Book Review: Ascend

Ascend (a Trylle Novel) written by: Amanda Hocking
Release Date: April 24th, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Format of Book: Paperback (bind up of trilogy)
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 loose. 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.

(This review has spoilers, please don't read if you haven't read the trilogy). *Apologizes for posting a day late*

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Out of all of the books, I found Ascend to be the best one out of the entire Trylle Trilogy. Compare to the other books, this one had given me what I was looking with the dramatic standpoints and the fights. It matched the fast pacing in the wording and I was glad to read it to the very end. Wendy finally grew up to be a respectable queen and it was amazing to see how much effort she had to pull in order to achieve peace. The other characters involved in a good pace as well, though I kept questioning about what happened to Rhys because he appeared in a couple of chapters and then he suddenly went poof. I love Rhys as a character so I was a little bitter about it when I couldn't find him anywhere else in the book. I mean, maybe I missed him when I was reading, but I'm not so sure.

The fight between Wendy and her father was very quick yet it was the 'big' moment for Wendy because she ended up evolving into the proper queen she was suppose to become at the end. Though at the same time, I really wanted to see more of the fight, I felt that it was rushed and a little weak. Maybe its because I'm use to reading prolonged battles from manga and other fantasy series, but in a personal opinion, this fight was meyhh yet important to Wendy's character development.

I really enjoyed how most of the major characters were able to get a 'happy' ending so to speak. Everyone was able to find that inner peace and they began the build up for a better future and in Hocking's new trilogy "Kanin Chronicles", readers will be able to see the 'new world' that Wendy and her friends are re-building. I'm not sure if I'm going to read that particular series, but maybe in the near future I will.

Overall, this trilogy was pretty good, it was unique and very fast pace. The character each had their own personalities to make them lively and original, and the concept of the trolls was cool as well. If you want to read about something completely different in terms of fantastical creatures, read this trilogy. See you guys next time for another book review and more.

Happy Howling everyone.



Book Review: Torn

Torn (a Trylle Novel) written by: Amanda Hocking
Release Date: February 28th, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Format of Book: Paperback (bind up of trilogy)
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 Vitta 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 Vitta 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.
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(This contains a few spoilers for those who haven't read 'Switched'.)

This is the second book to the Trylle trilogy by Amanda Hocking and unlike the other one, I really enjoyed Torn. The book was fast-paced like the first one and I loved how the characters were shining more in their personalities and growth. It helped me developed the patience to keep going with the story. At this time, I'm just about to finish with the final and I'm glad that Hocking managed to build up more of the political aspect in her world building.

Now with Loki, I liked how there was a twist with his character development and that he's trying to prove his worth to be with Wendy, but of course you gotta have the little mystery to the new love interest. It's almost like he was the guy version of Wendy, which was weird, but okay in a way. And with Tove? I sort of already figured out he was gay, but he's such a sweetheart. I wanted to hug him. I'm glad he's willingly to help Wendy out and protect the people he loves, but I hope he finds his true love someday. I'm also very happy that Matt is now part of the journey with Wendy, he is such a perfect big brother. I can't wait to see more of him in the next book.

What I didn't like was how Finn and Wendy's relationship developed throughout this book. It almost mirrored her biological parents' relationship, but at the same time, with the world's political rules that separates them for being a couple, it made it difficult for me to feel sympathy towards them. I just wish there was more development in Finn's character to see if he is going end up with Wendy or not, or at least, fight for her in the right way.

Speaking of Wendy's biological parents, I really disliked how it was predictable to see Wendy's father being the Vitta King. I think in my own personal idea, I would've wanted the Vitta king to be someone like the Chancellor since he's obsessed with Wendy in a sexual way, but I guess this idea was pretty cool. Queen Elora is starting to grow on me, I felt bad for her and the life she had endured before she gave birth to Wendy. It shows that she had potential to become a great mother if her 'husband' didn't want to kill her and she didn't have to dealt with the switched rule for the babies.

On good reads, I gave this book a 3.5 star rating out of five (even though it says 4 stars). It was a good continuation of the trilogy, just wish there was more action instead of training and weird ass romantic attempts on Wendy, and that the 'twists' were more 'holy shit' than 'ohh okay' moments. Hopefully in the last book, things will more dramatic and action-packed. Overall, Amanda Hocking really gave the title name 'Torn' light in her story. I will be back on Saturday with the review for the last book of the Trylle Trilogy. I will be going all out with spoilers and my overall opinion in the trilogy. So if you don't want to be spoiled on the book, please read the trilogy first.

Happy Howling.