Ascend by Amanda Hocking - Book Three in the Trylle Series

Ascend, the third book in the Trylle series was no let down. True to form, Amanda Hocking hit this one out of the park. The only thing I wish is that there were more books to the series.



 WARNING: The following contains spoilers and basically outlines the story.



In this third book Wendy has taken over the day to day running of the Kingdon of Foerning. Her father Oren, king of the Vittra wants nothing more than to take over Foerning and rule both kingdoms. He had promised not to attack the Trylle people of Foerning but they soon find that because of how he words this, the other Trylle communities can be attacked without breaking the truce. They discover this when Oren sends his hobgobblins to attack another Trylle community.



Wendy and a few other friends head out to repair the attacked community and to take back any survivors who have no homes to go back too. During their one night stay, Tove has over exhausted his powers and seemingly looses his mind. He hits Wendy for reasons she can't fathom and Loki comes to her rescue.



In one night of passion she gives herself to Loki, promising him only that one night.



One night Wendy sneaks off with Loki and returns to the Vittra King to make a bargain. That she will hand over Foerning when she becomes Queen, after she gets everyone to agree to follow Oren so that she can save lives. Of course this is just to keep Oren from attacking the kindgom the minute she takes the crown. She does what she thinks is best for the kingdom.



Wendy's mother Elora paints visions, and one day shows everyone a painting of everyone in the castle dead. They knew it had to be the Vittra because king Oren already threatened to take over the kingdom as soon as Elora died and Wendy took the crown.



In an attempt to change the outcome of the painting, they must devise a plan. After much debate Wendy realized the only way to change the outcome is to do something Foerning has never done before and attack the Vittra before the Vittra can attack them. In the history of Foerning, they have never attacked, but has always waiting to be attacked.



Before they attack the Vittra, Wendy's husband Tove tells her he doesn't think he can be with her anymore that he wants to be with someone he loves but promises to always stand by her side. Wendy tells him that she know's he's gay and that if that's what he chooses to do then she would support that. After all they should both be happy. Wendy didn't love him either, she loved Loki. They decide to annual  their marriage but not until after they attack the Vittra because if something happens to Wendy, she wants Tove to run the Kingdom.



Elora dies and Wendy is forced to take the crown. She decides to do a quiet quick so that they can have the upper hand on the Vittra.



That night they take their army to the Vittra and attack. Wendy was able to cut of Orens head after he kills Loki. Watching Loki be killed unlocked her powers and she was able to use them against Oren.



Oren's Queen Sara is happy that Oren's rein of terror is over and helps to bring Loki back to life with the help of Wendy's power.



After all is said and done Loki is alive. Her marriage with Tove was annualed. She married Loki and to their surprise that one passionate night they spent together before they were married left her pregnant.

Torn By Amanda Hocking

True to form, Amanda Hocking hit this one out of the park. A great second book to the Trylle trilogy. Torn gets more involved with Wendy and her life at the palace as well as some history of the Trylle. She finds herself in a love triangle. She arranged to marry her good friend and Markis Tove, still has feelings for Finn and feeling new emotions for Loki. Wendy wants to make the right decision for her kingdom, and that's been decreed as marrying Tove, whom she finds out is secretly gay. She knows he will always defend and protect her and that will be happy but what kind of marriage would that be. Especially with a mother in law from hell who wants her son to overthrow Wendy and take the crown for his family. Tove however is loyal and refuses to do such a thing. Finn doesn't like ge idea of Wendy being with anyone, but since he can't be with her he would rather she be with Tove because of him being gay. Wendy is angry that Finn would push her into a marriage where her husband and her would never be in love, instead of encouraging her to find love. Loki is still fighting for Wendy. He wants her to marry him and leave both kingdoms behind. Let them fight it out themselves. Who cares as long as they are happy. Wendy is torn between love and responsibility. 

Switched By Amanda Hocking

Amanda Hocking is a great writer. Her stories keep you interested and always wanting to know what happens next. Switched is about a girl who never felt like she belonged. Her mother knew she was a changeling and tried to kill her when she was 6 and she has the scar to prove it. After being raised by her Aunt and older brother she finds out she belongs somewhere else. As it turns out her "mother" was right. She was a changeling. With tracker Finn guiding and protecting her way she makes it home to Forening where she finds out her real father is dead, her mother is the queen and she is a princess. She struggles with trying to be the princess and doing everything properly and her mother the queen never approving. After a second attempt from an apposing clan to kidnap her and loosing the man she loves, she decides she's done. That this isn't the life she wants.

Switched is was an easy read. Once I picked up the book it was hard to set it down. I Deffinately recommend this book to anyone who likes science fiction with an edge of paranormal.