Author: Carrie Jones
Series: (Need #4)
Published: May 8th 2012 by Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
 

I was so excited that I didn’t have the chance to put in my currently-reading shelf. I was so focused, drinking it all in. Savoring every detail. And it was so good—so awesome. I still can’t believe that the Need series has now ended. So bittersweet. I’m terribly going to miss Zara and Astley, gosh, my pixie king.

Endure, the final book of the series, and the title is like some kind of an inside joke. I did endure it, more than a year waiting; it is definitely, without a doubt a test of endurance. But you know what? It was all worth it. The wait? It paid off. I want to cry, cry some happy tears.

Where should I begin? Because, honestly? I’m completely lost. I have thousands and one things in my mind right now. I don’t know which are important to say and which are just my fangirling. But I loved how Ms. Jones ended her book series. I’m completely satisfied. And even as I reached the final page I was still happy. Even though I know there’s no more after that. It’s just the way it ended was all bright and hopeful. Complete but indefinite. And because of that, it didn’t matter that it was the last.

You know about the bad pixie, Frank and Isla? Or the ragnarok? How about Loki? And the imminent doom? And Hel, as in single L? No? Well…I’m not gonna talk about that anymore. I want to concentrate more on Zara and Astley. Because for me what made the waiting so worth it is because of THEM! These two, Zara and Astley. Astley and Zara. Let me just fangirl like there’s no tomorrow.

**beware, below are UNMARKED SPOILERS**

Even though I know Nick is back. I didn’t feel threaten with his presence. Why should I? I know and without a doubt they’ll end up together. And Nick’s behavior at the beginning made you see how incompatible they are (and not because she was a pixie), how his love for her rely too much on her specie. Made it so insincere to me. But in all fairness, his character had some redeeming moment. And safe to say, he admits defeat. Admitted who Zara really loves.

His lips move but no sound comes out. Instead, he moves his hand and I grab it. Our fingers interlock. “We will be strong together,” I promise.

I think the word together melted me like an ice cream on a hot day. He was poisoned and Zara’s worried look says it all. How she cared for him, how she was willing to give half of her powers to him. Her sincere fear of losing him. Who wouldn’t melt? Swooooooon!

“I am so lucky to be your queen.” Smiling at him, I nod. “I am. I am honored and lucky and so very glad.”

Do I dare to say more? Being Astley’s queen has its perks.

“Thank you,” he says, “for being brave after being thrust into a leadership role. For trying so hard to do the right thing for my people and for yours.” “And for loving you?” I ask. That was awkward. His breath pulls in. “You love me?”

Oh boy, this is it. THIS IS IT!!!!!!!!!! I’ve been waiting for this. See, this is one of those times where nice guy wins. It was a surreal feeling (giddy) on my part when finally Zara realized, sorted her feelings. That Astley had been there through thick and thin. His selfless acts to make Zara happy even in the process disregarding his feeling for her.  His love for her doesn’t depend on who she is. Human or pixie, for him it doesn’t matter what she is.

I have a few more quotes bookmarked but I have to save it so I won’t spoil people too much. It was wonderful ending for them, to say the least. I’m so happy it was mutual. When I first read about Astley in Captivate I was completely entranced by his character. And I loved how everything worked in the end. Not just the two of them, but everything from rogue pixie, Zara’s friends, Bedford…and the entire world?

Definitely gonna miss the gang. But what makes a book so wonderful is you can go back and read it all over again. Well for me, rereading starts always with Captivate (and you know why). 😉