Review: Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Ed. note: This post is the first in a series for Fae Week here at Vampire Book Club. Check for the image to the left to spot the faerie-related posts this week.

Wings
Aprilynne Pike
Published: May 2009
Purchase at: The Book Depository or Amazon

Rating (out of 5): 3 stars

Some young adult novels fall into that category because the protagonist is a teen (Vampire Academy). Some end up on the YA shelves because the dialogue is teen speak (House of Night). And, finally, some are there just because they’re books written solely for teens. Wings felt like the last set. So, do keep that in mind when reading a review written by someone in her late-20s.

To keep it straightforward, there were three things I loved about this novel:

1. Blossom vs. wings. Our fall faerie doesn’t have wings. Instead she has a blossom, which could easily be mistaken for wings. Not only is it a great visual, but using a blossom instead of wings for a faerie is so unexpected. Through Wings Aprilynne Pike lays excellent ground work for this world of fae as plants. We can easily make the plant life connections for an understanding of Laurel’s tie to the forest, the feel of Tam’s hair and the increasing contrast to the animal world.
2. Tam. Hot warrior faerie guy, who clearly is head-over-heels for Laurel from the second we meet him. If there was a “Team Tam,” Vampire Book Club would join.
3. Realistic parental relationship. Laurel says she’s super close with her parents. Mom homeschooled her to this point, so it’s unsurprising. Yet when giant flower petals sprouted on her back, she just wanted to keep it hers alone. That’s standard adolescence; no matter how rad your mom is (mine rules, BTW), there will be the need to save those personal transitions for a journal entry or best friend. Fear of awkward moments can drive a wedge between parent and child from ages 12 to 19. (Younger readers, trust me, you get close again as you age.)

Now, the negatives:

1. Pacing. The novel started slowly. This is often the case with world-building series openers. I wouldn’t hold it against Wings, but be aware of it.
2. David. The human love interest. I want to like him. Really. David is just bland. His character lacks the robust, real qualities we get from Laurel and Tam. David is nice, good-looking and into science. That’s about it. However, I’m still up for reading a Laurel-David kissing scene.

Aprilynne Pike set up nicely for a second book (Spells) that will take Laurel to Avalon. I’m intrigued to read about that side of things, and knowing the plot moves in that direction with more Tam I’m inclined to take on book 2 in the series, though it doesn’t top the to-read pile (Firelight still holds reign right now).