Thursday, February 23, 2012

Review: Torn by Amanda Hocking

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Torn
Amanda Hocking
Series: Trylle Trilogy, #2
Release date: February 28th, 2012
by St. Martin’s Press

Goodreads / Purchase

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 marry a 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.

*A copy was provided by St. Martin’s Press for review purposes*
In this second installment of the Trylle trilogy, we reunite with Wendy inside this strange new world she’s still digesting. It’s an honorable sequel with a lot of world building, plenty of characterization, and enough twists to keep you enchanted until the end.

Let’s start with the world building. In Switched, we’re introduced to this new race of Trylle. We meet the queen, we visit the kingdom and we learn where Wendy fits in all of this. Now, in Torn, we go deeper. We learn a lot more about the politics of the Trylle as well as of the Vittra. We get a bigger look at what the future will have in store, not only for Wendy, but for the whole Trylle race. It’s clear that this world was made with great effort. Everything is very complex with careful forethought. The story itself, which starts off thick on the action, quickly dwindles down to a smoother course where we concentrate more on plot development. Even though it’s not constantly intense or heart pounding, there is enough going on throughout the book to make it easy to fly through it.

We meet again with the wonderful characters from Switched, accompanied by some new faces who are equally endearing. We’ve had Finn, the sweet, selfless one. Now comes Loki, the willful, irresistible bad boy. He is a great addition to the cast who is quickly becoming my favorite of the male characters. As for our protagonist, Wendy, she has grown from the previous novel. She’s more feisty, and has finally started putting her foot down – particularly when it comes to her mother. She also has her brother, Matt, by her side this time. He’s a great cornerstone for Wendy and can always be counted on to stand by her. She definitely needs this rock in her life, especially now with Finn acting so cold and moody – which I was a bit disappointed by; I was hoping the passion from Switched would remain, but Torn doesn’t hold an abundance of romance. However, there is a new “flirtation” developing that is quite intriguing! It has a forbidden fruit temptation that always gets me enamored.

A delightful sequel- Torn brings us deeper into this world full of trolls and battles; romance and controversies. I strongly suggest you get St. Martin’s published copy of this, if not for the beautiful cover, then for the never before published short stories at the end. These takes us into the minds of three of the well loved male characters. And I can assure you, they are well worth it!  

4 Hot Espressos
The Trylle Trilogy:
Want to know what I thought of Switched?
 
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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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32 Responses to “Review: Torn by Amanda Hocking”

  2. Amy

    Reading your review makes me want to read them all again. I read then last year on my nook, and I loved the series! Awesome review!

  4. Jac

    I keep debating picking up Swithced, but after readin both of your reviews, me decision is made. To me world building is such an important aspect, so I am anxious to see how this series pans out. (Now I’m off to the bookstore!)

    Jac @ For Love and Books

  6. Mary @ BookSwarm

    Dang, I REALLY need to read this series if for nothing else than to see why Hocking became a self-published millionaire (now with St. Martin’s, of course). And I do love a feist protagonist.

  8. Giselle

    Thanks guys you really need to pick this series up! 🙂

    @Amy: If you read the self pubbed ones it’d be interesting to see how much they changed!

    @J.D. Thompson: I didn’t know that! That’s pretty awesome! I’m glad you liked it too! 🙂

  10. Dani @ Refracted Light

    I really liked the political climate in these books, and I also liked that Wendy has Matt to lean on. The Finn thing also kind of broke my heart and the romance with Finn & Wendy wasn’t quite as satisfying. But like you said, Loki is interesting, eh?

  11. Andrea @The Bookish Babes

    I’m glad Wendy has grown as a character. I found her super annoying & petulant in Switched. I hate that Finn has changed. I get the reason, but he was my favorite part of book one. How about Tove? I would be really disappointed I’d he didn’t play a big part inTorn. I’ve heard Loki is awesome. I didn’t like Switched very much. But a lot of readers have told me Torn is so much better. I may try it if I have a chance. Glad you enjoyed it. Nice review!

  12. Giselle

    @Andrea: Tove is present a lot of the book. He’s helping Wendy train her abilities so it’s pretty amusing at times. I really like him too! I didn’t like Torn “more” than Switched but I really enjoyed it. Maybe you’ll be more into this one though, never know 🙂

    @Dani: Oh Loki is plenty interesting! I can’t wait to read more about him!

    @Aimee: Glad you loved them. The covers are SO pretty! >.<

  13. Tiffany Mahaffy

    This book is on its way to me and now I am excited. I liked the first one but from what you sat about Wendy starting to put her foot down and I was sad when they left Matt behind in the first one because he is such a strong character. I am positive I will love this one!

  14. Kristina

    I still have yet to read the first book, but I am hearing amazing things about this series. I can’t wait to finally get started with it. Thanks for the great review!

  16. Sam

    It’s been so long since I read this book, but I remember loving it! I’m glad to see you enjoyed it too, Giselle. Awesome review. 🙂

  17. Jennifer Messerschmidt

    TEAM LOKI!!!!!!! LOL I loved this trilogy! OMG SOOOOOOOOO GOOOD! I loved Tove’s training sessions. He was a cool and sweet guy too. Finn was sweet but he is just too into his job and doesn’t fight for Wendy. Loki is just perfection.

  18. Candace

    I think once all the books are out in papedback I’ll have to get them cause I LOVE these covers! I’m happy to hear this one was an enjoyable read too though.

  19. Tiffany

    I enjoyed the first book so I’m definitely interested to see how this one plays out. Your review has made me more excited to read it though so I’ll definitely be picking up a copy when it comes out. Great review!

  20. A Canadian Girl

    I know you really liked Switched, Giselle, and made me put it on my wishlist so I’m happy that Torn is a great sequel. Sometimes sequels are slow but this one sounds like it actually advances the plot. Great review, Giselle!

  22. Maja

    Oh, man, those covers are stunning. I remember wanting to read this right after your first review, but something always gets in the way. I love that this book doesn’t suffer from the middle book syndrome and that it contributes nicely to the trilogy.
    But…. do I smell a love triangle? 🙂

  23. Rebecca (Kindle Fever)

    I won’t read your review too closely as I have yet to read the first one, but I’m so freaking curious about it… I need to find the time soon, especially as I got to borrow a copy of it! Can’t wait to see how it is.

  24. Aylee

    Sounds good!! Especially the characters! I love that they are releasing all three so shortly after one another – means less wait! I think I’ll probably wait until all three are out and then read them back to back if I can!

  25. Kathy Ann Coleman

    Yes, I can tell it’s time to sit down and take a look at that lovely copy of Switched that I picked up a few weeks back. This sounds very interesting and if I don’t get started soon there’s no way I’ll be able to keep up. I’m already behind on enough series. Great review. 🙂

  26. Flannery (The Readventurer)

    I’ve always been curious about this series. I am a little bit skeptical always about self-published books but there are just so many amazing authors who are going that way nowadays that my prejudices are groundless for the most part. I wonder if much is changed between the originally published version and the traditionally published one?

  29. Danny

    I can’t wait for it to come out! I really enjoyed the first one and I’m looking forward reading the next and OMGosh the covers are so beautiful! I’m sad though that Finn seems more absent and colder – that makes me sad!

  32. Maria

    I read the second book (this) tomorrow. I’m glad to hear it slows down(just started, reading on the plane) though I’m upset to hear about a lack of romance. Wendy sounds a lot more likeable in this book to me, so yay! But I want to hear about her and finn! I don’t even care if thats his name (WAY too many romances). I want tracker + princess!

    has anyone made the pun about it being a tyll-ogy? No? Sorry, I had to >.<