Review: Wild by Aprilynne Pike

Wild by Aprilynne Pike


My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Book 3 in the Wings series


This was published under the title Illusions in the US and other parts of the world.


Laurel and David have been happy together but are starting to plan ahead to what they will be doing after high school. Laurel is undecided about whether to go to college, or, whether to continue her studies away in Avalon. When Tamani shows up as a new student at school Laurel is even more confused, and David and Tamani battle jealousy, and start off a series of rivalry and on-upmanship against the other. This is definitely a mid-series book, as it has that "filler book" feel to it, where nothing is still really resolved. Most of the story revolves around Laurel's struggle to work out her feelings for the two boys, and the love triangle between them is the main focus of the book. Laurel can't decide if she should pick sweet dependable David who has been her boyfriend for two years or intense Tamani, who is at least of the same species. Laurel cares strongly for both of them and cannot imagine either one of them not in her life, and both boys care passionately about Laurel.


Laurel must be protected at all costs, since she is to inherit the land which the gate to Avalon lies in, and Tamani manages to persuade the faeries that he is the one to protect her. Tamani's duties as Laurel's guardian, and undercover student take up most of his time and energy. He is watching Laurel constantly and leading the team of sentries outside her house. A distraction is thrown into the mix in the form of Yuki- a faery grown up outside of the teachings of Avalon- a Wild fae. Since it is unclear where Yuki's allegiance really lies and how much she truly knows about her heritage, it is up to Laurel and Tamani to watch her and try to befriend her, and see if the suspicion that she is possibly linked to the troll attacks is founded.


This book does however tell us a lot more about the faery world, and some of the background stories, myths and legends of Tamani's world. It seems to take a sprinkling of every faery story ever written with the legends of King Arthur and Guinevere, and also Queen Titania all mixed in together, along with the author's own unique take on faeries as plants. We also find out more about the caste sytem of spring/summer/winter faeries, and some of the politics and plotting behind the scenes.


Nothing at all is resolved by the end of the book, neither Laurel's choice of relationship, the threat from the trolls, or Yuki's role in everything, forcing us to wait again for the next book in the series to find anything out. But this is a decent continuation of the series and will probably appeal more to younger readers.



Favourite quote:
"You could be David's friend too". She glanced at Tamani when he said nothing. He was frowning. "The two of you really have a lot in common, and we're all in this together".
He shook his head. "It wouldn't work".
"Why not? He's a nice guy. And it would do you good to have some human friends", she said hinting at what she suspected was the root of the problem.
"It's not that", Tamani said, gesturing vaguely with one hand.
"Then why?" Laurel asked, exasperated.
"I just don't want to cosy up to the guy whose girl I have every intention of stealing"
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