Switched by Amanda Hocking

  Switched by Amanda Hocking


This is going to be a shorter review because it's not a book that needs a real literary review.  The age group for this particular book is probably anywhere from young tween to late teen depending on what genre you enjoy.  I enjoyed it but then again, I would read ANYTHING including Dr. Suess at my age (42)...so you can't go by me. I will also say, I enjoyed it but nothing like Harry Potter or Twilight.  I will never read this series twice and I'm not sure I will even get to the second and third book except for a slight very mild curiosity to find out what the heck happens to this girl and the human boy.

This story follows the typical Harry Potter story line where a "normal" girl who has had somewhat of an unhappy life thus far, finds out she is not really who she thought she was.  The difference in Switched, however, is that I'm not so sure that the new life is better.  She leaves behind people she loves and has to live with some that she doesn't really love.  It is interesting...and oh, she finds out she is...NO, not a Wizard...but a TROLL but a Troll princess which if you have to be a troll you might as well be top of the bloodline, right?...lol...but good thing for her trolls aren't the ugly creatures listening to those billy goats gruff trip trip trapping across that bridge.

Wendy is our main character and she has trouble fitting in anywhere..and she learns about love (Finn)...and this book was developed as part of a Trilogy.  The other two books already had release dates when this one was being advertised at B&N.  You can check out the series at www.trylleseries.com
Trylle is the World of the trolls...but they are Trylle...not troll.


I am not going to rate this one as I do the others because this is more of a fun read.  I don't think parents really need to read it before their child does...I don't think the first book has anything a parent wouldn't want his or her tween exposed to in it.

There's a bit of violence...but nothing very descriptive.  There is your typical prejudice (against humans) but Wendy doesn't fall into the trap because she grew up thinking she was human and was raised by humans...so no big deal.  If you are concerned about violence, you can read the end of the book, the battle scene is at the very end of this book.

This is a book I would let my kids read without worry.  Nothing to take too seriously.  If I had to rate it for adult enjoyment, I might give it a 2.8...I would have given it a higher rating, had I been left on the edge of my seat and was running out to the bookstore today as the second book was released at the end of February.

So I guess that is all I have to say about Switched.  It would probably be a good gift to get the teen who has everything...the first two books and maybe a gift card to purchase the third?

Best,
The Critical Librarian