Title: Captivate
Author: Carrie Jones
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publication Date: January 5, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 288 Pages
ISBN-10: 1599903423 (Bloomsbury USA)
ISBN-13: 978-1599903422 (Bloomsbury USA)
Synopsis (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.
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.
Excerpt: Here
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.
You can visit Carrie around the web here: Website | Blog | Facebook | Book Site
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.
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Great review 
on 
on