{REVIEW} Crystal Kingdom by Amanda Hocking

Title: Crystal Kingdom
Author: Amanda Hocking
Series: The Kanin Chronicles
Book: 3
Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Rating: ★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Cast out by her kingdom and far from home, she's the Kanin people's only hope.

Bryn Aven - unjustly charged with murder and treason - is on the run. The one person who can help is her greatest enemy, the enigmatic Konstantin Black. Konstantin is her only ally against those who have taken over her kingdom and threaten to destroy everything she holds dear. But can she trust him?


As Bryn fights to clear her name, the Kanin rulers’ darkest secrets are coming to light… and now the entire troll world is on the brink of war. Will it tear Bryn from Ridley Dresden, the only guy she’s ever loved? And can she join forces with Finn Holmes and the Trylle kingdom? One thing is certain: an epic battle is underway—and when it’s complete, nothing will ever be the same…

My Reaction/Thoughts:

*sigh* I feel empty inside. Literally empty. Hocking as ripped out my very heart and stomped on it repeatedly. I am devastated. This book really took me for a ride. I had no idea how I should feel while reading it so I was all over the place! It was so good! So good so good!

Bryn. Oh Bryn. My heart goes out to this girl. She is fantastic. I love her so much for learning how to love and really let her defenses down. She's built some really great friendships with so many people and she loves so greatly. In the beginning, she cares so much for people, but she puts herself and her career ambitions first. In Crystal Kingdom, you can really see her understanding what it means to sacrifice and love. She loves greatly. She loves so many people that I really was terrified it was going to be her downfall in this book. All that foreshadowing really had me scared to read. She really grew into this bads$$ warrior! I am so glad that she finally got her dream come true in the end of this book because she definitely deserved it.

Ridley. Poor Ridley. His one and only weakness is Bryn and boy did he pay the price. It was so sad to see him tortured and put through so much pain because of his love for Bryn. He holds his own and wants nothing more than to keep her safe so it was really hard to see him so cold and distant. My heart was breaking for him. In the end, I am happy with his ending as well. I want nothing but happiness for this gorgeous man.

I know I didn't really talk much about Bryn's friends Ember (Finn's sister from the Trylle trilogy) and Tilda or her parents or Kasper because I really don't even know what to say without spoiling too much. But these characters were great. I absolutely adored Tilda and her strength. This woman took out an Omte while pregnant! She really is terrifying if you make her mad, so don't. Ember is a good secondary as well, even though I didn't really connect to her much. I think this series had a lot of good secondary characters and I hate that this is the last I will see them. *tears*

Now guys, if you've read my previous posts you know I am in love with Konstantin. This book made me fall even deeper. I didn't stand a chance. This man pushed me over the ledge and made me fall deeper. I honestly hate that we didn't see him more in Ice Kissed but the fact that he was in pretty much the whole of this book really made my heart happy. I loved him. I really enjoyed his teasing and flirting with Bryn (even though she is oblivious and I could shake her). I loved his subtle confessions of affection and gah I LOVE HIM!!

Team Ridley vs. Team Konstantin. Honestly, I don't really think there is much of a competition because Bryn is head over the hills 100% in love with Ridley (as she should be), but I am sorry but I just loved Konstantin so freaking much! I found myself completely switching teams throughout the entire book! Every scene Bryn was with Ridley, I loved her with Ridley, but then K would come in and then made me go back to him and apologize for ever forgetting him. I honestly don't know which was actually the better choice for her because we don't really see Bryn develop intense feelings for K. However, I definitely saw some affection for him. She was starting to notice how handsome he was and he would continuously leave her whole body blushing. So we may never know what would have happened between them because of spoilers, but I think...nope I am not saying it was for the best because in my heart I am still not over it and I will stomp my foot in protest because of that ending. I am not happy (maybe a little because of everything else, but still not happy!)!!

AGH. I guess everything ended right where things were supposed to and the kingdom showed much promise. I really did like the twists that this book revealed because I was shocked and then immediately felt dumb for not connecting dots sooner, but where is the fun in that?! Overall, this series was great. I loved it! I can't say I loved it more than the Trylle trilogy because Wendy and Loki were definitely fantastic. Loki is bae ♡♡♡♡

Read it? Read it!

Enjoy all my freakout moments and fangirling below (:

{REVIEW} Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking

Title: Ice Kissed
Author: Amanda Hocking
Series: The Kanin Chronicles
Book: 2
Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Rating: ★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

In the majestic halls of a crystal palace lies a secret that could destroy an entire kingdom…

Bryn Aven refuses to give up on her dream of serving the kingdom she loves. It’s a dream that brings her to a whole new realm…and the glittering palace of the Skojare.

The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal enemy that’s been threatening the Kanin, and Bryn is there to help. Being half Skojare herself, it’s also a chance for her to learn more about her lost heritage. Her boss, Ridley Dresden, is overseeing her mission, but as their undeniable attraction heats up, their relationship is about to reach a whole new level—one neither of them is prepared for.


As they delve deeper into the Skojare world, they begin to unravel a long-hidden secret. The dark truth about her own beloved Kanin kingdom is about to come to light, and it will change her place in it forever…and threaten everyone she loves.

My Reaction/Thoughts:

Ice Kissed, though entertaining, was definitely a filler book. I don't think much really happed plot wise to really make you feel engaged within the novel, but it did keep your attention because so much was unfolding within our eyes that I couldn't put it down. I was sucked into the world and what was going in within the kingdom. Hocking hooked me once again with her royal families and forbidden love. She really has a knack for that and I love and hate her for it.

There wasn't too much character development for me to note, Bryn was still the same old strong, dedicated Bryn, but she did grow up a little. She began to understand her friend Tilda's decisions to become a mother and wife, whereas in the beginning she felt those dreams were unheard of. I liked seeing a bit more understanding and humility within Bryn. We got to see her relationship with Ridley blossom a little bit more which was lovely. I will always love Ridley so I am not complaining. However, there was next to zero Konstantin! The level of Konstantin was seriously lacking. I needed more. And it was almost cruel for Hocking to end this book on the worst cliffhanger! Good thing I dragged my feet so long with reading this book that I only had to wait a week before Crystal Kingdom came out! Phew, did I dodge a bullet there!

Overall, this book was okay. I wasn't absolutely loving it, but I did have a good time. It raised more and more questions. but it kept the plot going along nicely, setting up a good finale.

{REVIEW} Frostfire by Amanda Hocking

Title: Frostfire
Author: Amanda Hocking
Series: The Kanin Chronicles
Book: 1
Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Rating: ★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Bryn Aven is an outcast among the Kanin, the most powerful of the troll tribes.

Set apart by her heritage and her past, Bryn is a tracker who's determined to become a respected part of her world. She has just one goal: become a member of the elite King’s Guard to protect the royal family. She's not going to let anything stand in her way, not even a forbidden romance with her boss Ridley Dresden.


But all her plans for the future are put on hold when Konstantin– a fallen hero she once loved – begins kidnapping changelings. Bryn is sent in to help stop him, but will she lose her heart in the process?

My Reaction/Thoughts:

Set in the world of the Trylle (Hocking's previous series), Hocking brings us the Kanin! I was so excited to read these books. In fact, Frostfire was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I mean look at that cover! Is it not gorgeous?!

In Frostfire, we meet Bryn Aven. Bryn was such a great character to read. She was strong and determined, she's loyal, sarcastic at times, and so protective of her family and friends. I think that's what I loved most about her, her dedication. She was driven by her feeling of as an outsider to prove that she belonged to the Kanin tribe and the Hogdragen. Although Bryn can come off as a little know-it-all.

Another character I loved was Ridley Dresden. This mad was so cute and the chemistry just peels off the page when he and Bryn were together. You couldn't help but ship them because he was exactly what Bryn needed in her life. He knew how to talk to her, to help her see reason. He put perspective into her head and really understood her. I absolutely loved him.

However, there is one man who stole the show for me and his name was Konstantin Black. This man is just uber gorgeous, sexy, and I LOVED HIM! Not much was said about him besides that he was the most wanted man in the Kanin community and that he's been on the run for the past four years, but I think that's what made me loved him, his mystery. I wanted to know more. I craved to know more. I needed more! And it doesn't hurt that Amanda Hocking pictures Kit Harrington as Konstantin because if you know me you know I LOVE Kit Harrington!  I don't know what it was when I first read his encounter with Bryn, but I ship him so hard with Bryn. Their scenes together were so intense and had such chemistry it was distracting. I ship it! NO REGRETS.

As for the plot, it moved rather steadily. We follow Bryn as she begins to uncover secrets about her tribe and the Skojare. This book had a nice setup for the coming books and even though not a whole lot happened, it was still entertaining. The writing is simple to follow, easy, fun, and great. If you've read the Trylle trilogy, you must read these books.

Waiting for Wednesday #3

Waiting for Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine  that spotlights upcoming releases that we're just itching to get our hands on.

Title: Frostbite
Author: Amanda Hocking
Series: The Kanin Chronicles
Book: 1
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Expected Published: January 6, 2015 by St. Martin's Press

Blurb from Barnes & Noble
Hidden deep in the heart of a snow-covered wilderness lies the secret kingdom of the Kanin—a magical realm as beautiful as it is treacherous…Bryn Aven has never fit into Kanin society. Her blond hair and blue eyes set her apart as an outsider—a half-blood unable to hold a respectable rank. But she’s determined to prove herself as a loyal protector of the kingdom she loves. Her dream is to become a member of the King’s elite guard, and she’s not going to let anything stand in her way…not even her growing feelings for her boss, Ridley Dresden. A relationship between them is strictly forbidden, but Bryn can’t fight her attraction to him. And she’s beginning to think he feels it too. Meanwhile, there’s an attack on the kingdom—one that will test Bryn’s strength like never before. Finally, she has the chance to confront Konstantin Black, the traitor who tried to kill her father years ago. It’s up to Bryn to put a stop to him before he strikes again. But is she willing to risk everything to protect a kingdom that doesn’t accept her for who she really is? And when her mission brings her closer to Ridley, will she be able to deny her heart?

Why am I waiting?
I am so excited for this book! This book takes another dive into the  Trylle society, but this time surrounding around the Kanin. I really enjoy reading Amanda Hocking's novel because she provides a great balance between fantasy and romance. And that cover just looks gorgeous doesn't it?

*REVIEW* The Trylle trilogy by Amanda Hocking

Title: Switched, Torn, and Ascend
Author: Amanda Hocking
Series: Trylle Trilogy
Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:
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 finds out her mother might've been telling the truth. With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - and it's one she's not sure if she wants to be a part of.
My Rating/Thoughts:
What started as a satisfactory read turned into a great, loving and dear series for me. When I read Switched two years ago, I was entertained. I thought it was a nice concept and I enjoyed entering the Förening and engaging with all of the Trylle society. The world was really captivating and I wanted to know more about these people,the Queen, the manskling, the Markis and Marksinna. Now for whatever reason I put this series off for two years. Probably because I was catching up on my other TBR pile of books or just became obsessed with whatever else I was reading at the time. But when I stepped back into the Förening, I was hooked. I read Torn and Ascend both in a day! 
"I will make this world a better place, whether they like it or not. That’s the fun of being Queen."
Now let's talk about the characters. Wendy had become a much more enjoyable  and strong character. In Switched, she was so whiny and annoying that I really didn't connect to her at all. I didn't care that she developed this instalove type crush with Finn and that it wasn't going to work out. She had to do what she had to for her people and accept that she was a much more important person to the Trylle than just being with the one she "loved." Maybe it was because I didn't care for Finn or didn't connect with Wendy, but I wasn't heartbroken that she would lose him. I just didn't care.Nonetheless I don't know why Wendy didn't think to just own her position as queen and override the rules and prejudices about royalty and Trackers being together is beyond me! That seemed like the more obvious solution, but hey I guess we needed more conflict or maybe Wendy is just that oblivious. *shrugs* But I did really enjoy Wendy in later books. She showed great character development. I loved that she stepped up and took over the role of acting queen for her mother. I was also happy that we finally got to see more of Queen Elora and the story of Wendy's birth. Elora wasn't just this cold-hearted woman that we all thought she was. She truly did love Wendy and just wanted to protect her. I only wish we could have had more time to see them together! 

“I know you’ll be a good Queen, a strong, noble leader, and that’s more than

these people deserve,” she said. “But don’t give too much. You need to keep some

of yourself for you. And listen to your heart.”

Now let's talk about one of my absolute favorite characters, Loki Staad. Loki, Loki, Loki, where do I even begin with this beautiful, charming, sarcastic, cocky, wonderful guy? *sigh* He is just wonderful. I don't think I've enjoyed a character more in this series as I did him. Every scene with him was great. He brought giggles and swoons every time he appeared on the page. He had some of the best lines in the series that always just made me laugh and say "Oh, Loki"
“Everything’s not exactly the way it seems ” I said. 
“It seemed like you had your tongue down his throat ” Finn glared at us both. 
“Well then everything is exactly as it seems” Loki said glibly.” 
 Loki was such a complex character. Underneath his cocky attitude, jokes, and sarcastic nature, you saw true depth. He gave up everything to protect Wendy. He put his life on the line to secure her safety. He defied orders to make sure she was safe and never forced her into doing anything she didn't want to do. Even if the evil, Vittra King would have killed him if he didn't succeed. I think that's what truly won me over to his side.  Whereas Wendy felt conflicted about her position and status or following orders, Loki proved that she was more important. He'd do whatever it took for her. I think that's what made him win in the end as well. 

"Everything I went through. For you. It was worth it."

Finn on the other hand...well he made me so angry! He and Wendy could have had a great relationship if he had shown any effort at all! He didn't fight for Wendy. He didn't stand up for himself. All he did was stand aside and let whatever fly by and take his chance at happiness with her. She tried countless times to try to fix what they had (if they actually had anything to begin with) but he wouldn't have it. Now I know there are those that liked Wendy and Finn together better and I mean no harm but I just think he was all wrong for her. He would always see himself as a Tracker and value his position. He would protect her life at all costs, but that's where their relationship would always end. I wished he would have fought to be with her no matter his status, but he didn't. On the eve of her Wedding to Tove. Finn knew he would never have her and instead of just telling her "hey don't do this. I love you and want to be the one you're with. let's make this work." No. He would rather her be in a friendship marriage with a gay guy! A gay guy who wouldn't give her the love that she deserves, but hey as long as she's with him it's fine because I can trust him. Because damn if I'll ever see her with someone who might actually make her happy.

"Tomorrow you will belong to someone else. But tonight, you're with me." UUUUUGGGGGHHHHHHH *rolles eyes*

Speaking of Tove....how cute was he? I just loved him so much. He was a great friend to Wendy and even a great husband. He helped her get control and strengthen her powers. He helped make her the powerful Trylle she became and I loved their friendship. He looked out for her. He was her partner and always supported her no matter what. He wanted what made her happy and did whatever she felt she needed to do. He would also defy laws and orders to make sure she was happy or simply to just do the right thing. I think that's what baffled Wendy the most. Tove would defy orders for her sake, and Loki, but Finn wouldn't. I just think it's so great that Hocking made Tove gay. I thought this was a nice touch and it make me love him even more. 

Now The Vittra King. What a load of jerk with a side of doucheface. I hated him. I hated who he actually was and how he just wanted to use Wendy. He was just terrible and I am so glad for his ending and that Wendy got her chance at him! Because this man just really needed to get out of here!

Overall, I really, really, really  enjoyed this series. The first book was okay, but I loved the last two. We got to see more of the Vittra and their hobgoblins and what exactly they wanted Wendy for or why their kingdom was crumbling. However, I did think that the ending to Ascend happened kind of quickly and I would have loved to see the other battles that happened outside of what we saw, but I understood why we didn't. Wendy didn't see it, so we didn't either. All in all I really loved this series. I enjoyed reading about the troubles going on in the Trylle community, learning about their powers and taking a look into the prejudices between the Markis/Marksinna and trackers or mansklig. But those prejudices have got to go! (Let's start with Aurora! That woman needs to get her priorities in order).  I love Amanda Hocking and the worlds she brings. I have read her self-published series My Blood Approves and I look forward to reading more of her novels.

Happy reading!