Book Review and Giveaway: Wild by Aprilynne Pike

*I hate spoilers in a review and therefore will only include the blurb for this book and refrain from giving away anything else for the benefit of those who may still have this on their TBR piles.*

Wild (aka Illusions)
Aprilynne Pike
Source: Won

Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice.
But just as life is returning to normal, Laurel discovers that a hidden enemy lies in wait.
Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail.



My Thoughts


I was lucky enough to win a signed copy from the author herself (yay!) and I eagerly watched the mailbox for its arrival. Thanks to some speedy international carrier pigeons it only took a week.


From the very first page I was enthralled.
And it all seems so perfect-Laurel is with David, her best friend Chelsea is happy with her boyfriend Ryan, and they're seniors in high school.
I was tingling with anticipation. What could go wrong? When would the excitement begin? Where was Tamani?
I needn't have worried because guess who showed up before the end of the third page? Tamani.
Tamani. Tamani. Tamani.
I am totally, completely, eternally, in complete and utter love with Tamani!!
At every turn of the page I was transported into the body of a giggling teenage girl when Tamani was around. I became teenage marshmallow!!
In fact I find all of Aprilynne Pike's characters to be real, like-able, and interesting. Both the 'real' world and the 'faerie' world that the author has created are vibrant, exciting and addictive.
Full of interesting characters, both the ones we already love, and the ones who may now drive us insane, and twists and turns abound, Wild is an exceptional continuation of a fascinating story.
I really want to say so much more but don't want to ruin it for you with spoilers, it is really, REALLY good.
Definitely a 5 star read. 

The Giveaway


Okay so as I earlier stated I won my copy of this book and with it I received some gorgeous swag which I'm happy to share.
So I have 2 'runners up' prizes of bracelets, pins and more and 1 'main' prize winner will receive the swag AND a paperback copy of SPELLS, the second book in this series.
To enter tell me this.....If you could choose which flower grew from your back, what flower would it be and why?
Leave your answer in the comments section with an email address for me to contact you should you win. Contest will end 25th May 2011 and IS international.