A Want So Wicked (A Need So Beautiful #2)
Publication: June 26, 2012
Pages: 288
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Publisher: Balzer and Bray
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Elise is a normal seventeen-year-old girl until the day she wakes up in a desert park, with no idea who she is.
After that episode, her life takes a bizarre turn. She’s experiencing unexpected flashes of insight into people’s lives—people she’s never met before. Strangers frighten her with warnings about the approaching Shadows. And although Elise has never had a boyfriend, she suddenly finds herself torn between two handsome but very different young men: Abe, the charming bad boy whose effect on her both seduces and frightens her, and the mysterious Harlin, who’s new to town but with whom Elise feels an urgent, elemental connection—almost as if they are soul mates.
Now Elise begins to question everything about her life. Why do these guys both want her so desperately? What are the Shadows? Why does the name Charlotte inspire a terrifying familiarity? And who is Elise, really?
I was excited to see an ARC of this book tucked into a box of books that Harper Teen sent me. I received a copy of A Need So Beautiful among other books when I won a writing contest last year and adored it. Charlotte was a sweet and endearing girl. It broke my heart to see her fighting the Need. I also liked how she was already dating an amazing guy and was so serious about him. Needless to say, while I realized from the last chapter of A Need So Beautiful and from the synopsis of book two that Charlotte isn’t really gone, I was sad to let go of her. Without the same friends and family background Elise just isn’t the same.
While Charlotte has been working with the Need since a young age, Elise only begins to delve the life of a Forgotten now at the age of seventeen. Having just moved into a new town, Elise unfamiliar with the people there, and there are few people who can give us insight into her life. What I see is the naïve, goody-goody daughter of a pastor who tends to see the good in people. There were many times when I wanted her to find an excuse to stay away from bad boy Abe, who’s cocky and never clearly states his intentions towards Elise. He’s not exactly a creepy, but upon close inspection he doesn’t seem like he means well. I honest-to-goodness miss Charlotte, though I understand why Elise doesn’t want to see herself as the reincarnation of another girl.
The source of my inability to connect as well with Elise may not only be because of the character differences between Charlotte and Elise. There is the lack of strong supporting characters. Charlotte had Sarah, Harlin, Monroe, and her family; in addition, there was more action with Charlotte’s Need growing stronger and her meeting with Onika. In A Want So Wicked, the plot is more drawn out and complex with Elise having flashbacks to memories that aren’t hers in addition to visions of Onika. There wasn’t nearly enough elaboration on the plot for one as complex as this, though it does manage to tie together in the end.
I was delighted to see the return of some wonderful friends from book two. Most outstanding is Charlotte’s–and now Elise’s–love: Harlin. He’s still the same sweet, caring guy from book one, but he’s been broken, devastated as he was by losing Charlotte. I love the chemistry and sensual attraction between Harlin and Elise. It is very real, made all the more so because of Harlin’s loss and his determination to remember Charlotte. And it is definitely much more natural than Abe’s over-the-top flirtation and advances. I would have liked to get to know some of the side characters a bit better (like Abe and what’s under that bad-boy exterior), especially the ones related to the Forgotten and Shadows, but I understand it wasn’t always possible given their circumstances.
While I didn’t enjoy A Want So Wicked as much as A Need So Beautiful, this is still a riveting sequel with a darker twist to the original concept that drew me to book one. If you loved book one, be warned that the tone in this book is darker than book one, though the wit exchanged between characters in the dialogue is as fresh and funny as ever. I enjoyed learning more about the Forgotten and the Shadows, and I will definitely be reading book three if there is one!
Come back on July 3rd for my interview with author Suzanne Young and for a chance to win a copy of A Want So Wicked!
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Review – A Need So Beautiful (A Need So Beautiful #1)
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher. No payment was received in return for a review. The receipt of the book had no influence on the opinions expressed in my review.
Author: Crystal
A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. She writes under the name Kristy Wang. You can follow her writing adventures on X and Instagram @_kristywang.
Cassi says
Great review! I hope to read this soon because I loved A Need So Beautiful.
Crystal says
Thanks. I hope that you enjoy A Want So Wicked 🙂
Rachael Allen says
Great review. Can't wait to read this book!
Kara D. says
This cover's so lovely!
lameciac says
I have been wanting to read this book!
Elizabeth says
The books sound so integrating wonderful review
Suz Reads says
I can't wait to read this series! I'm sorry to read that you didn't like this one as much as the first book but that's okay because they book look great to me! Thanks for sharing your comments!
Sarah Kalaitzidis says
I can't spoil myself but I just love the cover but I'm sure this review is just as good as the first book review!!
Jolene and Family says
Both those boys sound very intriguing 🙂 sounds like a great read and I love the cover
Gaby says
This book has been on my TRL for a while so I'm really hoping to read it soon 🙂
Amy S. says
Interesting that the sequel is darker. She chose the titles well then. I'm looking forward to reading these.
Eli Yanti says
desperately want this book, the cover and the story sounds really great
actually i'm curious why in every YA book, there is always 2 heroes that adored and pursuit the heroine 🙂
thanks for the review
starryblue says
When I read this I wonder who I am going to like better either Harlin or Abe. Excellent review.
Amanda Ray says
Wow, the series sounds intriguing and a definite must read. Thanks for the review (and the warning that this book is on a darker level than A Need So Beautiful).
missymyt says
I really need to read this series!
Steph says
This series sounds so interesting! I have an ARC of this on my shelf, but I really need to read A Need So Beautiful before reading it. Great review!
Lili says
The cover is absolutely gorgeous and I am a nut for mythology! Great review! However, it's sort of a bummer that book two has a different main character. Every time I read a series like that… I have trouble getting through it. :/
Samantha Jean says
Well, the review makes me not want to read AWSW as much as I had before, but I still will anyway. I didn't realize book 2 wasn't going to be about the same MC…not really. I liked Charlotte and Harlin together and have a difficult time liking sequels which aren't about the same MC. Oh well. If I don't win this copy, it will be one I borrow from the library.
Natalie Aguirre says
I was more excited about the giveaway before I read your review here, but I'd still like to read it. Thanks for being honest here.
fourheadjen says
Nice review! I'm kind of disappointed that AWSW isn't as good as ANSB but I do like dark books, so hopefully I'll enjoy this more! 🙂
Madisonnnn ^__^ says
Thanks for sharing your review 😀 I'm glad you enjoyed the book. Since this book focuses on a different character, do you think one would be able to read AWSW before ANSB? I still plan on reading both, although I'm a bit curious.
Crystal says
You don't need to read ANSB before reading AWSW, but I'd recommend it. It gives you more perspective on the whole story.
Giselle says
I've been meaning to read A Need So Beautiful for a while I love the covers so much! 😀 I only skimmed the review but it sounds like a wonderful sequel!!
Crystal says
The covers are GORGEOUS! The gold for A Need So Beautiful makes it stand out really well on my shelf! This *is* a wonderful sequel. First, we learned about the Forgotten. A Want So Wicked is about the Shadows. I'm really hoping for a third book, so I can learn more about the Seers!!
Lisa says
I loved ANSB and it's sad to hear AWSW doesn't quite meet the bar! Oh I miss Charlotte! A little worried about Elise but I have my fingers crossed. Loved the supporting cast and mythology in book one. Pleeease let AWSW be good! Hopefully review copies will be sent out in AU some time soon 🙂 Thanks for the review!
Crystal says
The supporting cast and mythology is just as wonderful as in ANSB and further developed. Elise isn't a bad character at all. It's just that I loved Charlotte too much. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on AWSW!