Need by Carrie Jones

Summary:
Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect lipsticks. Little wonder, since life’s been pretty rough so far. Her father left, her stepfather just died, and her mother’s pretty much checked out. Now Zara’s living with her grandmother in sleepy, cold Maine so that she stays “safe.” Zara doesn’t think she’s in danger; she thinks her mother can’t deal.

Wrong. Turns out that guy she sees everywhere, the one leaving trails of gold glitter, isn’t a figment of her imagination. He’s a pixie—and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He’s the kind who has dreadful, uncontrollable needs. And he’s trailing Zara.

With suspense, romance, and paranormal themes, this exciting breakout novel has all the elements to keep teens rapidly turning the pages.

Review:
You will have to put your skepticism aside for this one! Sure she's the new girl in a small town and clumsy just like another very familiar character, but Jones creates a unique voice in Zara. After witnessing her step-father's death, she is sent to live with her step-grandmother in the wintry setting of Maine. She keeps any anxiety and emotions about her past at bay by reciting phobias. Each chapter starts with a new phobia, but be careful--you might find some that apply to you.

Zara immediately finds a set of friends and a place in her new school, but she also gains some enemies. A mysterious man from her past begins to appear everywhere she goes--and he knows her name. Leaving behind nothing but a sprinkling of gold dust, Zara and her new friends must learn the truth before he comes after again. And next time, he isn't leaving without her.

Stephenie Meyer and Melissa Marr fans will see elements of both writers in this story but with a new twist. There is even a clever reference to "forks" that had me chuckling. To me, the story was a happy medium between both writers with a fast pace and supernatural elements without being too overbearing.

Reading Rating:
This was a quick and easy read. I will admit that someone mentioned it was a lot like Twilight before I started reading, so I had trouble getting that idea out of my head. But once you get past the basics, this is a story full of surprises and sure to satisfy those looking for more supernatural romance and suspense.

Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Summary:
There hadn't been any trouble out at the lake for years, and Sunshine just needed a spot where she could be alone with her thoughts. Vampires never entered her mind. Until they found her.

Review:
These are not your kinder, gentler brand of vampires. McKinley has woven a dark and twisted novel. There are no barriers between the real world and the Others. Sunshine lives in a world where suckers, demons, and werewolves are commonplace. Spending her days as a baker, her life is uneventful and she appears unremarkable in every way, except for her obsession with the Others. Then one night, she seeks out a quiet place to get away.

It has been years since the Wars, but no one goes to the lake anymore. There are too many bad spots and too many unknowns, but that does not stop Sunshine. She drives to her dad’s old lake house. She never even hears them coming. When they are vampires, you never do. Now Sunshine is in a battle for her life.

McKinley’s story does not romanticize vampires. They are cruel, heartless, and ugly. Nevertheless, she has created a powerful character to carry the story. Sunshine realizes her full potential and it could very well see her to her death. Only through an alliance with a vampire named Con do they both stand a fighting chance against a common enemy.

Sunshine commands the presence of every page. Her untapped abilities and her own conflicts with allying with a vampire create a unique novel that is unlike any others.

Reading Rating:
This was an intense read, and it did take me several days to tackle. Be prepared for a dark, gritty view of vampires. Also, due to mature content, I would recommend this title for older readers. And don't expect a sequel any time soon ;-)