Really, Stephenie Meyer? A “remarkable debut”? I can’t for the life of me figure out how such a brilliant author, could call Wings by Aprilynne Pike a “remarkable debut”. Stephenie goes on to comment “…the ingenuity of the mythology is matched only by the startling loveliness with which the story unfolds.” Okay, that statement is so over-thought, it’s not really a solid statement is it? Probably just an attempt to be kind to her fellow Mormon’s “astonishingly dull” debut. That’s Piper Grey’s quote!

The first three quarters of this book were agonizing to get through! This book is about a “perfect” 15 year old teenager, Laurel, who was found on the doorstep of her adoptive parents home when she was a toddler; was home schooled until they had to move to ensure the families financial security and starts public school as a sophomore…..a “perfect” sophomore who struggles with her perfection. Did I mention that she’s perfect? Seriously! I find it hilarious that the moral of this story was “everyone struggles…even the teenage hotties”!

The ridiculousness of this story grows, as Laurel eventually undergoes a drastic physical change that results in a perfect flower sprouting from her back. Surprise! It’s not wings! Of course this discovery leads to the revelation that Laurel is a fairy. This sounds like an interesting concept, however, the way it’s delivered is seriously boring and tedious! I gave this book to an 11 year old to read after I was finished and I swear she actually said to me: “So far this is the most boring book I’ve ever read.” And she is a booklover! Okay, I admit, she’s a brilliant 11 year old ……. with great taste in books.

Another thing that I wasn’t too enthused about was that the main character, Laurel, embodies the ‘vision of perfection’ that teenage girls everywhere develop self esteem issues trying to achieve. Who could feel good about giving young impressionable girls another “perfect” idol they could never live up to? I am not a feminist by any means but messing with our blossoming vixens developing psyche in this way is unforgivable. Instead of burning our bras, maybe we should take every copy of this book off the shelves and make some good old fashioned compost! Maybe then this world would see some benefit of its existence!

I must admit that the last 80 pages or so (of this 300 pager) were somewhat exciting and eventful. The author introduces trolls into the mix; big slimy smelly grotesque trolls that were the most appealing part of the story! Nevertheless, the fact that trolls were needed to peak my interest speaks volumes about the agonizingly dull plot.

Even though Wings was written for a younger audience, I felt that it was poorly done. I was seriously open-minded to the young-adult genre when I opened this book due to the outstanding review from Stephenie Meyer. It was a serious disappointment! Sorry Steph, but Young Adult is no longer my favorite flavor. 1 outta 5 pumps for this clod hopper ‘fairy’ tale!