I'm always wary about YA novels centering around angels these days. Out of the ones that I've read, there have been both hits and misses... but I'm always willing to give the book the benefit of the doubt beforehand. However, I really shouldn't have had any worries regarding A Need So Beautiful because it has easily pulled itself apart from the rest to completely stand out on its own in a positively good way!
Suzanne Young's absolutely beautiful writing blew me away. Her prose had what seemed to be a certain soft, melodic lilt that left me in awe and was so easy to read. Charlotte may be kind and selfless, but there are limits to how much she's willing to give up... and when you learn about her ultimate fate of being completely forgotten by her loved ones, your heart will break too. She only wants to lead a normal life, but there's nothing regular when it comes to being one of the Forgotten.
As for the romance? Be prepared to completely swoon! Harlin. Harlin. Harlin. Oh my gosh, I really did fall for him. He's the epitome of the perfect bad boy image but has a golden, kind heart that will melt your own while leaving your spine tingling. Harlin's had a rough past but he would do anything in the world for Charlotte to make her happy and keep her safe.
I have no idea what to make of the ending except that I absolutely need to know what will happen in the second novel, A Want So Wicked! A myriad of emotions must have crossed my face when I finished, that's for sure. Confusion, amazement, dismay, sadness, surprise and a great level of utter shock were definitely among them! I would have loved it if the novel were a bit longer though because I just couldn't accept the fact that I had already reach the final page.
A Need So Beautiful will leave you just as breathless as its cover! Suzanne Young has offered a fresh, unique touch to the angel genre in what is easily her best novel to date so far! Just as Charlotte is constantly overcome with the Need to help others, you'll be finding it impossibly difficult to put this book down!
You can also read this review at:
http://midnightbloomreads.blogspot.com/2011/07/need-so-beautiful-by-suzanne-young.html
