My Overall Rating:
4.75/5
Age Recommendation:
I'd say that the age rec. for this book is about 14/15. It's violent. It's harsh. It's cruel. A couple heated moments, but nothing too bad.

Cover Art:
I just love all of the covers for this series. I don't usually like half faces on covers. And I don't think I've mentioned that in my other reviews. But, for these, I like it. It's mysterious and enchanting. The gold is beautiful and delicate.

Re-read and Recommend?:
Most definitely re-readable. This whole series is. And Like I said about Captivate, you have to read Entice. And this books is reason enough to pick up Need. Anyone who enjoys paranormal romance and thriller/suspense novels, this book/series is for you. She did it again. I. Am. Enticed. I'm so sorry, but with these titles, it's just soooooo tempting to do. But, it is the right description.

Summary:
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 turned into just any pixie. . . She's Astley's queen.

My Thoughts:
Again, Carrie Jones has left us with the same ending that she did with Captivate. Only this time, we have to wait until 2012 to continue the story. But I must say, the way in which she leaves these books off really leaves you; 1: wanting to read the next installment immediately, and 2: with a very clear memory of what has happened. She opens the next book in the exact same scene. And I cannot be more grateful for that. There is no time lapse. It is indeed a direct continuation of the story. Yet it does have a plot of it's own. I really like that style fo cliffhanger and continuation.

Now, about the rest of the book. Carrie Jones keeps going above and beyond the previous ones. And I am so grateful for that. So many times, it's the first book that can't be beat, but these sequels are just getting better and better. And it makes me sooo happy. I am getting so wrapped up in this story, all of the mythology, all of the creatures, and all of the relationships. This series is like a drug. It enthralls you and you just lose yourself to it. You enter the book. My favorite thing to do. Become a part of the book, and experience everything the characters experience.

So, everyone is on a mission to try to find Nick, the pixies are still coming, and these guys are still relying on the internet alone! Granted, there is a bit more skepticism, and eventually the use of books enters the playing field, but I do think that the use of the internet is rather excessive since it is being used by the group as the only means of research. But given the time we are in, it does make sense. We met Astley in the last book, and I must say, that in this book, I was really beginning to become quite fond of him. But I think I'm still on team Nick. Let's face it, there's just something about him that makes him so darn lovable. Even when he does piss you off. But then there is Astley. He is just that wonderful gentleman, who will do anything to make you happy. No matter WHAT it is. They make it pretty difficult to like one more than the other.

Aside from Astley's entrance to the story, we have had Cassidy enter in the last book as well. Cassidy is such a perfect addition to the group. Her resourcefulness is much needed in Entice. Not to mention her witty comments and support to help keep everyone together. Especially when Issie is in mid conniption mode. For this book though, we have met quite a few new characters. Some I will not mention in order to keep this review spoiler free, but two in particular, Astley's mother and butler. Astley's mother is so psychotic. I love her. But at the same time I hate her because of how cruel of a person she is. We've also encountered a couple more species as well: ghouls and elves.

And of course, amongst these characters and the old ones, more complications arise. Some are having a hard time accepting Zara as a pixie queen, even though she is still Zara, and everyone is having a hard time trusting Astley since, well, he was the one who turned her. Trust is a huge issue in this book. More secrets are discovered to have been kept between friends, and friends are having difficulties trusting friends. Same with family members. Because of all of the sorrow that has been brought on, all of the disappearances of local children. Yet above all of this, love is prevailing. Something that The Romantic Scholar is quite fond of ;). I do have to say though, that there is so much sorrow in this book. It was a bit emotional for me at times. And it's difficult for a book to make me emotional...

So, some of the things I really really really loved about this book. The references. Issie is constantly making references to Buffy. She made a reference to Star Trek and Heroes. And then my favorite reference of all in this book...Zara said that Iceland looked like IKEA. I don't know why, but that just made my day. Another thing that I have enjoyed, and this had been for all the books. The headings for the chapters. In the first book, it was phobias. The second, it was pixie tips. And in this third installment, it's a mix of things. All relating to the happenings in the book. Tweets, news clippings, blog entries, facebook status updates, chat room snippets. It keeps things current. More real for the reader. Especially because of the platforms being used. All in all, I loved this book so much and I CANNOT wait until 2012.

Happy reading bloggers!

Ali


Entice by Carrie Jones
Pages: 272
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Released: December 14, 2010

Summary from Amazon Product Description

Book purchased from store