Reviews

Spells by Aprilynne Pike

cheylin_m's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

heartleaf's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

2.25

mnunez466's review against another edition

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5.0

I absolutely loved this book. I thought is was better than the first. I am definately routing for Tamina . This book was really realistic besides all the fairy stuff.

The trials Laurel is going through are very realistic. I love how David is the perfect boyfriend. He is everything Laurel could really ask for in a boyfriend. He is sweet and understanding and really tries to be her support.

Yet Tam is equally as attractice and nice but he has an edge and a riskiness that Laurel is drawn too. I feel so bad for Tam, especially since he has declared his feelings and Laurel is the only one that can do anything because of their (caste system). I want Laurel to choose Tam; of course he is the riskier choice, but it's for that reason. I think in real life I wouldn't be courageous enough to choose Tam because it isn't the safest course. So I guess I want to live vicariously through Laurel.

I loved how Aprilynne stylle of writing gets right to the poiny. As soon as the book started, Laurel was on her way to Avalon.I really was unable to put the book down. The ending was something else. I cant wait to read illusions, and I see why everyone else is so excited. Aprilynne Pike is an amazing writer.

bethanypaisley's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

bluebeereads's review against another edition

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4.0

These books are really fun to read. It's an original look at fairies and the story is nice. =)

tinyhannibal47's review against another edition

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4.0

I like this book. A good addition to the "Wings" series.

oddio's review against another edition

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2.0

I was SO torn because of this book. While I wanted to give it a higher rating, please tell Aprilynne Pike that characters are extremely important. The reader can not be frustrated or just plain hate your main character. In the first book, she straight out sets up Laurel as a Mary-Sue that made me want to kill her off right away. At least in Twilight Bella's description was fine, (and I couldn't stand her) but with Laurel, the author pretty much set her up to have no flaws, describing her as the perfect size (skinny with curves, I bought the first book) she's graceful, her hair never gets greasy, she looks like the teens in magazines etc.

I'm pretty sure faeries are supposed to be more attractive than humans, but you don't need to recite all of your main character's perfections in one paragraph, please.

Also, how she's torn between Tamani (I'm rooting for him) and David seems to be one of the main things she cares about. Honestly, at least Tamani has a good enough personality compared to David so I actually want to root for him. Everyone I see on Goodreads seems to root for Tamani. Does anyone actually want Laurel to be with David? The thing I dislike about David is that-he's boring. Mostly because of the writing, but he seems like the typical YA lit boyfriend who the main character would do anything for. At least Tamani and Laurel have an interesting conflict because they only get to see each other every so often. But, the problem with liking Tamani is that Pike is almost forcing us to like David by showing that Laurel loves David more than Tamani (still not overly sure about this...) I think the problem is that I dislike Laurel so much so I WANT her to be rebellious and choose Tamani and the faerie world.

I was unsure as of "Wings," but now Team Tamani it is!

Also, a plot hole I noticed. Because faeries live more than double the years of humans, Laurel would grow up looking the same while David and her family and friends grow old and die. Not only would she be left alone, but someone would notice I'm sure. Not that I care about Laurel at all, but it gives her yet another reason to choose Tamani.

Other characters? How Chelsea knows how Laurel is a faerie already just left my mouth wide open-not in a good way. I guess I should have seen it coming, but honestly, that just came out of nowhere.

This book also follows the same cliche of a parent who doesn't understand whatever their child is going through and the child gets all angst-y about it. I completely hate this. Laurel! You're a freaking flower. Of course your mother doesn't understand! If I told my mother I was a plant, she wouldn't even believe me and call me crazy.

Positive things? Ok, well I liked Avalon (I don't believe Laurel questioned that name, in "Wings" or "Spells") and I would look forward to the parts that took place there. The race (Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring) conflict felt a tiny bit overdone, and of course Laurel complains whines about it. I liked Tamani, which I've already stated. I like the whole faeries=plants thing, but that was more in Wings than this book.

Overall, I'd rate it a 3.5/10. I'm reading the rest of the series, no arguments, just because I have to know what happens at the end.

saraelisa's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

caeralee's review against another edition

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5.0

Absolutely awesome I cannot wait for Illusions in less than 2 weeks!!! I gotta know what Tam does!

a_strix_named_strix's review against another edition

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1.0

Less eugenics, more classicism-y flavored 'inherent status'.