Review: Switched by Amanda Hocking

Switched
Amanda Hocking
Release date: January 3rd, 2012
by St. Martin's Griffin


Goodreads / Purchase

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.

*A copy was provided by St. Martin's Press for review purposes*

Trolls! I know, right? Flashy colorful hair, so-ugly-they're-cute dolls we all had at one point? In Amanda's world, these are all misconceptions. They're called Trylle, and they're beautiful, magical and on the brink of extinction.

With an entirely unique lore, Switched is able to stand out from all the other paranormal books available. I was fascinated by the Trylle mythology: How they lived, the monarchy, their custom of switching babies at birth. It was absolutely creative. Into this world comes a collection of commendable characters that are both well developed and easily likeable - even a select few that are fun to hate. Wendy has a big personality. She's had a difficult, traumatic childhood, but that only made her stronger for the wear. She doesn't let anyone manipulate her. She's sympathetic and kind. All of which make her really relatable. I enjoyed going through her dilemmas with her. The stressful demands of becoming a princess overnight, the boy she's falling for- it was all delightful. Almost like a modern day fairy tale.

Yes! The wonderful boys! From sweet to sweaty, Wendy has got more than her pick of lovely bachelors to chose from. I absolutely loved how the romance was played out in Switched. It's passionate and heartbreaking. It doesn't fall with the clichés of today's YA novels. It's unexpected - true to life. Truthfully, I devoured it and I can't fathom choosing a team. She can have them all, right?

While there is still good story development, I did find some parts of the book were a bit slow. A good portion is dedicated to character and world building, however the book does not completely suffer from "first book syndrome" it does have its own beginning, middle and end, but I think the rest of the trilogy will be much more action packed with powerful plot twists.

With this admirable debut, Amanda Hocking has begun a trilogy that has immense potential. Switched is just as beautiful inside as it is on the outside (definite cover lust) and I highly recommend it! 

4 Hot Espressos

Dusty Reads (15)

Dusty Reads is a weekly meme, hosted here, featuring a book that has been sitting unread on my home shelf for some time. To participate, add your link at the bottom. 

If you wish, you can grab the button and find more information here.

My pick this week:

Demonglass
(Hex Hall, #2)
Rachel Hawkins
Released March, 20011

Goodreads / Purchase

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

I read Hex Hall at the start of the year and I really enjoyed it, bought this one right away and just never got to it. I've been seeing the third book popping up on WoWs lately so I really want to read it soon before it comes  out - And before I forget what happened in Hex Hall. Did you read Demonglass? What did you think?

On A Dark Wing Tour Stop

That's right! The On A Dark Wing blog tour is visiting Xpresso Reads today for their very last stop! I've got a review and 2 wonderful giveaways for you all to give you some entertainment on this Monday. I hope you enjoyed the whole tour and I'm glad to be able to end it with a bang!

Cover Reveal: Toxic, The Pledge, Entasy & The Alchemy of Forever

Toxic

(Denazen, #2)

Jus Accardo

Release date: May 1st, 2012

by Entangled Publishing

Add it to your Goodreads

When a Six saved Kale’s life the night of Sumrun, she warned there would be consequences. A trade-off. Something taken for the life they gained. But Dez never imagined she’d lose the one thing she’d give anything to keep… And as if it’s not enough Dez finds her immunity to Kale fading, the Six brought in to help Kale learn to control his killer touch starts drooling on him the moment they meet. Worse than that? Jade can touch Kale. But bimbo Barbie is the least of Dez's problems.

After Dez and Kale got away at Sumrun, her father lost not only his most powerful weapon but an important piece of the Supremacy project. Forced by Denazen to remedy the situation, he poisons Dez and offers her a choice—surrender to Denazen for the cure…or die. Determined to find a solution that doesn’t involve being bagged and tagged—or losing someone she loves—Dez keeps the poison a secret.  But when a rash of Denazen attacks hit a little too close to home, Dez is convinced there’s a traitor among them. Jade.

Sacrifices, broken promises, and secrets. Dez will have to lay it all on the line if there’s any hope of proving Jade’s guilt before they all end up Residents of Denazen. Or worse, dead...

The Denazen series:

The Pledge
Kimberly Derting
UK cover
Release date: March 26th, 2012
by Allison & Busby

Add it to your Goodreads

Words are the most dangerous weapon of all.

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she’s spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before... and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can’t be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country’s only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

US vs UK cover

Entasy

Brynn Myers

Release date: June 2012

Add it to your Goodreads

Kira is the granddaughter of two Celtic goddesses but due to a tragedy Kira's memories were taken to protect her. She has no idea who she is really but soon she will find out...soon she will have to confront her past in order to save her future.

The Alchemy of Forever
Avery Williams
UK cover
Release date: March 1st, 2012
by Simon & Schuster UK

Add it to your Goodreads

People say ‘love never dies’… but love might be the death of Seraphina. Seraphina has been alive since the Middle Ages, when her boyfriend, Cyrus, managed to perfect a method of alchemy that lets them swap bodies with any human being. Sera ran away from Cyrus years ago, when she realized that what they were doing—taking the lives of innocent people—was wrong. She doesn’t want to die, so she finds young people who are on the brink of death, and inhabits their bodies. When we meet Sera, she has landed in the body of a girl named Kailey who was about to die in a car accident. For the first time, Sera falls in love with the life of the person she’s inhabiting. Sera also falls for the boy next door, Noah. And soon it’s clear the feelings are returned. Unfortunately, she can never kiss Noah, because for her to touch lips with a human would mean the human’s death. And she has even more to worry about: Cyrus is chasing her, and if she stays in one place for long, she puts herself—and the people she’s grown to care for—in danger.

US vs UK cover

Wow!! Just... WOW! I can't get enough of Toxic's cover. I love the browns and Dez's hair! <3 As for the others, the UK covers are definitely pretty, but I think I prefer the US ones for both, though The Pledge's UK cover seems more eye catching. And Entasy's is very striking - did you notice her hand? Pretty neat and mysterious!

What do you all think?

In My Mailbox (16)

"In My Mailbox" is a meme, created by Kristi at The Story Siren, that features books I have

received/ purchased/ borrowed during the week. 

It's 2012!!!!! *throws confetti* Another year gone. I hope you all made your goals and did important things. Like stop world hunger and stuff. Me, I went well over my goal of reading 100 books - I made it to 153! Hurray! What? I recycled too!

Here's what I got for review (click on cover for Goodreads):

 I want to thank HBG Canada, Feiwel & Friends and Simon & Schuster for the review copies.

I have bought:

Me and a few other bloggers are having a super secret special monthly event for which I needed this awesome Zombie Vs. Unicorns short story book. Stay tuned!

I was gifted:

From Lucy over at Moonlight Gleam I received awesome swag in that lovely Christmas card. And from Samual of Books For All Seasons I got this wonderful (and pink!) Christmas card. Thanks so much you're both sweethearts! <3

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope you all have a fabulous year in 2012!

What did you get to start the new year?
Link me up and I'll be sure to visit! =)