So this month's theme had me instantly reaching for a book that I haven't read in a while so I hurried back to the dorm and, thankful that the dorm was deserted apart from a cat my dorm mate owns, I began to read the book. Now, please bare in mind that I'm still reading the book so will only be talking about what I've managed to read.
Wings by Aprilynne Pike introduces the character Laurel Sewell, the central character to the Wings series. Laurel is just starting out at Del Norte High School in Crescent City. It's autumn and she's instantly longing for the summer again because she needs it. I can totally understand that as everyone either likes the long, dark nights or longs for summer as soon as it has passed. Anyway, Laurel appears to be just an ordinary girl who's starting at a new school but there is also the fact that she was homeschooled her whole life. I feel sorry for Laurel as she's trying to cope with so much at once and she's in her sophomore year as well.
But that is where the normal stops with Laurel ... as I said, it's autumn and one that will change everything she's ever known! The first difference is not a difference as such, but it is certainly a difference where Laurel is concerned ... she's a vegetarian. OK, so most people are, but here's the difference ... Most people choose to become one, Laurel has no choice. She can only eat fruit and vegetables and drinks a lot of water and Sprite. This instantly spiked my curiosity again as that seemed a little odd to me. She doesn't really have a choice, so what's making her have no choice?
The second, and massive difference, is that one day Laurel wakes up with a bump on her back. She instantly gets her mother to look at it. Laurel's mother, Sarah, is concerned ... after all - Laurel hasn't even started certain aspects of puberty yet (another difference) but Sarah says it's nothing to worry about. Laurel's bump then begins to get bigger and bigger. Then one morning, she wakes up with a rather huge problem. Now, we all think we have huge problems but try having flower-petal covered wings fully attached to her back! That is what Laurel has to face now.
She tries to keep it a secret and begins to shut out her new, and only friend, David and starts faking excuses to get out of things. I really cannot begin to imagine what was going on in Laurel's head at that time. She must have felt so alone and unsure of what to do. Remember, she's still new in Crescent City and only truly has David as a friend. She wonders about whether to tell her parents, but she cannot bring herself to tell them. I'm relieved to say that she ends up reaching out to David, who is shocked at first but willing to help Laurel figure out what is going on. In case you haven't figured it out ... Laurel is an Autumn Fairy and this is the first time her wings have ... well blossomed for want of a better phrase. David begins to help her understand that she has these as part of her and that won't change. He also promises to keep it a secret before Laurel leaves and heads home. I get the feeling that confiding in someone was a weight off her shoulders and she didn't feel so alone in what was happening to her.
If there's one thing I have learnt from Laurel in the early stages of the book it's stay true to yourself and no matter what you're going through tell someone you trust because they may well be able to help you. Anyway, I'm off to continue reading the book!
See you next time,
Adele x