// book review + discussion: snow like ashes by sara raasch

Title: Snow like Ashes (Snow Like Ashes, #1)
Author: Sara Raasch
Publication: 14th of October 2014 by Balzer + Bray
Format: 416 pages, Hardcover
Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Young Adult

Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository 

Synopsis: 

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. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, Winter's future king—she would do anything to help Winter 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—only to find 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: 

This is one of the books I actually purchased for the month of August. Snow like Ashes is again one of those books you always see you on Tumblr so I finally decided to give it a read. Yup, I loved this book so much! The moment you start the book, it's already filled with action. I mean, literally. It opens up to Meira and Mather sparring in training. Meira, a sixteen year old, is one of the remaining refugees who survived when the kingdom of Winter was turned into ruins by the Spring Kingdom. Mather on the other hand, is the future King of Winter. I loved how this book has a unique touch to it. It does have a Game of Thrones, ACOTAR and An Ember in the Ashes vibe to it but they're never quite the same. I was interested with how Sara Raasch created the different kingdoms. Four seasons and four Rhythms. Each ruler possess a conduit that has different powers which can affect their own people. Four female rulers, and four male. There was never a dull moment in this book. There was always something happening so I didn't get bored. 

I admire Meira so much. I love how she wants to break the female stereotype of wanting to wear pretty dresses and going to lavish balls. She wants to do something that would contribute and serve Winter. To fight for their land and for their people. To be useful. She was kicking ass all throughout the book and I enjoyed her witty banter with the other characters.  

And Theron! This one's swoon-worthy guys *insert heart eyes emoji*. The Prince of Cordell. It amazed me how he knows all the servants in his palace and how he shows genuine interest in them. Have I mentioned he loves reading books? He has a bookshelf tightly packed with books that it feels like it may explode any minute. He condemns his father's ways and wants to help Winter. 

Mather on the other hand was very mysterious. He's such an expert in masking away his true emotions. I just wished we got to know him more!(Who knows maybe we will in Ice Like Fire)

I love, love, love the fantastic world building in this one. The concept of the four Season Kingdoms is very unique. It was fun picturing the different kingdoms and how belonging from one reflects the people looks like. For example, people from Winter have white hair and pale skin while the people from Autumn have warm coloured eyes and hair. I also loved how Raasch developed the different cultures from the different kingdoms, like in a wedding ceremony in Winter, the two couples drink from a cup and whatever water remains freezes and then they bury it, etc. 

There's a love triangle in the story! I was hesitant that it would annoy me but thankfully it didn't. It was a love triangle but isn't really one. It's complicated. 

To sum it all up, I really enjoyed reading Snow like Ashes! I gave it four stars on Goodreads. It was exciting for me and filled with action which gets a check from me! I also enjoyed the humour, the romance and the friendships. And that plot twist! I can't wait to see Meira's character develop more and see what she plans on doing in Ice like Fire. The only thing I wish is that it was written from different POVs as I would love to get to know Mather and Theron more. Nonetheless, I still recommend this to everyone!

Here are some of my favourite quotes: 

"Sometimes placing our belief in something bigger than ourselves helps us get to the point where we can be enough on our own, magic or no magic" - page 20

"You've always been everything to me. I didn't know how to handle how much I needed you growing up--" - Mather, page 172

"That's why literature is so fascinating. It's always up for interpretation, and could be a hundred different things to a hundred different people. It's never the same thing twice." - Theron, page 203

"Theron beside me will keep me safe through this. Not as a protector--as an equal. I'm not the only one caught in this. I'm not alone." - Meira, page 229

"Even the strongest blizzard starts with a single snowflake." - page 318

"I want to be something worthy of my kingdom. I want to be someone worthy of you." - page 381

Have any of you read Snow like Ashes? Did you enjoy it? Who's your favourite character? Are you team Mather or Theron?