Title: Entice
Author: Carrie Jones
First published December 1, 2010
266 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781408810446 (ISBN10: 1408810441)
Rating: 4.02
Overview
In Jennifer Allison’s novel, The Ladies of the Lake, intrepid investigator Gilda Joyce is back at it again, this time with a haunting mystery to solve. When strange events begin to occur at the exclusive all-girls boarding school Lakeview Academy, Gilda is called in to investigate.
Is the school really haunted by the ghost of a former student, or is there something more sinister at play? As Gilda delves deeper into the mystery, she finds herself in more danger than she ever anticipated, using all of her wit, courage, and psychic abilities to solve the case before it’s too late.
Editoral Review
In “Entice,” the third novel in the Need series by Carrie Jones, readers are once again transported to the world of pixies, werewolves, and acid-tongued trolls. Jones, who has established herself as a master of the young adult paranormal romance genre, picks up where the second book left off, taking the story in unexpected directions while still delivering the addictive blend of action, romance, and suspense that fans of the series have come to expect.
The novel opens with protagonist Zara White still reeling from the events of the last book. After being abducted by the malevolent pixie king Astley and nearly losing her life, she is struggling to come to terms with her feelings for him, as well as her loyalty to her werewolf boyfriend, Nick.
Meanwhile, a mysterious new threat is looming on the horizon, putting Zara and her friends in danger once again. As with the previous books in the series, “Entice” is populated by a cast of vividly-drawn characters, each with their own quirks and insecurities.
Zara is a likable heroine, brave but with a streak of vulnerability that makes her easy to root for. Nick is a compelling love interest, the perfect mix of protective and passionate.
And Astley, the bad-boy pixie who is vying for Zara’s affections, remains a charmingly complex figure, his motivations always unclear. One of the strengths of “Entice” is Jones’ ability to weave in themes of identity and self-discovery without sacrificing the fast-paced plot.
Zara’s struggle to reconcile her feelings for Astley with her loyalty to Nick is just one example of the nuanced exploration of love and desire that underpins the entire series. There’s also a sense of urgency to the story, as Zara and her friends race against the clock to uncover the sinister plot lurking beneath the surface of their small Maine town.
However, as with any book in a long-running series, there are some signs of fatigue. The story occasionally feels overly convoluted, with too many subplots and secondary characters competing for attention.
And while the writing is as polished as ever, there are moments when the dialogue feels stilted or overly expository. Overall, “Entice” is a worthy addition to the Need series, delivering the same blend of heart-pumping action and swoon-worthy romance that fans have grown to love.
While it may not be as strong as the first two books, it still manages to captivate with its vivid characters and intricate plot. For fans of YA paranormal romance, this is a must-read.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
