Illusions (Pike novel)

Lore & Background

In Illusions, Laurel Sewell is entering her senior year and is shocked to see Tamani for the first time in eight months, posing as a new student named 'Tam Collins' from Scotland. He has been training to live among humans and stay close to Laurel, as she has been attacked by trolls several times. Aaron, another sentry, and Tamani explain that there have been signs of trolls but none have been found, and their tracking magic is not working. A Japanese exchange student named Yuki arrives, and Laurel realizes she is a faerie. Klea, who brings Yuki, says Yuki's foster parents were killed by trolls and that Yuki is a Winter faerie. Tamani is suspicious and wants to determine Yuki's faerie caste. Laurel and Tamani go to Avalon to speak with Jamison, and Shar travels to Hokkaido, Japan, to investigate. Tamani befriends Yuki to gather information, and a phosphorescence serum test is suggested to identify her caste. The plot involves a Sadie Hawkins dance, a car crash with trolls, a fight between Tamani and David, and Laurel breaking up with David. Tamani and Laurel spend time together at a cabin, and later Tamani and Shar discover a hidden cabin using salt, after trolls vanish inexplicably.

Reader's Guide

Illusions serves as a pivotal entry in the Wings series, deepening the romantic and protective dynamics between Laurel, Tamani, and David. The novel introduces new faerie lore, including the concept of a 'fear-gleidhidh' and the use of phosphorescence serum to identify faerie castes. It also explores themes of jealousy, choice in love, and the tension between human and faerie worlds. The book's significance lies in its expansion of the series' mythology and its cliffhanger elements, such as the mysterious hidden cabin and the unresolved threat of trolls. The novel maintains the series' focus on Laurel's dual identity and her role as a guardian of Avalon, while advancing the romantic subplot and setting up future conflicts.

Did You Know?

• Illusions is also released under the title Wild.
• Yuki is introduced as a Japanese exchange student who is a faerie, referred to as a Winter faerie.
• The phosphorescence serum makes faeries glow, but Summer faeries glow much brighter and longer.