paradoxically's review against another edition
1.0
First impressions: Not favorable.
The writing style feels stilted and choppy. The dialogue is clumsy and it doesn't flow naturally. Zara's phobia thing is annoying and sometimes she just throws out the words, which makes me sigh because it breaks up the flow of the book. The characters don't feel like they have any real depth and are caricatures of stereotypical high schoolers--the mean and beautiful popular girl, the sweet not-so-popular(but-who-cares!) new best friend, the handsome and popular (and yet danger exuding!) love interest.
And then there's other things. The way Zara and her friends are so quick to pick up on the pixies and were-whatevers. They don't seem to really go "hey, what we're talking about is completely crazy." No, instead they seem to make half hearted "well, anyone could google this stuff" words, but completely believe in their theories anyway. I'm sorry, but is the student population of that town composed of nutjobs?
Also, there is a limit to being a good and wonderful person. Thinking that you might not attack someone to defend a loved one (like Zara is wondering if she would be able to attack someone who is hurting her grandmother) because it might be morally wrong is just stupid. Yes, I'm sure it's more morally right to let your grandmother be beaten. Zara is so dramatic you can't really take her seriously--you just want to roll your eyes.
As for the plot... Eh. Zara's kind of an idiot with issues. Someone who may or may not be a serial killer and is stalking her is lurking outside her house, and what does she do? She runs to the edge of the woods and starts screaming at it. Yeah. That'll help. She's afraid that someone's in trouble and runs out to help them without first trying to get any sort of help? That's idiotic too. There are pixies outside, but she knows that they can't get in the house, but she leaves the house with Nick anyway? Ugh. Ughhhh.
1 star overall.
The writing style feels stilted and choppy. The dialogue is clumsy and it doesn't flow naturally. Zara's phobia thing is annoying and sometimes she just throws out the words, which makes me sigh because it breaks up the flow of the book. The characters don't feel like they have any real depth and are caricatures of stereotypical high schoolers--the mean and beautiful popular girl, the sweet not-so-popular(but-who-cares!) new best friend, the handsome and popular (and yet danger exuding!) love interest.
And then there's other things. The way Zara and her friends are so quick to pick up on the pixies and were-whatevers. They don't seem to really go "hey, what we're talking about is completely crazy." No, instead they seem to make half hearted "well, anyone could google this stuff" words, but completely believe in their theories anyway. I'm sorry, but is the student population of that town composed of nutjobs?
Also, there is a limit to being a good and wonderful person. Thinking that you might not attack someone to defend a loved one (like Zara is wondering if she would be able to attack someone who is hurting her grandmother) because it might be morally wrong is just stupid. Yes, I'm sure it's more morally right to let your grandmother be beaten. Zara is so dramatic you can't really take her seriously--you just want to roll your eyes.
As for the plot... Eh. Zara's kind of an idiot with issues. Someone who may or may not be a serial killer and is stalking her is lurking outside her house, and what does she do? She runs to the edge of the woods and starts screaming at it. Yeah. That'll help. She's afraid that someone's in trouble and runs out to help them without first trying to get any sort of help? That's idiotic too. There are pixies outside, but she knows that they can't get in the house, but she leaves the house with Nick anyway? Ugh. Ughhhh.
1 star overall.
booknerd777's review against another edition
4.0
I'll give this book a 4.5. I really really liked it. I don't get why everyone hates this book. Stay tuned for reviews on my blog and channel :)
sburleson's review against another edition
2.0
This book was interesting. I'm not saying it was bad, but I'm not actually saying it was good either. However, I don't regret reading this book. I do regret the fact that I didn't attempt to read the rest of the series a few years ago, when I read Need, because now, though I bought the second book in this series(on sale, mind you), I can't bring myself to read it.
glitterbomb47's review against another edition
1.0
This book is awful. I recommend you immediately remove it from your to-read lists. It is clearly a Twilight wannabe, without any of the charm. The main character Zara is a blank, yet everyone loves her. Throughout the book she does colossally stupid things that people have repeatedly told her not to do because "she just can't sit and do nothing." So instead she willfully places herself in danger. Then as she's about to perish, she thinks, 'Gee I hope my equally bland love interest saves me.' Which he always does. Zara moves to Maine where she makes three great friends and one mortal enemy and two love interests on her first day. All conversations are awkward and flat. In short, there is absolutely nothing to redeem this book from its complete insipidness.
michaela95c's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. It was different and had a cool storyline. I looove Nick, and I'm excited to read the next to see how everything plays out!
ellenpenleysmith's review against another edition
4.0
I'll add my review later. But, I loved it.
**
Okay, so besides the Twilight similarities... I really enjoyed it. The concept of the fairies that sprinkle gold dust was different (to me, at least) and although the writing felt extremely forced at times, I could get into it. Although some things were extremely predictable it was still nice when you found out that you were correct.
I would reccommend it for people who did like Twilight and fans of the fae. Creative and enjoyable.
**
Okay, so besides the Twilight similarities... I really enjoyed it. The concept of the fairies that sprinkle gold dust was different (to me, at least) and although the writing felt extremely forced at times, I could get into it. Although some things were extremely predictable it was still nice when you found out that you were correct.
I would reccommend it for people who did like Twilight and fans of the fae. Creative and enjoyable.
kenzierenee51's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books ever! Loved this book. Nick is da bomb diggidy if you ask me(:
dracomalfoi's review against another edition
4.0
WOW. I clearly didn't expect that.
see the creepy forest over there? try to focus on the tall, big trees. can you hear the whistling wind?
good. now run, run as fast as you can, cause it sounds a lot like you just stumped upon a tiny town in Maine, that unfortunately also have amount of crappy, scary creatures, aka Pixies.
This book had everything I love in YA fantazy; good characters, AWESOME main character, funny as well as sad parts. great plot, planned very well!
I'm really into Carry Jones's writing style, she's uniqe, and quite hilarious.
the only part that bugged me, was that everything seems to happen the minute Zara arrived, and not a few weeks later. though what she and Nick had didn't felt like insta-love, I felt as if it was a bit too fast according to the days that has passed.
overall a great, fast read!
check it out
see the creepy forest over there? try to focus on the tall, big trees. can you hear the whistling wind?
good. now run, run as fast as you can, cause it sounds a lot like you just stumped upon a tiny town in Maine, that unfortunately also have amount of crappy, scary creatures, aka Pixies.
This book had everything I love in YA fantazy; good characters, AWESOME main character, funny as well as sad parts. great plot, planned very well!
I'm really into Carry Jones's writing style, she's uniqe, and quite hilarious.
the only part that bugged me, was that everything seems to happen the minute Zara arrived, and not a few weeks later. though what she and Nick had didn't felt like insta-love, I felt as if it was a bit too fast according to the days that has passed.
overall a great, fast read!
check it out