ARC Review: Illusions

Illusions by Aprilynne Pike 
Series: Wings #3
Released: May 03, 2011
Published By: Harper Collins Publishing
Pages: 375, Hardcover
Young Adult
Source: Publisher, in exchange for honest review
Overall: Fabulous!
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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 just 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. Via Goodreads

My Thoughts:  
If you haven't read Wings + Spells, you may find spoilers in my review.


I adore all things Fae and Pixie so it is no surprise that I was captivated by Aprilynne Pike's Wings Series.  

Laurel, while her life has calmed down from previous books, is still rather clumsy when it comes to her emotions and life.  Though her short time in Avalon taught her a lot it also caused some barriers to be built in her life at home with her parents.  Even with dealing with the differences between her and the two worlds she splits and her torn heart I expected Laurel to grow a little more in Illusions than she did.  I'm not sure how I feel about that.  It scares me to think that she could completely screw up her story.  I know it is her story and not mine, but her rash decisions and words tend to leave the world around her slightly skewed and damaged, I'm scared that she'll end up losing out on her destiny because of her inability to make a decision and adapt to her surroundings and accept who she is, in both worlds.  The fact I am so strongly rooting for Laurel to find her place in the Faerie world though proves Aprilynne Pike's ability to rope me in and keep me there fighting for Laurel's story to turn out alright.

Laurels friends still slightly aggravate me where Laurel is concerned.  Chelsea's ability to grasp the fact that Laurel is a fairy and David's scientific take on it all just seems a little outlandish  but maybe that is part of their charm.  The relationship Chelsea and David irks me.  I can't help but worry that a betrayal could eventually blossom on the horizon because of high strung emotions.  Despite my qualms with the two, Chelsea and David stick by Laurel's side and offer her aid and support when and where needed.  They definitely win their best-friend-of-the-year badges.  They both love her, that much is evident, just pay attention to the both of them in this book and you'll see what I'm saying.  

Oh, and what about Tamani, Laurel's somewhat, maybe faerie-sort-of-ex-boyfriend?  I've yet to bring him up despite the fact he is such a key player in this series and book.  Tamani is a smart fellow who wiggles his way back into Laurel's life, despite their previous parting the previous year, in Spells.  What starts out at being left at an arms length turns into something more, including another exchange student who shows up out of no where, literally, causing a turn of events that seems to throw the whole story off course.  I was left scratching my head where Tamani and the new girl Klea were concerned. Not to mention extremely worried. Tamani though, despite his actions, lets his true intentions be known and Laurel is very aware of those despite the uneasy feeling it feels her with. 

Now that I think about it, character growth is minimal all around but it isn't the same for character knowledge.  While the characters of Illusions may not be maturing to my liking they are still doing what they can to protect Laurel and those around her, looking for the source of the breech and the person letting the dangerous trolls through the portal, searching for the answers to help Laurel grow as a Fall Faerie, and each trying to find their personal place in Laurel's life.

On the ending.  Seriously?  I can't even to begin to explain my anxiety associated with the ending of Illusions.  

The fourth, and I believe final book, of this series couldn't come quick enough for me.  I am dying to know all about what the ending of this book means and whether Laurel has her choice of the two guys and whether she decides to stay in the land she grew up or go to stay in the land that her spirit is.  I'm nervous to read it actually.  Aprilynne Pike sure did her job as an author, drawing me in and sucking me into a world no my own.  

Captivating, mysterious, and addicting.  Illusions was another fabulous installment of Laurel's story.  Illusions truly was Fabulous!


Purchase:
Wings (#1) |Amazon|
Spells (#2) |Amazon|
Illusions (#3) |Amazon|