Degrees of Affection

First I need to explain I've never read any of her other works in this universe. Indeed, this is the first of her books I'd ever heard of. While there are allusions to previously mentioned events I clearly was missing, the author did a good job of explaining the missing info so new readers wouldn't be lost.

Bryn has long dreamed of becoming a tracker for the Kanin kingdom and she's close to graduation. After serving as a guard during a palace celebration, her life is torn apart when Konstantin Black - trusted member of the elite Högdragen guards - attacks the Chancellor, her father and wounds her before fleeing.

Four years later, Bryn is one of their top trackers. The Kanin trolls (that don't seem

particularly troll-y) leave their children as Changelings with rich humans. (Oh and don't worry, they don't

kill the human babies. They simply drop them off at an orphanage!) When they reach the age of majority, trackers find them, tell them the truth, and bring them to the worst absentee parents ever. Somehow the kids fit in with the society and bring the money from the human family into their real family. WTF!?

Our MC is looked down on because her parents were from different troll groups - so she's a half-breed? (um...wouldn't that be more true if one of them were human?) - and the changelings are in danger from Black all of the sudden because of...reasons.

Yeah...there was quite a bit that didn't make a lot of sense or I wasn't pleased with. However, it was a quick and to a degree enjoyable read. Everything moved so quickly, you didn't get time to stop and puzzle things out. Too, this is the first book in a series and everything just kinda came to a halt. There's no warning or anything, just nothing.

The characters were interesting though and I did like the world-building that was done. I also loved seeing trolls used instead of Vampires, etc., though...chameleon trolls...really? Also, not only did we have a love triangle of doom (Bryn sorta likes this guy who really likes her but sorta likes this girl who really loves him...blah, blah, blah) but our MC also

has...unspecified feelings for the bad boy Konstantin. Gag.

While not amazing and had some issues, Frostfire was a decent and rather enjoyable read and I plan to read the next one when it comes out. I also plan to seek out Hocking's previous works set in this world...but not anytime soon.