Wings

Title: Wings

Author: Aprilynne Pike

Pages: 294

Pub: 2009; HarperTeen

Genre: Young Adult; Paranormal

Etc: Buddy Read with The Awesome Jenn @ Booksessed.

The Short of It

Smell good? Maybe it’s a fairy.

The Long of It

Laurel is going through a LOT of changes.  She’s no longer homeschooled, she’s a teenager, she has new friends, she met a boy, and oh yeah – she’s got wing-shaped flowers sprouting from her back.  You could say life has gotten to be a little strange.  Freakin’ out about this smelling sprung surprise, Laurel returns to her childhood home to get some quiet sob time in the woods.  Of course this is where she meets a faerie, Tamini, who tells her about her legacy.  Thank god she has David (cute new boy that she digs) to hold her hand through most of the weirdness.  It’s also a bonus that he’s a science whiz.

The Thoughts about It

First, before I share my opinions, open up a tab on your browser to meet Jenn.  I don’t want you to miss out on her review of Wings either.  Don’t worry.  I’ll wait.

Okay.  Back?  So where do I begin.  First, I’ve been on this amazing YA roll.  Every book I’ve picked up has been FANTASTICAL. For realz.  I’ve been feeling pretty sure of myself – OVER CONFIDENT, if you will. 

So, let’s just call Wings my little speed bump.  ‘Cuz I just wasn’t feelin’ it.  First off, Laurel doesn’t sprout wispy feathery wings that allow her to fly.  Nope.  She sprouts a ginormous flower from her back.  A flower, yes, that smells beautiful.  But it’s still a flower.  I had such a HARD time suspending my disbelief for this.  And an even more difficult time buying that a young girl can hide these flower petals.  Or that she’s not FREAKING OUT and running to her parents asking WTF?!  And okay, so sure, she freaks out a little.  But not in the natural way that I’d be running around freaking out.

Oh and her parents…really.  I just did not believe they were real people who took care of this gal from when she was a little tyke.  Pont One – the mom couldn’t say the word period.  In: Hey honey, have you started your period yet?  Nope, it was more of a *shudder*: Hey honey, so have you started…you know…is it that time?  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  What mom cannot handle menstruation?  (I’m sure Jenn will point out in her review that Mom had no problem talking about sex though. *befuddled*)

Also, wait for it…wait for it…there’s a LOVE TRIANGLE.  I know.  You’re shocked aren’t ya? ‘cuz we all know, you might be YA paranormal if you have a love triangle.  I know, that’s a bit of snark isn’t it? It’s just, it was so expected.  I do have to say that I like both characters.  And not in a Team Jacob or Team Edward sorta away. Both David and Tamini  are interesting.  They both have characteristics that are separate from their interest in Laurel.  That’s pretty nifty.

Finally, I’m going to end on a positive note.  I really dig the story of the Fae world that Pike created.  (I’ll give you a hint, there is a mention of King Arthur and the Knights). I wish that this was explored more and perhaps that would be the only reason why the second in this trilogy (?) would interest me.  ‘Course, Jenn has already admitted she’s gonna read it to find out what happens between Laurel, Tamini, and David.  Maybe I’ll just quiz her afterward.