Wings

a review by Courtney

I am not entirely sure how I feel about this book!! There was a lot to love about it but I wasn't quite sure if I truly connected to the story or not! Laurel is a 15 yr. old girl who has a bunch of weird quirks about her that make her not so normal and then the biggest quirk of all is when a flower starts to bloom out of her back!! The only person she confides this major secret too is her new close friend David. Together they try to unravel who or what she is!

This was one of the weirdest books I've read and I've read a lot of weird books. I think that is what intrigued me the most about i. The beginning starts off pretty slow but thing got so weird that I had to keep reading to figure out what was going on!!

I really did think that Laurel was a pretty good character even though there were times I felt I really didn't know or understand her at all. But I was really excited when they added the other guy Tamani to the story because I was not very connected to David. He was just too nice and sweet and I am drawn to a guy that is a little harder to get!!

Tamani was great...hello forest guy!! Yum! He sounded great and I found myself wishing Laurel would find more reasons to go see him.

The reasons I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is that I struggled with the beginning a bit and I was frustrated with the whole mentioning of sex. It just about made me scream when the mom suggested that 15yr old Laurel be careful with her friend David because she could get pregnant. I was like "are you kidding me, she is 15". But other than that one paragraph or so I enjoyed the story and I think other YA fantasy lovers will enjoy the story! I plan on reading the rest of the series too because I am definitely interested in where this is heading!

Reader reviewed by Emily Brown

Laurel has never had much in common with other teenagers. For one thing, she has been home-schooled for all of her life, and is something of an introvert. In her sophomore year, Laurels parents move and decide that it is time for her to attend a public school, and Laurel realizes how different she really is from her classmates. Its not just her home-schooled, hippie background or peculiar vegan and sprite-only diet; nor is it just because of her beautiful, willowy looks or her affinity for the woods and sunlight. One day, Laurel discovers a welt on her back that simply wont go away&and it grows, blooming into a pair of stunningly beautiful, wing-like petals. Frightened and completely alone, Laurel turns to her new friend David for help and comfort, and she learns just how different from everyone else she really is. Aprilynne Pikes debut novel Wings has received rave reviews from YA critics, and has garnered comparisons to Stephenie Meyers uber-popular Twilight saga (even scoring a cover quote from Ms. Meyer) which is apt. Wings shares the same enchanting otherworldly feel with Twilight, as well as the awkward, pretty new girl in town premise but thats where the comparison ends. Why? Because in this reviewers opinion, Wings outshines Twilight in every possible way. Wings is a lush, beautifully written novel that encompasses romance, an imaginative spin on the realm of faerie, thrilling action and a strong heroine that would mop the floor with Bella Swan. Fifteen year-old Laurel sets herself part from the people she meets at school, feeling claustrophobic in the air conditioned classrooms and covered cafeterias but instead of passively going with the flow and trying to fit in, she prefers to sit outside in the sunlight on her own. A few reviews seem to take issue with the books slower start, dealing with the day to day musings and uncertainties of Laurel but this appeals to me, as a reader and grounds Laurel as a tangible, sympathetic character. When David talks to her, she welcomes his friendship and later confides in him when she cannot tell her adoptive parents exactly how different she is from everyone else but shes very careful not to lose herself in Davids comfort, or let her life become defined by their relationship. With Davids support and quiet strength, Laurel comes to grips with exactly who and what she is in a very nice twist on the faerie myth, and also a refreshing twist on the traditional girl falls for supernaturally sexy boy story. I have to admit that I loved Laurels mettle and her positive attitude; despite the immense changes she is going through (and growing a giant flower out of ones back is a pretty dramatic change!), Laurel keeps her wits about her. It is Laurel that discovers what her true parentage is; it is Laurel who recognizes the danger that threatens her family, and who saves them all from danger. As a strong, non-passive heroine, Laurel totally rocks. As a romantic novel, Wings is completely, winsomely enchanting. Theres a love triangle, which is to be expected in line with the Twilight comparisons but the very human and calmly dependable David juxtaposed against the emotional, supernatural charmer Tamani are much more fleshed out as characters and more desirable (in my opinion) than the tawdry Edward and Jacob. I think what I appreciate the most about this blossoming love story is that it is not founded on obsession or unrealistic premises Laurel is cautious with her emotions, and does not recklessly pin her entire self-worth on her truest of true loves. Both characters have their very different appeals, and the triangle is far from concluded sure to draw some intense David or Tam debates. At this point, the triangle is engaging and fresh I just hope Ms. Pike can keep the appeal going in the next few books without slipping into contrivance (Im always a little ary when starting into a love triangle story. Somehow I always end up rooting for the losing guy.) So far as plotting and world-building are concerned, Wings is deftly written and freshly original. I wont spoil the particular twist, but suffice to say that I was intrigued by Ms. Pikes take on faerie. Theres action and danger aplenty in this novel as well, as a mysterious stranger tries to buy Laurels family land and threatens her family with mortal consequences. Murderous plots, death-defying escapes, magic and romance abound in Wings whats not to love? I finished Ms. Pikes lovely debut in a single sitting, and cannot wait for the next installment in the series.

Reader reviewed by Yan

Wings was definitely something that you have to read a bit further than 50 pages to get into. When I finished opened the pages, I was a bit put off by the style of writing. It seemed basic, middle school writing. It reminded me of a Disney, Once upon a time, there was a fairy princess& type of style. But once I got pass the few chapters, it grew on me.

The characters were simplistic with nothing too overly flamboyant. The motives behind each one can be easily defined in a simple sentence for each character: who am I? and I love her. I may be overly down cutting on the whole intelligence factor but in the end it does come down to that.

Speaking of love, there is a love triangle. Human against faery. Not really going to say much about that except for it being predictable.

The background information was lacking in some departments though. We have faeries and trolls, and simple descriptions of their appearance. I wanted something more. What separates those two groups into such a defined good vs. evil type of feud? Greed can be accredited for some of this, but not all.

You really cannot say much about this book. It was basically a giant source of background information, building it all up for the sequel. Nothing really developed here nor did anything truly remarkable occur.

I would like to say that what everyone has said about Pikes new take on faeries is different. I would have like for her to go into further details though. Like primary functions, how does she talk, what feeds into her brain for it to be able to function. Creditable is all that I am looking for. Great imagination, now just tie it up to the real world.

Overall: For some reason when I first heard about this book, I thought it would have something to do with sisters or something similar. I was way off, lets just say that. Again, one giant building block, well see what happens next.

Reader reviewed by Jordan

Laurel is a 15-year-old girl starting her first year of public school. But, the fact that she's been homeschooled her whole life isn't the only thing that sets her apart from the other kids.  When a blossum sprouts from her back, she has to figure out why.  With help from her new best friend, David, Laurel discovers what she really is.
Definitely a good book for fantasy lovers.  Laurel is a likable character, as well as her two love interests-David and Tamani.  If you liked Wondrous Strange, you'll like Wings.  It is appropriate for any one 12+.  There is some mild violence, but nothing too mature.
Will leave you craving the sequel.

Reader reviewed by Mariah

This was a great debut book by
Aprilynne Pike. She draws you into the setting and makes you feel as if
you know the characters. Throughout the book Laurel is faced with
changes to herself and her family that she must conquer. This book is
like a combination of many other fantasy books. For example Wicked
Lovely and Twilight. But at the same time it is it's own book
completely. If you liked either of those books you would probably like
this book, but even if you hate those other books this book still has
something in it for you! I enjoyed the character's personalities and
how Laurel was so completely different than any other main characters
in any book I have read!

reprinted with author's permission

Reader reviewed by Aud

Wings by Aprilynne Pike is about a girl who one day has what she thinks is a pimple on her back which then turns into what can only seem to be a flower. She hides this giant flower that is growing from her back and she goes to confide in her friend. They do test and realize she is a plant. She doesn't have a heart beat or anything. She returns to her house where in the woods she finds others like her they explain that they are fairys and she is a plant. They placed her with her parents when she was young to help keep the land in the family name to keep it safe. Ok so I know this is a young adult book however the whole idea that she just one day has a flower growing out of her back is kinda hard to grasp. I guess I'm into the whole fairy books who have actual wings. It is a very great story for younger readers but seemed to young for my taste.

Reader reviewed by Sara

Title: Wings
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Publisher: HarperTeen
Date Published: 2009
Genre: Young Adult
Main Themes: Faeries, Trolls, Love, Magic, Changelings
Pages: 294
Plot:
From inside book jacket: "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'll be honest, when I started this book I didn't like it. More specifically, I didn't like Laurel. She was too perfect - and I hated that she knew it. I like my main characters to have some flaws - otherwise I can't relate to them all that well. After all, I'm not perfect... :) By the time I got to about the eighth chapter I couldn't put the book down! I don't know what happened: maybe it just took me some time to warm up to the book, maybe I was just being overly critical at the beginning - whatever! The point is: I loved this book.

Don't get me wrong, there were flaws. The character David, for example. He was a bit flat. I kind of forgot about him at times - especially when Tamani was around.

Tamani, in comparison, was an amazingly written character! He was so vibrant and interesting...

I think that David will develop more as a character in the next book though, now that the scene is set.

The part that really got me about Wings was the originality of the faery world. Yes, there were some allusions to other recognizable fae lore, but Aprilynne Pike created her own type of fae and fae history.

I'll be anxiously awaiting the next book and the continuation of Laurel's story! And if you start this book and don't find yourself glued to the pages - don't put the book down! Keep going because in a couple chapters you'll find yourself completely engrossed in the world Pike has imagined!

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 9
Writing Style: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10!
Total: 49/50 (A)

Reader reviewed by Julie H.

Laurel Sewell just moved from the only home she remembers, to a larger town in Northern California. She begins at Del Norte high school after having been homeschooled her whole life.  Laurel sticks out a bit in the lunchroom, with her light as a bird, vegan style eating, but soon makes a couple of friends in David and Chelsea.  Her father's trying to make a success at his bookstore and her mother is just pleased when Laurel eats or drinks more calories, like a can of Sprite from their stocked fridge.  One morning, Laurel wakes up with a strange bump on her back that continues to grow.  Eventually, she sprouts a flower of sorts right out of the middle of her back.  A visit to her old home near the forest helps explain her heritage. 

This is to be a four book series, there are faeries,evil trolls and touches of Arthurian legends about the gates to Avalon.  Pike has created a wonderful character in Laurel, and a great three way romantic triangle with her,  human David and the faerie Tamani.  One wonders if the Stephanie Meyer endorsement will help this be as big a phenomenon as her Twilight series.

Reader reviewed by kim

Laurel is a sheltered teenager who grew up home schooled in a small town. When her parents decided to move, they enroll her for the first time in a local high school. Laurel is just getting used to these changes in her life when she discovers a small bump on her back that quickly blossoms into a wing like appendage made purely out of fragrant flowers. David is the cute, nice guy at school who is obviously interested in Laurel.Being safe and loyal, Laurel feels like she can trust David and she goes to him more than once for assistance. He tests her cells under his microscope and reveals that they are more plant than animal. But its not until she meets the mysterious Tamani in the wooded acreage outside of her old home, that Laurel truly begins to grasp just who she really is. Tamani helps her come to terms with her heritage and also helps her understand just how valuable the land is that her family owns. Laurel is placed in a situation where she realizes some evil influences are at work to take away this land, and she has to fight for this not to happen.

 

Wings was not a very demanding story to read and took a long time to really get off the ground. The characters were interesting and unique, though I would say a bit underdeveloped. I will say that once Laurel began sprouting the blossom on her back, I was intrigued and thats where the novel really began rolling for me. The scientific, loyal David is someone that I would like to learn more about, and it should be interesting to see how he adapts to Laurels strong connections with her faery brethren and burgeoning relationship with Tamani.  I  REALLY wanted to learn more about what exactly goes on in the faery realm and to walk through the gates with Lauren, but that only makes for an exciting sequel, and I definitely look forward to reading the next in the series.

Reader reviewed by Mrs. Graham

Wings is a wonderful story about a boy who grows wings and the problems that causes. It is also about relationships. I read it to my sixth grade Reading classes, and the were unhappy when I had to stop. They didn't want to wait until tomorrow to hear some more!