YA Review: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Title: Snow Like Ashes
Author: Sara Raasch
Series: Snow Like Ashes
Book #: 1
Pages: 391
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: 
Goodreads Rating: 4.07
Published: Oct. 14th, 2014

With shades of The Hunger Games, Ender’s Game, and Game of Thrones, debut author Pierce Brown’s genre-defying epic Red Rising hit the ground running and wasted no time becoming a sensation. Golden Son continues the stunning saga of Darrow, a rebel forged by tragedy, battling to lead his oppressed people to freedom from the overlords of a brutal elitist future built on lies. Now fully embedded among the Gold ruling class, Darrow continues his work to bring down Society from within. A life-or-death tale of vengeance with an unforgettable hero at its heart, Golden Son guarantees Pierce Brown’s continuing status as one of fiction’s most exciting new voices.

Taschima's POV:

People in the light, not just words in the dark.
Someday we will be more than words in the dark.

Winter and Spring are at war... and Spring is winning. Twenty-five Winterians were able to escape the first onslaught. Sixteen years later and there are only eight survivors left. Among the survivors is Meira, a war orphan who's sole wish is to help in the recovery of their kingdom's only hope at fighting back--winter's conduit.

This conduit will help Winter focus their magic in the hands of a true heir. Only problem is that Winter's current monarh is a male and the conduit only works for female heirs. Not only this, but the conduit was broken in two by Spring's king and he keeps them in constant movement, making it near impossible for the surviving Winterians to get it back. Also, did I mention there is only eight survivors left? The rest of the remaining Winter population is in working camps, and no other kingdom seems willing to help. The odds are stacked against Winter so incredibly high it is a little daunting to think they even have a chance.

But they are one mission away from finally getting some concrete information on the location of one of the conduit pieces, and Meira is ready to help put their kingdom back into power however she can... even if she has to sacrifice herself in the name of the crown.

"The world may seem balanced--four kingdoms of eternal seasons, four kingdoms that cycle through all seasons; four kingdoms with female-blooded conduits, four with male-blooded. But it's not balanced--it will always be tipped in favor of monarchs who have magic versus people who don't..."

This fantasy book was so well done it makes me want to cry happy tears. I love the idea of the Kingdoms being called after seasons. I enjoyed the conflict between Spring and Winter, though I would have liked to get to know the people of Spring more to give the kingdom a background or at least make me care if a magical atomic bomb were to be dropped on them. I felt immensely for the Winterian survivors, both the ones that managed to escape the onslaught of Spring and those who were captured and put into slave camps.

"It doesn't matter what I would do with magic, because leaders are valued for the wrong things."

But what really shone were the characters. The Winter Kingdom is a Matriarchy, and who that puts pressure on is Mather, the only heir (who happens to be male) because he knows that even if they find their magical conduit there is little to nothing he can do to use it. He knows his people would prefer an evil queen who can help to a king with good intentions but zero power, and that is just a sad truth. He won't let that little fact get him down however and so he keeps on fighting to free their people and restore his kingdom.

"The Winterians would probably rather have a cruel queen than a king with good intentions, because with a queen, they at least have a chance that the magic can be used for them."

Mather is sweet and strong and even though he clearly has feelings for Meira he never tries to overprotect her or hold her back. He lets her make her own decisions and even helps her get what she strives for (which is more outside missions that will help rescue their people/country). Which is why it makes it so difficult when Theron shows up.

"The sudden barrage of Theron in front of me with Mathew closing in makes me feel like I'm caught weaponless on a battlefield."

Theron is the Cordellan prince, the son of one of the only Kingdom's that is willing to come to Winter's aid... but for a price. Theron however is nithing like his greedy father; he is a scholarly man, a poet. He knows everybody in his castle and he cares about what happens to them. He is a good, kind man, and also a brave one on top of that. The love triangle is not in your face, it is not annoying or crass. I actually did not mind it at all, the only thing that bothered me is that both boys are so incredibly honorable and god damn awesome that I could not hate either one.

"You may have me trapped in this." I tug him off me. "But you aren't the first man to underestimate me, so may I advise you to start treating me with a little more respect, King Noam."

"I fought so long and so hard to be me, to be Meira in all of this. To help Winter in my own unique way--but this isn't about what I want, it's about that Winter needs. It's always been about what Winter needs."

I love Meira. She is so strong! She really tries, and she LOVES her kingdom. All she wants to do is save her people, put Mather back in the throne, and prove her worth. She also has hilarious one liners. She grows so much during the novel, realizing and accepting that sometimes not everything goes as you planned. I just can't wait to read the second book again just so I can see how she has changed.

"Congratulations, everyone," I announce as I open the door to Noam's study. "You've finally broken Meira, the crazy, orphaned soldier-girl. She's snapped, all thanks to the mention of floral arrangements."

Snow like Ashes was one of my favorite reads this year. The ending might not have been as shocking (because you can figure it out pretty quickly) but the road getting there was still so very enjoyable I couldn't have cared less.  I want the second book right now!!

Recommended for fans of: Throne of Glass.

YA Review: Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3) by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Blue Lily, Lily Blue
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Series: The Raven Cycle
Book #: 3
Pages: 391
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: 
Goodreads Rating: 4.37
Published: Oct. 21st, 2014

There is danger in dreaming. But there is even more danger in waking up.

Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.

The trick with found things though, is how easily they can be lost.

Friends can betray.
Mothers can disappear.
Visions can mislead.
Certainties can unravel.

Taschima's POV:

Click here to learn how you can get a copy of Blue Lily, Lily Blue signed by Maggie Stiefvater.

"Queens and kings,
Kings and queens,
Blue Lily, lily blue,
Crowns and birds
Swords and things
Blue lily, lily blue."

I don't think Maggie Stiefvater is capable of writing anything that isn't just wonderful and perfect and lyrical and just fucking amazing. All her sequels have packed a punch, and Blue Lily, Lily Blue is no exception. Everything is cranked up a notch, the romance, the mystery, the stakes... You will come out of this title not being quite the same.

"Three Sleepers--light, dark, and in between."

Blue and the boys are going back to school to finish their last year. Only, school doesn't seem as important when your mother has gone missing, supernatural forces are messing with your head, you have a dead best friend, and your king is still dead asleep. Everything seems normal on the surface, but it is anything but.

"If everything around Gansey was soft-edged and organic, faded and homogeneous, Ronan was sharp and dark and dissonant, standing out in stark relief from the woods."

Adam has changed, as has Ronan. Gansey is just Gansey, but even he is on the edge. Blue is learning things about herself that make her a much more stronger person, and a more bad ass chick. I think this book is equal parts Blue and Adam. I feel like Adam has been growing constantly through the series, so everything you see in this installment is how much he has come to accept not only himself but his friends. He is a more mature person, not letting the little things get to him so much and accepting the help of his friends more easily. Notice how I didn't mention Noah in this? That is because ever since the first book he is like not even there more than half the time.

"He [Noah] had been crying. That was what was wrong with his face, Blue realized. Nothing supernatural. "Oh, Noah," she said, crouching down."

It is sad, the only times he shows up is to show us how bad things are going for him as a ghost. Normally ghosts in stories just keep on "living" without much of a care, because they are dead so why SHOULD they care? They are jovial; eternally okay, nothing can touch them. Noah isn't, at all.

Maura is gone, and Blue is angry. Angry at her fate, at her curse, at her mother for leaving, at herself for liking Gansey as much as she does.

"Casually, out of view of Ronan, making sure Adam was still sleeping, Gansey dangled his hand between the driver's seat and the door. Palm up, fingers stretched back to Blue. This was not allowed...
...She would not see the gesture, anyways. She would ignore it if she did. His heart hummed. Blue touched his fingertips. Just this--He pinched her fingers lightly, just for a moment, and then he withdrew his hand and put it back on the wheel. His chest felt warm. This was not allowed."

She knows that kissing him might bring his doom, and yet she can't help getting close to him. This time around you get more delicious romantic tension as the two love birds try to be close (yet not too close) without anybody in their group (aka Adam and Ronan) finding out.  One thing is for sure, these two are killing me! Stealing moments, I love it. I am going to be so very upset if/when Gansey dies... but really, he has to come back, right? RIGHT?

#GanseyBetterNOTDie

[POSSIBLE SPOILER]"Maybe I dreamt you," he [Ronan] said.
"Thanks for the straight teeth, then," Adam replied."

"See, Adam Parrish is wantable, worthy of a crush, not just by anyone, someone like Ronan, who could want Gansey or anyone else and chose Adam for his hungry eyes. Maybe he was wrong. He could be wrong."

I want to belief so bad that Adam may be into Ronan; cause we all know Ronan is into Adam. Adam liked Blue, so supposedly Adam is straight. But maybe not. Maybe, just MAYBE he could reciprocate Ronan's feelings. But then again if Gansey can die then crushes can also be unrequited. This world that Maggie Stiefvater can be real and heartbreaking and raw, so crushes may not necessarily be reciprocated. Dreams may not come true in the end. [/SPOILER]

Ready as ever for the next book. I need to read more about Adam, Noah, Ronan, Gansey and Blue. I also want to re-visit the ladies at 300 Fox, and Mr. Gray (which is quickly becoming a favorite). This book packed a punch, a very emotional punch, and I bet the next one will annihilate us all. Call me a masochist, but I can't wait.

"P.P.P.P.S; Don't Wake the third sleeper."

YA List: Top 15 for '15

2014 was a good year for books, true, but 2015 will be an EVEN BETTER YEAR. Don't ask me how I know, maybe I managed to get some powers from all the supernatural books I read (though sadly doubtful), I just do. For one Golden Son (Pierce Brown) is out next week (YESSSSSSS!) and Mime Order (Samantha Shannon) is out at the end of the month (DOUBLE YESSS!) but I have so many books in my Wishlist it is a little daunting. Anyways, here is a list of the books I am dying to get my hands on this year (mix of both sequels and new novels).

Golden Son (Red Rising Trilogy, #2) by Pierce Brown
Expected publication: January 6th 2015

The sequel to Red Rising is nothing to trifle with... this is SERIOUS business we are talking about here. I don't want to give away any spoilers (just in case you somehow had the bad luck to miss this one) so if you want to read a summary click on the link which shall take you to its Goodreads page. I LOVED Red Rising and am getting all my friends to read it. It is simply too good to pass.

The Mime Order (The Bone Season #2) by Samantha Shannon

Expected publication: January 27th 2015

I feel like I've been waiting for The Mime Order my entire life... Or at least a whole year. Which I have. The Bone Season was slow to start but by the end i was entranced. It helps that the male protagonist reminded me of Dimitri from Vampire Academy. That always helps. 

Red Queen (Red Queen, #1) by Victoria Aveyard

Expected publication: February 10th 2015

I may be terrible, but I am so into that cover. I would fricking get a poster of this cover and put it on my wall. There is something about a red blooded girl standing up agaisnt their "superior" silver blooded race, and hidden power, and yada yada yada, but just LOOK at that cover... Hey, I'd give it a shot!

The Ruby Circle (Bloodlines, #6) by Richelle Mead

Expected publication: February 10th 2015

The last of the Bloodlines series... I am dying a little inside. I wonder what Richelle Mead will do next in the YA universe. I still vote she continues the series from Lissa's POV. It is the only thing that makes sense (probably not, but I am not ready to let even glimpses of Dimitri go!).

A Darker Shade of Magic (A Darker Shade of Magic, #1) by V. E. Schwab

Expected publication: February 24th 2015

Victoria Schwab always comes up with the most unique/interesting concepts for her novels. I don't know why exactly I haven't read her novels before, but I sure as hell going to now! A traveler who goes between parallel universes as an ambassador and smuggles shit for a living? Sign me up!

The Winner's Crime (The Winner's Trilogy, #2) by Marie Rutkoski

Expected publication: March 3rd 2015

...That's all.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Expected publication: April 28th 2015

"Set in a terrifyingly brutal Rome-like world, An Ember in the Ashes is an epic fantasy debut about an orphan fighting for her family and a soldier fighting for his freedom. It’s a story that’s literally burning to be told."

I need no more information/I am a cover whore and that cover will look DIVINE in my collection.

Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge

Expected publication: May 5th 2015

Another retelling? Aren't we ALL getting sick of those? Perhaps, but this one has gotten good reviews so far, sounds like a bad ass story, and the main character seems like the kind of chick I could see myself admiring. Before reading this one though I have to read Cruel Beauty, so this one is a two-fer.

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1) by Sarah J Maas

Expected publication: May 5th 2015

Sarah J. Maas is the author of the Throne of Glass series, a high fantasy series that has captured my heart at knife point. I am 100% sure Sarah J Maas is capable of the impossible, even writing a good retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent

Expected publication: June 9th 2015

Rachel Vincent is perhaps an acquired taste. I was so so about her Soul Screamer series until like the 3rd book, then I went cuckoo puffs over it. So now she has my trust, and is on the instant buy list like Richelle Mead, Sarah J Maas, Pierce Brown, etc. Oh, I also read a little preview she published of this book and it sounds freaking FANTASTIC. If you don't want to instantly buy the book after reading that preview, well get out.

  

The Leveller (The Leveller, #1) by Julia Durango

Expected publication: June 23rd 2015

Ink and Bone (The Great Library, #1) by Rachel Caine

Expected publication: July 7th 2015

The Nightmare Charade (The Arkwell Academy, #3) by Mindee Arnett

Expected publication: August 4th 2015

The Leveller: "Nixy Bauer is a self-made Leveller. Her job? Dragging kids out of virtual reality and back to their parents in the real world. It’s normally easy cash, but Nixy’s latest mission is fraught with real danger, intrigue, and romance." After my favorite series, Insignia, ended this past year I need my fix of good sci-fi, so while S. J. Kincaid is doing her thing and doing a new series I might as well occupy my time with this fantastic sounding book.

Ink and Bone: written by the great Rachel Caine author of the Morganville Series... say no more. She is also trying to re-write history, bringing the Library of Alexandria back to life and making possessing books forbidden (Fahrenheit 451, anyone?). I cannot wait for this book, I love her story telling abilities.

The Nightmare Charade: "Sixteen-year-old Dusty Everhart breaks into houses late at night, but not because she’s a criminal. No, she’s a Nightmare. Literally. Dusty is a magical being who feeds on human dreams." I am freaking depressed that this series is ending ALREADY. Only 3 books? That is so 2000's. At least give me 5!

 

The Veil (Devil's Isle, #1) Chloe Neill
Expected publication: August 4th 2015 

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Expected publication: October 6th 2015

The Veil: Chloe Neill is the author of the Chicagoland Vampires series, which is actually really good. Sure The Veil doesn't sound so different from other novels according to the summary, but from previous books I've read by Chloe Neill I think she will give it her own charm and spin.

Carry On: I cannot believe Rainbow Rowell is actually writing this book! The story of Simon was a story inside the book Fangirl, from which the main character used to write fan fiction of. I always thought Simon was in the world of Fangirl was Harry Potter is to us so I cannot wait to read it!

Like I said, this year is looking to be an exciting one!