Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Review: Spells by Aprilynne Pike

Book: Spells
By: Aprilynne Pike
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: May 4, 2010

Description: Six months have passed since Laurel saved the gateway to the faerie realm of Avalon. Now she must spend her summer there, honing her skills as a Fall faerie. But her human family and friends are still in mortal danger--and the gateway to Avalon is more compromised than ever.


When it comes time to protect those she loves, will she depend on David, her human boyfriend, for help? Or will she turn to Tamani, the electrifying faerie with whom her connection is undeniable?

My Thoughts: Okay, this will probably be a short post. I don't have much to say about Spells because it didn't make me feel one way or the other. It was just there, which I guess doesn't say much.

I had the same feelings about Spells as I did about Wings. Laurel is incredibly stupid, making stupid decisions and mistakes. She's not one of those characters I'd actually like as my friend, I wouldn't avoid her, but I wouldn't really go out of my way to talk to her either. She has issues. For some reason, I get annoyed every time I read that her eyes tear up. Honestly, why on earth do so many things make you want to cry in happiness or sadness. It's not a crying time. Second, she just really annoys me. There's no spark, no feisty-ness, nothing to make me love her. I kind of just find her boring.

I still love me some Tamani though, although he doesn't stand out against other characters with his standoffish attitude. Even the boyfriend David doesn't do it for me. Yes they're both gorgeous, but what else is there to draw me in. They all seem like such flat characters, only there for Laurel's benefit.

This book seemed a bit predictable too. Laurel would do something stupid that almost always ended with the same thing I thought would happen. Also, this book didn't have much actually happening. Besides Laurel being in love with 2 guys, going to Avalon, and a few near death run-ins, there just wasn't much else. I found my mind randomly drifting as I read, thinking of what book I'd read next (not a good sign) and it was just too slow paced for me.

I don't want you all to get the wrong impression, I enjoyed the book, but that was it. No lingering effects when I finished, no big release of the air I hadn't realized I was holding as I finished the last page. Nothing. It was like watching cartoons. Sometimes it's interesting, but once it goes off, you're just waiting for the next one to come on. If you're wondering whether I'll read the next book in the series, I probably will...but only because I hate leaving a story unfinished. I give it 2.5 stars.

3 comments:

Lan said...

I'm surprised you picked up this one given your review of Wings. That's some commitment. I don't think this is one I can handle reading. I've heard good things about it elsewhere but my biggest pet peeve is too stupid heroines so I won't set myself up to fail. Hopefully the third book is a bit more your style.

Anonymous said...

This is exactly how I felt about Wings. I only picked up Spells because I abhor not finishing a series. I liked it marginally better than Wings, only because there was a bit more action. (and a bit is being quite generous)

Laurel really is quite the stupid git. I'd much rather have Chelsea as the MC.

I'll continue on as well, but I had to put off reading Illusions. I need to kind of forget Wings and Spells before moving on to Illusions.

Sue Bursztynski said...

Haven't read this or Wings, but it's doing quite well in my library, among the teenage girls. Let's face it, that's who they're for. :-) Personally, I prefer the books which boys can also enjoy or at the very least something with a sense of humour like the Alyxandra Harvey books. And for fairies I like the first couple of books by Melissa Marr, who has done her research on Celtic folklore and gets it right.

BTW, Sherre, congrats! You've win a copy of Light Touch Paper. I have passed on your details to Simon Petrie to send it to you. It should give you a break from stupid heroines.;-)

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