Frey Review, Giveaway and Interview

Author: Melissa Wright
Goodreads Rating: 3.92
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 468
Reviewed by: Nicole


So this is the fourth stop on the tour for Frey, a new Fantasy trilogy. This tour is hosted by Cassie over at Shadow Blog Tours. I'm really grateful that I got to participate in this tour because I really enjoyed Frey and I already bought the second book in the trilogy, Pieces of Eight. I will be offering a chance to win both Frey and Pieces of Eight in the format of your choosing!


Goodreads Synopses:


Unaware she's been bound from using magic, Frey leads a small, miserable life in the village where she's sent after the death of her mother. But a tiny spark starts a fury of changes and she finds hersef running from everything she's ever known.

Hunted by council for practicing dark magic, she is certain she's been wrongfully accused. She flees, and is forced to rely on strangers for protection. But the farther she strays from home, the more her magic and forgotten memories return and she begins to suspect all is not as it seems.


My review:


Let me start off by saying that this is about an Elf, Frey is an elf which actually took me half the book to figure out. I had my suspicious, but in literature, anyone can do magic. Now that you know this, you can enjoy the review. Frey was a cute likable character who was super naive about who she is and the path that she is on. She also has no idea what she is capable of which is great because you can feel her wonder and amazement as she discovers new things about herself.


I liked how Wright slowly reveals Frey's history and the history of her family as she went on this journey. Even though the page count seemed intimidating, it was a really quick read once I really settled down to read it. I also really enjoyed the addition of Rhys and Rider who were raised by wolves and now worked with them for protection. (I see what you did there Wright, Romulus and Remus. I totally approve). 


I also enjoyed the tension added by Steed and Chevelle both hinting that they were interested in Frey, although something tells me that there is more to Chevelle and Frey's relationship and she just doesn't know it yet. I do have to say from the cast of characters, Ruby, the part Elf, part Fairie, red haired flame was my favorite. She seemed to be the caring of everyone that was involved. Even if Frey didn't like her, I could tell that they would be friends eventually.


To find out more about Frey's journey, you're just going to have to enter to win behind the jump!


Giveaway and Interview with Melissa Wright behind the jump!

Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born and raised in the Midwest, where I currently reside with my family, dogs, and horses. I love to travel, paint, and spend time outdoors, have an insatiable sweet tooth, and an irrational fear of heights.

What inspired Frey?

A friend and I had a long standing joke about making our own Sci-fi movie. It never took root, given our lack of camera, actors, and giant plastic bugs. But, shortly after reading the Twilight series, the idea of creating our own characters on paper and throwing them into a distorted fantasy plot took hold. I wrote the first line of Frey as a text message to her and we laughed so hard, I just kept adding to it. Eventually, those chapters became a novel.

Were there any scenes or information that you didn’t get to include that you wanted to?

Originally, I had a ton of information about Frey's daily activities and the feel of the village. I wanted the reader to get a better idea of the differences between her life there and the North, but it just slowed down the story too much.

What made you decide to become an author? Have you always wanted to write books?

I don't think I realized I was an author until I had two books published. I come from a family of artists and inventors, so we have always painted, sculpted, created. My grandfather would write short stories centered around the children, my father wrote two full length novels when I was growing up. It really felt like entertainment, maybe a new hobby, until people started reading it and asked for more. Now, I can't imagine not doing it.

What is your favorite scene in Frey?

Oddly, it's the brief "think back" when Fannie catches her sneaking into the vault. When she remembers the council questioning her, when she knows what they want to hear but can only think ill thoughts of Fannie. That's a great spot for me because it gives the reader the first indication that something isn't quite right and Frey knows she has to hide it.

Which was your favorite scene to write? Least favorite?

I had a ton of fun with Frey's first encounter with Steed. He's a great character to write; he's cocky and sexy and hilarious.

My least favorite were the magic scenes, because I felt like, in a world of magic, the characters wouldn't question using it, just as humans don't question that they can walk upright. But, I found details did need to be explained in places.

Where is your book available?

Frey and Pieces of Eight are available in eBook at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Diesel, Smashwords, and most other eBook retailers. In print, both can be purchased through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Tower, and Createspace. Lulu also carries hardcover editions.

Were there any scenes that were easy or hard to write?

The ending was difficult for me. I was very attached to an "inappropriate" response from Frey when she realizes what has happened (I'm purposely being vague here to avoid spoilers), but I let those ideas go in the interest of the story.

Do you have any plans for more books after the Frey Saga?

The second book, Pieces of Eight, is currently available and a short story, Molly, will be published in April. The third book, Conception, is scheduled to release late November 2012.

If so what were your inspiration for those?

There were so many things that Frey had yet to uncover, so much that hadn't been revealed at the end of book one. As the writer, I knew the cause of what was happening to her, but from her point of view, the reader misses a lot. By the end of Pieces of Eight, most everything has been uncovered. Now, as I'm working on the third book, the fun is starting because Elfreda is back.

Where did you find your inspiration to become a writer?

Definitely my family, they have always been completely supportive and overly enthusiastic. And my friend, Annie, who helped bring the story to life. Her response to the first few pages of Frey was so excited and encouraging; I'm not sure I would have kept going otherwise.

Were there any authors that influenced you?

Probably every author I've ever read influenced me in one way or another. But those I enjoyed best had the most impact. I've read a lot of Orson Scott Card, George RR Martin, Charlaine Harris, Nora Roberts. Molly Harper cracks me up. I just found Kevin Hearne - best. dog. ever.

Who is your favorite writer?

If you make me pick one, Jane Austen.

Who do you think has had the biggest influence on your writing?

Probably Stephenie Meyer. I loved her easy to read, first person "in her head" approach. I want to feel like I'm in a story and that style is great to get lost in.

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

Every time I finish a story, that's my new biggest achievement. I get to say I've completed three novels. Positive feedback or recognition is just icing - but I've told you how I feel about sugar ;)

What do you do when you get writers block?

First, get up, move around, grab a soda. Maybe go outside. If that doesn't work, I can start on a short story (I always have other ideas floating around). If nothing comes then, I re-read what I've already got. Apparently, something is wrong, something's not working, or the story would have an obvious next step. Or, you can wait. Because as soon as your head hits the pillow or you get in the shower, the ideas will come (and you'll have nothing to write on).

How long did it take to write Frey? And the rest of the series?

I wrote Frey in only three months. And then, I learned about editing.

The next book, Pieces of Eight, took months longer, but the edits and revisions were so much quicker (and less painful) due to the previous experience.

How much research went into writing Frey?

It's funny, because once I decided to write about elves, I realized I didn't know anything about them. I Googled "elf" and directly found Elfreda - defined as elf strength, and it immediately became the name of my heroine. But then, some really terrible images of dark, nasty monsters and light fairy-looking magical beings came up (I'm not going to mention the RPG pics). I decided to throw all that out and just go with the character, in more of a LOTR full size, nearly human looking, very beautiful elf being world.

Frey seems to be headed toward a collision with Steed and Chevelle, who do you want her to end up with?

I love them both, but I feel like there's only ever been one choice for Frey. She just doesn't know it yet.

When should readers expect the final installment of the Frey Saga?

Final is kind of... well, final. I am planning to end book three where the reader will be satisfied, but I'm not sure I'll never write books four or five, because I do have ideas for those. It's something I hope to come back for after a few other novels. Also, there will be a couple of short stories focusing on some of the background characters. 

Now that you've read my review and gotten into the head of the fabulous writer, you can enter to win a print copy of the book! Check out the Rafflecopter below to find out how!

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