Review: Wings by Aprilynne Pike
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: HarperTeen
Length: 290 pages
Original Publishing Date: January 1st, 2009
Series: Wings #1
Where I got it: Audiobook from the e-library
Links: Goodreads Amazon Author's Website
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words.
Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.
In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.
Main characters: 1/5
To say I was not thrilled with Laurel would be an understatement. She was a curious mix of ignorantly naive, judgmental and the "perfect Mary-Sue". But most of all, she was boring and immature. Her thoughts and dialogue made me think that she was younger even than her stated age- 15.
There weren't really any redeeming characteristics of Laurel, except maybe that she was slightly more capable than the other gamut of awful FMCs out there: Bella, Nora, etc.
Secondary characters: 1.5/5
The love triangle is back with a vengeance in Wings. Maybe not back, because it actually came out in 2009, so maybe it was part of the height of the love triangle. Regardless, I am less than thrilled. Between the two, David is much preferred. He reads like a fifteen year old; slightly awkward, unsure but sweet. On the other hand, Tamani is ridiculous and pulling stunts straight from Edward Cullen.
I was particularly disappointed with the characterization of the villain, who came flat as cardboard out from a fairytale.
Writing style: 1/5
Childish and juvenile just about sums it up. I kept getting jolted out of the story because of the writing and the silliness of what was happening. Pacing was extremely slow and jarring. The action at the end was the best part of the book, but even that was hard to understand and mediocre writing.
Plot: 1.5/5
There were some positive aspects of the plot: Pike's innovative twist on faeries and their origins was unique. She incorporated a wide gamut of the fantasy/fairy-tale creatures and lore. There are some interesting beginning thoughts on science versus magic, though they are largely brushed over later.
The negatives, however, come with the unbelievability and the execution of these ideas. They end up sounding silly and contrived.
Ending:1/5
A pretty fitting ending for how much I disliked this novel. The way that the love triangle is solved (or not) in the conclusion was disappointing. I also didn't feel any need or desire to read any further sequels.
Best scene: Where Laurel finds out what she is
Reminded Me Of: Twilight meets Lament by Maggie Stiefvater
Positives: Not much. Some innovative folklore about faeries
Negatives: Everything else?
Cover: I don't like this cover
Verdict: Disappointing and juvenile
Rating: 2.0 / 10 (1 stars)
Your Thoughts: Have you read it? What did you think? If you haven't, will you be adding it to your TBR list? Let me know!
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