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authorcallan's review
5.0
This was amazing! The way that Aprilynne ended her Wings series was phenomenal, I even really loved the alternative ending even though it was a little sad. Aprilynned is brilliant :) Definitely hit my top ten favorites!
michalice's review against another edition
5.0
I can not describe how excited but nervous I was to start Destined. Part of me couldn't wait to find out what happens next, but I was nervous that it wouldn't live up to my expectations and all the anticipation would lead to nothing. Destined more than met my expectations, it exceeded them, so much in fact that I can't even describe how I feel once I have finished it. The following review may not make sense or may be quite vague, and if you haven't read the series or Destined yet then I advise you to go do it now, just in case I spoil things for you. It also wont be in my usual review format.
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Destined picks up right were Wild left off, Yuki is still under captivity while Tamani, Laurel, David and Chelsea figure out what to do with her. Their decision is finally made when a group of trolls attacks them, forcing this group to retreat to Avalon and try to save it.
Laurel discovers a secret about what was happening to her Mum and who was responsible for it and it takes a while for her to find peace in this revelation. The reasoning behind it makes sense in a twisted sort of way, but I think the culprit went about it the wrong way and could have chosen another option.
Chelsea hears some truths from Yuki that she wasn't willing to hear or listen to, and I loved how Tamani was the one to reassure and comfort her and even though what he tries to say isn't exactly reassuring, he tried in is own way to make things better. I love Chelsea, she is always there for Laurel, even if it means going to Avalon to help. She is a real, true, honest friend and I am so glad that Laurel has her. She is also good for lightening the mood...
Klea is not who she seems and I love how it was kept hidden all this time. I never once guessed this revelation and when it is all relayed back you can see the connections line up.
I absolutely loved how David uses his humanness for a good use and I actually cheered him on all the way. Although the things he does are not respected and after its all said and done he gets no thanks for it I really admire how much he has grown in this book.
Tamani is constantly in your mind throughout Destined. If he is not in the pages you are wondering how he is doing, is he ok. You might think this would be a distraction but it isn't. Whenever he comes back into the pages you can't wait to see what happens next, not only with him and David, but also with Laurel. Near the end I was fearful over what would actually happen to him and I will admit to crying (again) over his scene with Yuki. I am glad they made it right between them, but sad at the same time. I love the conclusion he comes to and his final decision from this. It was a perfect ending for him.
I love the fight scenes, they actually make you feel like you are part to it and not just a reader. You root for Laurel, David, Chelsea, Tamani and the rest of the faeries and are on tenter hooks waiting to see what happens next. The chapters ending in a cliffhanger have you saying "just one more chapter then I'll put it down and go to bed" and that one more chapter never arrives. I ended up just stopping and putting it down or I would never have gone to bed at a reasonable time (midnight) and would have been half asleep in work. There may be more action and fighting in Destined than the previous books, but it certainly does not lack for romance and romantic tension.
Destined was the perfect end to a great series, one that I will re-read. I laughed, cried, cheered and cried some more. The last few chapters had me in tears from the pure emotional impact of them. Aprilynne is definitely an author to keep an eye on and all future work will find a place on my bookshelf.
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Destined picks up right were Wild left off, Yuki is still under captivity while Tamani, Laurel, David and Chelsea figure out what to do with her. Their decision is finally made when a group of trolls attacks them, forcing this group to retreat to Avalon and try to save it.
Laurel discovers a secret about what was happening to her Mum and who was responsible for it and it takes a while for her to find peace in this revelation. The reasoning behind it makes sense in a twisted sort of way, but I think the culprit went about it the wrong way and could have chosen another option.
Chelsea hears some truths from Yuki that she wasn't willing to hear or listen to, and I loved how Tamani was the one to reassure and comfort her and even though what he tries to say isn't exactly reassuring, he tried in is own way to make things better. I love Chelsea, she is always there for Laurel, even if it means going to Avalon to help. She is a real, true, honest friend and I am so glad that Laurel has her. She is also good for lightening the mood...
"I'm going to tell my mom that David and laurel tried to elope'" Chelsea dead panned. "I only came along to try and talk them out of it. She'll forgive just about anything if she thinks I'm protecting laurel's virtue".
Klea is not who she seems and I love how it was kept hidden all this time. I never once guessed this revelation and when it is all relayed back you can see the connections line up.
I absolutely loved how David uses his humanness for a good use and I actually cheered him on all the way. Although the things he does are not respected and after its all said and done he gets no thanks for it I really admire how much he has grown in this book.
Tamani is constantly in your mind throughout Destined. If he is not in the pages you are wondering how he is doing, is he ok. You might think this would be a distraction but it isn't. Whenever he comes back into the pages you can't wait to see what happens next, not only with him and David, but also with Laurel. Near the end I was fearful over what would actually happen to him and I will admit to crying (again) over his scene with Yuki. I am glad they made it right between them, but sad at the same time. I love the conclusion he comes to and his final decision from this. It was a perfect ending for him.
I love the fight scenes, they actually make you feel like you are part to it and not just a reader. You root for Laurel, David, Chelsea, Tamani and the rest of the faeries and are on tenter hooks waiting to see what happens next. The chapters ending in a cliffhanger have you saying "just one more chapter then I'll put it down and go to bed" and that one more chapter never arrives. I ended up just stopping and putting it down or I would never have gone to bed at a reasonable time (midnight) and would have been half asleep in work. There may be more action and fighting in Destined than the previous books, but it certainly does not lack for romance and romantic tension.
Destined was the perfect end to a great series, one that I will re-read. I laughed, cried, cheered and cried some more. The last few chapters had me in tears from the pure emotional impact of them. Aprilynne is definitely an author to keep an eye on and all future work will find a place on my bookshelf.
reddyrat's review
4.0
Wings - the first book in the series - was one of the best fairy books I've read. It drew from traditional fairy lore but added a unique botanical twist. Add to that compelling characters and sweet romance and you have a great book. The subsequent books in the series have failed to achieve quite the level of magic I discovered in Wings, but have still been good in their own right. I particularly love the rich world building that pervades the books.
Destined, the final book in the Wings series, is perhaps the best book aside from Wings. The previous book ended on a cliffhanger: the group discovered that Yuki was a dangerous winter fairy. At the beginning of Destined, Yuki is trapped. But her imprisonment is short lived. Soon Avalon itself is in the thick of an epic battle featuring Klea, Yuki, and lots of trolls.
Almost the entire book is action. There is rarely a dull moment. If anything, there's almost too much action. But I certainly wasn't bored. The plot is twisting constantly and no character is safe. Some of my favorite characters die tragically, but such loss makes the story feel more real.
Despite most of the action taking place in Avalon, all the main characters are present. Tamani and Laurel of course, but also David and Chelsea. David really shines in this novel. I particularly liked the fact that with so much conflict, the story didn't focus on the love triangle. David and Tamani were a team trying to safe Avalon. Luckily, romance isn't entirely absent. We definitely get some satisfying moments between Laurel and the guy who wins her heart (you'll have to read it to know who).
My favorite part of this book is the ending. Or rather, the alternate ending. Aprilynne offers us a glimpse into the future, but warns us that we may not want to read it. I chose to do so and thought it transformed the book into a simple fairy romance into a much more thoughtful story about human/fairy nature.
Destined doesn't entirely recapture the magic of Wings, it is still a thrilling ride. It ties up the series in a very satisfying manner. If you haven't read the Wings series yet, I highly recommend it for the plot but especially for the vivid depiction of Avalon and fairy culture.
Rating: 4 / 5
Destined, the final book in the Wings series, is perhaps the best book aside from Wings. The previous book ended on a cliffhanger: the group discovered that Yuki was a dangerous winter fairy. At the beginning of Destined, Yuki is trapped. But her imprisonment is short lived. Soon Avalon itself is in the thick of an epic battle featuring Klea, Yuki, and lots of trolls.
Almost the entire book is action. There is rarely a dull moment. If anything, there's almost too much action. But I certainly wasn't bored. The plot is twisting constantly and no character is safe. Some of my favorite characters die tragically, but such loss makes the story feel more real.
Despite most of the action taking place in Avalon, all the main characters are present. Tamani and Laurel of course, but also David and Chelsea. David really shines in this novel. I particularly liked the fact that with so much conflict, the story didn't focus on the love triangle. David and Tamani were a team trying to safe Avalon. Luckily, romance isn't entirely absent. We definitely get some satisfying moments between Laurel and the guy who wins her heart (you'll have to read it to know who).
My favorite part of this book is the ending. Or rather, the alternate ending. Aprilynne offers us a glimpse into the future, but warns us that we may not want to read it. I chose to do so and thought it transformed the book into a simple fairy romance into a much more thoughtful story about human/fairy nature.
Destined doesn't entirely recapture the magic of Wings, it is still a thrilling ride. It ties up the series in a very satisfying manner. If you haven't read the Wings series yet, I highly recommend it for the plot but especially for the vivid depiction of Avalon and fairy culture.
Rating: 4 / 5
megexpress's review
4.0
"The greatest part: The Wings series reaches the perfect ending. The worst part: It has to end!" - Claudia Gray
Do I entirely agree with this statement? Yes and no. I adored this series ever since I saw the beautiful Wings cover on a bookshelf back when it was first released. I've had numerous books of vampires, werewolves, and wizards/witches, but I haven't had many faerie books. I'm glad that the Wings series opened up my eyes to these gorgeous, yet lethal, creatures. I had a love/hate relationship with Aprilynne Pike's Author's Note at the end of the novel. I like that she warned her readers to avoid the last chapter if they wanted the picture perfect ending, but I hated that it felt like it took away some of the strength, and integrity, of David's character. Anyone who has read the final chapter will know that it took a lot of courage for David to do what he did. It actually made me love his character more! Vulnerability, and the ability to voice it and take action upon it, is a difficult task.It was very bittersweet to finally "let go" of these characters. Yeah, I teared up a little bit. This book was extremely fast-paced and I wished that it had a bit of a build up towards the action. Nevertheless, the love rectangle (including Chelsea makes a rectangle) resolved itself quite nicely, in my opinion. The conclusion ended in a way to let the readers have their own special take on how Laurel's future unfolded.
I heard Pike will be releasing her new material next year! One of which is to be the first in a new series! I am a fan of hers and will be on the lookout for her new books in 2013!
Do I entirely agree with this statement? Yes and no. I adored this series ever since I saw the beautiful Wings cover on a bookshelf back when it was first released. I've had numerous books of vampires, werewolves, and wizards/witches, but I haven't had many faerie books. I'm glad that the Wings series opened up my eyes to these gorgeous, yet lethal, creatures. I had a love/hate relationship with Aprilynne Pike's Author's Note at the end of the novel. I like that she warned her readers to avoid the last chapter if they wanted the picture perfect ending, but I hated that it felt like it took away some of the strength, and integrity, of David's character. Anyone who has read the final chapter will know that it took a lot of courage for David to do what he did. It actually made me love his character more! Vulnerability, and the ability to voice it and take action upon it, is a difficult task.It was very bittersweet to finally "let go" of these characters. Yeah, I teared up a little bit. This book was extremely fast-paced and I wished that it had a bit of a build up towards the action. Nevertheless, the love rectangle (including Chelsea makes a rectangle) resolved itself quite nicely, in my opinion. The conclusion ended in a way to let the readers have their own special take on how Laurel's future unfolded.
I heard Pike will be releasing her new material next year! One of which is to be the first in a new series! I am a fan of hers and will be on the lookout for her new books in 2013!
webz's review
3.0
You know you've read a good book when after you finish reading a book you say "wow". That's what I said to myself right when I closed this book. "WOW". Reading this series has been.....interesting. I ALMOST gave up on the series after finishing the second book because...well I really didn't like the second book because I thought that when Laurel chose David it would be for forever and that would be that. Tamani would live the rest of his life doing...whatever after getting his heart broken and Laurel would be oh so happy being with David in the human world. In the third book I find out that Tamani actually DIDN'T give up on Laurel and that revived my interest in the series again. So from the very beginning of this book there's so much ACTION and suspense that I felt like I was reading the END of the book, not the beginning! It was kinda weird, but I think it was appropriate since this IS the last book. I've got to admit I was so GLAD when Laurel finally and totally chose Tamani! I really didn't think that would happen! But it's really weird to find out who David ends up being with and who Chelsea......oh and the chose David made! Why would you ever choose to *mutters the spoiler under breath and struggles to stay silent* I hope I didn't put any spoilers in! All I can say is if you're asking yourself if you should read this book (after reading the other books of course) then just know that everything plays out, things are revealed, and that this book really is an appropriate ending to the series!
knygu_skaitytoja's review against another edition
3.5
Paskutinė knygos dalis – oho kiek joje veiksmo, kaip viskas atrodo netikėta ir štai pabaiga. Patiko. Lengva serijos knygos pabaiga, tikrai viskas susidėliojo į vietas. Daug netikėtumų, kai kas gal kiek neįtikino, tačiau tai juk paaugliška knyga – tuo laiku viskas yra neįtikėtina. Rekomendacija visai serijai.
mariahnancy's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75