The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
lisaluvsliterature's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very detailed and perfect ending to this trilogy. I also loved how it brought all the different types of trolls from the other series together. One thing that I was really appreciative of was how the author made sure to kind of do a recap as the story went along, in ways that fit in seamlessly instead of like an info dump at the very beginning to refresh what had happened in the books before.
Ulla finally does learn who her true parents are, and we get to see many of the characters and locations from the other books and like I said, it brings it all back together for a final battle where we join with characters we knew from the first two series that go with this one. There are creatures that are so unique, like murder snails, yeah, you read that right. And the spiders, whoa! They make another appearance similar to what Ulla found in one of the earlier books of this trilogy. Towards the end I felt a little bit like the battle was going on for so long, but part of that could be because we started getting very short chapters from people that were the main characters in the other series, Wendy and Bryn, interspersed with Ullaās chapters.
The title of the second book gets a bit of an exploration with a rhyme/song in this book. And there is a bit of a time conundrum for some of the characters that did have me doing some thinking as I read. Overall a good series, and I think one that would definitely be easy for someone to read now that they could sit down and read all three straight through.
Review first published on Lisa Loves Literature.
Ulla finally does learn who her true parents are, and we get to see many of the characters and locations from the other books and like I said, it brings it all back together for a final battle where we join with characters we knew from the first two series that go with this one. There are creatures that are so unique, like murder snails, yeah, you read that right. And the spiders, whoa! They make another appearance similar to what Ulla found in one of the earlier books of this trilogy. Towards the end I felt a little bit like the battle was going on for so long, but part of that could be because we started getting very short chapters from people that were the main characters in the other series, Wendy and Bryn, interspersed with Ullaās chapters.
The title of the second book gets a bit of an exploration with a rhyme/song in this book. And there is a bit of a time conundrum for some of the characters that did have me doing some thinking as I read. Overall a good series, and I think one that would definitely be easy for someone to read now that they could sit down and read all three straight through.
Review first published on Lisa Loves Literature.
heylaurenisla's review against another edition
the first book was so slow, the second book picked up but i still didnt rlly understand what was going on, then the third book went so quick, mostly near the last couple pages LOL
like i wish there was more set up and the reader had more knowledge of what was going on. i thought it was so weird that ulla had a vision and suddenly she (and the reader) FINALLY understood everything. i get it, shes special but is she realllyyyyy that special? i wish there was more of an explanation as to why the ogonen were so powerful.
but the third book was really good, i found myself devouring it more than the first/second, even though it didn't seem like part of the trilogoy? very gory, lot of violence, war vibes etc. idk i really hope the very first series about the trolls are alot more flowy and comprehensive
like i wish there was more set up and the reader had more knowledge of what was going on. i thought it was so weird that ulla had a vision and suddenly she (and the reader) FINALLY understood everything. i get it, shes special but is she realllyyyyy that special? i wish there was more of an explanation as to why the ogonen were so powerful.
but the third book was really good, i found myself devouring it more than the first/second, even though it didn't seem like part of the trilogoy? very gory, lot of violence, war vibes etc. idk i really hope the very first series about the trolls are alot more flowy and comprehensive
booktubebekah's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this series! Incredible storyline and characters!
the_bookbasket's review against another edition
3.0
Ulla Tulin wakes up in a plane with no memory of getting there. Her gut feeling tells her that something is up and that she needs to get to the bottom of it, but she needs her friends to help her fill in the missing pieces.
It's not every day that you suddenly forget a month worth of memories, but it's also not every day that you get captured by your father and half-sisters so they can perform a sacred ritual. Unfortunately, this is what happens to Ulla and her friends.
After leaving Sweden, Ulla tries to remember what has happened during the last month and why her father so badly wanted to drain her of her blood (no he is not a vampire, sorry).
I was of course more invested in The Ever After than I was in The Lost City. It feels like Hocking was just setting up a scene for a whole lot of things to happen in The Morning Flower and The Ever After. This is still a very good trilogy and I would definitely recommend it if you need some light fantasy reading.
The characters were a good bunch, although in a few years time I am sure I won't remember them all that well (She says like she really met them).. But I did enjoy the dynamics of the group.
Yes, Wendy and Finn from the original Trylle trilogy also make their way in the books, but I wasn't as invested in the characters this time.
Maybe a reread would change my opinion, in about two or three years.
It's not every day that you suddenly forget a month worth of memories, but it's also not every day that you get captured by your father and half-sisters so they can perform a sacred ritual. Unfortunately, this is what happens to Ulla and her friends.
After leaving Sweden, Ulla tries to remember what has happened during the last month and why her father so badly wanted to drain her of her blood (no he is not a vampire, sorry).
I was of course more invested in The Ever After than I was in The Lost City. It feels like Hocking was just setting up a scene for a whole lot of things to happen in The Morning Flower and The Ever After. This is still a very good trilogy and I would definitely recommend it if you need some light fantasy reading.
The characters were a good bunch, although in a few years time I am sure I won't remember them all that well (She says like she really met them).. But I did enjoy the dynamics of the group.
Yes, Wendy and Finn from the original Trylle trilogy also make their way in the books, but I wasn't as invested in the characters this time.
Maybe a reread would change my opinion, in about two or three years.
onebookmore's review against another edition
5.0
In The Ever After, Ulla, Pan, Dagny, and Elof have returned after being held captive, and none can remember their month of captivity. As Ulla and her friends try to regain their memories, they continue to uncover a plot that involves her parents, a mythical city, a mysterious and dangerous secret society, and mythological childrenās stories. Ullaās journey is long, complex, and dangerous, and the consequences of failing are severe. The Ever After is the most action-packed and exciting of the trilogy, and the unexpected twists left me shocked, devastated, and delighted.
I know I said it in my last review, but Hockingās skill in creating vivid and immersive worlds bears repeating. The Omte Origins is a complex story with many layers, and Hocking weaves the story together as seamlessly and masterfully as she does the rest of the Trylle world. The characters, mythology, literature, languages, culture, and more are all dynamically developed and fascinating. I continue to be amazed at Hockingās storytelling ability.
I loved the slow-building romance between Ulla and Pan. Their relationship is strong and deep, built on friendship, respect, trust, and admiration. Plus, they have great chemistry. I loved watching their connection grow throughout the first two books, and Hocking takes it to the next level in this one.
I also adored the protagonist, Ulla. Ulla is not a warrior. Sheās not beautiful. Sheās a little chubby, and she is the epitome of a hero. She is searching for herself, for a sense of where she came from and what happened to her and her family, but she finds out so much more than that. Ulla discovers things that can shake the foundation of the Trylle world. I love her determination, strength, perseverance, loyalty, and kindness. People gravitate to her because she is a good person and a true friend. Sheās also the reason some of my favorite characters from Trylle and Kanin Chronicles (the first and second series in the Trylle world) make an appearance in this series.
You donāt need to read Trylle and Kanin Chronicles, but if you did, itās fascinating to see how all of the characters and stories connect and merge in this epic conclusion. Wendy, Loki, Finn, Brynne, Tove, and so many other beloved characters return to help Ulla, Pan, and their friends in their quest. It is awesome and heartbreaking, and I didnāt want the story to end. Thanks so much to Netgalley and St. Martinās Press for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.
https://onebookmore.com/2020/12/28/arc-review-the-ever-after-by-amanda-hocking/
I know I said it in my last review, but Hockingās skill in creating vivid and immersive worlds bears repeating. The Omte Origins is a complex story with many layers, and Hocking weaves the story together as seamlessly and masterfully as she does the rest of the Trylle world. The characters, mythology, literature, languages, culture, and more are all dynamically developed and fascinating. I continue to be amazed at Hockingās storytelling ability.
I loved the slow-building romance between Ulla and Pan. Their relationship is strong and deep, built on friendship, respect, trust, and admiration. Plus, they have great chemistry. I loved watching their connection grow throughout the first two books, and Hocking takes it to the next level in this one.
I also adored the protagonist, Ulla. Ulla is not a warrior. Sheās not beautiful. Sheās a little chubby, and she is the epitome of a hero. She is searching for herself, for a sense of where she came from and what happened to her and her family, but she finds out so much more than that. Ulla discovers things that can shake the foundation of the Trylle world. I love her determination, strength, perseverance, loyalty, and kindness. People gravitate to her because she is a good person and a true friend. Sheās also the reason some of my favorite characters from Trylle and Kanin Chronicles (the first and second series in the Trylle world) make an appearance in this series.
You donāt need to read Trylle and Kanin Chronicles, but if you did, itās fascinating to see how all of the characters and stories connect and merge in this epic conclusion. Wendy, Loki, Finn, Brynne, Tove, and so many other beloved characters return to help Ulla, Pan, and their friends in their quest. It is awesome and heartbreaking, and I didnāt want the story to end. Thanks so much to Netgalley and St. Martinās Press for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.
https://onebookmore.com/2020/12/28/arc-review-the-ever-after-by-amanda-hocking/
maggiemcmahon12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
onceupon_a_bookdream's review against another edition
3.0
[I received an arc from NetGalley for an honest review]
The Ever After is the third and final installment to The Omte Origins series by Amanda Hocking and the ending to her Trylle universe series as a whole.
The first two books in The Omte Origins series were solid. Interesting story lines that while there always seem to be questions needing to be answered you cared for the characters and were invested in their journey. At the end of book 2 our main characters those their memories of a chunk of a chunk of their journey. Therefore, going into book 3 you know there will be some back tracking and struggle as they try to regain that lost time. I'm not sure what happened but somehow about 40 percent of the beginning of this book drags and feels like a lot of nothing happens. For me, it didn't really pick up until the second half of the book. It could have benefited from losing a good 100 pages of the 500 that make up The Ever After.
The end of the book contains an enormous battle scene its intense and thrilling. As a long reader of this world from the first series I was excited for her to bring main characters form the previous trilogies to help fight in this epic battle. We are even given POV from these characters which gave me a warm feeling. Yet if you're not familiar with them , since this series can technically be read on its own, you won't have any feelings of nostalgia and it will sort of feel chaotic with the jumping around of point of views.
::Next Paragraph is slightly spoilery so feel free to skip""
Last but not least, Amanda Hocking has made the decision to kill off a motherf*cking main character from a previous trilogy. Why ?!?!?! This lead went through their own journey to get their happy, and then you bring them back in this one to give them the axe. Not Cool. Shortly after that devastating scene the battle ends and that's it. Readers a given a paragraph for each character of "where they are now" and Ulla and Pan are heading off to start their own Ever After.
In the end The Ever After wasn't quite what I wanted or was expected for the final book in a trilogy and final book for a universe. I will still always love all of the series in the trylle universe but I'm sad to say this last installment will be remembered with a bit of disappointment.
The Ever After is the third and final installment to The Omte Origins series by Amanda Hocking and the ending to her Trylle universe series as a whole.
The first two books in The Omte Origins series were solid. Interesting story lines that while there always seem to be questions needing to be answered you cared for the characters and were invested in their journey. At the end of book 2 our main characters those their memories of a chunk of a chunk of their journey. Therefore, going into book 3 you know there will be some back tracking and struggle as they try to regain that lost time. I'm not sure what happened but somehow about 40 percent of the beginning of this book drags and feels like a lot of nothing happens. For me, it didn't really pick up until the second half of the book. It could have benefited from losing a good 100 pages of the 500 that make up The Ever After.
The end of the book contains an enormous battle scene its intense and thrilling. As a long reader of this world from the first series I was excited for her to bring main characters form the previous trilogies to help fight in this epic battle. We are even given POV from these characters which gave me a warm feeling. Yet if you're not familiar with them , since this series can technically be read on its own, you won't have any feelings of nostalgia and it will sort of feel chaotic with the jumping around of point of views.
::Next Paragraph is slightly spoilery so feel free to skip""
Last but not least, Amanda Hocking has made the decision to kill off a motherf*cking main character from a previous trilogy. Why ?!?!?! This lead went through their own journey to get their happy, and then you bring them back in this one to give them the axe. Not Cool. Shortly after that devastating scene the battle ends and that's it. Readers a given a paragraph for each character of "where they are now" and Ulla and Pan are heading off to start their own Ever After.
In the end The Ever After wasn't quite what I wanted or was expected for the final book in a trilogy and final book for a universe. I will still always love all of the series in the trylle universe but I'm sad to say this last installment will be remembered with a bit of disappointment.
readingwithcake's review against another edition
3.0
Iāve got a few issues with the general writing of the book. Umm Bryn and her mum, it was another Ulla and her dad moment?! Then Ulla and Jem discussing Senka (Ullas mum), honestly I canāt handle the way Hocking writes these crucial scenes, every time they felt inadequate, pivotal scenes were skimmed over when they really should have gone into more depth. Also what the heck throwing two other persons POV into the book?! We got Ulla the entire time throughout this trilogy until 3/4 of the way through the third book, riddle me that. I was suss on Pan the entire time! Their love story just didnāt seem believable. And I thought Jem would have a more crucial role (and be a love interest) in this book, he didnāt really and he died, like everything in this trilogy it couldnāt have been more rushed if it tried. ā£
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I found this book more enjoyable than the first three, mainly because it had a lot more action and a good old battle scene at the end! I do think that Amanda Hocking is just churning out books at this point based on what I read and then what I saw when putting in my Goodreads rating BUT this trilogy did make me want to read her original series, The Trylle Trilogy, which has really good ratings on Goodreads so Iām excited about that. ā£
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I found this book more enjoyable than the first three, mainly because it had a lot more action and a good old battle scene at the end! I do think that Amanda Hocking is just churning out books at this point based on what I read and then what I saw when putting in my Goodreads rating BUT this trilogy did make me want to read her original series, The Trylle Trilogy, which has really good ratings on Goodreads so Iām excited about that. ā£
lizzreads's review against another edition
3.0
The Ever After is the third and final book in the Omte Origins series.
The ever after picks up where the morning flower ends, which was easy to pick up and right into the action.
There was a lot of info at the beginning, back and forth between the present and Ulla trying to determine what happened in the lost month.
I felt some parts dragged a little, but I suppose all the books were a little info heavy to assist in getting the ever after to this point.
I enjoyed the descriptive writing and the continuation of world building that the author does so well, bringing magical and mythical beings to life.
I thoroughly enjoyed the multiple POVās towards the end of the book, some of which I would of loved to see in the previous books in the series.
Overall a fitting end to a good series, and while their was loss and heartbreak towards the end, the book as a whole was a great ever after to the series.
mwhitney's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this early for a review.
I was sneaky and read this immediately after reading The Morning Flower, because I was dying to see what was next, and got approved for this the same day.
I dove in head first to see where Ulla Tulin was headed.
In the last book we have Ulla searching for the direction she thinks her parents were from and all signs seem to point twords the First City a myth and legendary place and the Alfar (people thought to be from Alfheim) and the Alvolk. Also while trying to find Eliana and the mysterious Jem-Kruk and his connection to her.
After being held hostage by the Alvolk and the man presumed to be her father for what theyāre calling āthe lost monthā ā where everyone who came along- Pan, Dagny, Elof and Ulla are all missing their memories. Ulla comes to on a plane alone, with nothing but a childrenās book and a few weird articles of clothing on the way back to Forening. After Queen Wendy traded a mysterious flower for their release.
Ulla spends time trying to regain her memories.
This book really goes deep, I love the combo of Nordic and Troll mythologies that Amanda has been working on throughout this series finally combine into one big event tying all our major characters over the series together.
Ulla finds who her parents really are. As do a few other major characters get the real answers.
And the Truth about the Alfar and the Alvolk as people comes out, the truth about the Troll world comes out, that ending really sucked the air out of the room.
I was sad to see some favorite characters not make it through the end. That was pretty gutting. It really hit us where it hurts. But it was a nice tie up for the entire series, even if it felt bitter sweet.