A review by celjla212
Destined by Aprilynne Pike

5.0

OBVIOUSLY, DON'T READ THIS REVIEW IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST THREE BOOKS IN THE SERIES! :)


Destined picks up right, and I mean RIGHT where [b:Illusions|6918909|Illusions (Wings, #3)|Aprilynne Pike|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1324797814s/6918909.jpg|7146544] left off. Yuki has been trapped by Laurel and friends, and they are waiting to see what she will reveal and what Klea's next move will be. Unfortunately, everyone involved knows that things are leading up to a battle...and what a battle it was.

I am still wrestling with my emotions after finishing this book just minutes ago, and the only word I can think is, EPIC. I loved absolutely everything about this book. The story never drags, and the book kicks off right in the middle of action and never lets go.

I am so, so psyched that Laurel finally got to be of use in this book. I understand she is not a fighter, but I felt she was able to play an integral role in this book...which I have been waiting for since the series began. Events always revolved around her, but she was never the one in the forefront when things got ugly. Tam or David always saved the day.

Speaking of David...oh David. I am in tears because the epilogue that Aprilynne included at the end of the story. I knew things were leading up to he and Laurel being apart, but I at least though I knew what would happen after that. Nope, I was totally wrong. My heart breaks for him and everything he went through after being such a hero in this book.

Another aspect of this series that I totally loved was that Laurel revealed the whole truth to her parents. Too often in YA literature, the main character's parents are never in the picture (working, single parent never home, etc.)and the kid somehow gets away with going on excursions where he or she is gone for days without anyone caring of his or her whereabouts. Laurel's parents know the whole truth about everything going on in her life and Avalon, and because of this Laurel is able to keep them protected.

I really felt for all the characters in this book, and I felt such sadness about what happened to the lovely world of Avalon that the author created so painstakingly. Even though this series is done, I am going to hold out hope that maybe another series can be made that takes place in this world. I am just not ready to leave Ms. Pike's land of the fae. No matter what comes next, I am an Aprilynne Pike fan for life and I will read everything she writes.