YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

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, 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 (Snow Like Ashes #1) by Sara Raasch will be our 4th GBR for April 2017.

Please read at your own pace, and hide any spoilers ☺ You are welcome to join at any time during the month ☺

Happy Reading Everybody!

Pre-Reading Questions -

Anybody got any thoughts on this one before we start?

Has anyone read anything similar to this before?

Anybody read anything else by this author previously?

I may join! Quite excited!

I think I might join too! not usually my type of book, but this intrigues me somehow :)

I'm going to join this, too. I have been meaning to read this for the longest time!

I'm joining too. I always wanted to read this and now I i have the perfect opportunity.

I'll join this one, I got the book on my shelf :)

I'm starting this one today :)

Up to but not including Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[
So she's stolen the locket back and will put it back together but she also used the magic.

Does that mean that she's of royal blood like Mather, there had to be a way that the two of them could get together since they clearly both have feelings for each other but is this too obvious?

I look forward to seeing how the boys to react to her success since they didn't really want her to go in the first place.

I couldn't stand a place being cold all the time would much rather a bit of sun (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Up to but not including Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ So she got the locket, took it home to find them only to find she's been followed they are now driven from their home and shooting off in different directions to keep them safe and Meira is now in a place where they are calling her Lady.

It's pretty much everything she's ever wanted, before now the let the orphan status get her down but now she is called Lady and has servants. Weird.

(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Up to but not including Chapter 15 (view spoiler)[ Of course she has to marry Prince Theron for an allience with (I think it's Autumn) because it wouldn't be a YA book without a forced marriage.

And of course Mather and Theron had to fight to prove that they both may have feelings for her. This book is getting very similar to every other YA book I've ever read and I'm not even surprised. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Starting :)

Up to but not including Chapter 20 (view spoiler)[ So there was a big fight with Spring attacking Autumn and Winter (I think) trying to get back the locket and Sir got killed and Mather got taken.

Meira has been taken (I think) by some other group. It's getting slightly confusing with all the conflicting teams, I'm not really sure which is good and which are bad any more.

I have skipped ahead to see how many chapters left and only 11 so I will probably finish this one tonight, tomorrow at the latest. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Up to but not including Chapter 25 (view spoiler)[ OK So Meira has been taken captive by spring court (I think) and the King has banished her to a Work Camp where the other Winterians are also being held. And as per YA book she is seen to be a hope for freedom (rebellion force) against the forces of Spring.

Meira clearly has magic and is going to seriously piss off the spring king as well as other people.

Mather is still on the run and that is clearly a good thing since the Spring King really really doesn't like him.

I am pretty damn sure I'm going to get this book finished tonight but probably won't post the review until tomorrow (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ Why do I get the feeling that this is just a decoy locket or something? Sir seems to angry, shouldn't he be happy for the locket and grateful that she's alive? (hide spoiler)]

I have finished posting my review now

Chapter 11
(view spoiler)[ Meira definitely is getting screwed over being forced to marry. I doubt it will actually happen, though. I'm ready for the plot to quicken up. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 26
(view spoiler)[ YESSSSSSSSS, I freaking knew it! I knew she was going to be Hannah's daughter! (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
The ending was pretty good. I think it was pretty predictable with Meira being so special! (hide spoiler)]

A day or so late, but I'm here now!

i don't care if i am late for the challenge or anything i just want to say that i LOVE it

(i am sorry that i didn't answer your questions)

I just finished, I have mixed feelings about this book.

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Reading from the 13th of September 2017

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You guys still in for this? I forgot who I'm buddy reading with. Just wanna know if everyone's still up

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Date Changed. Restarting October 12th 2017. Happy Reading ☺

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I couldn't fall asleep so I've already read a bit. Seems interesting so far!

Chapter 1-10
(view spoiler)[
This book is giving me vibes like I've read this kind of storyline before in another book. Idk. I must say I strongly dislike Sir from the beginning. The way he speaks to Meira is just cringy and ughh... Appreciate the girl, bro!



I hope we get to know kingdoms better. Aspect of Seasonal Kingdoms and the others is interesting (not original but who cares right).

Meira seems nice enough for me to like her in this moment and feel for her. She has these feelings for Mather but Idk. He is kinda cold? And yeah, I know they kissed but it does seem like there is gonna be another man (I suppose Theron?).

I know exactly where this is going with the heir of Winter (I noticed something so I guessed and I think I might be right in the end).

Still hoping Meira is gonna kick some asses because she is great thief and it was just on point. But well... her sacrifice for kingdom in the end of chapter 10 is kinda... hard. (hide spoiler)]

Long day at college was good for my reading sooo...

Chapter 11-20
(view spoiler)[
Theron seems more likeable than Mather. What a shame! You were supposed to protect your girl, man! I know you are future king but who cares! I wonder how exactly you gonna save your people when it’s Meira doing dirty job for you. Go, Theron! You have your kind side I am enjoying so far.

Still hating on Sir, he is just… asshole. Can’t you just show your love for your almost daughter? No? Show her respect? Or just kill King Noam. He is asshole too. I don’t know how Theron can be his son. No idea. Well… I am happy Meira found dirt on Noam and confronted him bc honestly… that king sucks. I am ashamed to say that but I was happy Sir died… I mean… finally!

I am worried about Meira but I am more than 100 % convinced about where she comes from. I hope I am right. I am kind of happy she got caught and got transferred to Angra. Things might get interesting from here. (hide spoiler)]

And I finished it... somehow O:)

Chapter 21-31
(view spoiler)[
And here we are… The epic finale… I must say I was moved by slaves from Winter and their dungeon systém. That was really nice to show that people cannot be broken so easily. Go, Winter! So happy Herod finally died. And yep, I was right about Meira’s heritage since the begining. Mather too. I am kinda sad I knew because I was not surprised at all and that just made book less entertaining.



I must admit I was surprised by Royal Conduit’s whereabouts though. Thought they just need to repair them. Well, I should have guessed, I guess… I am not happy Sir is back and alive. He should have stayed dead. I know he was trying to protect his Queen but still… he is asshole. He should have been more like Jorah Mormont from GoT and be supportive. But noooo….



I am Team Theron all the way. I loved the kiss and I hope Meira will choose him. He is more genuine and now knowing Mather is Sir’s son… nope. Please, Meira, be smart!

I am curious about second book now, I really am! I am happy Noam joined Winter afterall. He is asshole, but smart asshole. (hide spoiler)]

General Review
(view spoiler)[I am not exactly sure how to rate this book. This book was not anything new. I guessed plot since the beginning with some exceptions. Writing was… not bad, I would say. There were characters I hated. But… I guess I enjoyed it. Maybe it’s because I’ve read many fantasy books like this so it’s hard not to Compaq this one… But I am positive (or at least I hope) next books will bring more shine on the world building and places in the kingdoms. I like the idea of Seasonal Kingdoms, it has so much to offer!

Meira is likeable MC and I adored her. Mather is nice too, although he was kinda boring in the end. Theron is another story. He is blonde, nice and writer. He is everything I’d want in a man, soo…. Yeah, I ship him and Meira a lot! I hope next books won’t focus much on love triangle because it would be such a waste… This series has potentional but I am not sure how much author will fulfill it. Let’s see!
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1-10
(view spoiler)[ It's interesting enough until here. I like Meira and Mather but he just lost some points for me with the deal he made at the end of chapter 10. I'm kind of disappointed in him for it even if I'm not so sure what the deal entails and how he will explain it to Meira (good luck bro).

I'm a little confused concerning the Kingdoms with the name and the organization, I hope it will get clearer too.

I DON'T LIKE SIR !! He's hiding something. I feel like he's not honest me Meira and it's getting on my nerves. I feel there's some secrets about the heir too. Something isn't right. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11-15 (view spoiler)[ I'm getting really frustrated with the winterians. No one seems to really care what Meira wants, as if she was useful enough to get married but not enough to be treated as an adult.

Also, Mather's inaction is getting on my nerves. I understand he wants his kingdom back but at the cost of Meira and their feelings.

Anyway I'm liking Theron more and more even if I'm not sure if something will really happen with Meira. Let's see how it goes. (hide spoiler)]

Vendea wrote: "Long day at college was good for my reading sooo...

Chapter 11-20

Theron seems more likeable than Mather. What a shame! You were supposed to protect your girl, man! I know you are future king bu..."

Chapter 16-20
(view spoiler)[ First of all : Guess what, Noam ? Karma's a bitch and payback's come for you !! I was so happy when news came that Spring was attacking. Serves Noam right for all his scheming. He has such a good opinion of himself. Well too bad for you dude :D

Theron is seriously growing on me. He will be a wonderful king once his dad dies (I hope it comes sooner than later btw)

I don't know how I feel about Sir's death. I didn't like him and I felt it was inevitable that he died but at the same time Meira just lost the only father figure in her life and for that I'm sad.

Let's see how she does with Angra. I feel like she has surprises for us (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21-24 (view spoiler)[ I feel like we're getting closer and closer to something big and important. If what I'm 90% sure is going to happened happen it's gonna big pretty cool.

The enslaved winterians are hoping again and Meira didn't give up until now. She still wants to help and be her and I feel like that's her greatest weapon. Be ready Angra, you have no idea what's coming for you (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 25-31 : After a little more than 7 hrs it's the end

(view spoiler)[ Well as expected Meira is not just Meira. I'm a little perplexed not knowing if she'll end up with Mather or Theron (I don't like love triangle). I don't know which one I like more tough... and this kiss... There is history between her and Mather so difficult choice ahead ! Go luck Meira

Also Sir ?! Alive ?! Happy for him. He better not start acting all patronizing now.

I was also moved by the winterians : they never lost all hope in the end and that was a sweet scene "watching" them fight back for what's theirs !! Go Winter Go !! I wonder what will happened in book 2 since Angra is obviously alive (one I would gladly see die and join his bro Herod) (hide spoiler)] It was an interesting story and I like the universe created by the author.

Chapters 1-7: (view spoiler)[What an intense couple of chapters. I sort of like Meira but I am not quite sure yet. She seems to be a girl who is becoming a little bad ass but no one wants to put the little orphan girl in harms way. Sir doesn't want her to go on missions but eventually she gets to go on one. It's highly dangerous and she almost gets captured. Well she does get captured, but she is smart and knows how to get away quick, fast, and clean. Well not clean because she smelled like shit and looked like shit as well.

Her mission was to go with Finn to retrieve half of a very special locket. She ends up completing it on her own and finds her way back to camp. However the guards from who she stole from followed her. I believe four out of five soldiers died that night but a lot of her people died too.

She is also crushing on the soon-to-be king Mather. I don't know if I like him either. Or them together...yet. I guess I would have to read more of this book to find that out.

It's also kind of weird and I don't know if I like this book or not...yet.

Sorry if I'm confusing you but I just don't know how I feel yet. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 8-14: (view spoiler)[Okay, I like Theron a hell of lot more than I like Mather. Like 250% more.

I feel really bad for Meira because Sir and Mather basically came up with this plan to use her to form an alliance with Theron's dad and I'm sitting here like.. WTF MAN?!?! And of course I felt completely awful when she finds out after meeting Theron that they were going to be wed eventually...soon...or something. AWFUL.

I'm starting to like Meria now, so that's good news..right? (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 15-21: (view spoiler)[

First off, Noam is an asshole. A bonafide fucking asshole who deserves to be killed. I can't believe he went behind Winter and thought he could make a deal with Spring.



You thought wrong Noam. You're so stupid and thought you were invincible. Well karma is a bigger bitch than me because you would've been killed right when Winter found out about your letter to Spring. Unfortunately, I will accept Spring advancing onto their territory and attacking you.

BUT Sir died. I wanted to shed a tear, and only a tear, because that was Meira's father figure...sort of. She was crying her eyes out while canons are being blasted near her. She's a bad ass for choosing the wrong time to cry so I definitely have to give her points for that. But now she's captured.

Angra doesn't really like Meira but that's because she's fucking magical and shit. I hope she can find her freedom and run very far away.

I wonder what happened to Theron...
I hope Noam is dead. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 22-28: (view spoiler)[OMG OMG OMG OMG!
I think I'm in love with Meira even more now! She has become such a bad ass. She healed a slave..who wasn't a slave...who was one of her people. She's a fucking bad ass. Oh, and she's actually Hannah's kid. Not Mather. I LOVE THIS BOOK EVEN MORE.

Then there's Theron <3 UGH they are so cute. I hope they are together in this series. Sorry Mather? No, not really. I'm really happy that Theron was the one who sacrificed himself to Angra and not Mather. Because he got his dad to come and attack in his honor. <3 <3 <3 <3 (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 29-31, aka...
Finished: (view spoiler)[



WINTER WON. WINTER CAME. WINTER CONQUERED.

I'm so proud of my girl Meira. UGH and that kiss between her and Theron.



I totally ship her with him and not Mather.

Then the whole Sir being a live was so cool but I kind of was hoping that would happen because she did end up healing that boy. So, I'm happy that it came true!

It was such a good book!!! But I'm wondering now what actually happened to Angra?!? Is he going to get stronger?!?! Did he die?

I have so many questions!! I need the next book!!
(hide spoiler)]

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Reading from March 22nd 2018

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Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[ Is anyone else getting a feeling that maybe she is the heir? I feel like she is more important than she knows, especially since it seems like Sir is trying to protect her more than Mather. I love Mather! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[ Why is she such a jerk to Theron most of the time? He is sweet and it seemed like he would help her find the magic. She needs to pick her friends better, I am over Mather and Sir at this point (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 27
(view spoiler)[ She really needs to learn to use her magic! Every time something terrible happens I think it is going to make her mad enough and she is just going to freeze everyone or something, but she never does! She needs to get all the slaves and Theron out of there. (hide spoiler)]

end
This was really good!
(view spoiler)[ I was so glad when she finally used her magic! And I love Theron even more, I hope she stays engaged to him. I wonder what is going to happen with Angra in the next one? (hide spoiler)]

Ch4 (view spoiler)[Nice to see that she was able to get the half of the locket, and escape from captivity all in one go! Yay for idiots not feeling threatened by females ;D (hide spoiler)]

I have been attempting to read this for the past several days but I have been so TIRED that I just haven’t gotten anywhere @.@

Ch8 (view spoiler)[Okay, so I have a few thoughts.

1. I feel like a need a glossary of places and people being they're introducing things a bit too often for me to feel that I'm keeping up with everything, and this is clearly not the best book to read when you're tired :P

2. It's good to see that Meira & co. have potential allies in one of the "rhythm" countries, although I'm really not sure how some countries are permanently stuck in a season while others cycle through... hopefully there will be some more info on that! The whole thing with the gold trees also sounds super interesting - if potentially somewhat wasteful. But eh.

3. I 100% believe that Meira is Queen Hannah's daughter and that Mather is a fake. It's definitely happened in other books I've read and I'm 100% convinced that it's the case here. (hide spoiler)]

Ch15 (view spoiler)[Wow, they’re really throwing that wedding on Meira FAST O.O

A month? Seriously? ._.

At least she’s getting along with her husband-to-be I guess... (hide spoiler)]

Ch21 (view spoiler)[Okay, so I definitely didn’t expect for Sir to die so soon, or for Meira to be captured in the very first book... that has to mean something though right? That she’s captured already must mean that she’ll be able to escape or revolt - just do something!

And why is it that her appearance seemed to cause such hope for the other Winterian girl? What does she know? (hide spoiler)]

Ch26 (view spoiler)[I was right! Meira IS the true heir - not Mather! Yay for working it out so soon in the novel! XD (hide spoiler)]

Ch30 (view spoiler)[Yikes. The conduit of Angra was broken and now as a result he IS the conduit... and has escaped the battle and his potential death.

Makes sense though, considering this is book 1/3 :P (hide spoiler)]