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ebralz's review against another edition
2.0
I unfortunately had a lot of issues with this book. While I like the premise of it, social network to induce terror in a town fueled by greediness of teenage "needs", I did not feel it was articulated very well. There was a lot going on that was summed up at the end, but left me frustrated to get to that point. There was a bit of a twist at the end but not enough to make me feel like it was worth my time getting there. Lots of narrative that could have easily been cut out to make it a shorter more action packed novel.
morguebooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bluebeereads's review against another edition
4.0
Istyria book blog ~ B's world of enchanted books
Well, that was intense. I had a pretty good idea of what I could expect when I started this book and it delivered. It didn't blow me away, but I did like it more than I thought I would. Need is fast-paced, quite a nail-biter and I read it in one sitting, so saying I liked it would be an understatement.
The teenagers from Wisconsin's Nottawa High School are sucked into a dangerous game when a social networking site shows up that promises to grant their every need regardless of the consequences. But the more members it gets, the more sinister the tasks required to fulfill the needs become. Simple pranks turn into malicious crimes and then someone dies and nobody knows how to stop or is too scared to try.
I think the only real problem I had with Need was the amount of POV's. There are quite a few and while they do help tell the story better, I think I could've done with a few less. Some seemed to only exist to explain one small thing from a certain story line. But that's the only negative thing I can say about this really. The writing was great, the story was quite fresh and a real nail-biter. I read this book in one sitting and just had to know what would happen next.
The characters were pretty standard for the most part. There were a few that stood out as main characters, the most prominent one being Kaylee since her POV was the only one told in first person POV, unlike the others, those were told in third person POV. I did feel bad for her and sympathized with her. She was the only one that put in a rather selfless request as a need and quite honestly, she's the only one that deserved to see her need fulfilled. I liked her bond with her brother DJ and I didn't like her mother. I did like Nate. Can't really say much about the others because of spoilers.
Need was an intense, fast-paced, nail-biting read that makes you question the difference between want and need. How far would you go to get that one thing you think you desperately need? It reminds me of Pretty Little Liars a bit with the social media and the threats. Fans of that show or the books should really check this one out. If you're a fan of YA Thrillers, I can definitely recommend this book.
This review is also (or -soon- will be) posted on Istyria book blog.
Well, that was intense. I had a pretty good idea of what I could expect when I started this book and it delivered. It didn't blow me away, but I did like it more than I thought I would. Need is fast-paced, quite a nail-biter and I read it in one sitting, so saying I liked it would be an understatement.
The teenagers from Wisconsin's Nottawa High School are sucked into a dangerous game when a social networking site shows up that promises to grant their every need regardless of the consequences. But the more members it gets, the more sinister the tasks required to fulfill the needs become. Simple pranks turn into malicious crimes and then someone dies and nobody knows how to stop or is too scared to try.
I think the only real problem I had with Need was the amount of POV's. There are quite a few and while they do help tell the story better, I think I could've done with a few less. Some seemed to only exist to explain one small thing from a certain story line. But that's the only negative thing I can say about this really. The writing was great, the story was quite fresh and a real nail-biter. I read this book in one sitting and just had to know what would happen next.
The characters were pretty standard for the most part. There were a few that stood out as main characters, the most prominent one being Kaylee since her POV was the only one told in first person POV, unlike the others, those were told in third person POV. I did feel bad for her and sympathized with her. She was the only one that put in a rather selfless request as a need and quite honestly, she's the only one that deserved to see her need fulfilled. I liked her bond with her brother DJ and I didn't like her mother. I did like Nate. Can't really say much about the others because of spoilers.
Need was an intense, fast-paced, nail-biting read that makes you question the difference between want and need. How far would you go to get that one thing you think you desperately need? It reminds me of Pretty Little Liars a bit with the social media and the threats. Fans of that show or the books should really check this one out. If you're a fan of YA Thrillers, I can definitely recommend this book.
This review is also (or -soon- will be) posted on Istyria book blog.
mz_olson_8's review against another edition
5.0
Interesting book about social media and how far we'd go to get something we wanted.
silencia167's review against another edition
4.0
Find this review and more on my blog, The Reality of Books: https://therealityofbooks.wordpress.com/2015/07/30/need-by-joelle-charbonneau/
How far would you go to get something you want? How about something you need? Joelle Charbonneau’s newest novel, Need, explores the boundaries between want and need and encourages the reader to ask themselves “What in my life do I REALLY need?”
Need centers around a new social network site at Nottawa High School. The site is exclusive, invitation only, and promises its users to grant their every “need—“ with no consideration for the consequences. Protagonist Kaylee is perhaps the only student invited to join who really understands the difference between want and need—her father has left their family, and her brother needs a new kidney ASAP. In order to get their needs fulfilled, students are asked to do anything from inviting new students to the site or making a delivery. The requirements for fulfillment get worse and worse. While Kaylee waits for her need to be fulfilled, dangerous things start to happen around her. Kaylee becomes determined to figure out who is behind Need before they make her disappear.
One of my favorite parts about Charbonneau’s work is the way that she takes unique ideas and runs away with them. (If you haven’t read The Testing, you must. Immediately). Need is among the most unique YA novels I have ever read. The premise is astoundingly interesting and well laid out and executed throughout the novel.
I didn’t really care for Kaylee as a character. I found her to be pushy, and her motives seemed faulty. I understand her love for her brother and her wanting him to be okay, but I found it difficult to be sympathetic to her. She demanded things from people that she barely knew, and was not at all understanding when they were hesitant. I do, however, think that Kaylee is the only character who showed any resemblance of development. In the very end of the novel, (staying spoiler free!), she does begin to understand that there are other people in the world beyond her family. The other characters all remain fairly static—they do not change from when we initially see them. While each of these characters was completely different from the others, none of them grew or changed in the slightest.
The most confusing part of this book were all the different viewpoints. Many different characters were introduced throughout the book, and it was hard at first to keep track of who was who and what their different “needs” were. However, once the needs started being fulfilled, it became easier to decipher who was who and how they all wove together. It’s important to not skip any of these seemingly extra sections, no matter how confused they make you, as they all add up by the end of the book.
In an age where every single teenager is glued to a screen of some sort, this is a book that will grab their attention and turn some heads. I really enjoyed Charbonneau’s The Testing series. I enjoyed Need as well, though not quite as much as The Testing. It was engaging enough to consume in one night, but not quite as put together as The Testing. 4 stars—the characters are too weak to award a full 5.
**I received Need, by Joelle Charbonneau, as an ARC from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Need is expected for publication November 3rd, 2015 by HMH Books for Young Readers.
How far would you go to get something you want? How about something you need? Joelle Charbonneau’s newest novel, Need, explores the boundaries between want and need and encourages the reader to ask themselves “What in my life do I REALLY need?”
Need centers around a new social network site at Nottawa High School. The site is exclusive, invitation only, and promises its users to grant their every “need—“ with no consideration for the consequences. Protagonist Kaylee is perhaps the only student invited to join who really understands the difference between want and need—her father has left their family, and her brother needs a new kidney ASAP. In order to get their needs fulfilled, students are asked to do anything from inviting new students to the site or making a delivery. The requirements for fulfillment get worse and worse. While Kaylee waits for her need to be fulfilled, dangerous things start to happen around her. Kaylee becomes determined to figure out who is behind Need before they make her disappear.
One of my favorite parts about Charbonneau’s work is the way that she takes unique ideas and runs away with them. (If you haven’t read The Testing, you must. Immediately). Need is among the most unique YA novels I have ever read. The premise is astoundingly interesting and well laid out and executed throughout the novel.
I didn’t really care for Kaylee as a character. I found her to be pushy, and her motives seemed faulty. I understand her love for her brother and her wanting him to be okay, but I found it difficult to be sympathetic to her. She demanded things from people that she barely knew, and was not at all understanding when they were hesitant. I do, however, think that Kaylee is the only character who showed any resemblance of development. In the very end of the novel, (staying spoiler free!), she does begin to understand that there are other people in the world beyond her family. The other characters all remain fairly static—they do not change from when we initially see them. While each of these characters was completely different from the others, none of them grew or changed in the slightest.
The most confusing part of this book were all the different viewpoints. Many different characters were introduced throughout the book, and it was hard at first to keep track of who was who and what their different “needs” were. However, once the needs started being fulfilled, it became easier to decipher who was who and how they all wove together. It’s important to not skip any of these seemingly extra sections, no matter how confused they make you, as they all add up by the end of the book.
In an age where every single teenager is glued to a screen of some sort, this is a book that will grab their attention and turn some heads. I really enjoyed Charbonneau’s The Testing series. I enjoyed Need as well, though not quite as much as The Testing. It was engaging enough to consume in one night, but not quite as put together as The Testing. 4 stars—the characters are too weak to award a full 5.
**I received Need, by Joelle Charbonneau, as an ARC from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Need is expected for publication November 3rd, 2015 by HMH Books for Young Readers.
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
5.0
Book #115 Read in 2015
Need by Joelle Charbonneau
I enjoyed The Testing by this author and jumped at the chance to get this book to review. It did not disappoint. This book had twists and turns throughout the entire book. Need is a new media site where the local high students receive invitations to join it and then they are asked "what do you need?" If it is a true need, their wish will be fulfilled. If it is a want, not a need, as most requests are, the students are giving a task to do to have the need met. A first seemingly harmless, the tasks soon take on a sinister, and often deadly, turn. How many people will be harmed before someone stops this site? This book was a gripping read and both high school boys and girls, as well as adults, would enjoy it. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Need by Joelle Charbonneau
I enjoyed The Testing by this author and jumped at the chance to get this book to review. It did not disappoint. This book had twists and turns throughout the entire book. Need is a new media site where the local high students receive invitations to join it and then they are asked "what do you need?" If it is a true need, their wish will be fulfilled. If it is a want, not a need, as most requests are, the students are giving a task to do to have the need met. A first seemingly harmless, the tasks soon take on a sinister, and often deadly, turn. How many people will be harmed before someone stops this site? This book was a gripping read and both high school boys and girls, as well as adults, would enjoy it. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
lilcarly's review against another edition
3.0
This was a book I REALLY enjoyed apart from one thing ... too many POV's! I loved the idea of the story, and sure I enjoyed it changing POV's but one to three people is enough, not ten or something.
The only characters that I was able to really remember throughout this book were Kaylee, DJ and Nate.
If it weren't for the many different people, I would've loved this book.
The only characters that I was able to really remember throughout this book were Kaylee, DJ and Nate.
If it weren't for the many different people, I would've loved this book.
cristalya's review against another edition
4.0
J'étais curieuse de lire ce livre depuis que la bande-annonce de l'adaptation en film (que je n'ai encore jamais vu) était sortie.
On est sur un roman qui traite de la différence entre le désir et le besoin. Le désir est l'envie de posséder un objet ou de réaliser un rêve. Le besoin est la nécessité de détenir quelque chose ou d'accomplir un acte essentiel à la vie. Cela semble simple à différencier, mais l'est-ce vraiment pour tous dans une société de consommation ?
J'ai trouvé l'idée intéressante à suivre, surtout que l'on est sur des personnages adolescents. Soudain, certains d'entre eux ont la possibilité d'avoir gratuitement ce qu'ils veulent, en échange d'une mission. Difficile de ne pas céder à la tentation quand on nous le montre aussi simplement. Sauf que rien n'est gratuit en réalité. Et c'est à ça que feront face les personnages.
C'était intéressant parce qu'on peut comprendre comment ils en arrivent là. On leur offre tout ce qu'ils veulent, aussi simplement, et forcément, il y en a qui sont tentés. Sauf que les gens ont plutôt tendance à demander des choses qu'ils désirent et non pas dont ils ont besoin. Une réflexion qui s'engage le long de la lecture, et qui à mon sens, fait écho à notre société de consommation. Après tout, ce qu'il se passe dans ce roman se répéterait sans aucun doute si on y avait accès, il y aurait forcément des personnes qui succomberaient à la tentation de la facilité de la chose.
Bref, tout ça pour dire que j'ai apprécié le sujet traité, et comment il était traité, qui dénonce le manque de discernement que l'on peut avoir sur ça.
L'histoire est sympa à suivre, tout en gardant cette réflexion en arrière-plan. On voit tout qui prend de l'ampleur, qui monte crescendo. On a quelques éléments qui sont à mon sens prévisibles, et malgré ne pas avoir été transcendée par la plume ou l'histoire je me suis assez vite prise au jeu de cette lecture.
En revanche, quelque chose avec lequel j'ai eu plus de mal, c'est le nombre important de protagonistes. On arrive à pas loin d'une dizaine, ce qui rend difficile de retrouver qui a demandé quoi et doit faire quoi et m'a plus d'une fois forcé à revenir en arrière dans le bouquin.
Néanmoins, l'autrice arrive à tout lier entre les uns et les autres de manière cohérente, ce qui est un bon point.
Concernant les personnages, ils sont pour une partie agréable à suivre et on a différentes personnalités. On n'a pas le même niveau d'attachement pour tous, puisque tous n'ont pas la même présence et la même importance, mais j'ai apprécié le personnage principal dans sa quête pour sauver son frère, en restant intègre.
La fin n'est pas du tout celle à laquelle je m'attendais, et honnêtement, elle manque de quelques réponses à mon goût, ce qui fait que je n'ai pas été convaincue par celle-ci.
En résumé, un bouquin sympa à suivre, mais qui ne me restera pas indéfiniment en mémoire malgré un sujet traité intéressant et bien amené qui permet de dénoncer certains points de notre propre société.
On est sur un roman qui traite de la différence entre le désir et le besoin. Le désir est l'envie de posséder un objet ou de réaliser un rêve. Le besoin est la nécessité de détenir quelque chose ou d'accomplir un acte essentiel à la vie. Cela semble simple à différencier, mais l'est-ce vraiment pour tous dans une société de consommation ?
J'ai trouvé l'idée intéressante à suivre, surtout que l'on est sur des personnages adolescents. Soudain, certains d'entre eux ont la possibilité d'avoir gratuitement ce qu'ils veulent, en échange d'une mission. Difficile de ne pas céder à la tentation quand on nous le montre aussi simplement. Sauf que rien n'est gratuit en réalité. Et c'est à ça que feront face les personnages.
C'était intéressant parce qu'on peut comprendre comment ils en arrivent là. On leur offre tout ce qu'ils veulent, aussi simplement, et forcément, il y en a qui sont tentés. Sauf que les gens ont plutôt tendance à demander des choses qu'ils désirent et non pas dont ils ont besoin. Une réflexion qui s'engage le long de la lecture, et qui à mon sens, fait écho à notre société de consommation. Après tout, ce qu'il se passe dans ce roman se répéterait sans aucun doute si on y avait accès, il y aurait forcément des personnes qui succomberaient à la tentation de la facilité de la chose.
Bref, tout ça pour dire que j'ai apprécié le sujet traité, et comment il était traité, qui dénonce le manque de discernement que l'on peut avoir sur ça.
L'histoire est sympa à suivre, tout en gardant cette réflexion en arrière-plan. On voit tout qui prend de l'ampleur, qui monte crescendo. On a quelques éléments qui sont à mon sens prévisibles, et malgré ne pas avoir été transcendée par la plume ou l'histoire je me suis assez vite prise au jeu de cette lecture.
En revanche, quelque chose avec lequel j'ai eu plus de mal, c'est le nombre important de protagonistes. On arrive à pas loin d'une dizaine, ce qui rend difficile de retrouver qui a demandé quoi et doit faire quoi et m'a plus d'une fois forcé à revenir en arrière dans le bouquin.
Néanmoins, l'autrice arrive à tout lier entre les uns et les autres de manière cohérente, ce qui est un bon point.
Concernant les personnages, ils sont pour une partie agréable à suivre et on a différentes personnalités. On n'a pas le même niveau d'attachement pour tous, puisque tous n'ont pas la même présence et la même importance, mais j'ai apprécié le personnage principal dans sa quête pour sauver son frère, en restant intègre.
La fin n'est pas du tout celle à laquelle je m'attendais, et honnêtement, elle manque de quelques réponses à mon goût, ce qui fait que je n'ai pas été convaincue par celle-ci.
En résumé, un bouquin sympa à suivre, mais qui ne me restera pas indéfiniment en mémoire malgré un sujet traité intéressant et bien amené qui permet de dénoncer certains points de notre propre société.
smashingreads's review against another edition
3.0
I love this concept. I love that each chapter is from a different point of view. Im bummed that all deaths listed weren't discussed/brought up. Three stars because I liked and enjoyed the book. No additional stars because it felt like something was missing. (Mostly character relationships. The individuals in the chapters were mostly loners who only talked with their parents.)