Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

TITLE: Snow Like Ashes (Snow Like Ashes #1)

AUTHOR: Sara Raasch

RELEASED: October 14th, 2014 by Balzer + Bray

GENRE: YA Fantasy

A striking fantasy tale of dark magic, dangerous politics, and discovering your true self—perfect for fans of Game of Thrones, An Ember in the Ashes and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

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.

Even the strongest blizzard starts with a single snowflake.

This book has me wondering why I didn’t start it before now! And why the f*ck do I not already own books 2+3?! I’ve been in a bit of a book slump lately with not wanting to read any of the 3 books I’ve started recently… So I picked this up as I’ve been eyeing it for a good few weeks.

BEST.DECISION.EVER.

I read this start to finish TODAY! I loved it so much. Primoria is an amazing land of magic, badassery, and some really bad villains. I just want to dive right back in, but I have to wait for book 2 to arrive. Why is life so unfair? *le sigh*

All I ever wanted was for you to look at me.

Meira is a young girl who feels like an outcast from her fellow refugees, as she’s an orphan. She’s doing whatever it takes to make herself important to her kingdom, but wants to do more – feels she should be doing more. She’s unbelievably strong and independent, which is just how I like all my heroines! She’s gotta go into my top favourite female MC’s (alongside Eelyn and Eliana). This quest sets her on the journey of a lifetime, and, let’s be honest, I knew we didn’t have all the facts from the beginning. I knew she was more important than the foreshadowing was letting on, but I was still surprised by the plot twist and well impressed by Raasch’s writing! It was full of detail and information, but I truly couldn’t get enough of this world! The characters are well fleshed out and believable. I wanted to run into trouble right alongside Meira and help her fight for Winter!

Theron cocks up a corner of his mouth, studying me in a way that doesn’t feel possessive or condescending. It feels equal.

#TeamTheron for the record! I need to say it now because I just think he’s the better option of the two love interests. Yes, I see the major issues, but that isn’t gonna sink my ship! Also, Sir miiiiiight be my favourite of the secondaries. He was headstrong and stubborn and just soft enough to be a great mix of a man. Definitely a pretty good role model. There is a bit of misogyny and other social issues, but a large part of the plot is built on slave culture, so….