Switched by Amanda Hocking

Switched by Amanda Hocking

Goodreads Synopsis:
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.

Paperback, 318 pages

Published January 3rd 2012

Book 1 in a trilogy

4 out of 5 stars
Genre: Paranormal/ Fantasy

This book seems to have lots of mixed reviews. I enjoyed it for the most part, because--trolls? Who knew trolls could be so fascinating?

Switched was an enjoyable read, giving us a new supernatural being to read about--trolls. Not the ugly ones; these trolls look like humans, and they're actually quite beautiful as well!
The trolls have 'tribes', and the one Wendy Everly comes from is called Trylle. They live within a gated community called the Forening. Their enemies are the Vittra, who for some reason desperately want Wendy.

Wendy is a changeling; she was switched at birth and is now being returned by a (handsome) tracker, Finn, back to her real home. Back in Forening, Wendy is introduced to the Trylle society, and meets her birth mother, who turns out to be a cold and distant woman, but also the Queen, making Wendy the princess. She doesn't share sympathy with Wendy, thus making Wendy feel angry and disappointed. Wendy also learns about the different types of people living in Forening. There's the Trylle, the trackers, and the manksling. Wendy befriends them all, not realizing the strong social class differences.

This book has some great world building, and we are sucked into the intricacies of the Trylle society, the politics that happen here, and how unfairly the lower class is treated. We are just learning as much as Wendy is in the book, so not much action takes place. It's toward the end when a big action scene happens, but it seemed almost anticlimactical, since we aren't given much background information on the Vittra.

The characters in Switched were developed nicely, and I could almost imagine myself with them. Wendy is spoiled at times, but is determined and stubborn. Finn is the best tracker in Forening, but he serves the Queen. There's some chemistry between him and Wendy, but I fould it lackluster. Maybe because he seemed to put the Queen's needs before Wendy's. There's Rhys, a manksling, who I adored. He's a sweetheart, and I could understand Wendy's flimsy crush on him. Elora, Wendy's mother, is a tough woman who doesn't let anyone in. I felt bad for Wendy for never getting a chance to have a mother, but I'm hoping we'll see Elora break down some of her barriers in the next book.

There was also a bonus story in the back, The Vittra Attacks.
It's told from the point of view of Loki, and I was intrigued by it. I definitely want to get to know more about the Vittra and why they seem to be keen on kidnapping the Trylle changelings.
Switched is a good introduction to the trilogy, giving us lots to look forward to in the rest of the series