Book Haul [5]

I haven't thought of a name for a weekly meme of book hauls so let's just go with what's posted above.

For now, I'll call this the "Whatever it's called" Book Haul. It's only temporary, I swear. I just haven't thought of a clever name for it. So this is pretty much just like In My Mailbox by the Story Siren and This Week In Books by Pop Culture Junkie and all the other titles with the similar concept here and there. This is a weekly post showcasing the books you received for the given week, either bought online or from a physical bookstore, borrowed from the library or from a friend, received for review or won from a giveaway, etc.

Hi there! Nice of you to drop by.

I really didn't plan on a post for this week since I'm staying away from bookstores (just until I finish up my piling TBR shelf) and I wasn't expecting any of my pre-orders to arrive this week, but some paperback books eventually did arrive through the mail from the Book Depository. Yehey!

Entice by Carrie Jones

        

Entice
(The Need Series #3)
by Carrie Jones

Summary from Goodreads:

"Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that’s not how things have worked out. For starters, well, Nick is gone. He’s been taken to some mythic place for warriors called Valhalla, where Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. It’s just not going to be easy.

Meanwhile, Bedford needs its warriors more than ever, since a group of evil pixies is devastating the place, with teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent. But even if Zara and her friends can find the way to Valhalla, there’s that other small problem: Zara’s been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to leave with her? Especially considering she hasn’t turned into just any pixie . . . She’s Astley’s queen."

Rating:

What happened?! 

I was so engrossed with the first two books of this series but now I’m disappointed. The second book of the Need series, Captivate, was very exciting and the ending opened to such new adventure but Entice just came out sloppy. 

I admire Jones for all the things she put into this book but I guess there were just too many elements going on that they just don’t seem to be cohesive. First there’s the main agenda, finding Nick; then the treachery and backstabbing among Astley and Zara’s subjects; then there’s Valhalla; then comes the Gods of Valhalla… 

Those all sounded really good. But unfortunately, it’s not enough. (If you haven’t read this book, please stop reading this review at this point.) So Jones adds up other rudiments that just makes the story confusing: there are unfinished conversations between that characters that don’t seem to get solved or continued; there are conversations and actions that sprout up that I don’t even get the essence of it; and then I see a rainbow bridge where (I’m not sure if I got this right) you’re apparently not supposed to step on the red color because it’s fire?! What?! I also see great characters die, one goes rogue and doesn’t want to come home because of all the pain; and to top it all off, when Zara reached Valhalla I find Odin a softy??? When did I warrior god suddenly grow all mushy? I get the kind-hearted god the author wants him to portray, but he didn’t even scream “god” with just a simple aura description or something. 

Another thing that bothered me was Zara. What happened to you, girl? Seriously! You’re so selfish. 

I understand that she wanted to get Nick back so badly and I’m happy she did. But how many people had to die just for her to accomplish this? Were the deaths really necessary when we already know there’s a war coming up where eventually there will be more deaths? 

One of the things I liked about this book was Astley. He was really dedicated to accomplish what he needs to. I pity him because he’s obviously falling for Zara and she’s still in love with Nick. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still team Nick but Astley grew on me and I’m beginning to like his character. 

Anyway, with all things said, I’m a curious being so I will still read the next book. In spite of my discontent with Entice, I still want to know how this series would end. Also, find out who Zara ends up with. Hopefully, the next book would be better than this. 

Captivate by Carrie Jones

        

Captivate
(Need Series #2)
by Carrie Jones

Summary from Goodreads:

"Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new king in town.

A turf war is imminent, since the new pixie king, Astley, is moving in quickly. Nick nearly killed him in the woods on day one, but Zara came to his rescue. Astley swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he's one of the good guys. Nick isn't buying it, though Zara isn't as sure -- despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But it's a lot more than her relationship with Nick that is at stake. It's her life -- and his."

Rating:

Captivate is irrefutably captivating! Really! It was amazing. The first book of this series, Need started out to be just a simple mythological tale. But Captivate truly kicks it up a notch. It gives readers a whole new story to take in. 

Captivate is still fast paced as Need was, but this one showcases more fighting; more action, and more emotion. I love the adrenaline that this book has infused into my blood. It has really created an unfathomable impact on me; I am loving this series and I cannot wait for Entice!

Also, curse you Carrie Jones for such a massive cliff-hanger, and I so love you dearly for creating this series! Thank you!!!

Need by Carrie Jones

        

Need (Need Series #1)
by Carrie Jones

Summary from Goodreads:

"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."

Rating:

I’m a fan of fantasy books, so I absolutely love Need. It has drawn me for an unexplainable reason and I couldn’t put it down. 

Usually, when we read werewolves, we automatically think vampires. But Carrie Jones, slashing out the vampires and putting pixies (not the cute Tinkerbell-like ones) instead, immediately spice up the story. It creates a clash between two different mythical worlds that was always expected to stick to their own world and own nemeses. 

Although, I’ll have to admit, the story was a bit predictable. But there’s spunk in it that keeps me excited and very eager to find out how it turns out. The characters are your basic everyday fictional characters but, like I said, there’s something about them that keeps me intrigued despite the obviousness. Their conversations seem to get lost once in while, but I love the banter. 

The plot is pretty much fast-paced but not hard to keep up with. It’s a simple tale but I found it very enjoyable.