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Need #4
Endure
It’s all-out war (and no-holds-barred romance) in the climactic conclusion to Carrie Jones’s bestselling series.
Zara is at the center of an impending apocalypse. True, she’s successfully rescued Nick from Valhalla, but it simply isn’t enough. Evil pixies are ravaging Bedford, and they need much more than one great warrior; they need an army. Zara isn’t sure what her role is anymore. She’s not just fighting for her friends; she’s also a pixie queen. And to align her team of pixies with the humans she loves will be one of her greatest battles yet. Especially since she can’t even reconcile her growing feelings for her pixie king . . .
Unexpected turns, surprising revelations, and one utterly satisfying romantic finale make Endure a thrilling end to this series of bestsellers.
Zara is at the center of an impending apocalypse. True, she’s successfully rescued Nick from Valhalla, but it simply isn’t enough. Evil pixies are ravaging Bedford, and they need much more than one great warrior; they need an army. Zara isn’t sure what her role is anymore. She’s not just fighting for her friends; she’s also a pixie queen. And to align her team of pixies with the humans she loves will be one of her greatest battles yet. Especially since she can’t even reconcile her growing feelings for her pixie king . . .
Unexpected turns, surprising revelations, and one utterly satisfying romantic finale make Endure a thrilling end to this series of bestsellers.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2012
About the author
Carrie Jones
62 books4,046 followers***SO MANY APOLOGIES***
I had been unable to get into my Goodreads account for years. If you have friended me, I have just friended you back (July 2021). If you have messaged me, I'm going to be working through those in the upcoming weeks.
Thank you all for reaching out and I'm so sorry.
Now onto the regularly scheduled bio:
Carrie Jones likes Skinny Cow fudgsicles and potatoes. She does not know how to spell fudgsicles. This has not prevented her from writing books. She lives with her cute family in Maine, but she grew up in Bedford, NH where she once had a séance with cool uber-comedian Sarah Silverman.
The Meyers brothers are from Bedford, too, so you’d think it would make Carrie funnier, coming from Bedford N.H. Obviously, something didn’t work.
Carrie has always liked cowboy hats but has never owned one. This is a very wrong thing. She graduated from Vermont College’s MFA program for writing. She has edited newspapers and poetry journals and has recently won awards from the Maine Press Association and also been awarded the Martin Dibner Fellowship as well as a Maine Literary Award.
Here’s the lowdown about Carrie…
1. Carrie can not drink coffee. It makes her insane. Do not give her caffeine.
2. Carrie is very responsive to loving strokes on the hair, kind of like a puppy. However, do not do this without asking first unless you are a ridiculously handsome man or an editor who is about to offer her a trillion dollars for the first draft of her novel.
3. Carrie is secretly really, really shy even though she’s pathetically outgoing in person. She has a very hard time calling people. So, if you want to talk to her, make the first move. And, if you’re her in-Maine female best friend, Jennifer, do NOT get mad at her because she is so bad at returning emails.
4. Carrie sometimes wears mismatched socks, if you do not think this is cool, do not tell her. You will hurt her feelings.
5. Carrie really, really wants you to like her books. Please like her books. PLEEEAASSSEEEE. She’ll be your best friend forever. That is, if you want a friend who is shy about calling and emailing and who wears mismatched socks and can’t drink caffeine and likes being pet on the head. Hhmmm….
6. Carrie is not above begging.
7. Carrie, like Belle in TIPS ON HAVING A GAY (ex) BOYFRIEND drinks Postum. It’s for the same reason, too.
8. Carrie loves Great Pyrenees dogs. They are huge and white, and furry and it looks like they have white eyeliner and mascara on, which is way too cute. Do you have one? Send a picture!
9. Carrie lives in Maine. She has a hard time with this in the winter. It is bleak in Maine in the winter. Imagine everything shades of gray and brown and no green anywhere except for in people’s noses. This is Maine in Winter. Maine in summer is the best place in the world, so it’s a trade-off. Feel free to invite Carrie to your house in the winter, but not if it’s in Greenland, Canada, or anywhere north of Florida.
10. Forget that. She’d still probably come.
I had been unable to get into my Goodreads account for years. If you have friended me, I have just friended you back (July 2021). If you have messaged me, I'm going to be working through those in the upcoming weeks.
Thank you all for reaching out and I'm so sorry.
Now onto the regularly scheduled bio:
Carrie Jones likes Skinny Cow fudgsicles and potatoes. She does not know how to spell fudgsicles. This has not prevented her from writing books. She lives with her cute family in Maine, but she grew up in Bedford, NH where she once had a séance with cool uber-comedian Sarah Silverman.
The Meyers brothers are from Bedford, too, so you’d think it would make Carrie funnier, coming from Bedford N.H. Obviously, something didn’t work.
Carrie has always liked cowboy hats but has never owned one. This is a very wrong thing. She graduated from Vermont College’s MFA program for writing. She has edited newspapers and poetry journals and has recently won awards from the Maine Press Association and also been awarded the Martin Dibner Fellowship as well as a Maine Literary Award.
Here’s the lowdown about Carrie…
1. Carrie can not drink coffee. It makes her insane. Do not give her caffeine.
2. Carrie is very responsive to loving strokes on the hair, kind of like a puppy. However, do not do this without asking first unless you are a ridiculously handsome man or an editor who is about to offer her a trillion dollars for the first draft of her novel.
3. Carrie is secretly really, really shy even though she’s pathetically outgoing in person. She has a very hard time calling people. So, if you want to talk to her, make the first move. And, if you’re her in-Maine female best friend, Jennifer, do NOT get mad at her because she is so bad at returning emails.
4. Carrie sometimes wears mismatched socks, if you do not think this is cool, do not tell her. You will hurt her feelings.
5. Carrie really, really wants you to like her books. Please like her books. PLEEEAASSSEEEE. She’ll be your best friend forever. That is, if you want a friend who is shy about calling and emailing and who wears mismatched socks and can’t drink caffeine and likes being pet on the head. Hhmmm….
6. Carrie is not above begging.
7. Carrie, like Belle in TIPS ON HAVING A GAY (ex) BOYFRIEND drinks Postum. It’s for the same reason, too.
8. Carrie loves Great Pyrenees dogs. They are huge and white, and furry and it looks like they have white eyeliner and mascara on, which is way too cute. Do you have one? Send a picture!
9. Carrie lives in Maine. She has a hard time with this in the winter. It is bleak in Maine in the winter. Imagine everything shades of gray and brown and no green anywhere except for in people’s noses. This is Maine in Winter. Maine in summer is the best place in the world, so it’s a trade-off. Feel free to invite Carrie to your house in the winter, but not if it’s in Greenland, Canada, or anywhere north of Florida.
10. Forget that. She’d still probably come.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,101 reviews
May 22, 2012
****FINAL RATING: 3.85 STARS****
CATCHALL
I loved Need. I thought it was fresh and original, not to mention fun and exciting. Then Captivate and Entice came along and were not only awful, but so awful that they actually ruined Need for me. And now Endure has come back to reclaim part of my heart. I loved it so much and it definitely now has a place in my heart.
THE HEROINE
ZARA
Zara really comes into her own in this book. She takes charge in a way that she never has in the past and it's so beautiful to see. She really takes responsibility and control and learns to make the hard decisions even when she doesn't want to. She genuinely tries to do what's right and seems to honestly do an excellent job. I love how she finally steps up and does what needs to be done.
THE LOVE INTERESTS
ASTLEY
Y'all already know that I am totally in love with the über-sexy Astley, so there's really no point in trying to hide it. I could totally go into all the ways he reminds me of my boyfriend, but you guys do not read my reviews to get the details on my love life so I will skip that haha. BUT ANYWAY. Astley is totally awesome in this book. I'm trying to figure out how to write this section without turning it into a gushfest, but so far that is proving impossible. I could literally spend this entire review talking about how sexy this darling blond pixie is. He is like...amazing. I would totally push Zara off a cliff if it meant I could have him. He's sweet but strong, dangerous but somehow still tame, and just plain fantastic. God, I'm gonna shut up before this review actually does turn into me obsessing over Astley.
NICK
It's not that I don't like Nick. Or at least, I didn't used to dislike Nick, not in Need or in Captivate. Even in Entice, he didn't really seem so bad. But in Endure, at least in the beginning, he kind of acts like a jerk and a b brat and is completely self-absorbed and prejudiced. He does get a little better, and I can understand his actions to a point, but mostly I just wanted to slap some sense into him and make him behave. There was no excuse for him to be so rude, not really.
THE BEST FRIEND
ISSIE
As...unique as I find Issie, I concede that she had some absolutely awesome lines in this one. She really reveals some amazing, deep things and does so in this really great way. I actually really liked her in this book and was very impressed by her bravery.
THE PLOT
The plot of Endure was fast-paced and fun. I almost never got a moment to breathe because I was anticipating something. The amount of tension was incredible and I was very often at the edge of my seat with wide eyes wondering how they would get out of this one and what would happen next.
The amount of action was unbelievable, but it was so great! I could barely put this book down and even risked bringing it out of my house (I have automysophobia issues that extend to things I own, books in particular) just so that I could keep reading it.
It was original, and I feel like I learned a lot about Norse mythology. I've only read like a few other books that I can think of with Norse mythology, and so I feel that this one really helped rectify that.
Some things I really didn't like. There was one thing in particular that I found unspeakably stupid and even though it was undone at the end of the book, it totally ticked me off and caused me to lower my rating more than I ordinarily would have.
I basically completely adored this plot and literally could not get enough of it. I could have read it extended for hours and I honestly adored it so much.
THE ROMANCE
Honestly, there wasn't a ton of romance in this book which was both good and bad. It was good because I loved how Carrie didn't focus and make this a love story, but really made it about the plot and what was happening. That was awesome, and I really admire that. But I still wish there had been more romance! There was some. Zara comes to her decision, which I was either happy or unhappy with. It's really heartbreaking and beautiful how she comes to her choice and I definitely found myself repressing tears. It was executed absolutely gorgeously and I loved it.
THE ENDING
Much like Destined, another four-book series that came to a stunning conclusion lately, I really feel like Endure reached the absolute best ending possible. I really loved it and felt that it was truly the best thing that could have come. I was totally and utterly satisfied and so ridiculous happy when I finished. It was the perfect ending, and I could not have loved it more.
WRAPUP
Despite its faults, Endure was awesome and I would highly recommend it. Despite the faults of Captivate and Entice, I think Endure is so very definitely worth reading. Will I read future Carrie Jones books? Probably. Despite the fact that I am still recovering from the mess that was After Obsession, I think I will. Carrie writes romance like no one else, and she has incredible twists and plots.
FINE.
Read more of my reviews on Sparkles and Lightning!
---
My pre-review:
Pretty please, Carrie Jones… Astley and Zara are so meant to be together. (:
There's a title now!! Endure. I love it! And now there's a cover too! And darlings, it is gorgeous!
CATCHALL
I loved Need. I thought it was fresh and original, not to mention fun and exciting. Then Captivate and Entice came along and were not only awful, but so awful that they actually ruined Need for me. And now Endure has come back to reclaim part of my heart. I loved it so much and it definitely now has a place in my heart.
THE HEROINE
ZARA
Zara really comes into her own in this book. She takes charge in a way that she never has in the past and it's so beautiful to see. She really takes responsibility and control and learns to make the hard decisions even when she doesn't want to. She genuinely tries to do what's right and seems to honestly do an excellent job. I love how she finally steps up and does what needs to be done.
THE LOVE INTERESTS
ASTLEY
Y'all already know that I am totally in love with the über-sexy Astley, so there's really no point in trying to hide it. I could totally go into all the ways he reminds me of my boyfriend, but you guys do not read my reviews to get the details on my love life so I will skip that haha. BUT ANYWAY. Astley is totally awesome in this book. I'm trying to figure out how to write this section without turning it into a gushfest, but so far that is proving impossible. I could literally spend this entire review talking about how sexy this darling blond pixie is. He is like...amazing. I would totally push Zara off a cliff if it meant I could have him. He's sweet but strong, dangerous but somehow still tame, and just plain fantastic. God, I'm gonna shut up before this review actually does turn into me obsessing over Astley.
NICK
It's not that I don't like Nick. Or at least, I didn't used to dislike Nick, not in Need or in Captivate. Even in Entice, he didn't really seem so bad. But in Endure, at least in the beginning, he kind of acts like a jerk and a b brat and is completely self-absorbed and prejudiced. He does get a little better, and I can understand his actions to a point, but mostly I just wanted to slap some sense into him and make him behave. There was no excuse for him to be so rude, not really.
THE BEST FRIEND
ISSIE
As...unique as I find Issie, I concede that she had some absolutely awesome lines in this one. She really reveals some amazing, deep things and does so in this really great way. I actually really liked her in this book and was very impressed by her bravery.
THE PLOT
The plot of Endure was fast-paced and fun. I almost never got a moment to breathe because I was anticipating something. The amount of tension was incredible and I was very often at the edge of my seat with wide eyes wondering how they would get out of this one and what would happen next.
The amount of action was unbelievable, but it was so great! I could barely put this book down and even risked bringing it out of my house (I have automysophobia issues that extend to things I own, books in particular) just so that I could keep reading it.
It was original, and I feel like I learned a lot about Norse mythology. I've only read like a few other books that I can think of with Norse mythology, and so I feel that this one really helped rectify that.
Some things I really didn't like. There was one thing in particular that I found unspeakably stupid and even though it was undone at the end of the book, it totally ticked me off and caused me to lower my rating more than I ordinarily would have.
I basically completely adored this plot and literally could not get enough of it. I could have read it extended for hours and I honestly adored it so much.
THE ROMANCE
Honestly, there wasn't a ton of romance in this book which was both good and bad. It was good because I loved how Carrie didn't focus and make this a love story, but really made it about the plot and what was happening. That was awesome, and I really admire that. But I still wish there had been more romance! There was some. Zara comes to her decision, which I was either happy or unhappy with. It's really heartbreaking and beautiful how she comes to her choice and I definitely found myself repressing tears. It was executed absolutely gorgeously and I loved it.
THE ENDING
Much like Destined, another four-book series that came to a stunning conclusion lately, I really feel like Endure reached the absolute best ending possible. I really loved it and felt that it was truly the best thing that could have come. I was totally and utterly satisfied and so ridiculous happy when I finished. It was the perfect ending, and I could not have loved it more.
WRAPUP
Despite its faults, Endure was awesome and I would highly recommend it. Despite the faults of Captivate and Entice, I think Endure is so very definitely worth reading. Will I read future Carrie Jones books? Probably. Despite the fact that I am still recovering from the mess that was After Obsession, I think I will. Carrie writes romance like no one else, and she has incredible twists and plots.
FINE.
Read more of my reviews on Sparkles and Lightning!
---
My pre-review:
Pretty please, Carrie Jones… Astley and Zara are so meant to be together. (:
There's a title now!! Endure. I love it! And now there's a cover too! And darlings, it is gorgeous!
April 16, 2012
On the e-reader this was only 167 pages. Wish it was A LOT longer, but oh well! Release date: 5-8-12
Okay. I'm going to start this review by mentioning my feelings towards the rest of this series. I adored the first book. I thought that the story was unique, the action was really well done, and I loved the romance. The characters were all characters that I fell in love with instantly. The second and third book seemed to get progressively worse in my opinion, but I still enjoyed them enough to be very excited to read Endure as soon as I recieved it. Despite the fact that I didn't really enjoy Entice, I had to know how this series would end.
My head is spinning after reading this book. It was super short, and I read it in one sitting, but the book seemed to fly by so quickly it's difficult to gather my thoughts.
We start out pretty much where we left off. Nick is being mean to Zara, and she is heartbroken because he is treating her like a piece of trash. She saved Nick from Valhalla, but the evil pixies aren't giving up. Grandma Betty is still not around. Zara needs to form an army of good pixies with her friends and anyone she can gather up to help fight. All of this is going on while she tries to deal with her feelings about Nick, and her pixie king, Astley. Finally, the end of the world is predicted and Zara supposedly has something to do with it.
This book was all about the action, and the unexpected. So many things happen that you just wouldn't expect, which makes the book constantly holding your attention. There is never one dull moment in this book. There is honestly not much to say about this book without giving away any spoilers, so I'm just going to leave you with a few reasons why I love this series, and really love Zara!
This quote sums up why I love Zara, despite her flaws.
"This is why you are chosen. Not because of who your father is, not because you turned pixie queen. It is because you choose to look beyond the ugly. You choose to see the good even in monsters, Zara White. That is why you are different. That is why you are important."
Also, Zara really releases her inner' badass in this book. When called a "little girl" she simply spears the person and whispers "Sorry, you chose the wrong side. Plus, you made 'little girl' seem like a bad thing"
The absolute only thing I didn't like about this book was how the romance was kind of skimpy. By skimpy I mean there really was none until the last 30 pages. I understand that this story was focusing on the apocolypse and all, but a little more romance would have been appreciated. Zara got more lip action from a girl than either of the guys! Just sayin'. No matter which boy you hope Zara ends up with I think you will enjoy the ending. I've never really said which boy I liked so it's okay to say that I am VERY happy with the ending.
I recommend all Need fans read this book. How can you not? You truly "need" to find out the ending of the story of this loveable girl who we first met muttering random phobias; the girl who went from never wanting to hurt a fly to a girl willing to kill for what she believes in and for those she loves. This is an ending that will not disappoint! I'm sad to see it end, but it's been one heck of a ride. Thank you Carrie Jones!
Want to read
January 10, 2012YAY! Cover and description! These covers are so pretty!
TEAM ASTLEY!!!!!!!!!!
TEAM ASTLEY!!!!!!!!!!
Want to read
April 29, 2011I love how the last book was the BEST one and shes just been letting out the series after the first couple of months but aver THIS book, the one I like the most, she decides to take a whole YEAR! Ugh times infinity! Sighhhhh. I'm going to read it, but, Carrie, this is some major buzzkill :/ I want to know if she ends up with his epicly sexy and amazing highness, Astleyyy!
December 27, 2018
Zara is at the center of an impending apocalypse. True, she’s successfully rescued Nick from Valhalla, but it simply isn’t enough. Evil pixies are ravaging Bedford, and they need much more than one great warrior; they need an army. Zara isn’t sure what her role is anymore. She’s not just fighting for her friends; she’s also a pixie queen. And to align her team of pixies with the humans she loves will be one of her greatest battles yet. Especially since she can’t even reconcile her growing feelings for her pixie king . . .
CHARACTERS-
So I love all my babies in this book. Zara is finally excepting who she is and who she loves and that was gorgeous. Astley understands that humans are important too. It's called character development and in this book it was developed so well.
ROMANCE-
MY OTP ENDED UP TOGETHER. I was just so happy and delighted because they deserved everything and when all of Zara's friends were telling her Astley is in love with you and she didn't believe it but it was true and beautiful.
PLOT-
The plot was so fast paced and I read it in one-sitting which was great. I couldn't put it down.
ENDING-
The ending was gorgeous and Zara and Astley are together but I wished that maybe Zara became the Pixie queen again because that would have been everything.
Characters-10/10
Romance-10/10
Plot-10/10
Ending-9/10
Speed-10/10
CHARACTERS-
So I love all my babies in this book. Zara is finally excepting who she is and who she loves and that was gorgeous. Astley understands that humans are important too. It's called character development and in this book it was developed so well.
ROMANCE-
MY OTP ENDED UP TOGETHER. I was just so happy and delighted because they deserved everything and when all of Zara's friends were telling her Astley is in love with you and she didn't believe it but it was true and beautiful.
PLOT-
The plot was so fast paced and I read it in one-sitting which was great. I couldn't put it down.
ENDING-
The ending was gorgeous and Zara and Astley are together but I wished that maybe Zara became the Pixie queen again because that would have been everything.
Characters-10/10
Romance-10/10
Plot-10/10
Ending-9/10
Speed-10/10
July 9, 2013
OMG!!!OMG!!! the cover is out!!!! It looks amazing!!!!!
I had just finished the Entice... I know. It took FOREVER for me to finally get the third book. But now I am craving for more. I am Enticed, Captivated and Need to get my hands on to the fourth book! I just can Endure it!
I really hope Endure ends with Zara and Astley getting together. Ever since we were introduced to Astley in the second book, I knew he was the one. But if Carrie thinks otherwise I am probably going to scream.
But seriously how can't you LOVE Astley. I mean... (swoon).
Either way I am super excited!
I had just finished the Entice... I know. It took FOREVER for me to finally get the third book. But now I am craving for more. I am Enticed, Captivated and Need to get my hands on to the fourth book! I just can Endure it!
I really hope Endure ends with Zara and Astley getting together. Ever since we were introduced to Astley in the second book, I knew he was the one. But if Carrie thinks otherwise I am probably going to scream.
But seriously how can't you LOVE Astley. I mean... (swoon).
Either way I am super excited!
June 5, 2012
Boo for the title. The others were so atmospheric, but this one just feels burdensome and heavy.
*waves my Astley fangirl flag*
Let's hope we get the ending we're all cheering for!
*waves my Astley fangirl flag*
Let's hope we get the ending we're all cheering for!
August 5, 2012
The Need series has been a guilty pleasure of mine since book one due to the highly entertaining dialogue, the very unique characters and story line Carrie Jones created. After all, pixies aren't a paranormal creature I see a lot in the YA genre. Couple that with the use of Norse god mythology and you have a truly original series. All that being said, I do not think this was a strong conclusion, but I did still enjoy myself along the way.
Sometimes what I really dislike about reading a series while they are still being written is the lengthy waits. By the time I get to the next book, I can barely remember who each character is or their background. This is especially frustrating when the novel picks up directly or shortly after the last book ends. But Jones handles that fairly well with small recaps on the important info that happen in the previous novels. So even if it's been a year or more since you've read Entice, rest assured that you will most likely be able to keep up just fine.
Endure opens with Betty still missing and Nick still not very accepting of Zara being a pixie. It's a trying time for her and she has her share of FML moments, but I never thought they were over done. I think everyone is entitled to their own pity party when your boyfriend can stand the sight (and smell) of you. Zara and the gang have a lot on their plate in Endure since Frank is causing even more trouble trying to bring an end to the world. And then there is Astly, who Zara isn't entirely sure how she feel about. But unlike other heroines, Zara pushes her personal feelings aside to deal with the real matter at hand -- saving the world. I loved that about her because for once we have a heroine that realizes they have a job to do instead of moping around crying about her love life. But this comes as no surprise to me as I have always loved Zara as a main character. She's smart, compassionate (yet not to the point of having no self-preservation), and hilarious.
Still, there are a few things that irritated me a bit:
Nick -- I really don't know what happened to his character over the course of this series. But I don't like it. To put it bluntly, he was an ass in Endure. Straight up. Zara went to Valhalla to rescue him. She changed into a pixie for him, which she was strongly opposed to at first, and what does the little prick do? He completely shuns her because she is different. Later in the novel, a situation arises where she becomes human again and he has the nerve to show interest in her! Thankfully, Zara is a smarter than the average bear and does not accept his advances.
The Norse mythology -- It went right over my head. At first it was interesting in the pervious books because it's not often done, but it got more and more complicated. This book is only 262 pages and I don't think that was enough time to properly explore it fully. Somehow Zara is the key to stopping the apocalypse by freeing Loki, but then she's not supposed to free Loki because that actually starts the apocalypse?? I was very confused. I don't even think the characters knew what they were talking about. In fact, it's pretty clear they didn't considering the Norse gods were always correcting them on their information. Their response?
It seemed like a rather convenient excuse to explain away things that aren't fully explained in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I think it's pretty accurate for modern teens to find out everything they need to know from the University of Google. But it's another thing entirely for them to fully believe everything they read as much as was done in Endure. It was like:
"Oh noz! How do we stop the apocalypse?"
*fires up Google*
*answer found*
*world saved*
Go on and push it. I know you want to...
The Ending -- It really felt like Jones was just on a mission to hurry up and end the series. Overall I'm happy with the ending, but not the process in which it arrived there. But I really believe that it mostly comes back to things being a little too convenient for Zara and her friends.
However, even with those issues and not fully understanding the how everything connected together, I still was able to enjoy the novel. As for who Zara ends up with, well, let's just say I think fans will be very happy with the outcome. I know I was. ;)
ARC was provided by Bloomsbury via NetGalley. Thank you!
More reviews and fantastical things at Cuddlebuggery Book Blog.
April 14, 2012
I've had a love-hate relationship with Carrie Jones over the years. Need was the first of her books I read, and I thought it was okay her writing was choppy and hard to read, but the characters were there, not to mention the whole phobia thing. How cool is that?!
Captivate, Need's sequel, took me even further into the world of Zara White and her friends, human and pixie alike, and I became infatuated with Jones's series. Entice made me love it. Imagine my heartbreak and disappointment when I found out this book was out a whole YEAR after Entice and, even then, kept getting pushed back.
Finally, a solid May release date got announced, and I just couldn't wait. I really enjoyed After Obsession, too, even though it had no ties to Jones's Need world and featured a brand-spanking-new co-author.
Endure, even though I never really liked the title (at all), was the best book in the series for me.
I feel like Carrie's writing has improved since the series started. Say goodbye to her former, choppier style of writing -- while that is warranted in some places during Endure, Carrie 2.0 has been released and is much an improvement. My favorite part of Endure is the end -- no, I'm not going to spoil it for you -- because it wrapped up the series perfectly. And -- *hint, hint* -- I always love the flash-forward-in-time epilogues. :D
The love interest in the series has always been a bit of a toss-up for me. In most series, you can usually guess who the MC will decide to end up with. Endure wasn't like that at all -- I honestly had no idea and felt like it was a flip-of-a-coin move for Jones. Either one would've benefited Zara in the long run, and I am quite happy with who she did end up with.
About those boys . . . *sigh* I feel like they were being really possessive and stupid throughout the entire book. Up until the end, I think neither of them deserved Zara and that what they really deserved was a frying pan to the face, but they redeemed themselves and stopped acting like idiots.
I loved the Norse mythology, even though I felt like a lot of it was thrown in my face. I overall just really enjoyed Endure.
One thing is for darned sure -- Carrie Jones sure can write an ending.
Captivate, Need's sequel, took me even further into the world of Zara White and her friends, human and pixie alike, and I became infatuated with Jones's series. Entice made me love it. Imagine my heartbreak and disappointment when I found out this book was out a whole YEAR after Entice and, even then, kept getting pushed back.
Finally, a solid May release date got announced, and I just couldn't wait. I really enjoyed After Obsession, too, even though it had no ties to Jones's Need world and featured a brand-spanking-new co-author.
Endure, even though I never really liked the title (at all), was the best book in the series for me.
I feel like Carrie's writing has improved since the series started. Say goodbye to her former, choppier style of writing -- while that is warranted in some places during Endure, Carrie 2.0 has been released and is much an improvement. My favorite part of Endure is the end -- no, I'm not going to spoil it for you -- because it wrapped up the series perfectly. And -- *hint, hint* -- I always love the flash-forward-in-time epilogues. :D
The love interest in the series has always been a bit of a toss-up for me. In most series, you can usually guess who the MC will decide to end up with. Endure wasn't like that at all -- I honestly had no idea and felt like it was a flip-of-a-coin move for Jones. Either one would've benefited Zara in the long run, and I am quite happy with who she did end up with.
About those boys . . . *sigh* I feel like they were being really possessive and stupid throughout the entire book. Up until the end, I think neither of them deserved Zara and that what they really deserved was a frying pan to the face, but they redeemed themselves and stopped acting like idiots.
I loved the Norse mythology, even though I felt like a lot of it was thrown in my face. I overall just really enjoyed Endure.
One thing is for darned sure -- Carrie Jones sure can write an ending.
July 24, 2012
A WHOLE YEAR!?!
Why do authors LUV torturing us READERS!?!
.......(dramatic moment over ROFL)
Anyways....
TEAM ASTLEY!!!! xD
-------------------------------------------
OMG...
So happy reading!! C;
Why do authors LUV torturing us READERS!?!
.......(dramatic moment over ROFL)
Anyways....
TEAM ASTLEY!!!! xD
-------------------------------------------
OMG...
That sums up the shock and astonishment that I was in when I finally finished this book. I can say that it wasn't worth staying up half the night for (since I had to wake up at 6 am for school). If I could rewind last night and not finish the book, I'd be happier.
On to the book. It really wasn't what I was expecting. I don't know if it's because I was in such a hurry to know what happens in the end that I skimmed through most of the book. I couldn't really get into the emotional part and be-one-with-the-characters, just for whatever reason.
By the first few lines in the post you can see the I'm Team Astley and even though I don't know, it just felt forced.
Unfortunately, as we all know, it's simply NOT.Personally I would have been happier if there was actual reasoning and thought put behind her choice even if it wasn't the one I wanted it to be.
Over all, I like the series as a whole. The best book would probably be the first and maybe the second. The last book could have been better, but maybe it's just me.
Please don't let my neutrality of the series as a whole ruin it for you, I've read better books, but maybe this will be the best book you've read.
So happy reading!! C;
May 16, 2012
HOLY GOD FINALLY!!! I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS BOOK FOREVER.
It's over! I can't believe it. I waited so long for it and I've finished.
It ended........exactly the way I wanted it to. Thank the lord. This book was.....so good. I can't even describe my feelings.
I love Astley.
It's over! I can't believe it. I waited so long for it and I've finished.
It ended........exactly the way I wanted it to. Thank the lord. This book was.....so good. I can't even describe my feelings.
I love Astley.
June 1, 2012
I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
May 16, 2012
I loved this book! Waited so long for it to come out..but the wait was worth it! Amazing, just amazing<3
September 12, 2012
Just finished this last night and I must say, it wasn't that bad.
When you read the blurb you really get a sense that it's going to be some thing thrilling and jam packed with romance all the way through but I actually found it really 'pick up' towards the last few chapters.
The ending-to me- didn't really seem to conclude the series. There was a lot of loose ends with Nick that Zara really hadn't gone into making it feel like it was hanging.
What really dissapointed me in this was not Zara's choice but the way it was ended. Normaly a last book of a series is something that someone can remember years down the track but this one didn't quite reach it.
When you read the blurb you really get a sense that it's going to be some thing thrilling and jam packed with romance all the way through but I actually found it really 'pick up' towards the last few chapters.
The ending-to me- didn't really seem to conclude the series. There was a lot of loose ends with Nick that Zara really hadn't gone into making it feel like it was hanging.
What really dissapointed me in this was not Zara's choice but the way it was ended. Normaly a last book of a series is something that someone can remember years down the track but this one didn't quite reach it.
December 3, 2022
the summary
[ series review ] okay, in my childlike mind, I thought that pixies are actually 'good creatures'
never had I thought they were 'evil'.
:)
chev's system for reviews
plot development ☆☆☆☆☆
character development ☆☆☆☆☆
[ series review ] okay, in my childlike mind, I thought that pixies are actually 'good creatures'
never had I thought they were 'evil'.
:)
chev's system for reviews
plot development ☆☆☆☆☆
character development ☆☆☆☆☆
August 7, 2018
I enjoyed this conclusion to the NEED series. Zara and Astley have gotten Nick back from Valhalla, but all is not well since Zara is still a pixie and Nick=not okay with pixies. Poor Zara. Also, there is mounting pressure from the coming pixie war, which the gang has to somehow figure out how to defend their little snowy town in Maine from, while Zara decides which of her guys she wants to be with. All in all, had lots of action and was a satisfying conclusion to the series.
Please excuse typos. Entered on screen reader.
Please excuse typos. Entered on screen reader.
Want to read
March 7, 20112012!!!????!! I can't wait that long!!! Nnnnooooooooooo
December 15, 2020
ok, where do i begin?
Do I start with the horrible misconception on teens and their relationships and choice swearwords (eg. freaking) or with the weird obession Zara has with Nick, even though they barely know each other that well. I swear, if Astly wasnt there, i would have given it 1 star. I always felt that Nick was some sort of typical, hormonal and angry jock type. Anyways, what really bugged me were the characters. All Zara did was act like an idiot, not that pacifism is bad, but this is an extreme case. Also, everyone was, initially at least, so focused on the fact that pixies were supposedly "evil" that they missed the fact that humans are NOT all sugar and spice and everything, so i believed them to be really hypocritical. I mean, not once in the first book or second did they stop to consider the fact that MAYBE THEY ARENT SO "EVIL". I really hate how the other made it so that everything was so simple.
For Example
Pixies=EVIL
Humans=GOOD
Astly=EVIL
Nick=GOOD
you see where I’m going here. For someone who is suposed to be a "good" person, she is really bigoted. Anyway. In the beginning, I really hated Zara's character. All she would do is sit around, depressed, vehemently hating pixies, and chanting phobias to battle her fear of them. But I am surprised to say that she has grown out from all these annoying qualities. YET WHY DOES SHE STILL MAKE ME WANT TO SLAP HER!! It may have to do with the author's aweful attempts to inspire laughter. All of these were met with eye twitches and desperate searches for a fire source. If there was one more comparison between tinker bells and 'real' pixies........I would have had an epileptic fit. The only redeeming part of this is
A)Zara understands that Nick is a sucks and Astly is amazing and
B)She becomes a pixie who can actually hurt a fly/another pixie (of course not without a "moral dilema" shortly following after).
But the biggest fault was that there was no earth-shattering climax. The ragnorak didn't happen, or rather she was able to stop it with the MAGIC OF LOVE. Wtf.
The sad/funny part here, you see, is that the previous sentence contains the truth and nothing but. I also hate how the author decided to make Nick a jerk(it didnt take much effort) so it is easy to reject him, instead of having to make her actually choose between the two. LAZY.
Do I start with the horrible misconception on teens and their relationships and choice swearwords (eg. freaking) or with the weird obession Zara has with Nick, even though they barely know each other that well. I swear, if Astly wasnt there, i would have given it 1 star. I always felt that Nick was some sort of typical, hormonal and angry jock type. Anyways, what really bugged me were the characters. All Zara did was act like an idiot, not that pacifism is bad, but this is an extreme case. Also, everyone was, initially at least, so focused on the fact that pixies were supposedly "evil" that they missed the fact that humans are NOT all sugar and spice and everything, so i believed them to be really hypocritical. I mean, not once in the first book or second did they stop to consider the fact that MAYBE THEY ARENT SO "EVIL". I really hate how the other made it so that everything was so simple.
For Example
Pixies=EVIL
Humans=GOOD
Astly=EVIL
Nick=GOOD
you see where I’m going here. For someone who is suposed to be a "good" person, she is really bigoted. Anyway. In the beginning, I really hated Zara's character. All she would do is sit around, depressed, vehemently hating pixies, and chanting phobias to battle her fear of them. But I am surprised to say that she has grown out from all these annoying qualities. YET WHY DOES SHE STILL MAKE ME WANT TO SLAP HER!! It may have to do with the author's aweful attempts to inspire laughter. All of these were met with eye twitches and desperate searches for a fire source. If there was one more comparison between tinker bells and 'real' pixies........I would have had an epileptic fit. The only redeeming part of this is
A)Zara understands that Nick is a sucks and Astly is amazing and
B)She becomes a pixie who can actually hurt a fly/another pixie (of course not without a "moral dilema" shortly following after).
But the biggest fault was that there was no earth-shattering climax. The ragnorak didn't happen, or rather she was able to stop it with the MAGIC OF LOVE. Wtf.
The sad/funny part here, you see, is that the previous sentence contains the truth and nothing but. I also hate how the author decided to make Nick a jerk(it didnt take much effort) so it is easy to reject him, instead of having to make her actually choose between the two. LAZY.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2012
Quick review:
Cover: Very Pretty
Rating: PG-13
Thumbs Up: 4
Overall: A satisfying conclusion to a really good series
Characters: Solid
Plot: Save the world, make a choice, choose the one you want to be with.
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Series Ender
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: ASTLEY
SUMMARY (50 words or less)
It’s been a while since the last installment of this series and I’d forgotten just why I love Carrie Jones. This author has a sense of wit that may not make you laugh out loud all the time, but certainly you will chuckle inside. Satisfying conclusion to this series.
To see my full review and likeness of my book boyfriend, check out my blog post.
http://mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com/2...
Audio Series
Julia Whelan narrated this one. She did a really good job overall. If I had one complaint, it would be her choice of voice for Nick. It took some getting used to. But at least all the characters sounded unique adding to the experience. She also did an awesome job with the accents.
Cover: Very Pretty
Rating: PG-13
Thumbs Up: 4
Overall: A satisfying conclusion to a really good series
Characters: Solid
Plot: Save the world, make a choice, choose the one you want to be with.
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Series Ender
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: ASTLEY
SUMMARY (50 words or less)
It’s been a while since the last installment of this series and I’d forgotten just why I love Carrie Jones. This author has a sense of wit that may not make you laugh out loud all the time, but certainly you will chuckle inside. Satisfying conclusion to this series.
To see my full review and likeness of my book boyfriend, check out my blog post.
http://mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com/2...
Audio Series
Julia Whelan narrated this one. She did a really good job overall. If I had one complaint, it would be her choice of voice for Nick. It took some getting used to. But at least all the characters sounded unique adding to the experience. She also did an awesome job with the accents.
May 13, 2012
Whoever Zara end up with, book will be AWSOME!! We love you Carrie. Since you have a year , just please make it loooong :) .. and start writing the next one .
update 05/13/2012
Yep, as expected it was AWSOME!
To bad it is the last one - I really would like to read some more about Zara and Astley.
update 05/13/2012
Yep, as expected it was AWSOME!
To bad it is the last one - I really would like to read some more about Zara and Astley.
May 26, 2022
Need (4): Endure ~ Carrie Jones
Bloomsbury, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jaaaa, dit was het zo waard om in het engels verder te lezen! Wat een ge-wel-di-ge serie. Gaaf hoe een elfen verhaal ineens in noorse mythologie met Ragnarok, Odin, loki en alles veranderde. Echt enorm genoten van de twists in het verhaal, en van alle personages. Zelfs de vechtscenes, waar ik normaal het liefst snel doorheen lees, waren lekker geschreven. Carrie Jones heeft een leuke wereld gecreeerd, waarin je je als lezer heerlijk kan verliezen. Een sterk, vrouwelijk hoofdpersonage waar je goed mee in kan leven met een lieve vriendengroep om haar heen, en genoeg research van de noorse myrhologie om een goed verhaal neer te zetten. Echt: AANRADER ♡
Bloomsbury, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jaaaa, dit was het zo waard om in het engels verder te lezen! Wat een ge-wel-di-ge serie. Gaaf hoe een elfen verhaal ineens in noorse mythologie met Ragnarok, Odin, loki en alles veranderde. Echt enorm genoten van de twists in het verhaal, en van alle personages. Zelfs de vechtscenes, waar ik normaal het liefst snel doorheen lees, waren lekker geschreven. Carrie Jones heeft een leuke wereld gecreeerd, waarin je je als lezer heerlijk kan verliezen. Een sterk, vrouwelijk hoofdpersonage waar je goed mee in kan leven met een lieve vriendengroep om haar heen, en genoeg research van de noorse myrhologie om een goed verhaal neer te zetten. Echt: AANRADER ♡
February 22, 2015
Before reading the book:
The cover is out and its AMAZING! Can't wait to get this book and find out if Nick and Zara are ok or if Zara goes for Astley. I'm hoping she ends up with Astley!
After:
This book was good but I felt like something was missing. I also found myself getting extremely annoyed with the characters in the beginning of the story mostly because I didn't remember them and how they acted. But once I got into the story it wasn't as good as I hoped it would be. But don't get me wrong it was still good but I liked the other books better. Wow that's a lot of buts...
You know those books that you wait forever for and they turn out not as good as the other books? Yeah this was one of them but at least the ending was sort of how I wanted it...I think my main problem with this book was all the clichés and how Zara would say how she knew it was cliché for this to happen and how some of the characters were extremely immature *cough*Nick*cough*
I thought the entire Hel thing was really cool and I really liked the character Hel and how the ghost/spirit things came to fight and how Zara saw both her biological father and her stepfather again. I actually almost started crying when she saw her stepfather again. That could have been because I was really tired because of this walk I did the day before but that's a different story and one I will not get into...
Anyway! I didn't think I could hate Nick anymore than I already did but I was proven wrong. Throughout this book Nick was insanely annoying and I really thought he should take a chill pill or at least someone should have slapped him for the way he treated Zara and Astley and basically everyone! Sorry to all you Nick lovers out there but he's just terrible to Zara in this book. I mean the guy calls her soulless and he only likes her when she .
Astley forever!
...wait this is the last book right?
The cover is out and its AMAZING! Can't wait to get this book and find out if Nick and Zara are ok or if Zara goes for Astley. I'm hoping she ends up with Astley!
After:
This book was good but I felt like something was missing. I also found myself getting extremely annoyed with the characters in the beginning of the story mostly because I didn't remember them and how they acted. But once I got into the story it wasn't as good as I hoped it would be. But don't get me wrong it was still good but I liked the other books better. Wow that's a lot of buts...
You know those books that you wait forever for and they turn out not as good as the other books? Yeah this was one of them but at least the ending was sort of how I wanted it...I think my main problem with this book was all the clichés and how Zara would say how she knew it was cliché for this to happen and how some of the characters were extremely immature *cough*Nick*cough*
I thought the entire Hel thing was really cool and I really liked the character Hel and how the ghost/spirit things came to fight and how Zara saw both her biological father and her stepfather again. I actually almost started crying when she saw her stepfather again. That could have been because I was really tired because of this walk I did the day before but that's a different story and one I will not get into...
Anyway! I didn't think I could hate Nick anymore than I already did but I was proven wrong. Throughout this book Nick was insanely annoying and I really thought he should take a chill pill or at least someone should have slapped him for the way he treated Zara and Astley and basically everyone! Sorry to all you Nick lovers out there but he's just terrible to Zara in this book. I mean the guy calls her soulless and he only likes her when she .
Astley forever!
...wait this is the last book right?
January 24, 2013
I remember thinking that the previous books were easy to read, and easy to get sucked into.
Even if they were just fluff.
I like fluff.
But I was midway through Endure before I felt anything remotely close to Sucked In. And even then, the plot seemed kinda meh.
However, I am on a mission this year to start finishing up all of these random series that I've started (then dropped) in the past few years.
So.
One down! Wheeee!
Endure falls directly into the Not Bad/Not Great category. The ending tied everything up nicely, and everything worked out in an acceptable way for everyone involved.
I don't know what else I can say about this book, because I wasn't particularly moved one way or another.
Hmmm.
I guess I would recommend it to someone looking for an interesting PG-13 story about evil pixies.
June 16, 2016
I love everything about this book. I would say that it is the best one out of them. I am really sad the series is over with though. I wish there was more books in the series.
August 20, 2017
Ended the way I wanted it to.
March 15, 2012
So this is it...the ending that we have all been waiting for. The ending that will no doubt make many of us cry because we are not ready to say goodbye to this amazing series and all the characters we have grown to love.
The snow is falling in Beford Maine. It's been falling non stop for over a week. And people are missing. More and more disappearances by the day. It's no longer just the young boys. No one is safe anymore. Just another side affect to pixies taking over the town.
Zara and the gang have to come up with a way to take down the pixies that are taking over their small town of Bedford and they have to do it fast, because if they don't their town isn't the only ones in danger. The evil pixie king Frank and all of his followers are aiming to start the apocalypse and end the world if Zara doesn't do something. The only thing is...well Zara is kind of the key to starting the apocalypse, but she is also the key to ending it. Can she figure out what she has to do to stop Frank in time?
Throw that on top of the fact that Nick won't hardly talk to her because she turned into a pixie to save him, her heart is breaking, and she is out fighting and slaying evil pixies non stop there just doesn't seem to be much room to breathe. Oh and Astley is still head over heels in love with her. Will Nick's behavior finally push Zara into Astely's arms for good? And more importantly will they be able to save the world or will all of humanity die?
I just want to start by saying that I love this series with all my heart. I've been in love with it since the very first book, and I haven't been able to get enough of it. Mostly I am having a really hard time accepting that it's come to an end... *sniffles*
Still this final book is is filled with so much action that you can't help but to read it from beginning to end in one sitting, and it isn't long before your reach that last page and sigh because it's all over. Zara has grown so much over this series. She's not the little lost, depressed, pacifist that she once was. Of course I guess a life with evil pixies trying to kill you all the time will do that to a person. The relationship between her and Nick breaks my heart and made me cry on more than one occasion. I can't tell you what happens between them because that would ruin the whole story so I am just going to leave it at that. Astely is still just as sweet and patient as ever...but I'm still on Team Nick! Lol
Overall this was a great ending to an even greater series. The ending was cute and bittersweet and perfect. I don't think we would expect anything less from Carrie Jones. When it comes to writing a good Paranormal YA series Carrie Jones is made of awesomesauce.
Zara, Nick, Betty, Issa, Devyn, Cassidy, and even Astely...you will be missed.
The snow is falling in Beford Maine. It's been falling non stop for over a week. And people are missing. More and more disappearances by the day. It's no longer just the young boys. No one is safe anymore. Just another side affect to pixies taking over the town.
Zara and the gang have to come up with a way to take down the pixies that are taking over their small town of Bedford and they have to do it fast, because if they don't their town isn't the only ones in danger. The evil pixie king Frank and all of his followers are aiming to start the apocalypse and end the world if Zara doesn't do something. The only thing is...well Zara is kind of the key to starting the apocalypse, but she is also the key to ending it. Can she figure out what she has to do to stop Frank in time?
Throw that on top of the fact that Nick won't hardly talk to her because she turned into a pixie to save him, her heart is breaking, and she is out fighting and slaying evil pixies non stop there just doesn't seem to be much room to breathe. Oh and Astley is still head over heels in love with her. Will Nick's behavior finally push Zara into Astely's arms for good? And more importantly will they be able to save the world or will all of humanity die?
I just want to start by saying that I love this series with all my heart. I've been in love with it since the very first book, and I haven't been able to get enough of it. Mostly I am having a really hard time accepting that it's come to an end... *sniffles*
Still this final book is is filled with so much action that you can't help but to read it from beginning to end in one sitting, and it isn't long before your reach that last page and sigh because it's all over. Zara has grown so much over this series. She's not the little lost, depressed, pacifist that she once was. Of course I guess a life with evil pixies trying to kill you all the time will do that to a person. The relationship between her and Nick breaks my heart and made me cry on more than one occasion. I can't tell you what happens between them because that would ruin the whole story so I am just going to leave it at that. Astely is still just as sweet and patient as ever...but I'm still on Team Nick! Lol
Overall this was a great ending to an even greater series. The ending was cute and bittersweet and perfect. I don't think we would expect anything less from Carrie Jones. When it comes to writing a good Paranormal YA series Carrie Jones is made of awesomesauce.
Zara, Nick, Betty, Issa, Devyn, Cassidy, and even Astely...you will be missed.
May 24, 2012
I realize I may be in the minority in my low opinion, but I have to be honest. Basically, I was disappointed in this book. I admit that after Entice, I was on "Team Pixie" and was hoping that her and Astley would end up together. So I say, "YAY!" to that point, but that's about all the enthusiasm I can muster. I thought the characters were very flat and 2-dimensional. Nick's behavior was a unexpected. What a jerk! I get that he was shocked at first, but get over it already. I guess that makes Astley the easy choice, then. I expected there to be, I don't know.. MORE to that story than just: Nick's being really mean, I guess I'll pick Astley, but I'll keep wearing the anklet Nick gave me. Yeah, that makes perfect sense. And she only gave it up when forced to! The whole scene with Zara and Astley's mom.. was just strange and anti-climactic. I thought she would have more of a role in the dreaded apocalypse.
Speaking of the "apocalypse/Ragnorak", I was confused by what happened at the end.. This Loki person was supposed to be key to the whole thing, and he doesn't do anything, but take Nick to who-knows-where in order to "save" him. And.... that's it. Loki is gone, and he could've escaped any time he wanted!! The secret at the end.. Love is Magic, or whatever.. very eye-rolling, and I'm not sure how that helped her with anything! And how exactly did she get back to "Hel"? What did Astley mean at the end, when he said that this time he would save her? What did he have to do? And life just goes back to normal after that? To whatever they were before all this started? First, she was half-human/half-pixie, then she's all pixie (and a Queen at that!), then she's all human.. And now!? Did Astley manage to turn her before she "fell"?
When a story takes 4 books to tell, it should end really well. While I am a big fan of epilogues, this one fell short. They still talked about going to the Isle of Skye. How about an epilogue that actually has them there? Or a few years later, instead of 4 months? And one that explains some of the open questions from the whole "apocalypse" debacle?
I do apologize for the rant. It was not my intention to write so much, I just wanted to explain my reasoning. And I can see how others would really like this book/series. I did like (not love) the first 3 books, and I appreciate the author's writing style and humor. I guess all of this was to say that this book did not meet my expectations, nor was it worth the long wait.
Speaking of the "apocalypse/Ragnorak", I was confused by what happened at the end.. This Loki person was supposed to be key to the whole thing, and he doesn't do anything, but take Nick to who-knows-where in order to "save" him. And.... that's it. Loki is gone, and he could've escaped any time he wanted!! The secret at the end.. Love is Magic, or whatever.. very eye-rolling, and I'm not sure how that helped her with anything! And how exactly did she get back to "Hel"? What did Astley mean at the end, when he said that this time he would save her? What did he have to do? And life just goes back to normal after that? To whatever they were before all this started? First, she was half-human/half-pixie, then she's all pixie (and a Queen at that!), then she's all human.. And now!? Did Astley manage to turn her before she "fell"?
When a story takes 4 books to tell, it should end really well. While I am a big fan of epilogues, this one fell short. They still talked about going to the Isle of Skye. How about an epilogue that actually has them there? Or a few years later, instead of 4 months? And one that explains some of the open questions from the whole "apocalypse" debacle?
I do apologize for the rant. It was not my intention to write so much, I just wanted to explain my reasoning. And I can see how others would really like this book/series. I did like (not love) the first 3 books, and I appreciate the author's writing style and humor. I guess all of this was to say that this book did not meet my expectations, nor was it worth the long wait.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2012
It is hard seeing a series come to an end.
Some how along the way you become a part of the character's world and they become a part of you. They become friends. People you feel like you know and care about.
Silly, I know but that is always how I feel when I get immersed in a good series. It is sad seeing it end. Knowing that there will be no more adventures or romances or even heartache.
So it was with a little bit of a sad heart that I picked up this book. Knowing it would be the end. That once I read that last page and closed it tight, it would be over for good. There would be no more adventures and heartache.
But I also picked it up excited for the adventure to continue. To know how it would end. To hope for their happily ever after.
And so it began and ultimately ended.
I have always loved Nick in this series but I really wanted to smack him in this one. I really truly did. I felt so awful for Zara. It broke my heart seeing her pain, the way he spoke and talked and looked (or didn't in some cases) at her.
Don't get me wrong, I expected some drama considering all that happened in the last book. Considering Zara became something Nick loathed, but I guess I had hoped that maybe he would be smarter than that. That maybe he would make it easy. That it wouldn't have to be such a struggle for him to see what was right in front of him.
Zara becomes such a strong person. She is no longer the timid pacifist that she once was, afraid of so much, afraid of life really. She truly takes charge, stands on her own two feet and becomes what she was maybe destined to be all along, a queen and a leader. Someone destined to save the world.
And Astley, yeah, he is just made of awesome and his character just gets better in this book.
I even loved Hel, she was a great character. I couldn't help liking her.
There is a lot that happens in this book, I mean it has to. It is the last one. So many people suffer and die. But so many grow strong and live and love too.
This truly was a great conclusion to the series and I am extremely happy with how it all ended. Sad that it is the end but happy too.
Jones did a brilliant job with it.
Some how along the way you become a part of the character's world and they become a part of you. They become friends. People you feel like you know and care about.
Silly, I know but that is always how I feel when I get immersed in a good series. It is sad seeing it end. Knowing that there will be no more adventures or romances or even heartache.
So it was with a little bit of a sad heart that I picked up this book. Knowing it would be the end. That once I read that last page and closed it tight, it would be over for good. There would be no more adventures and heartache.
But I also picked it up excited for the adventure to continue. To know how it would end. To hope for their happily ever after.
And so it began and ultimately ended.
I have always loved Nick in this series but I really wanted to smack him in this one. I really truly did. I felt so awful for Zara. It broke my heart seeing her pain, the way he spoke and talked and looked (or didn't in some cases) at her.
Don't get me wrong, I expected some drama considering all that happened in the last book. Considering Zara became something Nick loathed, but I guess I had hoped that maybe he would be smarter than that. That maybe he would make it easy. That it wouldn't have to be such a struggle for him to see what was right in front of him.
Zara becomes such a strong person. She is no longer the timid pacifist that she once was, afraid of so much, afraid of life really. She truly takes charge, stands on her own two feet and becomes what she was maybe destined to be all along, a queen and a leader. Someone destined to save the world.
And Astley, yeah, he is just made of awesome and his character just gets better in this book.
I even loved Hel, she was a great character. I couldn't help liking her.
There is a lot that happens in this book, I mean it has to. It is the last one. So many people suffer and die. But so many grow strong and live and love too.
This truly was a great conclusion to the series and I am extremely happy with how it all ended. Sad that it is the end but happy too.
Jones did a brilliant job with it.
May 15, 2012
Ok, I was so excited to read the finale to this series and was a little disappointed because it was only a little over 250 pages. This is the kind of book I want lots of pages to I can savor the story. Turn out, it didn't need it. My biggest complaint is that I read the other books a while ago and its hard to remember the plot/characters etc. because I've read so many other books in between. I read my reviews though so it helped a little.
Anyway, in this conclusion Zara is still a pixie and Nick was just recently rescued and doesn't remember much about what happened. What really disappointed me though, was his revulsion towards Zara. I mean, this chic turned pixie to rescue him and got him back and his gratitude is to be repulsed by her? What an ass. I was more leaning towards Zara with Astley as of the last book and after the way Nick behaved right from page one, I lost all respect for him and was team Astley all the way.
So, everyone is still fighting bad pixies and Zara's grandmother is still M.I.A., running around in tiger form somewhere. The conflict in this finale revolves around Zara trying to stop the apocolypse that is coming through Frank, their nemesis. Through many twists and turns and trips to Iceland, the gang learns the fate of the world and how it comes down to Zara saving it.
I loved the writing and the story. Unexpected twists happen in this book as far as Zara and her character and things that happen to her along the way. She has many changes both physically & mentally. She grows up a lot and I like her character more in this book than any other.
Very enjoyable ending to this series. Ironically its a series I NEVER in a million years thought I would read let alone enjoy. What can I say? I was wrrrr............ng.
Anyway, in this conclusion Zara is still a pixie and Nick was just recently rescued and doesn't remember much about what happened. What really disappointed me though, was his revulsion towards Zara. I mean, this chic turned pixie to rescue him and got him back and his gratitude is to be repulsed by her? What an ass. I was more leaning towards Zara with Astley as of the last book and after the way Nick behaved right from page one, I lost all respect for him and was team Astley all the way.
So, everyone is still fighting bad pixies and Zara's grandmother is still M.I.A., running around in tiger form somewhere. The conflict in this finale revolves around Zara trying to stop the apocolypse that is coming through Frank, their nemesis. Through many twists and turns and trips to Iceland, the gang learns the fate of the world and how it comes down to Zara saving it.
I loved the writing and the story. Unexpected twists happen in this book as far as Zara and her character and things that happen to her along the way. She has many changes both physically & mentally. She grows up a lot and I like her character more in this book than any other.
Very enjoyable ending to this series. Ironically its a series I NEVER in a million years thought I would read let alone enjoy. What can I say? I was wrrrr............ng.
July 11, 2011
Uneven, but enjoyable. Short review to come.
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