Amanda Hocking, the New York Times bestselling author of The Kanin Chronicles, returns to the magical world of the Trylle Trilogy with The Lost City, the first novel in The Omte Origins–and the final story arc in her beloved series. The storm and the orphan Twenty years ago, a woman sought safety from the spinning ice and darkness that descended upon a small village. She was given shelter for … upon a small village. She was given shelter for the night by the local innkeepers but in the morning, she disappeared–leaving behind an infant. Now nineteen, Ulla Tulin is ready to find who abandoned her as a baby or why.
The institution and the quest
Ulla knows the answers to her identity and heritage may be found at the Mimirin where scholars dedicate themselves to chronicling troll history. Granted an internship translating old documents, Ulla starts researching her own family lineage with help from her handsome and charming colleague Pan Soriano.
The runaway and the mystery
But then Ulla meets Eliana, a young girl who no memory of who she is but who possesses otherworldly abilities. When Eliana is pursued and captured by bounty hunters, Ulla and Pan find themselves wrapped up in a dangerous game where folklore and myth become very real and very deadly–but one that could lead Ulla to the answers she’s been looking for.
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Amanda Hocking has created a fantastical world full of trolls, a whole history, culture, civilization. I was first introduced to her trolls in the Trylle trilogy as the main character, a changeling named Wendy learns who she really is and fights for her crown. Then Amanda continued in that world following Bryn as she fights for her place among the guard and fights for her kingdom during a time of political upheaval. Now Amanda has returned to the world of the trolls with Ulla as she learns more about trolls’ history and realizes that not everything is a myth.
Ulla was abandoned at birth but she was taken in by an elderly couple and while she was cared for, she never really had a home. Then she is taken in by Finn (the same one from the first series in this world) to become a nanny slash-daughter-like. Ulla is a part of the family, she loves them she’s and they love her but still, Ulla wants more so she accepts an internship at the Mimirin, which is basically like a troll college/city-like institution in order to try to learn more about where she comes from. Ulla has a steady presence, is kind, caring, responsible, and open-hearted, I like her and her simplicity.
While there she meets a whole cast of characters, her roommate Dagney who is a scientist and archer, she’s pretty A-typical and a little grumpy but she grows on you. Pan who works in the same building as her, shows her around and is building a friendship with Ulla. He’s there a lot and they are mostly comfortable around each other. There seems to be something more growing between them but it’s at the beginning stages. I like Pan and I like Pan and Ulla together but there’s a mysterious character murking Ulla’s feelings. Then there is Eliana who is unique, whimsical, and a little different but is kind and has an innocence. There is something going on with Eliana and it looks like she needs some help, and I have a feeling that Ulla’s hunt is somehow connected to Eliana.
Amanda did a really good job with the lush descriptions in this one. The way she described the people, the food, and the setting really brought the story to life. Also adding Hanna to the story I think was a brilliant idea. Something about her being there in the first leg of Ulla’s journey, her being there with Eliana it felt right.
I love the world of the trolls Amanda has created and out of all the series in this world, with these people, I have to say I love Lost City the best so far. It’s filled with myths, magic, and mystery. I love getting more troll history, learning about their legends, and seeing it all in an academia setting was fantastic. Ulla is just beginning her journey and from the ending, it looks like the adventure is just beginning.
This was a fun surprise. I haven’t thought about the Trylle world in along time and this is et in that world. You can absolutely read this with having read that series, it is in the same world but completely a standalone for all intents and purposes. This was an intriguing read from the start and once it got going I was officially hooked.
This book is a fantasy adventure with a hint of a potential romance. It is 100% right up a typical Amanda Hocking read and I loved getting to know a whole new cast of characters. It has been years since I read the Trylle books and I had no issue diving into this so it can totally be for a brand new reader with no issue.
A book full of intrigue and finding yourself. I loved that a big part of the story line is not elating what you are define who you are. The characters are fixed on where they come form, or better yet, WHO they are related to, but even that withstanding they spend a good amount fo the book truly becoming content with who they are as a person even while continue the search for answers.
I loved the mystery and I am looked. I want answers as to where the story is going and I cannot wait to dive into the next book.
Of course when I saw this, I had to pick it up because I loved the first two series that go with this, the Trylle which began with Switched, and the Kanin Chronicles which began with Frostfire. I didn’t really remember Ulla that much from the Kanin Chronicles, but I remembered the family she was a nanny for of course. But I loved being dumped back into this world that the author created and really enjoyed all the new folklore and things about different types of trolls that we learned. I did learn that I might be part troll, because I also hate wearing shoes. It was definitely interesting to have the author kind of use the whole different color hair trend that has been going around, one that I participated in with pinks and purples and blues a couple years ago, to describe some of the characters in the book. The aspect of being part of a museum type of situation for Ulla as well as the whole science lab aspect that her roommate Dagny worked in really was kind of a combination of two things I could see as jobs I’d love. Having the stowaway and then their new guest Eliana really added to the story and made Ulla’s time in the new city pass by quickly. Although to be fair, it was really only a few weeks. I have to say how glad I am to already have the second book to read. Because even though it wasn’t a HUGE cliffhanger, I am definitely eager to read on and find out what did happen and what Ulla’s past may actually be.
If you have enjoyed the other books in the series, you will enjoy this one. And honestly, you can read this series without having read those, but you’ll want to go back and read them when you can. I also like how the author gives us all the info on the different troll tribes at the end, as well as a glossary.
While learning about the characters were interesting I felt it lacked the key element of action, unlike most other fantasies. Therefore it didn’t really set itself apart from the general market.
The Lost City was a bit of a struggle for me. This is not a stand alone novel! Most of the references to the Trylle left me scratching my head. Its been years since I read the Trylle series and this book does not explain things it thinks you should know as you go. I spent a lot of time playing catch-up to only discover that a whole list of troll tribes and a glossary of terms follow the story.. Ulla Tulin was abandoned as a baby and is now on a mission to find out who she is and why she was left. Winning an internship at the troll archives of genealogy, Ulla must work by day to search the archives at night. Along with one of the children she was a nanny to and a couple of new friends, Ulla finds a mysterious young girl with memory problems. A little flirtation and a whole lot of research later, Ulla and friends find a little danger and mystery in a story that seems to be an introduction to a series. If this was a comic it would be issue#0 for the prologue like feel to the story. The first half of the book was pretty slow like maybe I would give two stars but with a surprisingly good ending for four stars. An average of three stars would have me coming back to check out the next book in the series. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.
The Lost City is the first book in The Omte Origins series and is a spin-off of Amanda Hocking’s Trylle Trilogy. I absolutely love Amanda Hocking and was thrilled to get an ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
For those of you who read the Trylle series, several characters make an appearance in this book!!
The heart of this book is a coming-of-age story with Ulla’s quest to find out her true identity. Ulla is a richly developed character who begins the story lacking direction and insecure. Abandoned and left in the care of an elderly couple when she was a baby, Ulla does not know where she belongs and does not feel like she fits in.
Ulla is determined to find out who her parents are and goes on an internship to Mimirin in the hopes of uncovering information about her heritage. There she meets a variety of trolls, from Pan, the handsome guy she gets to work with to Eliana, the amnesiac with unbelievable powers. She learns a lot from her internship and just as much from her new relationships. As the story progresses, Ulla grows and develops into a more secure and confident person.
I love the world that Hocking created. The setting is described so intricately and vividly that it is impossible not to be drawn in. The book provides a ton of information about the troll tribes and their histories, and it can be overwhelming at times. However, it is necessary in order for Ulla to figure out where she came from. Providing this plethora of information gives depth to the setting and characters.
I also like how Hocking integrates some familiar characters into the story as a way to connect the original Trylle story to this one. After finishing the original trilogy, I wanted to find out what happened to some of the characters, and this book tells you! Of course, this doesn’t take away from the fabulously unique and new characters in the story. Ulla, Pan, and Eliana are just some of the fascinating new additions to the Trylle world.
Amanda Hocking’s writing style is engrossing with a perfect balance of character-development, world-building, and plot-progression. The way in which Hocking writes – her use of dialogue, imagery, her intricate attention to detail – makes for an immersive read.
I have been a fan of Amanda Hocking and her writing for years. Especially her Trylle and Kanin series. So, needless to say I was very excited to learn that she was writing another trilogy set in her Trylle world, the last one.
I will admit it kind of starts off slow, and keeps with that pace for most of the book. It is definitely more of a slow paced read. Not a lot of action going on. That made it a little bit more difficult for me to keep interest while reading. I usually need lots of action to keep me interested while reading. I definitely feel like the previous Trylle and Kanin books had more of a fast set pace, and more action happening, than The Lost City does.
I love the characters, though. The humor and funny lines are one of my favorite parts about The Lost City. And I very much enjoy Amanda Hockings’ writing.
Ulla, being an orphan, is on a mission to find out who her parents are, and in tern more about her heritage. This is the reason she’s taken the internship at the Mimirin. For this reason, there is a lot of information to be learned in this first book, the things about Ulla’s past and the Trylle’s past in general. I feel like this has a lot to do with the slower pace of The Lost City. Even though this is a spin off from the Trylle and Kanin series, we are learning a lot of new information about their world, then we previously knew before.
There are some brief glimpses of loved characters from both the Trylle and Kanin series, but The Lost City is mainly focused on Ulla’s journey.
Overall, I enjoyed it. I wish there had been a little bit more action, but it was an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to reading The Morning Flower and continuing Ulla’s journey, and discovering where it leads.
*ARC received from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review. All Thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Let me tell you, I was so excited to see Amanda Hocking was coming out with another series in the Trylle World. I’ve read both of the other trilogies and enjoyed them immensely. Also, I probably need to go back for a re-read, just for fun.
The Lost City did not disappoint me in anyway, unless you count the fact that I must wait for the other two books to come out.
I enjoyed seeing and hearing about a few characters from the previous books; it’s always good to reminisce. I also loved the start of Ulla’s journey. New characters, new places, new mysteries. Keep it coming!
***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***
It was fun being back in the Tryll world again. Just As those book came out years ago I remember them a little bit but not much. Which works out if you have never read them you won’t be lost reading this book. It was great to see Finn again, yes I remembered him. Ulla is an interesting person who is trying to find out where she comes from. This was a good book to get back into the trolls world and also to start Ulla’s new direction in her life. I really do look forward to seeing where Ulla and Pan and everyone else go next. I am really curious about The Lost City.
*I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
I read the Trylle trilogy a long time ago and was happy to go back to that world.
Ulla is an orphan and is now ready to know who abandoned her and why. She goes to Mimirin, where she think the answer of her identity might be found because scholars there are dedicating to chronicling troll history. When she got an internship to translate old documents she can start to look for her heritage help by a collegue call Pan.
But she meets Eliana, a young woman who as lost her memory and as strange and rare abilities. She is also saying being followed by a dragon and a shadow. When Eliana is captured by bounty hunters, Ulla and her friend Pan will be dragged in a really dangerous game that could also lead to Ulla finding answers to her questions.
I have really loved this book and looking foward to read the sequel. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher to allowed my to read an early copy.