Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

The novel Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch is set in a fantastical world of magic where the seasons are embodied by groups of people.  Throughout the story, the reader follows the journey of Meira, a rebellious and determined girl who is Winterian.  When she was young, her race of people was almost entirely destroyed along with their magical conduit (a locket that would give strength to all Winterians) during a war against the Spring kingdom.  As she grows older, she trains to become a warrior alongside the remaining Winterian refugees, attempting to rebuild their kingdom and reawaken their lost magic.  Through her mission to protect her loved ones, she discovers her true identity and the secrets of her kingdom.  

Snow Like Ashes has the perfect mix of action, mysteries, and romance.  The fighting sequences are exhilarating and jam-packed with action that kept me quickly turning pages.  Also, the mysteries within the book are very well executed, and the intricate relationships between each character are fleshed out.  The novel explores themes of oppression, the power of hope, and self-discovery as Meria learns about the complex politics between different seasons and the disappearance of magic.  Additionally, Snow Like Ashes is a part of a trilogy, so you can continue to read about the struggles and lives of the characters after the first book.  Many of the unsolved mysteries left within the first book will be uncovered in the other books, making it a perfect segue into a new series.  

I loved how in depth the worldbuilding of each season was, which allowed me to imagine the kingdoms and unique system of magic.  The author presents the information in such a comprehensible way that I was able to understand all of the different kingdoms’ motives and politics.  Furthermore, the author incorporates a compelling plot intertwined with magic while simultaneously imparting themes of hope and self-discovery.  

I also liked how Meria was not a naturally talented protagonist, such as when wielding a sword, and that she did not try to hide the fact.  Instead, she compensated with her chakram, making her character more interesting to read about.  Furthermore, her problems were not solved with clichés.  Instead, she solved them with her ingenuity and creativity.  Since the novel is told from Meria’s point of view, I was able to view how her mind works and the logic behind each of her actions.  As a result, I was able to understand her motives and connect with her struggles even further.  

At the beginning of the book, I thought that the romance was endearing and had an interesting dynamic that would be addressed later.  However, the romance evolved into a love triangle that could sometimes feel drawn out and shoehorned into the plot when reading certain sections of the novel.  Then, the romance was dropped by the end of the narrative and was mostly used as setup for the second book.  

Additionally, although I loved the descriptions and extra details, they sometimes bogged the book down and made it tedious to read.  Some descriptions focused on insignificant details, which slowed the pace of the book and made it drag on.  As a result, it was difficult to get a bearing of what was happening around the character.  Despite this, the book was still a delightful read, and the plot kept me hooked.  

Overall, if you love magical fantasy books and romance, I highly recommend that you read this book!  It is a beautifully written tale about love and hope that will keep you wanting more. 

Check Out Snow Like Ashes at Newport Beach Public Library!