Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

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.

Snow Like Ashes is hands down, the best fantasy I’ve read this year (yes, including Shadow Study and I know it’s only 3 months into the year but still!). The world building, the characters, everything was just SO. GOOD. I want to read it again and again, and you know how rare rereading is for me! The only thing I’m really, truly sad about is that I have to wait until October to read the next in the series.

Meira and Mather and Theron… even Sir, they’re all such well-built characters that I couldn’t get enough. I sort of wish I had waited for the next books to be out so I could finish the entire series at once but… that would be forever from now so I’m glad I didn’t. The world building in this story is some of the best I’ve ever read (seriously) and I just couldn’t put it down – I ended up reading it in one sitting, 5 hours during which I put the book down only a couple of times to let my pups outside. IT’S THAT GOOD. Sara Raasch is a genius.

While I did see the major plot twist coming (I had an inkling and then was disappointed that I was wrong and I couldn’t figure out how it would even be, but then BOOM there it was) it was done so well, that I was actually surprised when it finally happened. Meira is such a badass and absolutely fearless – I could never have the guts that she has to get sh** done! Obviously, I cannot rave enough about this book. I need Lauren to read it so we can discuss in detail the amazingness that just occurred.

Anyway, anyone that likes fantasy even a little bit should read this. Even if you don’t like fantasy, READ THIS. I gave it 5/5 stars on Goodreads, and now I’m going to go read it again.