Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch [Joint Review!]

4.5 out of 5 Robots!

  

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
Series: Snow Like Ashes #1
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release: October 14, 2014
Hardcover: 432 Pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
My Copy: Publisher (Edelweiss)
Reviewer: Shannon and Julia
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

Cricket Thompson's lifetime of overachieving has paid off: she's headed to Brown University in the fall, with a spot on the lacrosse team and a scholarship that covers almost everything. Who knew living in the dorm cost money? An Ivy League education seems to mean living at home for the next four years.

When Cricket is offered the chance to earn enough cash to afford a real college experience, she heads back to Nantucket for the summer. But the faraway island challenges Cricket in ways she hadn't anticipated. It's hard to focus on earning money for next year, when she finds her world opening up in entirely new ways-to art, to travel, and, most unexpectedly, to a future completely different from the one she has been working toward her whole life. A friendship blossoms with Ben, the gorgeous surfer and bartender who encourages Cricket to be free, even as she smarts at the pain of seeing Zack, her first love, falling for her worst enemy.

But one night, when Cricket finally lets herself break all her own rules, she realizes she may have ruined her carefully constructed future with one impulsive decision. Cricket must dig deep to fight for her future, discovering that success isn't just about reaching goals, but also about listening to what she's been trying to ignore-her own heart.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon and Julia's Thoughts: 
1. In a few words, describe Snow Like Ashes.

Shannon:  A fun fantasy romp with some compelling characters.

Julia: Snow Like Ashes is an adventurous fantasy with a captivating plot and compelling characters. A fantasy lover's dream! 

 

2. Meira's story is full of adventure and intriguing secondary characters- but what relationship was your favorite? Meira/Sir? Meira/Mather? Meira/Theron? Meira/Nessa? Why?

Shannon:  I liked them all for different reasons!  I loved the dynamics between Sir and Meira and how she desperately wanted his approval, but he is a strict and foreboding guardian and doesn't show his emotions easily.  I also liked Meira and Mather's awkward relationship.  They have grown up together and have a closeness and comfort with each other.  But there are different feelings there between them, but duty makes it hard for them to have a future together.  It creates a lot of tension.  I also really liked Theron and Meira's instant compatibility given the awkward situation they are in.

Julia: Just like Shannon, I loved them all! They were all so different and each gave the story a little push. If I had to pick it favorite though, it would be Meira and Theron... The newness of it is sweet and his support in just the way she needs it is dreamy.  

 

3. There just HAD to be a love triangle- thoughts? Team Theron or Team Mather?

Shannon:  Team Theron!  While I found their relationship to be a little quick, given the circumstances, I loved that Theron sees her differently than everyone else in Meira's life.  He sees her as truly an equal.  I loved his sense of humor and his belief in her.  He may be a little TOO perfect, but I don't care.  Wish fulfillment FTW!

Julia: Team Theron!! I love that he see's her for who she is and who she wants to be and is always there for her. Not always trying to protect her when she can do that herself. I do love Mather, but he never had the balls to peel away at his feelings and come forward for her, soooo... Theron!! Got to love a man who has his shit together ;)

 

4. The plot is constantly propelled forward by action, but is there anything else that you loved about the story?

Shannon:  I thought Raasch does a really good job of interweaving her world building into her story.  It is not an easy feat given how much information she has to give for the reader to understand the history and lay of the land, but Raasch manages it in a fairly organic way.

Julia: I was absolutely engrossed in the story of Winter and in the beginning of the story I felt disconnected to it like Meira. I couldn't understand really why the other characters were fighting for it when there were only eight survivors. But then Meira discovers more about Winter, and I found myself falling in love with Winter and feeling just as connected as Meira. I LOVE that the author was able to do that.  

 

5. Which scene is your favorite? Least favorite?

Shannon: I'm not sure I had a particular favorite/least favorite, but I would say that I enjoyed scenes with Theron and Meira - especially when they were teasing each other.  My least favorite...I'm not sure!  I found the posturing between Theron and Mather to be tiresome, but nothing really stood out as annoying or awful.

Julia: My least favorite may have been Mather and Theron fighting it out over Meira. Though the thought of them shirtless isn't awful, it just didn't seem to make much sense to me. My favorite scene may have been Theron holding Meira hand and standing up next to her as she confronted Sir, Mather, Nessa and the rest of them. It was a cute show of support. So sweet.

 

6. What would you rate Snow Like Ashes? Who would you recommend it to?

Shannon: I would rate it 4.5 stars.  I really liked it!  I think fantasy fans will enjoy this one a lot.  It isn't QUITE Throne of Glass, but it is definitely worth a read!

Julia: I am super satisfied with the beginning, middle and end. There is one part that is a tad bit predictable, but I loved it anyway. Five out of Five stars!! Highly recommend to fantasy junkies :)

Disclosure:  I reviewed a copy free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.