Book Review: Entice by Carrie Jones

Goodreads 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 just turned. She's Astley's queen.
 
Thank you very much to Bloomsbury UK for providing me a copy of Entice for review. If it hadn't been for that I would probably never have read this series!
 
I really enjoyed the first two books of this series but Entice took it up a whole step- I *loved it!*
Right from the beginning, it's action packed but Carrie Jones manages to include a lot of character development too.

Zara would do anything to save her boyfriend Nick, who has been sent to Valhalla, a a mythical place for warriors whatever the consequences.  The only problem is, she has no idea how to get there and even has doubts about whether Nick is even still alive. At the end of Captivate, she turns into a pixie when she finds out that it is the only way she can save him. Yet, she knew that taking the plunge into becoming one of the race she hates could mean that her family and friends turn against her. She even wonders if Nick will still love her and accept her as a pixie when she is one of the very race he despises. In Entice, I began to see the effects of what she has done and Zara is scared of what she is and might become.  She also has to deal with conflicting emotions over love and difficulties as those closest to her find it difficult to accept her as a pixie. Throughout, she remains grounded as she is determined to use her pixie powers for good to protect her town and those closest to her. I admire Zara for what she has to cope with and how she still remains strong.
Astley, the pixie who turned Zara made a different impression on me this time than in the last book, where he was very mysterious.  He is the pixie King of a group of pixies fighting for good in Maine and Zara is now his Queen. However, he has trouble convincing Zara that he can be trusted and will not betray her people despite the negative experiences she has had of pixies so far. Throughout most of the book, I felt the same as Zara; feeling trust in my heart but knowing in my head that there could be something suspicious about. Although, he could have forced Zara into things or done something to prove he is right but he lets Zara make decisions and form opinions in her own time without control or interference and this made me respect him as a character. What swings the balance for Astley is that he goes out of his way to protect Zara and is always kind, understanding, gentlemanly and brave. He also understands her desire to bring Nick back from Valhalla and tries his best to help her with this whilst sacrificing any chance he might have of her loving him. I was glad to see Zara growing closer to him but I still haven't decided who I want her to end up with in the end.

Towards the end, I did begin to wonder if getting Nick back would be worth the many sacrifices along the way but this didn't ruin the book for me at all.

For me, the best part of Entice was the ending because it was so full of suspense and has left the story very open for what happens next. I couldn't put it down and I can't wait for the fourth book in the series now!
I think that all those who loved Need but were disappointed by Captivate should give the series another chance as Entice surpasses it.

A Quick Question: Are you Team Nick or Team Astley?

In My Mailbox! 18/12/10

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren that encourages bloggers to share the new books they have got this week whether it be though the library, their mailbox or anywhere else....                        

Snow mailbox! <3

I thought the photo of a snow covered mailbox is very appropriate for me today as that's what my garden looks like at the moment (although it's not my garden!). A winter wonderland!               

From my school library:

Matched by Allie Condie
This one is a new arrival at the library and I'm so glad that I got there first to reserve it so I can read it over Christmas. There has been a lot of hype about it so it's great to be able to read it finally. I've started the first few chapters and I'm loving it so far!

The Pale Assassin (Pimpernelles Series) by Particia Elliot

This will be one of the books for The Bookette's British Book Challenge I'm taking part in. It's set in the French Revolution, which is a period I've wanted to read more about after Jenniffer Donnelly's Revolution.

For review (thank you to Bloomsbury):

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

I don't really know much about this one but it is supposed to be a paranormal retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. I like the shiny red cover!

This week I finished reading Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen and Entice by Carrie Jones, both of which I really enjoyed and started to read Matched by Alli Condie today.

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

All I Want For Christmas Is... (Part 1)

All I Want For Christmas Is... a feature held by the lovely Danya at A Tapestry Of Words where bloggers spotlight the books that they are hoping to get for Christmas. I have enjoyed looking at every one's picks and thought I'd join in myself this week.  I'm starting to feel very Christmassy now as it's snowing outside right now- YAY!

My picks (more than one because it's so close to Christmas now). All summaries are taken from Goodreadrs.

Cate Of The Lost Colony by Lisa M Klein:

Lady Catherine is one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite court maidens—until her forbidden romance with Sir Walter Ralegh is discovered. In a bitter twist of irony, the jealous queen banishes Cate to Ralegh's colony of Roanoke, in the New World. Ralegh pledges to come for Cate, but as the months stretch out, Cate begins to doubt his promise and his love. Instead it is Manteo, a Croatoan Indian, whom the colonists—and Cate—increasingly turn to. Yet just as Cate's longings for England and Ralegh fade and she discovers a new love in Manteo, Ralegh will finally set sail for the New World.

Seamlessly weaving together fact with fiction, Lisa Klein's newest historical drama is an engrossing tale of adventure and forbidden love—kindled by one of the most famous mysteries in American history: the fate of the settlers at Roanoke, who disappeared without a trace forty years before the Pilgrims would set foot in Plymouth.

Why: I have had my eye on this one ever since I chose it as a Waiting on Wednesday pick and it's YA historical. I love stories set in Queen Elizabeth I's Court and the Roanoke mystery sounds so interesting.

The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K Madigan

Lena has lived her whole life near the beach — walking for miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air, swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves — the problem is, she’s spent her whole life just watching. As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf. But her father — a former surfer himself — refuses to allow her to take lessons. After his near drowning years ago, he can’t bear to let Lena take up the risky sport. Yet something keeps drawing Lena to the water . . . an ancient, powerful magic. And one morning Lena catches sight of this magic: a beautiful woman — with a silvery tail.

Now nothing can stop Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove. And soon . . . what she sees in the mermaid’s mirror will change her life forever.

Why: I love mermaid stories and this cover is beautiful!

Prisoners In The Palace by Michaela MacColl

London, 1838. Sixteen-year-old Liza's dreams of her society debut are dashed when her parents are killed in an accident. Penniless, she accepts the position of lady's maid to young Princess Victoria and steps unwittingly into the gossipy intrigue of the servant's world below-stairs as well as the trickery above. Is it possible that her changing circumstances may offer Liza the chance to determine her own fate, find true love, and secure the throne for her future queen?



Meticulously based on newly discovered information, this riveting novel is as rich in historical detail as Catherine, Called Birdy, and as sizzling with intrigue as The Luxe.

Why: I have loved Queen Victoria  and the Victorian era ever since I visited her holiday home Osbourne House when I was two. That and the world below stairs at the time has to be a brilliant combination!

If you'd like to join in and post about what you want for Christmas head over to A Tapestry Of Words and link up!

Book Review: Captivate 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.

 

My review and thoughts  
 
I read Captivate straight after Need so it was very easy to get engrossed in the story and its characters again. It begins shortly after the first book Need and we find Zara and her friends facing more problems with the pixies as the needs of their King grows everyday as they remain shut away. Zara is plagued by guilt at this the decision she was forced to make to protect everything that means a lot to her as she fights for the freedom of individuals contained through Amnesty International. However, her boyfriend Nick finds it hard to understand when he feels such a hatred for the pixie race.
 

A lot of the story is focused on the relationship between Zara and Nick and how it grows as they spend more time with each other. I like both the characters and think that they fit each other well but I think that their romance was a little too soppy at points and after a while I became annoyed by Nick constantly calling her 'baby.' Although, like most couples enjoying first love obstacles soon form in their way and I found myself rooting for them.

 

Zara remains much the same quirky character and maintains the same distinctive narrative voice of Need and I really connected with her emotions and struggles throughout the book as she makes difficult decisions that will affect her life and the ones of her closest friends and family.

 However, the characters that I found most interesting in this sequel were Issy and Devyn because I felt there was a lot more character development for them. Issy matures a lot and experiences for the first time the teenage feelings of what seems to be unrequited love whilst Devyn seems to change from a geeky teenager to a young man.
One of the two new characters, a mysterious pixie called Astley who is convinced that Zara is destined to become his Queen puzzled me.  He stirred the plot up and provoked new feelings in Zara but I didn't feel that I knew enough about him to judge him as a character.  I got the impression that he was meant to be a rather sexy character that would make readers re-think how they want the story to go. There are so many big questions left for me to ponder- can he be trusted? Whose side is he really on?  It is almost as if Carrie Jones created this effect deliberately to make readers wanting to know more. If so, it certainly did the trick!

 

With the successively gripping events that move the story along, Captivate is a very good 'middle' book that sets the scene well for the third book in the series Entice where I think the tension that has been building in the past two books will come to a head.

 

Verdict: Captivate picks up very well from Need and delivers with changes that put the future of the plot in doubt. It lacks some of the more creepy scenes in Need but for me this was made up with the emotional turmoil that the characters face. Unlike other fans in the series, I can now read the third book in the series, Entice almost straight away!

British Books Challenge bought to you by the Bookette

As a British blogger, I was delighted to find and sign up for The British Books Challenge 2011 that is being hosted by Becky at The Bookette (the first challenge she has hosted).  I think it's a wonderful idea and will hopefully give lots of support to British authors.

The Challenge

Any books written by British authors whether they are old or new and in print or out count for the challenge, any genre and aimed at any age group count for the challenge.

I am taking part in the Home Grown category for the challenge, which is for British Bloggers. The aim is to read 12 novels for the challenge, which I hope I will be able to reach.

There is also a category called International Friend for bloggers living overseas who want to support British authors.

To find out more information about Becky's challenge, go to the sign up post HERE!

My list

At the moment this is very sketchy and will change a lot but here are a few  British books I hope to read for the challenge:

Witch Child by Celia Rees
Mary Hooper’s new book (title to be confirmed)
Books from Chalet School series by Elinor M.Brent
Alice in Love and War by Ann Turnball
The Queen’s Lady by Eve Edwards
Marie Louise Jensen- Sigrun’s Secret
The Pale Assassin by Patricia Elliot
The Traitor’s Smile by Patricia Elliot
Georgette Heyer novels novels

Becky has also planned some amazing prize pack giveaways  for each month of the year, sponsored generously by different UK publishers, which is very exciting.

I invite you to join with me in this challenge and head over to The Bookette!

Guest Post: For all fans of the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead!

To celebrate the release of the last book in the Vampire Academy series, Last Sacrifice and my UK giveaway of either the first or last book, I am delighted to introduce the lovely Jess from Jess Hearts Books to tell us more about the series and why it is her favourite.  Welcome Jess!                 

The Vampire Academy books are by far my favourite vampire series and are one of my favourite paranormal series of all time. Vampire Academy is highly original- something you may not expect with the amount of vampire fiction out there at the moment- but Richelle Mead creates a brand new enticing world, with a brand new take on vampires to go with it. The Vampire Academy world has three types of vampires. Strigoi- the traditional bad ass vampires, immortal, evil, blood thirsty and ancient these vampires are feared and are the most powerful of their kind. Then you have Moroi- vampire royalty these vamps are not immortal and are I guess you would say “the good vampires” they only feed on willing human donors and are highly beautiful. Moroi vampires also inherit a power with one of the elements. Strigoi can feed off Moroi and can change them into Strigoi and the royal families are fast fading because of it, so they have Dhampires- half vampire, half humans- train to fight Strigoi and protect Moroi royals to keep the vampire race alive. There are so many layers to this world and the different vampires and I love how the Moroi’s magical connection with the elements plays a big part in the story.

The main character of Vampire Academy is our heroine Rose whose a Dhampire training to become guardian and protector to her best friend Lissa a Moroi princess. The first book in this series sees Lissa and Rose returning to St Vladimir's- a school for Moroi and Dhampires- after being on the run. Upon their return Rose gets assigned to Guardian Dimitri to help her catch up with her training as a guardian and Dimitri, oh what can I say about Dimitri? The man is smokin’ hot! He’s a hot blooded Russian, bad ass god and the only reason you wouldn’t fall for him is if you’re not a red blooded woman. Dimitri’s the ultimate bad boy with a kind sensitive soul and is one of my very favourite male characters in YA fiction to swoon over. Between Rose and Dimitri and their attraction to each other you can literally feel the sexual tension sweltering off the pages. They are one hot couple and I can think of no two characters more perfect for each other. As well as Dimitri I have a huge girl crush on Rose. She’s feisty, sassy, smart and strong and can more than hold her own against the big bad Strigoi. She’s certainly no Bella Swan, head strong and confident girls of all ages will look up to and respect her and ultimately want to be her. Lissa gets into all kinds of trouble on their return to school and Rose proves to be the perfect best friend to her with the girls having a very special, unique bond that you will learn more about if you read the books!

This series has everything, it’s original, fast paced and has one of the best plots I’ve ever come across. Having read all of the books in this series including the highly anticipated Last Sacrifice I’ve come to feel like the characters are old friends and I’m very sad to see Rose and Cos story come to an end. Reading Last Sacrifice was definitely a very bitter sweet experience for me! I have thoroughly loved and enjoyed every minute I’ve spent within these books pages and if you pick the books up I’m sure you’ll fall in love with them too. Vampire Academy is one of those series where each book is better than the last and probably more than any series I’ll ever read I would highly recommend these books to all paranormal lovers. I can’t begin to do this series justice. I love it so much and know that if you start and carry on with this series you will too. I’ve read a lot of great vampire fiction and for me Vampire Academy by far excels all of them. These books should come with a warning “read these and prepare to say goodbye to your current favourite series because this is sure to take its place!” But don’t take my word for it try them and see for yourself! ;)

For those who have read this series you may be interested in my recent review for Last Sacrifice which can be found on my blog here. Thanks for having me Stephanie!"

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here Jess! It has been a treat to have you. I hope other people enjoy reading them as much as I have. I'm so glad to hear that each book gets better and better. I was gripped by the first book in the series that transported me into another world and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series soon.
I really recommend if you are interested in the series, that you also read Jess' wonderful spoiler free review of Last Sacrifice that she mentioned. Jess is a brilliant fellow UK blogger who started blogging at the same time as me so whilst you are there, be sure to check out the rest of her blog!

Reminder: I am holding a UK giveaway of either Vampire Academy or Last Scarifice (you choose) by Richelle Mead with 3 winners  that ends on the 31st December. To find out more, visit the post here!

These are the new UK covers that have been designed to celebrate the Last Sacrifice release. I love them!

I'm also interested to know: what do you think the future for vampire fiction is?