Wings by Aprilynne Pike; HarperTeen, 2009.
Another fabulous young adult author has burst upon the scene! In her debut novel, Aprilynne Pike tackles the adolescent problem of a young girl who discovers she is actually not a human, but a faerie!
Fifteen-year-old Laurel was left on her adoptive parents' doorstep when she was a young child and has always been homeschooled. Her family has always lived in a house in the country bordering on the woods. However, recently they moved 45 miles away to a city so that Laurel's father could run a bookstore, and she must attend public school until their house and land sell. Laurel has always been a picky eater and loved being outdoors, unconfined. One day, she feels a blemish growing between her shoulder blades. She begins to think the blemish is cancerous because it continues to grow into a huge mass, and she is afraid to tell anyone. Imagine her surprise when she wakes up one morning, only to discover that the mass has turned into blossoms overnight! In desperation, she has to hide her "wings" from her family and classmates. Laurel finally confides in a friend, who helps her deal with being a faerie, saving her land, her father's eminent death, and murderous trolls! Throw in a love triangle, magic, and suspense, and you've got one heck of a fantasy novel! The characters are extremely well-developed; the storyline is delightful; and the book is an excellent read! Kudos to Ms. Pike for her tremendous efforts! Teen girls will love this novel...it's a real page turner!
Highly recommended for high school and public libraries!
