Bibliography:  Jones, C. 2008.  Need. New York:  Bloomsbury USA. ISBN: 9781599903385

Discussion:  Susan and Allison met online almost a year ago.  When Allison saw  Susan’s name on an e-mail on the YALSA e-mail listserv, Allison sent a message asking if she was that Susan Smith.  And indeed, she was, the Susan Smith who used to have the job Allison had just started.  They became friends in all things online, facebook, twitter, email and blogs, and have enjoyed getting to know one another since. Now they just need to figure out how to get together in person to meet face to face!

Susan: Usually I read anything and everything, especially in teen books.  But sometimes I am reminded of how some teens think.  When I first saw Need in the publisher’s catalog, I was drawn to it because of its gorgeous cover.  Those gold sparkly lips and long neck are striking!

And then I read more of the publisher’s blurb and saw it was a sort of dark fantasy romance with pixies.  It sounded so intriguing, so I requested a copy for review.  When I started reading it, I was immediately hit with a sense of deja vu.  At first, Need sounded a lot like a certain best selling book about forbidden romance with a sparkling vampire…

Allison: Now why did you have to mention that part!  As soon as you mentioned that it was reminded you of you-know-what, my mind went straight there.  I could not get it out of my head.  Here you have Zara who is the new girl in a small, remote town.  She is a little bit clumsy and immediately attracts the attention of several of new classmates.  Also, Zara immediately sets her sights on a brooding boy.  But I was determined to give it a chance, so I kept reading.  That and I am a sucker for gorgeous covers.

Luckily, the similarities pretty much ended there.  Jones created a unique voice in Zara using her fears.  She keeps any anxiety and emotions in check by reciting phobias in alphabetical order.  Each chapter starts with a new phobia.  I found myself wanting to write these little trivia facts down.  Who knew there was a fear of being loved?  Or fear of being the third wheel?  Despite all her phobias, however, Zara is a strong character.  She is determined and stubborn with just a hint of mystery following her around.

Susan: Well, I do think it will appeal to fans of that series but you are right, there is more to it than that.  I really did love the phobias and the brooding boy and the understanding granny made me smile.

I also thought this was a very good depiction of the grieving process.  The phobias did more than distract Zara, they made her think that someone out there is worse off than she is.

Everyone knows that Maine is completely different from the Pacific Northwest.  I don’t know if it is because of Stephen King or if there is just something about the darkness, the cold, the ice, the forests…a real sense of foreboding, of creepiness and stopping to look over your shoulder.

I also loved the school scenes, where Zara meets her classmates and races for a spot on the track team.  She is faced with the age old teenage dilemma–do you want to be popular or true to yourself?  I am glad (for several reasons) that she chooses to be friends of those on the fringe instead of faking the superficial friendship of the popular queen bee.

Especially lucky for her, is that this group of friends knows something about the mysterious man who keeps appearing everywhere.  And I LOVE that they go to the library and find a book to do more research.  I think this book will appeal to fans of Twilight and non fans as well, as there is plenty of romance to go around, but Zara is definitely her own person and not about to let anyone, even the cute guy she’s falling for, tell her what to do.