Ice Like Fire

September 1, 2015

Gr 8 Up-This sequel picks up right where Snow Like Ashes (Harper, 2014) left off. Indeed, the novel makes no effort to refresh background from the first book. The world we are in (a map is included) is divided into provinces, which are categorized as Seasons or Rhythms. Meira, the protagonist, has been placed in an arranged marriage unifying her seasonal province, Winter, with a Rhythm province. Despite the romantic sparks between the couple in the previous volume, the embers here are neglected, as the two teens work against each other to recapture the magic in the kingdoms. The magic for each province is housed in a conduit (necklace, crown, etc.). If the item is destroyed, then the sovereign becomes the conduit. Meanwhile, there is additional untapped magic housed in secret chasms, which are tricky to find and trickier to open. Magic can be used for ill, like duping all the slaves in a province to think they are content. In the first installment, Meira is presented as a tough chakrum-master. In this entry, she struggles with trying to act like a proper sovereign. However, readers who hang in there will be treated to an epic showdown as the tough girl returns. This sequel is ambitious and assumes a great deal of background knowledge; even the characters are difficult to keep straight. That being said, hard-core fantasy fans will eat this up and clamor for the conclusion. VERDICT A required purchase anywhere the first was popular.-Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2015
In this sequel to Snow Like Ashes, Winter's queen, Meira, struggles to forge a new life for her recently liberated people.Meira feels smothered by her role as queen, and her narration makes her rocky adjustment to the immense responsibilities of ruling a kingdom achingly sympathetic. Noam, king of Cordell (who has loaned Winter aid), has ordered Meira to reopen Winter's mines in hopes of finding the powerful magical chasm of legend. However, when it is found, Meira vows to keep it shut; she is distrustful of magic after learning about the Decay, a byproduct of magic used incorrectly. She embarks on a journey to meet the rulers of other kingdoms in Primoria as a cover for finding the keys necessary to open the chasm. Interspersed with Meira's are chapters from Mather's perspective, in which he defies Noam when left in Winter while Meira travels. Always a likable character, Meira's insecurities in her new role make her appealing in a way that invests readers in her storyline as well as her character. Additionally, with such a high page count, it's especially noteworthy that the story is so well-paced. Unanswered questions will have readers awaiting the third book and hoping that it brings Meira and her people peace at long last. (map) (Fantasy. 12 & up)

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