ARC Review: Crystal Kingdom (Kanin Chronicles #3)

Crystal Kingdom (Kanin Chronicles #3) by Amanda Hocking
Publication Date: August 4, 2015

Cast out by her kingdom and far from home, she's the Kanin people's only hope.

Bryn Aven - unjustly charged with murder and treason - is on the run. The one person who can help is her greatest enemy, the 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 Holmes and the Trylle kingdom? One thing is certain: an epic battle is underway—and when it’s complete, nothing will ever be the same.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Amanda Hocking has done it yet again and written a phenomenal finale to an amazing series. Fans of the Kanin Chronicles will not be disappointed by this ending and will be blown away from beginning to end. The action is non-stop and the adventure will leave you breathless. There is so much suspense that you will literally be on the edge of your seat while reading. And let me say this, Amanda Hocking is the queen of twists and turns...because the twists in this book will leave your head spinning, and you will have no idea who to trust or who is good. Suffice to say, this is a marked improvement over the last novel, Ice Kissed, which was a great book as well (just a little boring). There is definitely no boring elements here, and you will fly through the pages, never wanting this book to end.

This book picks up right where we left off in the previous novel, with Bryn on the run and being hunted for treason and murder. Bryn is fierce as ever, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I love her character so much, words can't even describe it. She grows so much in this novel, and finally realizes that she can't carry the world on her shoulders. Bryn realizes that she needs to share her fears, worries, and concerns with those who she loves the most, and are there to support her through it all. She has a great set of friends and loved ones that go above and beyond for her. The thing I love the most about Bryn's character though is her relatable nature. She is flawed, imperfect, but she also doesn't let anything get her down. Bryn fights with everything she has in her, and that is definitely something to admire.

The romance does kind of take a back seat in this one, that's to say, it's not at the forefront of the story. Nevertheless, it still plays a role, but one that is in the perfect amount for this novel. It never overshadows anything in the story. It definitely is steamy, and is meant for an older crowd, but at the same time, it's not explicit and the steamier scenes are very well done. I was very happy with the ending and how everything turned out between Ridley and Bryn. And I think fans will be too.

The one character that I hated to love was Konstantin. I wanted to dislike him, I really did, but I just couldn't help but love him in this novel! Even though throughout the series he is the villain, in this one, we see a different side to Konstantin, one in which we understand the reasons why he has done what he has, and more importantly, the truth. Though he is definitely not innocent, he has definitely redeemed himself in my eyes.

Overall, this was an extremely exciting, fast-paced adventure that is fantastic from the very first word to the very last. It will satisfy every fan of this series, and will leave you longing to re-read this series as soon as you finish. I can't wait to read whatever Amanda Hocking writes next!

Happy reading :)

~Cassie