Wings
by Aprilynne Pike
The moment I started reading Wings I realized something quite suddenly – I had to scrap the story I had been writing (on and off) since it was way too similar to this one. Not in every way, my protagonist was 19 and she had a little satyr guide and the faerie part was different of course (but she does wake up to discover she has wings all of a sudden), but it was eerily similar to my plotted idea. Darn. *goes back to drawing board*
I also realized something else – I was hooked on this story. My previous post notes how many books I have to read and how torn I am about which one I should start – but Wings had me hooked from the second I started it on Friday evening.
I now understand that the cover art isn’t just a pretty representation of faerie wings. I found Aprilynne Pike’s take on faeries very interesting and refreshingly different. I had never thought to think of the species that way.
Laurel’s life has changed quickly in a short period of time. Her parents move her from their farm in a very small town, to a larger town where she enters public school after having been home schooled her entire life. She then soon discovers she’s not particularly human and is very faerie. Along with her new best friend, David, Laurel learns to deal with her new found knowledge and the potential sale of her old home and land to a suspicious man who gives her the willies.
Oh, there’s so much more to this book than my lousy summary – but I don’t want to give anything away. Part of what I loved about this book was the suspense.
The only thing I didn’t like about the book? The character Tamani. Boy did I dislike him. Every time he spoke all I heard in my head was “wahhhh, I’m a whiny emo arrogant faerie guy”. I don’t know if I was supposed to, but I did. Doesn’t help that I have been re-watching all seasons of the TV show Angel and right now I am reliving my hatred for Connor, Angel’s son. Only this time, I can fast forward through all the Connor scenes. Hahahaha! The miracle that is a DVD player! *ahem* But I digress…
So I loved this book and I hope there will be MORE! Hear that, Ms. Pike? Write more! Please and thank you!
And, hmm, what does this fall under? Fantasy? It’s not really fantasy, nor is it Urban Fantasy. I don’t feel like it’s just plain ol’ fiction. For now I’ll just classify it as Young Adult and tag it with faeries. Any thoughts?
I always thought that was a butterfly on the cover.
I am glad you really enjoyed this! I had it in my hands the other day at the bookstore but I had other priorities!
Hi Cat
I was looking at your faerie TBR pile – some great stuff here! I was wondering if you’d ever read ‘Poison’ by Chris Wooding? It’s one of my favourite faerie reads. Also, one of my favourite, favourite books is called ‘The Merrybegot’ by Julie Hearn (the US version is called The Minister’s Daughter.) It’s more about witch hunts but there are some brilliant faerie and piskie scenes. Just thought I’d mention them in case you’re interested.
Ooo! My local bookstore has the original UK title version in stock -The Merrybegot it will be if I get this one! Thanks so much for the recommendations!
Kailiana – It was worth getting the hard cover!
Tez – I know, me too! It was only a week or so ago I saw a larger photo of the cover on someone’s blog that I noticed it wasn’t a butterfly.
I really want to read this! I just love faeries and this sounds like a good YA book too. Every time I see it I’m reminded of Wondrous Strange though. I sure wish that author would put out the next one already!