The Wright Way to Begin

World Wrights #0

by Maria Grace

Controlling Fire, Water, Earth and Air Would be more impressive if it paid the bills. Journeyman Wright Rebecca Fuller has two problems, paying the bills and convincing the Wright Guild to take her seriously. Both of which are far more difficult with the recent death of her Master Full Wright father.

Despite having taught Rebecca mastery of all the Fire, Water, Earth and Air, Morris Fuller did not tell her everything. And now the secrets he kept threaten to shake her world apart.

The Guild is no help, but maybe, just maybe, they aren't the only recourse for a resourceful and determined wright.

A fascinating new world from the author of Jane Austen's Dragons, perfect for fans of Gail Carriger, Charlie Holmberg, AJ Lancaster and V. E. Schwab.!

Genres: Fantasy, Novella, Paranormal, Historical Fiction

65 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2024

About the author

Six time BRAG Medallion Honoree, #1 Best-selling Historical Fantasy author Maria Grace has her PhD in Educational Psychology and is a 16-year veteran of the university classroom where she taught courses in human growth and development, learning, test development and counseling. None of which have anything to do with her undergraduate studies in economics/sociology/managerial studies/behavior sciences. She pretends to be a mild-mannered writer/cat-lady, but most of her vacations require helmets and waivers or historical costumes, usually not at the same time.

She stumbled into Jane Austen fan-dom in the mid '90s with Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility film, having somehow graduated HS without ever having read Austen. It was only a short leap then to consume all of Austen's works, in all their various media forms. In the hopes of discovering more works by Austen, she stumbled into the fan fiction forums, which naturally led to asking 'What if...' herself. Twenty nine books later, she still asks that question.

She writes gaslamp fantasy, historical romance and non-fiction to help justify her research addiction.

Reviews

[Suze Prescot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in what appears to be a Victorian-style society, this story is about those - Wrights - who control the elements. Rebecca is one, able to use all four (earth, fire, air and water) to repair and create objects. The problem is, she's a woman in a society which deems women second-class citizens.
This is just a short, introductory text (65 pages on Kindle) setting the scene and introducing Rebecca and Birdy, the local publican who is also making her own way in the world.
Generally well-written, and an interesting concept.

[Matthew Futter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters, concepts, world-building, and interactions in this book are brilliant! I loved the read, but there are a lot of typos in the free ebook version that I read. If the author's following books are proofread better than this short lead-in, I'll have a new series to love. Lots of fun, unless your brain hiccups over every misspelling or misused word like mine does. (There's a deliberately misused word near the end, but it's there as part of a character. I'm referring to the others throughout.)

Delightful main character, and the few others we get to meet in detail are just as richly portrayed. I love Maria Grace's way with characters and explanations. Definite 4+ stars from the plot, wording, and characters! And this novella ended perfectly, too.

[Deb Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much too short

I thoroughly enjoy reading all of Maria Grace's books. Well written with well developed and very strong, independent women. The World Wrights series is no exception. The Rebecca Fuller is a very strong female character with a lot of room to grow into herself. I love the growing friendship with Birdy and can't wait to see it blossom. The only issue I have with this second book is that it is entirely too short. We are left imagining what the Guild is going to do to crush Fullers Fixit Shop and how things will go with that wicked money lender. Please don't keep us waiting too long for the next installment.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE WRIGHT WAY TO BEGIN is a lovely prequel about a “Wright,” Rebecca Fuller, whose father died suddenly, leaving her to struggle with making a living on her own. As a wright, Rebecca (who says magic is not involved) works with Fire, Air, Water, and Earth to repair things that others cannot.
I would have given this story a higher rating except my Kindle edition contained many editing errors which were a great distraction for me. (Story 4+, editing 2). I look forward to reading more by this author when she uses a better editor!

[MGB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life has hit Rebecca hard with the loss of her father and brother. The Guild does not accept women, in spite of the fact that she is their equal in this trade. Circumstances result in an unexpected meeting which leaves her no longer alone. This new friend will help her raise herself up and keep her moving forward. Definitely a story that shows the value of friendship and the need to be strong for yourself.

[Rita Chrivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was over way too soon. I was so engrossed in Rebecca’s story that I did not realize I had come to the end of the book. I truly hope there is at least one more to come to continue to explore her tale of making her way in a world that does not want her to succeed.

[Letticia Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book so good you whizzed through it.

As the title of my review states it’s a book so good you feel like you’re there and you just end up whizzing through it. There are no other words necessary.

[Andrea Frankel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit annoying

The dialogue, including her inner thoughts, felt stilted and forced, and the accent unevenly used. I liked the concept, but had to force myself to finish this, short as it is.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story with an excellent lead, a load of homophones and a heap of other editing and printing errors.
It's a shame that Kindle spoil their offerings with such poor production values.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prequel with not much new info (having read book #1 first) but still a fun read.

[Hope Corbett · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a prequel, I felt it left more questions than answers. Could use a bit of spellchecking or editing for typos.

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting beginning!!!