Review: Ascend by Amanda Hocking

April 24th 2012, St. Martin's Griffin
336 pages, Paperback
Received from Publisher
Third in Trylle trilogy
Young Adult Fiction

Wendy Everly is facing an impossible choice. The only way to save the Trylle from their deadliest enemy is by sacrificing herself.  If she doesn’t surrender to the Vittra, her people will be thrust into a brutal war against an unbeatable foe.  But how can Wendy leave all her friends behind…even if it’s the only way to save them?

The stakes have never been higher, because her kingdom isn’t the only thing she stands to lose. After falling for both Finn and Loki, she’s about to make the ultimate choice…who to love forever. One guy has finally proven to be the love of her life—and now all their lives might be coming to an end.

Everything has been leading to this moment.  The future of her entire world rests in her hands—if she’s ready to fight for it.

Cover Review:

I love the imagery and the fact that it actually has something to do with the story. She is coming upon the throne, but everything dark is looming around her. Great cover!

Opinion:

As soon as I received this book I put aside the book I was reading and delved into this one. I can’t believe it’s the last.

This aptly describes my feeling of finishing this book series. I’m incredibly sad. And did it ever go out with a bang! This is probably the best book within the series and the series is AMAZING!!!

This series was spoiled by someone complaining about the series to me on twitter while I was still on the first book, so I knew what was going to happen, but I don’t fault Wendy for her decision in the least. Wendy is dedicated to her kingdom and she will do all that is necessary to make sure it is safe even sacrificing herself. She has grown so much since the first book.

The side characters are so alive. Each one has it’s own personality, goals, and feels completely unique from another. Wendy has an incredible gang around her. They are willing to die for her.

Sorry I’m being so vague. I’m trying desperately not to spoil anything for those who haven’t read the series! This is an AMAZING series and you really should read it. Like now.

Rating:

Rie

I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

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Review: Torn by Amanda Hocking

February 28th 2012, St. Martin's Press
291 pages, Advanced Finished Copy
Received from Publisher
Second in Trylle trilogy
First: Switched
Young Adult Fiction

Torn - the second book in the Trylle Trilogy...

Wendy thought she finally understood who she was and what she wanted, but everything changes when the rival Vittra come after her.

She's caught between two worlds, torn between love and duty, and she must decide what life she is going to lead.

Cover Review:

Quite honestly, I think the best thing St. Martin’s did for the Trylle series is giving it a cover that people will actually want to look at. I know covers in e-books aren’t as important as they don’t go on the shelves but it still matters for most readers. You know we are all cover whores at heart! Ugh, the original cover is just so freaking DREADFUL!

Opinion:

So FREAKING EPIC!! OMG! Seriously I was waiting for this book for weeks. Checking the mailbox compulsively and when the UPS brought another book I was like sigh, fine. After reading Switched I need the next immediately! I totally get how this got to be a sensation with Indie readers.

Wendy is growing into a person I would not fear running a civilization (unlike every single one of the politicians campaigning for the White House) she is loyal, sees the “little” people as equal, and truly cares about others without trying to force her views of life on everyone else.  She gets thrown into situations that most adults wouldn’t be able to handle with poise and yet always keeps her head. She is growing more of a spine and I think will be a great ruler to the Trylle people.

She’s still head over heels in love with Finn, and starts feeling for another male. She has a duty to her people and when that duty is presented she accepts it in grace. Someone spoiled the part of the series for me on twitter. Le sigh. But now I know I’m not going to have any ill feelings toward it. She will be a do her duty, but that should not mean that she has to be miserable.

There are so many surprises within this second book. I never saw most of them coming. I seriously CANNOT wait to see what will happen in the next book. Like at all. So it’s gonna be another few weeks of compulsivly checking the mail.

If you haven’t read this series yet! Please do, so I can talk about it with you!

Rating:

Rie

I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

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Review: Switched by Amanda Hocking + Giveaway!

January 3rd 2012, Macmillan
288 pages, ARC
Received from Publisher
First in Trylle Trilogy
Young Adult Fiction

When Wendy Everly was six-years-old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn't until eleven years later that Wendy finds out her mother might've been telling the truth.

With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - and it's one she's not sure if she wants to be a part of.

Memorable Quote:

“But sitting there, watching them analyze every minute detail of a flippin’ seating chart, I felt like a five-year-old. One who had gotten in trouble and had to sit in a very agonizing time-out.” – pg. 194

Opinion:

Warning: I’m struggling to not include any spoilers, but if you hate spoilers I’d take caution in reading this review.

When I got offered Switched I was excited by the summary but as Indies have let me down in the past I wasn’t sure how I felt about such a sensational indie with all the hype surrounding it. Then I began the book and within the first few pages I was completely in love with both Wendy and the mythology. I finished the book within a few hours and was clamoring for the second.

I had never read about trolls or about a secret community within our own world quite like this. It is a unique premise that delivers big.

Wendy is a sweet girl that struggles with the thought that she is evil. She looks at her brother and doesn’t want to take from him even though he would give her everything. When danger turns up she is taken away from everything she knows to a place where so much is expected from her. She took way more from her real Mom than I ever would. She had to go into immediate training for her future role and didn’t even really want to be there. Yet she sucked it up and went along with it.

Finn is a great guy that works for and has a close relationship with Wendy’s mother. This causes complications throughout the novel and culminates in one of the best cliffhangers I’ve ever read. This is a cliffhanger I’m not upset about at all. I’m clamoring for the second, but I am not upset that it happened.

For once in a love triangle within YA their isn’t a clear choice. I fell completely for not only Finn, but Tove as well. He is one of the most powerful of their race, but he has layers of issues and parents that are completely annoying. He is also very acceptable as a mate.

Wendy has two separate families and each want what they believe is the best for her. Wendy has a lot of expectations demanded of her no matter where she is, but Matt (her brother) will love her regardless. The relationship between her and Matt is a relationship that is rare and touching. Matt named her, saved her, and loved her from the very beginning.

I freaking LOVED this book and I’m dying for Torn. You should seriously get this book now so I can chat your ear off! Seriously LOVED it!

Rating:

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Rie

I'm a wife, student, and a dog-lover who reads when I should be folding laundry (bane of my existance), I write (rarely as academic papers consume my life), and love getting wrapped up in fiction.

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