REVIEW: Switched by Amanda Hocking

Wendy Everly knew she was different the day her mother tried to kill her and accused her of having been switched at birth. Although certain she’s not the monster her mother claimed she is, she does feel that she doesn’t quite fit in. The new girl in High School, Wendy is bored and frustrated by her small-town life – and then there’s her secret, her mysterious ability – she can influence people’s decisions, without knowing how, or why . . . When the intense and darkly handsome newcomer Finn suddenly turns up at her bedroom window one night, her world is turned upside down. He holds the key to her past, the answers to her strange powers and is the doorway to a place she never imagined could exist: Förening, the home of the Trylle. Among the Trylle she is not just different, but special. But what marks her out as chosen for greatness in this world also places her in grave danger. With everything around her changing, Finn is the only person she can trust. But dark forces are conspiring – not only to separate them, but to see the downfall of everything that Wendy cares about. . .

I hadn't heard much about Switched before I received it, but from reading the reviews on the back cover and inside pages, I was dying to get started. And while it didn't quite blow me away, I still very much enjoyed it! Switched was more about world-building and character-building, rather than the story itself, and I think it is supposed to be sort of a set-up for the rest of the series. It was quite slow-paced and the plot wasn't the strongest element of the book. But even though there wasn't a huge amount of action, there wasn't a dull moment and I was never bored! There was always something going on, usually not overly exciting things, -  but stuff that was interesting enough to keep my attention.


As I mentioned above, the plot of Switched wasn't the books best part. Most of the way through, I wasn't sure what direction the story was going in, and what was supposed to be happening. Switched is completely unpredictable, because when there's not much of a story, there's nothing to predict! That was one of the book's only downside, although it was a big one! I did say before that I didn't get bored at all, and I didn't, but it still would have been nice to have a little more excitement!


On a more positive note, the characters were fantastic! They were my absolute favourite part of the book. The author developed every single one so well. It was really the characters that made the book for me. I loved Wendy, she is just the type of protagonist that I love. Witty and sarcastic, yet kind. Finn is a brilliant love interest, mysterious and caring. I really enjoyed watching their relationship blossom, and I thought they were so good together. *SPOILER. HIGHLIGHT TO READ* I was heartbroken at the end :( *SPOILER OVER* I can't wait to see where it goes in the next book, Torn, which is currently top of my wishlist!


The supporting cast were also surprisingly complex and all had different and intriguing personalities. Elora, Rhys, Willa, Tove, and more, every one contributed to the book, and if they weren't in the book, I don't think I would have liked it as much! It's hard to pick a 
favourite, they were all wonderful! (Well - Elora wasn't, but everyone else was!)


Switched had quite an original concept - trolls. There's no hot vampires or werewolves in this book, oh no! This supernatural creature is an unusual one to find in books, but it was an interesting idea! What made it different was that these trolls weren't big ugly beasts, they were quite attractive people! It was fun to read about something different, and I think people who are sick of the same old supernatural creatures would appreciate these trolls, or as they are known, 'Trylle'.


Just a little about the writing - it was good, but at times it felt a little unprofessional! I don't mean to be mean to the author, but I think parts weren't written (or edited?) as well as they should have been. However, most of the time I liked it, and it was easy and light to read. I thought Switched was going to be a much darker book, but it's actually surprisingly light! (not literally of course, like lightweight, but you know I mean!)


For me, Switched didn't quite live up to all of the hype surrounding it, but I still enjoyed it. It was a fun, interesting, different book that I would recommend. I am looking forward read more of this series!

Rating: 4/5

Source: For Review - thanks to the publisher for sending me this in exchange for an honest review.

Format: Paperback, Young Adult Edition
Pages: 356

Age group: 11+
Official Publication Date: 5th January 2012
Publisher: Tor
Challenges: ABC Reading Challenge