My Review of "Spells" by 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 finished "Spells", the second book in the Young Adult Fantasy series of four books, that started with "Wings". Before I read this book, I had heard and read many other opinions about this second book. Many comments centered around how it wasn't as good as the first, to it was better than the first. Some were unhappy that Laurel didn't spend as much time in Avalon as they wanted. Then others complained that the time spent in Avalon was boring. The complaints seemed to go on and on.

I really liked Aprilynne's first book, "Wings". It was a new, fresh look at faeries. I had high hopes for "Spells". By now, I should know not to judge a book until I have read it. The things I like in a book can vary greatly from what others may like. I have such a great love for a variety of genres of books, that I usually give most books a great deal of leeway, where others may not let themselves get past the first or second chapter.

So...I picked up "Spells" and read it quickly. Aprilynne has a very smooth writing style, that adults and teens like. I was happily surprised about the chapters centered around her stay in Avalon. There is a lot written about Laurel's studies at the Academy of Avalon. She had to make up for lost time in learning how to be a "Fall Faerie" and what her future job would be. I found all of the information interesting, where others said it was "Boring". I enjoyed learning about the Faerie World's dynamics and how the society was structured. World building is a hard job. I have heard some complaints about this end of Aprilynne's storytelling. I say to these people, this is not high-fantasy where world building is crucial. This is a teen romance, set in the real world, with a dose of fantasy world on the side. I think Aprilynne did a good job in describing this world and keeping it low- key enough as she wrote for her main audience of teens.

The love triangle in this book rears it ugly head to extremes. Laurel, in her own unintentional way, is leading both young men along. She wants both of them, but knows that this can't be. I picked which team I was on in the first book. David is her human boyfriend and Tamani is her boyfriend from the Faerie World. I think we as readers know which man would be best for her in the long run, Tamani. I really like him and what he stands for. He also has the same life span as Laurel where David, being human, will be dead and gone before Laurel even starts to look old.

**sigh** Young love is such a bummer. It is so easy to look back and figure out what you should have done as a teen and what really happened. I will warn parents here, there is much more kissing in this book and some references to sex. It is nothing that you would find in an adult book, but you probably want to read through it first, depending on the age of your future reader.

The book ends with a cliff hanger that makes you excited for the third book. In a series of four books, the second is usually filler information and you do find a lot of that in "Spells". Over all, this book was a fun, fast and enjoyable read. If you liked "Wings", you will enjoy reading "Spells" and will look forward to reading the rest of the series.