Publisher:
Balzer + Bray
Release
Date: 14th
October 2014
Edition:
Kindle e-book,
purchased
Games of Thrones meets Graceling in this striking fantasy tale of dark magic, dangerous politics, and
discovering our true self. Sara Raasch’s fantasy debut is a lightning-fast
story of loyalty, love and controlling one’s destiny.
Sixteen
years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved,
leaving them without magic or a monarch. The Winterians’ only hope for freedom
is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been searching for
the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild their 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 half of the ancient locket
that can restore their magic, Meira decides to go after it herself – only to
find herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics, and to
realise her destiny is not, never has been, her own.
I’ve been craving a big, juicy
fantasy novel for a while now and Snow
Like Ashes hit the spot perfectly.
Raasch’s world is very complex.
The eight kingdoms, the magic, their conduits for the magic and their relationships
with each other are all so intricate and well thought out that you can tell
that Meira’s story and the magic of Primoria was thought about for a very long
before it was final. It took me a little while to get to grips with everything
that was going on, and I honestly did still get a little lost, but I enjoyed
learning about it. There’s a wealth of history and betrayal and sacrifice and
with the turn of events at the ending of Snow
Like Ashes I know there’ll be lots more to learn in the sequel.
Meira is a wonderful heroine,
but mostly because she is stubborn and hot-headed and fiercely protective of
Winter. I loved the battles she had with Sir about her need to fight for her
kingdom, if only to make herself feel useful and a part of the home she doesn’t
even remember, and his unwillingness to let her because that’s not where she
should be. She should have been going to balls and taking etiquette classes and
having suitors lining up for her. But all she wants is to help reclaim her
kingdom and live happily ever after in a little snowy cottage with Mather.
The relationship between Meira
and Mather wasn’t what I was expecting. For two people who had grown up
together and spent all their lives together they were surprisingly closed off
to each other. And yet the tension between them was unbearable at times. In the
circumstances I wasn’t expecting a love triangle to come up and I was set on
disliking Theron. But I couldn’t – he’s awesome. And now I can’t decide who I like
better or who’s better for Meira because they-re just too different. I usually always have a clear favourite, but I just
can’t.
I absolutely loved Snow Like Ashes. It’s has a wonderfully
complex world, lovable characters and a real cause to get behind. Bring on book
two.
Sophie
I keep hearing good things about this book. I shall look out for it!
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