A Book Obsession..: Early Review: Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch

Early Review: Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch

, by Kt Clapsadl

Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch

Snow Like Ashes #2

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.

I really enjoyed the previous installment, but ICE LIKE FIRE just didn't have the same spark for me. I just didn't feel like the book was moving anywhere to be honest and considering it's a 500 page book that didn't work so well for me. There was just a bit too much meandering rather than anything real happening. After the big build up and everything that happened previously I was expecting a bit more action this time around as well. Unfortunately while there was a quest, it was unrealistically easy, and the rest of the focus was more internal with both Meira, Mather, and even Theron's ruminations that were more wallowing than anything it seemed. Between that and all of the politics I found myself skimming at times as it just wasn't holding my attention. It really is a shame because there's so much potential here.

I will say however that the ending events are what brought some excitement and action back into the book, and what made me decide to bump my rating up to a three instead of two. It's almost frenetic and a serious game changer yet again. I only wish it had of been spread out a bit more, and not left things so abruptly.

In the end I can only hope that ICE LIKE FIRE suffered from a middle book syndrome and that the finale will return to the splendor of the first installment.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating: