REVIEW: SNOW LIKE ASHES BY SARA RAASCH.

Title: Snow Like Ashes
Series: Snow Like Ashes #1
Author: Sara Raasch
Edition: Kindle
Publication: Balzer + Bray / October 14, 2014
Source: eARC provided by the publisher through Edelweiss
Pages: 416
Genre: High Fantasy, Romance
Trailer: Not available.

Synopsis:

A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

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, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom 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. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds 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.

Meira is one of the remaining 8 out of 25 survivors of Winter's fall. For sixteen years, they've been trying to get back the pieces of the locket which was Winter's Conduit. With this locket they believe they could restore Winter through its power and save the Winterian slaves. Angra is powerful but the locket is their only hope in defeating him. When William and the others went back from their journey in the outskirts of Abril, Meira wants to join them in getting the locket. With Mather conspiring with her defeating him in their sparring, William eventually lets her go. Even though Meira is not battle ready, her wit combined with her fast thinking, things are about to change not only for William and Meira but for the entire realm.

I enjoyed Snow Like Ashes in a way I didn't expect. I was transported to a universe so huge and rich my head hurts by just imagining it. I loved how Seasons turned into specific kingdoms and that there's magic in it! Aside from the elements a high fantasy series requires, I loved the premise and the characters. The only issues I found were: the fact that it was a bit difficult to get into in the beginning, that there's a predictable input in its romance and that repetitive mention of prairie grass!

Meira proved to be one of the kickass heroines we have in young adult literature today. She has basic knowledge with hand to hand combat but her ways of getting out of situations plus her drastic ability to patch facts made her one of my favorites. I know that it is just a cliche factor in YA that teens outrank adults in saving the world, but Meira absolutely deserved her place in this spotlight. Ignoring her history, what she did to prove to herself that she could be more is enough for me.

Let us make one thing clear here, alright? Am torn between Mather and Theron. Seriously. Am going to spoil this part for you because OMG THERE'S ONE PAGE DEDICATED TO MATHER AND THERON BEING SHIRTLESS AND THERON HAS MANBUN. You're welcome. *composes self* So yes, Mather and Theron are both hot in the physical sense of the word but their contributing personalities made them hotter. Mather is kind though can be easily read while Theron has this aura of being mischievous which is very attractive. As you all know, I tend to fall for "bad" fictional guys. But yes, their bravery and kind hearts in amid of chaos made the story so much interesting and interesting and interesting. (well, I love William too. I imagine him similar as Mads Mikkelsen! So hoooooot, right?)

The last factor I absolutely died for when I read Snow Like Ashes was THAT UNPREDICTABLE AND SURPRISING PLOT TWIST. Hell yeah, it never crossed my mind that something as fantastic as that would just blatantly surprise the hell out of me! *cue goosebumps* It made me screaming because of so much anticipation BECAUSE BLOOD IS ABOUT TO FLOOD YOUR LIFE! Thank you Raasch for making Snow Like Ashes full of awesomeness (and heart).

Snow Like Ashes is filled with badassery in its highest level. Heart-pumping romance, mind-blowing revelations and edge-of-the-seat battle scenes are all packed in one astounding debut novel.

Thank you Harpercollins International Sales and Edelweiss for the eARC!