Book Report for Spells by Aprilynne Pike
BFF Charm: Yay?
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talk: Straight up with a side of disney princess
Bonus Factors: Faerie Lore, Trolls!
Relationship Status: My brother’s best friend
The Deal:
Things are going pretty well for Laurel, now that her parents know she’s a faerie, and they have promised not to sell their land in the country- where a secret gate to Avalon (faerie world) is protected day and night by sentries. She still has her best friend, and her boyfriend, David, thinks she’s the coolest faerie on two legs. She’s a little apprehensive when she’s summoned to Avalon to ‘catch up’ on her faerie studies, but at least when she’s there she’ll get to see Tam, the super hot sentry faerie who she can’t quite seem to say ‘no’ to. But then, she still has nightmares about the trolls, who are still after her, and what’s with the crazy commando troll-hunting lady? Can she be trusted?
BFF Charm: Yay?
I like Laurel, I do. I’m just not 100% sure I want to give her my charm. I complained about her being bland in the first book, but I found her a bit more interesting in this one. She’s really sweet, if a little lost and confused, and she has a nice quiet strength. I think I’d like to give her a few years, to see how she grows up, because maybe my hesitation is just because I’m really too old for her.
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Folks, this is a kissing book. For reals. However, maybe it’s the sweetness in which it’s told, or maybe Aprilynne Pike is a genius mastermind and she’s playing me like a fiddle, and will disclose the steamy in a future book, but whichever it is, I don’t particularly feel the swoon between Laurel and David. Tam, however, leaves my knees weak and gives me a little flutter in my tummy. I’m really looking forward to someone else reading this series, because I’d like to see if it’s just me that thinks this. But to me, the chemistry between Laurel and Tam is Grade A Top Choice.
Talky Talk: Straight up with a side of disney princess
Aprilynne Pike handles the inner-workings of teenagers very smoothly, and even though I like my fantasy stories chocked full of a little more thrills and chills, she delivers on the story, and there’s plenty of excitement to go around, too. I don’t mean any insult with the disney princess thing. This story is just very sweet, and if it was a musical, I could picture Laurel bursting out with a little “I want to be where the people are. I wanna see, wanna see ‘em dancin’…”
Oh, and Ms. Pike? That cliffie? Thanks a lot. You’ve insured that I will be reading the next one.
Bonus Factor: Faerie Lore
In this book we delve into some fantastic faerie lore that is both believable (you know, when you’re talking faerie lore) and really well thought out. See, these faeries have no wings. They’re plants, so the females ‘blossom’ in certain seasons, but trust me, this is way better than Tinker Belle.
Bonus Factor: Trolls!
I think more stories should use trolls as bad guys. ‘Cause they’re so bad, really. On a side note, probably one of the most quoted lines from a movie in my house is Ian Hart’s “There’s a TROOOOOLL in the dungeon! … Thought you ought to know…” (Because there’s this lady who, ahem, trolls around the dog park near our house, and she’s kind of… a troll. So we all say that line whenever we see her. But not so she can hear. Maybe you have to be there.)
Casting Call:
Here’s where I’m going to get a little pissy. Because Laurel is very clearly described in these books, looks-wise. The closest actress I can think of who could resemble that description would be:
Mia Wasikowska as Laurel
HOWEVER, (see the all-caps, I’m irrate) a movie IS in the works, and they are in talks to cast:
The Toad as Laurel
Personally, I would cast her as one of the trolls. And for the boys:
Lucas Grabeel as David
And need I remind you?
Tom Sturridge as Tam
Oh, Laurel, for my sake, please go back to the woods…
Relationship Status: My brother’s best friend
So this book is over a lot, and although it’s my brother’s friend (so it’s automatically gross) I find myself crushing on it a little. Even though it walked in on me in the bathroom that one time, and has been known to tease me mercilessly on more than one occasion. I wonder what might happen when we’re all a little older.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
wow, if they cast miley cyrus, i will never ever see the movie or pick up one of these books cos NO. FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING GOOD AND SACRED. and yes, that IS a threat, hollywood!! i know how much you appreciate my business so i’m sure you’re reading this and taking me v. seriously right now. obvs.
This review is rife with awesome allusions. I counter!
“Doesn’t sound too bad. I’ll try and stay awake.”
“Walkin’ around on those…whattya call ‘em? Oh. Feet.”
When I was painting our house and idly singing Disney songs, as I am wont to do, Matt scoffed mightily at the “What’s the word….buuuuurn!” line. He thought it was stupid. I had to explain to him that DUH: Ariel’s a mermaid! She lives in the ocean! She’s never seen a fire!
Ah-hem. Anyway. Book review, right.
Oh man, Sarah, I was hoping you WOULD read these, because I wanted your take on them! I think they might at least slightly alter your faerie aversion.
Meredith, thank you! And there is NO shame in belting ‘part of their world’ at the top of your lungs at ANY time, as long as you are either in your car or home. Don’t be like those drama club girls that sing it in public while waiting for the train…
okaaaaaay, ok, jenny. i’ll add ‘em to my list. but only cos i like you. plus we can dish about them in person V. V. SOON!
That is because The Little Mermaid has the best Disney songs ever!! One time I got super-excited cause I was in a candy store and they were playing TLP soundtrack. I may have sang. In public. (Which Sarah and Meredith can both attest is NOT A GOOD IDEA, cause I sing even worse than Miley when she isn’t being autotuned.)
hm, not so sure about the faeries, tho i have read a few faerie books in my day. but maybe i’ll give it a chance, ONLY because you referenced both princess bride AND the little mermaid. “hold it … hold it. you said this wasn’t a kissing book”
and i have a friend whose 4yo daughter shows off her room to visitors by throwing her arms wide, twirling and singing “ahh-ah-ahhhhh … ah-ahh-AHHHHH” like ariel (um, did that make sense?). adorbs.
Why would ANYONE cast Miley Cyrus???? Ugh!
Other than that huge Hollywood faux pas, the books do sound good. I (so far) like fairy books so I’ll add this series to my list.