Review: Illusions by Aprilynne Pike

Hardcover, 375 pages

Released: May 3, 2011

Publisher: HarperCollins

ISBN13: 9780061668098

Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice.

But just as life is returning to normal, Laurel discovers that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail.

My Rating: 4 / 5

My Thoughts:

The third book in the Wings series, Illusions starts of with Laurel back at high school in the human world and surprise, surprise, Tamani shows up as a foreign exchange student! Spells made me Team Tamani, so I was so curious how this was was going to play out. Although I enjoyed this book, I have to admit that partway I was getting tired of the David/Tam love triangle...both boys pining over Laurel but her being ignorant to David's jealousy issues. With what was happening, it is fair to say that David had reasons to feel this way so Laurel annoyed me. I can justify Tamani's undying love as part of his nature but come on David! A majority of this book deals with Laurels conflict over David/Tamani.

Ms. Pike rounds out this storyline with the possibility of danger from the other foreign exchange student, Yuki, the mysterious Klea and disappearing Trolls. Not much is finalized here but hints at what is to come next. The ending is a major cliffhanger and I think we will get back to more action next year in what is supposed to be the last book in the series. Seeing the fae world in Spells captivated me, I am crossing my fingers we get to see more of that too!

Supernatural Book Signing & Winners!

Last week I had an opportunity to meet three amazing authors, all in one night, as part of the Supernatural Tour! I had a blast & thanks to Lesley learned that authors really are a crazy bunch ;) I thought it would be fun to share with you the authors answers to my favorite question from an audience member: how to develop characters.


(clockwise: Jackie, me, Kim Harrison, Aprilynne Pike & Lesley Livingston)

Kim Harrison read from her newest book, Early to Death, Early to Rise (Madison Avery, #2), a series I hadn't yet read but sounded so interesting (and yes has been added to my Mt. TBR pile)! Kim had the most unique answer: write down what you'd find in their closet, make a list of things about them & use the Myers-Briggs personality test to get an idea of how they would react in different situations. I would love to pick Kim's brain one day!



Aprilynne Pike is as cute as a button in real life & funny too! She suggested that you write characters who you find interesting. If you find the character boring, either add more to them OR scrap them altogether. I was so embarrassed that I had been butchering the name of a main character from her Wings series...Tamani is pronounced Tam-Annie NOT Ta-Moni, ooops! I'm kinda scared for Tamani in the next book, Team Tamani all the way..but I can so she her throwing us a curve ball in book 3 (there will be 4 books in the series).




I must say that Lesley Livingston is such a hoot :) She talked about hearing the characters voices & putting characters together in different scenarios to learn about them through their interaction. I've had both books in her Wonderous Strange series for a bit now & can kick myself for not reading them sooner - I can't wait to meet Bob!

...and what you've all been waiting for, the winners are...

Emily - Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison

Sara - Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Lea - Wonderous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Check your emails, you have 48 hours to respond :)

Review: Spells by Aprilynne Pike

Publisher: HarperTeen

Released: May 4 2010

Hardcover: 368 pages



Book Description (from publisher):

"I can't just storm in and proclaim my intentions. I can't ‘steal' you away. I just have to wait and hope that, someday, you'll ask," Tamani said.

"And if I don't?" Laurel said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Then I guess I'll be waiting forever."

Although Laurel has come to accept her true identity as a faerie, she refuses to turn her back on her human life—and especially her boyfriend, David—to return to the faerie world.

But when she is summoned to Avalon, Laurel's feelings for the charismatic faerie sentry Tamani are undeniable. She is forced to make a choice—a choice that could break her heart.

Curious about the book? Click here to read the first 20%!

My Rating: 4.5 / 5

My thoughts:

An amazing sequel to Wings! In Spells, Laurel faces a tough choice. She knows that it's not fair to lead two separate lives and to be falling for guys in both places. In Avalon, she learns the different class structures and has a hard time accepting their ways, but she also loves it there (and Tamani). At home, she has David but Laurel's mom is struggling to accept who she is, and Laurel faces danger head on as the trolls are still after her!

There was only one problem (probably me, not the book) and I hate to admit this but reading Spells was sort of like reading New Moon for me...when Laurel wasn't in Avalon or with Tamani, I found myself rushing through the story! Even with all the action taking place with David at home (and I mean fast paced, scary troll stuff) I still kept craving more Tamani! I don't know why my connection to David isn't that strong, he really is willing to risk everything for Laurel & how cute is that?! I blame Tamani for having such a magical connection that can't be beat :) Team Tamani!

The ending to Spells blew me away, I'm giddy and can't wait for the next book, Enchantments (which is due out April 8th 2011 according to Goodreads).

Aprilynne Pike is on tour this summer as part of the Supernatural Summer Tour! Click here for a chance to win one of three books, including book one, Wings!