Spells is an anomoly in books, movies -- heck, almost anything. It is a sequel that is actually better than its story of origin.
In this follow up to series starter Wings, Aprilynne Pike sends newly blossomed faerie Laurel away from her home, her parents and her friends in the our world to study magic in Faerie. As an Autumn faerie, Laurel is a mixer -- one of the rare, talented faeries who can combine elements to create magic through potions, tonics and enchanted elixers. With the trolls continuing to threaten both her human and faerie families, Laurel understands that learning this magic is critical to everyone's safety.
This change of venue allows readers to explore Avalon, the faerie realm from which heroine Laurel was sent years ago to live among humans. This is good for two reasons: first, it lets Pike flex her ample imagination with some serious world-building. From the flashy spun-sugar bubbles and bejewelled marketplace of the Summer fae to the simple gourd homes of the spring folk, this faerie world is gorgeous and beautifully described. It's one of the best things about the book. Pike also develops atmosphere through Tamani's anecdotes and lessons, using faerie vernacular and explaining customs to help readers learn about Avalon along with Laurel.
Second, it allows Laurel -- and readers -- a chance to learn more about Tamani. Tamani, Laurel's childhood friend (and eluded childhood love) is a breath of fresh air in the series. He provides a good perspective of the inner workings of faerie society. In addition, he has undeniable chemistry with Laurel and sets up a believable and properly conflicted love triangle -- almost a prerequisite for YA novels of this genre.
Still waiting at home in the human world is sweet, studious David. David is the perfect man-of-science foil for Tamani's man-of-magic. It's a further example of Laurel straddling both worlds, trying to live in both without committing fully to either.
If you liked Wings, Spells is not to be missed. I'll look forward to continuing Laurel's story in Enchantments.
In this follow up to series starter Wings, Aprilynne Pike sends newly blossomed faerie Laurel away from her home, her parents and her friends in the our world to study magic in Faerie. As an Autumn faerie, Laurel is a mixer -- one of the rare, talented faeries who can combine elements to create magic through potions, tonics and enchanted elixers. With the trolls continuing to threaten both her human and faerie families, Laurel understands that learning this magic is critical to everyone's safety.
This change of venue allows readers to explore Avalon, the faerie realm from which heroine Laurel was sent years ago to live among humans. This is good for two reasons: first, it lets Pike flex her ample imagination with some serious world-building. From the flashy spun-sugar bubbles and bejewelled marketplace of the Summer fae to the simple gourd homes of the spring folk, this faerie world is gorgeous and beautifully described. It's one of the best things about the book. Pike also develops atmosphere through Tamani's anecdotes and lessons, using faerie vernacular and explaining customs to help readers learn about Avalon along with Laurel.
Second, it allows Laurel -- and readers -- a chance to learn more about Tamani. Tamani, Laurel's childhood friend (and eluded childhood love) is a breath of fresh air in the series. He provides a good perspective of the inner workings of faerie society. In addition, he has undeniable chemistry with Laurel and sets up a believable and properly conflicted love triangle -- almost a prerequisite for YA novels of this genre.
Still waiting at home in the human world is sweet, studious David. David is the perfect man-of-science foil for Tamani's man-of-magic. It's a further example of Laurel straddling both worlds, trying to live in both without committing fully to either.
If you liked Wings, Spells is not to be missed. I'll look forward to continuing Laurel's story in Enchantments.
This book was... alright. It was mostly about what Laurel thought as she experienced Avalon for herself. There's a teensie tiny little fight scene at the end with the "arch nemesis" but that's all. The book's romance with Tamani was mediocre at best. It was sweet and believable, but no sparks were present.
Half the book is spent on her learning at the Academy in Avalon which I enjoyed. And then all those really cool things she learned were out the window with the exception of her mentioning that she was awful at faerie magic.
I liked the book enough to endeavor to finish it, but did I absolutely adore it? No. I liked it only slightly less than the first one. If you really love the characters, it would be worth reading. But I just felt it was too dull to really enrapture me. A pity too, because the characters and faerie lore is really well versed and researched.
The name of the book "Spells" is completely out of place with the content.
Half the book is spent on her learning at the Academy in Avalon which I enjoyed. And then all those really cool things she learned were out the window with the exception of her mentioning that she was awful at faerie magic.
I liked the book enough to endeavor to finish it, but did I absolutely adore it? No. I liked it only slightly less than the first one. If you really love the characters, it would be worth reading. But I just felt it was too dull to really enrapture me. A pity too, because the characters and faerie lore is really well versed and researched.
The name of the book "Spells" is completely out of place with the content.
This is the second book in the Wings series by Pike. There are four books planned in the series last that I heard; the third book is supposed to be titled Enchantments, but I couldn't find an expected release date. This book was a good addition to the series and an entertaining read.
In this book Laurel spends her summer in Avalon learning what is expected of her as a Fall fairy. The tempting Tam is there to keep her company and Laurel learns there are both benefits and responsibilities associated with being a Fall fairy. The action starts when Laurel returns home and finds that the trolls from the first book are still hunting her down.
I didn't like this book quite as much as the first one; I didn't think it progressed the storyline all that much. It was interesting to learn more about Fairy culture and how the four classes of fairies (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter) are broken up via population and responsibility. Pike delves into the morality of class separation for the fairy race and does a pretty good job discussing the benefits and detriments of this setup. The section where Laurel was in Avalon was my favorite of the book because it was just so interesting.
When Laurel gets back to the human world she spends a lot of time making out with her boyfriend David, worrying about her mother's reaction to her being a fairy, and being worried about Trolls. I thought Laurel was a little wishy washy in this portion of the book. She is trying to learn all she can about being a Fall fairy but wants to still live in the human world. She wants David to be her boyfriend, but wants Tam to keep her company. I got a little sick of this undecided attitude, but at the end of this book Laurel does make a choice...I am just skeptical that she will stick with that choice given how often she changed her mind in this book.
I was also a little irritated at the actions of Tam and David. Tam is trying to constantly press Laurel into a relationship with him. Whereas David is getting pitifully clingy. By the end of the book I didn't think either man was acting in a very attractive way. Of course, I have to roll my eyes a little at the fact that we have another blatant love triangle here. I am beginning to think that is a prerequisite of all fairy young adult novels.
As far as writing style goes, this story is a very easy and engaging read. A great book to read for summer. I was a little disappointed that the plot didn't move along more. Trolls do attack again, but the only realization is that the Trolls are part of something bigger and that is a realization that Laurel and crew made at the end of the first book.
Overall the portions in Avalon were very interesting and intriguing. I also enjoyed some of the action in the plot when Laurel returns home (human home). I was a bit disappointed at Laurel's wishy-washiness in her decisions and with the way David and Tam are being developed...but we will see what book three brings. I am still eager to read the next book in the series.
In this book Laurel spends her summer in Avalon learning what is expected of her as a Fall fairy. The tempting Tam is there to keep her company and Laurel learns there are both benefits and responsibilities associated with being a Fall fairy. The action starts when Laurel returns home and finds that the trolls from the first book are still hunting her down.
I didn't like this book quite as much as the first one; I didn't think it progressed the storyline all that much. It was interesting to learn more about Fairy culture and how the four classes of fairies (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter) are broken up via population and responsibility. Pike delves into the morality of class separation for the fairy race and does a pretty good job discussing the benefits and detriments of this setup. The section where Laurel was in Avalon was my favorite of the book because it was just so interesting.
When Laurel gets back to the human world she spends a lot of time making out with her boyfriend David, worrying about her mother's reaction to her being a fairy, and being worried about Trolls. I thought Laurel was a little wishy washy in this portion of the book. She is trying to learn all she can about being a Fall fairy but wants to still live in the human world. She wants David to be her boyfriend, but wants Tam to keep her company. I got a little sick of this undecided attitude, but at the end of this book Laurel does make a choice...I am just skeptical that she will stick with that choice given how often she changed her mind in this book.
I was also a little irritated at the actions of Tam and David. Tam is trying to constantly press Laurel into a relationship with him. Whereas David is getting pitifully clingy. By the end of the book I didn't think either man was acting in a very attractive way. Of course, I have to roll my eyes a little at the fact that we have another blatant love triangle here. I am beginning to think that is a prerequisite of all fairy young adult novels.
As far as writing style goes, this story is a very easy and engaging read. A great book to read for summer. I was a little disappointed that the plot didn't move along more. Trolls do attack again, but the only realization is that the Trolls are part of something bigger and that is a realization that Laurel and crew made at the end of the first book.
Overall the portions in Avalon were very interesting and intriguing. I also enjoyed some of the action in the plot when Laurel returns home (human home). I was a bit disappointed at Laurel's wishy-washiness in her decisions and with the way David and Tam are being developed...but we will see what book three brings. I am still eager to read the next book in the series.
