Release Date: 3rd/28th May, 2011Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Pages: 375pgs
The Story
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 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.
The Review
I have a confession to make. I was never into this particular series. It has puzzled me since the book came out onto the shelves, because I don't know why. While I do love fantasy worlds of faeries and paranormal romances, and the unique take of Pike's own little world, but nothing never really clicked with me with this series. However, in the third installment of the Wings series, ILLUSIONS, it definitely surprised me how the events came together. The story itself didn't have much development as it was more focussed on the romance department than the actual world building, which slowed down the entire book down. But . . . I did find myself liking the characters a little bit more than in the previous two books. Though trust me on this, there's still something off about the story. Mind you, I'm an anti-Laurel fan. I know, I KNOW! But I can't help it!
In ILLUSIONS, the story doesn't start off where the last book, Spells, left off. Some time has passed between the books. I think a year at least. Laurel, the main character, hasn't seen Tamani - her sort-of-hot-faerie-ex-boyfriend - since she begged him to leave her. But her heart still aches for him. *insert eye roll* Since Tamani left her, Laurel has spent most of her time with her boyfriend, David, as she tries to be a normal girl again. *inserts another eye roll* I whisper with this, "You can never be a normal girl with a plant on your back!"
Without revealing anything major from the plot, let's just say a special someone - being Tamani - turns up again and ruins the "normal" girls life. Tamani brings bad news about the world of Avalon, the war of the trolls, and Laurel faces yet again . . . more relationship issues, and other whatknot that's about to bring her world crumbling down. Yes, it's a hard life of a teenager. I mean, of course it's hard when you're like a plant fairy and you have two hot-but-very-sweet guys wantings your affections. And there I thought my life sucked. :P
Like the many fans of this series, readers are torn between David and Tamani. I thought both of these young men are perfect for Laurel in their own way: you have the sweet guy and the over-protective-sometimes-sweet-sometimes-serious guy. But hey, I'm a bit biased here. You know, because I love Tamani. The only thing that really made me cringe over this book was the relationship between Laurel, David, and Tamani. Laurel continues to be torn between the two hot guys and then she confuses the whole situation by not picking anyone, then changing her mind over and over again. I dislike girl heroines who are like that. They should know their own heart. And . . . GO WITH IT! While I remain a HUGE Team Tamani fan all through the book, but it's kind of plain obvious who Laurel wants the most. For those who have read this, you know what I mean!
ILLUSIONS is perfectly paced - like Aprilynne Pike's other books Wings and Spells - and I think it was the best book out of all the three within the series. There's more romance that readers 'might' appreciate, lot's of action and tension scenes that everyone will love, and of course, there's a deadly cliffhanger that isn't good for the soul. Cliffhangers are the shotgun to the heart! If you haven't already read this series, then be sure to pick up a copy if you love the likes of Melissa Marr and Alyson Noel. While I might not be a hardcore fan of Wings, but ILLUSIONS is a fairly good and quick-paced read for all those paranormal fans like myself! And it'll be interesting what the fourth installment has to offer!
The Rating
3/5 stars
LOL makes me laugh... you're an "anti-Laurel fan' aka the main character, yet you've still stuck it out for three books. There's clearly something compelling about the series. I haven't read them yet, but I'm considering it. Especially since you recommend it to fans of Melissa Marr. Great review!
ReplyDeleteHaha I'm sticking to the books because if I've read most of the series, there's no point giving up. Yet. This book was much better than the other two. Which surprised me. Thanks for stopping by and reading my review!
ReplyDelete:)