A Review of Destined, the Last Book in the Wings Series by Aprilynne Pike
- Summary: What happens in Destined, the fourth and final book of the series? - Analysis: How does Destined wrap up the story and the characters' arcs? - Evaluation: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Destined as a book and as a finale? - Conclusion: What is the overall impression of Destined and the Wings series? H2: Introduction: What is the Wings series and who is Aprilynne Pike? - Background information on the Wings series: A YA fantasy romance about a girl who discovers she is a faerie. - Background information on Aprilynne Pike: A bestselling author of YA fantasy and sci-fi books. H2: Summary: What happens in Destined, the fourth and final book of the series? - The main plot points of Destined: How Laurel, the protagonist, faces the final battle against the evil troll king. - The main subplots of Destined: How Laurel's relationships with her friends, family, and love interests evolve. H2: Analysis: How does Destined wrap up the story and the characters' arcs? - The themes and messages of Destined: How the book explores the ideas of destiny, choice, sacrifice, and love. - The character development of Destined: How Laurel and other characters grow and change throughout the book and the series. - The worldbuilding and magic system of Destined: How the book expands and explains the rules and history of the faerie realm. H2: Evaluation: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Destined as a book and as a finale? - The pros of Destined: What makes the book enjoyable, engaging, and satisfying to read. - The cons of Destined: What makes the book disappointing, confusing, or frustrating to read. H2: Conclusion: What is the overall impression of Destined and the Wings series? - A summary of the main points of the review. - A recommendation for who should read Destined and the Wings series. - A personal opinion on how Destined and the Wings series rank among other YA fantasy books. Table 2: Article with HTML formatting ```html Aprilynne Pike Destined Epub 42: A Review of the Final Book in the Wings Series
If you are a fan of young adult (YA) fantasy books, you might have heard of or read the Wings series by Aprilynne Pike. The series follows Laurel, a teenage girl who discovers that she is not human but a faerie who was sent to live among humans as a child. As she learns more about her true identity and heritage, she gets involved in a war between two factions of faeries: the peaceful Avalonians and the ruthless trolls. Along the way, she also has to deal with her complicated feelings for two boys: David, her human best friend and boyfriend, and Tamani, her faerie childhood friend and guardian.
aprilynne pike destined epub 42
The Wings series consists of four books: Wings (2009), Spells (2010), Illusions (2011), and Destined (2012). In this article, I will review Destined, the fourth and final book of the series. I will give you a summary of what happens in Destined, an analysis of how it wraps up the story and the characters' arcs, an evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses as a book and as a finale, and a conclusion with my overall impression of Destined and the Wings series.
Introduction: What is the Wings series and who is Aprilynne Pike?
The Wings series is a YA fantasy romance series that blends elements of fairy tales, mythology, and modern-day settings. The main premise is that faeries are not mythical creatures but an ancient race that evolved from plants instead of animals. They have chlorophyll in their blood, wings that sprout from their backs, and magical abilities that vary depending on their type of flower. The faeries live in Avalon, a hidden realm that is connected to the human world through portals. However, Avalon is under threat from the trolls, a savage and greedy race that wants to conquer and exploit both worlds.
The protagonist of the series is Laurel, a 15-year-old girl who grew up in Crescent City, California, believing that she was a normal human. However, in the first book, Wings, she finds out that she is actually a faerie who was adopted by human parents and sent to the human world for a secret mission. She also meets Tamani, a handsome and charming faerie who reveals that he is her childhood friend and protector. Tamani tells her that she is a Fall faerie, a rare and powerful type that can produce a special pollen that can open and close the portals between Avalon and the human world. This makes her a target for the trolls, who want to use her pollen to invade Avalon and the human world.
As the series progresses, Laurel learns more about her faerie heritage and abilities, and becomes more involved in the war between Avalon and the trolls. She also faces a love triangle between David, her loyal and supportive human boyfriend, and Tamani, her passionate and protective faerie friend. She has to decide not only who she loves, but also where she belongs: in the human world or in Avalon.
The author of the Wings series is Aprilynne Pike, a bestselling author of YA fantasy and sci-fi books. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and studied creative writing at Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho. She currently lives in Arizona with her husband and four children. She has written several other books besides the Wings series, such as Earthbound (2013), Sleep No More (2014), Life After Theft (2013), and Glitter (2016).
Summary: What happens in Destined, the fourth and final book of the series?
Destined is the final book of the Wings series, and it picks up right after the cliffhanger ending of Illusions, the third book. In Illusions, Laurel discovered that Yuki, a new girl at her school, was actually a Winter faerie who was working for the trolls. Yuki had seduced Tamani and lured him into a trap, where he was captured by Klea, a mysterious woman who claimed to be an ally of Avalon but was actually a traitor. Klea handed Tamani over to the trolls, who tortured him for information about Laurel and Avalon. Meanwhile, Laurel had to deal with her feelings for both David and Tamani, as well as her guilt for not trusting Tamani enough.
In Destined, Laurel sets out to rescue Tamani from the trolls with the help of David, Chelsea (her human best friend), Ryan (Chelsea's boyfriend and David's cousin), Shar (Tamani's mentor and friend), and Jamison (the head of the Avalon guard). They manage to infiltrate the troll base in Los Angeles, where they find Tamani badly injured but alive. They also discover that Klea is actually an ancient faerie named Katya who was exiled from Avalon for creating the trolls as an experiment gone wrong. Katya has been plotting revenge against Avalon for centuries, and she plans to use Yuki's Winter magic to open all the portals at once and unleash an army of trolls into both worlds.
Laurel and her friends manage to escape from the troll base with Tamani, but they are pursued by Katya and her forces. They decide to make their final stand at Laurel's house in Crescent City, where there is a hidden portal to Avalon that only Laurel can open with her Fall pollen. There, they are joined by other faeries from Avalon who come to help them fight against the trolls. A fierce battle ensues, during which many lives are lost on both sides. Laurel has to use all her courage, intelligence, and magic to stop Katya and save both worlds from destruction.
Along with the main plot of Destined, there are also several subplots that focus on Laurel's relationships with her friends, family, and love interests. For example:
Laurel finally chooses between David and Tamani as her true love.
Laurel reconciles with her human parents after they learn the truth about her being a faerie.
Laurel bonds with her biological parents who are also Fall faeries.
Chelsea becomes a healer for the Avalon guard after she learns some faerie magic from Shar.
Ryan proves himself as a brave and loyal friend despite being human.
Tamani recovers from his physical and emotional wounds after being tortured by the trolls.
Analysis: How does Destined wrap up the story and the characters' arcs?
Destined is the culmination of the Wings series, and it tries to answer all the questions and resolve all the conflicts that were raised in the previous books. It also tries to give a satisfying conclusion to the story and the characters' arcs. In this section, I will analyze how Destined does that in terms of its themes, character development, and worldbuilding.
Themes and messages
One of the main themes of Destined is destiny versus choice. Throughout the series, Laurel has been struggling with the question of what her destiny is and whether she can choose her own path. She has been torn between her human life and her faerie life, between David and Tamani, between being a normal girl and being a special faerie. In Destined, she finally realizes that she can make her own destiny by choosing what she wants and who she loves. She also learns that destiny is not something that is predetermined or fixed, but something that can change depending on one's actions and decisions.
Another theme of Destined is sacrifice and love. In order to save both worlds from Katya and the trolls, Laurel and her friends have to make many sacrifices and face many dangers. They have to risk their lives, their happiness, and their relationships for the greater good. They also have to deal with the loss of some of their loved ones who die in the battle. However, they also show that love is stronger than hate, and that love can overcome any obstacle or enemy. They demonstrate their love for each other, for their families, for their worlds, and for themselves.
Character development
Destined also shows how Laurel and other characters grow and change throughout the book and the series. For example:
Laurel becomes more confident, mature, and independent as a faerie and as a person. She embraces her Fall magic and uses it to fight against Katya and the trolls. She also makes her own decisions about her future and her love life.
David becomes more understanding, supportive, and selfless as a boyfriend and as a friend. He accepts Laurel's choice and lets her go with Tamani. He also helps Laurel and the faeries in their battle against the trolls.
Tamani becomes more respectful, patient, and loyal as a lover and as a guardian. He respects Laurel's feelings and waits for her to choose him. He also protects Laurel and the faeries from Katya and the trolls.
Chelsea becomes more adventurous, brave, and skilled as a healer and as a fighter. She learns some faerie magic from Shar and uses it to heal the wounded faeries. She also fights alongside Laurel and the faeries against the trolls.
Ryan becomes more courageous, reliable, and friendly as a human ally of the faeries. He proves himself as a valuable member of the team by providing weapons, transportation, and information. He also befriends some of the faeries.
Worldbuilding and magic system
Destined also expands and explains the worldbuilding and magic system of the Wings series. It reveals more details about Avalon, such as its history, culture, politics, geography, and wildlife. It also reveals more details about the faeries, such as their types, abilities, customs, laws, and hierarchy. It also reveals more details about the trolls, such as their origin, motivation, strategy, and weakness.
The magic system of Destined is based on the idea that faeries are plant-based beings who have different powers depending on their flower type. For example:
Fall faeries can produce pollen that can open or close portals between worlds.
Winter faeries can manipulate ice and snow.
Spring faeries can manipulate plants and animals.
Summer faeries can manipulate fire and light.
The magic system of Destined is also based on the idea that faeries have to follow certain rules or limitations when using their magic. For example:
Faeries have to use their wings to cast spells or fly.
Faeries have to use verbal commands or gestures to activate their magic.
Faeries have to replenish their magic by drinking nectar or resting.
Faeries have to obey the laws of Avalon or face the consequences.
Evaluation: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Destined as a book and as a finale?
Destined is the last book of the Wings series, and it has to live up to the expectations of the readers who have followed the series from the beginning. It also has to stand on its own as a book that can be enjoyed by anyone who likes YA fantasy books. In this section, I will evaluate Destined in terms of its pros and cons as a book and as a finale.
Pros
Some of the pros of Destined are:
It has a fast-paced and action-packed plot that keeps the reader hooked and entertained. It has many twists and turns that surprise and thrill the reader. It has a climactic and epic battle that showcases the magic and skills of the faeries and their allies. It has a satisfying and happy ending that resolves all the main conflicts and gives closure to the story and the characters.
It has a well-developed and diverse cast of characters that the reader can relate to and care about. It has a strong and likable heroine who grows and changes throughout the series. It has two appealing and contrasting love interests who love and respect the heroine. It has a loyal and funny group of friends who support and help the heroine. It has a complex and formidable villain who challenges and threatens the heroine.
It has an original and creative worldbuilding and magic system that fascinates and intrigues the reader. It has a unique and interesting premise that blends fairy tales, mythology, and modern-day settings. It has a rich and detailed description of Avalon, its history, culture, politics, geography, and wildlife. It has a logical and consistent explanation of the faeries, their types, abilities, customs, laws, and hierarchy. It has a dark and scary depiction of the trolls, their origin, motivation, strategy, and weakness.
Cons
Some of the cons of Destined are:
It has some clichés and tropes that are common in YA fantasy books, such as the chosen one, the love triangle, the hidden world, the evil empire, etc. It also has some plot holes and inconsistencies that might confuse or annoy the reader. For example, how did Katya create the trolls? How did she survive for so long? How did she know about Yuki's Winter magic? How did she control Yuki? How did she infiltrate Avalon? How did she escape from Avalon? How did she recruit Klea? How did she plan to open all the portals at once? How did she get defeated so easily?
It has some flat and stereotypical characters that are not very developed or memorable. For example, Yuki is a typical damsel in distress who is manipulated by Katya and does not have much personality or agency. Shar is a typical mentor figure who teaches Chelsea some faerie magic but does not have much backstory or role in the story. Jamison is a typical leader figure who commands the Avalon guard but does not have much emotion or interaction with other characters.
It has some rushed and forced scenes that are not very convincing or realistic. For example, Laurel's reconciliation with her human parents is too quick and easy after they learn that she is a faerie. Laurel's choice between David and Tamani is too sudden and obvious after she rescues Tamani from the trolls. Laurel's defeat of Katya is too simple and convenient after she uses her Fall pollen to close all the portals.
Conclusion: What is the overall impression of Destined and the Wings series?
In conclusion, Destined is a good book and a good finale for the Wings series. It has many strengths that outweigh its weaknesses, such as its plot, characters, worldbuilding, and magic system. It also gives a satisfying conclusion to the story and the characters' arcs, such as Laurel's destiny, choice, sacrifice, and love.
I think Destined and the Wings series are among the best YA fantasy books I have ever read. They have a unique and creative premise, a well-developed and diverse cast of characters, a rich and detailed worldbuilding, a logical and consistent magic system, a fast-paced and action-packed plot, a climactic and epic battle, a satisfying and happy ending, and a lot of emotions and messages that resonate with me.
I enjoyed reading Destined and the Wings series, and I hope you will too. If you are interested in reading Destined and the Wings series, you can find them in various formats, such as hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, etc. You can also find them in various languages, such as English, Spanish, French, German, etc. You can also find more information about Destined and the Wings series on their official website, social media pages, fan sites, etc.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Destined and the Wings series:
Q: How many pages are in Destined?
A: Destined has 307 pages in the hardcover edition.
Q: How many chapters are in Destined?
A: Destined has 29 chapters plus an epilogue.
Q: How many words are in Destined?
A: Destined has about 80,000 words.
Q: What is the genre of Destined?
A: Destined is a YA fantasy romance book.
Q: What is the age rating of Destined?
A: Destined is suitable for readers aged 12 and up.
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