Three Full-Length Fantasy Series Starters from Author Melissa Wright
The Frey Saga Book One: Frey
Frey lives in a world where humans are fairy tales. A world where the powerful rule, where her magic is broken. That life is a lie. When dark secrets unravel, she’ll have to risk everything to rise above a dangerous past.
Shattered Realms Book One: King of Ash and Bone
When monsters break through the veil between worlds, Mackenzie Scott has nothing left to lose. Her brother is marked, her future is vanished, and all that remains is a desperate need for revenge. She devises a plan to stop them, and finds an injured stranger that just might be the key. But he's not the helpless boy he appears to be. He's one of them. And he's got plans of his own.
Descendants Series Book One: Bound by Prophecy
Aern's only job is to protect the chosen. The trouble is, she's the key to a prophecy and everyone wants her. When the opposition descends, their only hope is to stick together, but the truth unravels, and together might prove the biggest complication of them all.
Melissa is the author of more than a dozen YA and fantasy novels including The Frey Saga and Between Ink and Shadows. When not writing she can generally be found talking with an author friend about a book, painting something from a book, or tucked between headphones listening to a book. It’s kind of a theme. She loves reasonable heroines in unreasonable situations, noble--if brooding--heroes, slow burn and sweet kisses, a lot of havoc, and a little magic. Stay updated on works in progress at Instagram. Contact her through the web at www.melissa-wright.com
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Three books in one, each of them the first in a series by this author. I did not like the first one, I could not really see where the plot was going, or understand the female or male protagonist. The monsters, though cruel, were not horrible enough for it to really be a horror story, and the story sort of started in the middle, without enough explanation, at least for me, at what happened before, what was happening to those marked, and how or what was intended to be done about it. Any explanation that did occur came way too late to keep my interest in this story. The second one was not bad at all, a bit confusing like the first one as to what was going on, and not enough explanation at a time it would have been needed, but at least the protagonists were likeable and more understandable in their reactions and interactions. The plot was good, and the storytelling kept the tension up enough. The third one was the best on one hand, with the plot, the telling of it, and the glimpses the female protagonist received together with the reader, a fast paced story with a lot of twists and turns. However: the female protagonist! How old is she supposed to be anyway? Up till the end, I thought her a whiny, pouting, overreacting - well girl, really. She seemed to be going in the right direction towards the end though. Overall, not bad series (with the exception of the first story), however, I think they were more intended for a younger and less mature readership.
This is a 3,5 actually. I found myself in a conundrum, as to how many stars to afford this book, because this has 3 novellas inside, and they all read differently, to the point they seem written by 3 different authors. Not just the voice of the characters and the flow of the stories is different, so is the writing style, the author's voice. Not sure if that's good or bad, it is what it is. So, I afforded this 3,5 stars because the first story was pretty much a big four. I was overwhelmed by this one, so entranced into it, so in love with the two MCs and the writing style, the plot, the action. This one made me very happy, it was a firm favourite and stands up there with my top ten of indie author reads. Don't know how the sequels to this one live up to it, maybe I'll try them, but what matters is that this story, for me, had it all. A really great work the author did her. Second novella was fine, really. I didn't care for the female MC - found her too juvenile, but I think it was meant to be that way, she was supposed to be childish? - but LOOOVED the male MC. Also the plot was well paced and interesting, the world building spiked my curiosity and enthusiasm, it was a good read. Only when compared to the first one, it fell a little flat. Just a little, but that's my personal preferences speaking here. As for the final story, well... I don't know. I didn't love it, no way, but also did not hate it. It was a bit meh for me. I think I am not very into elves, that must be it. It's well written and well plotted, the characters are well fleshed out, it's just... not for me?
King of Ash and Bone (Shattered Realms 1) - a gateway to another reality opens and shatters the world that orphan Mackenzie Scott has built for her and her younger brother Riley.
Bound by Prophecy (Descendants 1) - Humanity shares the world with largely hidden others - with powers that are declining in strength. One of the heirs to a Family wishes to correct this position and return the Seven Families to their former state. His younger brother is opposed to this scheme. A refreshingly different protagonist here - the younger brother, though there are two important young girls, sisters, who are involved. Information is somewhat teased out but the series looks promising.
Frey (Frey Saga 1) - Elfreda (Frey, Freya) is an elf without magical powers, or so it seems. In a world with elves, fairies, imps and trolls (the latter two are mentioned certainly) and where humans are mythical Elfreda embarks upon a journey to discover just who she is.
The three books share similarities - I think I prefer the middle book (Descendents series) most, quite possibly because it's the only one with a male protagonist but it also seems the most polished. If forced to select just one series to continue it would be that one. Not that the others are bad but they interest me less.
Alright, so, apparently, I have owned this eBook since 2019 and never actually bothered reading it until now and I am deleting it; and I am definitely sure I got it for free back then, so, lucky me.
This was a waste of my time but, thankfully, I only read a few chapters and not the whole thing. That was enough for me to realize that the writing wasn’t that compelling to me. A book will only be three stars or higher if the writing is immediately compelling to me within a few paragraphs or within the first chapter (having awesome characters and an interesting story helps with that rating, too).
The think that all stories have in common is a limitless list of loopholes. All of them start straight to the problem the characters are going through without the benefit of the background. By the time you get to the explanation, so many things happen that you end up either confused or annoyed. Finally, the story finishes, and you are left only with a pre explanation of what could happen in the next book. The overall stories are original, but without organization and explanation of the previous history of the characters, it is just a bunch of stories put together.
This is a starter series for three different fantasy series. I read the first book, but didn't want to continue to the two others where I'd need to read on to finish the stories. I did enjoy the book I started. It's slow to start, but an interesting premise when you get in to it. I did feel that some of the setup could have been skipped to allow more of the story to be told.
Actually 3 fantasy novels each being the 1st book of a series.
King of Ash and Bone - a OK read. Earth invasion by transformed humans from an invasion that took place in the past. 3 stars
Bound By Prophecy - a good read. a power struggle to fulfill a prophecy. 4 stars
Frey - a good read. Frey has been bound by the elf council as they fear she possesses dark powers like her mother.. Frey slowly breaks the binding and finds herself with the help of new friends. 4 stars
Very nice display of the author's various series. I really liked frey and bound by prophecy, though the other book in the collection didn't really tickle my fancy, 2 out of 3 isn't bad, especially since the other book even though it wasn't my kind of book wasn't a bad story all on its own, so I can easily recommend this collection for folks who want to learn what this author is all about. I have added several new books to my to read list as a result of this collection.
I have already succumbed to the second in the Freya series. There are tropes here, but you knew you were reading fantasy, right? Involving characters, interesting surroundings, no maddening, jarring anachronisms or under-explained principles in the narrative. Recommended...but know that you will be back for more.
I liked all three stories in this bind up which contains the first books of three different series . They were all completely different, had good settings and characters . I will certainly be continuing to read all these series to find out what happens next .
What a fantastic way to revisit Melissa Wright’s world! Since I had already read and enjoyed Frey, I knew I was in for a treat with this collection. I really liked each story, all were well-written. This author has a nice literary voice. I can easily recommend this collection for anyone who wants to get a feel for what this author is all about.
one of the worst books I ever read. The plot was jumpy and confusing. The characters are awful. the second book is not related to the first? I tried to read it through, but heck... time is wasted trying to decipher this shit.
An interesting collection of first books in 3 series. Unfortunately I did not find any of the books compelling enough to warrant continuing to read the subsequent books.
Secrets. Magic. An intriguing crew on a mysterious quest. I enjoyed the mind games just as much as the action. This book is a delight to read!
I'm pretty sure that I have figured out most of the secrets, but I was thrown so many times that I'm picking up book two to be sure. I'm really glad that I found this collection. The characters are perfection, and I feel like I have so much more to get out of this series.
Blurb: Three Full-Length Fantasy Series Starters from Author Melissa Wright
The Frey Saga Book One: Frey
Frey lives in a world where humans are fairy tales. A world where the powerful rule, where her magic is broken. That life is a lie. When dark secrets unravel, she’ll have to risk everything to rise above a dangerous past.
Shattered Realms Book One: King of Ash and Bone
When monsters break through the veil between worlds, Mackenzie Scott has nothing left to lose. Her brother is marked, her future is vanished, and all that remains is a desperate need for revenge. She devises a plan to stop them, and finds an injured stranger that just might be the key. But he's not the helpless boy he appears to be. He's one of them. And he's got plans of his own.
Descendants Series Book One: Bound by Prophecy
Aern's only job is to protect the chosen. The trouble is, she's the key to a prophecy and everyone wants her. When the opposition descends, their only hope is to stick together, but the truth unravels, and together might prove the biggest complication of them all.