Need

By: Carrie Jones

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 7 hrs and 28 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.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Loved this series!

What did you love best about Need?

The romance. If you liked Twilight you'll love this series.

What did you like best about this story?

You got so into the book you couldn't wait for the next and I was sad when I finished the whole series.

What does Julia Whelan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She had a way to make you feel as if you were in the Fae world yourself.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Totally!!!

Any additional comments?

You don't want the series to ever end!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

So cringe-worthy.

I really didn't like the narrator and honestly... this book was horrible. I also wasn't a fan of the voices the narrator used.

Illogical

Zara and her mother did the dumbest things, like the characters in horror movies. Then some of storyline didn't flow & things weren't believable. Clearly, I was not impressed.

sweet

i would read the others. sweet storyline. well thought out. the voice actress was good too.

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.

Very juvenile and slow.

I should have read the other reader reviews prior to purchasing this book rather than relying only on Audible's summary - which was a bit misleading. The book is very juvenile, perhaps best for preteens; even then the story unfolds at an incredibly slow pace. Because I had already purchased the book I tried several times to listen, however, I was unable to get very far and eventually gave up altogether.

Went downhill

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Someone who is very into books similar to Twilight.

What was most disappointing about Carrie Jones’s story?

It was an inferior version of Twilight Series. After Chaper12, I could take no more!

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.

Excellent!

I picked up this book on a gamble and was caught instantly by the lively and discriptive style of writing. Need is both gripping and funny. Told from the point of view of the heroin, Zara, in the first person, this is the strongest narrative voice I've heard in a while. Perfectly written and perfectly narrated, Need is a must-read for lovers of the paranormal. A real gem!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good read

Great read , can listen to it all day and night have to get the rest of the books too.

Twilight-ish

The story starts very similar to Twilight, but with a more blunt love story. It feels like the book could have been longer so the author could have developed the characters more and built up some kind of anticipation for the climax of the story. As it is now it's very 'right in there' and then it's finished. Still enjoyed it though.