Wings (Wings, 1)

I came across this series when it appeared on my reading class for a literature class called Women of Faerie. I love all things magical and fae so I was excited to read this series.From a technical standpoint, this book was written from the point of view of a narrator, something that I see less and less of in YA literature. I generally like first-person stories better because I feel like I get the main character better, but this really worked for this story line and the characters involved in it.The faery mythology in this book was different than most of what I have read before, these faeries very different from the traditional winged creatures we are used to in literature. Instead, these faeries really tied in the concept of nature by being less humanoid and more plant-based. With that, a faery's appearance changed in accordance with the kinds of food they, as in their hair and eye colors. I loved that little detail! Also interesting is the fact that their "wings" had a real purpose beyond being pretty or for movement. All of these things created an interesting and refreshingly different world.The characters in this book were fantastic. Laurel is our main characters and is seemingly your typical teenage girl. She is the new girl, in public school for the first time in her life. She is beautiful and she knows it without being stuck on it, slim with blonde hair and green eyes. Instead, she is feeling shy and out of her comfort zone when we first meet her. She has been homeschooled until now, living in a tiny town, giving her a complete lack of social interaction with kids her age. That awkwardness makes her real. I loved her loyalty to her friends, even despite all she learns about her history as a faerie. She doesn’t forget them when she discovers the truth about herself. Her “back and forth” between Tamani and David sometimes bothered me, even though I understood it and it was essential to the story line. David is fascinating in that his character accepts Laurel with very little hesitation, perhaps even before she accepts herself. He is highly intelligent and very much a scientific mind which I think helped him accept her. Tamani is interesting because he is rather otherworldly. He is fae, like Laurel, and has lived in the human world just about as long as she has. But they are very different people despite this. She was raised in the human world, living with the ideals and ways of humans. Tamani, even though he technically lived in the human world, lived apart from it. He understood human ways on the surface, but always came across as aloof from human ways.Things to love about Wings... --The mythology. As I talked about, it was very different than most books today and I really enjoyed that. It helped to emphasize the nature elements of fae culture. --The tie-in with established mythology. This book blended Pike's created fae mythology with the mythology of Avalon, my pet favorite.Things I wanted more or less of... --A little less Twilight feel. At the beginning, there was a bit of that Edward/Bella feel to it, the pacing maybe a little slow for some reason. Despite my lack of love of that Twilight feeling, I do think that the pace actually served to further the impact of Laurel's self-discovery. --A little more explanation. I never really found out why gaining access to the Gate to Avalon suddenly became so important to the trolls. Why now? And was it for their use, or someone else’s? --A little less judgment. Laurel's mother and her reaction to Laurel's reality bugged me.Some quotastic goodness... --Typical mother advice. Sweet, honest, and completely useless (7). --This was way more than some strange manifestation of puberty. Mood swings, disfiguring acne, even periods that went on for months were at least semi-normal. But growing oversized flower petals out of your back from a zit the size of a softball? This was something else entirely (49). --Her lips filled with the sweetness of his mouth, and Tamani held her against him as if he could somehow pull her inside of him, make her part of him. And for a moment, she did feel like part of him. As if their kiss bridged the gap between two worlds, even if only for that one brief, sparkling moment (289).My recommendation: A fantastic read for anyone charmed by fae lore, Avalon, and the epic struggle between good vs. evil.

As many of you know I am an educator who works part time in a book store, so my "to read" list is never ending since I am constantly surrounded by books! This book was recommended to me by a friend of mine from the bookstore who shares my love for faerie stories, not the Tinkerbell goodie-two shoes faerie, faeries the way they are depicted originally. In Wings, Aprilynne has put a whole new spin on faeries, in this world faeries are more closely related to plants, meaning the bleed a substance like chlorophyll not blood. Another new element are the "wings" that the fairies have, the main character Laurel grows a blossom every year that starts in the center of her upper back and grows down. This quote explains it very well:"Petal-like strips sprouted from where the bump had been, making a gently curved four-pointed star on her back. The longest petals-fanning out over each shoulder and peeking around her waist-were more than a foot long and as wide as her hand. Smaller petals-about eight of nine inches long- spiraled around the center, filling the leftover space. There were even a few small green leaves where the enormous flower connected to her skin. All of the petals were tinged a dark blue at the center that faded to the softest sky blue in the middle and white at the ends. The edges were ruffled and looked eerily like the African violets her mother painstakingly grew in their kitchen. There must have been twenty of the soft, petal-like strips. Maybe more. " -Wings, by Aprilynne PikeTuring into a faerie is just the beginning of Laural's worries though, because there is a serious love triangle going on in this story between Laural, David, the human, her best friend and classmate and Tamani, the fae who helps guard the entrance to Avalon. David is supportive, steady, and understanding of everything that is happening to Laurel, but Tamani is mysterious and holds knowledge to Laurel's past and future as a faerie. The first third of this book for me moved a little slowly, but after that it picked up significantly and I could not put the book down. Laurel is thrown into a battle between the fae and the trolls that has been going on forever, she has the power to protect Avalon, but many obstacles slow her down on her journey, not to mention the distraction of the two guys in her life both fighting for her attention.Overall, this book was a great read. If you want fresh spin on fae then I would read Wings by Aprilynne Pike, plus if you read it now, you won't have to wait that long for the sequel

What a beautifully written book by Aprilynne Pike! 'Wings' is her first novel and if this is anything to go by, I for one cannot wait to see what other books she has in store for us.'Wings' is a new and original take on faeries for today's generation. Aprilynne Pike cleverly uses science and nature to reinforce the plot as well as weaving mythology and Shakespeare's plays into the story.This book will appeal to the Twilight fans and quench their thirst for paranormal romance without having yet more vampires and werewolves jumping out of the pages at you.It is an enchanting book that will leave you intoxicated and craving more.What could be even better than 'Wings' the book? Well, Disney are apparently planning on making 'Wings' into a movie. Disney and faeries? What could be more perfect!The sequel Spells follows on from Wings and the third book is due to come out soon called Wild. I have already preordered my copy!

Daughters review:A faerie story with a great twist into the nature of magic!This is the best story I have honestly ever read and I am a book worm. Pike has managed to make our world seem more magical by the minute. The excitement and the danger in it is fantastic! If you are into romance like me then this is it for you. It takes a little while to set the scenes but once you do it will become the top of the charts in books you have read- i guarantee it. I am not selling this to you, just giving my own opinion.Overall, buy it.

I read this book the first time in my teenage ears, and I had loved it as it took me so close to a new world full of wonder. I love this genre, and when looking for something else to read, I remembered how much I enjoyed this, and wanted to see if I’d like it all the same. The answer is yes! I like Pike’s way of writing, not too exaggerated in writing about emotions and dialogues as many of young teenage style books are, quite realistic approach to that, and that’s what makes the story better!

On the cover it has a recommendation from Stephanie Meyer - which actually put me off a little as that is one author whose work I don't enjoy at all. And then there's the pinkness of it all - BUT to my surprise - I really enjoyed this book.The characters are likeable, and it progresses at a good pace. The Fairy Tamani was humorous and interesting - though mentally I kept calling him Tahini!(lol)I look forward to the next one.

I bought this book on an offer price and wow what a great buy. It is a book that drags you in straight away and you can't help but love the main characther Laurel. It's a very innocent book and aimed at teenages & young adults, well I'm none of these and still loved it.Great storyline and great start to the series