Snow Like Ashes (Snow Like Ashes, #1) in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

May 05, 2014 Nadine in NY Jones rated it did not like it

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy-and-sci-fi, fantasy-romance

Have you ever held one of those "best friends" necklaces that come in two halves, the idea being you wear one and your bff wears the other, and thought to yourself, "I wonder if I could write a high fantasy story about these necklaces?!" Yeah, I haven't either, but it looks like Ms Raasch did, and then she actually wrote the story.

Don't worry about feeling confused, the exposition will smack you in the face. Repeatedly. Until you cry "mercy!" And if you miss it the first time? Don't worry! It wi Have you ever held one of those "best friends" necklaces that come in two halves, the idea being you wear one and your bff wears the other, and thought to yourself, "I wonder if I could write a high fantasy story about these necklaces?!" Yeah, I haven't either, but it looks like Ms Raasch did, and then she actually wrote the story.

Don't worry about feeling confused, the exposition will smack you in the face. Repeatedly. Until you cry "mercy!" And if you miss it the first time? Don't worry! It will be explained again! And again! (And again!! Even the explanations will be explained!!!)

Everything about this book bugs me: the writing (the twee metaphors), the place names (Januari? Abril?? Oktuber??? fuck that), the fantasy world (how can kingdoms locked in one season grow food?? This wouldn't bug me except growing food and gardening is mentioned repeatedly), the plot, the stupid choices and thoughts the protagonist makes/has (if you're looking for a key, why steal a random piece of paper instead? Why???)

The writing is just so .... amateurish. Thing is, if this was fanfic, I'd be raving about it, but since this is a published work, I expect more. This definitely felt like it was written by a twelve year old. (I mention this because the author states in her dedication that she started writing this when she was twelve.)

The characters didn't thrill me, and for the most part I didn't care about them, except for Theron who seemed appealing. (Although he wasn't so appealing that Meira needed to literally start tingling when he was near. Unless his castle has a major problem with static electric shocks.) It was idiotic that Meira childishly referred to Sir as "Sir" instead of his real name that everyone else uses. Speaking of childish, Meira was just a whiny brat who magically managed to get everything right while still whining about shit. And Mather gave off serious controlling stalker vibes - I predict that he becomes sullen and aggressive in future books when Meira chooses Theron. (I'll never find out if I'm right because there's no chance in hell I'll be reading the rest of this series.)

Also annoying: we never learned what the title meant. I get the snow part, but where were the ashes? When was snow LIKE ashes? I guess this was meant to symbolize the defeat of Winter that happened sixteen years before the book starts? Whatever. It sounded clever but fell flat.

And did I mention the first person present tense? Yes, it's in my least favorite of all tenses!! This really grated on me.

The number one thing that bugged me, that just kept getting in my craw every time the writing mentioned crops or plants: it doesn't make any sense. You can't grow crops if you are locked in one season. Spring's perpetual blossoms means no fruits or grains, ever. Winter especially would be a famished nation unable to grow any food at all, since the ground is perpetually covered with snow. And what's with the Rhythm kingdoms?? (Anyone else think "rhythm method" every time a "Rhythm" was mentioned?)

Things I liked: gorgeous cover! ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Oct 14, 2015 Courtney rated it it was amazing

I really loved this book. I read it quickly and I've already placed the newly released sequel on hold at my library. Raasch has written a really neat fantasy world and strong characters to go into it. There was no cliffhanger ending, but you know that the story is not over and you're left really looking forward to what comes next. ...more

Like · see review

Mar 28, 2016 Ali rated it liked it · review of another edition

Quick read, but I enjoyed it. Nothing incredibly ground breaking, but a fun storyline. I'm checking the next book out from the library to read too. ...more

Like · see review