Thursday, April 22, 2010

Wings by Aprilynne Pike


Title: Wings
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Published: May 2009 by HarperTeen

My Rating: 4 stars
Tags: YA | Fiction | Romance | Fantasy | Faeries
Includes: Violence, Sensuality, Brief Profanity

First Lines: Laurel's shoes flipped a cheerful rhythm that defied her dark mood. As she walked through the halls of Del Norte High, people watched her pass with curious eyes.



Laurel, a sheltered homeschooler, is suddenly forced into a public high school once her family moves into a new house. She makes friends with the caring and supportive David, who wants to be more than just friends. Laurel has always been different. She's a strict vegan, never gets cold, craves sunlight, and still hasn't gotten her period - at age fifteen. Over time, a blossom sprouts from her back and after testing the tissue with David's microscope, they come to the conclusion that she's not human, but a plant...more precisely, a faerie! Then comes along Tamani: witty, arrogant, but charming. A faerie just like Laurel. He brings her news that will send her on a mission, and Laurel might not come out alive.

First faerie book I've ever read, and I gotta say: it's not just a cute and feminine topic of writing. This book was great! It was a mix of genres: fantasy, romance, some suspense, the list continues. The story actually starts out pretty slow, but once Laurel blossoms on her back, it begins to pick up. And after she realizes she's a faerie? Man, I was literally ripping through the pages to see what was going to happen next.

Ahhh the ever-famous love triangle; authors really do know how to bring in their readers. On one side of the ring we have David: sweet and friendly, but kind of too much to a point where it's annoying. On the other side there is Tamani: the handsome and cunning faerie, but a little too conceited. What can I say other than I had no idea, even during the last chapter of the book, which boy Laurel would choose. I liked them both for different reasons, and we'll have to wait and see where this love triangle will go during the sequel (Spells).

From page 289
His arms wound around her and their bodies melded with a rightness she didn't bother to question. And for a moment, she felt like part of him. As if their kiss bridged the gap between two worlds, even if only for that one brief, sparkling moment.


I liked the mystique weaved between the pages of the book and the air of mystery that surrounded it all. I never knew what was going to happen, it was an unpredictable book. The climax was suspenseful and left an open door leading into the sequel. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of it! If you're on the fence about this one, I suggest you give it a try. It really kept up my attention for the most part and the only reason I gave it four stars, and not five, was because of the bland beginning and I wish more than anything that it was in first person!

Cover Thoughts: Love it. The colors are beautiful and the wings/flower are very appropriate for the cover.

Book Supplied by: Secret Santa present.

19 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. I really enjoyed this as well, but you're right- it would have been better in first person. Can't wait for Spells :)

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  3. It wasn't one of my favorites, but I'm glad you liked it. Not that I thought it was bad, it just was a little bland for me. Thanks for the review.

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  4. Hm.. I've been thinking about reading this but, but I've always hesitated about buying it. That's what I love about reviews, that they can change your mind so easily! So, after reading your review, I'm definitely going to buy it. Thank you! :)

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  6. Nice review! I definitely second the notion of first person, since I didn't feel like I knew Laurel too well, and I think Laurel fell in love with Tamani just because of his mystery and intrigue whereas David is just... David. Spells is coming out soon, though! :)

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  7. Loved the book when i read it, and i loved your review. You're right it was unpredictable, and very mysterious. I definitely agree with the notion of first person ^^^. You know the character more when in first person, and it could have made this book better, even though it was already good.

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  8. I enjoyed Wings for what it was -- a lighthearted fairytale. The romance was sweet, not sexy or passionate. And that's okay.

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  9. Great review! I need to get to this one soon...I have a copy on my shelves plus the audio book on my mp3 player, just haven't gotten around to it! Its sounds like a great story, though!

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  10. I'm into the whole romance genre so I have got to say that I loved it! The way it's written makes you want to cry at some parts. I love the descriptive wording of the book with the amazing cover. Overall, a wonderful book indeed. :)

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  11. I want to read this! I've read an excerpt and the writing is beautiful. Wonderful review!

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  12. I've never read anything like a faerie book really.But reading the review, i might try to to read it soon =)

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  13. I found the beginning kinda slow to, but I enjoyed it. I liked how original the faeries were in that book ^^

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  14. I agree this has a beautiful cover (as does "Spells"), but the book itself didn't live up to the hype for me. I was excited when I saw the recommendation by Stephenie Meyer on the front, but the book felt underdeveloped to me. I just felt like it could have been better, more fleshed out. And the love triangle didn't feell real to me; I didn't buy her attraction to Tamani.

    Having said that, I loved the originality of how she crafted her faeries, how they're really plants. So cool! I also loved that Laurel was sweet and nice. That's often hard to find in YA books these days.

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  15. The cover is really pretty i don't normally read books about fairies but it sound orignal interesting premise which makes me convinced to read it :D

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  16. I have a copy of Spells and I haven't read it yet. I don't normally read about fairies but this one has been on my TBR list for awhile. Love the cover as well though!

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  17. I am skeptical if i would like the whole faerie thing. But i guess i should try it to see. Sounds interesting. Thanks.

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  18. I liked this book, though I'm sure Spells and lllusions are even better. I don't like David, though. Team Tamani all the way :D

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  19. I actually picked up this book because of the cover. I started to read it, but I'm a picky reader and at the time I was a little bored by the beginning chapters.

    Reading this, however, makes me want to go back and give it another try. Thanks for the review!

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Thanks, I love what you have to say!