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ronniethebookworm's review
5.0
I never write review's but this book deserves one so badly. I don't even know where to even start with this. I read this book for the first time in 2015 and I absolutely loved it, all the twists and turns and that plot twist tho... I decided to pick it up again now 4 years later to see if I still loved it as much as I used to and Y E S! I absolutely do love this book that I'm at a loss for words, no words could decribe my love for this book and if I could I would make sure everyone reads this book because this is the book you didn't know you needed in life and you'll love it! Sara Raasch is a briliant person and wrote this book SO briliantly, I have so much love for her and hope she continues on writing books like this because it's the best thing ever.
laurenbookishtwins's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy from the publishers via Edelweiss
Snow Like Ashes follows Meira and her quest, along with other Winterian refugees, to free Winter, their home. Meira was orphaned during the War between Spring and Winter and raised by the Winterian General, William, who she calls Sir. When the location of Winter's locket is discovered, a locket that can restore Winter's power and help the refugees, and the King of Winter, take back their home from the clutches of Spring, Meira goes after the locket only to be thrust into the dangerous world of politics and unforeseen destinies.
The plot, at first, is fairly simple. Retrieve Winter's conduit (the locket) and save Winter from Spring. In that sense, it reminded me very much of [b:Finnikin of the Rock|4932435|Finnikin of the Rock (Lumatere Chronicles, #1)|Melina Marchetta|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346007613s/4932435.jpg|4998084], and thus I think fans of [b:The Lumatere Chronicles|18810348|The Lumatere Chronicles (Lumatere Chronicles, #1-3)|Melina Marchetta|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1384664283s/18810348.jpg|26744808] will enjoy Snow Like Ashes. However, towards the middle to the end of the novel, the pace really picks up and you're thrown into a very quick and enticing plot with many twists and shocks throughout. Snow Like Ashes is a very compelling read and I highly suggest you give it a read, particularly if you're a fan of the high fantasy genre. Raasch's writing is great, and easy to follow yet rich and emotive.
As many high fantasy fans will be aware of, world building is essential to the readers enjoyment. I can assure you that Raasch did an excellent job in bringing the Seasons and the Rhythms to life, and although it starts of confusing, I got my head around it all very quickly. I also loved that your season determined how you looked from Winters white locks and pale skin, to Autumns copper skin. You really did have a sense that you were in an alternative universe, with constant winters and summers, with charming princes and badass ladies throwing chakrams.
I particularly enjoyed the characters and I think that the characters coupled with the world building is what made Snow Like Ashes such an awesome read. It took me several chapters to warm to Meira, but one cannot deny her fierceness and independence and willingness to prove herself. Those who like Celaena from [b:Throne of Glass|7896527|Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335819760s/7896527.jpg|11138426] will probably like Meira, though she is certainly not as arrogant or brash, but her temper tantrums can be likened to Celaena (though she has every right). Also, there are a couple of swoon worthy princes thrown in there which are easy to love.
Overall, I think that Snow Like Ashes is an awesomely great high fantasy novel.
"Fear is a seed that, once planted, never stops growing."
Snow Like Ashes follows Meira and her quest, along with other Winterian refugees, to free Winter, their home. Meira was orphaned during the War between Spring and Winter and raised by the Winterian General, William, who she calls Sir. When the location of Winter's locket is discovered, a locket that can restore Winter's power and help the refugees, and the King of Winter, take back their home from the clutches of Spring, Meira goes after the locket only to be thrust into the dangerous world of politics and unforeseen destinies.
The plot, at first, is fairly simple. Retrieve Winter's conduit (the locket) and save Winter from Spring. In that sense, it reminded me very much of [b:Finnikin of the Rock|4932435|Finnikin of the Rock (Lumatere Chronicles, #1)|Melina Marchetta|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346007613s/4932435.jpg|4998084], and thus I think fans of [b:The Lumatere Chronicles|18810348|The Lumatere Chronicles (Lumatere Chronicles, #1-3)|Melina Marchetta|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1384664283s/18810348.jpg|26744808] will enjoy Snow Like Ashes. However, towards the middle to the end of the novel, the pace really picks up and you're thrown into a very quick and enticing plot with many twists and shocks throughout. Snow Like Ashes is a very compelling read and I highly suggest you give it a read, particularly if you're a fan of the high fantasy genre. Raasch's writing is great, and easy to follow yet rich and emotive.
As many high fantasy fans will be aware of, world building is essential to the readers enjoyment. I can assure you that Raasch did an excellent job in bringing the Seasons and the Rhythms to life, and although it starts of confusing, I got my head around it all very quickly. I also loved that your season determined how you looked from Winters white locks and pale skin, to Autumns copper skin. You really did have a sense that you were in an alternative universe, with constant winters and summers, with charming princes and badass ladies throwing chakrams.
I particularly enjoyed the characters and I think that the characters coupled with the world building is what made Snow Like Ashes such an awesome read. It took me several chapters to warm to Meira, but one cannot deny her fierceness and independence and willingness to prove herself. Those who like Celaena from [b:Throne of Glass|7896527|Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335819760s/7896527.jpg|11138426] will probably like Meira, though she is certainly not as arrogant or brash, but her temper tantrums can be likened to Celaena (though she has every right). Also, there are a couple of swoon worthy princes thrown in there which are easy to love.
Overall, I think that Snow Like Ashes is an awesomely great high fantasy novel.
mrmmreads's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I feel like we were dropped in the middle of a series and I missed a few books. Not in the way where I was confused. It just felt like everything was already established and this was the last book in a mega fantasy series. Really cool concept with the seasons as kingdoms and ethnicities. Super amazing debut novel
gia's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jess_walkinshaw's review
4.0
This book was so compelling. I can't even put into words.
It started out good than got a little boring but picked right up. This writing style and visuals you get from reading this book was amazing. I loved the main character and her struggles and when you find out her purpose .... I really didn't see it coming. I liked the whole concept of this book and I cannot wait to start the second one.
It started out good than got a little boring but picked right up. This writing style and visuals you get from reading this book was amazing. I loved the main character and her struggles and when you find out her purpose .... I really didn't see it coming. I liked the whole concept of this book and I cannot wait to start the second one.
aritrigupta's review against another edition
3.0
I should have really liked the book, but there were three main issues for me:
1) Meira with her unnecessary juvenile antics
2) Love triangles - I hate those
3) Excessive information dumping
The plot and the lore the author tried to create were impressive. However, the writing needed to be more systematic in letting us know what this whole battle/book was about. I was confused majorly about why this all started, also, I was tired of trying to keep up with all the information that was being thrown our way. Meira, as the protagonist, again, fell short of my expectations. While she was not annoying or too whiny, she was reckless, and had to feel like she was a snowflake (no pun intended!) I did not see why Theron had to be introduced as another romantic interest for her. Mather was, well, okay I guess. I hope there is more development in Meira and Mather in the next books.
I sped up my reading on most pages, because, Meira's POV was getting tedious after a while. I am not sure yet if I should invest my time in the sequels in this trilogy.
My overall verdict would be, that it was OK. The book is a bit of light fantasy with an interesting world, and marginally interesting set of characters. I probably won't recommend this to hardcore fantasy fans.
1) Meira with her unnecessary juvenile antics
2) Love triangles - I hate those
3) Excessive information dumping
The plot and the lore the author tried to create were impressive. However, the writing needed to be more systematic in letting us know what this whole battle/book was about. I was confused majorly about why this all started, also, I was tired of trying to keep up with all the information that was being thrown our way. Meira, as the protagonist, again, fell short of my expectations. While she was not annoying or too whiny, she was reckless, and had to feel like she was a snowflake (no pun intended!) I did not see why Theron had to be introduced as another romantic interest for her. Mather was, well, okay I guess. I hope there is more development in Meira and Mather in the next books.
I sped up my reading on most pages, because, Meira's POV was getting tedious after a while. I am not sure yet if I should invest my time in the sequels in this trilogy.
My overall verdict would be, that it was OK. The book is a bit of light fantasy with an interesting world, and marginally interesting set of characters. I probably won't recommend this to hardcore fantasy fans.
sarahsk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ihateprozac's review
5.0
Snow Like Ashes tells the story of Meira, a refugee who fled when Spring’s tyrant used magic to destroy the kingdom of Winter. 16 years later, Meira joins the fight to reclaim Winter and locates a magical conduit object that just may be the key to turning the tables.
I let this book stagnate on my shelf for close to a year because I’d bought it and then prompty convinced myself it’d be your typical generic YA fantasy.
BUT IT WASN’T AND NOW I AM FULL OF REGRET THAT I WAITED SO LONG.
This is genuinely one of the most refreshing and unique YA fantasies I’ve read in ages, managing to seamlessly blend so many themes and elements in a truly unexpected way! It’s a high YA fantasy set in a feudalist world with magic/magical talismans, yet elements of the Meira’s storyline read almost like a western.
The mythology and magic system are suuuuuuper interesting. We have the four “season” kingdoms of Winter, Summer, Spring and Autumn - and as the name suggests, Winter is home to snow and ice, Summer is eternally hot, Spring is full of warm and renewal, and Autumn is home to cooling weather and orange leaves. Then we have four “rhythm” kingdoms which are essentially typical feudalist societies who experience all four seasons. Each kingdom - whether rhythm or season - has historically had a magical conduit (object) that channels a magic unique to their kingdom.
I was overwhelmed (in the best way) by how much plot there was to this story! I’m so used to generic fantasy stories stretching out their shitty plots, and yet Sara Raasch manages to do in one book what lesser authors have done in 6! It’s action-packed and cohesive, with so many different settings and yet it never feels rushed. We have romantic development, character development, and plot development, in a time where publishers only like to feed us one at a time. It simply feels like Sara Raasch grabbed the story by the balls and absolutely n a i l e d it!
The only reason that I've rated this 4.5 stars and not a full 5 stars is due to a) the love triangle and b) the writing style. While the love triangle is a lot better than others I’ve read, I’m majorly over this as a trope. Writers, STOP PLZZZZZZ. And the writing style definitely isn’t awful, but I want more atmosphere for a story so deeply steeped in nature.
Overall: I am SCREAMING at myself for taking so long to read this because it was such a refreshing action-packed fantasy! There are so many elements here that shouldn’t work together and yet Sara Raasch has blended them masterfully. I genuinely don’t know where the story can go from here as Raasch took us on a crazy whirlwind of a journey, but I am so damn keen to pick up the next one!
I let this book stagnate on my shelf for close to a year because I’d bought it and then prompty convinced myself it’d be your typical generic YA fantasy.
BUT IT WASN’T AND NOW I AM FULL OF REGRET THAT I WAITED SO LONG.
This is genuinely one of the most refreshing and unique YA fantasies I’ve read in ages, managing to seamlessly blend so many themes and elements in a truly unexpected way! It’s a high YA fantasy set in a feudalist world with magic/magical talismans, yet elements of the Meira’s storyline read almost like a western.
The mythology and magic system are suuuuuuper interesting. We have the four “season” kingdoms of Winter, Summer, Spring and Autumn - and as the name suggests, Winter is home to snow and ice, Summer is eternally hot, Spring is full of warm and renewal, and Autumn is home to cooling weather and orange leaves. Then we have four “rhythm” kingdoms which are essentially typical feudalist societies who experience all four seasons. Each kingdom - whether rhythm or season - has historically had a magical conduit (object) that channels a magic unique to their kingdom.
I was overwhelmed (in the best way) by how much plot there was to this story! I’m so used to generic fantasy stories stretching out their shitty plots, and yet Sara Raasch manages to do in one book what lesser authors have done in 6! It’s action-packed and cohesive, with so many different settings and yet it never feels rushed. We have romantic development, character development, and plot development, in a time where publishers only like to feed us one at a time. It simply feels like Sara Raasch grabbed the story by the balls and absolutely n a i l e d it!
The only reason that I've rated this 4.5 stars and not a full 5 stars is due to a) the love triangle and b) the writing style. While the love triangle is a lot better than others I’ve read, I’m majorly over this as a trope. Writers, STOP PLZZZZZZ. And the writing style definitely isn’t awful, but I want more atmosphere for a story so deeply steeped in nature.
Overall: I am SCREAMING at myself for taking so long to read this because it was such a refreshing action-packed fantasy! There are so many elements here that shouldn’t work together and yet Sara Raasch has blended them masterfully. I genuinely don’t know where the story can go from here as Raasch took us on a crazy whirlwind of a journey, but I am so damn keen to pick up the next one!
hannah_farnsworth_'s review
3.0
Check out my review on abookishlifeforme.blogspot.com
http://abookishlifeforme.blogspot.com/2015/04/snow-like-ashes.html
http://abookishlifeforme.blogspot.com/2015/04/snow-like-ashes.html