

OK

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

It was an easy, predictable read. I don't know that other friends of mine would enjoy this, but it was okay.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

meh

How could the performance have been better?

Different narrator - this narrator was flat and I found it difficult to connect with the way she presented the characters.

Story has potential/Narrator good

I thought the story had potential and I really liked the narrator in other books so I listened to the entire book even though I may not have otherwise. I had already purchased the series based on other reviews I read so I was committed to listening to the entire series.

I have started the 2nd book and do have to say that it has improved.

I loved the narrator in other books which is one of the main reasons I chose this one. I don't think this was her best work but it wasn't bad. The southern accent for Kate would come and go which was a little weird.

I guess I can summarize by saying "More". The characters and relationships would have benefited greatly with more building. The book seemed a bit superficial. I really didn't have a problem with any of the characters but also didn't fall in love with any of them. The main character Kate came across as immature but then again she is 16. I am just used to other young adult books where the main character is mature for her age.

I don't feel like I wasted my time listening to it. It's fine for a light read. I am hoping it will improve which each book in the series.

Loved this book, needed the 2nd though....

I enjoyed these 2 books immensely, yet feel almost "left in the cold" a bit waiting for the next one!

While Twilight and Harry have left me searching endlessly for good series, I have tried a few and this would be one I add to the list of "get the next one asap".

I will say that 'Need' felt a bit incomplete at the end, and reading the 2nd book ('Captivate') helped to resolve some of the storyline.....yet the 2nd leaves another entire story laying in wait! I will pounce when the 3rd book arrives!

I like both the writing and the narration. I thought all was tastefully done and the reader was well-chosen. I thought at first that the accent (southern) was a bit overdone, a little "too much" on some of the words, but it grows on you and becomes less important as you begin to enjoy the story line AND as you move to book 2 it becomes almost un-noticeable.

Innocent romance with no 'sex' and tastefully done by the author (kissing is about the extent of the involvement).

If you like this one, 2 others to look into are: the Shifter's series by Rachel Vincent and the Anna Strong series by Jeanne Stein.

Great book and Great Narrator

The book is one of the better fairy books I have read. I'm not a young adult, but I read them before I allow my 12 year old to read them. This book was pretty good, and the narrator fit the part and did the voices well. My daughter loved the book.

Why do all of these Mainers have New Jersey accent

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Maybe, it was a good enough story, and it wasn't very long, so maybe if you're looking for a short distraction

What other book might you compare Need to and why?

I actually think it's a lot like Twilight, but with better character development

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Julia Whelan?

somebody who has either lived in New England or at least visited and has witnessed a Maine accent

Great story

Strong plot and unoriginal. My only issue was the narrator would sometimes whisper and you couldn’t hear what was said.

Stupid Teen more warewolf/vampire crap

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

This was not my demographic. It was hard to empathise with a self-absorbed junior in highschool who seems to know what is going on, but seeks destruction at every turn.

Would you ever listen to anything by Carrie Jones again?

Hell no. This is crap.

Would you be willing to try another one of Julia Whelan’s performances?

Yes, great voice and characters.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

None. It is frustrating that the author drives the plot by having the heroine do the wrong thing, the stupid and dangerous thing at every turn.

Any additional comments?

Teeny bopper vampire crap.

No Need.

"Need" makes no attempt to hide, it's similarity to "Twilight". It should becacuse it fails miserably by comparison. The characters are two-dimensional, poorly drawn, and their reactions to situations seem ridiculous. Super-natural fiction and fantasy stories almost always require a supension of disbelief, but "Need" has several inconsistences, plot holes, and shakey bits of logic make that imposible. In an obvious attempt to set up a sequel, the author constructed the worst ending, I've ever heard in this genere. The author seems to have no respect for the intelligence of her audience.