Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words.

Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.

Laurel’s life is the very definition of normal . . . until the morning when she wakes up to discover a flower blooming from her back. As it turns out, nothing in Laurel’s life is what it seems. Now, with the help of an alluring faerie sentry who holds the key to her true past, Laurel must race to save her human family from the centuries-old faerie enemies who walk among them.

You can read the first sixty pages of the book online here:

“I can’t just storm in and proclaim my intentions. I can’t ‘steal’ you away. I just have to wait and hope that, someday, you’ll ask,” Tamani said.

“And if I don’t?” Laurel said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Then I guess I’ll be waiting forever.”

Although Laurel has come to accept her true identity as a faerie, she refuses to turn her back on her human life—and especially her boyfriend, David—to return to the faerie world.

But when she is summoned to Avalon, Laurel’s feelings for the charismatic faerie sentry Tamani are undeniable. She is forced to make a choice—a choice that could break her heart.

And, you can read the first sixty pages of Spells online here:

Giveaway Details:

We are giving away a copy of Wings and Spells to ONE lucky winner. To enter, leave a comment here – you can either let us know if you’re Team David or Team Tamani, or if you haven’t read the books and/or don’t have a particular team, you can enter by telling us who your favorite fairy is. The contest is open to residents of the US only, and will run until Saturday, May 22 at 11:59PM (PST). ONE comment per person, please! Multiple comments (and ISPs) will be disqualified. Good luck!

Happy Sunday, everybody!

In this week’s edition of the Smugglers’ Stash…

Nebula Award Winners:

This weekend was Nebula Weekend in Florida, and the winners have been crowned for best SF/F books, comics, and short stories for the prior year. And the winners are…

Novel: The Windup Girl – Paolo Bacigalupi (Night Shade Books, Sept. 2009)

Novella: The Women of Nell Gwynne’s – Kage Baker (Subterranean Press, June 2009)

Novelette: “Sinner, Baker, Fabulist, Priest; Red Mask, Black Mask, Gentleman, Beast,”
Eugie Foster (Interzone, Feb. 2009)

Short Story: “Spar,” Kij Johnson (Clarkesworld, Oct. 2009)

Ray Bradbury Award: District 9, Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell (Tri-Star, Aug. 2009)

Andre Norton Award: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making,
Catherynne M. Valente (Catherynne M. Valente, June 2009)

Congratulations to all the winners!

A Random but OH MY GOD MADE OF AWESOME Video:

How f’ing spot on is this?! The stances, the bouncing, Ken’s overhand right, the absorption of the hadouken?! It brings tears to my eyes, yes it does!

This Week on The Book Smugglers:

On Monday, we have guest debut author M.D. Lachlan over for a guest post to celebrate the release of his novel Wolfsangel.

Tuesday, Thea reviews fantasy novels God Stalk AND Dark of the Moon (collected in the anthology, The God Stalker Chronicles) by P.C. Hodgell. (For serious this time!)

On Wednesday, we have a joint review of The Iron King by Julie Kagawa – followed by an interview with the author as she prepares for the release of book 2 in the Iron Fey series!

On Thursday, Thea reviews Spells from Aprilynne Pike, the much anticipated sequel to Wings.

And, we close out the week with a joint review of Spider’s Bite by Jennifer Estep, followed by a guest post from the author, and a chance to win a copy of Spider’s Bite AND Web of Lies (book 2 in the Gin Blanco series).

Until Monday, we remain…

Welcome to Smugglivus 2009 – Day 24!

Throughout this month, we will have daily guests – authors and bloggers alike – looking back at their favorite reads of 2009, and looking forward to events and upcoming books in 2010.

Today’s Guest: Rhiannon Hart, blogger of Young Adult and Speculative Fiction, especially of the dystopian/apocalyptic and fantasy variety. Rhiannon’s awesome blog is one that we discovered this year and it has quickly become one of our very favorite go-to sites for book recommendations. Rhiannon also happens to be an aspiring author of YA fantasy, with her first novel, Lharmell on submission, circulating about Editors’ desks at numerous publishing houses thanks to her awesome new literary agent.

Please give it up for Rhiannon, and her top reads of 2009!

For me, 2009 has been a very good year for books. I went back to Narnia, as I like to put it. Or, rediscovered the joys of YA fiction. I picked Writing for Young Adults as my final unit for my diploma and started haunting the teen section at my library again. It started with a few Carolyn Macklers and a bit of Lisa McMann … and then I discovered The Hunger Games and it was like fireworks went off in my brain. Something had been missing from my reading, and by golly I wanted it back: the fun, the adventure, the endless possibilities that come with being on the cusp of adulthood.

Two books of 2009 that I can’t stop raving about (and they need little introduction on the Smugglers or anywhere else for that matter) are Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins and The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness. Both second-in-a-trilogy books, they have set the bar high for the slew of dystopian titles we’re going to see in 2010.

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

We were in the square, in the square where I’d run, holding her, carrying her, telling her to stay alive, stay alive till we got safe, till we got to Haven so I could save her – But there weren’t no safety, no safety at all, there was just him and his men…Fleeing before a relentless army, Todd has carried a desperately wounded Viola right into the hands of their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss. Immediately separated from Viola and imprisoned, Todd is forced to learn the ways of the Mayor’s new order. But what secrets are hiding just outside of town? And where is Viola? Is she even still alive? And who are the mysterious Answer? And then, one day, the bombs begin to explode…”The Ask and the Answer” is a tense, shocking and deeply moving novel of resistance under the most extreme pressure. This is the second title in the “Chaos Walking” trilogy.

Something happened to monsters in 2009. They were declawed, defanged. Zombies no longer wanted your brains, they wanted to be your boyfriend. In short, the world went mad! Luckily, one or two authors remembered that we need something that represents our greatest fears, the snappy, monstrous monsters who forge heroes and heroines and need some serious butt-kicking. One man who can pen a tale that could curl the toes of any Victorian horror novelist is Rick Yancey.

These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed. But he is dead now and has been for more than forty years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets. The one who saved me…and the one who cursed me.

So begins the journal of Will Henry, orphaned assistant to Dr. Pellinore Warthrop, a man with a most unusual specialty: monstrumology, the study of monsters. In his time with the doctor, Will has met many a mysterious late-night visitor, and seen things he never imagined were real. But when a grave robber comes calling in the middle of the night with a gruesome find, he brings with him their most deadly case yet.

With the YA paranormal romance explosion still blasting delicious angst and endless love triangles all over the place, publishers are mining their backlists and re-releasing some old favourites. LJ Smith was my goddess in high school so I was thrilled to see a resurgence of interest in her books due to The Vampire Diaries TV series. One of my favourites is The Dark Visions trilogy. It’s the creepiest of her series and one that I hope captures the interest of a whole new generation of teens.

Kaitlyn Fairchild has always felt like an outsider in her small hometown. Her haunting eyes and prophetic drawings have earned her a reputation as a witch. But Kait’s not a witch: She’s a psychic. Tired of being shunned, Kait accepts an invitation to attend the Zetes Institute, where she can have a fresh start and study with other psychic teens.

Then one of the experiments traps the five teens in a psychic link. A link that threatens their sanity and their lives. And Kaitlyn must decide whom to trust…and whom to love.

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst was pure bliss. Paranormal romance at its best.

When Cassie was a little girl, her grandmother told her a fairy tale about her mother, who made a deal with the Polar Bear King and was swept away to the ends of the earth. Now that Cassie is older, she knows the story was a nice way of saying her mother had died. Cassie lives with her father at an Arctic research station, is determined to become a scientist, and has no time for make-believe.

That is the beginning of Cassie’s own real-life fairy tale, one that sends her on an unbelievable journey across the brutal Arctic, through the Canadian boreal forest, and on the back of the North Wind to the land east of the sun and west of the moon. Before it is over, the world she knows will be swept away, and everything she holds dear will be taken from her — until she discovers the true meaning of love and family in the magical realm of Ice.

The best film of 2009 was undoubtedly District 9. Wikus Van De Merwe was one of the most unlikely heroes: nerdy, ignorant and despicable. His transformation (physically and emotionally) was astonishing to watch. This film also looks amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it.

An extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth suddenly finds a kindred spirit in a government agent who is exposed to their biotechnology.

Now for 2010!

What a year it’s going to be. Not only will The Hunger Games trilogy and Patrick Ness’s Chaos Walking books conclude with Collin’s as yet untitled third book (September) and Monsters of Men (May UK/Australia, September US), there are dozens of titles forthcoming for YA speculative fiction fans. Especially dystopian titles. In 2010, bleak is the new black.

Inside Out, Maria V. Snyder (April)

I’m Trella. I’m a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I’ve got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? Not like it’s all that dangerous – the only neck I risk is my own. Until I accidently start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution. I should have just said no…

The Line, Teri Hall (March)

An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the Unified States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It’s said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line.

Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?

Birthmarked, Caragh M. O’Brien (March)

After climate change, on the north shore of Unlake Superior, a dystopian world is divided between those who live inside the wall, and those, like sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone, who live outside. It’s Gaia’s job to “advance” a quota of infants from poverty into the walled Enclave, until the night one agonized mother objects, and Gaia’s parents are arrested.

Fraught with difficult moral choices and rich with intricate layers of codes, BIRTHMARKED explores a colorful, cruel, eerily familiar world where one girl can make all the difference, and a real hero makes her own moral code.

Restoring Harmony, Joëlle Anthony (May)

The year is 2041, and Molly McClure was only six when the Collapse of ’31 happened, ending life as the world’s population knew it. When she is forced to leave the comfort of her small B.C. island to travel down to Oregon, Molly discovers how hard the Collapse has been on the rest of the world. What starts out as a quick trip to the U.S. to convince her grandfather to return to Canada and be the island’s doctor, becomes a rescue mission. How much will she have to compromise to succeed in getting back home?

The Strange Power, LJ Smith (April)

A decade after books 1–9 of the Night World series were released, the final title is almost here. I am still weeping over the fact that the original cover has been scrapped in favour of this insipid one. If it’s not outrageously tacky, it’s just not Smith in my opinion.

Spells, Aprilynne Pike (May)

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?

Return to Labyrinth volume four, Jake T Forbes (August)

The concluding volume of Return to Labyrinth! Is Jareth good or evil? Is Toby about to embark on an incestuous relationship with Moppet? Will Jareth and Sarah ever frigging kiss?! I’ve been waiting more than two decades for this kiss. It better happen or I may just do myself (and the author) a mischief.

Jekel Loves Hyde, Beth Fantaskey (May)

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she’s tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To better her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill of being… bad.

The Sending, Isobelle Carmody (February? July? The Australian release date is still in the rumour mill.)

The conclusion to the Obernewtyn series, more than 20 years after book one was released. In the US it will be broken into two novels, The Sending and The Red Queen (July).

Finally, a couple of book-to-film adaptations I just can’t wait for.

The Road (January in Australia)

Tomorrow, When the War Began (TBA)

“Time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted.”

World War Z (TBA/rumoured)

Thanks Rhiannon!

Next on Smugglivus: Angie of Angieville

“On The Smugglers’ Radar” is a new feature for books that have caught our eye: books we heard of via other bloggers, directly from publishers, and/or from our regular incursions into the Amazon jungle. This is how the Smugglers’ Radar was born, and because there are far too many books that we want than we can possibly buy or review (what else is new?) we thought we could make it into a weekly feature – so YOU can tell us which books you have on your radar as well!

On Ana’s Radar:

I got this ARC from Gollancz this week and it looks AWESOME. I read Sam Sykes’ story in the Dragon Book and I loved his characters so I am really looking forward to this one now. It is a debut novel that is creating quite the buzz online.

Lenk can barely keep control of his mismatched adventurer band at the best of times (Gariath the dragon man sees humans as little more than prey, Kataria the shict despises most humans and the humans in the band are little better). When they’re not insulting each other’s religions they’re arguing about pay and conditions. So when the ship they are travelling on is attacked by pirates things don’t go very well. They go a whole lot worse when an invincible demon joins the fray. The demon steals the Tome of the Undergates – a manuscript that contains all you need to open the undergates. And whichever god you believe in you don’t want the undergates open. On the other side are countless more invincible demons, the manifestation of all the evil of the gods, and they want out. Full of razor-sharp wit, characters who leap off the page (and into trouble) and plunging the reader into a vivid world of adventure this is a fantasy that kicks off a series that could dominate the second decade of the century.

Melissa Marr’s next in her Wicked Lovely series has its cover!

I have on good authority *ninja* that this new series is VERY GOOD especially for fans of the Sookie Stackhouse series!

After being laid off from her job as Half Moon Hollow’s children’s librarian, Jane drowns her sorrows in Electric Lemonade and Mudslides using her severance package (a $25 Shenanigans gift certificate). Atthe bar she’s kept company by a magnetically attractive (if a bit pale) stranger, Gabriel Nightingale – who follows her out and takes matters into his own hands when Jane’s car breaks down and she’s mistaken for a deer by a drunk with a rifle as she’s headed home in the dark, on foot. If Gabriel doesn’t turn Jane, she’ll be, as the saying goes, dying young and leaving a pretty corpse. Being undead, though, is just the beginning of Jane’s problems. She’s still unemployed, has “family issues,” a best friend who finds love with a werewolf (werewolves and vampires don’t mix well); she’s also being framed for murder, stalked by a former crush, and romanced by her moody sire. What’s an undead girl to do?This hilarious, delightful debut novel combines MaryJanice Davidson’s sass and Charlaine Harris’ small town Southern charm to form the perfect read for lovers of paranormal romantic comedy.

I follow Jill Myles’ livejournal and her first book is going to be out soon. It sounds fun But I am so not a huge fan of the cover!

Jackie Brighton woke up in a Dumpster this morning, and her day has only gotten weirder. Her familiar B-cups have somehow become double Ds, her sex drive is insatiable, and apparently she had her first one-night stand ever…with a fallen angel. All she remembers is gorgeous Noah’s oddly hypnotic blue eyes…and then a dark stranger whose bite transformed her into an immortal siren with a sexy Itch. With help from Noah, Jackie begins to adapt to her new lifestyle — until she accidentally sends Noah into the deadly clutches of the vampire queen and lands herself in a fierce battle for an ancient halo with the queen’s wickedly hot righthand man. Who just happens to be the vampire who originally bit her. How’s a girl supposed to save the world when the enemy’s so hard to resist?

And since I am always on the lookout for new PNR: has anyone read this?

A twist of fate made Zoe Pappas heir to the Byzant throne. Bound by duty and devotion to keep the Empire safe, Zoe is captured while on a secret diplomatic mission and sent to an underground prisoner-of-war camp. In this strange, shadowy place, residents are governed by fellow inmate General Matthias “Doc” Raven, whose powerful magnetism rouses an urgent desire in Zoe. But the intensity of her attraction is matched by her surprise at discovering that Doc has a secret of his own: he is a vampire.

Zoe’s presence puts everyone in the camp in danger. Doc knows it, and knows too that Zoe’s royal status makes it impossible for her to bond with a vampire. The only way to save her is to help her escape, and lose her forever. But some fires are impossible to quench, even when following your heart is the ultimate taboo….

Finally, this is the first Steampunk title from Angry Robot, to be released in January. It looks great!

A brilliant criminal stalks the streets of London. Scotland Yard is on his trail. But how can the city remain safe when every book is a potential weapon?

On Thea’s Radar:

There are so many books I’m looking forward to in this edition of the stash, it’s not even funny. First up, one of my absolute favorite authors of all time…

Far from the land of her birth, Moirin sets out across Tatar territory to find Bao, the proud and virile Ch’in fighter who holds the missing half of her diadh-anam, the divine soul-spark of her mother’s people. After a long ordeal, she not only succeeds, but surrenders to a passion the likes of which she’s never known. But the lovers’ happiness is short lived, for Bao is entangled in a complication that soon leads to their betrayal.

Naamah’s Curse comes out in June 2010, and I am already salivating. Then, there’s the third book in Michael Grant’s awesome ongoing Gone series:

No synopsis yet, but the cover looks awesome. I love this series, and cannot wait for this next book! Then there’s this upcoming book from Mette Ivie Harrison – I’ve read and really enjoyed The Princess and the Hound (which I will get around to reviewing one of these days), and her covers are just awesome:

Again, no synopsis yet! But pretty cover. Heard about this next one from book pimp Karen Mahoney:

Beings of unimaginable power, classified as myths and legends, have been imprisoned in the secluded town of St. Ives for centuries watched over by guardians with supernatural skills. Te Evangeline’s father was one such guardian, a “binder” who died in the line of duty and who passed along his ability to his daughter. Now, Te must awaken the magic within her before her father’s killer releases his fellow prisoners on an unsuspecting world.

Then, there’s the new Aprilynne Pike:

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?

I’m not crazy about the new cover (it kind of looks like bad calendar photo), but I really loved Wings and am eager for more from Ms. Pike. And finally, caught wind of this one thanks again to KMont over at Lurv a la Mode:

Sisters Serena and Meteora were once proud members of the high court of the Fairy Queen- until they played a prank that angered her highness. Separated and banished to the mortal realm of Earth, they must find a way to survive in a strange world in which they have no power. But there is more to their new home than they first suspect…

A sympathetic Meteora bonds with a troubled young girl with an ornate tattoo on her neck. Meteora recognizes it as a magic symbol that will surely bring danger down on them all. Serena, meanwhile, takes in a tortured homeless boy whose mind is plagued by dark visions. The signs point to a rising power that threatens to tear asunder both fairy and human worlds.

And the sisters realize that perhaps the queen cast them from their homes not out of anger or spite- but because they were the only ones who could do what must be done…

Jane Yolen was one of my favorite authors as a young adult (Sister Light, Sister Dark and the Pit Dragon books were my favorites), so I’m eager to try this new release.

Phew. That’s it from us – what books are you looking forward to?

Aprilynne Pike is a fresh new author, and her debut novel Wings has enchanted young and adult readers alike (just read my review). With Wings debuting on the New York Times Bestseller list then taking the #1 spot for Children’s Chapter Books during its second week on sale, and with rights sold to Disney for a movie adaptation (with tween juggernaut Miley Cyrus named as a casting choice), it’s been a pretty good year for Ms. Pike.

Today, this talented new author joins us to talk about her inspirations and influences, why she started writing Young Adult lit, and who some of her favorite YA authors are.

Ladies and gents, we give you Aprilynne Pike!

This guest post from Aprilynne Pike is the third author spotlight in our SUPERNATURAL SUMMER book feature from Harper Teen. This week we will bring you five different books by five different authors, including interviews, articles and giveaways.

——————–

Thanks so much for having me here on The Book Smugglers!

Writing Wings was quite a journey for me. I knew I wanted to be an author back in college when I switched my major from Human Biology to Creative Writing. (Yes, I’ll wait while you laugh.) But actually discovering my niche took a lot longer. Years longer. One night—about two years after I graduated college—I was reading a really bad romance novel. I kept expecting it to get better and it just got worse! So I skimmed the end and threw the book across the room and told my husband, “I can do better than that!” So I started.

And about 100 pages in I discovered that writing was hard and took work. So I did what any sane person would do. I quit.

A couple years later, the writing itch returned and I started writing again. A high fantasy this time. I did manage to finish that one. Powered through it, actually. And that book was my first sojourn into publishing. I wracked up a lot of rejections, but while I was querying, I decided I liked writing books. So I finished the sequel to the fantasy, and even went back and completed that first romance. After a lot of edits and cutting about a million words (it felt like a million at the time!) I got an agent! Whoo-hoo!!

Except that my book didn’t sell.

But while my book was not selling, I woke up one morning with a perfectly formed first chapter in my head and a boy’s voice in my ear.

A high school boy.

So I started writing a YA. I didn’t have a plot to go with my voice and first chapter, but hey! It was fun!

When it became obvious that my first book wasn’t going to sell, I sat down and decided that I needed a new book. A better book. But I didn’t know what to write! I had an adult-level high fantasy, a Romance, a dead-ended YA, and an agent who repped almost everything. I could go anywhere! So I was trolling agent sites one day and found a blog that mentioned, almost in passing, that faeries were expected to be a new trend in YA.

I felt like I had been hit by lightning!

I have always loved faeries. For as long as I can remember. And I had been enjoying my no-plot YA so much! I don’t know why I had to get whacked over the head with the idea of putting those two together before I got it. All I know, is I sat looking at that computer screen thinking, “A YA faerie novel? I want to write a YA faerie novel!” And my next thought was, “And I have to do it right now!”

And I did. I wrote furiously for six hours a day while my husband watched the kids, and then I stole every spare moment I could to work on Wings. It had become my all-encompassing passion and I finished it in six weeks . . . I paid for it when edits came around, but I did finish the initial draft quickly.

Everything just clicked when I decided to write YA. My agent loved the idea, my husband thought it was perfect, and I was just so excited to do it. I’m not sure why it took me three books to try it, but I love it and have no intention of leaving the genre any time soon. And when I started writing YA, I started reading more YA too. And what a world I have discovered! I always loved books like The Giver by Lois Lowry and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi, but these days there is so much depth in the YA genre! I have gotten to be all fan-girly over staples like Stephenie Meyer and J.K. Rowling, and small but amazing authors like Saundra Mitchell (Shadowed Summer) and Christine Fletcher (Ten Cents a Dance). I’ve been the last to discover old favorites like Scott Westerfield (The Uglies Trilogy, Peeps, Midnighters) and Meg Cabot (The Princess Diaries, The Mediator, Allie Finkle), and the first to unearth some amazing newcomers such as Megan Frazer (Secrets of Truth and Beauty) and Sarah Cross (Dull Boy). And don’t even get me started on the upcoming releases I am excited about! James Dashner (The Maze Runner) and Suzanne Collins (Catching Fire) and… I could go on for pages!

But I won’t, don’t worry.

But that does make me look to the future of YA and the role I hope to play in it. I am currently working on the third of four books in my Wings series. And remember that no-plot first chapter? It grew a plot and is now a standalone paranormal with a rather bratty ghost. And just being shelved between Tamora Pierce (Alanna, Beka Cooper) and Cindy Pon (Silver Phoenix) for many years to come is enough motivation to write the best I can, for as long as I can.

It’s been a pleasure!

——————–

Aprilynne Pike has been spinning faerie stories since she was a child with a hyper-active imagination. At the age of twenty she received her BA in Creative Writing from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. When not writing, Aprilynne can usually be found at the gym; she also enjoys singing, acting, reading, and working with pregnant moms as a childbirth educator and doula. Aprilynne recently returned to Arizona with her husband and three kids in Utah; she is enjoying the sunshine.

You can read more about Aprilynne on her website HERE, and follow her blog HERE.

Giveaway Details:

We are giving away a copy of Wings to one lucky reader! The contest is open to residents of the US and Canada, and will run until Sunday July 26 at midnight (PST). To enter, simply leave a comment here. Good luck!

Title: Wings

Author: Aprilynne Pike

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Fairies

Publisher: Harper TEEN
Publication Date: May 2009
Hardcover: 304 pages

Stand alone or series: First book in a planned series.

Why did I read this book: I had been eying Wings for a while in my local bookstore – and eagerly pounced on a copy for our Young Adult Appreciation Month. The stunning cover, the overall strong reviews, and the intriguing book summary had me at hello.

Summary: (from HarperTeen.com)
Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words.

In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.

Wings is the third title in our SUPERNATURAL SUMMER book feature from Harper Teen. This week we will bring you five different books by five different authors, including interviews, articles and giveaways.

Review:

Laurel has never had much in common with other teenagers. For one thing, she has been home-schooled for all of her life, and is something of an introvert. In her sophomore year, Laurel’s parents move and decide that it is time for her to attend a public school, and Laurel realizes how different she really is from her classmates. It’s not just her home-schooled, “hippie” background or peculiar vegan and sprite-only diet; nor is it just because of her beautiful, willowy looks or her affinity for the woods and sunlight. One day, Laurel discovers a welt on her back that simply won’t go away…and it grows, blooming into a pair of stunningly beautiful, wing-like petals. Frightened and completely alone, Laurel turns to her new friend David for help and comfort, and she learns just how different from everyone else she really is.

Aprilynne Pike’s debut novel Wings has received rave reviews from YA critics, and has garnered comparisons to Stephenie Meyer’s uber-popular Twilight saga (even scoring a cover quote from Ms. Meyer) – which is apt. Wings shares the same enchanting otherworldly feel with Twilight, as well as the awkward, pretty new girl in town premise – but that’s where the comparison ends. Why?

Because in this reviewer’s opinion, Wings outshines Twilight in every possible way.

Wings is a lush, beautifully written novel that encompasses romance, an imaginative spin on the realm of faerie, thrilling action and a strong heroine that would mop the floor with Bella Swan. Fifteen year-old Laurel sets herself part from the people she meets at school, feeling claustrophobic in the air conditioned classrooms and covered cafeterias – but instead of passively going with the flow and trying to fit in, she prefers to sit outside in the sunlight on her own. A few reviews seem to take issue with the book’s “slower” start, dealing with the day to day musings and uncertainties of Laurel – but this appeals to me, as a reader and grounds Laurel as a tangible, sympathetic character. When David talks to her, she welcomes his friendship and later confides in him when she cannot tell her adoptive parents exactly how different she is from everyone else – but she’s very careful not to lose herself in David’s comfort, or let her life become defined by their relationship. With David’s support and quiet strength, Laurel comes to grips with exactly who and what she is in a very nice twist on the faerie myth, and also a refreshing twist on the traditional ‘girl falls for supernaturally sexy boy’ story. I have to admit that I loved Laurel’s mettle and her positive attitude; despite the immense changes she is going through (and growing a giant flower out of one’s back is a pretty dramatic change!), Laurel keeps her wits about her. It is Laurel that discovers what her true parentage is; it is Laurel who recognizes the danger that threatens her family, and who saves them all from danger. As a strong, non-passive heroine, Laurel totally rocks.

As a romantic novel, Wings is completely, winsomely enchanting. There’s a love triangle, which is to be expected in line with the Twilight comparisons – but the very human and calmly dependable David juxtaposed against the emotional, supernatural charmer Tamani are much more fleshed out as characters and more desirable (in my opinion) than the tawdry Edward and Jacob. I think what I appreciate the most about this blossoming love story is that it is not founded on obsession or unrealistic premises – Laurel is cautious with her emotions, and does not recklessly pin her entire self-worth on her truest of true loves. Both characters have their very different appeals, and the triangle is far from concluded – sure to draw some intense David or Tam debates. At this point, the triangle is engaging and fresh – I just hope Ms. Pike can keep the appeal going in the next few books without slipping into contrivance (I’m always a little ary when starting into a love triangle story. Somehow I always end up rooting for the losing guy.)

So far as plotting and world-building are concerned, Wings is deftly written and freshly original. I won’t spoil the particular twist, but suffice to say that I was intrigued by Ms. Pike’s take on faerie. There’s action and danger aplenty in this novel as well, as a mysterious stranger tries to buy Laurel’s family land and threatens her family with mortal consequences. Murderous plots, death-defying escapes, magic and romance abound in Wings – what’s not to love? I finished Ms. Pike’s lovely debut in a single sitting, and cannot wait for the next installment in the series.

Notable Quotes/Parts: When Laurel discovers her petal-like wings, it’s a beautiful scene.

Taking a deep breath, she blinked away the dark spots and stepped toward the mirror.

She didn’t even have to turn to see the new development. Long, bluish-white forms rose over both shoulders. For a moment Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were beautiful — almost too beautiful for words.

She turned slowly so she could see them better. Petal-like strips sprouted from where the bump had been, making a gently curved four-pointed star on her back. The longest petals — fanning out over each shoulder and peeking around her waist — about eight or nine inches long — spiraled around the center, filling in the leftover space. There were even a few small green leaves where the enormous flower connected to her skin.

All of the petals were tinged a dark blue at the center that faded to the softest sky blue in the middle and white at the ends. The edges were ruffled and looked eerily like the African violets her mother painstakingly grew in their kitchen. There must have been twenty of the soft, petal-like strips. Maybe more.

Laurel turned her front to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.

And, as always, Harper Teen’s Browse Inside below gives a glimpse at the first third of the novel. Check it out.

Additional Thoughts: Recently, Aprilynne Pike announced that the rights to Wings have been sold to Disney for a feature film! Although I can’t say I’m pleased with the rumored Miley Cyrus as Laurel (though incredibly popular, Miley is a bit too…abrasive for my impression of the willowy yet strong Laurel), it is pretty exciting news. Congrats to Ms. Pike!

Also, make sure to stick around, as we have a guest blog and giveaway from Aprilynne Pike later today!

Verdict: A lush debut novel with a heady blend of beauty, romance and danger, I very much enjoyed Wings. Highly recommended, and I cannot wait for the upcoming sequel.

Rating: 7 Very Good

Reading Next: Evernight and Stargazer by Claudia Gray

Howdy folks! Young Adult Appreciation Month is officially on (check here for our review of Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince movie)! Here’s what you can expect this coming week:

Harper Teen has a fabulous Supernatural Summer promotion, for five titles from five authors. This week, we will be reviewing each of these titles and will have interviews and posts from each of the authors, and even a few giveaways.

Monday: Kelley Armstrong Day

Thea reviews The Awakening and later in the day, interviews Kelley Armstrong about her Darkest Powers series, and on writing Young Adult novels.

Tuesday – Melissa Marr Day

Ana reviews the Wicked Lovely Manga, followed by an exclusive insight from the author about writing the Manga.

Wednesday – Aprilynne Pike Day

Thea reviews the stunning Wings, and Aprilynne Pike talks a bit about her debut novel.

Thursday – Claudia Gray Day

Thea has a double review of books 1 & 2 in the Evernight series, Evernight and Stargazer. Also, we have an interview with the author.

Friday – Kim Harrison Day

Thea reviews favorite author Kim Harrison’s first Young Adult novel Once Dead Twice Shy, followed by a post by Kim Harrison on writing Young Adult novels.

Saturday – A Chat With An Editor

Farrin Jacobs, Executive Editor of HarperCollins Children’s Books talks to us about being a Young Adult editor, and what to expect from Harper Teen in the future.

And that’s it for the first week of our Young Adult Appreciation Month! Don’t forget you can take part in the celebration of all things Young Adult by joining us on a collective festival across blogland – read the details here.

Until tomorrow…

~ Your Friendly Neighborhood Book Smugglers