Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Wings by Aprilynne Pike is about Laurel, a teen who is just beginning her first year of public high school after having been home-schooled by her mother for her first 16 years of life. She and her family move away from the home she grew up in so that her father could realize his life-long dream of owning a book store. At her new school, Laurel has a hard time. She is so used to being outdoors and making her own schedule, it is tough for her to conform to the demands of public school where she is never outdoors. The first few days, she meets David, who instantly becomes her best friend. His friends become her friends, and she finally feels like she belongs. Laurel begins to fall into a routine until something strange happens. She feels a weird lump beginning to grow on her back. At first she thinks it's just a zit, but eventually the bump explodes into a strange flower blossom coming rought out of her spine! Eventually, Laurel confides in David, and they begin to research what might be happening to her. What they uncover seems too crazy to be true, but things start falling into place, and Laurel begins to realize that her life is not what she once thought it was - she isn't even who she thought she was!

I loved this book - I read it in one day. I knew it was going to be about the faerie realm from talking to a student about it, but I wasn't sure how it was all going to come about. I really liked the way the author wove science into the fantasy, making unreal things seem realistic - even possible! This is a great book for anyone who likes fantasy - it's nothing like a "fairy tale". There is suspense, mystery, action, adventure, and a little romance! It reminded me a bit of Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan.