By: Cait Marie
Snow Like Ashes is the first in a trilogy that has been on my TBR for quite some time now. I had heard many mixed reviews, so I was iffy about starting it. I finally did, though, and loved it!
In this story, there are four seasonal kingdoms and four rhythm kingdoms. 16 years after the kingdom of Winter is attacked and taken over, only eight Winterians remain free, including the young would-be-king. They have been moving around, hiding, and searching for the kingdom’s conduit of magic. Without it, they have no hope of their kingdom ever returning to power
16-year-old Meira is among those looking for the conduit. As an orphan, she was raised by this group alongside her best friend and future king, Mather. After finally getting the chance to prove herself, Meira finds the first half of the conduit, but this is only the beginning of the battle for Winter.
This book was very interesting, but a bit confusing in the beginning. It did make sense the more I read, though. The story felt a bit forced at times, which is my only real complaint. For example, they had been looking for the conduit for 16 years, but on her first try, Meira manages to get it. There is another example toward the end of the book where something just works out a bit too perfectly.
That being said, I still really enjoyed it. The story was intriguing, there was plenty of action, betrayal, and of course a forbidden love. The world-building is fascinating and the characters are interesting. I am looking forward to the next book, and seeing how the story evolves!
*SPOILERS**SPOILERS**SPOILERS*
After finding the first half of the conduit, the eight Winterians go to Cordell, a rhythm kingdom. In their attempt to gain an alliance, Meira is promised to marry the prince, Theron, much to her dismay. Theron seems to be in the same situation, trapped beyond his control. He comforts Meira, acts as a friend, and goes to rescue her when she’s kidnapped by Spring. I don’t know what it is, but Theron just seems too good to be true. I keep waiting for the betrayal or to find out he’s actually evil…
Meira finds out near the end, that she is in fact the queen of Winter. Mather is not the king, as they had been raised to believe. It was all to protect her until she was old enough to use the conduit. I definitely guessed this in the beginning of the book. The first time she had a dream about Hannah holding “baby Mather,” I thought it was probably really her. So, I’m looking forward to the other books, but I’m hoping they’re less predictable.
Functionally Fictional 