Review: Switched (Trylle Trilogy #1) by Amanda Hocking

I will never looked at trolls the same way again because of this book.

So they don't have pink hair, or jewels on their belly buttons, but they are every inch as intriguing as the ones they have thought to have looked like.

Title: Switched (Trylle Trilogy #1) by Amanda Hocking
Pages: 293
Release Date: January 3rd 2012
Published by: St. Martin's Griffin
Source: Publisher
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Summary:

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 discovers her mother might have been right. With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - a world both beautiful and frightening, and Wendy's not sure she wants to be a part of it.

Trolls. Yes, you've read that right. If you think every conceivable supernatural being has been reinvented, think again. Now we have trolls, and Amanda Hocking has written of them in an engaging way that surely will catch a reader's interest easily.

I admit that I had a hard time reading through the first 90 pages of this book. I barely liked any of the characters especially Wendy, which made it a real struggle. It was hard to connect with her. She's a spoiled rich girl, a problem child, someone misunderstood, someone who didn't quite belong anywhere. The only character that showed promise was Finn, and the mysterious aura surrounding him. But the moment I flipped over to the page where I met Rhys, the story's complexion turned around for the better and it didn't stop until the end. It's like I broke free from a dark, stagnant place and into the light. The story moved forward and Wendy's character gradually became solid and likable, and so did the rest of the characters, most of which I found interesting as I get to know them more.

What fascinated me the most, really, is the introduction of this character, the troll, which is what the book is all about. I have never read of a book about them, and Amanda Hocking's portrayal of these creatures were certainly unique and nothing like I've read before. It's a whole new world which felt very familiar yet it's something new. An interesting blend of human like qualities and appearance with a dash of power and affinity to the earth. It's like the fey but more updated to fit into the present world. Kudos, Amanda Hocking for such a brilliant idea! I loved this new world I'm reading about!

What I also liked in the book is the unpredictability when it comes to romance. The three main male leads ( considered only three, but should Matt be included?) all shared warm, sweet moments with Wendy that it's easy to picture her with any one of them. I keep on guessing which one Wendy will pick because along with the boy comes a reason which can open up a new path for Wendy. If she chose Finn, will she be banished and lose the new home she finally felt she belonged to? If she chose Rhys, will she get to live like a human again and forget about her true self? If she picked Tove, what many great things can she accomplish when she finally takes her rightful place in the Troll society? I love that the author seem to entertain a lot of possibilities when it comes to where the story will eventually go this early in the series! Each boy had his own strength, weakness and role to play in Wendy and the Trylle's life that makes it hard and utterly tempting to think of what might just happen in the future.

One thing is for sure though, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! I'm glad I didn't give up because my first impression for this book certainly didn't last. It was entertaining and engaging, where the pace can be a little bit slow and then in a blink it's chaos! Amanda Hocking has a way of hooking her readers with the unusual pace of her writing, from a slow start to an amazing end! I was certainly surprised! No wonder she's a best selling author even when she was first self-publishing this series.

I can't wait for Torn!

My rating

Content (plot, story flow, character):

Shining: Worthy of a Goddess' Love!

Book Cover:
One of the most gorgeous covers I've seen!

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.