  | Title: Endure Author: Carrie Jones Publisher: Bloomsbury USA ISBN: 978-1599905549 |
May Contain Spoilers
From Amazon:
| It’s all-out war (and no-holds-barred romance) in the climactic conclusion to Carrie Jones’s bestselling series. Zara is at the center of an impending apocalypse. True, she’s successfully rescued Nick from Valhalla, but it simply isn’t enough. Evil pixies are ravaging Bedford, and they need much more than one great warrior; they need an army. Zara isn’t sure what her role is anymore. She’s not just fighting for her friends; she’s also a pixie queen. And to align her team of pixies with the humans she loves will be one of her greatest battles yet. Especially since she can’t even reconcile her growing feelings for her pixie king . . . Unexpected turns, surprising revelations, and one utterly satisfying romantic finale make Endure a thrilling end to this series of bestsellers. |
Review:
I have mixed feelings about the final volume of Carrie Jones’ NEED series. Endure is a page turner, but despite the rapid pacing, there was something missing for me. The earlier books in the series introduced a scary new paranormal creature to me – Pixies. Prior to reading Need, when I conjured pixies in my mind, they were little impish creatures, hardly worthy of concern. This series charged that vision into a nightmare. Large, powerful pixies, ruled by an all consuming need, turned out to be pretty frightening after all, especially when paired with an isolated, snowy landscape. I loved the Maine setting, and the pixies,whispering enticingly from the shelter of the woods, freaked me out.
In Endure, Zara has sacrificed her humanity to save Nick from Valhalla, and here is my major dislike of this story. Nick has turned his back on Zara, and now considers her a monster. I just wanted him to get over himself! Dude, Zara gave up everything to bring your sorry butt back to life, so the least you could have done was thank her. Geez! Instead, Nick puts on a pout, tells Zara he doesn’t know who she is anymore, and treats her like…well, a pixie. Really? This is how you display your love to the brave young woman who was willing to give up everything for you? Who was willing to face her nightmare opponents head on, to save you? So disappointing!
I liked Astley better than Nick, and that surprised me. Up until this volume, I loved Nick. He is so bad ass. He’s a werewolf, and until his visit to Valhalla, he would have done anything to protect Zara and his friends. Just like she was willing to do for him. Until all of that turned out to be a lie. Then Zara was left with Astley, a kind and good pixie. A kind and g
I’m delighted to have Carrie Jones, author of the NEED series, back for another round of interrogation. NEED is one of the first YA paranormal series that I picked up, and it showed me how scary pixies can be. I mean, really – pixies?! Yes, pixies! They are evil, and scary, and dangerous, and Carrie’s vision of pixies totally rocks out. I am sad that one of my favorite series has come to an end, but I am looking forward to future projects from Carrie. Let’s see what she has to say about Endure, the series finale for NEED.
[Manga Maniac Cafe] Can you tell us a little about Endure?
[Carrie Jones] Endure is about a group of friends trying to save the world from evil pixies who are trying to start the Norse version of an apocalypse.
[Manga Maniac Cafe] What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book?
[Carrie Jones] It was hard to let go. It’s the last book and I am terribly in love with all the characters – even the bad ones – so it was hard to stop writing, to stop revising, to let it go free. Hold on. I have to go get a tissue.
[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three words best describe Zara?
[Carrie Jones] Kick-ass former pacifist
[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are three things Nick would never have in his pocket?
[Carrie Jones] Ha! That’s such a funny question.
Strudel – far too gooey
Dog whistle – far too annoying
Wolfsbane – far too lethal
[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is Zara’s single most prized possession?
[Carrie Jones] Her Amnesty International Membership pin. Woot! She may kill pixies, but she is still pro human rights.
[Manga Maniac Cafe] What are your greatest creative influences?
[Carrie Jones] I am heavily influenced by music, by Doctor Who (Should I admit that?), and I tend to troll around the woods where I live, which is by a national park. Oh… and eavesdropping. I am always always eavesdropping. Someone will eventually notice and beat me up I am sure.
[Manga Maniac Cafe] What three things do you need in order to write?
[Carrie Jones] My brain.
My fingers.
Words?
That’s really it. I will write anywhere on anything – even skin. My own skin! Do NOT imagine some horrible Hannibal Lechter scenario here.
[Manga Maniac Cafe] What is the last book that you read that knocked your socks off?
[Carrie Jones] I wear mismatched socks and they are hard to knock off, but…. Hm…. I loved Sherman Alexie’s FIRST INDIAN ON THE MOON, which I just reread. I think my socks pretty much fell off on their own accord during that one. They sort of slinked really.
[Manga Maniac Cafe] If you had to pick one book that turned you on to reading, which would it be?
[Carrie Jones] I’ve been reading since I was two, so I don’t actually remember. I am so sorry! I feel like such a failure for not being able to answer this. I read all the time when I was little because we were poor and lived in the woods and didn’t have cable. So, I would read absolutely everything. I think the books that made me the happiest back then were A WRINKLE IN TIME and embarrassingly enough this book called ILLUSIONS, which was about a reluctant messiah and very New Agey. I think it was because those books both made me believe that there could
the last in my "petal pixie" series...for now anyway;) i need to start painting them for the holidays. i have decided to sell them in my etsy shop as REPRODUCTIONS with the pixie's name on it. i am actually already done painting blue belle and i will be posting her tomorrow!
meet sweet little blue belle:) my first in a series i have designed entitled 'petal pixies'. she is for sale as REPRODUCTION in my etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/listing/62290393/blue-belle-petal-pixie-reproduction and ready to be framed and hung up in your little girl's room.
next up will be lilly...the calla lily petal pixie. be sure to check back soon...;)
A little while ago I asked you where you may find all the items in THIS picture. The answer is, of course, they are all things that you would find in a pixies hat. Obviously. Fortunately, I mean unfortunately, nobody won the million pound prize I was offering.
This a drawing from the children's book that has being living in my sketchbook, and my head, for the past decade. It took me five days to draw. When I'd finished it, yesterday, I put it down on the floor and went into the other room (I know, I know). When I returned the cat was sat on top of the drawing taking a wash. I told her to shift her ass, she looked at me, shook her head and a globule of saliva plopped right onto the drawing. It is not waterproof ink. So I had an orange stain that I had to try to disguise. I think I've managed it. It was the pencil in the jar - which had a fine wood grain before the spittle incident.
This drawing is on A3 paper. I usually work on paper half this size. I've just been to the print shop to get it scanned. I was going to take some photos and post them, but it needed scanning. I want you to stick your beaks into every nook and cranny. So click on the image to view.
Click on image to view.
Well, today is my blogs second birthday. I did have something planned for it, but didn't quite pull it off in time. Ambitious but rubbish, that's me. It will still happen - just not when I intended. Anyway, all will be revealed in the next couple of weeks so stay tuned folks. My excuse, for not getting my act together, this time, is that I am frantically trying to get some of this children's book down on paper. The aim is five drawings by the end of the month. Yikes.
This birthday is a good opportunity to say another big thank you to all you guys. For all the visits, the comments and the encouragement that you've given me over the last couple of years. I've learnt so much in that time. On lots of levels. It has been quite a journey. The fact that you choose to join me makes me happier than you'll ever know. Cheers.
I'M SO EXCITED!! Just got my copy of Pixie Chicks, by Regan Black (Quake - Fictionwise). Can't wait to read it! I'll review it in the days to come, but meantime, here's a preview of the Pixie Chicks themselves!
Pixie Profiles
The Pixie Chicks are a quartet of girls in the high school marching band. They got this name from the drum major during their freshman year of summer band camp. Yes, eventually you will hear more about him.
Brianna Marie Fairchild is the leader - when a leader is needed for planning and arranging things. Brianna has wavy, white fairy-blond hair and blue eyes. She’s got a dancer’s wand-slim build and she’s only about 5′5″. She marches piccolo, so, naturally she plays the flute as well. She lives with her mother and brother and her dad, when he’s not often working elsewhere in the world. All her friends refer to her mother as “Mom Fairchild” and though her brother, Ben, is younger, he’s taller - this annoys Brie.
Austin Patricia Kelley is an inch taller than Brie, with sleek, dark blond hair and big doe eyes. She plays flute and shares a band locker with Brie. She prefers to watch rather than participate in sports, unless it’s a team venue where she has plenty of back up (like the band). Her most unique (and valuable asset) is her ability to know anything and everything about any cute guy rating above average. Her depth of knowlege creeps out the Pixies, but only a little. After all, Austin isn’t really a stalker, and she’s a great friend.
Lana Louise Richmond is tall and a curvaceous - which is a lethal combination in high school. The resulting jealousy means the Pixies are her only girlfriends - good thing they’re the BEST! She’s got long, dark hair and mesmerizing dark eyes…and they all wonder why she never has dark circles because no one has caught her sleeping since Kindergarten naptime. She can play any of the low brass instruments and has been known to march sousaphone.
Claire Taylor Sullivan, with her curly red hair, green eyes and shorter stature, looks like she’d be more at home in an Irish Pub than a midwestern highschool. She’s a talented musician who marches alto sax, drum line or trombone…wherever the band director needs her. She’s more quiet than the others, but don’t let that fool you, she’s got serious skills - and she’s keeping some serious secrets from the Pixies - including a very hot Scottish boyfriend!
Meet them and see other great 'Tween and Young Adult Books - now available from Quake!
I'm happy with this one. I hope you like it, too.
You have to click on this drawing to view it. Stick your beaks right in and have a proper rummage around.
Now that I'm getting back into the swing of things I also want to get back to updating my children's book on a blog too. Unfortunately that's one of those things that gets pushed down the old priority list when time is short. That's OK though. I've been living with this book for the best part of two decades, so it's not like I'm in any rush to get it finished. And, anyway, I kind of like it that way. It's having plenty of time to simmer whilst waiting for the right publishing deal to come along.
So, if you want an explanation for the rather strange drawing above then you'll have to tootle on over there. Enter the weird and, frankly, worrying world that's in my head by clicking HERE.
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LOVE IT...Spit and all! LOL!
only five days? WOW, this is amazing, the detail, texture, and the cat trying to help, great story, you are more tolerant than i may have been. pets are great (when they know their space)
You are now really starting to outdo yourself Andrea. just as I think this is it, officialy you can't do better, you show up and you post another breathtaking piece of work! I've missed a lot, but I've also saw a lot on the moley project a while back and you and your group are just wonderful!
Ronell
Holy heck, Andrea. Can I pre-order this book, like, RIGHT NOW please? What do you mean, I have to wait?
another brilliant drawing, your work is lovely...
I too suffer with cat attacks on my artwork, a couple of years ago when I was at uni one of my cats walked across one of my final pieces leaving splodgy pawmarks in the centre of the drawing, like you I just had to work it into the drawing.. love em.. :)
HOLY HATS!!! i AM SPEECHLESS AND MY SOCKS ARE ON THE FLOOR. OH.MY.GOSH. THIS IS BEYOND OUTSTANDING. GET THIS IN THAT BOOK AND PUBLISHED. KIDS WILL GO CRAZY OVER IT!!!!
Your blog just makes me happy, Your work is so amazing!! " Thank you " to you and the cat (couldn't even tell....). You made my day!
kids would totally lap this up - it's awesome! I used to love detailed drawings like these in my storybooks, where you could search and search and keep finding new things in the pictures, as opposed to that over-the-top simple, cartoony style.
And oh yeah, animals + art just don't mix. My german shepherd hasn't done anything major to mine yet, but the latest is moths bomb-diving into wet paint (when I'm not there to see so then they dry in it), or a gecko that crapped over the finished face in a drawing that I'd been working on for a week.
So I totally understand, and nice job hiding the cat spit ;)
Oh wow. I LOVE this!! My favourite books when I was a kid were all about Gnomes (by Poortvliet and Huygen) and their secret lives. This drawing so much reminds me of those books...made me feel all nostalgic. :)
Fan-pixie-tastic!
Some children would certainly love to explore a drawing like this. Hey, you could have some fun with the xrays of people's bags and luggage at airports! They pinched our jar of peanut butter at Melbourne airport a few weeks ago. I said to the guy, 'I suppose you will eat that for your breakfast!'
Now, what kind of bomb could you make with peanut butter?
w.
you are definitely making architects look bad! this is the most beautiful cross section ever! your attention to detail is unbelievable. oh andrea and by the way THANK YOU for the best present ever! you are one of a kind!
Truly brilliant. What a great concept and the execution is flawless, as far as the spittle goes, a little DNA never hurt anyone.
YOU are fantastic!
I can't wait to see a book from you! You could publish a mini version at www.blurb.com to satisfy all your fans in the meantime????
I love this drawing! Your work is truly amazing!
I found your blog from Danny Gregory's post today and am so glad that I did. I will be spending some time perusing your wonderful art.
You're not human.
I love the idea of a pixie with loads of trinkets stuffed in his hat. I think the best part of this drawing (as in the bit of all the best parts that I really love) is the guide up the side (unsquashable things, stuff food etc).
You have to get your backside in gear and get those books published Andrea. I have two god-daughters who would love them.
I with e-j! This is absolutely fabulous. I'll never get my work done because I just want to keep exploring!
Spiderwick who? You're next. Go for it lady!!
This just takes me somewhere else, Andrea. Bravo.
When are you going to stop teasing us and start selling your work...at least prints. I wanna get my hands on this.
You are so special.
Thank you all SO much.
I am happy witht his one. It's the first of five I am trying to get together before the end of the month. There will be two black and white (well, sepia and white) and three colour (well, sepia and blue). This one was going to be one of the quicker ones - it took five days! I'd better pull my socks up.
Anyway, it'll just be children's drawings - or drawings for children - up till the end of the month guys.
Thanks everyone for the really fantastic comments. You just don't know how much they mean. Cheers.
The cat says thanks for all the kind comments too.
WOWZA!
This is absolutely amazing! the arrangement of all of the objects, the skill - I'm flabbergasted!
Get this book of yours finished - I want 3 copies!
A Pixie's Hat! Obviously. Why didn't I think of that. Man, oh man, I was so close to making my millions.
I love the piece - as always.
Slobbery cat eh? I use ink that not water proof too. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one that does that. It does make for some creative challenges.
I agree, kids will love searching this picture. Really nice job.
It's so fun! And wonderfully drawn, of course :) ! This book is going to be fantastic!
Wow, Andrea, this is so amazing. The detail and the line work—How do you do it? Just incredible.
way way WAY too cute!
Yay...so excited to read that there are more in the making... I wish I had your ability to concentrate on a drawing longer than 30 minutes...what I'd give...
Thank you all, folks. There is more on the way.
Suzanne, what I'd give to do a drawing in less than thirty minutes. Seriously. I'm way too obsessive. You, er, may have noticed!
Cheers, everyone.
Super duper incredible. Obviously I couldn't guess what they all had in common because I'm quite illiterate about Fairies! Thanks for the education!
totally gobsmacked, and totally want the book when it's done!
just amazing...
Great picture and I now have the answer to what does a pixie wear under his hat. Perhaps cat spittle should become the new medium, I usually am forced to use dog drool.
this is the coolest freakin drawing EVER!!!!
This is just amazing. Best wishes on the competition for the children's book! I've enjoyed viewing this drawing! So many layers and interesing bits...just the kind of thing I like.
wow blimey, i love this one. And that all fits into a hat? Incredible detail.