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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
I went into this book very excited to read it, but I was left feeling disappointed. For some reason, I didn't grow attached to the characters. I found myself feeling like the story could have been much better developed and waiting for something more to happen. Overall, the premise was very interesting, and it was a fairly good read, but it didn't blow me away.
This has been described as an 'angel' book and it kinda is although Charlotte is not really called an angel. She has the 'need' and is one of the 'forgotten' and when the 'need' hits her, she has to rush off to wherever the need takes her and after seeing the person, their back story and what their problem is, she fixes it..spreading goodness and light and hope into the world. But then she is forgotten by the person that she just helped. I was conflicted when reading this book, I thought the characters were well written, Charlotte, her best friend Sarah and her boyfriend Harlin all worked really well and I really like the idea of the 'forgotten' spreading goodness, light and beauty around the world... But it was also really sad that Charlotte had to do this and know that she would eventually disappear and be forgotten by the people that she loved. It was an easy read, quick to get through but it wasn't a feel-good kind of story. I am interested in reading book two though to see where it takes us.
Rating 3.5
This review is originally posted at The Fiction Pixie.
If the overview of my thoughts is anything to go by, this book left me confused on whether or not I actually enjoyed it. In the beginning, we are introduced to Charlotte and her extremely unique situation. Charlotte has a beautiful gift that she refers to as The Need; this need compels her to people who need to be saved. In powerful ways, this gift changes lives but it also changes Charlotte because this is her destiny. Every time Charlotte pours herself into this need, she loses herself as part of the Forgotten.
Essentially, Charlotte is an angel in this breathtaking and unique spin on what it actually means to be an angel. Charlotte is a strongly defined and created character. She is loving, empathic, compassionate, and a teenager who wishes only to live. She doesn't have to be strong enough to fight wars or evil incarnate trying to take over the world, she only has be to be strong enough to live her life and fulfill her destiny and I think a lot of times we, as readers, struggle to do that very same thing.
I believe the aspects of this book that I didn't like stem from the note of mature content that I have included. I understand that the bond between Charlotte and Harlin is unique and special and that it requires illustration of just how powerful it is, but I felt this book was too focused around that illustration being sex. For all its beauty, this book was a incredibly sex driven. I believe it is strongly for this reason that it doesn't get a better overall "rating" because I was that distracted by the content and it honestly takes a lot for me to say that.
In the end, I was left with the perfect amount of closure but with a heartbreaking desire to read A Want so Wicked. I was also left with a hint of sadness for this could have been a beautiful and gripping stand-alone for it ended in such glory. It would have left readers with a rare ending not typically found in YA literature and with a radiant story, but alas our journey with Charlotte continues and I can't wait to embark upon it.
This review is originally posted at The Fiction Pixie.
If the overview of my thoughts is anything to go by, this book left me confused on whether or not I actually enjoyed it. In the beginning, we are introduced to Charlotte and her extremely unique situation. Charlotte has a beautiful gift that she refers to as The Need; this need compels her to people who need to be saved. In powerful ways, this gift changes lives but it also changes Charlotte because this is her destiny. Every time Charlotte pours herself into this need, she loses herself as part of the Forgotten.
Essentially, Charlotte is an angel in this breathtaking and unique spin on what it actually means to be an angel. Charlotte is a strongly defined and created character. She is loving, empathic, compassionate, and a teenager who wishes only to live. She doesn't have to be strong enough to fight wars or evil incarnate trying to take over the world, she only has be to be strong enough to live her life and fulfill her destiny and I think a lot of times we, as readers, struggle to do that very same thing.
I believe the aspects of this book that I didn't like stem from the note of mature content that I have included. I understand that the bond between Charlotte and Harlin is unique and special and that it requires illustration of just how powerful it is, but I felt this book was too focused around that illustration being sex. For all its beauty, this book was a incredibly sex driven. I believe it is strongly for this reason that it doesn't get a better overall "rating" because I was that distracted by the content and it honestly takes a lot for me to say that.
In the end, I was left with the perfect amount of closure but with a heartbreaking desire to read A Want so Wicked. I was also left with a hint of sadness for this could have been a beautiful and gripping stand-alone for it ended in such glory. It would have left readers with a rare ending not typically found in YA literature and with a radiant story, but alas our journey with Charlotte continues and I can't wait to embark upon it.
It's perfect, it made me ache, almost from page one.
I felt I was Charlotte, not simply reading her story. Just as Charlotte experiences visions and becomes her Needs through them, I became Charlotte.
I loved a boy named Harlin, more than words can describe. I had a mother named Mercy, and I never thought she was enough, until then end. My best friend was in agony and I could do nothing to save her, I could only wait for her to forget me.
I am not sure how Young did it, but tonight I was someone else, I was somewhere else and it was so Beautiful.
Long Review TK.
I felt I was Charlotte, not simply reading her story. Just as Charlotte experiences visions and becomes her Needs through them, I became Charlotte.
I loved a boy named Harlin, more than words can describe. I had a mother named Mercy, and I never thought she was enough, until then end. My best friend was in agony and I could do nothing to save her, I could only wait for her to forget me.
I am not sure how Young did it, but tonight I was someone else, I was somewhere else and it was so Beautiful.
Long Review TK.
My reaction:
A Need So Beautiful was shorter than I expected, and frankly, not that much actually happens in it. Charlotte is part of this epic battle between good and evil, but this first book is just her story of discovering what she is (one of the Forgotten) and then making a critical decision about her future. There are these Needs that she gets, which come more frequently as the book goes on, which unfortunately I didn't find that interesting. I liked that the Needs showcased different types of problems, but we don't get to know personally any of the characters she helps, so they felt somewhat generic.
I enjoyed reading about Charlotte's struggle to make her ultimate decision, as she has to choose between two unenviable options (), but after a while her deliberation got tiresome. In other words, Angst Alert!
Harlin was a nice combination of sexy and sweet at the same time, and I liked that his relationship with Charlotte was already established when the book began. All things considered, it doesn't undergo that much drama, despite the fact that she lies to him for almost the whole book. Which bugged me, by the way — I mean, I get that she'd sound kind of crazy discussing her mystical nature, but all her lying just became repetitive.
I also thought Charlotte's friend Sarah was pretty awesome, providing an upbeat personality and attitude that would probably get annoying in a protagonist but was refreshing in a side character.
Best aspect: I can't really talk about this without spoiling things. For me, the best aspect was what I found to be the saddest part of the book.
I also really appreciated that some "issues" were included but not made a big deal of. Charlotte has an adoptive family, but it's not the focal point of the story; her adoptive brother is gay, but it's just mentioned in passing a few times that he has a boyfriend.
If I could change something... I'd give the story more plot points (besides just the Needs) so the reader can focus on something other than Charlotte's Big Decision. The plot ends up feeling too simplistic, padded out with Charlotte's worries and dilemma-izing instead of actual events.
I'd also explain the magical side of things better. The mythology surrounding the Light and the Shadows was all quite vague — we don't really know anything about how the Light works, who's in charge here, etc. — and yet it's used to conveniently explain away things, which I found kind of annoying. And then there's Charlotte's power, which gives rise to questions like: how does she convince people so quickly? Why do they bother to listen to her?
And I found the climactic scene a little unbelievable.
If you haven't read it: and you like angst and angels, and you don't ask too many questions when you read a book, then this might be a winner for you. Otherwise, there's probably something better you could be reading.
If you have read it: how did you feel about the plot (or lack thereof)?
Just one more thing I want to mention: I thought the very end () was a neat jumping-off point for the second book.
Final verdict: 3 shooting stars. I liked the concept, but I feel like there could have been more done with it. I found myself feeling kind of melancholic afterwards, though, so I guess on some level it affected me.
A Need So Beautiful was shorter than I expected, and frankly, not that much actually happens in it. Charlotte is part of this epic battle between good and evil, but this first book is just her story of discovering what she is (one of the Forgotten) and then making a critical decision about her future. There are these Needs that she gets, which come more frequently as the book goes on, which unfortunately I didn't find that interesting. I liked that the Needs showcased different types of problems, but we don't get to know personally any of the characters she helps, so they felt somewhat generic.
I enjoyed reading about Charlotte's struggle to make her ultimate decision, as she has to choose between two unenviable options (
Spoiler
go into the light, burst, and have everyone forget her, or give into the darkness and become an evil ShadowHarlin was a nice combination of sexy and sweet at the same time, and I liked that his relationship with Charlotte was already established when the book began. All things considered, it doesn't undergo that much drama, despite the fact that she lies to him for almost the whole book. Which bugged me, by the way — I mean, I get that she'd sound kind of crazy discussing her mystical nature, but all her lying just became repetitive.
I also thought Charlotte's friend Sarah was pretty awesome, providing an upbeat personality and attitude that would probably get annoying in a protagonist but was refreshing in a side character.
Best aspect: I can't really talk about this without spoiling things. For me, the best aspect was what I found to be the saddest part of the book.
Spoiler
The part where people started to forget Charlotte. The torture of having people forget you was very well-conveyed; at first it's just little things, and then it got more and more serious as her friends began to not know who she was.I also really appreciated that some "issues" were included but not made a big deal of. Charlotte has an adoptive family, but it's not the focal point of the story; her adoptive brother is gay, but it's just mentioned in passing a few times that he has a boyfriend.
If I could change something... I'd give the story more plot points (besides just the Needs) so the reader can focus on something other than Charlotte's Big Decision. The plot ends up feeling too simplistic, padded out with Charlotte's worries and dilemma-izing instead of actual events.
I'd also explain the magical side of things better. The mythology surrounding the Light and the Shadows was all quite vague — we don't really know anything about how the Light works, who's in charge here, etc. — and yet it's used to conveniently explain away things, which I found kind of annoying. And then there's Charlotte's power, which gives rise to questions like: how does she convince people so quickly? Why do they bother to listen to her?
And I found the climactic scene a little unbelievable.
Spoiler
Harlin accepts that Charlotte is an angel way too easily, and the fact that he turns out to be a Seer is rather convenient (and could have been hinted at a little more, since it basically comes out of nowhere...)If you haven't read it: and you like angst and angels, and you don't ask too many questions when you read a book, then this might be a winner for you. Otherwise, there's probably something better you could be reading.
If you have read it: how did you feel about the plot (or lack thereof)?
Just one more thing I want to mention: I thought the very end (
Spoiler
where she wakes up and doesn't know who she isFinal verdict: 3 shooting stars. I liked the concept, but I feel like there could have been more done with it. I found myself feeling kind of melancholic afterwards, though, so I guess on some level it affected me.