The Omte Origins

The Lost City
The Omte Origins Book One
Written by Amanda Hocking
Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal, Romance
Published July 14th 2020
384 Pages
Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia
Add to Goodreads
★★★★☆
Can she unlock the secrets of her past?

Ulla Tulin was abandoned in an isolated Kanin town as a baby. Taken in by strangers and raised hidden away like many of her kind, she has never stopped searching for her parents, or wondering about them.

When Ulla hears of a project designed to help those like her, in the beautiful city of Merellä, she seizes the chance to discover her true heritage. She enlists the help of Pan Soriano, who is both handsome and resourceful, a half human with telekinesis powers. And she must also contend with Eliana, a mysterious girl who claims she's being pursued. Though Ulla suspects there's rather more to the story.

Ulla and Pan work to unravel the truth about themselves and Eliana. But in the process, they realize that someone or something, is determined to stop them. And they face a force that will do anything to keep certain secrets.
She arrived during a snowstorm, carrying a dagger befitting for a warrior and sought shelter at the Iskyla lodging. Before dawn, the Omte warrior had departed, leaving behind a newborn child with the elderly couple. Ullaakuut Tulin is an orphan living with her new adoptive family in Förening, the Trylle capital, assisting with their children and continuing the search for the woman who abandoned her as a child. Learning ancient Scandinavian languages has guided the eighteen year old to an apprenticeship in the illustrious Merellä metropolis, the Inhemsk Project reuniting trolls of mixed blood heritage with their families. The Mimirin is an abundant research facility, library and university and Ulla will spend the next several weeks researching her origins.

Ulla is such a beautiful young woman, she's gentle, compassionate and charismatic, assuming she was born of Omte parents according to her statuesque physique. The Omte society are rarely forthcoming with information and trolls of mixed blood heritage are often degraded and endure adversity. Her journey is wonderful, her relationships and eagerness to learn is admirable. Ulla is determined and tenacious but allows herself to be vulnerable, creating an endearing character.

On the way to Merellä, she reluctantly agrees to escort Hanna, a sullen teenager who will be staying with her grandparents while Ulla is away but Hanna has other plans and the two journey to Merellä until Hanna's parents can collect their stowaway. Hanna bakes up a storm while Ulla and Dagny, her roommate, are at work and a few pages may now be crinkly from drooling. Hanna is such a lovely and vibrant character, her enthusiasm for life is infectious and I hope she'll also play a part in future installments or perhaps her own series.

The secondary characters are wonderfully vibrant. Panuk was born to a human mother and unknown father from the Kanin, a researcher at the Mimirin and Peurojen by night, an Elk shepherd. Dagny is Ulla's new housemate, a candid and detached assistant troglecologist researching the biology of the troll kingdoms and communities. Dagny is brilliant, I loved her no nonsense approach to life, including Ulla's mission to find her identity. Eliana is an interesting character. She's also a troll but with chameleon like abilities, wildly acrobatic and has absolutely no idea who she is or why she's travelled to Merellä. Dagny was more interested in solving the mystery of Eliana than Ulla's and it added a mysterious element to the storyline that I really enjoyed unravelling.

The Morning Flower
Omte Origins Book Two
Written by Amanda Hocking
Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal, Romance
Published August 11th 2020
416 Pages
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
Welcome to a world in the shadow of our own, a fairy tale land where the dangers are real. In this second book in the Omte Origins trilogy, Amanda Hocking creates a new adventure in her much loved Trylle universe.

Will she finally discover her true home?

In the beautiful city of Merellä, Ulla, Pan and Eliana made an incredible discovery. Determined to learn more, they embark on a quest that takes them across the world, to find an ancient city that may hold the key to Ulla's heritage. But powerful enemies are close behind and they're catching up fast.

While Ulla and Pan race to unlock the past, they discover an earth-shattering secret. This will challenge everything they thought they knew about the troll world. And Eliana must make a difficult choice, with far reaching consequences. As their enemies draw closer, even the strongest bonds of friendship will be tested. But will they break at last?
In the Omte Origins series, we hear more about the origins of the trolls and their Scandinavian heritage, their history tightly woven among the Viking folklore. The mythology and legends of children's fairytales coming to life was beautiful and I hope it might lead the way to future series' set within this magical world.

It's been quite a while since a series has captivated me so entirely and that's one of my favourite aspects of Amanda Hocking's writing. They're entertaining reads and I inhaled both books within days. Being back in the Trylle world was lovely and although the Omte Origins series features an entirely new community of troll, characters and storylines, it was comforting to be back in a world I was familiar with. The Morning Flower, the second Omte Origins instalment is wonderfully adventurous, a beautiful exploration of folklore and culture, of lost cities and found family.

14 comments

  1. Ooh I haven't read an Amanda Hocking book in a few years but I like the sound of the Scandinavian background in these. I might have to look into these. Love that cover too on the first one...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Australian covers are beautiful aren't they! I'm a massive fan of Amanda Hocking, her books are superbly entertaining. With all the series set within the Trylle world, they all interconnect but can also be read as a standalone series. They're addictive and you'll most definitely want to read them all.

      Delete
  2. Same as Greg - Amanda Hocking sort of fell off my radar, but I am ¼ Scandanavian and I'm intrigued!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really enjoy Scandinavian mythology and folklore and it was really lovely that it was woven throughout the storyline, how trolls were connecting with Viking migration. I hope it's explored in the final installment as well.

      Delete
  3. The way you started out this review, painting such a vivid picture of the overview of this book honestly has me hooked already!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a brilliant read Tracey, I read both within a matter of days, almost impossible to put down!

      Delete
  4. It's great that you found a series to really get lost in, and they sound like great books too. Lovely reviews!

    Anika | chaptersofmay.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Anika, such superb reads. Would love to see what you think of them!

      Delete
  5. I have only read Freeks by Hocking and haven't read any of her other books before! I love that this series could captivate you so much. I love when we can enjoy not only the main characters but also the secondary characters so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't read Freeks as yet but absolutely love all of her books set within the Trylle world. Give them a go, I think you'll absolutely love them!

      Delete
  6. I don't think I have read any of Amanda hocking's books and from your review, this duo sounds utterly captivating!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All her titles are incredible, so entertaining and engaging. I've read quite a few now and loved them all.

      Delete
  7. I'm not familiar with this author or this series but it sounds wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you're looking to get into a few of her titles and I highly recommend them as they're incredible, perhaps begin with the original Trylle Trilogy. I'd love to see what you think of it!

      Delete

© Diva Booknerd. Design by Fearne.