Series: Snow Like Ashes #1
Published by Balzer + Bray, Harper Collins, HarperCollins on 2014-10-14
Genres: Adolescence, Family, Fantasy, Fantasy & Magic, Girls & Women, Love & Romance, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 432
Source: Publisher
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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.
Stunning Cover – check!
Thrilling Synopsis – check!
YA Fantasy – check!
Fan of Throne of Glass- check!
Fierce Heroine – check!
Romance – check!
I actually went into this book with all these big and high expectations and then I was scared.. Oh So Scared! But.. I shouldn’t have been, as Snow Like Ashes had everything my little bookish heart usually demands, and so much more!
It was phenomenal, one of these books you wish to devour again and again, and where you hate it that the 2nd book won’t be in your hands until next year! Grr!!!
So I decided to write a letter to this creator of wonderment:
Dear Sara,
Damn You! Yes, I know this is not a nice way to start a letter, which actually was meant as a fangirl letter, but Damn You Sara – for writing and creating such a phenomenal and mesermizing world and then leaving me hanging, waiting for another year to figure out what will happen to Meira? And… more importantly what will happen to Mather and Theron!
But then also thank you Sara, for giving us such an extraordinary heroine! How can we not love and admire Meira?
She’s so incredible, stubborn at times, but still so wonderfully admirably strong, full of courage and fierce when it comes to fight for her land and the people she loves. Her desperate wish and longing to prove herself left me often heartbroken for Meira and I wished so very much for her to find her place in life and her place in this adventure to bring back a kingdom she had never really known.
And such an Adventure!
Sara, you created not only shining characters but also created a thrilling, heart pounding and electrifying plot that kept me on edge the whole time reading. We felt for those poor Winterians, who lost their country and are the only hope to free their people from slavery and to win back their country and their pride. Gosh, the story was at times cruel and horrific but then also beautiful to see people fight a war they seem to have no chance of winning!
Oh and the heart melting beautiful romance that made me tear up?
For me a good story needs romance and Sara, you gave me the perfect combination of adventure and romance. And before I go on:
Team Mather!
Just so we clear..
There is Mather the boy she grew up with, but they both knew they could never ever be together, yet the heart does as it wants they fall for each other, desperately! And then….when Meira is forced into the arms of another, I never thought I would care for him, in the end.. Team Mather, remember?
But Theron is so different from what I expected and I came to care for him too!
Damn it! Usually, I always am sure with my boyish loyalties but here? I admit I could see them be happy too! Theron the future king of another country, yet he is so different from what he was supposed to be. He was gentle, sweet but also strong and powerful! What an elusive combination!
And since you already did everything right in creating this compelling story you shocked us with quite a few twist and turns! Well done! So very well done! (Even though I saw the very big one coming…)
so.. thank you Sara, thank you so so much for creating this electrifying tale!
Sincerely, your Fangirl,
Danny
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch is a thrilling tale for all fans of Young Adult Epic Fantasy that are longing for an extraordinarily told story as well as elusive and mesmerising characters! A fierce wonderful heroines leaves us cheering for her to fnd her place in the world and to find love.
Fans of Throne of Glass and Graceling with LOVE this story!
Love Young Adult Epic Fantasy? Which one is your favorite? Love kick ass heroines? Excited for Snow of Ashes??!
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Dear Danny,
Damn you! You just made me: Want. To. Read. NOW! What an amazing review! I’ve got to get this one. For. Sure! I may have to wait though, until this series is complete so that may binge read the whole thing. (Who am I kidding?!) Thank you for contributing to the growth of my TBR!
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Oh great, now I have another one to add to my TBR pile…
But seriously, thanks so much for the great review! I’m really looking forward to reading this one, though I think I have to start the Throne of Glass series first 🙂
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YES! Snow Like Ashes was sooo good! After downloading the ARC, I couldn’t focus on anything else until I finished every single page.
Theron has a good heart, but I’m head-over-heels in love with Mather. If Meira doesn’t marry Mather, I WILL!
But in the the end, the book wasn’t about the men, was it? It was about Meira, who developed so wonderfully throughout the story.
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LOL! I love your letter! SUCH a great story — I highly enjoyed this one. Meira is a fantastic character and I couldn’t put this book down!
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I might need to give it another chance.
I stopped midway but people keep saying that it gets better.
I also want to like it because I am deeply involve with the cover and the concept. If only the main character wouldn’t be this childish, maybe I would get to enjoy it better.
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