Blog Tour Interview with Amanda Hocking, Author of Crystal Kingdom (and GIVEAWAY!)

Welcome to the Crystal Kingdom blog tour! I binge-read the Trylle trilogy (last year), and read the Kanin Chronicles as well! Crystal Kingdom is the end to another series, but a beautiful end, at that. Check out my Q&A with Amanda, and enter to win Crystal Kingdom!

Frostfire | Ice Kissed | Crystal Kingdom

Meet Amanda!

Alyssa: Hi, Amanda! Thank you so much for joining me today on my blog! And congratulations on another release!

Amanda: Thank you so much for having me, and I’m very excited about this release. It’s always the scariest and most gratifying to release the final book in a series.

Alyssa: I can imagine! For us readers as well, buy a completely different kind of scary and gratifying for you as a writer O_O So, let’s get to it, lady! How was writing Crystal Kingdom different from writing the other two Kanin books? I noticed that this book was quite a bit longer than Frostfire and Ice Kissed!

Amanda: It was a lot of fun, because I didn’t have to hold back. The first two books are about building up and hinting at what’s to come, but in the final book, it’s here. It’s time to pull back the curtain and let the readers see who’s been pulling the strings. All the questions are answered, and there’s a lot of confrontation. 

Alyssa: That makes sense! I think questions were answered very well and in their entirety :) If this series were to make it to the little or big screen, which actor and actress would you choose to play Bryn and Ridley?

Amanda: For Bryn, I would like Elizabeth Olsen, but Bryn is more muscular, more like Pink, so they’d have to her do a boot camp beforehand. For Ridley, I like Diego Boneta. 

Alyssa: What’s one song that really represents this book?

Amanda: “Glory and Gore” by Lorde. 

Alyssa: I LOVE THAT SONG! Do you think you’ll write more books set in the Trylle/Kanin world? Another spinoff series?

Amanda: Possibly. At the moment, I don’t have any plans to, but I’ve really enjoyed exploring the Kanin more, and I’ve only really focused on showcasing the world of two of the five tribes. So there’s definitely potential in the future, but I don’t know what it would be about or when. 

Alyssa: This kind of goes along with the previous question, but what are you currently working on in terms of Young Adult projects - something new? Anything contracted?

Amanda: Right now, I’m finishing up a standalone YA novel set in the 1980s that follows a travelling sideshow, and the book is called Freeks. I pitched it as Pretty in Pink meets The Lost Boys (minus the vampires) meets Carnivale. It should be out sometime in 2016 with St. Martin’s Griffin. I’ll also have a YA duology coming out with them in 2017, but I’ve only just begun the outlining process.

Alyssa: Ooo, intriguing! And that’s all from me! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog, Amanda! And happy publication to you and Crystal Kingdom!

Amanda: Thank you!

About the Author:

Amanda Hocking is The New York Times bestselling author of the Trylle trilogy and a lifelong Minnesotan. After selling over a million copies of her books, primarily in eBook format, she became the exemplar of self-publishing success in the digital age.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr

About Crystal Kingdom:

Crystal Kingdom by Amanda Hocking

Book Three of the Kanin Chronicles

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: August 4, 2015

Summary (from Goodreads):

Bryn must decide: follow her head or her heart. Thrown into a world of suspense and intrigue, Bryn now has to fight to clear her name. But she's not alone. With help from the Trylle - including Finn Holmes - she's on a quest to discover the truth.

With her life and her world on the line, will Bryn be able to risk it all?

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Read an excerpt from Crystal Kingdom!

BONUS! Read chapter three!

About Frostfire:

Frostfire by Amanda Hocking

Book One of the Kanin Chronicles

Publisher: St. Martins Griffin

Publication Date: January 6, 2015

Summary (from Goodreads):

The first book in a magical new YA series from New York Times bestselling author Amanda Hocking that invites readers back to the beloved world of the Trylle.

Bryn Aven is an outcast among the Kanin, the most powerful of the troll tribes. Set apart by her heritage and her past, Bryn is a tracker who's determined to become a respected part of her world. She has just one goal: become a member of the elite King’s Guard to protect the royalty. She's not going to let anything stand in her way, not even a forbidden romance with her boss Ridley Dresden. But all her plans for the future are put on hold when Konstantin– a fallen hero who she once loved – appears to be up to something dangerous, kidnapping changelings. Bryn is sent in to help stop him, but will she lose her heart in the process?

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Read an excerpt from Frostfire!

About Ice Kissed:

Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking

Book Two of the Kanin Chronicles

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: May 5, 2015

Summary (from Goodreads):

Bryn Aven has always longed to be a part of her Kanin world. Though she has no social status because she’s a half-breed, she refuses to give up on her dream of serving the kingdom she loves. It’s a dream that brings her to a whole new realm…the glittering palace of the Skojare.

The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal rival who’s been threatening the Kanin.　 And being half Skojare herself, it’s a chance for Bryn to learn more about her heritage. Her boss Ridley Dresden is overseeing her mission and wants to help. He’s always been her most trusted friend—but as their undeniable attraction heats up, it’s a distraction she can’t afford. She’s about to discover that the Skojare world is full of secrets, and as she’s drawn in deeper, she doesn't know who to trust. And matters worse, as she gets closer to Ridley, she can’t even trust her own heart. 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Read an excerpt from Ice Kissed!

The Giveaway:

USA/CA only. Courtesy of the publisher. See Giveaways page for complete rules. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Crystal Kingdom by Amanda Hocking

Crystal Kingdom by Amanda Hocking

Book Three of the Kanin Chronicles

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: August 4, 2015

Rating: 4 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Bryn must decide: follow her head or her heart. Thrown into a world of suspense and intrigue, Bryn now has to fight to clear her name. But she's not alone. With help from the Trylle - including Finn Holmes - she's on a quest to discover the truth.

With her life and her world on the line, will Bryn be able to risk it all?

What I Liked:

Possible spoilers if you have not read Frostfire or Ice Kissed! But I think I kept things vague enough about this book particularly. You're on your own, in terms of books one and two.

I rather enjoyed this book! I had hoped that this book would be a bit better than the previous book, Ice Kissed, which I gave three stars. I found that one to be a little boring, which wasn't a problem with this book. This one was nearly a hundred pages longer than the other two books, but the length didn't show at all. 

This one picks up right where Ice Kissed left off. Bryn is on the run, as she is a wanted person in Doldastam, among the Kanin tribe. She flees, and is tracked down by none other than Konstantin Black. She and Konstantin work together to try and rally support from other kingdoms, but it isn't easy at all. They will have to turn to unexpected sources for help, as well as fight on their own for what they lost and what they will lose.

This conclusion was one of high energy, but a slow-build high energy. It felt like another novel in the series, but it was clear that the stakes were very high throughout the book. I kind of liked how Hocking set this up! The pressure didn't feel super high, though it really was. War is brewing from Kanin, and the danger is inescapable. Bryn is on the run and needs amnesty and an army, but she doesn't want to take on the very people of her home, her fellow Kanin trolls. So much is at stake, but something must be done about the deception and false accusations and schemes and betrayals in the Kanin royalty.

Bryn is such a kickbutt character! I mean, a lot of YA heroines are kickbutt in their own way, but Bryn is physically and mentally and emotionally strong. She is constantly steeling herself for difficult decisions, or trying to save everyone. And when she's frustrated, she does push-ups! Sometimes she runs laps too, but push-ups! That's hardcore. And she proves herself to be a kickbutt character over and over, taking on the Omte (giant ogres) head-on, protecting her loved ones, even fighting with and for Konstantin Black.

I feel like I understand Konstantin more, after reading this book. He was made out to be a villain in Frostfire, which he kind of is - he tried to kill Bryn's father. But we find out that, as he said throughout the series upon meeting Bryn (in unfortunate circumstances), things aren't as they seem, and Bryn doesn't know everything that is going on in. I felt bad for Konstantin, though he isn't innocent by far. 

The plots and twists in this book are surprising and shocking and not too predictable, which is good. I didn't see most of them coming. I love the direction Hocking takes the story, with all the traveling and visiting the different kingdoms and whatnot. We get to see some characters from the Trylle trilogy, like King Loki (who has not changed a bit) and Queen Wendy, Finn Holmes and his wife and kids. Remember, this Kanin series is occurring like six ish years after the Trylle trilogy.

The story is very engrossing and I never felt bored as I was reading. I had no problem zipping through the 400+ pages. I love Bryn's character, the strength of her personality. I liked Konstantin - he becomes a friend to Bryn, even though he was once her enemy. Other character pop back into the story, like Ridley, Tilda, and Finn. Ridley isn't as present in this story, but when he is, emotions leak off the page. All kinds.

Which leads me to the romance. Bryn spends about a third of the book missing Ridley, feeling pain every time she thinks of him. She doesn't know that he was taken and tortured after she escaped. When he and Tilda find Bryn, he seems cold and distant. It's his own way of dealing with what happened to him, but it hurts Bryn. Nevertheless, I like their relationship, despite the obstacles in this book. They grow stronger even as they hurt each other and come back together and hurt each other and come back together. There are one or two hot scenes in this book, prepare yourself!

There is NO LOVE TRIANGLE. Konstantin never was a romantic player in this book. I saw someone say something about that, and I can't agree with the statement. There is no love triangle! Konstantin and Bryn develop a strong friendship, but Bryn has no romantic feelings for Konstantin. 

The ending is slightly sad (there is a shocking death, though I somewhat expected that person to die), but it's a satisfying and happy ending overall. Like I said, there is a big death, and other people die too, but I think the ending is a good one. I like the ending a lot! This series ends so well.

What I Did Not Like:

I wish for a happier ending for some people, but they ended up dead, so I guess they can't get their happy ending. But that happens in books involving war, especially in conclusion novels! The deaths didn't bother me too much though. I just wish a certain character or two could have gotten a nice ending. Maybe death is a nice ending though.

Would I Recommend It:

I liked this book a lot! Frostfire might be my favorite, or maybe this one. The series stumbled a tiny bit with Ice Kissed, but overall, the series was great. I enjoyed the Trylle trilogy too, and this spin-off series did not disappoint. Interesting take on trolls and changelings!

Rating:

4 stars. Hopefully I've not only kept this review vague, but I've also somehow convinced you that this is a great book and a wonderful conclusion novel. Not an easy review to write! But a great book about which to write a review. I'm interested in seeing what Hocking has next for readers!

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Waiting on Wednesday (#120): Crystal Kingdom by Amanda Hocking

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week, I'm featuring:

Crystal Kingdom by Amanda Hocking

Book Three of the Kanin Chronicles

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: August 4, 2015

Summary (from Goodreads):

Bryn must decide: follow her head or her heart. Thrown into a world of suspense and intrigue, Bryn now has to fight to clear her name. But she's not alone. With help from the Trylle - including Finn Holmes - she's on a quest to discover the truth.

With her life and her world on the line, will Bryn be able to risk it all?

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Switched | Torn | Ascend

Frostfire | Ice Kissed

Final novel! I can't wait to see how things end!

Review: Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking

Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking

Book Two of the Kanin Chronicles

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: May 5, 2015

Rating: 3 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Bryn Aven has always longed to be a part of her Kanin world. Though she has no social status because she’s a half-breed, she refuses to give up on her dream of serving the kingdom she loves. It’s a dream that brings her to a whole new realm…the glittering palace of the Skojare.

The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal rival who’s been threatening the Kanin.　 And being half Skojare herself, it’s a chance for Bryn to learn more about her heritage. Her boss Ridley Dresden is overseeing her mission and wants to help. He’s always been her most trusted friend—but as their undeniable attraction heats up, it’s a distraction she can’t afford. She’s about to discover that the Skojare world is full of secrets, and as she’s drawn in deeper, she doesn't know who to trust. And matters worse, as she gets closer to Ridley, she can’t even trust her own heart. 

What I Liked:

Three-star reviews are so difficult to write. It's hard for me to articulate what went wrong, but at the same time, what worked, and how that balance had me feeling like this book deserved three stars, as opposed to two stars or four stars. I feel like there wasn't a ton of specific things that I didn't like in this book, but at the same time, there weren't a lot of things that stood out to me as amazing.

In this book, Bryn and Ridley come back from Skojare with no answers, and no queen Linnea. Prince Kennet sends them back to Doldastam. But the queen contacts Bryn, and Bryn and Ridley find her. Bryn and a member of the Hogdragen, Kasper, go back to Storvatten with the queen. There is something eerie about Storvatten, and something that dangerous is plaguing the city. Bryn wants to complete her mission and serve her kingdom as a Hogdragen, but she's slowly realizing that she has no idea what she wants, or who she can trust. 

This book is a bit slow, in my opinion, and there are so many questions that still have yet to be answered. I was planning on reading the third book no matter what, so I hope the answers to my questions are in Crystal Kingdom. This book focuses on finding Queen Linnea, and once found, protecting her in Storvatten. Not the most interesting plot, and it did little to further the overall conflict of the series, in my opinion. I mean, sure, the ending is really explosive. But it took the whole book to work up to that ending! Which didn't really work for me.

So I thought the plot was a bit boring. One thing that did really work for me was the romance. No love triangle, as far as I can tell. Something huge shifts in Ridley and Bryn's relationship, and it's really crucial. We get to see a little bit more in terms of how much they mean to each other, and how far they would go to protect each other, as well as how far they would go with each other. I think Hocking won't throw a love triangle in the series at this point, which is a relief. 

I like Bryn. She spends the whole book trying to redeem herself, after Konstantin Black and Viktor Dalig escaped while she was bleeding in a dungeon (at the end of Frostfire). She works hard to prove to everyone that she deserves to be a part of the Hogdragon, sworn to the royal family. But as this book goes on, Bryn realizes that maybe she doesn't want to serve and protect the kingdom. Maybe she isn't cut out morally for some of the decisions she will have to make. Bryn's inner conflict is a very well-developed part of this book, and I like that.

We really get a feel for the Skojare, and Storvatten. Bryn's mother's tribe is just as icy cold as we would expect them to be. Prince Kennet is flirtatious, but the King is like stone, even with his queen reunited with him. Storvatten is creepy, to be honest, but in a good way, I think.

I really like the ending. It isn't what I expected, the last thirty pages or so. It crept on me and I didn't see it coming. I mentioned that I didn't necessarily like this structure, but I like the ending itself. It's a slight cliffhanger ending for sure, but not heartbreaking or eyebrow-raising. It definitely sets the tone for Crystal Kingdom though. Which I will be reading in the future!

What I Did Not Like:

I have so many unanswered questions! I knew that, in Frostfire, not all the questions that I had throughout the book would be answered. And that's fine, because that was the first book in the series. But very few questions were answered in this book too! For example - we get almost no more information on Konstantin Black! What's his deal? Who is he working for? Why does he keep calling Bryn "white rabbit" like he knows her? And Viktor Dalig - what's his role in everything? I don't understand the "villains".

I also don't understand how anything in this particular book relates to the changeling issue. In Frostfire, it seemed like Konstantin Black took issue with the changeling system, and wanted to eliminate it. But no mention of anything changeling-related appeared in this book. 

Basically, I'm finding that the overall series plot is very lacking. Konstantin Black's name is constantly being thrown around, but he isn't even in this book, and his role is still not made clear. Same wit Viktor Dalig. There is no progress in anything related to the changelings.

And of course, there is the fact that I keep forgetting that these creatures aren't human - they're TROLLS. It's so easy to forget this because there is little distinguishing between humans and the trolls. It was more of a big deal in the Trylle trilogy. But in this series, it's easy to forget that Bryn and the others are trolls. They seem human, but with different tribes. Like humans. Hocking really should do a better job of distinguishing troll characteristics in this book. Like, physical appearance, or plop in some Kanin abilities or something. 

I also had this overall feeling of boredom and meh, which was sad. I really liked Frostfire! But this book seemed like a filler of a sort. I feel like you could take about 75% of the content in this book out, and divide the remaining 25% of the book between Frostfire and Crystal Kingdom, and just have a duology. I hate it when sequel/second novels are disappointing like that!

Mostly, I think I just expected more, and this book/Hocking came up short. But hopefully Crystal Kingdom will prove to be a stunning conclusion!

Would I Recommend It:

I'd recommend this one if you enjoyed Frostfire and want to continue with this series. If you haven't read Frostfire, hold off. Frostfire was really great, but I can see this series tunneling really quickly. I'm hoping it doesn't, like the Trylle trilogy. I really liked Switched/Torn/Ascend. Overall, the Trylle trilogy and Kanin Chronicles are great, but this book is my least favorite of the five.

Rating:

3 stars. Not the best book by Hocking, but not terrible enough to make me not want to read the third book. I just hope Crystal Kingdom doesn't disappoint! I remain optimistic.

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Waiting on Wednesday (#106): Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.



This week, I'm featuring:

Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking

Book Two of the Kanin Chronicles

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: May 5, 2015

Summary (from Goodreads):

Bryn Aven has always longed to be a part of her Kanin world. 　Though she has no social status because she’s a half-breed, she refuses to give up on her dream of serving the kingdom she loves. It’s a dream that brings her to a whole new realm…the glittering palace of the Skojare.

The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal rival who’s been threatening the Kanin. And being half Skojare herself, it’sa chance for Bryn to learn more about her heritage. Her boss Ridley Dresden is overseeing her mission and wants to help. He’s always been her most trusted friend—but as their undeniable attraction heats up, it’s a distraction she can’t afford. She’s about to discover that the Skojare world is full of secrets, and as she’s drawn in deeper, she doesn’t know who to trust. And matters worse, as she gets closer to Ridley, she can’t even trust her own heart.

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble


Well, I've read Switched, Torn, Ascend, and Frostfire, and liked all of them. I'm excited to read this sequel to Frostfire!

Swoon Thursday (#96): Frostfire by Amanda Hocking

Swoon Thursday is a hot meme hosted by the fabulous ladies at YA Bound!

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from Frostfire by Amanda Hocking!

And just when I'm certain he won't, and I'm about to turn and hurry away in shame, he's there. His lips are cold, pressing hungrily against mine. HIs fingers knotting in my hair, pulling me to him. His stubble scrapes against my lips and cheeks, but I don't mind. I like it. I love everything about him that feels so real, touching me, holding me.

I wrap my arms around his neck, and I bury my hands in his hair. It's longer and thicker than I thought it would be, and I feel the curls at the nape of his neck wrapping around my fingertips.

He's strong, stronger than I thought he'd be, and his arm around my wait is crushing me to him so hard that I can barely breathe. But I don't care. I don't want to breathe. I just want to kiss him forever, tasting him on my lips, feeling him against me. 

- ARC, page 257

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Review my review of Frostfire!

What did you all think?

Review: Frostfire by Amanda Hocking

Frostfire by Amanda Hocking

Book One of the Kanin Chronicles

Publisher: St. Martins Griffin

Publication Date: January 6, 2015

Rating: 4 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

The first book in a magical new YA series from New York Times bestselling author Amanda Hocking that invites readers back to the beloved world of the Trylle.

Bryn Aven is an outcast among the Kanin, the most powerful of the troll tribes. Set apart by her heritage and her past, Bryn is a tracker who's determined to become a respected part of her world. She has just one goal: become a member of the elite King’s Guard to protect the royalty. She's not going to let anything stand in her way, not even a forbidden romance with her boss Ridley Dresden. But all her plans for the future are put on hold when Konstantin– a fallen hero who she once loved – appears to be up to something dangerous, kidnapping changelings. Bryn is sent in to help stop him, but will she lose her heart in the process?

What I Liked:

First - can we talk about how BEAUTIFUL the covers are, for the entire series?! If you haven't seen the second or third book's covers, definitely check them out on Goodreads. The cover of this book really embodies Bryn - as well as the Kanin world. Same with the other two covers!

Bryn is half Skojare, half Kanin - and she has always been an outcast in the Kanin tribe, because of her differences (both physical and otherwise). She's blonde (whereas Kanin are brunettes), ice pale (whereas Kanin have tanned skin), and has no troll abilities (where Kanin have persuasion and other supernatural abilities). But her differences make her work even harder, to be a successful tracker, and eventually, a member of an elite Guard of the King. 

But when a mission goes wrong and a traitor who hurt her father reappears, Bryn will have to make some decisions. She has a feeling that Konstantin (the traitor) isn't simply a traitor, and that there is something larger at play. But even Bryn's friend and boss, Ridley, doesn't believe her. Bryn has to discover the truth, or the wrong person could be punished.

I really liked this extension of the troll world that Hocking created, starting with the Trylle trilogy! If you haven't had the chance to read those books yet, definitely try and read them before reading the Kanin Chronicles. It's not necessary, but I think it would help. I literally binge-read the Trylle trilogy weeks ago, for the purpose of being able to read this book with no trouble/more background.

Bryn is a really likable character, in my opinion. She's a little air-headed at times, just like Wendy, but I liked her more than I liked Wendy. Bryn has a different drive, motive, MO, whatever. She has worked so hard for what she has and what she wants. She's not royalty, she's a hybrid, and she's also a couple years older than Wendy was in the Trylle series. In context though, I think this series occurs years after the Trylle trilogy - it mentions Finn being like, twenty-four.

In this book, Bryn is a tracker, bringing in changelings. She wants to do much more than that, but she wants to be a faithful servant to the crown. When Konstantin Black shows up while she is tracking a changeling, everything changes. Konstantin and some guy named Bent seem to be after changelings, and the Kanin will not let this happen. Ridley, Bryn, and other Kanin begin to track down changelings at an alarming rate.

Ridley is Bryn's boss - about five years older than her, retired tracker, now a Rektor (in charge of the trackers). Bryn never really noticed her attraction to him... but there is a lot of chemistry between them. He has a girlfriend (awkward), but that doesn't seem to do anything to the attraction between them. He wants Bryn and Bryn wants him. But the relationship is strictly forbidden (tracker and Rektor), and Bryn doesn't want to attach herself to anyone. Or does she?

It's entirely possible that, like the Trylle series, a love triangle could pop into this series. I could see Hocking working some sort of romance angle between Bryn and Konstantin. I wish she wouldn't, because I'm not the biggest fan of Konstantin (yet?), and I like Ridley.

The thing is, we don't get to know much about Konstantin, or his motives, or what's going on, really. We don't get to know why he attacked Bryn's father, years ago. We don't know why he and Bent are trying to take changelings. But it's bigger than two people betraying the tribe. Personally, I think Konstantin is trying to change the way things are done (not everyone likes the changeling system), but that's my conspiracy theory).

The world-building is really well-done, in this book. Kanin is very different from Trylle. Also, Bryn is very different from Wendy. It's interesting to see things from the perspective of a tracker, versus a queen. Kanin seems colder than Trylle - not that Trylle was a ball of sunshine or anything.

Does this book end well? Not exactly. Hocking has a way with ending books with plenty of unanswered questions, a cliffhanger in the plot, the romance. I think this really works in this series - especially since we won't have to wait a year or more for the next book - the sequel will be published in May.

So, with that, I leave you with - I can't wait to read the next book!

What I Did Not Like:

Like I said above, I'm hoping that Hocking steers clear of the love triangle realm. I totally ship Bryn and Ridley. Although... in the Trylle trilogy, Loki wasn't even fully introduced into the series until book two. So, we might not even meet Bryn's chosen one until book two. Scary thought...

Would I Recommend It:

Personally, I really liked this book! I liked the Trylle series as well, and I'm enjoying the spinoff series so far. The Kanin world seems so much colder and darker than the Trylle world - in the best of ways! I'm excited about book two.

Rating:

4 stars. Fans of Amanda Hocking will love this new book (and series), I'm sure of it! And hey, trolls, that's interesting, right?! I'm intrigued!

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

USA RESIDENTS: enter to win a copy of Frostfire on Goodreads!

Review: Ascend by Amanda Hocking

Ascend by Amanda Hocking

Book Three of the Trylle series

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: April 24, 2012

Rating: 4 stars

Source: Review copy sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

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.

What I Liked:

Wowie, what an ending! What a conclusion novel! I have to admit, I'm really pleased with this series. Maybe because I binge-read the series and didn't have time to agonize over cliffhangers or the romance, maybe because I liked this series on the surface and didn't get heavily invested... but I really enjoyed this series!

In this final novel of the Trylle trilogy, Wendy gets married. And eventually, has a coronation. Wendy has a lot of growing up to do, because a wedding, and a coronation, are no joke. She must find a way to stop her cruel father from harming her Trylle power, but she also figure out how to reconcile her feelings for Loki, when she is married to Tove. As the summary states, everything has been leading to this moment. 

I feel like this book was short. I think it was about the same length as the previous books, but it went by very quickly. Not very much happened in terms of large events, except for the few big ones (the wedding, the coronation, the attack on the Vittra. The plot isn't super intricate or twisty - it's very straightforward and predictable, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book.

We don't really figure out how everything is going to work out with Wendy's father until the very end. It seems like Wendy searches for a way to defeat him for the entire book, but doesn't have an aha moment until the climax of the novel. Which is fine, because readers are left wondering what will happen.

The romance. Oh, my heart. The romance is perfect, in my opinion. Lots of things happen, like a stolen kiss, a marriage, an tryst, in that other. But OMG, you really have to read this book to understand. I love that one scene in the book, that one night. It is so spontaneous and Wendy doesn't think at all (or maybe she really does, maybe she had it all figured out) but it is perfect. I had a good feeling about the romance from the beginning. 

I found the vacillating romance kind of nice, actually. It wasn't vacillating, really, because from the beginning to the end, it's obvious which guy has held Wendy's attention, from fleeting friendship to love. It's obvious which relationship was an obsession (shiny new guy syndrome), which one was a safe relationship, and which one was a true, deep, meaningful relationship. In my opinion.

Wendy is an interesting character. She acts like a child sometimes, she acts very grown and mature at other times, but honestly, I feel like she's a person that every girl can relate to, on some level? I think I really understood her, when it came to the sense of duty. For sure.

The ending is a bit cookie-cutter perfect, and everything works out so nicely. Honestly, that's fine with me, since I wasn't out to love this series or make it my next favorite thing. I would have liked to see more depth in the series plot, this book's plot, and the ending of this book in general, but that's okay. It's really fun to read these books.

What I Did Not Like:

Something that bothered me was how quickly Wendy let go of her human life? Like, she barely ever thought about the life she spent seventeen years living... that struck me as odd. There are many materialistic things that I know teenagers of today's world would not want to give up, no matter how badly they fit in (or did NOT fit in). 

And I already mentioned this above, but I would have liked to see more depth in this book, and series in general. It felt very formulaic, in terms of the series plot. Become a princess, save your kingdom, kill the tyrant. Nothing more was at stake, nothing more to be done. A little cliche, I'm afraid!

Would I Recommend It:

Well, in general, I like this series, so I'd say that if you have this series, or any of the three books in this series, definitely give the series a shot! The series could use some depth, but it's a nice series to binge-read. And of course, if you've read books one and two, definitely read this book! Don't be left hanging!

Rating:

4 stars. An excellent ending to an interesting series! I think I'm ready to read Frostfire now!

Author Blog | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

Review: Torn by Amanda Hocking

Torn by Amanda Hocking

Book Two of the Trylle series

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: February 28, 2012

Rating: 4 stars

Source: Review copy sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

When Wendy Everly first discovers the truth about herself—that she’s a changeling switched at birth—she knows her life will never be the same. Now she’s about to learn that there’s more to the story…

She shares a closer connection to her Vittra rivals than she ever imagined—and they’ll stop at nothing to lure her to their side. With the threat of war looming, her only hope of saving the Trylle is to master her magical powers—and marry an equally powerful royal. But that means walking away from Finn, her handsome bodyguard who’s strictly off limits…and Loki, a Vittra prince with whom she shares a growing attraction.

Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Wendy must decide her fate. If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything, and everybody, she’s ever wanted…in both worlds.

What I Liked:

Ahhh, this book was good. I so enjoyed it. I liked the first book, Switched, but this book is exactly what a sequel should be like, exactly how the second of a three-book trilogy should function. So much more makes sense, and I feel like so much more has been solidified. 

Wendy runs away from her mother's palace in Minnesota, and goes back home to Matt and Maggie... with Rhys. Only to be captured by the Vittra, putting herself, Rhys, and Matt in danger. She meets Loki, the Vittra prince, who isn't who she thought he would be. He lets them escape, then gets caught by Elora, but never tries to capture Wendy. The King of the Vittra needs Wendy, but so does the Queen of the Trylle... Torn really is the perfect title for this book, on so many levels.

I think I like Wendy a lot more in this book. Not that I didn't completely like her in book one, but I understand her more in this book, and really feel for her. A sense of duty rules her life, and takes away many choices. Wendy is kind and sometimes selfless, and she has a certain humanity to her that the Trylle and the Vittra don't have. 

I said above that this book function perfectly as a sequel novel, book two of three. Book one was all about Wendy and who she is. This book introduced the big picture, the huge problem that the Vittra pose, and why the Vittra want her so badly. Wendy is taken to the Vittra stronghold, and I think this is perfect and totally necessary. It's great to see both sides of the troll feud. Now we know what is at stake for both the Trylle and the Vittra. 

Honestly, I don't see one side or the other as the "good" side or the "bad" side. I think they are both equally not ideal, and I wouldn't want to be involved in either kingdom, but duty rules the life of a Princess, so I understand. Both sides of the feud are justified, and both have their pros and cons.

Okay, okay. The romance. I thought the romance was a little confusing, in book one. We have Finn, Wendy's tracker and bodyguard. Wendy is totally fixated on him, when everything starts to change in book one, and she learns what she - and he - is. Then there is Tove, the Trylle Markis who seems to be a nice match for a Princess, at least from a political perspective. Sometimes, I thought Rhys was a possibility too.

Well. Rhys is more like a brother to Wendy. Finn broke Wendy's heart - but the thing is, to me, Finn seemed like that infatuation that you have when you dive head-first into a new world. Tove... well, something huge is revealed about to Tove, so I'm not worried about that. So who does that leave? Why, Loki, of course! I'm a HUGE fan of Loki. I really hope the romance stays solid in his direction, because he and Wendy are really great for each other, at least in terms of political situation, personality, and values. Plus, they're totally attracted to one another. So.

That being said, I'm not entirely sure why everyone was so up in arms about Loki being introduced as a love interest. I mean, I was never feeling Finn to begin with - he's like that whirlwind love interest that doesn't quite stick. Tove always seemed like a friend, and Rhys, a brother. I think Loki and Wendy really connect. But that's just me.

I feel like there is going to be a massive mess of crazy battles in book three. The big showdown, in terms of Trylle versus Vittra, should be fun! I hope. I'm pretty excited about book three! Especially for the romance. Team Loki!

What I Did Not Like:

I think I wanted a little more depth from this story. YES, it does a great job of setting up the big picture. There are lots of crazy things going on, like curses and death and weird procreation problems and things. But it seemed a bit cliche? Maybe something even more mind-blowing and creative. On the surface, the conflicts are good though, they make a great story.

And I want more about TROLLS. I feel like the troll thing is glossed over a lot. I almost forget that Wendy and everyone are trolls - they might as well be human! The only thing that is constantly reminded is the aversion to most foods. But the Vittra/Trylle feud might as well be two different races of the same species... and that species could be homo sapiens. The troll thing could be a bit more prevalent, you know?

Would I Recommend It:

At this point, sure! I'm really enjoying the story, and the romance. It's more of a detached interest, since I'm binging the series, but I'm invested enough to keep going, you know? I'm rooting for Wendy! And Loki. Mostly Loki.

Rating:

4 stars. Be on the lookout for my review of Ascend, book three, to be posted on September 25th! At this point, I have three books to read before I get to that one... I can't wait!

Author Blog | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!