“Waiting On” Wednesdays: Ice Like Fire

Waiting on Wednesdays is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine. The purpose is to spotlight upcoming book releases that we are excited for.

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Ice Like Fire (Snow Like Ashes, #2) by Sara Raasch

Hardcover, 479 pages
Publication Date: Oct. 13th, 2015
Publisher: Balzar + Bray
ISBN: 9780062286956
Add it: To your TBR Pile or your “Want to Read” list on Goodreads. 

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 had 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.

When I read the first book in this series, I was really worried that it wouldn’t live up to the massive hype of the blogging world and what was in my own head. But once I really got into it, I very much enjoyed the way the world was built, and the relationships between the characters. And while I do feel a little over the love-triangle of it all (I mean, really, does it always have to be a triangle? Can’t these YA characters ever just love one person, or no people?) overall I’m really pleased with where the story started and where it seems to be going. I’m really pumped to see Meira lead her people and come into her own as a ruler. Also, more world building and more gorgeous cover art…

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What are you waiting for this week?

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Teaser Tuesdays: Snow Like Ashes and Bitter Greens

It’s time for another “Teaser Tuesday!”

This feature (or meme)  is one I discovered on my friend Kim’s site Book Munchies, and is hosted by MizB of the Should Be Reading blog. For those of you who would like to play along at home (or more specifically on your homepage), here is how Teaser Tuesdays work.

– Grab (one of) your current read(s) and open it to a random page
– Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
– BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
– Remember to include the title & author, too, so that your followers and any Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their reading lists if your tease has captured their attention!

—> Now on to the main event!

Snow Like Ashes (Snow Like Ashes, #1) by Sara Raasch

Hardcover, 422 pages
Publisher:  Balzer + Bray
Release Date: October 14th, 2014
ISBN# 9780062286925
Page: 49

They scramble for the lever that will close the iron bars over me, but it’s too late — I push the horse on, throwing a glance at the guard who first stopped me on my way in. His eyes widen with recognition, so I rip off the black cap that covered my hair as I whizz past, galloping across the bridge over the Feni River. White strands stream around me, some matted with sewer much, but most tossing in the wind. A living snowstorm, a vibrant white reminder that they haven’t enslaved every Winterian. Some of us are still alive. Some of us are still free.

 

 

 

 

Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth

Hardcover, 496 pages
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Release Date: September 23rd, 2014
ISBN# 9781250047533
Page: 161

The clouds rolled on without her, the glorious colors fading to violet and grey. Far below her, the lake grew dark. Rain lashed the stony cliffs.

Margherita took a deep breath and wiped her wet face on the sleeve of her nightgown. She turned and sat down, hiding her face in her arm. There was no way out. Not unless she grew wings and flew.

“Waiting On” Wednesdays: Snow Like Ashes

Waiting on Wednesdays is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine. The purpose is to spotlight upcoming book releases that we are excited for.

---

 

Snow Like Ashes (Snow Like Ashes, #1) by Sara Raasch

Hardcover, 432 pages

Publication Date: Oct. 14th 2014
Publisher: Balzer + Bray

ISBN: 9780062286925

Add it: To your TBR Pile or your “Want to Read” list on Goodreads.

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, and serving her kingdom 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.

Each year I seem to discover one new story that really captures my imagination. For whatever reason, this is that story. I’m already entranced with the world the author is building, and the magic. I’m in love with this cover and the chakram on it. I really enjoy the description of this main character, Meira. Girls who are strong and can fight are my favorite to read about. I feel like I’m standing on my tip-toes waiting for this to come out!