Review: Snow Like Ashes (Snow Like Ashes #1) by Sara Raasch

Snow Like Ashes
(Snow Like Ashes #1)

by Sara Raasch

October 14, 2014

416 pages

Goodreads  Indigo

Goodreads Summary:

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.

 

Review

I have been dying to read Snow Like Ashes for a long time. People have been recommending it to me nonstop. The only reason I hadn't read it yet was because I didn't like waiting for sequels after reading the first in a series. I was motivated to open up Snow Like Ashes when by chance, I picked it out for Cassi from My Thoughts... Literally! to read. She asked if I wanted to buddy read it with her and even though I finished way later than she did, I'm really happy to report we both loved it!

The world in Snow Like Ashes is complicated. We learn how each of the kingdoms operates and how they channel their magic through conduits. It took me some time to wrap my head around it all but once I did, I was fascinated. I love that there were males heirs as well as females heirs. Gender equality all the way ;) Primoria was beautiful. The layout of the land is magnificent. The book mentions that Theron has a beautiful map of the land and I so wish it was real. I even may already have a place to hang it~

Meira was an extremely headstrong protagonist. She wanted to do as much as she possibly could to help Mather and Winter regain its former glory. In the beginning, she was hesitant to take action; mostly because her superior forbid her so she found "...silence is infinitely easier than talking." (p. 21). It wasn't until things began to happen that she finds her confidence. She was exposed to hideous situations that she never imagined to find herself in. I couldn't help but admire her strength and persistence. Even during tough times, she pulled herself through.

The romance wasn't at the forefront of the story but it did motivate the characters to take action. I wouldn't necessarily call it a love triangle. It's true there are two guys (Mather and Theron) vying for Meira's affection but I think it's very clear who she wants. She even says so herself when she notices her feelings for one guy wasn't what it was before. I'm officially on Team Theron. He encourages Meira like no other. "There will always be a they in your new life... The trick is to find a way to still be you through it all." (p. 191). Through sharing his own experience and his past with her, he got Meira to open up more.

There were some pretty extensive deception in the story and I couldn't believe I guessed the twist! I knew there had to be something big. When my theory first popped into my head, I thought it was pretty absurd (I even told Cassi so haha). However, as I read on, I noticed the chances of it being true was high. There were some very subtle hints that raised my suspicions. I'll stop right here before I give anything away but let me just say - every waiting moment was worth it in the end.

If you love fantasy then make sure you get yourself a copy of Snow Like Ashes! Besides the gorgeous cover, this book has a stunning world with bold characters and brilliant twists and surprises!