Review Detail

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.