Frey and the Icy Orchard by Scarlett Luna Strange is the enchanting third installment of the multi-author Autumn Fairy Tales series.
While I haven’t read many retellings of the Snow Queen, the ones I have were incredible. Granted, I believe that has more to do with the individual story and writer than the fairy tale itself, but this one definitely stuck to that pattern!
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Book Blurb
She is cursed to imprison others. He is captured by her curse. Can he melt her frozen heart or is it too late?
Frey is the darling Autumn Queen of Seasoria, a cozy village nestled in the mountains. Her life is filled with laughter, love, and the promise of many joyous years to come. At least so it seems from the outside.
What no one in her small village knows is that Frey is cursed with a frozen heart, a heart triggered by the change of seasons. She cannot speak or reveal this to anyone so she is left to wander the mountains every Changeday, taking the first person she can find and capturing them in her hidden castle.
Everything changes the day she captures her first love, the man who broke her heart, Kian. Frey feels joy at this victory. Although Kian knows who Frey really is, he also knows how to free her from this burden. After all, only love can melt a frozen heart.
What happens when the maiden is also the villain? Will Kian break the curse? Or will they be trapped for eternity?
Characters
Frey cares for the people in her village, but she needs to fight off the monster who takes control of her. She is convinced she cannot be worthy of love because of her curse. She does what she can to help others but is always worried of tainting others. When her childhood sweetheart comes home, she is happy to see him but knows she can never let him in on her secret.
I admire Frey’s determination to use her abilities to help others at all times. I love how she tries her hardest to stay herself, despite the difficult circumstances she faces.
Kian left his hometown in love with Frey. When he comes back, he is still just as in love with her. Even though he quickly learns the extent of her trials, he still has faith that Frey is a good person, can stay a good person, and will recover from her ordeal.
Recent experience has taught me exactly how important it is that people exemplify that faith in others that Kian had in Frey. We need people who believe in us. We need people to tell us that they’ll be there, no matter the circumstance, no matter how broken we may feel.
My favorite scene
My favorite scene in the book was when Frey was reading the notes Kian had written. I loved seeing how devoted Kian was to Frey, even when she didn’t feel loved or worthy of love. It brought back cherished memories of sweet notes I’ve received. As I commented to the author, that scene made my heart melt.
Dislikes/room for improvement
This was a very very minor dislike for me, but I had to think of something. Compared to the previous two books in this set, Frey and the Fall Festival didn’t have quite the same level of cozy Fallishness. There were a few moments, but it didn’t quite drip red and orange pumpkins.
Content
Language: There was no profanity in this book
Violence: a character uses her powers to control the movements of others, a character threatens the lives of others, snow related antics and playing could be conceptualized as violent
Sexual content: characters embrace and kiss
Overall impressions
I loved this sweet story so much. The depth of the characters astounded me. The story spoke to me on so many levels. This story not only was an exciting break during an incredibly stressful day, and (I almost decided against saying this since it sounds so strange, but) this book was really comforting in ways that few other books ever have been.
Purchase your copy of Frey and the Icy Orchard
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.
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