NEED by Carrie Jones

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.


I'm impressed. A good, clean YA book. 
This is Zara's story. Her step dad has just died. Her mom sends her to her gram because Zara is almost dead inside. But meeting new friends and a possible boyfriend helps Zara come alive again. And the possibility of dying by pixie kiss helps perk her up also.
Magical creatures, both good and bad, surround Zara, helping or hurting her. And she is in for a the biggest surprise of all when she figures out who she really is and what she means to a certain king.
Some of the realizations in the book are almost too easy with the foreshadowing but the story is still good. 
Zara is one of those main characters that walk or run into danger when they shouldn't and just because they are told not to. I like her thing with phobias. It was an interesting way to start each chapter.
Each character is unique and believable. I really liked Nick. He was strong and smart. Issie is funny and bouncy. I wished that she had her own magic.
The plot was basic and has been used before but that doesn't mean readers won't enjoy it.
One thing that took me out of the story? Iron railroad ties are heavy and cannot be easily carried or shoved into the ground by one human let alone two human girls.


Rating: PG 13
 S: No
V: Fights, broken arm 
L: A few Lord's name in vain and mild swear words


Page 69 test:
"My dad. It is so hard to just think of him.
I turn away from the door and sit on the couch where he used it sit, I put my face in my hands and rock back and forth a little, but I do not cry.
No more.
Betty crashes out of the kitchen, bringing the smell of burned meat with her.
"I murdered the pork chops, just fried them to death," she says.
"That's okay."
"I have Campbell's soup...chicken noodle."
"Cool."
She eyes me. "Okay. What's going on?"
"Tell me about the boy who went missing last week. What happened?"
Betty turns to glance out the windows. "It's almost dark. you should be back before dark. You don't know these roads. They're dangerous."
"I was at Issie's."
"Oh, that's good. She's a sweet girl. Jumpy. Her parents work a the bank."
"Uh-huh. Yeah...I kind of sort of went off the road a little bit. I didn't hurt the car! I swear. Nick pushed me out."
"Nick?" She wipes at her face with the moose dish towel and motions for me to follow her into the kitchen. "Nick Colt?"
I nod.
"You didn't get hurt? Were you speeding?"
"It was ice."
She takes it all in. "He's a good boy. Cute. Don't sigh at me. He is."
"Tell me about the boy. Please?"