Icicles Like Kindling

Snow Like Ashes #0.1

by Sara Raasch

Icicles Like Kindling is a glimpse into Meira’s life before the events of Snow Like Ashes that was originally going to serve as the prologue to the book. In it, you will get a taste of the kingdom of Autumn, meet some of Meira’s fellow refugees, and get an introduction to the wicked danger that will soon plague them…

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Short Stories, Novella, Magic, High Fantasy, Ebooks

28 pages, ebook

First published September 30, 2014

About the author

Sara Raasch has known she was destined for bookish things since the age of five, when her friends had a lemonade stand and she tagged along to sell her hand-drawn picture books too. Not much has changed since then — her friends still cock concerned eyebrows when she attempts to draw things and her enthusiasm for the written word still drives her to extreme measures. Her debut YA fantasy, SNOW LIKE ASHES, the first in a trilogy, came out October 14, 2014 from Balzer + Bray. It does not feature her hand-drawn pictures.

Reviews

[Sara Raasch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, I'm totally biased and unreliable.

[s · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can read this super short free prequel to Snow Like Ashes --> here.

[♥ℂĦℝΪՖƬΪℕÅ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 I am useful. I am needed. ★'s

Read Icicles Like Kinsling here.

“This is my war too. It doesn't matter that I've never been to winter.”

Okay so, Icicles Like Kinsling is a prequel to Snow Like Ashes. Though this novella doesn't give a whole lot to the existing books it still gave enough insight to hold my attention. I really really enjoyed being back in this world again even if it was only 16 pages long. There is just something so captivating about Sara Raasch writing it just draws me in. I loved getting a little bit more on the events that let into Snow Like Ashes, I liked the switch into the past and how Meira, even back when she was just 10, wanted to fight... fight for what she believed in, fight for her friends and fight for Winter! I love Meira so much! Even though I just did a reread of this trilogy not all that long ago I already really miss all of these wonderful characters and the whole world that Raasch created :)

Meira: Determined. Independent. Courageous. Stubborn. Loyal. Warrior.

[Souma BookAddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm definitely gonna read this series now!
This was a great introduction to this world! I love it!

[Lauren (TheBookishTwins) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little prequel for Snow Like Ashes . If you're considering getting Snow Like Ashes , perhaps you'd like to read this novella first. You can read it here.

[Sara XuHerondale · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay short story/prolog

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice start to the story. I think it probably would've been good as the prologue/introduction of Snow Like Ashes but I liked the way that book started anyway

[Elizabeth Dragina · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are the characters I know and love. These ones.

💔

[Sheila G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Icicles like Kindling can be read here!

"I’m tired of waiting for Sir to give me permission.” I say. “I’m tired of listening to stories about King Angra and how he imprisoned our people, and I’m tired of moving all the time so he doesn’t find and enslave us, too. I’m tired, Mather, and I’m going to help so none of us are tired anymore.”

Meira is no stranger to upheaval. She lost her parents at a young age when the king of Spring, King Angra of Spring took over Winter and enslaved its people. Now that only ten of her people remain free, including the future king of Winter, she desires nothing more but to learn to fight. It is, afterall, what everyone else is doing. In order to fight, she must be trained, and Sir does not see it as a necessity that she be taught the art of war.

But when a beaten and tormented Gregg returns without Crystalla (Meira’s closest friend), Meira catches a glimpse of what is to come if she were to actively join the scouting missions. Despite Sir’s warnings, she understands that their situation isn’t a matter of if they are caught, but when.

This is an interesting glimpse into this world of seasons. While the writing is mediocre, the concept is enticing, and I immediately wanted to know more when Gregg came on the scene. It’s quite brutal what happened to both him and Crystalla, but it makes the matter all the more dire that Winter do something in order to survive against King Angra, Herod, and the rest of the people out hunting for them. I’m looking forward to getting started with this series.

My Rating: ★★★½

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[Dannii Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story can be found here: https://www.scribd.com/document/24137...

This prequel short story gives further insight into the surviving free Winterians, as they search for the magical conduit that will restore their kingdom to their people and free the Spring kingdom's enslaved people. This story takes place directly before the events that the first novel of the central trilogy, Snow Like Ashes, begins with.

As I have already read two books from the series no new information was presented to me here and it didn't really provide me with any emotions, either negative or positive, because of that. If you are considering delving into the Snow Like Ashes world, then this would be a great place to start but if you are already familiar with it then this is a bit of a pointless addition.

[Azbaqiyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awsome! I need to read this trilogy like now!

[gio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have liked to see this as the prologue of the book. I found it much better than the first chapters of Snow like ashes, it would have given more insight to the story.

[Sofi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puntaje: 3.5/5

Originalmente, esta novella iba a ser un prólogo al principio de Nieve como cenizas para saber un poco más de la vida de Meira pero a Sara Raasch le pareció innecesario contarlo de esta forma. En parte estoy de acuerdo porque terminamos sabiendo lo que sucede en esta historia corta de cualquier forma. Acá está más detallado pero sin llegar a contar nada muy nuevo.
Igual, me gusta que exista esta "precuela" aunque sea corta, porque nos demuestra (más) que desde muy chica, Meira entiende que no puede depender de la protección de otros y su sentido de querer pertenecer a Invierno, de querer pertenecer a algo, es muy humano.

Mi reseña de Snow Like Ashes/Nieve como cenizas y en el Wrap Up de Diciembre hablaré un poco más de esta historia corta.

[laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this novella isn't really necessary and doesn't add much to the book, it was nice to know a little more about what happened before Snow Like Ashes and how Meira, since little, wanted to fight for what she believed it's right and how determined she was to do that even if she had to do it by herself.

“I square my shoulders, keeping my chin high. “I’m going to teach myself how to fight.” Mather’s eyebrows stay raised. “William won’t be happy.” I clench my jaw. The heaviness of the weapon and the way my fingers hurt around the handle reminds me of how right Mather is. I’m ten years old. I shouldn’t be fighting. But that’s what Sir would say, even though he lets Mather fight and he’s ten. “I’m tired of waiting for Sir to give me permission,” I say. “I’m tired of listening to stories about King Angra and how he imprisoned our people, and I’m tired of moving all the time so he doesn’t find and enslave us, too. I’m tired, Mather, and I’m going to help so none of us are tired anymore.”

[rory gilmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cool novella, though I understand why it wasn't included as the prologue it was intended to be. Some of the information was repeated from Snow Like Ashes , I saw similar use of sentencing that was obviously copied into the main book. But besides that, I liked the switch into the past, and I really liked how fiercely independent Meira was against Mather and Sir.

[Mairéad (is roaming the Undying Lands) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

It's a good enough taste to leave me wanting more. I'm curious to see the world building, and the story unfold further. I've seen some reviews from people I know for the book and they've been rather good ones from the looks of it. I look forward to grabbing Snow Like Ashes.

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, so good. It really does help us, the readers, know more about Meira and how her life is before. Glad that I read this.

[Frannie Pan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 out 5 stars.

Whoah, if this "prologue" is any indication of what the actual book will be.. Well, I already say Snow like Ashes will become one of my favorite fantasy novels!

Meira seems to be one of those strong, stubborn characters who can fend for themselves and won't be waiting like damsels in distress for somebody else to come to their rescue! Also, Mather.. I can already see very shippable moments coming my way. ;)

There were just glimpses of the world-building, of the kingdoms of Spring and Winter, but I very much enjoyed what I saw! The only reason why I didn't give it more than 3 stars it because it is way too short and it should have been the prologue of Snow like Ashes, not something separate.

That being said, I got all the feels and I can't wait to start this! *-*

[Jordan (thejordanjournals) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A prologue to Snow Like Ashes, this takes place mainly right before the events of the first book. However, there is also a wonderful flashback moment to when Meira is ten years old. This flashback expands on an event Meira mentions in Snow Like Ashes.

This is by no means a necessity to the series. It doesn't provide any earth shattering revelations as some novellas do. However, it is a strongly written glimpse into these characters lives pre page one. Also, the flashback of 10 year old Meira really supports this idea that she has always been a stubborn, headstrong person.

Overall, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to those who are fans of this series.

[Nikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars

This does not inspire confidence. Yes, I am a bit intrigued but I am more concerned that the full-length novel will be a disappointment. The writing was not smooth and I felt most of the time that the author was trying too hard. Also, I have read this sort of beginning to a tale far too many times to get excited about what is to come. Cliche fantasy, if it even stands a chance at working, needs a really strong character cast. I did not see a terribly inspiring main character in this one and definitely not a unique one.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this would have been good as a prologue, because it leads right into the story and gives us a little more info on conduits that wasn't brought out until late in the first book. It also gives a little more of Meira's start with learning how to fight and a bit more of Sir and Mather. It also gives us bits of Gregg and Crystalla who were already long gone at the start of book #1.

Just a quick little addition to the book.

[Natália Lopes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a brief glimpse into Meira's earlier life, how she came to find her chakram, how she felt as a refugee and not being able to help her country, the losses she had earlier on and how that motivated her. We also get a little vision of Autumn's Kingdom, that we haven't yet seen in the main trilogy, so it was nice. It doesn't expand the world much, but it does offer some more insight into Meira's character and her motivations and personality.

[Anissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I am just about to read Snow Like Ashes, I figured the beginning is the proper place to begin. I read this on EpicReads. It's prologue length not novella or short story and feels very much like it belongs at the beginning of a book. I liked meeting the characters who I'm pretty sure will be important in the actual book so I'm off to read it.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice prequel novella to Snow Like Ashes, which adds a little more detail to the story. I preferred reading it after Snow Like Ashes (rather than prior) and getting more insight into the characters I was already familiar with.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was wonderful. It was sad but a great peak into the world again. I can't wait for book 2!

[Felicia [Felicia's Ink(t)] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review coming soon!!

[Lirae · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I am useful. I am needed. No matter what Sir says.
This was SO GOOD!? This had all the elements I adored about Snow Like Ashes and it was only 28 pages long!
Beautifully written and exceptional characters, I have high hopes for Ice Like Fire.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meira was ten in the majority of this story, but it felt like she was still sixteen and it confused me...

[PuPilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ez a Hó, mint hamu (Snow Like Ashes) sorozathoz tartozó novella, tulajdonképpen egy prológus az első regényhez, és kicsit sajnálom, hogy nem ezzel indult igazából az első kötet is, hanem in medias res, mert ez pont az a felvezető, ami kellett volna ahhoz, hogy a legelső mondatoktól gördülékeny legyen. Bevezet a világukba, hoz egy adag érzelmet is, megmutat néhány képkockát a régmúltból, amikor Meira és Mather még csak tíz évesek voltak, és bemutatja Gregg és Crystalla történetét is.

Simán olvasható a Hó, mint hamu elkezdése előtt, nem spoileres, sőt talán még jobbá is teszi az élményt. Elérhető a scribden, itt a direkt link az adatlapon is.

U.i.: 2015.12.20. olvastam, de nem akarom hozzáadni az idei olvasásokhoz, mert ez csak egy szösszenet, és szervesen hozzá tartozik a Hó, mint hamuhoz.
U.i.2.: conduit = mágiaszter :)

[Maddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure if this book had any point at all really. It didn't provide any insight after reading the first book, but then I suppose it would have been a little more helpful if I'd read it before Snow Like Ashes XD It kind of confused me a little swapping from present day to 6 years ago, but I liked how it shows the fall of her mother figure and 2 of their 10 remaining hopes. It took me a while to realise that Crystalla wasn't her age, and was an adult. It was nice to get back into this series after quite a long break. I will be continuing.