BOOK REVIEW | Ascend by Amanda Hocking

Title: Ascend
Series: Trylle Trilogy #3
Author: Amanda Hocking
Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Pages: 326
Source: I own a bind up of the trilogy, which I got on BookOutlet.

Wendy Everly is facing an impossible choice. The only way to save the Trylle from their deadliest enemy is by sacrificing herself.  If she doesn't surrender to the Vittra, her people will be thrust into a brutal war against an unbeatable foe.  But how can Wendy leave all her friends behind... even if it’s the only way to save them?

The stakes have never been higher, because her kingdom isn't the only thing she stands to lose. After falling for both Finn and Loki, she’s about to make the ultimate choice... who to love forever. One guy has finally proven to be the love of her life—and now all their lives might be coming to an end.

Everything has been leading to this moment.  The future of her entire world rests in her hands—if she’s ready to fight for it.

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Ascend is the final book in the Trylle trilogy that skyrocketed Amanda Hocking's career as a young adult author. I started the series in May last year, and wasn't so sure that I would continue on with it. I can't say that I liked the first book. The only reason I continued on was because there was such a huge potential for this series to be good, if not great. Happily enough, continuing was worth it and the last book delivered. 

My big complaint about this book was that the ending was so rushed. At times the pace felt fine, and then all of a sudden we were going at lightspeed for the last 15 percent of the book. It's obvious that Hocking was trying to wrap everything up with a pretty bow on top, but she did it hastily. A bad wrapping job is still bad, even if there is a bow on it. 

Wendy is basically a completely different person in this book. She's new and improved. In Switched, Wendy is selfish and immature. She is now mature and thinks of others before herself. Some people say that Wendy continues to string Finn and Loki around in this book, but I don't think so. Wendy is pretty conflicted the whole time, so I understand why she couldn't choose for a while. Nevertheless, I did enjoy how the romance turned out! I think that Wendy did the right thing and chose the person who would make her happy and not hold her back. 

Ascend is a fun book to read, but I wouldn't say it is anything special. None of the characters left a lasting impact on me. This series improved with every book, but I would not call it a favorite. If you are in a slump, or are looking for a quick and easy trilogy, then I absolutely recommend this series. The books are so easy to fly through. Ascend is pure entertainment.

While Ascend is not without flaws, but it was a vast improvement to Switched, the first book in the trilogy. In time, I will be continuing on with the companion trilogy. Hocking's improvement is stunning within this series, and I'm looking forward to reading more from her.   

With that, I give this book

4 out of 5 Stars!