dani_bugz's review against another edition
2.0
Actual rating 2.5
This was definitely the worst of the three, which is a massive bummer... There was so little depth in this one, it was full of cliches and what the heck was with those letters strewn through? They did not fit whatsoever! I was also skipping paras and rolling my eyes a fair way through it, which for me is not a good sign.
I would still recommend finishing off the series, but it didn't resonate with me; I did not feel any of the feels!!!
This was definitely the worst of the three, which is a massive bummer... There was so little depth in this one, it was full of cliches and what the heck was with those letters strewn through? They did not fit whatsoever! I was also skipping paras and rolling my eyes a fair way through it, which for me is not a good sign.
I would still recommend finishing off the series, but it didn't resonate with me; I did not feel any of the feels!!!
emily_daydreaming's review against another edition
5.0
An action packed, thrilling read right to the end. It felt like there was a lot that happened in this book, more so than the other books in the series.
fictionalkate's review against another edition
4.0
Bryn Aven has been exiled from her home, accused of horrible crimes and is now on the run for her life. Teamed up with an unlikely ally, Bryn and her new companion try to uncover just who is behind the problems the Kanin have been facing lately. As they travel the country looking for answers, they discover just how much danger their loved ones are in. Bryn must somehow defeat the mastermind behind the troll conflict before the world as they know it is destroyed.
Crystal Kingdom is a stunning conclusion to the Kanin Chronicles. Bryn has come into her own as she tries to expose the evil destroying the Troll race. This is a book which will capture your attention on the first page and leave you hooked until long after you have finished. Action, drama, adventure and suspense - this book has it all.
One of the highlights of this novel is how everything comes together. All the questions you may have asked in the previous two books are answered in a interesting and well thought out way. Everything falls into place in a way which makes sense yet not necessarily how you may have expected. Being a novel set during a war, there are sacrifices. The losses added to the suspense and whilst at times heartbreaking - they added to the sense of danger Bryn faced.
Bryn discovers many things whilst on her quest to clear her name. Learning more about the Trolls as she travels was interesting. There are many new characters who shed light on the Kanin's current situation as well as the troll-ish way of life. I loved learning more about the different tribes who co-exist in this world.
The romance in Crystal Kingdom plays out beautifully. It is lovely and understated not taking over the story yet adding an extra something special to the overall story. Bryn's softer side shows off when she interacts with her loved ones and shows there's more to Bryn than just the kick-arse warrior we have gotten to know.
I highly recommend the Kanin Chronicles to anyone who enjoys exciting stories about unusual supernatural beings. The characters are strong and interesting. There's action and romance both coexisting comfortably together. The plot twists and turns yet feels authentic to the overall story. IF you enjoyed Amanda Hocking's Trylle trilogy - I urge you to try the Kanin. You won't be disappointed!
Crystal Kingdom is a stunning conclusion to the Kanin Chronicles. Bryn has come into her own as she tries to expose the evil destroying the Troll race. This is a book which will capture your attention on the first page and leave you hooked until long after you have finished. Action, drama, adventure and suspense - this book has it all.
One of the highlights of this novel is how everything comes together. All the questions you may have asked in the previous two books are answered in a interesting and well thought out way. Everything falls into place in a way which makes sense yet not necessarily how you may have expected. Being a novel set during a war, there are sacrifices. The losses added to the suspense and whilst at times heartbreaking - they added to the sense of danger Bryn faced.
Bryn discovers many things whilst on her quest to clear her name. Learning more about the Trolls as she travels was interesting. There are many new characters who shed light on the Kanin's current situation as well as the troll-ish way of life. I loved learning more about the different tribes who co-exist in this world.
The romance in Crystal Kingdom plays out beautifully. It is lovely and understated not taking over the story yet adding an extra something special to the overall story. Bryn's softer side shows off when she interacts with her loved ones and shows there's more to Bryn than just the kick-arse warrior we have gotten to know.
I highly recommend the Kanin Chronicles to anyone who enjoys exciting stories about unusual supernatural beings. The characters are strong and interesting. There's action and romance both coexisting comfortably together. The plot twists and turns yet feels authentic to the overall story. IF you enjoyed Amanda Hocking's Trylle trilogy - I urge you to try the Kanin. You won't be disappointed!
trin_ney18's review against another edition
5.0
5/5
I just have so much to say about this book but overall this series has made it into my favorites and I think it's mostly because of this last book. The first two were great but this one really settled my feelings on the whole story.
+1
Just from the very beginning you're interested. You get the answers you've been waiting for but you still want to keep reading 'til the end to see the final resolution.
+1
Dialogue between characters was a lot funnier and something I didn't know I needed.
+1
I read it in two sittings. (it would've been one but apparently humans have to eat)
+1
The battle scenes were so fun and I honestly thought I was watching an action movie. I don't like action movies but I liked this one.
+1
Originally I was going to have a 4.5 rating for this because while it was good it didn't amaze me. But boy did I put my foot in my mouth because the ending made me change my tune. It was an ending that I didn't know if I could handle emotionally but an ending that was needed and realistic.
I wanna read a lot more Amanda Hocking. I wouldn't say her books have changed my life but they've done quite a bit for me these past few days. They've definitely gotten me out of my slump and reminded me why I love reading. The third and final book was the best. So for anyone starting the series I hope you find this review so that you'll want to read until the end like I did.
I just have so much to say about this book but overall this series has made it into my favorites and I think it's mostly because of this last book. The first two were great but this one really settled my feelings on the whole story.
+1
Just from the very beginning you're interested. You get the answers you've been waiting for but you still want to keep reading 'til the end to see the final resolution.
+1
Dialogue between characters was a lot funnier and something I didn't know I needed.
+1
I read it in two sittings. (it would've been one but apparently humans have to eat)
+1
The battle scenes were so fun and I honestly thought I was watching an action movie. I don't like action movies but I liked this one.
+1
Originally I was going to have a 4.5 rating for this because while it was good it didn't amaze me. But boy did I put my foot in my mouth because the ending made me change my tune. It was an ending that I didn't know if I could handle emotionally but an ending that was needed and realistic.
I wanna read a lot more Amanda Hocking. I wouldn't say her books have changed my life but they've done quite a bit for me these past few days. They've definitely gotten me out of my slump and reminded me why I love reading. The third and final book was the best. So for anyone starting the series I hope you find this review so that you'll want to read until the end like I did.
lisaluvsliterature's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, which group will the author wrote about next? :-)
tarnkaur99's review against another edition
5.0
Ridley and Konstantin were both beautiful.
--------------------------------------------------
After rereading in 2017:
Okay...maybe Konstantin was more beautiful. And I loved him a lot. But I still liked Ridley. Still glad that she ended up with who she ended up with. Just wish that she had more moments with the other one...whose ending completely shattered my heart btw.
--------------------------------------------------
After rereading in 2017:
Okay...maybe Konstantin was more beautiful. And I loved him a lot. But I still liked Ridley. Still glad that she ended up with who she ended up with. Just wish that she had more moments with the other one...whose ending completely shattered my heart btw.
rheamsbrittany's review against another edition
4.0
i liked this series as a whole but the 1st and 2nd books weren't as exciting as this one. this one had a couple unexpected turns i liked.. the ending kinda stunk because SPOILER:
It never made her choose between the men. it was the easy way out of it to me.
It never made her choose between the men. it was the easy way out of it to me.
codyleigh's review against another edition
3.0
Ice Kissed left with Bryn on the run, she’s now on The Most Wanted List among the Kanin. With no one to trust or turn to she finds herself aligned with fellow fugitive and gorgeous bad boy Konstantin Black. Under the rule of the evil Queen Mina, the people of Doldastam are trapped under her tyranny. Together Bryn and Konstantin travel all over the troll kingdoms seeking help to over throw her rule and to save Kanin trolls, but who would listen to traitors of the crown?
So I actually requested this ARC because of the gorgeous cover but I didn't know that it was part of a series because I'm a doofus, which is why this is a little late. Just to give you a heads up, I may have a little rant later on because this should have been the best book of the lot, the ultimate climax with the trolls at the brink of war but instead I found myself completely annoyed during certain events.
This was slightly better than Ice Kissed, the drama, action and adventure was at it’s highest, not only did we visit one Troll kingdom but two and it was fascinating to see how they all live and differ from one another. For Bryn too much is at stake, her family and friends are trapped in Doldastam and if the trolls refuse to help her then there is nothing she can do.
There was an excellent twist half way through which I totally didn’t see coming and it completely turned the story on it’s head. I didn’t enjoy Ice Kissed too much because we still didn’t have any insight to the much bigger plot and who was behind it but I must say this was actually worth the wait. The book was slow paced and therefore slow to reveal it’s secrets but vengeance is a best dish serve cold in this case.
Now for my rant, which is basically on the romance. I wanted and needed more of it, throughout the series the romance has been minimal and I understand the impending doom and we technically don’t have time for it but in order for me to fully invest it I need some page space, well at least more than one or two moments.
Now for the real thing that bugged me: Konstantin Black.
People have made countless comments in their reviews about this series not having a love triangle… this is technically true. Bryn is obviously in love with Ridley and I'm all for that, he was perfect for her. BUT for some silly reason, Hocking decided to wait until the final book to spend 75% of it with lingering looks, touches, blushing and sometimes moments where Bryn and Konstantin are pressed against one another. Seriously? Why make him a love interest this late on? He is a love interest maybe not on the scale of Ridley but come on Bryn spend years of her teenage life being in love with this man and now she knows he’s innocent and he gorgeous and all the rest of it. I don’t think I would have been bothered by this if she didn’t spend 75% of the book making me fall in love with the bad boy/jackass, for them to share a kiss and then…. Well let’s not go there, what was the point? To me this was a complete waste of time and still annoys me right now, but maybe that’s because I have a problem with bad boys? Surely someone can see my point though? Argh.
Overall it was a good end to the series but just not great. We lose a few beloved characters but I think I will remember this series for the vivid world building in a brilliant fantasy world about trollsand Konstantin 3. To have the entire series published within a few months of each other in no easy feat so I think I will be checking out some of Hocking’s other work and will hopefully not be heartbroken by the male leads.
Literary-ly Obsessed
So I actually requested this ARC because of the gorgeous cover but I didn't know that it was part of a series because I'm a doofus, which is why this is a little late. Just to give you a heads up, I may have a little rant later on because this should have been the best book of the lot, the ultimate climax with the trolls at the brink of war but instead I found myself completely annoyed during certain events.
This was slightly better than Ice Kissed, the drama, action and adventure was at it’s highest, not only did we visit one Troll kingdom but two and it was fascinating to see how they all live and differ from one another. For Bryn too much is at stake, her family and friends are trapped in Doldastam and if the trolls refuse to help her then there is nothing she can do.
There was an excellent twist half way through which I totally didn’t see coming and it completely turned the story on it’s head. I didn’t enjoy Ice Kissed too much because we still didn’t have any insight to the much bigger plot and who was behind it but I must say this was actually worth the wait. The book was slow paced and therefore slow to reveal it’s secrets but vengeance is a best dish serve cold in this case.
Now for my rant, which is basically on the romance. I wanted and needed more of it, throughout the series the romance has been minimal and I understand the impending doom and we technically don’t have time for it but in order for me to fully invest it I need some page space, well at least more than one or two moments.
Now for the real thing that bugged me: Konstantin Black.
People have made countless comments in their reviews about this series not having a love triangle… this is technically true. Bryn is obviously in love with Ridley and I'm all for that, he was perfect for her. BUT for some silly reason, Hocking decided to wait until the final book to spend 75% of it with lingering looks, touches, blushing and sometimes moments where Bryn and Konstantin are pressed against one another. Seriously? Why make him a love interest this late on? He is a love interest maybe not on the scale of Ridley but come on Bryn spend years of her teenage life being in love with this man and now she knows he’s innocent and he gorgeous and all the rest of it. I don’t think I would have been bothered by this if she didn’t spend 75% of the book making me fall in love with the bad boy/jackass, for them to share a kiss and then…. Well let’s not go there, what was the point? To me this was a complete waste of time and still annoys me right now, but maybe that’s because I have a problem with bad boys? Surely someone can see my point though? Argh.
Overall it was a good end to the series but just not great. We lose a few beloved characters but I think I will remember this series for the vivid world building in a brilliant fantasy world about trolls
Literary-ly Obsessed
aly36's review against another edition
5.0
I love this author! I love so many of her books. I think she is great so I was glad to get a chance to read this book for her. I love this series it is great we have so many great points in this book. If you love Amanda Hocking as much as I do you have to check out this book. If you are looking for something with action and a fantasy and magic you need to read books from Amanda Hocking! * I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
skyhazzard's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating 3.75
Okay honestly I don’t remember what happened in this book besides Brynn was on the run and there was a war. There was just something about this series that didn’t connect with me like the first Trylle series and it could not keep my attention. I didn’t really care about the characters besides Ember and kind of Ridley. And what was the fascination with Konstantin?? I just didn’t get it.
I did like seeing other communities and learning how they were different from the Trylle and I did like seeing characters from the first series although they didn’t feel the same either.
This series has such beautiful covers though...
Okay honestly I don’t remember what happened in this book besides Brynn was on the run and there was a war. There was just something about this series that didn’t connect with me like the first Trylle series and it could not keep my attention. I didn’t really care about the characters besides Ember
Spoiler
why’d my poor girl have to die?!I did like seeing other communities and learning how they were different from the Trylle and I did like seeing characters from the first series although they didn’t feel the same either.
This series has such beautiful covers though...