Omte Origins 1 & 2 Dual Review: Pros and Cons of Searching for your Troll Parents

December 14, 2020 by Bec | 3 stars, Books, Reviews

Omte Origins 1 & 2 Dual Review: Pros and Cons of Searching for your Troll ParentsThe Lost City by Amanda Hocking
Series: The Omte Origins #1
Published by Pan Macmillan Australia on July 9th, 2020
Source: Publisher
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Fairy Tales & Folklore
Amazon | Book Depository | Publisher | Angus & Robertson | Booktopia | Barnes & Noble
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Nestled against the coast lies a forested kingdom filled with wonder and secrets

Ulla Tulin was abandoned as a baby and raised amongst the Kanin, like many half-blood trolls. And though she was hidden because of her heritage, she never forgot her origins. So when Ulla is hired by an institution that helps those like her, she's delighted.

She teams up with handsome Pan Soriano, a half-human researcher. However, their efforts to find her family are blocked when it seems Ulla has royal connections. They think helping amnesiac Eliana, with her own unique gift, may be more successful. But as Ulla nd Pan dig deeper, they find someone will do anything to keep these mysteries hidden.

The Good Things

  • I remember when the Trylle books first came out and were hyped! But I never got around to reading them. It was exciting to finally jump into the world!
  • Such a well developed, fleshed out world! There was so much troll mythology, history, and lore! I actually read the entire glossary because I found it so interesting.
  • Nice short chapters and easy to read. Also technically a New Adult! (Ulla is 19 and trying to find her place in the world).
  • Dagna was my favourite character! She was so antisocial and prickly and sarcastic. Also, she’s asexual.
  • Hints of a slow burn romance that (hopefully) develops over the course of the entire trilogy.
  • It’s made me want to go back and read all the other books set in this world.
  • It is very much a set up book though. It established a lot of background info for the sequel.
  • I enjoyed it more than I was expecting to!

 

The Not-So-Good Things

  • I felt it was a bit info-dumpy with the history and mythology sometimes, especially in the beginning. Lots was conveyed in awkward character conversations.
  • The plot wasn’t as action packed as I was expecting? I was expecting lots of twists and turns as secrets get uncovered, but it was more research and reading.
  • I felt like I’d read half a book by the time I got to the end? The climax with the most interesting and relevant plot revelations come right at the end. Endings with twists and revelations are important if there is a sequel, but the first book usually needs its own complete arc too (in my opinion).
  • It didn’t help that I found Ulla kind of bland and boring. She has potential though.
  • I’m scared there are hints of a love triangle forming. I don’t usually like those.
  • The ending made it seem like Ulla and a mysterious stranger had a more involved relationship than they actually did… They met literally three or four times very briefly. 

 

This was a fun read! And one I enjoyed more than I expected. Although there was a bit of info dumping and I wanted more plot, I’m really intrigued by the world! Can’t wait to see where it goes next.

Rating: 3.5 stars

 

Omte Origins 1 & 2 Dual Review: Pros and Cons of Searching for your Troll ParentsThe Morning Flower by Amanda Hocking
Series: The Omte Origins #2
Published by Pan Macmillan Australia on August 6th, 2020
Source: Publisher
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Fairy Tales & Folklore
Amazon | Book Depository | Publisher | Angus & Robertson | Booktopia | Barnes & Noble
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Nestled against the coast lies the Omte's secret kingdom: a forested realm filled with wonder and secrets

In the beautiful city of Merellä, Eliana was kidnapped while in Ulla's care. Ulla is desperate to rescue her friend and to unlock the mystery of Eliana's Identity. So both Ulla and Pan embark on a quest to the Omte's Capital. There, they learn of a secret society - with a mysterious connection to Ulla's long-lost father.

Compelled to investigate this society, the pair discover clues to a lost city in its archives. This may hold the key to Ulla's Heritage and Eliana's salvation, but not everything is as it seems in this hidden world. Are they running towards the answers they seek so desperately - or a dangerous trap?

The Good Things

  • Starts right where The Lost City finished.
  • We got to know Ulla and her personality more! I found her a bit bland and boring in the first book but she’s more sarcastic in this one.
  • We got answers about Ulla’s history and parentage. It involved more twists than I expected!
  • A bit more of a glimpse into the hidden lore and mystery of trolls.
  • Pan definitely had a bigger role, and he’s fun and sassy. Elof and Dagny were also there for entertainment and info.
  • The ending was actually kind of suspenseful and I’m excited to see how everything unfolds in the final book.

 

The Not-So-Good Things

  • There really wasn’t all that much plot or world development overall. Some good revelations in the last 50 pages but otherwise… eh.
  • It was underwhelming honestly.
  • Lots of romance angst was introduced. And it’s still unclear whether there is going to be a (mediocre) love triangle or not.
  • I would have enjoyed it better if more time was spent exploring new lore and unravelling the mystery earlier on rather than barely fleshing out the romance.
  • The writing remains moderately info-dumpy at times, mostly in dialogue.
  • It really felt like the characters forgot all the clues and lore they learnt in book one until two thirds of the way through this book. And then all the plot revelations seemed to come out of nowhere. It was jarring.

 

Honestly, this was underwhelming. Still an enjoyable and easy read, but I was hoping for more mystery and plot development. Instead, I got romance angst and not much else. Thankfully the last quarter was good. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all wraps up in the final book next year.

Rating: 3 stars

Have you read any of the books set in the Trylle universe?

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Bec is an Aussie blogger and reader who loves all types of novels. Fantasy, sci fi, and historical are my usual go-to genres. If I’m not binge reading, I’m usually gaming, trying to take decent photos for bookstagram, or freaking out about silly things.

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