Wings ~ Aprilynne Pike

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Pub. Date: May 2009
ISBN-13: 9780061668036
Age Range: 12 and up
304pp



Synopsis


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.



Let me start this review off by saying, I don't give a hoot if Stephanie Meyer endorses this book or not. This is Aprilynne's creation & not Ms. Meyer's! That said, let's get to it.

Fairies. Hmmm... Is this going to be a theme authors & publisher's are going to inundate us with until the next trend takes flight? Spare me. While I'm venting let me say, I'm not impressed with the copycat plots & the lack of original themes lining up bookstore shelves across the globe.


Enter Aprilynne Pike & her debut novel Wings. So, is the buzz fluttering around this bestselling novel authentic or hype? I must say, you need to read Wings yourself before you rush to make judgements based on the blurb by Meyer. Lovers of Meyer's will flitter to Wings based on her backing, however, haters will dig in their heels & deny themselves the opportunity to experience Pike's young adult fiction, Wings.


Pike's inimitable insight into the universe of faeries is momentous. Pike unearths a provocative symmetry between fantasy & reality. Wings is an enchanting contemporary fairy tale w/ the precise synthesis of excitement, humor, romance, friendship & peril.

Wings does start slow & there are some lengthy moments but Pike builds momentum as the story unfolds. Pike's writing is velvety & flows serenely.

Written in the third person, Wings showcases all the thrilling occurrences in a wider lens. Kudos to Pike for not falling into the first person point of view.

I have not read anything as one-of-a-kind as Pike's Wings; I am extremely interested in finding out where Pike is leading Laurel on this fun journey. Nope, no spoilers from moi!

Wings delves into an alluring land of mythology in which Pike navigates skillfully. Pike's unusual progression made me suspend disbelief. I may have a vivid imagination, but am a bit jaded.

Pike's take on mythology is fun & believable. Heck, Pike can teach mythology if all else fails & she will no doubt captivate her audience. I don't think Pike has to close her laptop or put the cap on her pen.

Unfortunately, Pike's characters aren't as powerful as they could be. I understand this is the first of four books & I do see Pike finding her footing & writing them w/ the vibrancy & angst I know she is capable of. Pike has it, so she needs to show off her dramatic chops by holding nothing back in the rest of the series.

Laurel needs to come in to her own & become more dimensional. I really want to see more depth to Laurel ~ beauty only goes so far. David is charming & I want Pike to delve deeper into what David is all about. Tamani. Tamani is magnetic. He is simply electrifying, like fireworks lighting up the night sky. Does that make me fall into Team Tamani? Not quite. Team David's got it going on, but... Let's see where Pike is taking her story. No spoilers coming from this review.

Wings is an enthralling paranormal fantasy that is written for young adults but younger teens can read this beguiling tale.

Pike is a welcome new voice & if Wings is any indication she will be doing blurbs for up & coming YA talent in no time.

Psst! Isn't the cover riveting?!

Check out Aprilylynne's website @ http://www.aprilynnepike.com.