bubblefox's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
laurie_p's review against another edition
5.0
AND IF I COULD HAVE GIVEN IT SIX STARS, I WOULD HAVE!
(Please be prepared for the sappiest review in the history of human-and-possibly-faeriekind)
Reading this book was like running into your first love again after ten years and realizing two things: 1) shit, you still love them, and 2) as you've both changed and grown, you discover all these new things about them and they actually somehow make you love them even more. Am I talking about the series or about Tamani? Possibly both. Anyways...
After rereading the other books more than I have ever reread any other book (except for Destined, which I only read the once), I was both thrilled and anxious when I discovered that there was a fifth book. Thrilled because I love the series to death and think it's perfect, and a little anxious because... it was already perfect. Did I really need this fifth book?
The answer is yes. Yes, I did. There are too many things that I loved about Arabesque to list, but I'll try anyway. I loved Tamani (SURPRISE!). I loved Rowen despite of her horrible flaws, and I loved how she overcame them. I loved Mitchell (although I wish I could have gotten to know him a little better outside of school). I loved Meghan, even when she was acting like a bitch. I loved Shawn, although I admittedly think things moved pretty fast with him and I would have liked to know more about his personality earlier on. I loved that Tamani's hair is longer and has green roots again. I loved how very used to the human world Tamani has become. (I'm talking a lot about Tamani again, ain't I?) I loved getting to know Lenore better . Most of all, I loved how Rowen found her place in the human world and got her own little human crew like Laurel did.
Are there things I would have done differently? Sure. After all, there were things I would have changed about Destined, and these characters have been living rent-free in my brain for ten years since then on top of that. But that didn't make this story any less magical, and it has more than earned its own special place in my heart next to the other four books.
And on that note, I will end this review with some lyrics from a song that I listened a lot to around the time I read the books for the first time, which seem to capture very well how I feel about the Wings series:
(Please be prepared for the sappiest review in the history of human-and-possibly-faeriekind)
Reading this book was like running into your first love again after ten years and realizing two things: 1) shit, you still love them, and 2) as you've both changed and grown, you discover all these new things about them and they actually somehow make you love them even more. Am I talking about the series or about Tamani? Possibly both. Anyways...
After rereading the other books more than I have ever reread any other book (except for Destined, which I only read the once
Spoiler
because I am still not over Shar dying and I am not reliving that, thank you very muchThe answer is yes. Yes, I did. There are too many things that I loved about Arabesque to list, but I'll try anyway. I loved Tamani (SURPRISE!). I loved Rowen despite of her horrible flaws, and I loved how she overcame them. I loved Mitchell (although I wish I could have gotten to know him a little better outside of school). I loved Meghan, even when she was acting like a bitch. I loved Shawn, although I admittedly think things moved pretty fast with him and I would have liked to know more about his personality earlier on. I loved that Tamani's hair is longer and has green roots again.
Spoiler
I loved to meet Misha (and I will spell that without a C until the day I die) and to find out that she was exactly like I imagined her to be.Spoiler
I loved that Tamani and Laurel had a seedling and that they named her Sharlet, oh my god, my heart.Spoiler
even if it hurt how much she reminded me of SharAre there things I would have done differently? Sure. After all, there were things I would have changed about Destined, and these characters have been living rent-free in my brain for ten years since then on top of that. But that didn't make this story any less magical, and it has more than earned its own special place in my heart next to the other four books.
And on that note, I will end this review with some lyrics from a song that I listened a lot to around the time I read the books for the first time, which seem to capture very well how I feel about the Wings series:
Oh, but even if I fall in love again with someone new
It could never be the way I loved you
tarryncurrentlyreading's review against another edition
3.0
Really more of a 2.5 but I’m being generous.
Wow, was that tedious. I didn’t realize this book even existed until 4 years after it was published and let me tell you, it really didn’t have to exist.
Arabesque tried very hard to do many things and failed at every single one of them. It tried to be a worthwhile follow up to a fairly well received series that had already wrapped up satisfactorily nearly a decade ago. It tried to tackle social and racial issues without ever getting *too* serious. It introduced a plot line far too complex to be tackled in the completely unanticipated fifth installment of a series that clearly doesn’t have a solid intention of continuing.
The premise of this book really needed to be the opener of an entirely separate spin off series. For this to be presented as some sort of logical continuation of the Wings series makes absolutely no sense. You’ve removed Laurel as the main character (and relegated her to an almost inconsequential side character that you *barely* see) and then dropped Rowen into our lap with no time to adjust or to even find her likable. And because this is meant to wrap up the series again, everything is rushed and then tied together in a neat little bow and even the most minute sense of tension the book was able to build was immediately made totally irrelevant; just as this entire book was.
Wow, was that tedious. I didn’t realize this book even existed until 4 years after it was published and let me tell you, it really didn’t have to exist.
Arabesque tried very hard to do many things and failed at every single one of them. It tried to be a worthwhile follow up to a fairly well received series that had already wrapped up satisfactorily nearly a decade ago. It tried to tackle social and racial issues without ever getting *too* serious. It introduced a plot line far too complex to be tackled in the completely unanticipated fifth installment of a series that clearly doesn’t have a solid intention of continuing.
The premise of this book really needed to be the opener of an entirely separate spin off series. For this to be presented as some sort of logical continuation of the Wings series makes absolutely no sense. You’ve removed Laurel as the main character (and relegated her to an almost inconsequential side character that you *barely* see) and then dropped Rowen into our lap with no time to adjust or to even find her likable. And because this is meant to wrap up the series again, everything is rushed and then tied together in a neat little bow and even the most minute sense of tension the book was able to build was immediately made totally irrelevant; just as this entire book was.
tarryncurrentlyreading's review
3.0
Really more of a 2.5 but I’m being generous.
Wow, was that tedious. I didn’t realize this book even existed until 4 years after it was published and let me tell you, it really didn’t have to exist.
Arabesque tried very hard to do many things and failed at every single one of them. It tried to be a worthwhile follow up to a fairly well received series that had already wrapped up satisfactorily nearly a decade ago. It tried to tackle social and racial issues without ever getting *too* serious. It introduced a plot line far too complex to be tackled in the completely unanticipated fifth installment of a series that clearly doesn’t have a solid intention of continuing.
The premise of this book really needed to be the opener of an entirely separate spin off series. For this to be presented as some sort of logical continuation of the Wings series makes absolutely no sense. You’ve removed Laurel as the main character (and relegated her to an almost inconsequential side character that you *barely* see) and then dropped Rowen into our lap with no time to adjust or to even find her likable. And because this is meant to wrap up the series again, everything is rushed and then tied together in a neat little bow and even the most minute sense of tension the book was able to build was immediately made totally irrelevant; just as this entire book was.
Wow, was that tedious. I didn’t realize this book even existed until 4 years after it was published and let me tell you, it really didn’t have to exist.
Arabesque tried very hard to do many things and failed at every single one of them. It tried to be a worthwhile follow up to a fairly well received series that had already wrapped up satisfactorily nearly a decade ago. It tried to tackle social and racial issues without ever getting *too* serious. It introduced a plot line far too complex to be tackled in the completely unanticipated fifth installment of a series that clearly doesn’t have a solid intention of continuing.
The premise of this book really needed to be the opener of an entirely separate spin off series. For this to be presented as some sort of logical continuation of the Wings series makes absolutely no sense. You’ve removed Laurel as the main character (and relegated her to an almost inconsequential side character that you *barely* see) and then dropped Rowen into our lap with no time to adjust or to even find her likable. And because this is meant to wrap up the series again, everything is rushed and then tied together in a neat little bow and even the most minute sense of tension the book was able to build was immediately made totally irrelevant; just as this entire book was.
jessthebookslover's review against another edition
5.0
I am so happy.
So happy I got to read this book after all these years.
I felt the magic. I read about the birth of a fairy and that was the most magical moment I had ever had with a book.
I kind of fell in love with this series all I've again.
I'll miss these characters.
So happy I got to read this book after all these years.
I felt the magic. I read about the birth of a fairy and that was the most magical moment I had ever had with a book.
I kind of fell in love with this series all I've again.
I'll miss these characters.
bookishly_steph's review against another edition
3.0
I loved returning to this world but this book felt a little unnecessary and it wasn’t what I was expecting
hayleewhalee's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
cealion's review against another edition
2.0
“This book is aimed at younger teens this book is aimed at younger teens” I chant to myself trying to not be too harsh (*proceeds to rip on the book*)
The Wings series is near and dear to my heart as it was something me and my high school best friend bonded over, so when I found out there was a 5th book I immediately bought the ebook. (Note that going into it knew it would be cheesy and cliched.)
Tamani (and Laurel)
- “I fight crime in the streets” had me WEEPING. Really AP? He’s not batman. Couldn’t he just be a police officer or something WHAT IS THIS.
- This next point made me so mad that I almost DNF’d: Tamani sees his niece and a boy fighting so naturally he assumes that Rowan has a crush on him. WHAT BACKWARDS GYMNASTICS???? If my uncle saw me arguing with a boy he’d square up not pull this shit.
- Side note: Tamani and Laurel are so horny it’s embarrassing
- Speaking of Laurel why was she treated as a secondary character. All she did was have sex with Tamani, have a sprout and research when told to.
- And why is it first mentioned that she’s a uni prof on page 253??
Rowan and Shawn
- INSTA LOVE. It’s so romance for romance sake, it’s annoying.
- The 3rd time they spoke to each other he pulled her into a cupboard and they kissed. Their previous conversation had been an argument. Ask her out first, man.
- Their relationship read more like they were 12 rather than 17. Very “we kissed so now we’re bf&gf <333”
- Also, he’s obsessed with her spit:
o “you always taste so sweet”
o “I’m going to find out” – referring to why she tastes sweet. Surely, he’d just assume that she ate sweets like he said, it’s hardly a great mystery that needs solving. It’s not that weird
o “Plus, she always tastes like honey” he says TO HER UNCLE INFRONT OF HIS SISTER AND A STRANGER
o “I figured out the taste thing” THERE WAS NOTHING TO FIGURE OUT AGHHH
- His character could have easily not been there. Instead, Rowan and Meghan could have been friends and she could have done the swimming with Tamani. Rowan needs to make friends in the human world before she finds a boyfriend. (Also she only started respecting human’s 5 minutes ago so it’s weird that she’s okay with fancying one)
Rowan and Meghan
- Meghan’s character really aggravated me. Why must every book/high school movie have a mean girl I hate this trope. Stop pitting girls against each other.
- Again they act like they’re 12. Meghan just refuses to listen to Rowan and assumes she’s dating her brother to get to her. Grow up. I don’t blame her, I blame AP.
- Their friendship could have been good. Enemies to friends (to lovers lmao) is interesting! They’re both judgy! They could have overcome that together!
- Meghan and Rowan become friends not through them having a mature conversation and acknowledging that Meghan misjudged Rowan/Rowan shouldn’t have embarrassed her in front of their classmates, but because Meghan’s foot is healed. Something that Rowan didn’t even do. Cool. Now they’re best friends. Sure.
Misc.
- Rowan leaves Avalon to go to dance school. So she’s finding Avalon dance school too hard so instead of putting in extra work she decides to go to human dance school even though she has no respect for humans so even if she does well there’s nothing gratifying about it. Okay.
- The bit with Chelsea’s baby was awful. Yes, Rowan’s treatment of the baby was terrible, but someone really should have briefed her about how to handle it. They all knew that Rowan had no idea what a human baby was like
- The oracle Charlotte – so weird?? Who is she, where did she come from?? You can’t use a character to info dump and never include/mention her again
Things I liked
- Acknowledged the difficulties of being poor / black in the ballet industry
- I liked the sea fae, thought it was cool that their motive was based on something that’s valid rather than WE’RE EVIL >:D (although I would like to know more about their culture
The plot was fine but I read the book for the characters, plus I swear I have forgotten everything that happen in the 4 other books so can’t really judge.
ALSO WHERE WAS DAVID IK HIS MEMORY WAS WIPED BUT I AT LEAST WANTED A CAMEO
The Wings series is near and dear to my heart as it was something me and my high school best friend bonded over, so when I found out there was a 5th book I immediately bought the ebook. (Note that going into it knew it would be cheesy and cliched.)
Tamani (and Laurel)
- “I fight crime in the streets” had me WEEPING. Really AP? He’s not batman. Couldn’t he just be a police officer or something WHAT IS THIS.
- This next point made me so mad that I almost DNF’d: Tamani sees his niece and a boy fighting so naturally he assumes that Rowan has a crush on him. WHAT BACKWARDS GYMNASTICS???? If my uncle saw me arguing with a boy he’d square up not pull this shit.
- Side note: Tamani and Laurel are so horny it’s embarrassing
- Speaking of Laurel why was she treated as a secondary character. All she did was have sex with Tamani, have a sprout and research when told to.
- And why is it first mentioned that she’s a uni prof on page 253??
Rowan and Shawn
- INSTA LOVE. It’s so romance for romance sake, it’s annoying.
- The 3rd time they spoke to each other he pulled her into a cupboard and they kissed. Their previous conversation had been an argument. Ask her out first, man.
- Their relationship read more like they were 12 rather than 17. Very “we kissed so now we’re bf&gf <333”
- Also, he’s obsessed with her spit:
o “you always taste so sweet”
o “I’m going to find out” – referring to why she tastes sweet. Surely, he’d just assume that she ate sweets like he said, it’s hardly a great mystery that needs solving. It’s not that weird
o “Plus, she always tastes like honey” he says TO HER UNCLE INFRONT OF HIS SISTER AND A STRANGER
o “I figured out the taste thing” THERE WAS NOTHING TO FIGURE OUT AGHHH
- His character could have easily not been there. Instead, Rowan and Meghan could have been friends and she could have done the swimming with Tamani. Rowan needs to make friends in the human world before she finds a boyfriend. (Also she only started respecting human’s 5 minutes ago so it’s weird that she’s okay with fancying one)
Rowan and Meghan
- Meghan’s character really aggravated me. Why must every book/high school movie have a mean girl I hate this trope. Stop pitting girls against each other.
- Again they act like they’re 12. Meghan just refuses to listen to Rowan and assumes she’s dating her brother to get to her. Grow up. I don’t blame her, I blame AP.
- Their friendship could have been good. Enemies to friends (to lovers lmao) is interesting! They’re both judgy! They could have overcome that together!
- Meghan and Rowan become friends not through them having a mature conversation and acknowledging that Meghan misjudged Rowan/Rowan shouldn’t have embarrassed her in front of their classmates, but because Meghan’s foot is healed. Something that Rowan didn’t even do. Cool. Now they’re best friends. Sure.
Misc.
- Rowan leaves Avalon to go to dance school. So she’s finding Avalon dance school too hard so instead of putting in extra work she decides to go to human dance school even though she has no respect for humans so even if she does well there’s nothing gratifying about it. Okay.
- The bit with Chelsea’s baby was awful. Yes, Rowan’s treatment of the baby was terrible, but someone really should have briefed her about how to handle it. They all knew that Rowan had no idea what a human baby was like
- The oracle Charlotte – so weird?? Who is she, where did she come from?? You can’t use a character to info dump and never include/mention her again
Things I liked
- Acknowledged the difficulties of being poor / black in the ballet industry
- I liked the sea fae, thought it was cool that their motive was based on something that’s valid rather than WE’RE EVIL >:D (although I would like to know more about their culture
The plot was fine but I read the book for the characters, plus I swear I have forgotten everything that happen in the 4 other books so can’t really judge.
ALSO WHERE WAS DAVID IK HIS MEMORY WAS WIPED BUT I AT LEAST WANTED A CAMEO
izzytrainor's review against another edition
5.0
wow okay i didn’t know there was a fifth book to this series until like a week ago and honestly i can say it was absolutely amazing omg!! it was refreshing and slightly humorous seeing the human world through someone else’s eyes... but okay i’m still completely lost on the whole age thing? Rowen was 17 but was she 17 in avalon or in the human world? or was 17 her mental age? i would really like someone to explain this. overall the book was just as amazing as the other four books and thankfully didn’t have as much of a ‘the-world-is-about-to-end’ vibe which is weird considering the water fæ were supposedly taking over the world, but the fact that they were meant to be taking over the world and i wasn’t jumping out of my seat showed that it couldve been more dramatic or tense at least, still, one of my favourite series☺️☺️