Frustration!

It's been a while. I've been in school.

I just finished reading an amazing book that left me feeling depressed. Not because it was a sad book, but because it was so good. I always feel kind of drained and sad after finishing a particularly good novel. This one is the third in a series of four. Now, I have to wait for the fourth. It probably won't be released until May 2012. AAGHH!

This book was Illusions by Aprilynne Pike.

Now, this isn't really a spoiler, but if you're worried, don't look at the red text.

It ends with a cliff-hanger.

Yeah. And, I may have been slightly hyperventilating near the end of this book. So, there you go. If you didn't want to read it before, I'm sure you want to read it now. But you gotta start with Wings and then proceed to Spells.

I got Wings from a friend for my birthday right after it came out. I am so grateful for that gift. She knew I like books and she read it and liked it. In all honesty I was skeptical. I mean, faeries? That wasn't something I had really read about before then. Now, I'm kind of obesessed with faerie stories. Plus, I had never heard of Wings or Aprilynne Pike. I read it in one day and was hooked.

Anyway, books in general. A really good book leaves me feeling weird inside. This book did that for me. I feel sad and happy and stressed and annoyed all at the same time. Sad it's over, happy it was AMAZING, stressed because it was stressful, and annoyed because I have another year before the ending.

Great songs make me feel drained as well.

Spells

author: Aprilynne Pike

published: May 4th 2010

series: Wings (book #2)

publisher: HarperTeen

format: hardcover

pages: 359

genre: fantasy

The following synopsis comes from Aprilynne Pike's website.

Sixth months have passed since Laurel saved the gateway to the faerie realm of Avalon. Now she must spend her summer there, honing her skills as a Fall faerie. But her human family and friends are still in mortal danger--and the gateway to Avalon is more compromised than ever.

When it comes time to protect those she loves, will she depend on David, her human boyfriend, for help? Or will she turn to Tamani, the electrifying faerie with whom her connection is undeniable?

My Thoughts:

The Cover:

The cover of Spells (above) most definitely fits with the Wings cover. I am all about coherent book covers. What I did not realize from the picture, is that, the tips of the flower on the lower corner are sticking out of water and are not glossy; they actually look as if they are sticking out of water. It's so cool!

The Story:

I fell in love with Laurel's story in Wings and I found Spells to be a great followup on her. She's a strong, independent girl that is facing many trials: her mother is distant, she has two boys after her heart, trolls are hunting her, she has to go to Avalon and learn how to be a Fall faerie, and much more.

My favorite part of Spells is the scenes in Avalon. The way Aprilynne Pike describes Avalon made me feel like I was there. I could feel the beauty of this magical place rolling off the pages penetrating my thoughts. It was so easy to see the wonder and beauty of this world and I truly wish it existed and, of course, that I was a Fall faerie like Laurel so I would be granted entry. Tamani is a nice bonus as well. She has created a vibrant world that I did not want to leave. I became fully enthralled with Avalon.

The story unfolds in a way that allows the reader to become attached to Avalon and, if the reader hasn't already, the characters. In Wings, Laurel did not go to Avalon, so the reader can't really appreciate the amount of protection that the Fae use in order to protect it. Spells allows readers to see into this world and become absorbed in it.

Laurel and David's relationship grow in this installment and it becomes evident why she chose David. Personally, I thought it was no contest: Tamani all the way! But, Spells gives more depth to both David and Tamani.

Spells is beautifully written and easy to read. I had so much fun in Laurel's world and I am DYING to see what happens next. I love the ending of Spells as it definitely sets up for Enchantments and leaves me yearning for more.