meagan_kay's review against another edition
4.0
While this book was far-fetched at times, I thought that it was a good story! I may be saying this because I'm used to reading stories much more difficult to believe than this, but to me this book was very interesting. Once I picked it up, I didn't stop reading until it was finished and I ended up completing the book in about 3 hours. The only problem I had with this book (other than the 5+ POV's) was how easily some of these kids decided to do outrageous things like kidnap and kill each other. In my opinion, it seemed entirely too easy for these teenagers to go out and seriously hurt others (i.e. The character Ethan who became a self-named mercenary after NEED told him to kill a couple of dogs).
If you're looking for an incredibly realistic book, this may not be the book for you. However, if you're just looking for an interesting plot in an easy to read book, I'd definitely recommend this book.
If you're looking for an incredibly realistic book, this may not be the book for you. However, if you're just looking for an interesting plot in an easy to read book, I'd definitely recommend this book.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
4.0
*I received a free ARC of Need from HMH Books for Young Readers via Netgalley in exchange of an honest and unbiased review*
Need is a chilling tale about how far the anonymity of the internet could go if we let it. Putting others behind wants for new and shiny things is not new, but the way this was facilitated in Need made the story quite horrifying.
Need takes social media stalking and bullying to a whole new level, and it's very hard to see who can be trusted, and who the main character should stay very far away from! With a layered plot, a solid story and characters that are realistic and flawed, Need appealed to me in many ways! Everybody who has a social media account knows how important it is to be polite and show respect online... especially because there are always trolls who want to make even that a difficult experience for some users. In Need, this is taken to another level, when only those who are students at Nottawa High can become members on a new social platform. And the first question they get is 'What do you NEED?'
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Need is a chilling tale about how far the anonymity of the internet could go if we let it. Putting others behind wants for new and shiny things is not new, but the way this was facilitated in Need made the story quite horrifying.
Need takes social media stalking and bullying to a whole new level, and it's very hard to see who can be trusted, and who the main character should stay very far away from! With a layered plot, a solid story and characters that are realistic and flawed, Need appealed to me in many ways! Everybody who has a social media account knows how important it is to be polite and show respect online... especially because there are always trolls who want to make even that a difficult experience for some users. In Need, this is taken to another level, when only those who are students at Nottawa High can become members on a new social platform. And the first question they get is 'What do you NEED?'
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
scrollsofdragons's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 I enjoyed the hell out of this despite the cliche big bad.
Spoiler
The government really? If it had just been the psychologist behind it with a lil help the reveal could have been amazing but it being a government experiment is really nothing inventive.lscheibal's review against another edition
5.0
Think the Black Mirror episode “Shut Up and Dance” meets high school social media, fueled by what teenagers will do for the things they NEED.
juliannef's review against another edition
5.0
This wasn't as bad as I was led to believe. I actually enjoyed the story and thought it was an interesting idea, it does remind me of something else though but I can't put my finger on what exactly that is.
stacylmoll's review
5.0
Everyone ought to read this book, people constantly mix up wants and needs. When did it become a need for teens to have the lastest iPhone, their own car, nails professionally done, to name a few? This story takes it to the extreme, but then how many might just justify doing something as simple as leaving a box of cookies on someone's doorstep in order to get what they "need", even if down deep they know something is up and it can't be that easy? I think more then we might like to think. The only thing that I didn't care for is the fact that the government is tied into this plot, it is about time you YA community find another enemy, the whole government is bad and always up to no good gets old.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Featuring a unique but socially relevant storyline, NEED by Joelle Charbonneau is a fast-paced and riveting young adult mystery/thriller. Enticed by a new social networking site that promises to give them what they want and/or need, the students attending Nottawa High School are soon drawn into a sinister web of seemingly innocuous tasks that take a menacing turn.
Kaylee Dunham typically eschews social media but after her friend Nate Weakley sends her an invitation to NEED she signs up in hopes of obtaining a kidney for her younger brother. Membership for the website is by invitation only and after the invitee signs up, they send in their request. But before the request can be granted, they are given instructions that must be followed to have their wish fulfilled. Although the assignments are innocent in the beginning, the students are then required to perform more ominous tasks. Kaylee is the only person willing to break the rules and reveal the truth about the site, but her history makes her an unreliable source of information that no one, including her mother, is willing to believe.
Kaylee is obsessed with finding a donor match for her younger brother, DJ and her desperation to help him lead her to some pretty harebrained schemes. Her relationship with her mother is quite strained and Kaylee is angry with her for not doing more to find her father, who abandoned the family soon after DJ's diagnosis. Her actions have left her socially isolated but fortunately, Nate has remained her steadfast (and only) friend.
While Kaylee's request on the NEED site is selfless, the same is not true for her classmates. The requests are mostly benign and fall into the "want" category instead of being an actual "need". No matter how outlandish the request, each one is filled as soon as the tasks are completed. Not knowing what some of these requests entail, many teenagers are horrified by the results of their actions, but fear and embarrassment make it impossible for them to tell anyone what they have done. As the situation spirals out of control, Kaylee makes a shocking discovery about who might be behind the NEED website, but will she be able convince anyone that she is telling the truth before it is too late?
NEED by Joelle Charbonneau is an intensely compelling and suspense laden young adult novel. The storyline is thought-provoking and the mystery surrounding the NEED website is quite intriguing. Unexpected plot twists, startling revelations and a pulse pounding race to uncover the person behind the NEED website culminate in a dramatic and action packed conclusion. A very clever young adult novel that I highly recommend to readers of all ages.
Featuring a unique but socially relevant storyline, NEED by Joelle Charbonneau is a fast-paced and riveting young adult mystery/thriller. Enticed by a new social networking site that promises to give them what they want and/or need, the students attending Nottawa High School are soon drawn into a sinister web of seemingly innocuous tasks that take a menacing turn.
Kaylee Dunham typically eschews social media but after her friend Nate Weakley sends her an invitation to NEED she signs up in hopes of obtaining a kidney for her younger brother. Membership for the website is by invitation only and after the invitee signs up, they send in their request. But before the request can be granted, they are given instructions that must be followed to have their wish fulfilled. Although the assignments are innocent in the beginning, the students are then required to perform more ominous tasks. Kaylee is the only person willing to break the rules and reveal the truth about the site, but her history makes her an unreliable source of information that no one, including her mother, is willing to believe.
Kaylee is obsessed with finding a donor match for her younger brother, DJ and her desperation to help him lead her to some pretty harebrained schemes. Her relationship with her mother is quite strained and Kaylee is angry with her for not doing more to find her father, who abandoned the family soon after DJ's diagnosis. Her actions have left her socially isolated but fortunately, Nate has remained her steadfast (and only) friend.
While Kaylee's request on the NEED site is selfless, the same is not true for her classmates. The requests are mostly benign and fall into the "want" category instead of being an actual "need". No matter how outlandish the request, each one is filled as soon as the tasks are completed. Not knowing what some of these requests entail, many teenagers are horrified by the results of their actions, but fear and embarrassment make it impossible for them to tell anyone what they have done. As the situation spirals out of control, Kaylee makes a shocking discovery about who might be behind the NEED website, but will she be able convince anyone that she is telling the truth before it is too late?
NEED by Joelle Charbonneau is an intensely compelling and suspense laden young adult novel. The storyline is thought-provoking and the mystery surrounding the NEED website is quite intriguing. Unexpected plot twists, startling revelations and a pulse pounding race to uncover the person behind the NEED website culminate in a dramatic and action packed conclusion. A very clever young adult novel that I highly recommend to readers of all ages.
funeralwife's review
5.0
Amazing! While I am used to reading science fiction from Charbonneau, she does not disappoint with this cautionary tale about the Internet and how much our society trusts and shares online. This should be required reading for all junior high students!
sam_i_am012's review
2.5
Felt like it was for a slightly younger audience and I almost stopped reading. A lot of characters’ pov and it got a little confusing at times. Plus, the way that the main character went about doing things was a little annoying . The ending was interesting enough though.
kaylakaotik's review
2.0
Well, this was an interesting book. I'm not entirely clear whether it's good interesting or bad interesting, though. The best way I can say it is this... I liked the idea behind Need. I just didn't like the way it was executed.
So, let's talk about some of the the things that didn't work for me...
There's lots of characters in this book. Okay, I don't mind multiple points of view. Except for when I do. Like in Need. The characters read the same and don't feel very unique. What's the point of having multiple characters if they all seem the same?
Speaking of characters, does no one have a conscience in this book? Besides a little hesitating here and there for a few characters, no one seems to question these outlandish requirements to get what they want. It's almost like you could hear a character have this internal dialogue, "Oh, I'm supposed to do _______? That sounds really bad and I probably shouldn't do that. I really want _________, though, so I guess I have to! Darn." Really? It's laughable.
The ending also didn't work for me.
* This book was received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *
So, let's talk about some of the the things that didn't work for me...
There's lots of characters in this book. Okay, I don't mind multiple points of view. Except for when I do. Like in Need. The characters read the same and don't feel very unique. What's the point of having multiple characters if they all seem the same?
Speaking of characters, does no one have a conscience in this book? Besides a little hesitating here and there for a few characters, no one seems to question these outlandish requirements to get what they want. It's almost like you could hear a character have this internal dialogue, "Oh, I'm supposed to do _______? That sounds really bad and I probably shouldn't do that. I really want _________, though, so I guess I have to! Darn." Really? It's laughable.
The ending also didn't work for me.
Spoiler
Haven't we had enough books where the government is responsible for running some ridiculous social experiment on its citizens with absolutely no repercussions?* This book was received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *