Crystal Kingdom

Kanin Chronicles #3

by Amanda Hocking

The kingdom she loves has turned against her. Can she save it before it’s too late?

Bryn Aven—unjustly charged with murder and treason—is on the run. The one person who can help is her greatest enemy, the gorgeous and enigmatic Konstantin Black. Konstantin is her only ally against those who have taken over her kingdom and threaten to destroy everything she holds dear. But can she trust him?

As Bryn fights to clear her name, the Kanin rulers’ darkest secrets are coming to light…and now the entire troll world is on the brink of war. Will it tear Bryn from Ridley Dresden, the only guy she’s ever loved? And can she join forces with Finn Holms and the Trylle kingdom? Nothing is as it seems, but one thing is certain: an epic battle is under way—and when it’s over, nothing will ever be the same…

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Paranormal, Fiction, Magic, Young Adult Fantasy

432 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2015

About the author

AMANDA HOCKING is the author of over twenty young adult novels, including the New York Times bestselling Trylle Trilogy and Kanin Chronicles. Her love of pop culture and all things paranormal influence her writing. She spends her time in Minnesota, taking care of her menagerie of pets and working on her next book.

Several of her books have made the New York Times Bestsellers list. Her zombie series, The Hollows, has been adapted into a graphic novel by Dynamite. She has published over twenty novels, including The Kanin Chronicles, the Watersong quartet, My Blood Approves series, the Valkyrie duology, and Freeks .
For more info about her and her books, here are some other places to check out and ways to contact her:

Website: www.hockingbooks.com
Amazon Author Page: Amanda Hocking
Patreon: Amanda Hocking
Instagram: @amanda_hocking
BlueSky: AmandaHocking.bsky.social
Threads: @amanda_hocking
YouTube: aehocking
Facebook: Amanda Hocking Fans
Etsy: Hocking Books by Amanda
TikTok: @amanda_hocking
Goodreads: Amanda Hocking
Spotify : Amanda Hocking

Reviews

[Katerina · Rating 5 out of 5]

*5 "I can't believe this wonderful journey is over" stars*

“Troll seeking other trolls to combat evil troll army.”

This summarizes pretty much Crystal Kingdom.Add some adventure,devastating deaths,loathsome villains and heartbreaking romance and you have an excellent novel!Bryn is on the run,falsely accused of murder and treason and finds an unexpected ally in the face of Konstantin Black.Together they try to gather support to defeat the Kanin Queen and save the troll world from unnecessary bloodbath.From snowy Doldastam and underwater Storvatten to the Omte swamps and Forening to our beloved Trylle,Bryn fought hard to keep the people she loves safe and serve her kingdom.

“There is no such thing as good war,Bryn.Good people will die.Innocent lives will be destroyed.And in the end,one unfit person will still hold the crown.”

I fought and cried and laughed and loved with Bryn throughout this series,and Crystal Kingdom was a suitable conclusion.So fast-paced and breathtaking,with plot twists and agony,it led to a battle of wills,a battle between greed and devotion,lust for power and duty.I am so glad it was longer than the previous books but still it was not enough!There were so many characters I loved like Tilda and Linnea and Konstantin,and I can't even begin to describe my joy from Finn's important part in the plot and Wendy and Loki's appearances,they triggered some serious fangirl moments!I'm trying to come to terms with the unfortunate events that happened,and even though I was devastated I understand the reasons behind them.It doesn't make them less painful though.Amanda Hocking did an amazing job sucking us in the troll world,she played with our minds and emotions like a skillful puppeteer,but everything ended the way it was supposed to.

“I came back for you because you're all I've ever wanted or needed,because I want to be with you always.”

Aww Ridley ❤❤.So many butterflies in my stomach,so many scenes that made my poor heart melt (according to Amanda the dance scene between Ridley and Bryn was written to this song and it's so perfect,it may or may not be my ringtone).He went through some serious stuff that made him cold and distant for a while,but the longing and the love was palpable when he and Bryn were together.Bryn finally realised that love is not a weakness,not something to fight but a source of strength and she embraced that realisation.

“Love made me stronger.I would do anything to save Ridley.I would do everything I needed to do.”

And Amanda Hocking did everything she needed to do to give us an amazing book I will cherish deeply.

P.S.I accidentally mentioned to some friends of mine that I'm in love with a couple of trolls and now they want to buy me this for my upcoming birthday.

Socializing sucks.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Right off the bat, I wanna admit that I had no idea this was part of a trilogy when I requested it from NetGalley. I just saw Hocking's name and clicked it immediately.
In my defense, there was no mention of previous books in the description, so I just assumed this was the start of a new series.
And you know what happens when you ASS-U-ME something.
You end up with marshmallow fluff, hardening at an unbelievably rapid rate, all over the inside of your microwave. Amirite?!



What? Was there another analogy or something?
My point is, I went into this with a lot of missing backstory. A. Lot.
But I will give Hocking credit, I felt like she did a great job recapping the other stories, and I didn't feel as lost as I could have. By the end, I think I had a pretty good grasp on the overall plot of the other two books!



The problem was, I didn't care much for the actual plot.
It wasn't bad, just middle of the road. But, by the end, I just wanted to be finished with the book, so I could tick it off my to-do list.
Again, this could quite possibly be because I wasn't fully invested in the outcome of these characters, due to not having read the first two of books. And I haven't read her Trylle trilogy, either. Some of the characters from those books appear in this one, since this (appears to be) a spin-off from that world. I said that to say this, fans of those books may find this one to be much more interesting than I did.



So, there's a Troll world living within our world. And they're split into several different kingdoms.
Bryn is a high-ranking tracker from one of them, but because of events that have transpired in the other books, she's been framed for treason & murder, which has landed her on the kingdom's Most Wanted list.
In order to save her friends, family, and true love, she'll need to find out who is really responsible for the conspiracy. She teams up with unlikely allies, forms unlikely friendships, uncovers secrets, and tries to save the day.
Ta-da!



Having not read the other books, I don't feel right rating this lower than 3 stars, but I'm not going out of my way to recommend this one to anyone, either.

ARC provided by NetGalley & the publisher.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Crystal Kingdom by Amanda Hocking
Book Three of the Kanin Chronicles
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: August 4, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Bryn must decide: follow her head or her heart. Thrown into a world of suspense and intrigue, Bryn now has to fight to clear her name. But she's not alone. With help from the Trylle - including Finn Holmes - she's on a quest to discover the truth.

With her life and her world on the line, will Bryn be able to risk it all?

What I Liked:

Possible spoilers if you have not read Frostfire or Ice Kissed! But I think I kept things vague enough about this book particularly. You're on your own, in terms of books one and two.

I rather enjoyed this book! I had hoped that this book would be a bit better than the previous book, Ice Kissed, which I gave three stars. I found that one to be a little boring, which wasn't a problem with this book. This one was nearly a hundred pages longer than the other two books, but the length didn't show at all.

This one picks up right where Ice Kissed left off. Bryn is on the run, as she is a wanted person in Doldastam, among the Kanin tribe. She flees, and is tracked down by none other than Konstantin Black. She and Konstantin work together to try and rally support from other kingdoms, but it isn't easy at all. They will have to turn to unexpected sources for help, as well as fight on their own for what they lost and what they will lose.

This conclusion was one of high energy, but a slow-build high energy. It felt like another novel in the series, but it was clear that the stakes were very high throughout the book. I kind of liked how Hocking set this up! The pressure didn't feel super high, though it really was. War is brewing from Kanin, and the danger is inescapable. Bryn is on the run and needs amnesty and an army, but she doesn't want to take on the very people of her home, her fellow Kanin trolls. So much is at stake, but something must be done about the deception and false accusations and schemes and betrayals in the Kanin royalty.

Bryn is such a kickbutt character! I mean, a lot of YA heroines are kickbutt in their own way, but Bryn is physically and mentally and emotionally strong. She is constantly steeling herself for difficult decisions, or trying to save everyone. And when she's frustrated, she does push-ups! Sometimes she runs laps too, but push-ups! That's hardcore. And she proves herself to be a kickbutt character over and over, taking on the Omte (giant ogres) head-on, protecting her loved ones, even fighting with and for Konstantin Black.

I feel like I understand Konstantin more, after reading this book. He was made out to be a villain in Frostfire, which he kind of is - he tried to kill Bryn's father. But we find out that, as he said throughout the series upon meeting Bryn (in unfortunate circumstances), things aren't as they seem, and Bryn doesn't know everything that is going on in. I felt bad for Konstantin, though he isn't innocent by far.

The plots and twists in this book are surprising and shocking and not too predictable, which is good. I didn't see most of them coming. I love the direction Hocking takes the story, with all the traveling and visiting the different kingdoms and whatnot. We get to see some characters from the Trylle trilogy, like King Loki (who has not changed a bit) and Queen Wendy, Finn Holmes and his wife and kids. Remember, this Kanin series is occurring like six ish years after the Trylle trilogy.

The story is very engrossing and I never felt bored as I was reading. I had no problem zipping through the 400+ pages. I love Bryn's character, the strength of her personality. I liked Konstantin - he becomes a friend to Bryn, even though he was once her enemy. Other character pop back into the story, like Ridley, Tilda, and Finn. Ridley isn't as present in this story, but when he is, emotions leak off the page. All kinds.

Which leads me to the romance. Bryn spends about a third of the book missing Ridley, feeling pain every time she thinks of him. She doesn't know that he was taken and tortured after she escaped. When he and Tilda find Bryn, he seems cold and distant. It's his own way of dealing with what happened to him, but it hurts Bryn. Nevertheless, I like their relationship, despite the obstacles in this book. They grow stronger even as they hurt each other and come back together and hurt each other and come back together. There are one or two hot scenes in this book, prepare yourself!

There is NO LOVE TRIANGLE. Konstantin never was a romantic player in this book. I saw someone say something about that, and I can't agree with the statement. There is no love triangle! Konstantin and Bryn develop a strong friendship, but Bryn has no romantic feelings for Konstantin.

The ending is slightly sad (there is a shocking death, though I somewhat expected that person to die), but it's a satisfying and happy ending overall. Like I said, there is a big death, and other people die too, but I think the ending is a good one. I like the ending a lot! This series ends so well.

What I Did Not Like:

I wish for a happier ending for some people, but they ended up dead, so I guess they can't get their happy ending. But that happens in books involving war, especially in conclusion novels! The deaths didn't bother me too much though. I just wish a certain character or two could have gotten a nice ending. Maybe death is a nice ending though.

Would I Recommend It:

I liked this book a lot! Frostfire might be my favorite, or maybe this one. The series stumbled a tiny bit with Ice Kissed, but overall, the series was great. I enjoyed the Trylle trilogy too, and this spin-off series did not disappoint. Interesting take on trolls and changelings!

Rating:

4 stars. Hopefully I've not only kept this review vague, but I've also somehow convinced you that this is a great book and a wonderful conclusion novel. Not an easy review to write! But a great book about which to write a review. I'm interested in seeing what Hocking has next for readers!

[Norah Una Sumner · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It is so contradictory that life can be the worst it‘s ever been and the best it‘s ever been all at once. It‘s strange how love can blossom even in the darkest places."

Okay,first of all,there is so much foreshadowing in this book that I pretty much knew what's going to happen/who's going to die etc.But that doesn't mean that it was easier for me to cope with all of those things.I loved how we got to see the whole Trylle+Kanin squad here,I really enjoyed those parts.Bryn is same as always,I love how she doesn't want to abandon her friends and family,but let's be honest-Konstantin gave her a few very needed life lessons.

"You act like all the Kanin are saints and everybody else is a sinner," Konstantin said harshly."Those Omte soldiers down there are just following orders,the same as the Kanin. And you don‘t have any qualms about killing them."
I shook my head."It‘s different."
"It‘s different how?Because they‘re not like you? Because you didn‘t grow up with them?"Konstantin shot back."Proximity doesn‘t make some people more worthwhile than others, Bryn."

When it comes to supporting characters,I really liked Ember's letters.Ridley was great,too.It was so sad to hear what happened to him when Bryn escaped in the previous book.But let's talk about the real star of this book.TILDA.She's is too bad ass and amazing to handle.Seriously.



The ending...Hmm,I knew what was going going to happen but I was still sad and heartbroken.Goodbye,Kanin Chronicles...Long live the King!

Favourite quotes:

"My outfit was a black dress with a corset waist, off-the-shoulder sleeves, and a large ball gown skirt. It looked like something someone might‘ve worn to a Gothic wedding. And then they‘d been buried in it for a few months."

"Those friends of yours came in through the gate, so the Queen got word of it.She wants to meet with you and Ridley in the morning to discuss what‘s happening."
"Discuss what?" I asked.
"Probably why there‘s like half a dozen people hiding out in Finn‘s house, and how long everyone plans on staying here", he said.

"I don‘t know how they could possibly track us." Then he looked over at Konstantin. "Unless someone told them where we‘d be."
"They tried to kill me too, remember?",Konstantin snapped."And how would I know that we‘d be at this exact spot on this exact shitty road at this time while Tilda was taking a piss?"

"Through most of the ride, none of us really said anything.It was hard to hear over the sound of the vehicle, and there wasn‘t much to say.
Are you scared that the Omte will literally crush you?
Oh, me too! "

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, kudos to Amanda Hocking for these beautiful book covers and titles. I have loved each one of them. Also her writing is really good. Now that that's out of the way let's talk about the plot or lack of it. I felt like the author was just trolling me throughout for this, for this!

I didn't much like the first book but second was not bad. But all that trolling, I mean the build up was for that twist at the end? That half of it I had figured out in the first book and the other half in the second book. And what a joke that so called war was. Yes we lost a lot of lives but still.

The things that I liked were the gorgeous sceneries, the writing style, some of the characters and that's it.

2.5 stars

[Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 trolls and 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

[praiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHY???? THAT WAS SO CRUEL. My heart cannot take this.

Amanda Hocking absolutely rules. I recommend this series to everybody. Just incredible.

[Steph F]

Hell yes I want to be your friend Konstantin Black. HELL.YESS.
*update*
I'm dead inside. The feels have killed me.

[hillary · Rating 4 out of 5]

FUCK YOU. JUST F-U-C-K Y-O-U.

I should be giving you a one-star rating. ONE STAR, you ASSHOLE OF A BOOK.
I am SO FUCKING ANGRY.

OH YES, I KNOW HOW THIS WORKED IN YOUR HEAD, AMANDA HOCKING.
"Hmm yeah, I have to finally work on the love triangle I laid the foundation for throughout the whole first two novels. Now I just have to think of what to do when the two guys actually meet and what is going to happen after the war. Hmmm. I just love both Ridley and Konstantin with Bryn, and I can't choose. But Ridley and Bryn have been annoying the entire series since they couldn't be together for major problems, and now that they have sorted their shit out I really don't want to set them apart so brutally in the last 50% of the last book.
But at the same time Bryn loved and now again loves Konstantin, and Konstantin loves her... And this is so good romance!
Okay, calm down. Think about the characters. Bryn would never abandon Ridley so quickly, it wouldn't be coherent with her and with the story. She loves him so much now and I don't have time to create a true problem between the two. Unfortunately Konstantin hasn't even kissed Bryn or confessed yet, so he can't be a treat. It's too late.
WTH I placed myself in a really shitty problem.
Okay okay, I know how to resolve this, I just have to think a little more...
Oh. OH. This is a great idea! Why haven't I thought about this earlier? One of the two has to die, so Bryn doesn't refuse any of them! This is genius!
Hmm... Ridley lives so they can live happily ever after! Konstantin dies because of his love for Bryn! So he's a hero! Perfect!"



You can't do this to me. I hate you. I HATE YOU. I hate you! You made me fall in love with Konstantin and then you KILLED him. You're a murderer!
CHANGE THIS SHITTY ENDING RIGHT NOW!

Maybe tomorrow I'll calm down and write a proper review. But right now I really can't.
See what you did to me, Amanda Hocking?
I'LL GO CRAWL IN BED TO CRY.


Several days after I think I'm ready to write about this book without screaming.
It was actually very good, like the previous two! But finally we have some big explanations about what's going on, with incredible big plot twists even right at the beginning of the novel. The things here were so complicated, there were intrigues and lies everywhere. Not kidding.

An important thing is that, with Bryn and Konstantin on the run, we get finally to see a lot of the troll world. I was super pleased with that. It was really interesting.
And c'mon, I got to see my Loki again <3 *swoon*
And if Loki hasn't changed a bit (same brat as always :Q__) Wendy is now a real queen, and knows how to deal with the problems of her kingdom and of the other tribes. She's almost unrecognizable if I think about Switched! She went through a massive character growth.

And there's the war. It was really good, with a lot of "what the hell?!?" moments. Also, a lot of good characters die. I can't think about one in particular or I'm going to start crying again.
I think that at the end it was kind of a bittersweet ending, everyone has been parted from some people they loved. The only couple that remains at the end is the Bryn-Ridley one! It's so unfair!
And Konstantin! Can we talk about him? Him and Bryn would have been an amazing couple (my OTPPPP), but I couldn't care less if the author'd have decided to let him live...

Overall it was a really amazing book. Not the conclusion I was expecting, but a great one nonetheless. It was full of funny things, drama, friendship, love and non-ending problems, and it kept me on the edge of my sit for some days. Keeping me from studying too.

[Camly Nguyen · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 35%
Yes, you can understand the book without the prequels but I really don't recommend it.
Why? Well, let's say that it took 35% of the novel for things to get going because the author has to recap the other books. Thing is, I'm not talking about "for it to start getting interesting", I'm really talking about "to get going". By the way it looks, I don't even think that the first and second book were very exciting...It's flat, slow and just overall pretty monotonous. You feel absolutely no connection with the characters and there isn't anything to spice up the story. Therefore I'm sorry to say that I just can't do this anymore. I'm out.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this series! And was awesome to see Wendy and Loki again although I wanted to see even more of them. I loved Bryn and Ridley but my heart also went out to Konstantin. Good ending to the series.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything is at risk for Bryn, her life, her world and those she loves. On the run, Bryn has done her best to stay off the radar, but Konstantin has found her, now what? He claims to be on her side, to want to aid in her quest against evil, but isn’t this the very man who did Mina’s bidding? Can she trust him? Mina’s brutal reign must end, but it will take a war, bloody, massive and brutal. How can Bryn convince other kingdoms to join forces, put aside any differences and work together as allies? Settle in and get ready to re-enter Amanda Hocking’s world of magic and mayhem in Crystal Kingdom, take a deep breath, you are going to need it for this wicked fast-paced journey to rescue the masses from the evil machinations of one evil queen.

Amanda Hocking has hit her stride again with Crystal Kingdom as she brings together old characters and new to come to the aid of one brave and determined Bryn. Her heart longs for Ridley, but its duty over love, and with Konstantin by her side, she prepares for a future filled with death, destruction and hopefully rebuilding and re-birth. Will Ridley still want the new woman she has become?

Ms. Hocking fuels her tale with suspense, intrigue and heart-wrenching moments from unexpected places as action takes front stage to romance and the fight for good versus evil rages on. Great writing, incredible characters, scenes that scream, “This is real, you are here,” and dialogue that will in turn give you chills and have you raising the battle cry!

I received an ARC edition from St. Martin's Griffin in exchange for my honest review.

Series: The Kanin Chronicles - Book 3
Publication Date: August 4, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN-13: 9781466850880
Genre: YA Fantasy
Print Length: 432 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For More Reviews, Promotions and all things Books visit: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Mollyvknize · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tak tohle ... byl mord... všechno špatně, všechno předvídatelné, nulová akce... ach jo, ach jo. jak byl první díl příjemná oddechová fantasy, tenhle díl bych nejradši pohřbila někam hluboko do země a zapomněla na něj :/ víc v recenzi.

[Ronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's taken a little while for me to pick this up and although I loved the first two books, I was a little worried that this one wouldn't live up to my expectations.

It was a little slow for the first part of the book and then a little rushed in other parts but the final chapters had me hooked, at one point I had to fight back my tears!

A very good conclusion, not as thrilling as the first two but well worth reading regardless.... I've always loved Konstantin Black... That hasn't changed!!

[Ѽ tazannah Ѽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Doldastam was in shambles, exactly as Mina had wanted. But I couldn’t let her win. The Kanin people were stronger than this. I’d learned to be a fighter growing up here, watching people ride above their places in this world, and together, somehow, we would find the strength to put this back together.
We could not let anyone destroy us."
--------------------------------
A spectacular conclusion to the Kanin Chronicles. Amanda Hocking truly does have a way with words, weaving together a story of betrayal, romance, tragedy, and love. Secrets and unraveled, and decisions are made. But the real question is: Will Bryn and her friends be left standing at the very end?

Highly climactic and beautifully addicting, Crystal Kingdom is perfect for fans of elves, kingdoms with lurking secrets, and strange love.

~ This series makes for a perfect winter read <3
----------------------------------
Thoughts About the Book:
- AHH SO MANY OF THE GOOD CHARACTERS DIED! In the end, I was left feeling as if my heart had been ripped out of my chest. I swear authors spin a wheel and are like: “Hmmm, who should I kill next?”
- KONSTANTIN BLACK KONSTANTIN BLACK KONSTANTIN BLACK, AHH I LOVE HIMM!! <33 I originally hated him with a burning passion hotter than the sun, but after the first two books, I realized he wasn’t bad at all. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s good looking, too ;) But in all seriousness- he deserved so much better 💔
- I honestly wish Bryn ended up with Konstantin instead of Ridley. I was NEVER team Ridley, oííí
- I was satisfied with the ending, I suppose. It was a beautifully written novel, and I appraise Hocking for another job well done *clap clap*
-----------------------------------
Christian Perspective / CWs:
- There is a gay couple in this novel, and it was mentioned in the first and second books as well. But in the last two books only did a relationship TRULY form. In the first book, it was just mentioned that the character was gay
- CWs: War, gore, death/murder, and one scene regarding intercourse
- A decent amount of cursing
-------------------------------
Quotes I Saved:
p.5 • "‘Now I’m alone, and you’re alone. So I thought we could be alone together.’"

p.26 • "I lay awake, letting my thoughts go over the scenarios again and again, because it was so much better than sleeping. When I closed my eyes, I knew that only nightmares awaited me."

p.115 • "‘You look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders,’ Finn commented.

"I kind of feel that way," I said honestly. "I've made too many mistakes, and too many people are paying for them."

"I've had to learn a hard lesson, and I think you might need to, too." Finn leaned back in his chair. "Everything can't be your fault. You're not that powerful. The whole world isn't in your control."

I swallowed hard and stared down at my tea. "I know that."

"But it still feels like you should be able to prevent every disaster and protect everyone you care about from any pain?" Finn asked, and I nodded. ‘But you can't, so sometimes you need to trust that people can take care of themselves.’"

p.116 • "‘If you could’ve done more, you would’ve.’"

p.116 • "‘You’re no help to anyone if you’re falling apart.’"

p.196 • "I did my best to keep my head up, and my expression neutral, like this wasn’t breaking my heart all over again."

p.332 • "‘It’s hard setting your feelings aside to do the right thing.’"

p.371 • "I wouldn’t let all be taken away from me. No without a flight to the bloody end."

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - "She is one determined bitch." Stars!

The Kanin Chronicles series certainly had the potential to be a 5 star winner for me, and in the main I did really enjoy it, but I can’t ignore the fact that my main reason for enjoying the books was due to the general storyline and the secondary characters. My lack of any feeling or empathy for Bryn Aven is what knocked it down a little with my ratings.



Don’t let that put you off though as I still think the series is a really enjoyable adventure, but when the main character (Who is only 19) has such a superhero complex, and is so arrogant that she rarely takes advice from anyone or listens to anything apart from her own self-important inner monologue, it does get a little trying.

”It’s hard to know what to do when everything is falling apart.”

That was my bug bear to be honest, I felt the author was almost trying to give us a Trollified Katniss Everdeen, but whereas you see the humanity and strength in character of Ms. Everdeen in her actions, I found a lot of Ms. Aven’s actions came over a little more self-centered and her behavior at times bordered on childish, with the constant, 'it's all my fault' and 'I could have done more', I really did just want to tell her to 'get over yourself' more than once.

But, the above for me was really a small detraction from my enjoyment of the series as a whole. As the final book you can expect lots of twists and turns, Bryn ventures far and wide in her hope to secure help for the Kanin people as well as try and clear her name. We get to spend a little more time with Konstantin (who I would love to see a novel/la for at some point outlining his adventures after leaving Doldastam). As well as the rest of the characters that I had come to like over the previous books.

”I’ll find you if you need me.”

I enjoyed Amanda Hocking’s writing style immensely, evoking the images into a reader’s head of a completely different people, not to mention their towns, buildings and general way of life can be a thing that some writers struggle to do without either going over the top, or not providing enough description, and the author hits that balance perfectly. I will certainly look forward to reading more from her in the future.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.

[Kelly (Diva Booknerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.divabooknerd.com/2015/08/c...
Crystal Kingdom was a worthy and brilliant series end. Amanda Hocking transports us back to the wintery kingdom of the Kanin trolls and the tyrannical rule of Queen Mina, this time Bryn is on the run and accused of murder, a crime that fellow fugitive Konstantin knows all too well. Even though she is missing Ridley, her parents and friends, Bryn remains a tower of strength. She has nowhere to go and to avoid capture, she realises that it will take drastic measures to clear her name, but knows she'll never be able to return home. Konstantin is now an ally, the dark knight now turning on the rogue Viktor Dalig to seek revenge, revealing his sordid past with Queen Mina herself. I assumed their newly formed and tentative friendship could have been mistaken for a romantic storyline, thankfully Bryn is a character who doesn't easily fall for potential love interests and her thoughts remain almost entirely with Ridley. I loved Konstantin's character. Where in Frostfire and Ice Kissed, he was evasive and played the sinister role of the villain, in Crystal Kingdom this isn't the case. We learn more about who Konstantin is beyond his crimes, and the softer, vulnerable side which will no doubt endear readers to his cause.

Once again, the character driven world building is lovely. From the icy conditions of the Kanin, to the watery kingdom of the Skojare. It's described so vividly, so lovingly that it immerses the reader into Kanin realm, allowing you to fully engage with the storyline. This series has been lovely, but I hadn't realised how emotionally invested I was until the final few pages when a few tears escaped.

Amanda Hocking's vivid and immersive storytelling are incredible, creating a rich, vibrant and wildly popular series. She sets realistic and relatable characters into fantasy worlds that has crafted an incredibly intense and emotionally charged finale that will surprise, enthrall and delight until the final page.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this book as a Goodreads giveaway.

I had to buy the first two books in this series in order to read this one and overall I felt the entire series was a waste of time. Not much ever happens and the three books are highly repetitive. The main character interacts with the same characters, goes to the same places, and basically follows the same plot line for all three books with nothing really getting resolved until the very last three chapters of the series. The author doesn't even vary the details she gives you about these same people and same places. We have to read the same exact, LENGTHY and BORING, descriptions in each book.

I didn't like the writing of the first book because I found it to be too basic. I thought she improved with the second book, but in the third she reverts back to immature text and lack of imagination. The characters are one dimensional, the plot is boring, and what parts have the potential to be interesting (for instance when they visit the Omte tribe) are over before you even realize what happened and what did happen makes no sense.

I'm surprised she's written so many other books because if I had guessed I would have said this was a first time writer and the book was self-published. I wouldn't recommend the series... if you want an action-packed story about a female protagonist saving a kingdom I would instead recommend Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.

[laur gluchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m PISSED I wanted Bryn to end up with Konstantin so bad... I knew he loved her and then he confesses his love to her and DIES???? I hate everything goodbye-

[Denia Books & Baubles · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books were incredible.
I think they were missing something, but after a while they got my attention, especially Ridley and Bryn. Those two were just beautiful. though I knew Konstantine had something for her, and when things finally came to motion I was so happy but then he died, of course, and then nothing happened. But Ridley is good for her. The moment I cried was when Emma died, I was so pissed, all this love working on and I'm here like, we get it you love each other so try to survive not to sacrifice. Anyhow, The books were inspiring.

[Rea Regan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly am shocked I read this series in full because it was not very good. Everything that happens is entirely predictable, the FMC gives me a headache, and the writing is so basic (which isn't necessarily a bad thing) but this time around, I found the writing so average that I couldn't get into the story whatsoever.

Just wasn't for me in the slightest. 😫

[Yuuki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sönük karakterler, basite indirgenmiş bir hikaye ve acele son 🙄 Aklımda kalmayacak bir seri oldu 🤷‍♀️

[Madison M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this entire series and I would love to read it again. I recommend these books for anyone who likes adventure and romance. This book when into the kind of detail that makes a movie play in my head. Bryn is such an amazing character and the book shows everything through her eyes. The feelings throughout this book are so..... I can't even explain it you just have to read the books for yourself. Some of this makes your heart ache. The fact that Amanda Hocking puts so much complicated feelings into Bryn. She wants to tell people things but her way of showing feelings was always being so serious that it was like it just continued to eat her up inside. This was such an amazing book and series.

[dee ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great conclusion. It has everything I wanted (except one thing) and answered all my questions. It really took for for a ride.

I'm really going to miss the Trylle world though ):

My full review can be found here. Where I discuss my distraught heart.

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this fast paced conclusion to the Kanin Chronicles, Bryn is on the run from the Kanin who accused her of murder and treason. She finds an ally in the most unlikely source, Konstantin Black, an enemy of all the kingdoms and who attempted to murder her father years before. Will Bryn and Konstantin find help with the Trylle or will they refuse to participate in the coming war? And what about all of Bryn's Kanin friends, including Ridley? Will she be forced to fight and maybe even kill them?

This was my favorite of the series. I loved how well all the loose ends were tied up and I feel like all my questions were answered in this book. It moved very smoothly and I loved how everything that happened made sense in its own way.

The characters were written so well that I felt like I really knew them. All of them seemed to really have their own personality and I loved that. Even the most minor characters were unique and I feel that really added to the overall feel of the book. Ridley and Bryn were perfect together but I loved the twist with Konstantin in the end. It helped to show just how much Bryn loved Ridley in my opinion. Konstantin was a complex character and I thought he was really mysterious, what with how he could put on a mask when he needed too and I liked how he didn't do that all that much with Bryn. He was probably my favorite character but I still shipped Ridley and Bryn much more.

I loved the how every few chapters there would be one of Ember's letters. It was a unique way to show what was happening in Kanin and how people were dealing with it. I also liked reading her letters and learning more about her personality especially since she's not in the book much after that. It was a really cool idea to include them in the book and it added to the world building of the book.

It was awesome how characters from the Trylle series were in this one especially Wendy, Loki, and Finn. It was fun to see that they were living happily and that Wendy was still as caring and compassionate as she was in the other series. The war scenes were a little graphic but overall they were pretty good. There was a ton of death and most of it was really sad but I'm not going to say who all died just because most of it is major spoilers. I just about cried about some of it and I didn't even cry when I read the Fault in Our Stars! It was pretty sad.

I would strongly recommend this series and the Trylle series. They both made my list of favorite series and whatever Amanda Hocking writes in the future I will definitely be reading!

***I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I have given this above.***

[Kate Ormand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bryn escapes her kingdom, accused of a crime she didn't commit. She meets an old enemy and uncovers dark secrets surrounding Doldastam and its royalty. The story moves quickly as Bryn visits the troll tribes in an attempt to discover the truth and bring peace to her kingdom and the people she loves. A lot stands between Bryn and what she wishes to achieve. Will she get the help she needs to pull it off?

With high drama and great pacing, the twists and turns kept coming, making this an incredibly exciting read, just as the previous books in the series had been. I loved that we got all five troll tribes present in this book, and got the opportunity to revisit some Trylle favourites! The troll tribes live in a world within our own, hidden from humans and under their own rule. The world-building is spectacular and the characters are well fleshed out. I adored Bryn, Ridley, and Konstantin, and many others, and am yet to read an Amanda Hocking book I haven't fallen hard for. This was no exception--amazing and utterly addictive. Five stars aren't enough!

[Brittany (Brittany's Book Rambles) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 Stars

The Crystal Kingdom carries pretty much all of the problems I had with the Frostfire and Ice Kissed. Except, I finally get the answers I've been looking for since book one. I was disappointed by some, in particular the details about what Konstantin had been doing throughout this trilogy and his reasons why. That being said, I did enjoy this book. There is a lot more action and drama that I think these books needed. At the end of the day, these books weren't for me but this one made me not regret reading them.



Read my full review HERE.

[Sabrien Abdelrahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

YAAASSSSS



I loved this ending, and practically everything in this book except for one thing: wasn't Ember's death already enough? Konstantin had to die too? Really?

[Melissa Delport · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. The ending was satisfying - good, not great - but that PACING!! Breakneck!! It's like the author became a runaway train about 30% in and couldn't stop herself! Great series and I'm definitely going to check out the Trylle series!

[jessica ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything kinda worked itself out but I just wasn’t super thrilled with the way things were wrapped up at the end. I didn’t care for the Bryn and Ridley romance at all, no matter how hard I looked I just saw zero chemistry.