Carrie Jones – Need Series Review

Carrie Jones has created a series that immerses her readers into a wider supernatural universe than its competitors. Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight Saga opened my heart, as a teenager, to the love of a fictional world where vampires and werewolves exist. Carrie Jones’ series may not include vampires, but there is plenty of supernatural beings to feast upon.

Carrie Jones has not only created a world that pulls you into the snowy town of Bedford, Maine, but she has created a space where it is okay to feel everything and not be judged. Jones’ Need Series tells a story of finding your identity and accepting who you are. You feel the Need to figure out the mystery. You become Captivated by the characters. You are Enticed to delve deeper into the heart of the relationships Jones has created. Finally, you Endure the events that are yet to come and accept the fate that is foretold.

Need is the first book in the series, it introduces the protagonist (Zara White) to her audience. A theme throughout this series is Zara’s compelling nature to process her fear by reciting/thinking of various phobias. On the very first page, Zara explains to the readers the reasoning behind this “it’s a lot easier to understand things once you name them. It's the unknown that mostly freaks me out.” (p1. Jones 2010). As the story begins to unfold, the readers are given an insight into Zara’s world. We are taken through the motions of her journey and we are with her as she slowly starts to overcome the grief that has overwhelmed her. Zara is a 17-year-old girl who has grown up in Charlston with her stepfather and mother. Her mother has sent Zara to live with her grandmother Betty, in Bedford, Maine, to ‘keep her safe’ and help her recover.

The transition of starting a new school halfway through the year is a scary/worrying time for anyone; not to mention the constant snow and heels. However, with the help of Bedford being a small town, and her grandmother being Betty, it doesn’t take her long to settle in. The main characters are introduced to us Nick, Issie, Devyn. These three are constant friends throughout the series. Zara is the kind of girl who wants to save the world, one person at a time. She and her stepfather began writing amnesty letters to save those wrongfully imprisoned across the world when she was six-years old. When her life takes an unexpected turn, she realises, she can always count on her friends and Betty. As the realisation that her world-view perspective needs to change, it comes with accepting the knowledge that things exist outside the human scope. Everything she thought she knew, was wrong. Were animals exist. Pixies exist. Good vs evil exists beyond humankind.

Jones' novel is extremely easy to read and it is beautifully written. She has taken care to create a protagonist that is gentle and relatable to young people — minus the supernatural — Jones is sensitive in the process of grief and allows the readers to step inside Zara’s mind. Jones’ exquisite descriptive writing encourages the reader to fully engage in the creation she is envisioning through the use of their imagination. The themes in the first novel keep you in suspense as you stay with Zara and her friends to solve the mystery of who/what are kidnapping young boys. When Zara first steps off the plane, she has the sense that someone has been following her. When that same person appears at school, it’s down to Zara and her friends to uncover the secrets many have kept hidden. At the end of the novel, Zara is left questioning her own identity and what it truly means to protect humanity.

Captivate follows Zara and her friends as they come to terms with the recent events (carries on from Need). They thought they had solved the problem, now it seems it will only get worse. When there is one pixie King, there will always be another. Not all pixies are bad, some can be good, especially if their King is good and in control. This is where we meet Astley, a very good pixie King trying to prevent a war from breaking out. Unfortunately, where there is good – there will always be bad, Frank is an evil pixie King determined to take over Bedford and destroy all the residents inside it.

When Zara meets Astley, he is tied to a tree, dying and begging for his life. She can sense he isn’t human, but she is left with a choice...what shall she choose? Despite the chaos and destruction threatening their town, Zara and her friends are still trying to balance their relationships and school life. The choices Zara has made recently are making her question who she is. Making her question the balance between right and wrong if it means doing it for the greater good. At the end of the novel, she is faced with the reality her decision has ultimately caused and the consequences left behind.

Zara's character is being developed in each novel, physically, emotionally, and intellectually. The reaction Zara has in the presence of Astley is unexpected, the outcome of this reaction leads to her questioning her identity and what it means to be human.

Entice - Zara is faced with taking responsibility and accepting the impossible choice she has made. To save one life she has changed the course of her own. Together, with her friends and family, she is able to come to terms with the new life that stands before her. Jones introduces her readers to more characters; Amelie and Becca are among those closest to Astley, charged to protect him from harm. The plot is engaging her readers to understand what it means to be a pixie, and the steps you would take to protect and save the people you love.

Cassidy was introduced in Captivate; however, her character truly becomes relevant in this part of the series. Like Zara, Cassidy is figuring out her identity and the full force of what she can achieve. Violent, suspense, mystery, love, and friendship are just some of the few themes I found within this series. Jones is putting to the test the true act of friendship, love, and family. She is making the reader aware of the impact certain choices have on the soul.

Unlike the other two books, Jones is venturing outside of Maine in Entice; Iceland becomes a significant location for events that occur in the series. Grief has played a role in Zara’s life throughout; it makes her stronger and helps her hold on to her beliefs. Jones introduced a Valkyrie and a Norse mythology place called Valhalla in captivate, entice is where all is explained and the search begins. The best part for me though, is the cultural references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV episodes by Issie’s character. The best way she knows how to relate and understand what is happening around her - the apocalypse - is to reference various scenarios that occur within the show. The easy tone and language Jones has held throughout this series, encourages you to read it all, and leave you wanting more. The way in which Jones has created characters that are likeable, helps us readers to relate to their characteristics and develop a connection with each one.

Going through the story you are urging them on and hoping they get through the next journey with just a little more ease. However, as Jones likes to keep us in suspense, there are plenty more surprises along the way. On the journey to save the one she loves; Zara must find a way to enter Valhalla. However, family betrayal causes the loss of a life close to all. With everything so distraught and hard to overcome – the loss becomes too much for one to bear.

Endure is the final novel in the series. Emotions are high and relationships are tested. The apocalypse is coming. Can Zara and her friends save themselves as well as the world? Zara and her friends decide it’s time for people to know the truth, it’s time to teach them how to fight back.

Jones is showing her readers, that when the fight comes, you don’t have to do it alone. The residents of Bedford may not be ready for the reality check they are about to receive – but it doesn’t take much to make them believe – pixies are real.

The King [Frank] is creating an army to attack. Bedford residents are preparing to fight their defence. Zara leads her friends to Iceland to find some answers from Hel, like all journeys she carries out, obstacles are put in their way. When expectations and hopes are lost as Zara believes her power and strength is gone. Hel reminds her that there is more than one way to have power and strength in this life. Destiny has foretold that the fate of the world falls on her, how will Zara find the strength she needs to fulfil it? Hel offers her the army she needs to back her when the time comes, the strength comes from her words. The kindness and gentleness that she shows to all kind – the strength and power to look beyond the cover and look inside their soul.

The apocalypse is nearing and the world beyond Bedford, Maine has no idea of the threat looming upon humanity. Jones has created a world beyond the usual fantasy novel. She has brought her audience the world of fae, were and Norse Mythology. Pixies, Elves, were animals, Norse Gods and creatures – even Giants feature in the climatic novel for this series.

I would recommend Need series to anybody – any age- who enjoys immersing themselves in fantasy stories involving supernatural elements. Carrie Jones has done a wonderful job at creating characters and building them up throughout. She uses exquisite language to portray the land, people, and world surrounding the characters and plot.

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I am aware that this post is not like your typical book review. However, I believe that my way has given you more detail without spoiling the story for you at all. I wanted to be able to give you an insight into how I found the series, if you have any thoughts on this piece don’t be afraid to share with us. All criticism is a learning opportunity. I value the opinion of our readers. I have spent the last few years writing academic papers, changing my writing style is a challenge and over time I hope to make my writing less academic and more casual for all readers. On the other hand, if you enjoyed reading about this series in the way I have described it, let us know that too.

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Stay Safe. Keep Reading. Have Fun.

Maria