A Want So Wicked

May 1, 2012
High-school student Elise begins experiencing some very odd things that make her feel like some stranger is beginning to occupy her body. That's not surprising in this sequel (that can't stand alone) to A Need So Beautiful (2011), which chronicled the poignant situation of angel-like being Charlotte, who had the need to intervene in troubled people's lives but at the ultimate cost of both her own existence and all memory of it. Now readers discover that she's back, not only greatly diminishing the impact of the first tale, but also limiting the threat of any perilous choices she now faces as she occupies the hapless Elise's body and gradually rediscovers herself. Hunky romantic interest Harlin also returns, having conveniently been drawn to the love of his life in her new form, but he faces handsome potential rival Abe, who draws Elise into some believable teen situations. Onika, the evil temptress housed in an immortal--but nonetheless badly decayed--body, haunts Elise's dreams and then turns up in the (decomposed) flesh, as well. Elise's rebellious older sister Lucy, initially angst-ridden about her own issues, adds to the now-predictable conflicts that Charlotte/Elise must resolve before Charlotte can move on to a potential third book in the series. Knowing that Charlotte doesn't really face obliteration disappointingly defuses the suspense for all but the most avid fans. (Paranormal romance. 12 & up)

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July 1, 2012

Gr 7 Up-This sequel picks up where A Need So Beautiful (HarperCollins, 2011) ended. Something strange is happening to 17-year-old Elise. First, she wakes up alone in the desert with no idea who she is and then she starts having deja vu-like flashes of insight into the lives of strangers. Eventually, she remembers that in her past life she was Charlotte, a Forgotten, an angel on Earth, who recently sacrificed herself to increase the amount of love and hope in the world. Elise finds herself torn between Harlin, a sexy new boy in town and a Seer, a being who helps Forgottens to their destinies; and Abe, a bad boy who attracts her and whose agenda isn't entirely clear-but it could be very dangerous. Then there's also something going on with Elise's sister, who is mysteriously ill and unable to explain her increasingly strange disappearances. Packed with mystery, unexpected plot twists, and enough romance to satisfy even the most diehard Twi-hards, this novel is just as riveting as its predecessor. Much background information is delivered about Forgottens, Shadows, and other supernatural elements of the series. This book is a must where the first book is popular; familiarity with it is necessary to avoid any confusion.-Alissa J. LeMerise, Oxford Public Library, MI

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