Review - After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel

Title: After Obsession

Author: Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel

Series: Stand Alone?

Pages: 320

Published: September 13, 2011 by Bloomsbury

ISBN: 9781599906812

Source: Around The World Tours

Description: Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They're wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.

I Give This ...

 

I hate to say it, but I think I need to step away from Carrie Jone's books for awhile.  I just haven't enjoyed anything I've read as much as I want to.  It leaves me feeling really disappointed.   I actually really liked several elements in this book, but the overall plot just wasn't for me.

I think I had the hardest time connecting with the characters.  They were forgettable.  Their instant love connections didn't really work for me either.  I did like that they seemed to have the dreams in common.  It was an interesting and different way to connect them.  I also liked the way they interacted with each other and their families.   Seems to be the first paranormal type book were the couple aren't hiding from their families.  In fact, the both of relatively normal home lives even though they are both minus a parent.

One thing I really did enjoy was how the Native American culture and traditions were woven into the story.  It reminded me of another book I've read that is very similar.  I enjoyed how the "monster" in the river feeds off of emotions.  It can effect those around him and it's interesting to see how others react to it.  I also enjoyed the rituals described that Alan goes through.  

I hate that I didn't like this more.  I'm not sure if it's how the story was put together or the characters that through me off.  It was just average for me.  

Entice (Need #3) by Carrie Jones

Title: Entice

Author: Carrie Jones

Series: 3rd in Need Series

Pages: 264

Published: Available now from Bloomsbury

ISBN: 9781408810446

Source: Library

Description: Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever.
But that's not quite how things have worked out. For starters, well, Nick is dead. Supposedly, he's been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla, so Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. But it's taking time, and meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But how to get to Valhalla? And even if Zara and her friends discover the way, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn't just turned...she's Astley's queen.

I Give This ...

 

This series have really been a quick light read.  But, there isn't much substance.  If the library didn't have them, I'm not sure I would even bother.

I do have to say, that I think this might be the best in the series.  I think Zara is finally starting to understand and accept her fate.  She's part pixie and nothing can change that.  Since she's made the sacrifice of becoming Astley's queen and pixie kissed, she's had to know that things aren't going to be exactly the same.  I like how Astley treats her.  He's trying to show her the ropes and what being a queen means, without really overwhelming her.  Plus, it's got to be hard for him to know that she only did this to get Nick back.

 Which actually brings us to the part of the story I really enjoyed.  I'm not always for love triangles, but I think it works well in this one.  Zara has made the choice she swore she wouldn't just to save Nick.  But, because of that it ties her to Astley.  She's really trying to deny her feelings for him, but I can tell they are there.  

I got a little tired of them trying to get to Valhalla.  It seemed way to tedious and too many people out to get them.  And, I'm not sure I fully understood why those pixies kept trying to stop them.  Everyone keeps saying what a weak king Astley is, but yet they all seem afraid of what he can do.   I was also very disappointed to learn this wasn't the last one.  I'm not sure if the next will be, but I'm sure I will read it just because. 

 

Captivate (Need, #2) by Carrie Jones

Title: Captivate

Author: Carrie Jones

Series: Need #2

Published: January 2010 by Bloomsbury

Pages: 273

ISBN: 9781599903422

Source: Library

Description: 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. 

 I Give This ...

 

It's disappointing that covers as great as the ones in this series contain stories that are just mediocre.  While I feel this story is definitely better than the first, I just don't think it's enough to give it 4 butterflies.  I feel like the story is just dancing on the surface of what it could really be.  Zara just doesn't seem to take anything seriously enough until the end when the unthinkable happens.  The dialogue is a little bit better.  But, it's replaced with some over the top mushy scenes between Zara and Nick.  What keeps me reading is the interaction and plot with the pixies.  I think it should be more of the focus of the story.  I liked Astley.  He is the only character that seems to have any dimension to him.  His interactions with Zara were intense.  I hope the next books gets more into the root of the issues.  

Teaser Tuesday - Captivate by Carrie Jones

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:
     "Yeah, but they've gone a little crazy about this. They've converted the entire basement into a lab.  They're online 24-7 researching and they didn't even know pixies existed until this fall."

~Captivate by Carrie Jones

Need (Need, #1) by Carrie Jones

Title: Need

Series: book #1

Author: Carrie Jones

Published: December 2008 by Bloombury

Pages: 306

ISBN: 9781599903385

Source: Library

Description: 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. 

I Give This ...

I'm not sure on this one.  I liked the idea behind the book, and I liked the twist on Pixies.  Who knew they weren't the sweet, nice little fluttery things I think of.  The creepy feeling was definitely there.  I loved how every chapter opened with a phobia.  I liked Issie and Devyn.  They were great secondary characters that added just the right touch to the story.  I wasn't sure what was up with Nick and Ian at first, although I felt it was their animosity was revealed in the end.  Zoey was ok.  She didn't really grab me as the lead character but I wasn't annoyed by her either.

My issues with the story was mainly how it starts off slow.  I didn't feel like it got to the point fast enough and then when it did, it felt really rushed.  I also really disliked the dialogue.  For some reason, it didn't feel natural.