Wings by Aprilynn Pike

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

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.

Jillian’s Review:

This was an okay read. The characters weren't really believable and the story was a bit slow. I can't stand it when the kids get into a mess and go to some boy (or girl) they've barely met instead of their kind, supportive parents. Doesn't make sense except to progress the romance... and the romance factor in this was pretty lame as well.

These kids barely know each other, not to mention the fairy Laurel meets for five minutes and can’t stop thinking about even though I forgot about him the moment I turned the page. He does get better on closer acquaintance, however we don’t get to read enough about him to enjoy his character as I believe Pike wanted us to.

Sadly lacking.

Wings by E. D. Baker

Wings by E.D. Baker

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

There’s always been something a little unusual about Tamisin. Her freckles look more like sparkles, and the full moon makes her want to dance.

But nothing could have prepared her for the day when real, working fairy wings sprout from her back. At school there’s a new guy names Jak, who seems to know something she doesn't. As her world get stranger by the minute Tamisin finds out more about herself and the fairy world.

Jillian’s Review:

This was really a cute story, with great detail, but it became silly (my nice word for stupid) when the fantasy land came into play (e.i. during a battle between goblins and fairies, the fairies throw pixie dust on the goblins which makes then grow really big noses, or shrink, or some such nonsense).  This is a middle grade novel which would explain the silliness, I guess.

That being said, I did enjoy the characters and Baker’s descriptions are wonderfully visual, I especially liked the description of the emerging of Tamisin’s wings.

I do think younger girls would enjoy this one a lot more than I did.

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

High in the Transylvanian woods, at the castle Piscul Draculi, live five daughters and their doting father. It's an idyllic life for Jena, the second eldest, who spends her time exploring the mysterious forest with her constant companion, a most unusual frog. But best by far is the castle's hidden portal, known only to the sisters. Every Full Moon, they alone can pass through it into the enchanted world of the Other Kingdom. There they dance through the night with the fey creatures of this magical realm.
But their peace is shattered when Father falls ill and must go to the southern parts to recover, for that is when cousin Cezar arrives. Though he's there to help the girls survive the brutal winter, Jena suspects he has darker motives in store. Meanwhile, Jena's sister has fallen in love with a dangerous creature of the Other Kingdom--an impossible union it's up to Jena to stop.

When Cezar's grip of power begins to tighten, at stake is everything Jena loves: her home, her family, and the Other Kingdom she has come to cherish. To save her world, Jena will be tested in ways she can't imagine--tests of trust, strength, and true love.

Jillian’s Review:

I couldn’t put this one down. The main character, Jena, is strong and believable. Though the second to the oldest, Jena assumes responsibility over the household when her father leaves to regain his health in a warmer climate. She’s caught in her cousin, Cezar’s, trap of lies as he tries to usurp her authority and take over their property.

Cezar is a true bad guy who I disliked from the beginning and my animosity towards him grows with each encounter Jena has with him. His beguiling tongue almost makes me believe what he says about only wanting to protect his five cousins, almost. I found myself oddly looking forward to each encounter with him because I couldn’t wait for his time of reckoning.

I loved Jena’s connection to her special friend, frog Gogu. No one truly believes that she can hear his thoughts and that he understands her when she speaks to him, but I did. I had high hopes for Gogu and I was not disappointed.

Every detail in Marillier’s novel emanates magic, even outside of the enchanted Other Kingdom. I can’t wait to lose myself in the sequel to this novel, Cybele’s Secret.

The Iron Daughter By Julie Kagawa

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com):

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Jillian’s Review:

Even though I’ve read two of these books, I’m still unsure who Meaghan Chase is. Her character is defined more by her lineage and her love for Prince Ash than her thoughts and feelings and how she reacts to events. And that’s pretty bad considering the novels are written in first-person. Kagawa has Meaghan see all the detail around her without showing the reader how Meaghan is affected by her surroundings or the events that take place (with the exception of Meaghan’s feelings for the main boys).

I was distracted by all the swearing and similar descriptions of things – all the bad guys have sharp, needle-like teeth. But my heart pitter-pattered for the stoic Ice Prince Ash. I couldn’t get enough of him and unfortunately he wasn’t in most of this one like he was in the first.

A lot of stuff happens in this one, just like the first, but I found myself sifting through the similar descriptions of things to get to that action and of course the romance!

The romance was pretty clean. The love-triangle thing between Meaghan, Puck, and Ash was a bit too much like Twilight (Puck to me just seems like a good pal and not even close to a love interest), but it ended the way I wanted it to. I really love it when that happens.

I will be reading the third in this series as soon as I can get it from the library.

Wicked Lovely By Melissa Marr

Synopsis (from Goodread):

All teenagers have problems, but few of them can match those of Aislinn, who has the power to see faeries. Quite understandably, she wishes that she could share her friends' obliviousness and tries hard to avoid these invisible intruders. But one faery in particular refuses to leave her alone. Keenan the Summer King is convinced beyond all reasoning that Aislinn is the queen he has been seeking for nine centuries. What's a 21st-century girl to do when she's stalked by a suitor nobody else can see? A debut fantasy romance for the ages; superlative summer read.

Jillian’s review:

I know, I know, we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I so frequently find myself choosing books because of their pretty covers. Unfortunately, the cover of this book was much better than the words inside.

2 measly stars, here’s why:

This was a very dark story, even darker than most YA Fantasy novels. There was too much swearing and a bunch of sexual trash and there’s no way I would want a YA to read this. The plot was really interesting and I didn't mind the characters, hence the two stars instead of one. Definitely wouldn’t want anyone to make the mistake of reading this just because it has a beautiful and intriguing cover.

Sorry the review is a bit late. I've been away from home all day.