Spells by Arilynne Pike

Pike, Aprilynne.  Spells.  Harper Teen. 2010. New York, NY.

Annotation:
Sixteen year old Laurel has been living among humans for most of her life.  She has been chosen to guard the land surrounding the gate to Avalon.  In order to be a better steward of her land, she has been called home to Avalon for the summer to learn how to use her talents as a Fall Faerie to protect her land, her home, and the people that she loves.


Booktalk:
Laurel has been happily living the life of a human for most of her sixteen years, totally unaware of the fact that she is a faerie. She discovered the truth about herself when she burst into flower last year.  Having finally come to grips with the fact that she is a faerie, she has been summoned home to Avalon for the summer.  Here she will learn more about her powers as a Fall Faerie, and learn about the world of faeire that she left at the age of seven.

Laurel's job in the human world is to inherit the land that houses the gate to Avalon.  Many evil and fey creatures would love to access the gate that would allow them to access Avalon and destroy everyone who dwells within.  Living in the human world, Laurel is always at risk of being captured by one of these creatures.  Trolls have been stalking her for years now, they want access to the gate, and nothing is going to stop them from getting what they want.

When Laurel's human best friend, Chelsea is captured by the trolls, Laurel must make a choice for the future of Avalon.

Author's Web Site: http://www.aprilynnepike.com/

Reviewer's Note:  I was enchanted by this book.  This is the second book in a series.  This is a stand alone book.  Not having read the first book, I was easily able to follow the plot line and was introduced to each new to me character.  All of the characters were in the first book, but the author took the time to remind the reader who the characters were and how they were important to the original story line.
Also, I downplayed the love triangle between Laurel, Tamani and David.  It is a compelling story line.  Although this is not a vampire book, I do think that readers who are looking for a read-alike to Twilight would enjoy this.