Book Shelf: Ascend (Trylle #3) by Amanda Hocking

Wendy Everly can barely remember what it was like to feel like a normal girl. She'd wished for her life to be different but everything is so much more complicated than she'd expected.

And she certainly hadn't dreamt she'd be getting married at 18 to man she didn't love - all for the sake of duty.


More info on Goodreads......


Review: (Warning: Contains spoilers--read on with caution!)

Ascend is the stunning conclusion to Amanda Hocking’s Trylle trilogy and see’s Wendy make her ultimate choice between men, worlds and whether or not she is ready to become Queen. Emotional from beginning to end, Ascend is an ending you won’t want to miss!

In a nutshell, I’m sad to see this series end. After reading all three books one after another I’ve become quite comfortable in Wendy’s world and joining her as she navigates her world of Trylle in her journey to become Queen. It’s been a difficult one; filled with tears, angst and pain, but there’s no denying that Hocking ends it well……tying up loose ends and leaving you, pretty much, satisfied with how the story ends.

Ascend picks up a little while after Torn left off, with Wendy in training to become the future ruler of the Trylle and planning her upcoming wedding to Tove. Ascend is a fast paced and well written novel that sees Wendy marry Tove, begin to make decisions regarding her Kingdom and give her heart away for the final time. With her mother Elora’s health deteriorating and her father Oren ready to lead his Vittra to war against the Trylle in an effort for power, Wendy must find the strength in herself to become the leader she was always meant to be, or risk seeing those she loves lost forever…..

Having followed Wendy through two novels already, the change within her in Ascend is really outstanding. After starting out as someone spoiled and extremely reluctant to be a Princess let along a future Queen, Wendy has come to really accept who she is, and who she must be in this novel. With all that is happening, she embraces her role within her kingdom now more than ever. Wendy makes tough choices, and puts her wants and desires on the back burner in favour of her people; evidently becoming the leader they truly needed in Ascend.

Her marriage to Tove proves to be a powerful alliance, even if there is no romantic link between them with Tove the ever supportive friend, confidant and supporter of Wendy. Though they were never romantic with each other, their marriage was sweet in the sense that Tove gave Wendy the unbending support she needed at times, and the push she required to lead. Considering Finn and Loki are her main love interests, Wendy’s ability to marry Tove and remain platonic with him is sweet, although Tove’s sexual preference may have something to do with this.

I’m going to be a bit of a spoiler and talk about Wendy’s romantic choice, so if you haven’t read Ascend, read on with care and caution. It’s obvious throughout Ascend who Wendy was going to end up with and I’m really happy she ended up with Loki. He loved her and adored her, and was willing to fight to be with her. Together they have great chemistry and they make a great couple, however I think it was an absolute cop out how Amanda Hocking wrote the relationship between Wendy and Finn only to have it end the way it did.

Wendy and Finn could have defied the odds and fought to be together, but instead Hocking wrote Finn as someone unwilling to fight to be with Wendy. They burned in the first two novels and could have been that really epic romance you get behind, but instead I feel like Amanda Hocking threw in another love interest (Loki) and just decided to slowly have Finn exit the story. It was ridiculous really and while I am happy Loki was the one Wendy ended up with, I think Amanda Hocking should have gone down a different path with Wendy and Finn or simply not had a romance between them at all.

After following Wendy through three books and seeing her interact with those around her, I’ve really come to adore some of the other characters too. Obviously Loki is someone who has consistently brought a smile to my face. His fierce determination, and attitude has been a pleasure to read about. Willa and Matt’s relationship seemed unexpected but have been sooooo cute to witness bloom. I hope they have all the happiness they deserve.

Duncan has been a pleasant surprise, and seemed to take up Rhys spot within the series after we began to see less and less of him. Duncan seems awkward and endearing and I’ve loved seeing him become Wendy’s personal tracker. Tove has been by Wendy’s side through so much as her friend and then husband and I’m going to miss him too. A Tove spin-off one day would certainly make me happy.

Racing towards a fierce battle against the Vittra King Oren, Wendy sees her journey end with stunning moments and edge of your seat situations. Romance, adventure and wonderful characterisation have made this series wonderful to read and I find myself quite satisfied with how the series concludes. With the spin-off series, the Kanin Chronicles out in the world, I’m ready to dive into those books and follow Amanda Hocking in her Trylle world once more…..

Rating:
Source: I purchased from The Book Depository
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: A great fantasy series with a twist on the typical fae, but still a great read.
Cover: Another pretty one that fits lovely with the others in the series.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: This is the last book in the Trylle trilogy but I'm looking forward to reading the spin-off series.