Switched

Review originally posted at Doodle's Book BlogThis is the first book I purchased when I received my nook on January 31, 2011 (my birthday!). I have never been a big fan of reading since elementary school when a girl in the 5th grade told me reading was stupid. It was then, with only one chapter of Charlotte's Web left to read, that I put books down and stopped reading. Switched did much to change my outlook. When I picked this book up I couldn't put it down. I was drawn into the world of Trylle, an immersion that was impossible to break. I'm not sure if it was because the prologue set the stage in drastic clarity or if it was the way I could picture every moment like I was a bystander, but the relationships and tribulations that follow are believable and easy to fall into. Because of this, I stepped into Wendy's' shoes and left my own behind.Lost in the familiarity, I don't feel like I was fully introduced to some of the main characters. This could be due to the author wanting the characters to grow and change throughout the trilogy or because they don't play a big part. Wendy, the main character, is a 15 year old girl who feels she doesn't fit in with others her age. She is often bratty, selfish and sometimes whinny like most adolescence. She is thrown into a new life where she must mature and embrace her destiny. Matt, her older brother, would do anything in his power to help and protect her. He is the ideal big brother but otherwise his character lacks depth. Finn is set on bringing Wendy to her rightful home no matter what it takes and often defies authority. As her assigned tracker, he is put in the position to guide her through her journey. Her biological mother, Elora, is cold and distant, refusing to form a bond with her own blood for reasons we have yet to learn. The first time I read this book I loved Finn; as such, I frequently overlooked his demeanor toward Wendy. After a second reading, I feel like they bring out the worst in each other. Wendy's internal dialogue revolves around Finn and his temperament which is often a product of her discourse.While reading this book, I had questions about Elora, Wendy's relationship with Finn, and secondary characters' involvement. Because this is the start of a trilogy, very few of these questions are answered by the closing of the book. Overall, I enjoyed reading Switched and would recommend it to anyone with a penchant for YA paranormal fiction. However, it is not a book that ends at a solid point, more like an uphill marathon caught by a cliffhanger. If you do read this book, I recommend reading Torn and Ascend following completion of Switched.