Saturday, April 21, 2012

The Wings Series by Aprilynne Pike

Wings
(Wings #1)
By Aprilynne Pike
Published by HarperTeen
Reviewed by Sis-in-law Sarah


Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful--too beautiful for words.
Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.
In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.


I read this book almost exactly a year ago and have been aching to read the rest of the series ever since!  I'm so excited to say I'm finally accomplishing that...and thought I'd do a little reviewing while I'm at it! Especially since long awaited book four is coming out this year! And I'm super stoked to say that I have a copy of it in my hands RIGHT NOW!!!!

What captured me about Wings was the whole new kind of faeries.  Seriously, these are nothing like I've ever seen before.  I don't want to give too much away, but these faeries are incredible! Instead of being little creatures, they are actually plants....with GORGEOUS blossoms I might add! Such a genius idea! I so enjoyed getting to know this whole new world!

This was a super fast read to me. (We had one snow day last year and I spent it curled up by the fire reading this book! Such fond memories!)  But it's not the kind of fast read where you don't really feel like you know the characters.  I LOVED these characters! Seriously, I want to BE Laurel.  And the love triangle in this one....super heart wrenching!  I love Tamani. Seriously. Like....a lot.  So, great romance in this series, yet very safe content for the younger reader.

The first book very much feels like a prequel.  It's awesome, but you really get to delve into Pike's faerie world in book #2!


Spells
(Wings #2)
By Aprilynne Pike
Published by HarperTeen
Reviewed by Sis-in-law Sarah

Six months have passed since Laurel saved the gateway to the faerie realm of Avalon. Now she must spend her summer there, honing her skills as a Fall faerie. But her human family and friends are still in mortal danger--and the gateway to Avalon is more compromised than ever. 

When it comes time to protect those she loves, will she depend on David, her human boyfriend, for help? Or will she turn to Tamani, the electrifying faerie with whom her connection is undeniable?

Wings was a great introduction book, but Spells...Spells is where it gets juicier and juicier!  I absolutely adored this book!  

In the beginning Laurel actually takes a trip to Avalon...and my-oh-my is it a wonderful place!!!! I was in love with Pike's version of fairyworld!  I love how fairies blossom at different seasons and the different roles fall, winter, spring, and summer fairies play.  I love how uncomfortable Laurel is with these divisive roles and I'm hoping the author delves more into this in future books!

Also, I loved that this book gives you a chance to know Tamani more.  Wings was very much focused on David and Laurel's story.  In this one, you get to know a little more about Tamani and Laurel's history as well as Tamani himself.  David's a great human boyfriend and all, but I just stinkin' love Tamani! Team Tam all the way!!!!

There is so much more complexity in this second book!  You've got trolls and the return of Jeremiah Barnes, Jamison and all things fairyworld, Chelsea and David getting more of a play in Laurel's life, and the introduction of a new character whom we don't know whether or not is threatening to Laurel and the other faeries.  Sometimes second books can be disappointing, but I thought Spells was most definitely a step up from the first book in this series!



Illusions
(Wings #3)
By Aprilynne Pike
Published by HarperTeen
Reviewed by Sis-in-law Sarah

Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice. 

But just as life is returning to normal, Laurel discovers that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail.

I really am so excited to say that this series just gets better and better.  I could not put this book down!!!

This one takes on a different feeling altogether.  Laurel, who has done very well keeping her two worlds completely separate, is horrified (as well as secretly delighted) to find that Tamani is now her new classmate.  Obviously, this makes things totally complicated with David, who can't help but play the jealous boyfriend, as well as within her own heart as Laurel is forced to make a choice between the two.

So obviously, guess what, for all you Team Tam fans like me, there is SO MUCH Tamani in this book! I totally was a squee-er from start to finish.  And who doesn't love it when the two guys in the love triangle finally go at it!!! 

The action in this book is so much more involved than the others.  Wild fairies, the Unseelie court, Klea and her band of hunters, and a character who's loyalties are questioned....so much great stuff in this one! And seriously, one of the most killer cliffhanger endings EVER! Needless to say, I CANNOT WAIT to read book #4!!!!



So if you were kind of on the fence about Wings, keep with the series.  They just get better and better! I'm so looking forward to see what Pike does with book #4....Destined!!! Review to come!