Trollhunters by Guillermo del Toro and Daniel Kraus

So I loved the Netflix series. Anton my baby, I miss him. NO ONE TALK TO ME ABOUT THE ENDING OF THE NETFLIX TROLLHUNTERS. I HAVE ANALYZED THE CRAP OUT OF IT AND I HAVE A LOT OF FEELINGS
And I loved this version too.  This version had less fantasy elements, and was a little more down to life and gritty. But it was still super cool.

I love Claire. She perfect. I stan. I love her accent. I love how much Jim loves her.
I just want to hug Jim. He tries so hard. Just let my boy have a nap.
Tub!!!
Blinky!!! I love Blinky. The little big chatterbox. I love the nerd.
AAARGH!!!
I love that the family situation is different (like I love that the TV series covers Jim and his mom), so it's interesting to see Jim interact with his Dad.
Jack deserves the world.... I kind of wish there was like.....more...because I like closed endings...
Steve.... why am I not surprised.
320 Pages

Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer

 So I read this back in like sixth grade, and I've known for a while that it's a series, but I'm just now getting around to reading it, and I'm so excited to read it... It was one of those times where you could remember the cover and the basic premise and parts of the title... I might have actually remembered the title, and tracking it down was fun.
I love a writer who includes a list of sources and research in their books... That's my kind of writer doing their homework.
Soooo  I forgot some things happened....and that 12 year-olds are basically miniature teenagers with feelings....it's been ten years since I was 12, ok? I can barely remember last month..
459 Pages

Relentless Series by Karen Lynch

Relentless by Karen Lynch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was fantastic, and the cover does it no justice. In fact, I refrained from reading it, not even knowing what it was about, as I wasn't sure it was going to be good...just another book with sword and faces on the cover. That is so overdone, even though the cover is nice, that it put me off.

But wow, I was wrong. This is the first series to have really caught my full attention this past few months, and it grabbed me right from the start. I pretty much don't want to do anything but listen to this series, and as soon as I hit stop on book one, I started book 2. I'm even annoyed that work exists, because it is getting in the way of this world and all of its mysteries.

World building= A

Characters = A+ (especially the non-human characters)

Action & Excitement = A

Drama = A (Not overly dramatic, but plenty of real, solid drama that is not just silly nonsense)

Lack of characters named Becky = C-

Variety of paranormal creatures = A+

Ratio of male to female characters = B- (almost every character is male, except the MC--that's not bad, and I get it. I had far more guy friends in high school than girls, and there is a reason for the gender difference. But still. I hope book 2 turns out some more believable female side characters)

Hell Hounds = A+++++ (Please can I have some of my own? Pretty please?)

Book 264 read in 2018

Pages: 540

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Refuge by Karen Lynch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I. Am. Obsessed.

Book 264 read in 2018

Pages: 309

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Rogue by Karen Lynch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Whew.

WHEW!!

More, please.

More, give me more, give me more, give me more.

Book 265 read in 2018

Pages: 418

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Warrior by Karen Lynch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I confess, I wasn't sure at first, but this sucked me right in. I really enjoyed the new perspective.

Book 266 read in 2018

Pages: 548

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Haven by Karen Lynch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, Roland. This is why werewolves are the best of the supernatural world. Team wolf.

Book 267 read in 2018

Pages: 357

The Kanin Chronicles by Amanda Hocking

Frostfire by Amanda Hocking
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is another story set in the troll world, but with a different tribe (um--tribe is probably the wrong word for describing the different troll cultures, but I can't remember the correct terminology, so just roll with it).

The main character in this series is a scrappy underdog, and I really enjoyed how she sticks to what she thinks and believes. She is also brutally honest, which sometimes results in some hurt feelings, but it makes her a fascinating character.

This story shares a lot more information about the wider world of the trolls, which I really loved.

Book 247 read in 2018

Pages: 321

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Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These book are so easy to consume, and I also enjoyed this one. It did feel a bit more all over the place than the first book, but not necessarily in a bad way. I think the plot is just a bit more random for this story, though I almost didn't notice, as I enjoyed the characters so much.

When you read all 3 books back to back, it's a bit difficult to think of them as separate books, rather than one really long story. If you asked me to tell you at what point book one ends and book two begins, I couldn't.

Overall, I'm still enjoying this. I went straight on to book 3, and the audiobooks are excellent.

Book 248 Read in 2018

Pages: 309

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Crystal Kingdom by Amanda Hocking
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m going to miss this world.

Lots of death and chaos in this one. The end felt a bit abrupt to me, but it’s reasonably thorough, which means it was probably just me.

Book 249 read in 2018

Pages: 432

Ascend by Amanda Hocking (Trylle Series)

Ascend by Amanda Hocking  (Book 3)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An excellent conclusion to an interesting trilogy. I would definitely listen to this audiobook again one day, as I really enjoyed these characters. It didn't end quite the way I hoped, to be hones, but it was still a satisfying conclusion in most ways.

Book 240 read in 20180 (Yes, I'm back from the future!)
(Not really, but once I saw 20180 for the year, I wasn't inclined to change the typo.)

Pages: 326

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Ever After by Amanda Hocking  (Novella 3.5)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's short and mostly sweet.

Book 241 read in 2018

Pages: 24

Torn by Amanda Hocking (Book 2 in Trylle Series)

Torn by Amanda Hocking (Book 2 in Trylle Series)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Okay, I actually liked this better than the first book (which I also enjoyed), and that’s rare for a 2nd book in a series. This one charmed me with strong character growth and development.
The narrator is Therese Plummer, and she does a great job!

Book 238 read in 2018

Pages: 324

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One day: Three Ways by Amanda Hocking
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This 2.5 novella was fun. It highlighted a day in the life of 3 of the most interesting side characters. I enjoyed the added insight.

Book 239 read in 2018

Pages: 26

Switched by Amanda Hocking

Switched by Amanda Hocking
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This had my full attention, despite the fact that it's predictable and follows a Chosen One trope. What can I say? I love a good trope. Stories repeat themselves, just like history. That's how it has always been, and yet, I'd read a million versions of the same basic plot, as long as it is well-written with interesting characters. And it has to make me feel something, since I'm an emotional reader.

This was a fun read, with a unique world, and the audiobook was excellent.

And trolls.  Did I already say trolls?

Book 234 read in 2018

Pages: 216

Warrior Witch by Danielle L. Jensen

Warrior Witch by Danielle L. Jensen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

All along, I asked for more action and intrigue with the first two books. This one had far more of both, but I struggled the most with this book. It didn't keep my attention as well as the other two, and I got confused and rewound a lot, as a result.

I do like the ending, but I just wish everything leading up to that had been a bit less disjointed and more compelling. I'm not unhappy that I read it. It just wasn't the smoothest reading experience.

Book 199 read in 2018

Pages: 384

Hidden Huntress by Danielle L. Jensen

Hidden Huntress by Danielle L. Jensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book two is solid. I also enjoyed it. It has a bit more intrigue, though it is clear to the reader for quite some time what the trickery is. The part that is not clear is how the good guys will be able to resolve it.

Since I immediately purchased book 3 on audible, I think it's clear that overall, I'm in favor of this unusual YA fantasy series about humans and trolls.

My only complaint is that the romantic moments, if they can even be called that, are all almost entirely fade to black, which doesn't impact the overall storytelling. However, I still find that disappointing. After two books, I should at least get a compelling make-out scene before it fades to black, especially between characters that are married. Hell, I would even settle for an intense eye gaze that makes us all feel something. All the vague hinting is a big let down after so many chapters of waiting for just one moment of sweetness or raw emotion between two characters. However, I still am enjoying the story. Just don't expect a typical amount of YA fantasy romance, as this book has as little as is possible to hold the story together.

Book 198 read in 2018

Pages: 464

Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen

Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I picked this up, I thought this was an adult fantasy novel, but it's actually a YA fantasy, which made me really happy. And it's really good.

I don't think I've ever read a novel about trolls before, and the world building is fascinating. I adore the characters, even the bad guys and side characters. They are all interesting and layered.

The audiobook is excellent, and I plan to start book two immediately. The only thing I want that I didn't get was just more. More of everything, including a more intricate and intriguing plot. This book had my attention the full way through, but that was simply due to a love of the characters and world. I'm hoping book two raises the stakes and comes back with a really killer, high action plot. I want to see more of the magic in action.

Book 198 read in 2018

Pages: 469