Book Title: Snow Like Ashes
Author: Sara Raasch
Published Date: October 14th, 2014
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: Book 1 in Snow Like Ashes trilogy
Book Link: Goodreads
Synopsis from Goodreads:
A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.
Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.
Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.
So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.
Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.
Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.
So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.
Disclaimer: I received this e-ARC from Balzer + Bray via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.
Review:
"Even the strongest blizzard starts with a single snowflake."
"Even the strongest blizzard starts with a single snowflake."
Oh my goodness, why didn't I read this book sooner? I really should have read it months ago, but I wasn't really feeling the Fantasy genre, so I was holding off until I was ready for it. I really wanted to love this book because the cover is gorgeous, and I wanted the insides to match the gorgeousness of the outside.
I was not disappointed. At. All.
Meira was a total bad ass and I loved her as a character. She was well rounded and so awesome. I loved her relationships with Sir and Mather especially. They were both protective of her, possibly too protective. They refused to allow her to fight in battle, or to do anything physical like that. Meira and Mather have an undeniable connection from the beginning and for the first 125 pages, I adored Mather, and I wanted Mather for my own.
Until we met Prince Theron. Sa-woon!
He was hot, and quickly turned into my favorite guy in the entire story. There was much more to him and why Meira was meeting him, than initially met the eye. Meira seemed to warm to him pretty quickly, which surprised me big time. I didn't expect the connection to be what it was, so I was pleasantly surprised when truths were revealed.
"We have all the time you desire, Meira. I will not rush you."
Holy hell, he's totally swoony and I love that about him. He's more than just a prince. He's got a good heart, and he's essentially trapped in Cordell, forced to do what his father, King Noam, demands.
"Don't you want more than this?"
"Every day of my life."
It was sad because Theron wanted so much more than to be king. He wanted to explore his artsy side. His artistic abilities included poetry and painting, but as future king, he was unable to explore that side of him.
On the other side of the triangle, we had Mather, who was also struggling with everything. He was in love with Meira, but according to Sir, Winter had to come first. Before his own happiness, even. That was rough on both Meira and Mather. They were attracted to each other, but nothing could happen between them.
King Noam was a complex character and I was never sure what he wanted or who, if anyone, he was loyal to. Watching him was fascinating because I never knew what to expect.
The world was described so vividly that I could see it as I read it. That excites me. Being able to visualize what I'm reading about makes a book even better in my eyes. I was worried that this world wouldn't be described well, but I am so glad I didn't need to worry. It was beautifully & clearly described.
Oh, and I want a chakram
There are so many other things I want to talk about, but I cannot mention it. It's too spoilery and I don't want to ruin it for others. Yes, you definitely need to read this glorious fantasy novel. I loved it, and will happily give it 5 stars.
Until we met Prince Theron. Sa-woon!
He was hot, and quickly turned into my favorite guy in the entire story. There was much more to him and why Meira was meeting him, than initially met the eye. Meira seemed to warm to him pretty quickly, which surprised me big time. I didn't expect the connection to be what it was, so I was pleasantly surprised when truths were revealed.
"We have all the time you desire, Meira. I will not rush you."
Holy hell, he's totally swoony and I love that about him. He's more than just a prince. He's got a good heart, and he's essentially trapped in Cordell, forced to do what his father, King Noam, demands.
"Don't you want more than this?"
"Every day of my life."
It was sad because Theron wanted so much more than to be king. He wanted to explore his artsy side. His artistic abilities included poetry and painting, but as future king, he was unable to explore that side of him.
On the other side of the triangle, we had Mather, who was also struggling with everything. He was in love with Meira, but according to Sir, Winter had to come first. Before his own happiness, even. That was rough on both Meira and Mather. They were attracted to each other, but nothing could happen between them.
King Noam was a complex character and I was never sure what he wanted or who, if anyone, he was loyal to. Watching him was fascinating because I never knew what to expect.
The world was described so vividly that I could see it as I read it. That excites me. Being able to visualize what I'm reading about makes a book even better in my eyes. I was worried that this world wouldn't be described well, but I am so glad I didn't need to worry. It was beautifully & clearly described.
Oh, and I want a chakram
There are so many other things I want to talk about, but I cannot mention it. It's too spoilery and I don't want to ruin it for others. Yes, you definitely need to read this glorious fantasy novel. I loved it, and will happily give it 5 stars.
WHY HAVEN'T I READ THIS BOOK YET?! I got it for Christmas and it's been sat on my shelf since and I still haven't picked it up, but now I have read your review it's totally got me all excited for it again and I NEED TO READ IT NOW! Haha, your review is great, totally picks out the most interesting parts and now I'm so excited to read!
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