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author, book, book reviews, books, characters, fantasy, fiction, literature, magic, novel, plot, read, reader, review, Sara Raasch, snow like ashes, stories, story, write, writer, writing, young adult
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic
Pages: 422
Point of View: First (Meira)
Released: October 14, 2014
Series: Snow Like Ashes #1
Predictability: 2 out of 5 (Where 1 is totally unpredictable and 5 is I knew what was going to happen way ahead of time.)
Source: Library
My Rating: 9/10 Stars
My Summary:
Sixteen years ago, the kingdom of Spring attacked the land of Winter. Only twenty-five Winterians managed to escape, the rest were killed or enslaved. Their queen was killed and their locket conduit, the source of their magic, broken. The Winter refugees have been in hiding, trying to can get the two pieces of the locket back, so that they might stand a chance at getting their kingdom back.
Meira’s an orphan who grew up among the Winter refugees. She struggles to prove herself as a solider and though she knows nothing can ever happen between them, she has feelings for Winter’s young king.
My Review:
I loved the world building in this book! A thousand years ago the kingdoms created eight magic conduits for the four Season kingdoms (they are permanently stuck in one season) and the four Rhythm kingdoms. The conduits only work for the royal family and are either female or male line based. With these conduits they can make crops grow, make people better soldiers, keep their people healthy, or in the case of Spring force their people to obey.
The pacing is very even, skipping over any everyday boring details and getting to the good stuff. I never knew where the plot was going to go next, though I did guess one of the major twists from the beginning.
There were some good action scenes and I liked that Meira was a good fighter, but she wasn’t automatically good at everything. She does some death defying stunts over rooftops and climbing up castles. (Some of which were a little unbelievable, but just so cool!)
The characters are solid and well created, but there was nothing really outstanding about them. They have potential, but with so much going on there wasn’t time for more development. Meira evolves over the course of the book (through a lot of introspection, that girl thinks way too much) so I’m hoping that she’ll be a great character next book.
The romance wasn’t too quick and I felt like I understood it. The next book will tell where it’s going since it was just getting started here. There is a love triangle, but it isn’t one of those annoying ones. (Where one girl leads two men on) It was political since the Winterians need to use marriages to gain allies. Also both of them are nice guys, so I don’t care which she ends up with. (Yay I can’t choose wrong!) Though I do like one more than the other, if only slightly.
The Bad:
There were a couple of times where Meira was getting all lovey-dovey when she should have been running for her life. Yes, I know, she’s always running for her life, but priorities girl!
Are love triangles a deal breaker for you?
I used to HATE them, but lately I’ve read a few that I didn’t mind.
Woven Magic Books 
I loved this book!!! I agree about the world building and I’m like you and hate love triangles but didn’t mind the one in this either. 🙂 I so need book 2!!!
I’m glad you liked this one too! World building is so important to me for a good fantasy novel. I can’t wait for book two either!
This is on my TBR but I wasn’t entirely sure about it. Your review has definitely convinced me that I should read it! 🙂 I used to hate love triangles as well, but now I don’t mind as long as they’re well done and make sense.
Yay! I’m glad I convinced you to read it. 🙂 I hope you enjoy it. I think it’s really good. Yeah it really depends on the love triangle for me, but at least I don’t cringe anymore when I hear a book has one.
Yay! Wasn’t this fabulous? I loved it and I wasn’t even expecting too and there were a lot of things I didn’t see coming. Even the love triangle worked and I usually don’t like those.
Wonderful review!
It was terrific you were right! I expected it to be just okay, especially since it starts with her thinking so much about a boy, but it really rocked! Thanks!
Love the review! I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read this or not, but it sounds like its pretty good! I will have to put this on my list! Thanks!
Thanks! It was very good! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 🙂
I keep reading great reviews for this book, so I need to read it at some point! I don’t mind love triangles, as long as they are done well. They can be very exciting and suspenseful:-D
Yes yes, it is really good! I was afraid of all of the hype and it starts out with her thinking a lot about a boy, but it’s really an epic fantasy with a little romance. It’s rare that I like both guys in the love triangle, I think this is a first.
Excellent pacing and world-building get my every time to the point that I can sometimes even overlook the fact that there’s a love triangle. And, as you mentioned, this one’s not the usual cliched kind, so even better!
Carmel @ Rabid Reads
World building is one of the main things I look for in a book, but it’s also nice when there aren’t slow spots. I don’t hate love triangles as much as I did and I promise this one isn’t one of the horribly annoying kind.
I’d like too but love triangle, getting lovey dovey when danger is near–only 25 peeps in the ENTIRE kingdom escaping…
The love triangle isn’t the annoying kind, but yeah twice she should have been running for her life, but she’s distracted by a guy. (different each time) Twenty five was the original count, by the start of the story they’re down to seven. lol
I’ve been a little leery of Snow Like Ashes because of all the hype it’s received – and because of the love triangle. But I didn’t know until your review that there’s a political slant to this one. I’ll have to consider this one. Nice job, Molly! 🙂
I’m always afraid of hype too and love triangles can so easily be annoying, but it surprisingly wasn’t. There isn’t much of a political side to this one, mostly because the main character fails at politics, but there is a little bit as they try to get another kingdom to aid them. Thanks! I hope you enjoy it if you decide to read it. 🙂
Good to know you enjoyed it! I’ve heard so many good things about this book and am planning to finally read it this year. When is another question entirely…
Also, love triangles tend to bother me, especially when they go the super YA dramatic route. Thankfully, though, the fantasies I’ve read so far treat love triangles well.
I understand, there are so many books on my I have to read it this year list. So many people said good things, so I still went in weary, but it was really good.
Love triangles can be so obnoxious that I almost want to not read a book because of them, so I’m glad when I find those that aren’t annoying like this one.
This is on my TBR list but I wasn’t in much of a hurry to read it until I read your review. I think I’ll have to bump it up on the list.
hehe I’m glad. I wish I hadn’t waited so long now. I hope you like it too.
Yay, I’m really excited to get to this one now! I’ve had it my shelf for a little while now.
From all the summaries I’ve read, it’s been a little difficult to get a handle on the plot because it sounds so complex. But if you really enjoyed the world building, then I’m sure I will too when I’m reading and understanding it for myself.
I love how action-packed it sounds! Good paving and mostly unpredictable — I’m sure I’ll be absorbed in no time!
I do love characters I can get attached to though, so I’m a little disappointed on that front.
As for the live triangle — if it’s for political purposes, it often doesn’t tend do be as indecisive (which is what really bugs me about love triangles). I don’t hate them as a rule, as long as they seem to serve a purpose in the book (aka not just to follow the trend), and it’s somewhat obvious who the MC will chose. It sounds like this might be the case here, so I’m sure I’ll like the romance just fine.
Great review!
I’m glad I could make you excited for a book. It’s an epic fantasy, so it’s hard to describe all of the plot without spoilers. The world building is really cool! I’m a sucker for good magical systems. Some people loved the characters, but for me they were just okay. I think the next book will expand on them though.
Yes, it’s not an annoying love triangle. There are complicated reasons about the love interests, but there actually isn’t a lot of romance in this book. Just a couple of kisses. (Both when she should have been fleeing for her life…) I don’t know which the main character will choose, but I think I do. Does that make sense? It could still go either way.
Thanks!
What a beautiful cover! This sounds like an amazing book! I like the way you described the world and the characters. I will be looking for this one! 🙂
The cover is amazing and yes it was a really good book! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂 I’m always happy when I can convince someone to read a book.
Waaaait just a second. You told us you DO like one better, but you didn’t tell us who! Come on, spill it: Team Mather or Team Theron? Also, I agree with pretty much all your points! The world building was quite unique, and I LOVED that it didn’t stop at boring stuff, that was kind of fantastic! Great review, but it would be better if you told me which guy you liked 😉
As for love triangles… this kind doesn’t bother me. I am usually okay with them, unless they are just dumb, and just to prove that everyone “looooovvves” the main character. Blech. Maybe I am just jealous!
haha oops! For the record I like Theron better. Though I am curious how events will change Mather in the next book. Thanks! She wrote it very well, I’m always impressed when I’m never bored for a second. I didn’t even realize that I never put which guy was my favorite until you pointed it out. I didn’t just do it to annoy you. Honest. 😉
It’s the wishy washy ness I don’t like about love triangles, the stringing two guys along. But yeah the over done loooovvvee (as you put it) is really annoying too. haha I don’t think I’d want two guys to fall for me. I’d take one though.
I skimmed through this! But I’m even more giddy to read it considering your rating, I just ordered my copy this afternoon 😀
I understand skimming so as not to spoil anything, but don’t worry I’m really careful about that. It’s always nice to see a positive review right after buying a book. This is one that it’s safe to be excited about. 🙂
Yay! Yay! Yay! I get my copy today! That totally rhymed by the way, whoa did it again!
Just read your full review 🙂 I’m really excited about the world-building, it sounds and feels as though it’s one that doesn’t require a great deal of thinking (i.e. LOTR, Graceling), and one that is friendly and welcoming.
I like the unpredictably approach too! I tend to always unravel the prose a quarter into a novel ha ha! Can’t wait to read it 🙂
Yay, congrats! haha
There is a lot of world building, but it’s not all dumped at once.
I always try to figure it out too. I love it when I don’t see everything coming!
Enjoy! I hope you like it!
Hmmm . . . I started reading this book, but I got distracted by other things. Now I’m thinking I should pick it up again 😉
I’d say it’s worth getting back to. At times there is a lot of world building, but I really enjoyed it and I hope that you do too. 🙂
Love triangles are deal breakers for me, unfortunately. My problem with this book is exactly what you’ve mentioned. And I get annoyed with the use of the you-need-to-marry-Prince-So and So-to-marry-both-our-kingdoms. I mean, you couldn’t use her kick ass abilities? That’s all she’s good for? Gimme a break. And yes, I know there was a twist, but with all the problems I ran into this book, I just don’t think it’s worth reading the rest of the trilogy.
I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t like this one. I thought she was appropriately kick butty, though her getting lovey dovey when she should have been running for her life did annoy me. I’m glad she didn’t meekly accept her fate to only be used for a marriage, though I was afraid she would for a while. I have a feeling she’ll only marry someone she wants to, but if the author uses that in the next book as well then I will be upset.
The Spring/Winter kingdoms concept makes this book sound really interesting. Another one to add to my TBR list. 🙂
Love triangles aren’t necessarily a deal-breaker, but they can put me off a book. I used to love them when I was a teenager. (rolls eyes at self) But now, some are a little corny, and make me think twice about a book. I don’t mind so much if that isn’t the central theme of the story.
I’m a sucker for good world building and magic systems.
I agree, I’m always cautious when someone mentions a love triangle. I’m annoyed when she just can’t decide, but if there’s a reason for the plot and a reason for their feelings and no wishy washy ness (that’s a lot of buts) then they can actually add something to a story. Which I never would’ve thought.
Hmm, I’ve seen this one around though until now I never really looked into it. But 9/10 stars from you? That’s worth investigating. Going to look this one up and explore some more to see if I should add it to my YA pile 🙂
haha I might be a little conservative with my stars. I’ve been on a roll this year though! I’m glad I convinced you to give this one a shot. I’m a fan of high fantasy and a sucker for magic systems though.
I’m usually ok with love triangles if it’s well done. It’s just when the person has to choose that it’s a little more difficult lol because I usually love the 2 others and I’m a lways sad. I heard great things about the book but I haven’t tried it I confess, I should! I don’t read a lot of fantasy books but YA is usually better for me. thanks for the review.
I completely agree. What I dislike about love triangles is when they just can’t decide and I almost always choose the person they don’t, which is why I was so happy that I wouldn’t mind if she chose either guy. For once all of the great reviews were right! Thank you. This one is more of an epic fantasy, in case you don’t usually like that.
YES. The love triangle didn’t bother me, usually I’m snarking and snorting the entire time. But, noooooo! That did not happen.
I had some issues with this book, particularly the big ass plot twist that was so in my face I just couldn’t look away. But, other than a few issues I really really liked it. It was fun. So much better than TOG.
haha! I was surprised not to be annoyed by the love triangle either.
I’m glad you liked it too! I haven’t read Throne of Glass yet. I suspected the plot twist from the beginning, so that’s probably why it didn’t feel as sudden to me.
I LOVED THIS BOOK! The world building was incredible and the persecution of the Winterians by Spring made me so sad. Especially that part in the tunnel 😥 And, I’m not usually a fan of love triangles, but I didn’t mind this one. Much. I’m totally team Theron and I can’t wait to see what happens going forward 🙂
I thought the tunnel was hopeful, because they’d only need it if they eventually got free, but all of the stories of lost loved ones was so sad. I didn’t mind the love triangle either, but I hope it isn’t used too much in the next books. I don’t like it to bee too drawn out. I preferred Theron too, but I like Mather as well.
I loved Snow Like Ashes so much. The world building in this book was so amazing, and I loved how Spring was evil instead of the usual Winter being evil. And like you said, the plot kept on twisting and turning so I never knew what would happen. I definitely didn’t see that major plot twist at the end coming.
I’m glad you enjoyed it a lot too. I agree, it’s so often that winter is evil it was a nice change of pace for it to be spring. The only twist I saw coming was the big one lol.
Have this book on my TBR list, looking forward to reading it. Great review.
Thanks! I hope you like it as much as I did! 🙂
I’m glad that this one worked out for you, Molly! I personally didn’t like it and had to DNF it around half way through because it was too slow for me and I really couldn’t click with Meira 😐
Lovely review! <33
I understand sometimes I just don’t like a protagonist. I’m sorry that this one wasn’t for you. It had a steady pace, but it was never particularly fast until the end. Thanks!
First of all, this one has an awesome cover! Second of all, it sounds really interesting and unique. Living in Southern California, I kind of feel like I must be permanently living in Summer, so I think it’s really cool that someone decided to create this world where everyone lives in one of the four seasons. I just love that you manage to find books with such incredible worlds. Makes me a little jealous! =)
The cover is very nice indeed and surprisingly the book was as good as the premise sounds! Living in Michigan it feels like I’m living in permanent winter lol. Thanks! I have a weakness for world building. 😉
Sounds really interesting! I’m gonna read this whenever I can! thanks for the wonderful review Molly, it really piqued my interest in this book! 🙂
For the love triangles, I agree with you. I used to hate them myself but lately I feel that if presented nicely and decently then it can really be a good twist.
I’m glad. I hope you like it as much as I did. 🙂 Love triangles can be a good twist. I think it depends on if they’re relevant to the plot or the author just wanted two hot guys to fall in love with her. Thanks!
Hahah! I agree!
Yay, I’m glad you liked this one! I can’t wait to get to it and I’ve heard so many good things about it. It’s a little disappointing that there isn’t a lot of character development, but I suppose you can’t always have everything!
As for love triangles, if they make sense I’m okay with them if they’re pointless and make the main character act dumb then it can be a deal breaker for me. =)
I was afraid because everyone seems to like it, but they were right! I hope you like it too! Many of the other reviewers didn’t have the problem I did with the characters. I think it was just because this book was more plot than character driven that I felt that way.
I agree. I think the love triangle has to be tied to the plot in some way so it doesn’t feel like an add on to cause problems for the heroine or wish fulfillment for the author. Yes, a dumb main character is hard for me to sympathies with. I always talk back to her. “well you did it to yourself.” “you so should have seen that coming” lol
Good action scenes are completely underrated in YA fantasy. Personally I think a great battle scene is what separates a 4 star book from a 5 star, but maybe that’s just because I’m bloodthirsty. 😉 Usually I don’t like super introspective narrators – probably since I do enough overanalyzing all on my own – but Meira sounds like a heroine I could really like! Admittedly I am still wary of love triangles but the political angle sounds like it has potential.
Good action scenes are underrated. I’m glad I’m not the only one who enjoys them. Nope, you’re not bloodthirsty, or at least you aren’t the only one who is. I like a book with action too!
Yes, I agree, that’s why I mentioned it. She spent too much time in her own head, but hopefully she’s over that. Love triangles can so easily go wrong so I was surprised this one didn’t bother me. There isn’t much politicking, mostly because our heroine stinks at it, but they needed an alliance somehow.