Scan barcode
tarawe's review against another edition
2.0
This book just isn't as engaging as it could have been. The main concept of the book is interesting but the narrative just doesn't work. The author can write and I wanted to know how the book ended but the characters were too distracting and poorly conceptualized.
I couldn't empathize with the main character, Freya, or any of the characters in general. I found her annoying and whiny. I understand that the author was trying to introduce a non-standard character type by giving Freya autistic tendencies but it seems more of like a farce than real. The development of the secondary characters and how they interact and treat Freya is also appalling.
I didn't pay any money for the ebook and I'm glad about that.
I couldn't empathize with the main character, Freya, or any of the characters in general. I found her annoying and whiny. I understand that the author was trying to introduce a non-standard character type by giving Freya autistic tendencies but it seems more of like a farce than real. The development of the secondary characters and how they interact and treat Freya is also appalling.
I didn't pay any money for the ebook and I'm glad about that.
rebeccamahanyhorton's review against another edition
1.0
I bought this book for two reasons: the summary on the Goodreads page, which seemed interesting, and the very reasonable price on Amazon. I didn't pick it up immediately, but being on vacation and having finished another quick read, I turned to FREY.
My main issues with the book lie with the main character and the plot. First off, I found it very hard to sympathize with Frey (or Freya), mostly because she shows a lot of tendencies toward being, well, a killing machine with zero compassion. She kills a bird and makes a frog explode with no remorse. She also seems pretty whiny and dense--she is convinced that Chevelle, her "watcher" who is bringing her on a journey, hates her, even though there is basically no evidence to support this and it seems fairly obvious that he even has feelings for her. Despite the fact that she conveniently has no idea about her own past and has no idea where they're going or what they're even doing, she doesn't even ask any questions.
That leads me to my second point: the plot. Because Frey is "bound"--meaning her magic and her memories are more or less stifled--she can't remember a thing about her past. This means that the reader has no idea either, since nobody enlightens her and she apparently refuses to ask anybody. When she makes mysterious things happen, she doesn't even tell people--she just ignores them because she assumes that other people will react negatively. And when mysterious things happen to her, she doesn't ask questions either. She embarks on an entire journey--first with Chevelle, and later joined by an entire posse of people--and not once does she even ask what's going on or what her role is in this. All that Frey knows--and all that the reader knows, since the book is told in first person--is that they were going on a journey to somewhere to accomplish something. And you know how when books usually end on a cliffhanger it can be suspenseful but at least lets you know where the story is going next? Yep, not here. I was so frustrated that I doubt I'll pay the three dollars to read the next book on Kindle.
The book had its moments--I liked Frey's relationship with Steed, and Ruby was cool--and it was a quick, easy read. For me, the negatives (the personality of the main character, the pace of the plot, and the numerous grammar/punctuation errors) outweighed the positives, so I probably won't continue the series. For the price, though, it might be worth it for some.
My main issues with the book lie with the main character and the plot. First off, I found it very hard to sympathize with Frey (or Freya), mostly because she shows a lot of tendencies toward being, well, a killing machine with zero compassion. She kills a bird and makes a frog explode with no remorse.
Spoiler
When she finds out that her mother cruelly plays with a human's emotions and then later kills him to serve her own needs, she has absolutely no reaction at all. In fact, she feels nothing but tenderness toward her mother when Frey reads her diary, despite the fact that, like Frey, her mother sounds like an absolute brat who feels no remorse about anything. No wonder her sister (Frey's aunt) Fannie hated her.That leads me to my second point: the plot. Because Frey is "bound"--meaning her magic and her memories are more or less stifled--she can't remember a thing about her past. This means that the reader has no idea either, since nobody enlightens her and she apparently refuses to ask anybody. When she makes mysterious things happen, she doesn't even tell people--she just ignores them because she assumes that other people will react negatively.
Spoiler
For example, when she finds out that she can control the minds of animals, she hides it from her travelling companions for no apparent reason: they appear to like her, they don't fear her, and they're not going to kill her or anything.The book had its moments--I liked Frey's relationship with Steed, and Ruby was cool--and it was a quick, easy read. For me, the negatives (the personality of the main character, the pace of the plot, and the numerous grammar/punctuation errors) outweighed the positives, so I probably won't continue the series. For the price, though, it might be worth it for some.
gingerjones's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Elfreda (Frey) has lived in a small village with her Aunt Frannie. Her aunt either ignores her or makes her life a living hell. But Frey's life begins to take a drastic turn when she uses magic she didn't know she had to start a vine growing from a thistle. Frey soon finds herself on the run from her village council after being sentence for practicing black magic. She relies on the kindness of an elf she meets on the run and the man who she's not sure she should trust as he tries to outrun the council that wants to make sure her powers stay bound.
I felt as confused as Frey when I finished this one. While the story moves along from Frey's life in the village to her running and then meeting up with the ragtag group who help her, it's the last 30 or so pages, where I was lost trying to figure out why Frey's powers were bound, who her grandfather is and just what is going on between Frey and Chevelle. It's obvious something is going on and this group is there to help Frey, but you have no idea why.
Frey was also a little hard to warm up to. When we first met her, there really wasn't anything about her that invested you into connecting with her. To be honest, I didn't really connect with her until she started reading the diary. Even then, it wasn't really connecting with her but to the writer of the diary. I will admit, that once Frey finished the diary and she understands who the writer is, I connected with her.
We don't know a lot about all the others in the group trying to help Frey, with the exception of Steed and Ruby, and that sometimes took away from the story because I kept wondering why they were helping this girl.
I'm hoping (since I already bought it) that questions that were left at the end of this story are answered. That said, it was a read that did keep me in engaged, for no other reason than to try and figure out just exactly what was going on.
I felt as confused as Frey when I finished this one. While the story moves along from Frey's life in the village to her running and then meeting up with the ragtag group who help her, it's the last 30 or so pages, where I was lost trying to figure out why Frey's powers were bound, who her grandfather is and just what is going on between Frey and Chevelle. It's obvious something is going on and this group is there to help Frey, but you have no idea why.
Frey was also a little hard to warm up to. When we first met her, there really wasn't anything about her that invested you into connecting with her. To be honest, I didn't really connect with her until she started reading the diary. Even then, it wasn't really connecting with her but to the writer of the diary. I will admit, that once Frey finished the diary and she understands who the writer is, I connected with her.
We don't know a lot about all the others in the group trying to help Frey, with the exception of Steed and Ruby, and that sometimes took away from the story because I kept wondering why they were helping this girl.
I'm hoping (since I already bought it) that questions that were left at the end of this story are answered. That said, it was a read that did keep me in engaged, for no other reason than to try and figure out just exactly what was going on.
blueshadow's review against another edition
3.0
It's hard for me to enjoy books written from the perspective of a character who, for the entire book, has no clue what's going on.
3 stars, average
3 stars, average
bensmelanie's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't finish this book. I made it through the first 1/4, but I got tired of Frey's whining and tantrums.
proudlocks's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing!!!
Best book I’ve read in a while. I’m in love with Frey and her story, it certainly puts your feelings through the ringer.
I’ve just been introduced to a world of Elves, Fairies, Imps.. and I couldn’t be happier.
Can’t wait for the best book.
Freya is 100% badass.
Best book I’ve read in a while. I’m in love with Frey and her story, it certainly puts your feelings through the ringer.
I’ve just been introduced to a world of Elves, Fairies, Imps.. and I couldn’t be happier.
Can’t wait for the best book.
Freya is 100% badass.
melissagurner's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
bookishnicole's review
4.0
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.
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.
katiejh's review
3.0
I fell like this took me till around the 60% mark for me to actually be interested in it. There plot feels quite bitty and that's not something I usually enjoy in a book. I rated it three stars as i feel like the last 40% did pick up a bit and became a bit more interesting. I dont think i will continue on with the series though