Better than I expected! 
 I'm actually quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! I was hesitant because the ratings on Goodreads aren't very flattering. I've owned a copy for as long as I can remember, putting it off time and time again. I decided to pick it up for a Reading Challenge. I am glad I did since I was not disappointed. 
 This was such a fun and creative story! To be honest- at first, I had a hard time getting into it. It felt like I was jumping into a book mid-way and I was slightly confused. It wasn't long though that things started looking up. Aside from the beginning, I enjoyed Hocking's writing! The pacing of the book is well done and there was never a dull moment. I was fully engrossed in Wendy's story. The world building was fantastic! It's similar in the aspect of fairy lore (which was my assumption that it was about Faeries, because well..."trolls") but it's slightly different and easier to understand. The Trylle's lore and world is so fun and interesting to discover! Fascinating and creative stuff. There isn't a separate "land" or "realm" they reside in. They live among the human population in a small community in the US. It is a Monarch but there are different names for specific titles, which was different and refreshing. The switching of babies isn't necessarily a new concept but in this case, since EVERY child is switched, it was an interesting twist. I wasn't too big a fan of WHY they did this though. 
 Wendy is full of fun! I really liked her snarky attitude. She lived a sheltered life with her Brother and Aunt after a horrifying event that happens in her childhood. She knew she was different but not HOW different. My only disappointment being she went from "I don't take shit from anyone" attitude to bowing her head and saying yes ma'am, practically overnight. I was waiting for that moment when her back bone went back to being steel! We watch her struggle to accept who she really is and I wanted to HIGH FIVE her for not believing ANYTHING Finn had to say in the beginning. She is a tough, loving and an all around great girl. I loved how she stayed true to herself and didn't change too much. 
 I loved her and Finn's relationship. It was so sweet. It did play a significant part of the story, but it wasn't the sole focus. They spend a lot of time together and their relationship builds over the entire book. It really bothered me that their relationship is frowned on, even has series repercussions. I did feel it hypocritical, since there was someone else that had a relationship with someone below their social standing. There might have been a hint at a love triangle, but it never started. It's stated clearly by Wendy who she cares about and wants to be with. 
 There wasn't a character I didn't enjoy. Even the eeeeevil ones. I really loved Finn, Rhys, Tove and Elora. Elora does come off as a cold-hearted (bad word) but there is more to her. Tove and Rhys play a HUGE part in the story and I am excited to see more of them in the rest of the series. There are a few things I wished we would have learned more about. Mainly the Vittra and the Trylle's abilities. In the same token, too much information would have been a down pour and I understand the logic in keeping us in the dark about a few things. The ending left us on a slight cliff hanger but it wasn't one that causes book throwing. Honestly, I thought I had more left of the book when it ended, so I felt it was abrupt. That's not really the case, I just wasn't prepared for it to end so soon! (there's a short story in the back, which I completely forgot about) 
 Overall- I really liked it! It's different, fun and exiting! I look forward to reading the second one! I would highly recommend it! 
 *See this review and others on my blog* 
 Lilybloombooks