Switched
Amanda Hocking
293 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: January 3rd, 2012
Source: ARC from Publisher
Rating: LIKED
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.
Switched left me undecided. Everyone knows the story of Amanda Hocking's journey to publication - from the self-published wunderkind to her deal with St. Martin's Press. Still, I wasn't sure if I'd pick it up of my own accord. Until I saw that cover. Then I needed it. Really needed it.
Amanda Hocking doesn't have a writing style that stands out amongst the rest. The storyline was unique - a protagonist who's actually a troll isn't something you see everyday.
All in all, Switched was a novel I picked up only because everyone seemed to say it was incredible. And though it was different, I didn't see what made it unbelievable. I enjoyed it, though I didn't love it. It was good, but it wasn't the best. The one thing that irked me the most was the passive style of writing Hocking seemed to use - it really grated on my nerves at times. But if you can get past that, I'm sure you'll be fine.
Wendy Everly was born to one of the richest families America has to offer. Not that she was actually born to the family, but still. Her mother, convinced Wendy was a monster who replaced her son, actually tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy's still recovering from the traumatic experience. When Finn Holmes pops up in her life, she realizes, maybe her mother was right after all - maybe she is a monster.
The world of Trylle certainly is unique - despite the elements that seem to be derived from other paranormal YA works of fiction. Though Switched is the first in a trilogy, the ending is a far cry from the dreaded cliffhanger - it won't leave you utterly hanging, but it won't be wholly satisfying either.
So, pick it up or don't, you ask? Pick it up. Though it might not be the best there is out there, Switched is a novel I'm sure you'll enjoy.
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Thanks for the great honest review. Sometimes a book is just good not great and that's okay too.
ReplyDeleteI have this one my Kindle app but... WAIT. DID YOU SAY THAT THE PROTAGANIST IS A TROLL? I HAVE to read this! :O
ReplyDeleteComaCalm's Corner
Ive got a copy of this sitting on my shelf for quite a while now. this book is interesting I might act read it sometime soon, i hope. Great review x
ReplyDeletenight school cj daugherty free filesonic
I loved this one! The best character, Loki, doesn't come in until the second book though. But I'm super in love with him. ;-)
ReplyDeleteNice review. I've been debating about this one. I have a lot of Amanda's books in my TBR pile. Most of them are the My Blood Approves series and Hallowland which I won in a contest. This one I had been debating over. Entered a few contests to see if I could win a copy, but since my TBR pile is out of control, it won't likely be one I rush out to buy since your review is leading me to believe it's just an average kind of book. Although there is nothing wrong with that!
ReplyDeleteGreat honest review. I really like this cover and I've been intrigued with the synopsis. I'll have to pick this one up next time I'm at the book store.
ReplyDeleteI've been interested in Amanda Hocking's journey and will probably be checking this out of the library, just so I can see what all the fuss is about. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I loved Switched! I think I fell in love with Amanda Hocking!! I can't wait for the next book!
ReplyDeleteCheck out my review: http://ivyreads.info/2012/01/switched-by-amanda-hocking/
I've been hearing a lot about this one and have been dying to read it (I will admit, this has to do a lot with the cover!).
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your honest review, thank you!
The cover is so gorgeous! I had a hard time getting through the My Blood Approves series but I may give this series a shot. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI read the series back when it was an Indie and it was a good story. Great review, I share a lot of your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review! I've been seeing this all over the place and I really want to read it, and I feel like I'm making the right decision after reading your review! I've read Amanda's Hollowland series and I really liked that one, so I'm definitely going to give Switched a try, especially since it has a troll in it! You don't see that every day! LOL
ReplyDeletejwitt33 at live dot com
Very good review! There wasnt enough action in this book for me, but the plot was really interesting!
ReplyDeleteI don't get what makes it so amazing either. I read it in early January and while I really liked it, I just wasn't as blown away as everybody seems to be. It left me wanting a lot more and left so many of my questions unanswered, but hopefully they'll be answered in the next books.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see I'm not alone!
Great review! Ive been thinking about buying it, but it seems like it wasnt "amazing" to you You still liked it though, so thats good!! (btw, your the only blog i actually read all your review) REALLY great reviews, short, simple, and interesting!! Keep it up Hafsah !
ReplyDeleteFarah @MajiBookshelf
I definitely enjoyed the Trylle Trilogy when it was first self-published. I've heard another blogger refer to Hocking's writing style as passive. I'm not sure what that means, but I'm hoping to read Switched again and see what you mean by that.
ReplyDeleteGreat review :)