Illusions (Wings) [Hardcover]

Aprilynne Pike (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 3, 2011 | Series: Wings

"I don't do patrols, I don't go hunting, I just stick close to you. You live your life. I'll keep you safe," Tamani said, sweeping a lock of hair from her face. "Or die trying."

Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice.

But just as life returns to normal, Laurel realizes that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Fans will revel in the idealized characterizations, breathless abstinence romance, lurking danger and newly explicit Arthurian parallels.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“Who knew faeries could be this cool? Illusions has it all. It’s fascinating, rich, and romantic, and weaves a great new tapestry of thrilling fantasy.” (Lisa McMann, New York Times bestselling author of the Wake trilogy )

“The Wings [series] continues with a twist. A dramatic conclusion will leave readers anxious for the next installment.” (Booklist )

“Wow. Pike has taken her already acclaimed series and turned the story up a notch. It’s full of plot twists and character development that keep the pages flying. I can hardly wait for the next book!” (Romantic Times )

About the Author

Aprilynne Pike has been spinning faerie stories since she was a child with a hyperactive imagination. She completed her BA in creative writing at the age of twenty at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. Aprilynne lives with her husband and children in Phoenix, Arizona.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (May 3, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061668095
• ISBN-13: 978-0061668098
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #469,304 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Aprilynne Pike is the critically acclaimed, internationally and #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Wings series. She has been spinning 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. Since then she has worked as a waitress, a restaurant manager, a slush-pile reader, an editor, a childbirth educator, and a doula.

When not writing, Aprilynne can usually be found out running; she also enjoys singing, acting, and (of course!) reading books about magic and kissing. Aprilynne lives in Arizona with her husband and four kids; she is enjoying the sunshine.

For more information about Aprilynne, go to www.aprilynnepike.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome new installation of series!! May 3, 2011

By Katlyn

Format:Hardcover

ILLUSIONS, by Aprilynne Pike, is the HIGHLY anticipated third book in the Wings series. If Wings and Spells had romance and love triangularity, this book multiplied the respective tension by a thousand. For those who have heard my thoughts on the matter I am 100% Team Tamani and I was very pleased with his presence in this book.

The first books in the series explored the relationship between Laurel and David in our world (Wings) and Laurel and Tamani in Avalon (Spells). In Illusions, David and Tamani went head to head to win Laurel's heart. For as much as some roll their eyes at a love triangle, I really love this one even at the expense of our heroine. Since her memories of her past in Avalon were wiped away all Laurel really knows is her human life. In her effort to stay with what she knows and is comfortable with, she leans toward being to David. But Tamani's presence awakens her roots (plant pun intended) to where she was from originally. Talk about being torn literally in half.

All of the typical characters from the previous books came back for more action, but Pike introduced Yuki a foreign exchange student to the story. I was interested but wary of her supposed shyness. Tamani played his part well to get her to open up to him but her secrets were held tight.

Along with the romantic tension, Pike stepped up the action and danger that Laurel faced in the wake of a mysterious threat. I went back and forth in my head wondering who was causing problems, but Pike's talent for suspense kept me guessing until the very end then dropped a massive cliffhanger! These books keep me coming back for more and fans of this series will not be disappointed.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Faeries May 5, 2011

By Kris VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Illusions is the fantastic third installment in the Wings series. This book has it all; drama, romance, action, suspense and a cliffhanger that will leave you on edge and wanting the next book NOW.

*****THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS*****

Laurel is back home and is back to school with David and her friends. She is still missing her faery Gaurdian Tamani after telling him to get lost in Spells. She soon finds that he is back and attending school with her. The love triangle is in full swing in this book and the tensions rise between David and Tam. Things get physical between them. What I love about David and Tam is they are both likeable, sweet guys. There is no clear winner here. Tam is back because Laurel is in danger again. They find there is a suspicious "Wild" faery attending school with them who is somehow connected to the troll hunter. Tam has to get to the bottom of who she is and what her intentions are.

Laurel's character gets a taste of her own medicine and was suprisingly irritating in this novel. She seems to be of the belief that even though she does not want Tam, no one else is allowed to have him either. Her intense feelings of jealousy where he is concerned finally gets her to realize how she really feels about both David and Tam. You get the feeling towards the end that she is leaning towards one guy and then changes her mind again and is once again confused. I truly hope this craziness gets resolved in the final installment and she finally makes a choice.

While I do like David, I am a HUGE Tamani fan and we get plenty of him in Illusions. I can't wait to see what's in store for him and Laurel in the fourth book. I'm crossing my fingers for these two....

Illusions kept me engrossed in the story the entire time and I devoured it in one breathless sitting. This was my favorite of the series so far. You will be eager to get your hands on book #4. Read more ›

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Really?!! May 5, 2011

By Meg

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Augh. Now I'm going to have to wait for the last book to come out. DANGIT! Way to just leave us all hanging Miss Pike!

Really enjoyed Illusions. My only complaint was that it was too short - and I'm still waiting for Laurel and Tamani to get together for good. GO TEAM TAMANI!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Much less action, but a lot more time with Tamani romancing Laurel. May 14, 2011

By The Book Runner TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Excerpt:

She almost didn't notice the strange tingle that made her want to turn and look behind her.

Was she being watched?

More curious than afraid, Laurel disguised the glance over her shoulder as a toss of her long blond hair. But her watcher was immediately apparent, and Laurel's breath caught in her throat as her gaze locked with a pair of pale green eyes.

Those eyes weren't supposed to be light green. They were supposed to be the rich, emerald green that once matched his hair - hair that was now a uniform black, cut short and gelled into a deceptively casual mop. Instead of a hand-woven tunic and breeches, he was dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt that, no matter how good they looked on him, had to be terribly stifling.

And he was wearing shoes. She'd hardly ever seen Tamani wearing shoes.

You know how in a trilogy, the second one is always the worst one because it spends the most time setting up the action for book three, so that in itself, nothing seems to happen? At the same time, it is very important and you don't want to miss any of it? That is what Illusion is like. It is the third book out of four and it is not the most action packed or adventurous of the three published books, but it finally explores the relationships of the Laurel, David, Tamani triangle and starts to make headway in a direction. There is a sub-plot concerning a new faerie and the Trolls ability to withstand fae magic, but really, Illusions is about Laurel trying to make out what and who her feelings are for.

I personally am a Tamani fan, have been since Spells, so I enjoyed the development of her recognizing her desire for Tam and their time together since he has enrolled in her school to better protect her.... Watching David and Tamani "fight" over her was also amusing. Nothing else really happened, since everything was leading up to the ending cliff hanger involving the new faerie. The next book should be really action packed and tense leading Laurel to realize that she can't live without Tamani and allowing her best friend to finally have the true love she has always wanted (cough, Mrs. Pike, cough).

So I would say that I definitely am glad I read this book but that if you are looking for a repeat of Spells and Wings, you will be disappointed. It is good in its own right, but much less action and a lot more time with Tamani being romantic with Laurel.

Would I/Did I buy it? Yes (I own all three!)
Would I read it again? Yes
Would I recommend it to friends? Yes Read more ›