Helpful Score: 2
This is the first book in the Trylle trilogy by Hocking. It was a fun and engaging read about something you don't usually get to read about, Trolls. Great start to this series.
Wendy's mother tried to kill her when she was a little girl, so now she is being raised by her aunt and brother. At seventeen years old she still doesn't fit in and people seem to automatically dislike her; then Finn enters her life and tells her that she is a Trylle. Now Wendy is entering a world she never knew existed and she's not sure if it is any better than the world she left behind.
The story was very engaging and the characters well done. It was fun to read about something other than werewolves, fairies, and vampires for once; Wendy is a Trylle or troll. There wasn't a ton of high school angst in this book, Wendy is off to the Trylles pretty quickly, so I enjoyed that.
Wendy is a complicated character who is dealing with a lot of emotional trauma since her mother tried to kill her and she has so much trouble fitting in with other people. I liked how independent she was and how willing she was to accept the big changes that happened in her life.
Finn was a wonderful and mysterious male lead. It bothered me some that his relationship was so on and off again with Wendy and that his personality changed so much. Despite that I still look forward to learning more about him in future books.
The book was engaging and well written; basically a fun light read. The ending is a total cliffhanger though and that was pretty irritating. Luckily the next book is already out, so you if you like this book, be ready to read the next book ASAP.
Overall this was a fun and engaging read. I loved the creativity of having trolls as the main paranormal element. The characters were all well done and fun to read about. I recommend this book for people who enjoy young adult paranormal books. Just beware that it ends on a cliffhanger without much resolution. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series, Torn.
Wendy's mother tried to kill her when she was a little girl, so now she is being raised by her aunt and brother. At seventeen years old she still doesn't fit in and people seem to automatically dislike her; then Finn enters her life and tells her that she is a Trylle. Now Wendy is entering a world she never knew existed and she's not sure if it is any better than the world she left behind.
The story was very engaging and the characters well done. It was fun to read about something other than werewolves, fairies, and vampires for once; Wendy is a Trylle or troll. There wasn't a ton of high school angst in this book, Wendy is off to the Trylles pretty quickly, so I enjoyed that.
Wendy is a complicated character who is dealing with a lot of emotional trauma since her mother tried to kill her and she has so much trouble fitting in with other people. I liked how independent she was and how willing she was to accept the big changes that happened in her life.
Finn was a wonderful and mysterious male lead. It bothered me some that his relationship was so on and off again with Wendy and that his personality changed so much. Despite that I still look forward to learning more about him in future books.
The book was engaging and well written; basically a fun light read. The ending is a total cliffhanger though and that was pretty irritating. Luckily the next book is already out, so you if you like this book, be ready to read the next book ASAP.
Overall this was a fun and engaging read. I loved the creativity of having trolls as the main paranormal element. The characters were all well done and fun to read about. I recommend this book for people who enjoy young adult paranormal books. Just beware that it ends on a cliffhanger without much resolution. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series, Torn.
Helpful Score: 1
I won this from Library Thing and I'm so glad I did. This was a great story with great characters. I was pleasantly surprised that it was about Trolls. It seems everything is about vampires, werewolves, etc. I thought this book flowed nicely and quickly, I couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading the next one in the series and reading more about Rhys, Tove, Willa, Elora and the rest, along with the Vittra and how Wendy deals with being a Troll.
Helpful Score: 1
I was so disappointed with this book, anti-hero crap, skipped a lot while reading, was this for a 12 year old, or an 11 year old? The writing is just awful, like a ninth grader had to write a fantasy for English class or such. Weak magic, weak characters, what a sham, it could have been so good. It is like a script made into a bad b rate movie, sorry, nothing good to,say about this book.
Helpful Score: 1
So far this year I have been on a YA hiatus. But,I really wanted to read this book. It was good,I read it in a few hours.However,I will wait awhile before I read the others.
Helpful Score: 1
For someone familiar with Stephenie Myer's Twilight stories from seeing the films, SWITCHED read too much like a Twilight saga knock-off for me to enjoy it.
Though not the best, the writing shows promise, so I'm open to more from Amanda Hocking, but this had way too many scenes that were ripped right from the Twilight story: boy visits girl through her bedroom window; damsel in distress; car ride running away from her family/home because the bad guys are trying to get her; trolls have different abilities; not to mention it's just trolls instead of vampires.
I don't think the story was original enough to stand on its own merit.
I also got bored with the juvenile pussy-footing around each other for 300 pages. The young adult, inexperienced emotional angst gets old for me. It really made me crave to read about adult relationships, but I'm sure this is great for adolescents, teens and young adults.
SWITCHED was very predictable; nothing new here. I give it a C+.
Though not the best, the writing shows promise, so I'm open to more from Amanda Hocking, but this had way too many scenes that were ripped right from the Twilight story: boy visits girl through her bedroom window; damsel in distress; car ride running away from her family/home because the bad guys are trying to get her; trolls have different abilities; not to mention it's just trolls instead of vampires.
I don't think the story was original enough to stand on its own merit.
I also got bored with the juvenile pussy-footing around each other for 300 pages. The young adult, inexperienced emotional angst gets old for me. It really made me crave to read about adult relationships, but I'm sure this is great for adolescents, teens and young adults.
SWITCHED was very predictable; nothing new here. I give it a C+.
Having been nearly killed on her sixth birthday, Wendy is set up for a lifetime of wondering what kind of monster is she. After her mother is sent to an asylum, Wendy's life goes on as normal as possible with her protective brother, Matt, and her aunt, Maggie. Bouncing from school to school is what is normal for her. Wendy does not know why she has such a hard time making friends. When a mysterious boy, Finn, approaches her and tells her that in fact, she really is a monster, Wendy is shocked. Thinking back on everything she should have known she was different.
Wendy is Trylle, aka a troll, and a very important one. She is the princess and next in line to rule. Now in Hocking's world, trolls are not ugly beings that live under a bridge. Hocking's trolls are closely related to humans but with abilites, intelligence and beauty the surpass any human. Finn is a tracker and is tasked with bringing her back to her real mother, Elora, Queen of Trylle. Within the Trylle community, located in my very own Minnesota, we discover a magical world of many magical beings. Wendy discovers the boy that she replaced in the human world and instantly feels for her mother who wasn't crazy after all.
Now Wendy must learn what is expected of her and also how to stay alive. There is a warring faction, the Vittra, that wants Wendy for their own and won't stop at nothing to get her. Keeping Wendy safe becomes Finn's mission but his feelings for her start to get in the way and in Trylle, their love cannot be. Lots of secrets are revealed and many more must be uncovered for Wendy to truely come into her own.
Lots of interesting characters and a refreshing storyline makes this first installment an enthralling read. Loved it all and Amanda Hocking has a knack for keeping the reader turning the pages.
(ARC was provided by publisher via LibraryThing for an honest review)
Wendy is Trylle, aka a troll, and a very important one. She is the princess and next in line to rule. Now in Hocking's world, trolls are not ugly beings that live under a bridge. Hocking's trolls are closely related to humans but with abilites, intelligence and beauty the surpass any human. Finn is a tracker and is tasked with bringing her back to her real mother, Elora, Queen of Trylle. Within the Trylle community, located in my very own Minnesota, we discover a magical world of many magical beings. Wendy discovers the boy that she replaced in the human world and instantly feels for her mother who wasn't crazy after all.
Now Wendy must learn what is expected of her and also how to stay alive. There is a warring faction, the Vittra, that wants Wendy for their own and won't stop at nothing to get her. Keeping Wendy safe becomes Finn's mission but his feelings for her start to get in the way and in Trylle, their love cannot be. Lots of secrets are revealed and many more must be uncovered for Wendy to truely come into her own.
Lots of interesting characters and a refreshing storyline makes this first installment an enthralling read. Loved it all and Amanda Hocking has a knack for keeping the reader turning the pages.
(ARC was provided by publisher via LibraryThing for an honest review)
Amanda Hocking has taken an un tapped world of fantasy and made it into reality with her novel, Switched. Here you've entered a world full of Trylle or as it's coined in the world by most: trolls.
From the moment you meet the protagonist named Wendy Everly, you know her life isn't normal. Her mother tried to kill her before the age of 10 and she ends up moving around to almost 10 different schools by the time she is 15. Her brother Matt and aunt Maggie are what keep her grounded because they love her unconditionally, no matter the mood Wendy is in. Although, throughout the book she was truly just a child in the way she acted which is explained as a trait in those of the Trylle; having a short temper. I did find it annoying at times, but luckily some of the other Trylle were worst in character than Wendy, so she was a sign of relief throughout the novel. I do however love how passionate she is about her family and the bond that was created.
Along the way you meet Finn, mysterious and also comes off at first as arrogant. But once you get to know him, you realize his secret and his ways for this attitude. Behind those brown earthy-tone eyes, lies a someone who has been through a lot and mastered the importance of a strong-will. I admired him for that but at times I kind of wanted to shake the poor boy because he was so convinced he wouldn't let his emotions get in the way of his job. Something that can be hard no just in a fictional world, but in the real world too.
Beyond that, the bond of Wendy and Finn is very much alive in this book. I love how the tension is there, so enriched with fire that keeps on burning through the novel. The love/hate dynamic is engaging for a reader and kept me intrigued. The dialogue interactions between the two was alive and kicking, sometimes kicking: "A foolish man thinks he knows everything. A wise man knows he doesn't," Finn replied absently, still looking down at the book. "That's such a fortune-cookie answer," I said with a laugh, and even he smirked at me. (Hocking, 184)
Then the callus interaction of Kim and Elora with Wendy was tricky. I noticed how cold both were. Kim was frigid and dark, while Elora was intimidating and stoic with the power she had. But the way Elora was described physically in the book made me picture the actress from Revenge, Madeleine Stowe who plays Victoria Grayson, the dark haired beauty of a mother was a cold-hearted way of dealing with people. She is powerful and ruthless, just like Elora. (If there was a movie for this book, I hope someone sends her agent a script to play Elora, because she is perfect!)
This novel has kept me engaged. It's a rare thing and amazing at the same time when this happens and I highly praise books that can do this easily. The world of the Trylle has been very fascinating. From the way the scenery is described to the characters that live in this community, it's no secret that it's filled with magic and adventure.
The real intensity comes in around Chapter 22, when the plot takes on a big twist that later will help lead into an ending that is hard to forget, let alone into the sequel of the trilogy. Hands down this book has been excited, interesting, even fun to read. It took me longer because for two weeks straight I was sick and had a cough that left be unable to read (I once coughed for an hour straight!)
Anyway, all in all, I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves stories about mythological creatures in a new twist and light. The way that Amanda Hocking used trolls and took it to a place that hasn't been tapped into yet for young adult literature is fantastic and really well thought out. I'm excited to read the next installment and the final book in the trilogy as well!
From the moment you meet the protagonist named Wendy Everly, you know her life isn't normal. Her mother tried to kill her before the age of 10 and she ends up moving around to almost 10 different schools by the time she is 15. Her brother Matt and aunt Maggie are what keep her grounded because they love her unconditionally, no matter the mood Wendy is in. Although, throughout the book she was truly just a child in the way she acted which is explained as a trait in those of the Trylle; having a short temper. I did find it annoying at times, but luckily some of the other Trylle were worst in character than Wendy, so she was a sign of relief throughout the novel. I do however love how passionate she is about her family and the bond that was created.
Along the way you meet Finn, mysterious and also comes off at first as arrogant. But once you get to know him, you realize his secret and his ways for this attitude. Behind those brown earthy-tone eyes, lies a someone who has been through a lot and mastered the importance of a strong-will. I admired him for that but at times I kind of wanted to shake the poor boy because he was so convinced he wouldn't let his emotions get in the way of his job. Something that can be hard no just in a fictional world, but in the real world too.
Beyond that, the bond of Wendy and Finn is very much alive in this book. I love how the tension is there, so enriched with fire that keeps on burning through the novel. The love/hate dynamic is engaging for a reader and kept me intrigued. The dialogue interactions between the two was alive and kicking, sometimes kicking: "A foolish man thinks he knows everything. A wise man knows he doesn't," Finn replied absently, still looking down at the book. "That's such a fortune-cookie answer," I said with a laugh, and even he smirked at me. (Hocking, 184)
Then the callus interaction of Kim and Elora with Wendy was tricky. I noticed how cold both were. Kim was frigid and dark, while Elora was intimidating and stoic with the power she had. But the way Elora was described physically in the book made me picture the actress from Revenge, Madeleine Stowe who plays Victoria Grayson, the dark haired beauty of a mother was a cold-hearted way of dealing with people. She is powerful and ruthless, just like Elora. (If there was a movie for this book, I hope someone sends her agent a script to play Elora, because she is perfect!)
This novel has kept me engaged. It's a rare thing and amazing at the same time when this happens and I highly praise books that can do this easily. The world of the Trylle has been very fascinating. From the way the scenery is described to the characters that live in this community, it's no secret that it's filled with magic and adventure.
The real intensity comes in around Chapter 22, when the plot takes on a big twist that later will help lead into an ending that is hard to forget, let alone into the sequel of the trilogy. Hands down this book has been excited, interesting, even fun to read. It took me longer because for two weeks straight I was sick and had a cough that left be unable to read (I once coughed for an hour straight!)
Anyway, all in all, I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves stories about mythological creatures in a new twist and light. The way that Amanda Hocking used trolls and took it to a place that hasn't been tapped into yet for young adult literature is fantastic and really well thought out. I'm excited to read the next installment and the final book in the trilogy as well!
Wendy Everly has always felt different. She can't seem to find a place where she belongs and even her own mother hates her. She was raised by her aunt and brother after her mom tries to kill her. She is just about to turn 18 and they are settling into yet another new place. She hates school and has no friends. For weeks now, the new boy, Finn Holmes, has been staring at her and it is creeping her out. On top of all of that, she keeps getting a weird feeling that she is being watched. She quickly discovers that Finn isn't a student after all, and she isn't who she thought she was either. She is Trylle and a princess. Wendy's world is flipped upside down and nothing will ever be the same.
I loved this book and this whole series. This is the second series that I have read by Amanda Hocking and I think I will read anything that she writes. The characters are great. I do think that Wendy can be a bit whiny and bratty though. I found myself wanting to slap her on a few occasions. Finn is.....well, Finn. He is dreamy and frustrating all in the same breath. You just have to read it to know. There isn't a character in this book that doesn't play an important role, whether you like them or not. If you like a good love story with a splash of fantasy, this series is for you. I loved it and I hope you will too.
I loved this book and this whole series. This is the second series that I have read by Amanda Hocking and I think I will read anything that she writes. The characters are great. I do think that Wendy can be a bit whiny and bratty though. I found myself wanting to slap her on a few occasions. Finn is.....well, Finn. He is dreamy and frustrating all in the same breath. You just have to read it to know. There isn't a character in this book that doesn't play an important role, whether you like them or not. If you like a good love story with a splash of fantasy, this series is for you. I loved it and I hope you will too.
Man I love this series. This book sat forever on my shelf and I finally picked it up. This is a great fast paced love story/fairy tale. Wendy switched at birth, stumbles into another world that she truly belongs to. Wendy soon learns that she needs to grow up fast to deal with the harsh reality of the Tyrlle Troll world. She struggles with her feelings for Finn, her tracker and fights for his love. MUST READ! And get all three because they really are seamless.
I can't wait to read books 2 and 3 of this series!
For someone familiar with Stephenie Myer's Twilight stories from seeing the films, SWITCHED read too much like a Twilight saga knock-off for me to enjoy it.
Though not the best, the writing shows promise, so I'm open to more from Amanda Hocking, but this had way too many scenes that were ripped right from the Twilight story: boy visits girl through her bedroom window; damsel in distress; car ride running away from her family/home because the bad guys are trying to get her; trolls have different abilities; not to mention it's just trolls instead of vampires.
I don't think the story was original enough to stand on its own merit.
I also got bored with the juvenile pussy-footing around each other for 300 pages. The young adult, inexperienced emotional angst gets old for me. It really made me crave to read about adult relationships, but I'm sure this is great for adolescents, teens and young adults.
SWITCHED was very predictable; nothing new here. I give it a C+.
Though not the best, the writing shows promise, so I'm open to more from Amanda Hocking, but this had way too many scenes that were ripped right from the Twilight story: boy visits girl through her bedroom window; damsel in distress; car ride running away from her family/home because the bad guys are trying to get her; trolls have different abilities; not to mention it's just trolls instead of vampires.
I don't think the story was original enough to stand on its own merit.
I also got bored with the juvenile pussy-footing around each other for 300 pages. The young adult, inexperienced emotional angst gets old for me. It really made me crave to read about adult relationships, but I'm sure this is great for adolescents, teens and young adults.
SWITCHED was very predictable; nothing new here. I give it a C+.
Wendy Everlings mother tried to kill her when she was six years old. Her mother was adamant that Wendy was not her child and that her son was taken. Her mother was sent to a psychiatric hospital and shes been there ever since. Wendy lives with her aunt and her brother and really works at trying to fit in with others. She doesnt like to wear shoes, she eats weird stuff and she hates going to school. Other than that, she likes her life.
When a boy begins to stare at her at school, she confronts him. His name is Finn and after she spends some time with him, she decides she really likes him. That is until he is a complete jerk to her at the school dance. Hurting she curls up in her bed at home and cries, but isnt too shocked to see Finn at her bedroom window in the middle of the night with an apology. That isnt all he has he also tells her who she really is, a Trylle.
Trylle are trolls and he informs Wendy that she is a changeling, switched at birth and its now time for her to come home. Wendy has the power of persuasion, but Finn tells her that she will become even more powerful if she is where she belongs. At first, she rebels until she realizes that her brother and aunt could be in danger if she stays. So she follows Finn to whence she came and from there meets her real mother and is informed she is a princess.
However, there is another band of trolls that would have Wendy. They crave her power and will stop at nothing to attain her. But how many humans and trolls must die to protect her? Wendy yearns for the comfort of her real home but desires the training of her powers. She also desires Finn but is promptly informed that Trackers cannot have a relationship with royalty. If she bends the law, she could jeopardize everything. Will she listen to her heart or what she knows is right?
SWITCHED draws the reader in from the very first page of Wendys mom trying to kill her. I empathized with her, trying to fit in and then being told that she was unwanted at birth and finding out she was switched. Her real mom is really cold, which made my heart ache for her. The romance blossoming between Finn and Wendy blossoms slowly and I hope their relationship can find a turning point in the next installment. A new take on young adult paranormal, I couldnt put this one down. I cant wait for the next in the series, TORN, due out in April. Simply magical!
When a boy begins to stare at her at school, she confronts him. His name is Finn and after she spends some time with him, she decides she really likes him. That is until he is a complete jerk to her at the school dance. Hurting she curls up in her bed at home and cries, but isnt too shocked to see Finn at her bedroom window in the middle of the night with an apology. That isnt all he has he also tells her who she really is, a Trylle.
Trylle are trolls and he informs Wendy that she is a changeling, switched at birth and its now time for her to come home. Wendy has the power of persuasion, but Finn tells her that she will become even more powerful if she is where she belongs. At first, she rebels until she realizes that her brother and aunt could be in danger if she stays. So she follows Finn to whence she came and from there meets her real mother and is informed she is a princess.
However, there is another band of trolls that would have Wendy. They crave her power and will stop at nothing to attain her. But how many humans and trolls must die to protect her? Wendy yearns for the comfort of her real home but desires the training of her powers. She also desires Finn but is promptly informed that Trackers cannot have a relationship with royalty. If she bends the law, she could jeopardize everything. Will she listen to her heart or what she knows is right?
SWITCHED draws the reader in from the very first page of Wendys mom trying to kill her. I empathized with her, trying to fit in and then being told that she was unwanted at birth and finding out she was switched. Her real mom is really cold, which made my heart ache for her. The romance blossoming between Finn and Wendy blossoms slowly and I hope their relationship can find a turning point in the next installment. A new take on young adult paranormal, I couldnt put this one down. I cant wait for the next in the series, TORN, due out in April. Simply magical!
This was a great YA book about changelings of trolls ( not the ugly ones ) but a different race of trolls. I wont spoil this by saying much about it because one part would spoil this book. There is lots of drama, a building romance, fun but there is some how not to get kicked out of school jabs. But over all it is a great story, cant wait to read more.
