Snow Like Ashes, by Sara Raasch

Title: Snow Like Ashes
Author: Sara Raasch
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Number of pages: 432 pages (hardcover)

★★★★★/5

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.

My Review: 

Honestly, this might be my favourite book that I read in 2015. I. Just. Loved. It.

I don't really remember why I picked up that book. But that's the only book I own in hardcover, because I somehow knew that I would like it. The cover is just gorgeous, and I really like the title, and the idea behind the whole story.

This is Sara Raasch's first book, and I already love her writing. It is so agreeable to read. I think that the writing of a fantasy novel is really important, because sometimes it can be so heavy and dense, and the book becomes impossible to read, even though the story is great. But in Snow Like Ashes, the story is associated with the amazing writing of Sara Raasch, and it's so much fun to read !

The main character, Meira, is a strong female character, with her flaws and her qualities, which make her so interesting. She's really the main character in the book, everything focuses on her, but the reader is able to appreciate the secondary characters. Mather is Meira's childhood friend and crush, and he's the heir to the throne of Winter. He doesn't really get a character development, he evolves a bit at the end of the book, but I liked him a lot. Theron is the prince of another country, he's one of the characters beloved by the readers. I personally don't like him, but I can see why others do. He's such a gentleman, very charming. The main antagonist is... well, an antagonist, mean, cruel, evil, and I "liked" it. Usually, if the antagonist isn't good, the book isn't good. But in Snow Like Ashes, it wasn't the case, even though the ending was a bit predictable.

The only part that I didn't appreciate was when Meira had dreams. Though they helped learning more about the past, and they were useful for the narrator, but I just didn't like it. I don't really know how to justify it. But dreams weren't too present in the book, so it was okay.

The world building in the story is simply amazing, very rich, with a simple idea, but still complex and fascinating. 8 realms, 4 seasons and 4 rhythms. The appearance of the inhabitants based on where they are from. It may not sound original, but it is, and the reader can feel it throughout the book, which is amazing.

3 reasons why you should read that book :

• The world itself is fascinating
• Meira and Mather and their quest are awesome
• Ice Like Fire is released in October, and you don't wanna miss that !