Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch | Book Review #61

‘It’s been three months since the Winterians were freed and Spring’s king, Angra, disappeared–thanks largely to the help of Cordell.

Meira just wants her people to be safe. When Cordellan debt forces the Winterians to dig their mines for payment, they unearth something powerful and possibly dangerous: Primoria’s lost chasm of magic. Theron sees this find as an opportunity–with this much magic, the world can finally stand against threats like Angra. But Meira fears the danger the chasm poses–the last time the world has access to so much magic, it spawned the Decay. So when the king of Cordell orders the two on a mission across the kingdoms of Primoria to discover the chasm’s secrets, Meira plans to use the trip to garner support to keep the chasm shut and WInter safe–even if it means clashing with Theron. But can she do so without endangering the people she loves?

Mather just wants to be free. The horrors inflicted on the Winterians hang fresh and raw in Januari–leaving Winter vulnerable to Cordell’s growing oppression. When Meira leaves to search for allies, he decides to take Winter’s security into his own hands. Can he rebuild his broken kingdom and protect them from new threats? 

As the web of power and deception weaves tighter, Theron fights for magic, Mather fights for freedom–and Meira starts to wonder if she should be fighting not just for Winter, but for the world.’

As you may have read, Ice Like Fire has two points of view: Meira and Mather. And although at first the differing views angered me, I’d grown used to reading Meira and Mather’s views. I didn’t want to see Mather’s side of things, I just wanted Meira’s view since she is the main character. I realized though that Mather’s view is just as important as Meira’s. With Meira we see how she’s trying to keep Winter (and ultimately the world) safe; while with Mather we see how he’s trying to keep Winter safe. They both want the same things: for Winter to be safe.

Meira wants to do what she believes is right. She wants to do what a Queen would do. And although she tries her hardest to be the Queen that Winter needs, I find that Meira craves the be the Queen she actually is. A Queen that would fight alongside with her people.

Mather is actually struggling. I don’t think that Meira actually knew this is in Snow Like Ashes. Mather is struggling to find some sense of purpose (corny as that sounds) and with his parents blowing him off like he’s nothing, Mather is getting pissed off. But with Cordell’s forces in Januari, he can’t properly let his anger out. And if he didn’t find a way to expel his anger, Mather would’ve seriously hurt someone–if not himself.

The way this book was written, with the dual points of view.. I didn’t think I would’ve liked this book as much as I had. The thing that saved me from not liking this book was the fact that even though that there are two view’s, Meira still has the show in her hands. I really appreciate it when authors don’t lose their course on who the main character is. I hate it when a secondary character becomes the main character. Which, I’m glad to say, did not happen in this book. Meira is still the main focus.

I gotta say.. There was a plot twist in this book that I didn’t even see coming. Two actually. They’re both great twists though. And of course, they happen at the end of the book. I also really love the new characters introduced! They bring a new light to the other Seasons and Rhythms. Which, I still don’t fully understand the difference between the two..

And the writing! Once I got into this book, I really got into reading. The book flows nicely, even with Mather’s view. I can’t wait for the next (and final?) book!

Have you read Ice Like Fire, yet? If not, you should totally check it out on GoodReads! And if you haven’t read Snow Like Ashes, DO SO!!!

Thanks for reading. Until next time,
Adele