Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Laurel has always been a little different. A strict vegan and model pretty, Laurel would rather relax outside in the sun than be imprisoned indoors. But moving from small town and familiar Orick to Brookings, she has to attend public school with its claustrophobic rooms and uncomfortable lighting. Just when she starts to blend in, something small turns into something startlingly abnormal, a shocking part of her and her unknown heritage that shakes her world. This is when Laurel learns just how unique she is, when myths intertwine with ordinary life, when laurel’s eyes are opened to an entire supernatural world around her.

Though inaccurately titled, Wings is a satisfying debut and certainly one of the most original fairy tales I have ever read. Pike has a very detailed and specific vision of fairies which she incorporates effectively into this novel. As a girl of science, I appreciate the somewhat scientific explanations for supernatural existence; however, at the same time, some of Pike’s science, such as the combination of biology and physical symmetry in organisms, did not add up. Also, some of Pike’s details are just so farfetched and bizarre that I often found it difficult to suspend my disbelief. While Pike offered an overabundance of descriptions of, for example fairies’ habits and customs, I felt she lacked in other details, such as fairy history, both long gone and recent. Laurel is a solid and likeable, if at times annoying, character, but all the lesser characters suffered for her well written character. The minor characters remained somewhat mysterious or puzzling. This criticism doesn’t go to say that I didn’t enjoy this story, because I did. I just feel that Pike’s attention to refining her take was unevenly distributed and that the overall story could’ve been better than it was.

Even with an interesting take on fairies, Wings can be enjoyed by fans of more traditional fairies such an in Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones, and Tithe by Holly Black. I’m hopeful that Pike’s writing will improve in subsequent novels.

Rating: 3.75

Review copy from Amazon Vine