Aprilynne Pike
HarperTeen (2010)
ISBN 9780061668067
Reviewed by Hillary Kreajewski (age 16) for Reader Views (07/10)
Paranormal is obviously the big thing in young-adult publishing right now. So many vampire books line the shelves and it’s hard to find an original new book. Luckily, Pike was able to create a fresh, original story and concept in the first book, “Wings.” I, as well as many others, have been anxiously awaiting the second book in the four-book series since reading the first one last year. I think that readers will be pleased with the sequel.
In “Wings,” Pike introduced the concept of fairies as plants. Laurel, the book’s heroine, was placed in the human world by the fairy community after ingesting a potion that would make her forget that she was a fairy. In the first book, Laurel learns all this new information about herself and her place of origin, while dealing with the new dangers that accompany her fairy world. After being set up by the first book, the second provides a place for the story and the characters to grow. Laurel becomes more developed in this second book and the love triangle grows as well. In true paranormal love triangle form, Laurel must choose between a human and a myth – David or Tamani. The classic Myth, Myth, Human triangle. While it may be overdone, it is effective.
Overall, there was nothing really disappointing about this book. Although it seemed dramatic while I was reading it, now I realize that there is nothing that really stands out to me while thinking back on it. “Spells” is an enjoyable read, a great second book for the series. It built the story well and set it up for a great future in the sequels.
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