Captivate

By Carrie Jones

In this sequel to Carrie Jones' New York Times bestselling Need, Zara discovers the fight to save her hometown from a brewing war isn't quite over . . .

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.

Don't miss the all of the books in the Need series:
Need
Captivate
Entice
Endure

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: Jun 15, 2010
• ISBN: 9781599905563

Carrie Jones

Carrie Jones is the New York Times bestselling author of the Need series—which includes Need, Captivate, and Entice—as well as Girl, Hero; Love (and Other Uses for Duct Tape); and Tips on Having a Gay (Ex) Boyfriend. She is the coauthor, with Steven E. Wedel, of After Obsession. Carrie lives in Maine with a scrawny cat, an obese cat, two tremendously large white dogs, and occasional pixies.

Book preview

great.

Pixie Tip 1

Pixie kings leave a glitterlike dust behind. This is supposedly part of their souls. I’m not sure if they actually have souls, but I remain optimistic.

There are these bizarre people who actually like physical education class. You expect these people to grunt a lot and enjoy the great art of sweating. You expect them to wear designer PE gear and yell stuff like, Dude, we are going to rock this freaking volleyball court. While I don’t do any of those things, I swear I am still one of those bizarre PE-loving people.

That’s because Nick is in PE. But even with the cute Nick factor, I am not super psyched about being in the freezing-cold gym learning the rules of Ping-Pong today. I’m too busy being worried.

Coach Walsh has gathered us in a half circle around him and already gone through his whole hand-eye coordination speech and talked about the intricate rules of serving. I’m huddled up next to my best friend, Issie, for warmth. My teeth chatter. Coach Walsh is almost done with his whole speechifying bit but Nick is still not here. I want to not worry about him. I just want him to be safe. I squish even closer to little Issie, like she could make me feel better. Nick could be broken and mauled somewhere out in the woods. He could be bleeding and dying. He could be . . .

I grab Issie’s tiny arm and whisper, Where is he?

He’s just running late. She bounces on her toes and tries to be reassuring. She does not pull away. Issie is cool like that. She’s okay with human contact. He’s fine. Every time any of us are late you imagine we’re dead. You are no longer allowed to imagine anyone is dead.

I’m not imagining he’s dead, I whisper, but I’m totally imagining him bleeding to death on the snowy forest floor. Crows circle above him. A pixie arrow juts out of his beautiful chest. It’s the same thing I imagined about Devyn last week when he forgot to check in.

You are such a liar-liar pants-on-fire. Is kisses my cheek in her sweet friend way. But I love you.

I just worry about people, I whisper back. If I’m not the one out there I feel so helpless.

Coach Walsh notices we’re talking. Girls, pay attention. And no kissing.

Everyone starts snickering. I let go of Issie’s goose-bumpcovered arm. My face gets hot, which means I’m in insane blush mode. Nick thinks insane blush mode is cute. I bend down and check on my ankle bracelet that Nick gave me. It’s gold and thinchained. A tiny dolphin dangles off of it. The dolphin reminds me of Charleston because they swim right off the Battery. Next to it dangles a heart, which just reminds me of love—corny but true. I’m so afraid of losing the anklet, but I can’t take it off. I adore it that much.

I’d pay for more kissing, some jerk yells. I should know his name but I still don’t know everyone’s yet. I haven’t been here long enough and I’m not the best with names.

From his wheelchair Devyn power points at the guy, who probably outweighs him by a hundred pounds. Coach just gets this wicked twinkle in his eye, then ignores all of us and starts putting people in groups. Issie and Devyn and I clump together in the middle of the shiny gym floor. I drag the toe of my running shoe across it and straighten my shorts.

Where is he? I ask in a regular voice since Coach Walsh has moved away.

Devyn’s eyes stay calm. He is the most mellow of us, the most analytical, and the least likely to panic, which is part of the reason Issie unofficially loves him. He’s just patrolling, Zara. I’m sure he’ll be here in a sec. He probably just got held up.

I mutter, He shouldn’t go out alone.

You can’t tell him that. Devyn stretches his arms high above his head like he’s stretching out his wings. Even in a wheelchair he takes up a lot of space, moves a lot, seems like he’s going to fly away. He’s compelled to go out alone. It’s his nature.

I know, I murmur. Lately Devyn’s been telling me a lot about what is and what isn’t Nick’s nature. Nick shifts into a wolf. Wolves are . . . well, they hunt but they also protect. They sleep in huddled masses. They take care of their own. They are not like humans.

Devyn stops stretching. It’s just not in the DNA.

Goes against the whole hero-complex thing you guys have, Issie agrees. She bounces up and down, touches her toes. Her bunny T-shirt rides up a little in the back, exposing her bright orange underwear. Isn’t that a helpful hint for the guide? ‘When dealing with pixies do not have a hero complex.’

Devyn and I have started writing this guide. We call it How to Survive a Pixie Attack, which is a total takeoff from the zombie thing, but we figure it’s important to give people some helpful tips in case we ever go public someday. Truthfully, we’ll probably just post it anonymously on the Internet. A couple of months ago we didn’t know pixies even existed. Now it feels like capturing pixies is all we do.

I’ll add it, Devyn says, and his attention shifts. There’s movement at the door. Cold air rushes in. Winter in Maine is not fun.

Nick saunters into the gym and my heart basically stops. He’s ridiculously cute in his PE shorts and dark green T-shirt; and people that good-looking seem vulnerable, almost like they can’t be real.

He’s real, though. He’s all dark skin and dark hair and dark eyes. Okay. His eyebrows, like Devyn’s nose, are a little big and if you stare at him long enough you realize that his lips are a bit lopsided. I have kissed his lips. I have felt his breath in my ear and I know without a doubt that he’s real, even if he is a werewolf. The massive muscles in his legs redefine themselves as he walks toward me. He waves a late pass at the coach and yells, Sorry I’m late. I’ve got a pass.

Not a problem, buddy, Coach yells back. He and Nick are all jock bonding.

Nick pockets the note, which is probably a fake. I can smell his deodorant even though he’s still far away. There are these things called pheromones, odors that guys give off to attract women. I swear his pheromones have my freaking name written on them. They hone in and attack.

You are getting all swoony faced, Issie tells me with her singsong voice. She pokes me in the ribs with her elbow, gently. She turns to Devyn, who is smiling like a crazy man, just hanging back in his wheelchair watching the scene. Dev. Look at Zara. She’s got her lovey-dovey look on.

As Is gazes at Devyn with her own lovey-dovey look, he says, Yeah. Teen love. So obvious. So hormonal.

I am not hormonal. I fake glare at him.

He just laughs. Cassidy, this girl Dev supposedly dated back in fourth grade, waves to him. He smiles and waves back. Issie stiffens and I’m about to tell her Cassidy is no competition when Nick sidles up to us. He wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me against his side. I instinctively lean into his solid chest. I can’t help it. I breathe in his pheromones and get almost dizzy. He’s all woods and clean air and warmth. He kisses the top of my head.

People! No PDA! Coach Walsh heads over to us. He’s got four Ping-Pong paddles and a pack of balls.

Nick’s fingers tighten around mine for a second and then he lets me go.

You four, Coach barks. Table tennis. Far table. You can handle that, Devyn?

Devyn nods and reaches for his canes. Just a month ago Devyn couldn’t really stand. Now he’s walking a little bit. Doctors say it’s a miracle. We know better. Devyn, like Nick, isn’t quite human. He’s a shifter. He can change into an animal form—an eagle—and that makes him heal faster, heal better. What would’ve paralyzed a normal human? He’s beating it. Still, he can’t hide how impatient he is with the whole thing. Sometimes his lips shake because he’s so frustrated.

Is hands me a paddle and whispers, He used to rock at Ping-Pong.

I smile. How does someone rock at Ping-Pong?

Just watch, she says knowingly and gives Nick another paddle.

It’s the bird in him, Nick explains. Crazy hand-eye coordination.

Are you bragging about me? Dev asks. He’s got the paddle in the proper handshake position Coach Walsh drilled into us the other day.

Yeah. Is gets all fluttery and eyelashy. We are.

It’s not really about the hand-eye, it’s about knowing where the ball is going, where you want the ball to go, Devyn explains. It’s like life. It’s all about purpose and direction. You can’t worry about it. You have to plan and predict and react.

I swear Issie almost swoons.

I’ve been doing some research about how pixies play into Norse myths, he says. It’s interesting stuff. Very obscure, though.

You going to inform us? Nick serves.

Dev volleys back. Not quite yet. Zara, I’m thinking about a chapter in the book, though, on the mythology. Is that kosher with you?

Yep. I twirl my paddle in my hand and flick some lint off my vintage U2 T-shirt.

Nick hits the ball again. Dev volleys. The little fluorescent orange ball flies back and forth so fast I can’t really see it; just hear the click-pop of it on the hard table when it makes contact. I step away. So does Issie. The guys don’t even notice.

So why were you late? I ask.

Patrolling. Nick’s wrist flicks the ball back toward Devyn. Devyn counters.

We know that, Macho One, Issie says. She hunkers down low at the table like she’s actually going to get a chance to hit a ball. But you’re late.

We are all staring at him. Nick looks away.

I had a little encounter, Nick finally says. His forehead crinkles.

Devyn misses the ball. It skitters off the table and to the side. Issie runs to retrieve it, but it bounces and lobs under the other tables and keeps rolling across the shiny gym floor.

I push the hair out of my face so I can really examine him. He’s still all there. He is not dead. I ask, Are you okay?

Nick meets my gaze and he lifts his arms wide like I should inspect him. Of course.

Issie brings back the ball and hands it to Dev to serve, although it’s not technically his serve because he lost the volley.

Cassidy sent you a note, she says, her voice losing all its happy.

Thanks. Devyn pockets it, adjusts his canes, and leans forward a little but still serves the ball perfectly in a diagonal across the table. It bounces in front of me, but I don’t even really register it until Nick hits it for me. It bounces back to the other side. Issie crosses her arms in front of her chest and looks at the floor. She’s terrified that Dev might like Cassidy. She is really nice and everything, but totally not made of awesome the way Issie is.

What are you guys talking about? she asks.

What made me late. It was a pixie, Nick says. I took care of it.

Nick hits the ball a little too hard and it flashes over the table and hits the wall on the opposite side of the gym near Cassidy.

I think I’ll let that one go, Is says.

You met up with a pixie and you didn’t call, I say, my voice squeaking with frustration. You didn’t call for help?

Nick says all calm and easy, It was too quick, baby.

Don’t ‘baby’ me, I say jokingly but not really. You know the rules. You call for help if you’re going to be late. That’s the rule for everyone, not just you. We’re all in danger here.

Uh-oh, Is murmurs. "Maybe I will go get that ball. Or else I might go all teacher on you about how men use the term ‘baby’ in a negative way because they can’t deal with the empowering nature of birth and are jealous. Oops! I started already. Be right back."

Is has some major conflict-avoidance issues, Devyn says, like we don’t already know.

I didn’t need help, Nick says, ignoring them both. He turns to face me again. His eyes are kind but his voice doesn’t lose the serious tone. There wasn’t any time.

There is always time, I insist. It takes two seconds to send a text.

Is returns with the ball. Conflict all done?

I nod but it’s not totally true. Nick has to stop taking unnecessary risks and I have to make him see that, but now is not the time. We’re in PE. Seriously. I bump Nick’s hip with my own before we get back in our proper Ping-Pong positions. I win this argument.

Conflict all done, Devyn assures her.

She smiles at him. I serve. She misses the ball. Oops. You serve.

Devyn does. I go to hit it but Nick takes it instead.

Sorry, he murmurs.

I roll my eyes at the irony as he and Devyn take over the game again. I try to follow where the ball is going, but I can’t predict its direction, let alone make it go where I want it to. I can’t stop myself from adding softly, You’re always acting so hero and you’re going to get hurt.

Nick stops and looks at me. You were in class. I had study hall, he says gently.

Still, the protocol is that you spot one, you call for backup, Issie says. Not to fight or anything, but that is the protocol. Wow, I love that word.

Dev came up with that term. Not that it matters. What matters is that we’re rounding up any stray pixies that head into our area. We take them and put them in a large house that we’ve surrounded with iron. The house is in the woods and hidden by a glamour, which is like a magic spell that prevents people from seeing what’s really there. I am not really cool with trapping them like that, but I don’t know how else to do it. They were dangerous. They were killing boys until we stopped them. They had needs, and those needs were out of control because their king was out of control. Pixie society is kind of hierarchical like that. The king and most of his local people are still trapped there, but every once in a while another pixie comes from far away.

We don’t know why.

We just know we have to stop them too.

Pixie Tip 2

Pixies do not look like Tinker Bell. Although they occasionally wear tutus. Seriously—who doesn’t?

Instead of getting real lunch in the cafeteria, Devyn and I grab some bagels and head into the library to do some research. I wave to the librarian, whose name I can never remember, which is just so wrong of me because she is super nice, and then we set up our laptops on one of the polished wood tables. The wood is so light it’s almost yellow. Devyn clunks his head on it when he plugs his computer’s power cord into the outlet.

Ouch. He drops the cord.

I grab it. Here, let me.

Little sparks of electricity flutter out and Devyn says, Thanks.

Not a problem.

The library is half full of people. Nobody’s whispering, but yelling is against the rules. There is a bunch of girls around one girl’s computer, giggling. The computer clicks. They are taking photos, I think. Some guy with dark clothes is bent over his screen. Two other guys are typing frantically away on their screens but I don’t know what they’re working on or playing. Dev and I are here to do research for our pixie book. It isn’t easy. Most of the stuff on the Web is about Tinker Bell and this old indie rock group from Boston.

Why are all my hits about cats and rock bands? I ask.

Be patient.

I try another site and scan it. Okay, patience has shown me that this site is about a woman who is trying to get a PhD and wants to retire to Scotland and has a thing for cartoony images of women working while wearing short skirts.

Devyn’s eyes light up. Let me see that. Maybe she actually is one.

I doubt it.

You don’t know. He pokes his head out from around his screen and pulls apart a bagel.

In the last month we’ve checked out about twenty blogs that have to do with pixies. None of them have been actual pixies. Most of them have been people who really like fantasy novels, which is cool, but not what we need. I am just tired of this. I want to do something. Be more proactive.

He pauses before he sticks the bagel in his mouth. Research is proactive.

I snort. I can’t help it. And so is patrolling.

My phone vibrates. I smile. I can’t help that either.

Nick? Devyn asks. It’s been how long since he’s seen you? Five minutes.

Five minutes, I announce as I press the button that retrieves the message, is a very long time.

He actually rolls his eyes. What’s it say, ‘I love you, baby’?

Shut up. It says, ‘Meet me by poetry.’ I bounce up, searching. He’s in here.

Devyn starts laughing. You’re blowing me off, aren’t you?

Yep, I say, trying to remember where the poetry books are. You’re a better researcher than I am anyway.

Not true.

I start walking toward the far back wall and then hustle back, lean over the desk, and whisper, Look up pixie invasion. There’s far too many of them right now. It’s not normal.

Good idea.

I fast-walk past the circulation desk, where the librarian is talking about source citation or something, and duck down one of the rows of Fiction Ca–Cz. Then I make a right. There are a lot of stacks in here. They reach the ceiling. Sometimes you have to use a step stool. It’s an amazing library for a high school actually, and I think—but I’m not sure—that poetry books are at the very end in the far left corner.

My phone vibrates again. I check the message: You coming?

I respond: Yes, impatient one.

The library smells like old and new books, coffee, and bagels. The light shafts in through some evenly spaced windows and it’s that perfect golden kind of light that makes everything seem like a big, happy glow. I step around the corner.

Nick smiles at me. He’s leaning against a big gray radiator. His thick black sweater rubs against the wall. For a second I want to be the wall. Okay, it’s longer than a second.

Hey, he says.

Hey. I smile back. I thought you were blowing off lunch to go out patrolling with Issie.

I lied. He squats down and picks up a small black backpack that I don’t recognize. He pulls out a beach towel and starts laying it on the floor.

Here, let me help. I grab at a bright blue towel that has a wave design on it. Our fingers meet. We get a shock but neither of us twitches away.

Static electricity, he murmurs. His mouth moves when he says it. It moves slowly, like he’s kissing me. I lean forward. He holds up a finger. One second. Sit on the towel, baby.

Bossy. But I sit down anyway.

You are just as bossy.

True, I concede.

He laughs and pulls out a big Ziploc bag of something dark and round. Cookies!

I lunge forward. Are these—?

Chocolate with peanut butter chips, he finishes for me.

I keep staring at his lips, but I slide open the baggie. I love these! My mom always made these.

I know.

How do you know?

You told me once.

He sits down with me and before I can get too heart fluttery he pulls out a cookie and lifts it toward my mouth, teasing me. Do you want it?

I open my lips. He slides the cookie in a little bit. I chomp down. It melts on my tongue. It is sooo good.

He laughs and leans back. He whispers, You know we’re not supposed to eat back here.

I swallow. We are totally naughty.

Absolutely. He bites into my cookie. So there’s this annual dance in a couple of weeks.

The Winter Ball, I interrupt. There have been signs up everywhere.

You want to go?

I think about it for a half second. Will you dress up?

He nods.

I move forward so my hands are flat on the towel and my face is much closer to his face. Something inside my chest warms up like a nice kind of heartburn and I say, And will we slow dance?

He nods again. His bottom lip turns in toward his mouth for a second, just disappears and then comes back.

Stretching out my spine so my lips are nearly touching his I say, And will you press yourself against me and we’ll move really close together and then your hand will stretch out across the back of my head and your fingers will wrap into my hair and then . . .

He doesn’t nod. He just tilts his head down, moves his fingers into my hair, and his lips touch mine in a forever kiss. His lips are soft and hard all at once. His breath mixes with my breath. Everything inside of me whooshes out. It’s just him and me and books and cookies.

Reviews for Captivate

[sithereandread · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

CAPTIVATE, by Carrie Jones, continues the story of half-pixie, Zara, and battle against the pixies inhabiting Bedford, Maine. In the previous book, Need, Zara and her friends locked her pixie father and his followers in a iron-protected house, but now they are starving with Need and will do anything to satiate their hunger.This book was definitely a step up from the first. The tension ran high with the pixies trying to escape from their iron prison, other pixie kings trying to gain followers, and the appearance of Astley who threatened to tear Zara and Nick apart. Jones created a heart-pumping sequel that captivates you from the start.I felt this was a better storyline than Need. I liked Need but it was more of the background story for the series. Captivate dealt with the consequences of locking up Zara's father's pixies and the beginning of a war bigger than Bedford. The book was full of action and suspense that I listened to it as much as humanly possible. Jones raised the bar when she introduced Astley and the possibility for Zara to become a pixie. I loved the Astley/Zara dynamic actually more than the Nick/Zara dynamic. I felt that she needed to become a pixie because it was her birthright, but Nick's distain for pixies kept Zara prejudiced against them. Zara's character progression was fantastic in this book. I liked when she stripped her non-violent self and really let go, she was actually pretty badass.In terms of the audiobook, I was less annoyed this time around with the accents. Whelan did a great job portraying Astley's smoking Irish accent, and I applaud her for her ability to keep the accents and voices separate and clear.I loved the cover for this book. The addition of the gold keeps each book linked and absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait for the continuation of the series in, Entice.

[msmoonlight_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In a word: Captivating!I am loving this series and think author Carrie Jones is brilliant. The book concept and delivery is superb. The characters are wonderful and completely original to me. These books are page turners that I never want to put down or end. I can't wait for the next one!In this second book of the series, Zara, Nick, Devyn and Issie are still battling evil pixies in their home state of Maine. Zara and Nick are continuing their relationship and very much two teens experiencing first love. They adore each other and make a great couple.They take turns "patrolling" AKA hunting for evil pixies and when they find one, they lock them in the pixie house surrounded by iron and assorted metals to keep them in. Then a new pixie king shows up in town and he insists he isn't like the others. He insists that some pixies can live side by side with humans and not kill them - provided the king has his queen to keep him in control. When a pixie king doesn't have a queen he loses control and not only himself but his own people/pixies go evil and feed off teen males' blood. A pixie king MUST have a queen to help him keep control. And the new pixie king in town, wants Zara to be his queen.Great story! Full of action, love, some teen sexual tension, humor, a bit of sadness and some real laugh out loud moments. My favorite laugh out loud moment was Zara teasing her werewolf boyfriend about his love of eating dog treats and peeing on fire hydrants!I had only one issue with the story and that was the end. A tragedy hits the town with multiple deaths that rock the entire town. Even the pixie hunting foursome suffer a huge blow, yet that doesn't stop them from going to a formal dance-huh? They should be attending funerals and crying their eyes out, yet they are picking out dresses for a dance. That didn't work for me on any level and I dearly wish the author had cut that out of the book. I'm guessing she kept it in so the book would have a 'happy ending' but in this case it did not work.

[tynga_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Zara and her friends locked away her father and his pixies hoping to save the humans of this town, but unfortunately nothing is that easy. It seems that more and more pixies comes to town and they need to take care of them to. Why would they come to Maine? Can they feel there's something wrong with he king? Doubts are confirmed when Astley shows up in town to claim the territory as his own. But Zara won't let that happen.I LOVED Captivate as much or even more then Need, I really feel for the characters and so much is at stake in Captive. Zara is now stronger and more confident, and driven by a strong need to protect the ones she loves, and pretty much everybody in town. But protecting them proves to be one difficult task. Devyn is getting better and unfortunately for Is, an old girlfriend of his shows up in the picture and seems very interested in him again. Poor Is is broken-hearted, I really felt bad for the poor girl, she's always so sweet and caring.I have to admit I had some tears boiling under the surface at some moments of the story, but I won't tell you why and when, it wouldn't be nice. But seriously if you loved Need, run and get yourself a copy of Captivate. As the title say, I was Captivated by the story and read it in only a few hours.It's passionate, engaging, emotional and honest. Everything you can ask for!

[susanbevans · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed Need (the first book in the series,) and was eager to get my hands on Captivate. As soon as it was available at my library I snatched it up! I devoured it in just a couple of days and was not disappointed. I love the direction the story is taking and the Norse mythology surrounding the fairies added an interesting depth to Jones' fictional world.Captivate is full of action - from page one - and has fantastic plot twists that kept this reader on the edge of her seat. The introduction of fascinating new characters as well as further development of favorite characters from Need, combine to make Captivate an exciting and well-written addition to this delightful series.

[darkfaerietales_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Quick & Dirty: This is a fierce tale that will evoke every emotion and leave you wanting more.Opening Sentence: Sometimes there are these bizarre people who actually like physical education class.The Review:Our favorite lovable phobic is back. Once again, Zara takes the reader on an amazing journey filled with heartbreak and death. We get a glimpse at some of Zara's new phobias, but we also get a "Top Ten Things to Remember When Dealing with Pixies" list, as well as some pixie tips and hints. Captivate picks up shortly after the ending of Need. Zara and The Scooby Gang know that their previous pixie solution is only a temporary fix. Zara struggles with her decisions and starts to question how pixies should be treated. The deadly pixies are becoming increasingly harder to detain, and more are flocking to Bedford, Maine at an alarming rate. Matters further intensify when a new pixie king arrives looking to claim Zara as his queen, as well as takeover the territory. The new king is unlike any other pixie that Zara has met. This completely throws her emotions into a tailspin. She foolishly puts her trust in him knowing that it could prove to be disastrous. Zara is willing to give up everything and become the one thing that she fears the most. With an impending pixie war looming, Zara starts to realize the effects that her decisions have caused. A bloody power struggle is underway and there is nothing that Zara can do to stop it. Zara's motivations and conflicts really drive this absorbing tale.Ms. Jones also introduces a few new characters. I absolutely loved Astley. I'm not sure that I entirely trust him, but he does have some redeeming qualities. While he did help Zara in many ways, doing so also served his purposes. I definitely want to get to know him better.I was a bit surprised by the ending. The book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving room to have major plot points continued in the next installment. I can't wait to read about the events that unfold between Astley, Zara, and Nick. It's so clear to see that the dynamics of Zara's relationship with Nick have been changed forever. Ms. Jones creates intriguing and compelling characters, and makes you care about them.Overall, Captivate is definitely worth reading. I really enjoyed visiting this world again. It will keep you engaged and guessing at every turn. Ms. Jones continues to do an excellent job of world-building. Captivate continued to build on the established lore from the first book in the series, Need, as well as introducing a new mythology. With the vulnerable king's needs spinning out of control and ravenous and rampaging pixies on the loose, Bedford, Maine is deadlier than ever.Notable Scene:He pulls me into his chest, but I've already seen. I've already seen and it's stuck inside my brain like panic and terror, like a bad horror movie image that won't let go: bodies twisted on the marble floor; blood splashed across walls like arteries have been cut; hands severed in the middle of the floor not connected to anything; eyes open; mouths stuck in screams. I yank away from Nick and stare. Then I start moving. I hold my breath as I go from one corpse to another.FTC Advisory: Bloomsbury provided me with an ARC of Captivate. No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don't receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site.

[readingdate · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Captivate is book 2 in the Need series. It has been a while since I read Need, but it was not hard at all to remember the characters and storyline and catch up with the story. Captivate continues right where Need left off. Zara, Nick, Issie and Devyn are still hunting pixies. These are mostly evil, killer pixies, not the nice, cute kind. Nick and Zara are a couple, she is half pixie and he is a werewolf/ shifter. Nick and Zara have more encounters with the pixies, and there is a war developing in the town between the weres and pixies. Sides will need to be chosen. Zara meets a pixie named Astley, who claims that not all pixies are killers, and some want to live peacefully. Zara works on coming to terms with her pixie side. That is all I can say before we get into spoiler territory!I really enjoyed this book, it was easy to get into and fast paced. There is lots of action, and some romance as well. I really hope there is another book in this series! The ending left me hanging, looking forward to the next book.

[t1bnotown · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So we found the thing that Zara's willing to sacrifice her humanity for, and it adds a whole new dimension. Suddenly we've got a love triangle- because of course we do (the thing with Ian was just a false flag). Zara and Astley both kind of think the other one is just using them, and they're both kind of right, but Astley is so nice and Zara is so obsessed with Nick. Ashley didn't have Nick's immediate appeal, but Zara obviously saved him for a reason, and I think it went beyond just being nice.

[ariebonn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Since I've read Need, I've been dying to read the next book in the series to see what happens to Zara and her friends. I don't read a lot of young adult and urban fantasy books, but when I do I love getting lost in a completely different world and this book was perfect to do just that.The story starts off a few months after Zara and her friends solve the problems they were facing with the pixies, however they are all aware that this was only a temporary solution. The group are always on the lookout for stray pixies and do their best to keep everyone else safe, but now a new king is around, one that is much younger and stronger, and he believes that Zara is meant to be his queen. Astley is trying hard to convince Zara that contrary to her belief, not all pixies are bad but like humans, there call also be good pixies and he happens to be one of them. As Zara becomes more concerned for the safety of her friends, she starts to believe that maybe Astley is being honest and things take an interesting turn. How far will Zara go for her loved ones?I found the second book in the Need series to be so much more intense than the first book. The pixies and weres plot starts to thicken and I thought that this made the books a lot more interesting. Zara still annoys me a little at times and she makes me want to scream at her for her choices, but I like how her character is developed and in the end she is much stronger. The mushy teenage love is much more frequent in this book and if there was one thing I could complain about is that these could have been reduced, but to make things worse Zara has two guys to swoon over, so that's to be expected. I was able to get over that part though and it didn't hinder me from enjoying the book. The ending is definitely a cliffhanger and left me with so many questions. When I finished this book I just had to know what happens next, where is Nick, will Zara remain the same, aaaa this is not fair!Overall I like how Carrie Jones is developing the story, and now I have the next book to look forward - Entince which will be released later this year. I have to get hold of that one as soon as I can.

[laphenix · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Better than the first. The mythology is intriguing, the characters are strong, and the story engaging with thankfully far fewer phobia lists.(Note: The narrator for the audiobook was atrocious, throwing in random Boston accents, I couldn't even finish the first chapter.)

[kbpup903 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

SPOILER ALERT: If you haven't read Need, this review may contain spoilers.I didn't think it was possible but I may have enjoyed reading Captivate even more than I did Need. It hooked me from page one and I was up late into the night finishing it. I couldn't stop reading!Captivate starts where Need left off. Zara and her friends are trapping pixies but what they don't know is that more are coming and that they are all in even greater danger, especially Zara. If Zara thought her own father was bad, just wait until she meets the other kings, who want her for their queen.Captivate was so wonderfully well-written. It flowed really well for me and it made the book even better. Carrie Jones already had me hooked with the story but her writing was the icing on the cake.I guess the thing that bugs me the most is that there is going to be another book. I don't want to wait to find out what happens to everybody. I want to know now! Then again, if I wasn't complaining about that it would mean that I just didn't care about the next book so maybe this isn't so much complaint as compliment to Carrie Jones! =]Overall, if you've read Need, go get this and read it as soon as you can. And if you haven't read Need go get that one because both of these are books that I can't praise enough.

[clsm0803 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was ok! It's not my favorite but its not a bad book

[millett23 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book did seem a little predictable, but I still thought it was an okay book. It did feel a little forced and rushed at time, like there could of been a couple more chapters and the book could of survived more. overall, a good book.

[averysbooknook · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

So the other day I read and reviewed "Need" by Carrie Jones. I just picked the book up at the store mainly for the fact that it was in the bargain bin for $5.99 in hardcover (shame on them! It was worth more than the $5.99 price tag) and I had seen it here and there in the blog world, so I figured that it if other bloggers were reading it, well then there must be something good there. And was there ever! I loved the book so much and it easily became one of the best books that I have read in some time. I thought that the plotline was very unique, combining pixies and weres, and that the characters were totally relatable/ likable/ people I would be proud to call my friends in real life. So obviously when I finished it I knew that I had to get my hands on the second book in the series, "Captivate". I was positive that this story was going to blow me out of the water like "Need" did, however, I am quite disappointed/ let-down by it, and I am even more disappointed because I read quite a few Amazon reviews and every single one of them was positive and every single one of them rated the book as 5 stars out of 5 stars, so I just feel like I should have liked the book since everyone else did- but in all honesty, I didn't.When I first read Nick refer to Zara as "baby" I "awwww"ed, I thought it was cute and found myself thinking, "Look y'all! They are so in love!" But 5 minutes later I just wanted to pull my hair out- it became very old very quickly. Do people in love really talk like that? Tacking "baby","sweetheart", and other equally lovey-dovey/ barf-tastic (to all those surrounding them) pet-names to the end of every sentence? All I can say is thank goodness that I am destined to be a lonely cat lady for all of my days!On a serious note though, I just felt like there were too many important plot elements in this book that were either introduced in the last minute or just casually mentioned, with little to no explanation- kind of like they were an afterthought. For instance, "The story Nick told you about his parents? Total fabrication! Sucks that he didn't trust you, his girlfriend/ the girl he supposedly loves with the truth!", "Your pixie dad forgot to mention that you would turn blue when you are in the presence of a pixie king that you are attracted to? Oops! You are going to need a lot of foundation to fix that floosy!", or my favourite (er... least favourite), "So there is this mythical place, called Valhalla, that even the mythical creatures like pixies don't believe in! I mean, they are all fantastically-like and they don't even believe in it? Well best of luck trying to find it so that you can retrieve what it stole from you/ what means most to you!" Right. Great. UGH!As for the characters in this book? Well the majority of them just grated on my nerves- even Nick who I professed my love for in my review of "Need"! Nick was just so gosh darn macho in this book, his hero complex? Yeah, it skyrocketed past the "Oh he is just so gosh darn sexy protecting me" to "Oh my gosh, my boyfriend is utterly possessive, who will not let me (the mere fragile mortal) do anything dangerous, while he jumps in ready to fight at the first sign of danger". And Devyn? What the flip are you doing with Cassidy, when you and Is are clearly in love and watching you two together is breaking her heart, piece by piece?!? As for Zara? Well I applaud her for taking the bull by the horns and making her own decision on whether or not to become a fairy, without any outside influence from any of the battling pixie kings, I just didn't like her methods (ie. running out on her family and keeping her decision to herself). As for Betty? Well, she is always a riot and therefore I am always more than happy to read about her and her escapades and I really liked Is in this book. It was nice to see her experience more emotions than her usual happy-go-lucky/I-can't-do-anything-without-tripping-over-my-feet self.The one good thing that I can say about this book? Well, the humorous parts were quite humorous and I did find myself giggling every now and again, like from this little snippet off of page 17 [context: Zara had just been yelling at Nick, her boyfriend, that he wasn't to go off looking for dangerous situations/ pixies without informing anyone (via text or call) and she promises to do the same] , "Hey, Nick. It's me," I whisper, turning slowly in a circle, looking for predators. "I'm near BSS by the tracks, running. I think... I hear something. Okay. Yeah. I'm going to check it out. If I don't call again, I'm probably dead or something. Yeah. Right. Bye." Or Betty's little notes [Betty being Zara's grandmother who she lives with], "Early Shift. Take you pain medicine. Do not sell it at school. JUST KIDDING! Sort of. :) " I lived for the funny parts since they were really the other parts of the story that I enjoyed...All in all? Well if you have just read "Need" and are intending to read this book next... DON'T! "Need" can work perfectly as a stand alone novel- and you in no way, shape, or form, need to subject yourself to this book (well, except in reading my fantabulous review ;) ). However, I will admit, despite all of my grumblings... I am still going to read the third book in the series, "Entice", but mainly because I am one of those obsessive readers who cannot not finish reading a series, despite the fact that I may hate every moment of the series- but who knows? Maybe the third book will restore my faith in this series *fingers crossed*!

[bookluvrmindy · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

** spoiler alert ** I really like this series. To read about pixies and the battle Zara has to choose if someone is good or evil is a nice change for me. My problem with the book is Zara's personality. I don't mind the obsession with phobias but her obsession with Amnesty International and spending all her free time writing letters to protest for prisoners really bugs me. Doesn't she have other things to worry about? I mean really! #1 - She has a crazy father that is determined to turn her mother into the pixie queen. #2 - There are 2 kings that are after HER to turn her into the new pixie queen. #3 - She is half pixie so she turns blue whenever she is near a pixie king but she does not want to be a pixie she wants to be full human. #4 - The pixies she trapped in a house are pissed off at her and they are determined to make her pay. (OH and she is still thinking..."isn't it the same that I have trapped pixies in a home when they haven't proven that they are all guilty of evil?" OH PLEASE! #5 - Her boyfriend is in danger because he is a threat to the 2 pixie kings. #6 - Her boyfriend is a were-wolf, her grandma is a were-tiger and her friend is a were-eagle...OH AND DID I MENTION that she is half pixie? (LOL) #7 - Her father is in NEED so the pixies are going to run wild and go after teen boys for blood. #8 - All pixies are gathering together in her town to start a war. All that and she is still giving herself carpal tunnel writing for Amnesty International and creating her own Amnesty International at her school! GAG! Please leave politics out of UF books!

[elie26reads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book captivated my attention I couldn't put it down. It was a rollercoaster of emotions and I loved every minute of it. I can't wait for book 3!

[ctmsemma · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The book "Captivate" by Carrie Jones was just as great as the first book in the series, "Need". Zara finds out that the pixie king is her father, her real father. This means that he wants her as a pixie the way she should be. She obviously doesn't think so until her skin starts turning a tint of blue. She figures out a way to capture a giant group f pixies in a house protected by pixie glamour, making the house hidden to everyone that pixies don't want to see it. It was only a matter of time that the pixies thought of a master plan and broke out and now after her. They are needing blood and because zara and her friends are the ones who trapped them, they are wanting their blood. Zara escapes until a Valkyrie pixie warrior form Valhalla takes Nick, her too-good-to-be-true-boyfriend. Will Zara get nick back or will Valkyrie take the life of her soul mate?This book was just what I expected. The supernatural world continued right of the last page of "Need", the first book in the series. I thought, again, that the characters personalities were just amazing and they really caught your perspective on what Zara and her friends and family are going through. It is amazing how Carrie Jones brought the characters to life as they played through the book. The way the plot flowed was just beautiful, like one of Beethoven's pieces, music to my ears. The though that Carrie Jones put into this book was unbelievable and it was very well written.I enjoyed the role of Betty, Zara's grandma, in this book more than anyone else. I love the fact that Zara's grandmother is a furious tiger that thurts to end the life of a pixie realted to pixie king, Zara's father. It humors me that this fragile old lady on the outside is now this tough grandmother that wants what she says to be done. She kills pixies as easily as ripping a piece of paper in half, and that's how simple it is for her. She comes off so nice and inocent but she is kind of on the crazy side. Even the pixies, towards the end of the book, are frightened to face her in a bloody battle to the death. The details put into not only Betty but the whole book left me dumbfounded and astound. Carrie Jones really did bring her characters alive and to have the talent is amazing. I think that this book deserves a solid four stars. There wasn't much I could pick out that was more towards the worse side of things besides the problems I found in "Need". I agree that again the plot was very similar to "Twilight" and, don't get me wrong, was an amazing idea but i do like having surprises come up when it was more predictable having read "Twilight". I think that she could have followed the guidelines f "Twilight" but added more twists and turns along the way. Without those small problems it could have been a four and a half to a five star rating but because it had those bumps in the road i am giving my final answer as a four star book!

[sleahey_3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This continuation of the series about Zara and her pixie problem was appealing to me for its Maine setting, but needed editing to cut out some of the repetitive angst and whining. The ending, while not exactly a cliff hanger, felt like a dirty trick without any real resolution, clearly setting the stage for the next installment. Seems like this could have been tightened up and combined with whatever is coming next, all in one work. In the audio version, if a Maine accent was attempted, failed miserably.

[bkwormblogger · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Synopsis: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. Review:This book is so much better than the first! I read it in a day and would not put it down. For me, the new character of Astley absolutely blew me away. He's a new King in town, kind, sensitive with an eye always on Zara in case she gets into trouble. He understands her dilemmas in the world, that she hates killing and wants to see the best in people. He acts selflessly every time and he made me root for him from near the beginning.Again, this is a story of Pixies, leadership, trying to solve hidden clues, getting rid of the bad guys, love for friends, family, people in need but most of all this is a story about prejudiceZara discovers that her prejudices towards Pixies is based on ignorance. Everyone tells her that Pixies are evil, except Astley isn't. He is the exception to the rule and Zara wants to believe him because she believes that not everyone is born evil.When one of her friends is badly injured Zara feels his loss so great that she's willing to go against all the rules to save him. She sheds her prejudices and does the unthinkable.This is definitely a great sequel and overshadows all the shortcomings of the first. A must read!

[bookspot · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The evil pixies--including Zara's biological father--might be locked up and barricaded in the house in the middle of the woods, but Zara and her friends know this isn't likely to be the end of their pixie troubles.Of course, they're right, too. Soon a new pixie is in town--Astley. A new king who wants Zara as his own, Astley claims to be one of the good guys, but his arrival brings even more trouble to Zara, Nick and their friends. And to Zara and Nick's relationship.Once again Zara and Nick are fighting to keep both themselves and their relationship alive.Like Need, Captivate is a quick read that grabs you from the beginning and pulls you in until the amazing end. This series has, possibly, my favorite cast of characters of any YA series out there; Devyn, Nick, Issie (who has my undying love for her Buffy referencing), and Betty really add to the story and are lovable, quirky, well developed characters that I can't live without.Things really expand in Captivate --more characters are added, the setting isn't as limited to the school and Zara's house as I remember Need being. It was fun to get more of the pixie world (and it seems there's going to be even more in Entice) while not forgetting about the original characters and their lives.Captivate does leave you hanging like crazy with its ending, though. Be thankful that Entice is already out and consider buying it whenever you buy Captivate!!

[snazz_2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's not often that I have to force myself to finish a book. But I had to do just that with this one. The poor writing is only minimally better than it was in Need. But a whole new distraction has popped up. Zara's word choice is just too convoluted. This is a huge problem because the entire book is written from Zara's perspective. I know she's quirky, but her "lingo" became annoying after a very short time. How many variations of "awesome sauce" and "made of awesome" can a book have before I throw it across the room? I think this may be because Carrie Jones speaks this way herself. After looking at her personal website, I am confident in my assessment. It is unfortunate because it doesn't come off as cool or original as she intended. "Awesomesauce" and "made of awesome" are in my opinion, wannabe quirky word choices. It's like when someone is trying really hard to be cool, they aren't. The entire novel is line after line of Carrie Jones thinking, "How can I make Zara sound quirky?" It's just too disingenuous. Aside from that very big annoyance, there were innumerable other roadblocks I met when trying to get through this novel. The characters start making stupid choices in order to further the plot. I no longer cared about Nick in this novel. In fact, I hope she ends up with Astley. More specifically, I hope Astley locks her up in a dungeon and tortures her. The actual story telling was confusing again. Sometimes she switches scenes or activities without warning and it isn't until halfway through the second scene that you realize what's happening. Between this issue and wading through Zara's teen-speak, the novel was just too much work to read. I did finish it because I wanted to know what happened, but now I'm not really thinking it was worth it.Anyway, if you are like me and can't help but finish a series once you've begun... tough luck. You're in for an annoying ride.

[emilove_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My Thoughts: (Contains spoilers for Need)If you know me, you know I love fantasy. Absolutely anything fantastical, especially urban fantasy. But, let's be honest, who isn't tired of vampires and werewolves? While there are some truly great vampire and werewolf books out there, I was so ready for something new. So, when I got Captivate, the sequel to Need, by Carrie Jones a couple of weeks ago, it soared straight to the top of my TBR pile.If you don't know, Need is the story of Zara discovering that she is half-pixie and that her boyfriend is a werewolf (yes, I said werewolf. I like this werewolf, so be quiet!). Captivate picks up right where Need left off. Like, exactly where Need left off. As in, it seems to pick up the very next day. I'm not sure if this is the case but it speaks loads that Carrie is able to make it feel like you just finished Need and immediately started Captivate.Captivate easily could have been just the continuation of the pixie war along with some couple troubles for Zara and Nick, but it was so much more than that! The new characters and lore Carrie introduces are weaved seamlessly into the already seamless piece of work that is Zara's story. I love that Zara is a character that fits perfectly into both the fantasy world and the 'real' world represented in the novel. So often I see a character that is perfectly at home among the fantastical but has trouble in school and dealing with the human aspect of their lives. Again, not the case with this book.I think the only problem that I had with Captivate is the fact that it made me show emotion. I bawled my head off while reading. The pages of my book have water damage I cried so hard. I'm not used to a book making me cry. I don't cry. Ever. I commend Carrie on making me cry; it is quite a feat. The ending is truly sad, yet at the same time full of hope.The Verdict: If I could give Captivate 6/5 stars, I would. This book is truly fantastic. Just, be prepared with a few boxes of tissues.

[monsterofbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"Where art thou Need? For thou has left me starving for more!" Ah, I think I'm going into hibernation now. I don't think I can survive another year or two until the third book comes out, because I'm hungry for more. Curse you Carrie Jones for making such a addicting and alluring series! Curse you for making Nick so hot, that I wish he was my boyfriend. Curse you for making Issie so adorable & making references to Buffy: The Vampire Slayer. Curse you for making Zara such a awesome character. Curse you for...I don't know. All I do know, for sure, is that Need is currently one of my favorite series out there. It's so awesome, and I don't think any words that I write will benefit to how amazing the actual series is. The sequel certainly lived up to my expectations, and even caught me off guard for I never imagined the storyline to take this path. I mean I didn't know what to expect, when I bought the sequel other then Astley is going to be in it. The story picks up, where Need left off and through out the novel we meet new characters (Astley, King #3, Cassidy) and our favorites are returning (Zara, Nick, Issie, Devyn, Betty). I wanted to take a moment to talk about Cassidy, Astley & Nick. First, Astley is hot and second I'm still wondering about him. I guess, I don't really understand him. Cassidy on the other hand intrigued me. I felt this novel doesn't really explain her well enough yet (or let the readers get to know her) and I'm excited to learn more about her in the third book. Nick is cool, a bit judgmental but cool. There was only one part I found a bit annoying about him and Zara in Captivate. In this novel, they're very lovey-dovey. Which is understandable, but very uncomfortable at times. I wonder if that how Zara's classmates feel when they're around her and Nick. I mean a person can only say baby so many times *I think*. Another thing I noticed, and this isn't a complaint, is that Zara's name is spelled Zare a lot of the time in the book. Did anyone else notice that?? I don't really have anything bad to say about this book and if your were to ask me to pinpoint a reason for why I like this book so much, I don't think I could answer. I don't know why this series draws me in so much. Maybe for it's funny and entertaining writing style or the fact that someone knows that much phobias. I don't know, all I know is I adore it. I do know that some of the thoughts and dialogue in this book (and previous) are priceless. They are quote worthy, seriously. Also I enjoyed the fact that every chapter was a pixie advice sort of deal, I thought that was unique. And the reason for that is Zara and her friends are making a book on how to survive pixies. Another thing is, I don't want to give anything away but, what happens to Zara at the end of the book made me have mixed emotions. I really wanted her to be her old self, but also wanted her to be her new self. You'll probably understand that part if you have read the book.So in the end Captivate did a very good job of entertaining me and left me hungry for more. It was a nice, quick and easy read and will certainly satisfy fans of Need. So in all, I certainly recommend it.

[fyrefly98 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Summary: Zara and her friends thought they had solved their pixie problems... but it turns out that their problems are just starting. Now that the previous pixie king is no longer in power, other pixies are moving in to the area, looking to claim his territory and his followers. Zara and her friends are the only ones that can stop them, but they're also means they're in the most danger. And when Zara meets a pixie who starts to convince her that the fae might not all be as evil as she thinks, she's going to have to come to terms with what she's done, and who she is... and who she's becoming.Review: Need, the first book in Carrie Jones's pixie series, was moderately silly and entirely predictable, but was at least solidly entertaining. Captivate continues to be silly (although it was less predictable than its predecessor), but overall it just felt *lighter* than the first book. I realize that's a little bit contradictory - complaining that a fluffy book about pixies and werewolves was too light - but while Need was able to hit its few notes solidly, Captivate felt like it just brushed the surface. The romance just wasn't as involving, the scary parts just weren't as creepy, and the emotional turmoil just didn't cut as deeply as it did in the first book. I was still entertained, and I still tore through the book like there was no tomorrow, but I was left feeling like I just wanted *more* of everything.There were some new additions in Captivate that I really enjoyed, too. Astley was an excellent new character, and I'm definitely curious to find out more about him, and what his true motivations are. The plot goes to some places that I definitely wasn't expecting, and I'm eager to see how Jones resolves all of the threads she's set in motion. Plus, any time an author can toss some Norse mythology into the mix, I am a happy girl. So, while Captivate didn't quite hit on all cylinders, there was still plenty of stuff to keep me interested, and keep me reading. 3 out of 5 stars.Recommendation: Captivate is not a stand-alone book; most of the worldbuilding and a lot of the characterizations happen in Need. But, for fans of the first, while Captivate didn't quite capture the magic of Need, it does take the plot and characters in some very new directions, and is definitely a fun read.

[justablondemoment · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Zara half pixie half human has to come to some hard choices in this 2nd installment. Believing that the pixie problem is contained they try to resume life while still staying vigliant. Then a new King arrives and all bets are off.I am swept away by this series. Much better to me than the twilight series. I hade a bit of a time getting use to they abrupt sentencing but yah know its young adult and keeping that in mind..well teens are prone to be abrupt in there communication soooo...Big kudos for this series..LOVE IT

[moggetcat · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

i quite enjoyed the 1st book (need) but this 1 just annoyed me and i couldnae finish it

[sath0921 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is sad on how Zara must become a Pixie to get Nick back. I honestly don't think Nick should have been taken in the first place.

[mrsboswellbooks · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

After imprisoning her father and his pixie subjects, Zara and her friends try to go on with their lives as normal, but Zara's interactions with pixies are far from over. Stray pixies begin appearing in Bedford and Zara, Nick, Devyn and Issie must capture them as they show up and trap them in the house with the others. They're unaware of why more pixies are showing up, but they are determined to find out.When Zara comes across an injured pixie that Nick did not have time to dispatch, Zara finds out why the pixies have come. Two other pixie kings know of Zara's father's imprisonment, and they are determined to kill him in his weakened state and take his followers and his territory. Astley, the handsome injured pixie, happens to be one of those kings. After saving him from a Valkyrie, Zara begins to wonder if all pixies really are bad.In the turf war between the kings, Zara's come to realize that she's not so safe. And because of their relationship, neither is Nick.As with Need, this cover is the first thing that catches my eye. Very beautiful.While I did enjoy this book slightly more than Need, it was still rather dull. I was hoping for a little more action, a little more depth to Zara's world. The first half of Captivate was focused on Zara and Nick's growing relationship. While it was a little too mushy "lovey-dovey", it is done so the reader will come to understand Zara's choices and decisions in the second portion of the book.We also get some new types of creatures in this book. While pixies as a main character was somewhat of a new thing for me, the Valkyrie was definitely a first. The Valkyrie's presence in this book was to take fallen heroes to the halls of Valhalla. This figure was a little creepy at first, but I was intrigued to know what true piece they would play in the story. I'm curious as to find out whether they are good or evil.There was one character I really began to enjoy in Captivate. Astley is the newcomer king on the scene. While all pixies are supposedly completely evil, Astley was a breath of fresh air and a cause for dilemma within Zara (and her relationship with Nick). He was very understanding, caring and sweet with Zara. I believe I like him more than Nick, and I look forward to his continued presence in Entice and hope to see more develop between he and Zara.

[amberfib · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Captivate picks up where Need left off with Zara having locked up all of the evil pixies in their house in the woods. Zara made a big mistake by not killing them, and the pixies are growing angrier each day they're trapped. This book was enjoyable, and I really loved the new character additions. The plot kept me reading, and I was invested in the story. Jones' writing was still a bit clumsy, though. I think some of the weird wording is supposed to be just how Zara talks, but some of it is just obnoxious. It pulls me out of the story. I kind of wonder what editor they could possibly be using in order to have phrases like the ones that are in this book. That aside, though, this is an excellent story. Zara and Nick's relationship has developed quickly, and they're kind of sickly sweet. I don't really like Nick in this book, and he seems to have forgotten Zara's name because he only calls her "baby." He's kind of obnoxious. Devyn isn't half as interesting as he was in the last book either, but he does play a bigger role in this story. Issie is still one of my favorites, and I still love Betty. We didn't get to see much of Betty, though. I'd like to know more about Mrs. Nix, but she remains a minor character. I LOVE the two new additions to the series, though, Cassidy and Astley. Astley is amazing! He's my favorite character in the entire series. Cassidy is also interesting, and I really like her. I have a feeling she's going to play a big part in the next book. The plot is pretty action-packed, and there is enough suspense to keep you interested. It's a bit of a roller coaster ride, and some parts are really sad. However, the book ends with hope, and that's all you can ask for. The pacing is spot on, and I wasn't bored at all. I never felt like the story dragged. As I mentioned, the wording was a bit clumsy, and I felt that many phrases were too wordy. That caused me to stumble over some phrases, but it still didn't slow down the pace of the story. The ending ties up a lot of loose ends, but still leaves some questions open for Endure. I didn't feel like it was a cliffhanger, but I am ready to see what happens next. Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of faeries, pixies, and shifters. Things are getting really interesting up in Maine, and you do not want to miss out on the action!

[shouldireadit · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The excitement continues, as more pixie kings invade the town seeking to make Zara their Queen. Good pixies versus bad pixies, and whether or not to believe any pixie are thoughts that fill Zara's head. Zara has to make the hardest decision she has ever had to make in her life when the worst that she can imagine happens to Nick. I was captivated, and couldn't stop turning the pages as I devoured the words eagerly waiting to see what would happen. I'm really glad there's a part three.

[larissabookgirl_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

There is a house deep in the woods hidden by glamour, fenced by iron and full of pixies. Everyday as more and more pixies show up in Bedford, Zara, Nick and her friends round up these pixies and trap them in this house. Everyday as more pixies are rounded up the house becomes more volatile, its occupants more deranged and it is only a matter of time till something gives.Anyone can see how much in love Zara and Nick are, they are devoted to each other and nothing and no one will ever get in the way of that. Then Zara meets Astley, a pixie king. Astley is not like other pixies, at least Zara is hoping very much that he isn't because Zara is about to make a choice to step into her destiny and her only hope of survival, and of saving the one she loves, is put her trust in Astley. But you should never trust a pixie.Captivate is a pair of green eyes that are really silver, it is a kiss that is filled with need and desire and pain. Zara has long been a normal human girl, a pacifist and strongly against all pixies, now however all that is changing. All hell is about to break lose and Zara has some life changing decisions to make, however an act of love may yet turn against her. A teen story of pixies, weres and romance that is filled with blood, danger and mythology.