Amanda Hocking's bestselling Trylle trilogy comes to its thrilling conclusion in Ascend.
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 eighteen to a man she didn't love - all for the sake of duty. As the big day approaches, Wendy can't stop thinking about two different men - and neither of them are her husband-to-be. Finn - quiet, strong and determined to do what's right, and Loki - dark and seductive, a sworn enemy who once saved her life. With all-out war just days away, Wendy needs to act quickly if she is to save her friends and family. But while her loyalties and duties are to her people, deeper passions are leading her elsewhere. And as her worlds collide, Wendy must sacrifice everything she loves to save them. But will it be enough?
- ISBN10 144721031X
- ISBN13 9781447210313
- Publish Date 26 April 2012 (first published 24 April 2012)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Pan Macmillan
- Imprint Tor
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 352
- Language English
Reviews
Kim Deister
Wendy is a different person in this book than in the first. She grew so much as she accepted her destiny and made it her own. This is one of the things that I loved about her. She accepted her destiny, but she also refused to accept those things about her new society that she felt were wrong. Instead, she strives to make change, to make a rather stagnant society grow with her. She has met with a lot of opposition from those traditionalists, but she stays true to herself. The message there is inspiring.
There is a lot more action in this book, lots of twists and turns. There were also some deeply emotional moments that truly tugged at the heart strings. My feelings for various characters constantly changed throughout the book... loving them one moment and annoyed by them the next!
My Recommendation: I loved this series and its premise and I am sad to see it end! I gave it 4.5 mugs!
Kelsenator
There will be spoilers from book 1 and 2. If you haven’t read them, do so before continuing. I will not spoil this book though, I will try to be good.
Everything in this book is getting more serious, especially compared to the other two. Wendy and Tove are now married and they are starting to try to make changes to the kingdom. Oren, King of Vittra, still wants his daughter so he can rule both kingdoms and he’ll stop at nothing to get it.
Relationships are also at an all time high; I’ve completely given up on Finn and I’m now rooting for Loki. I know she is married to Tove, but because of the thing you learned in the second book they can’t be happy together as a couple, just as friends. I won’t spoil who she ends up with, but I rooted for Loki just because he’s awesome.
Wendy is finally getting it together by being strong and confident and the future Queen everyone needs. She just needs to prove herself that she can do it, she never feels like it’s enough and that she should be doing more. With a truce of peace with Vittra slowly coming to an end, she needs to figure out a way to beat Oren. The ending went by fast but it was still pretty cool. I was hoping a certain battle would last longer and have more details.
I think this was a great series, it kept me captured in its pages and I couldn’t wait to see how Wendy would change and grow, what kind of crazy stuff was going to happen, and of course if they lived happily ever after or not. Definitely worth your time to pick these up and give them a shot!
Recommended for young adult fantasy lovers!
bookishzelda
I know that not everyone would agree about how easy Wendy is to connect with but I felt she matured in this book. Or seemed more mature, she has the weight of the kingdom on her shoulders and even though her first instinct is to make risky decisions. It seems that people can talk her down from the cliff now, where before she would just jump.
What really had me with these books is the character of Loki. He didn't how up until book two and I loved him from the minute we met him. We get a better look at his character in this book, we found out more about his past and see a different side of him. Loki is that character that doesn't hold anything back and that is what makes him so great in my eyes.
Finn is his usual, duty comes first, self. He was always just okay for me and he continued to be that way in this book. I wanted to smack him and tell him to go find something better to do.
The way the love story worked itself out in this book was made me find it unique. I also liked the bonus story that rounded the whole thing out. We didn't have any awkward third wheel leftover like we normally would.
The thing that disappointed me was the epic battle that wasn't. The build up in the story was great but I felt like the turn of events toward the end fell a little flat. I had hoped to see a little bit more from that.
The book did go well with the other two books. We see a lot more from some of the characters that we didn't really see. Some characters took a back seat when they had been more prominent. I think as far as tying up the series this book did a good job of it. So it's still a good read.
Angie
Can I just say how much I love Loki?! Ever since he appeared in the previous book, he has charmed his way into my heart. I absolutely adore him, and he seems to really care for Wendy. He's also hilarious, even in the most dire of times. There's an especially awesome scene where all 3 of Wendy's young men are in her wedding chamber. I won't spoil anything, but the awkwardness levels were extreme!
To me, this was the best of the trilogy. There were plenty of laughs (mostly thanks to Loki), heartfelt moments, action, heart ache, and some slightly steamy romance! While I'm sad Wendy's story is over, I think this was the perfect ending.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.