In Dreams by J. Sterling

Book Description:

When Katherine Johns starts dreaming about a boy she doesn't know, her college roommate Taylor is determined to find him. Convinced he must exist, Taylor is relentless... until she finds out exactly WHO the mysterious stranger really is.

The realization rocks the girls to their core and sends them down a path of unimaginable heartbreak as they learn to navigate their new reality.

Follow Katherine & Taylor's journey through love, friendship and tragedy in the first book of this emotionally captivating series.

Christina's BookReview

 

In Dreams we meet Katherine Jones. She is a college student that is about to discovery that dreams are a little more real then she bargained for. The book starts off with her first dream of a mysterious guy that she is instantly attracted to. When she tells her friend Taylor about the mysterious guy she decides to keep a look out for him. Little do they know that he is closer then they think. Then they meet Danny and Cooper and suddenly things heat up between Katherine and Cooper. But Katherine won't give up the guy in her dreams. Even after she finds out who he is she won't give him up, not even for Cooper. Until her friends and fate steps in.

I really wanted to love this book. I was excited about the plot and dove right in. Unfortunately I had to force myself to finish the book. Good plot. Bad execution. Things were repetitive, the protagonist was petty and kind of a brat, and there was no character development. As soon as I finished this book I forgot the names of the characters. I found myself liking Taylor and Danny's relationship more then the love triangle.

If you are looking for a quick and easy read this is the book for you. If you like character development and depth this is not the book for you.

Ascend by Amanda Hocking

Book Description:

The final book in the Trylle Trilogy..

With a war looming on the horizon, Wendy's fate seems sealed.But everything she sacrificed might be in vain if she can't save the ones she loves. Her whole life has been leading up to this, and it's all coming to an end.

 

Christina's BookReview

 

After Re-reading

“Princess." He smiled up at me, but it was weak. "If I'd known that this is what it would take to get you to hold me, I would've collapsed a long time ago.”

“I don't want only one night. I want all the nights. I want all of you, forever.” 

After re-reading Ascend and the whole Trylle Trilogy I have to say I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this series! I would recommend it nonstop and knew I loved it but when reading again I forgot just how much!

Ascend picks up a few months after Torn finished. Wendy is now slowly taking over the responsibilities of a Queen. The people of Trylle are giving Wendy a hard time because of her being a mix of Vittra and Trylle but she is adamant of showing them that she will be a good ruler. On top of that she is battling her growing feelings for Loki, trying to push away her feelings for Finn, and planning her wedding to someone she likes but doesn't love. It is much more then any 18 yr old girl can handle. 

In Ascend we not only see Wendy grow up but we see her finally become the Queen that everyone knew she would be. She fights for her people, wants change for them in the form of equality, she would sacrifice herself for them. We see a lot of devastation in Ascend but we also see a lot of unity. We see how Wendy and Tove both as Prince and Princess/Queen and King start to make changes little by little. 

I loved the dynamic of Tove/Wendy, not a romantic dynamic but as rulers and leaders. Both were strong and both wanted the same for their kingdom. I believed that they did the right thing in uniting for the kingdom but was sad because they both didn't love each other. Which leads me to Finn and Loki. In Ascend Wendy finally gets fed up with Finns aloofness and decides that its time to move on. After breaking things with Finn she is surprised to realize that she cares about Loki much more then she realized. When he shows up at her stairs, beat to an inch of his death and asking for Amnesty, Wendy quickly takes care of him and grows protective of him. During the time that Loki is staying in the palace Wendy and he spend more time together and as their love blossoms we see another side of Loki that makes us root for them to be together and have their happily ever after.

In Ascend there is a lot of character development and alot of loss but it is what makes the series so great. I loved this series and hope that others enjoy it as much. If you haven't tried this do yourself a favor a pick it up!

Review of Book #1- Switched HERE

Review of Book #2-Torn HERE  

Torn by Amanda Hocking

Book Description:

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.

As a special gift to readers, this book contains a new, never-before-published bonus story, “One Day, Three Ways,” set in the magical world of the Trylle.

Christina's BookReview

 

Review after Re-reading:

“What I told you before is still true. I want to know that when you're with me, it's because you want to be, not because you have to be.” 

I finished re-reading Torn and I enjoyed just as much as the first time around. I loved getting to know more about the Trylle people as well at the Vittra. 

In Torn Wendy is finally told about her destiny and has a huge decision to make. Not only is the Vittra after her because she is the Trylle Princess but because she is there Princess as well. With the option of ruling over one of the kingdoms she is in a tough predicament. Add on top of that the fact that she is to be married to someone she doesn't love, her mother is falling ill and acting weird, the man she loves is being a jerk, and there is one devilishly handsome Vittra Markis that is confusing the heck out of her. In Torn Wendy learns not only about her parentage but also about her own strengths. Throughout Torn we see her struggle with just wanting to be a teenager but having to learn how to grow up fast.

In Switched we were introduced to the secondary characters and in Torn they are just as part of the story as in Switched. We get to learn more about Tove, Willa, Rhys, Elora and even get more of Matt. 

And what about a Mr. Finn Holmes? Well Finn is Finn in Torn. He is still dedicated to his job and put it above everyone. There are times in the story where he slips but only doubles his distance as a result. The relationship between Finn and Wendy is essentially non-existence but during the book we are still wanting to root for it to work. That is until you meet a Mr. Loki Staad.

Loki is a Vittra Markis that is sent to convince Wendy to run away with him and become the Princess of Vittra. But unbeknownst to both of them he falls head over heels for Wendy and unlike Finn is up for the challenge of getting what he wants. And what he wants is Wendy. With his good looks, charming ways, and wicked personality he is 100% swoon-worthy. You can't help but split your opinions on both these guys. I for one found myself enjoying every part with Loki and wanting more of him in Torn. 

If you enjoyed Switched you will enjoy Torn. The only reason I gave this 4.5 is because it was a little repetitive in some parts.

Review of Book #1- Switched HERE

Review of Book #3-Ascend HERE

Switched by Amanda Hocking

Book Description:

When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

Christina's BookReview

 Review after Re-reading:

“Did you think you could treat me like shit at a dance, then sneak into my room in the middle of the night and tell me that I'm a troll with magical powers, and I'd just be like, yeah, that sounds right.” 

When I first purchased Switched to read in 2011 I was a little hesitant because it was the first time I had read anything about trolls. I expected ugly creatures and weird things to happen because just like the main character, Wendy, you think of trolls as little ugly creatures with pink hair. Low and Behold, Amanda Hocking shows you a different perspective. I was quickly delving into the world of the Trylle, which is another name for trolls. This is my third time rereading this series and my opinion has not changed.

In the beginning of the book you catch on quickly to the troll characteristics that Wendy possess and are still a little hesitant. But then when Finn, a Trylle Tracker, appears and informs Wendy of what she is, we learn much more about Trylle and the magical world Wendy comes from. But as we know all the glitters isn't gold.

Wendy has grown up without any parents. One died when she was 5yrs old and the other tried to murder her. Raised by her loving big brother Matt and aunt Maggie, Wendy has always felt different. She knows she isn't normal and when she begins to be able to "persuade" people to do things by just chanting in her head, it further confirms her suspicions. The final and definite confirmation comes in the form of Finn Holmes, a tracker the Trylle community, sent to eventually bring Wendy home. When the Trylle enemy, The Vittra, attack Wendy, Finn is forced to take Wendy home sooner then planned.

In Forening we discover that not only is Wendy a Trylle but also the Princess of Forening. Wendy learns what it means to be a Princess and that unlike her "other" life in this one she is forced to accept what her title is and learn to accept the rules of the kingdom. One being that the attraction she has toward Finn Holmes, is frowned upon and will never turn into anything else. With a cold mother in this life as well as her former life she is miserable. Being the Princess of a place that doesn't believe in equality is not what Wendy wants.The only good part of her new life? Rhys, Willa, Tove, and Finn.

The secondary characters are AMAZING! You can't help but fall in love with them just as quickly as Wendy does. We have Rhys, Wendy's mankslig, which is the human child Wendy was exchanged with. He is so adorable and so warm and loving, you can't help but feel sad about the life he lives. Then there is Willa, a Markisinna, which is like a Duchess in the Trylle world. Willa is a grade A spoiled brat with a warm heart inside. She easily becomes Wendy's friend but it doesn't mean she isn't as snobbish as the rest of the Trylle hierarchy.Then there's Tove, a Markis, that seems bored with his life and all those around him, but really is very unique and once you get to know him, is pretty sweet and cool.

And finally, of course, there is Finn, he is stubborn, infuriating and distant but so loyal, loveable and swoon worthy at times. Finn has a job to do and the laws, rules and future of Trylle will not be put in jeopardy for anything. Not even his growing affection for Wendy. He is there to protect her and that's it. So, although, you want to root for Wendy and Finn to be together you can't help but just be upset that as far as him and his beliefs goes you won't be able to see that happen.

I LOVED LOVED this book and easily delved right into Torn, Book 2, the series! If you haven't read this do yourself and favor and purchase a copy! 

 Review of Book #2-Torn HERE