Summer Reading Book Club discussion

This thread is for chapters 1-10.

This is going to help us avoid a super long thread and help others avoid spoilers.

Post your initial thoughts here!!

PLEASE DO NOT SPOIL ANYTHING BEYOND CHAPTER 10. GO TO THE OTHER THREADS FOR THAT.

Omg this is such an Amazon idea, to sort out the chapters like this. I'm on chapter 4 and all I can think of is the Assassin's Creed games. I'm loving it so far!

Okay, I've only read the first five chapters, here are my thoughts:

-Slightly confusing beginning because of all the exposition and world building.
-Very offended that Spring is the country of evil since I'm very much an April baby and I love spring.
-But I love the fact that it's not Winter being evil because that would be typical.
-Loved the entire Retrieving Locket scene, got my blood pumping.
-Disappointed but not surprised by the "so winter is sending girls to fight for them now" -- another fantasy where being a girl warrior is not common and being a girl is somehow an insult. I know that only females are conduits or whatever, but still. Would like a fantasy where being a female warrior is not seen as absurd or insulting.
-Also, not a big fan of the insta-angst romance dose we get in the first chapter.

THEORY: I think Meira is someone more important, which is why Sir won't let her go on missions. She may be an unknown female heir and conduit.

After finishing the 10th chapter I think I have to revise this theory... maybe. We'll see in the next couple of chapters.

More thoughts after finishing Ch 10

-I really like Meira so far, she's funny and daring
-Tbh not a fan of the simpering romance - but I guess things are about to change SPOILERS (view spoiler)[ now that she's engaged to the Autumn prince, I suppose this is going to end up being a love triangle God I hope not (hide spoiler)]

Overall, a great beginning.

Haji wrote: "Omg this is such an Amazon idea, to sort out the chapters like this. I'm on chapter 4 and all I can think of is the Assassin's Creed games. I'm loving it so far!"

I figured this would save a whole lot of confusion and help avoid spoilers.

Not familiar with the game, but I'm glad you like it. So do I!

The game involves a lot of sneaking through towns and parkour/scaling building by climbing window frames and flag poles etc.

And I really like the book too. Reading the blurb it sounded kinda boring and cliche but it's more interesting than I thought so I'm really glad it was chosen.

Oh and the whole 'Spring is Evil' makes me think of the Seelie Court and the idea of a gorgeous pretty place filled with darkness. I'm an April baby too but I've actually always preferred Winter and the cold lol

Haji wrote: "The game involves a lot of sneaking through towns and parkour/scaling building by climbing window frames and flag poles etc.

And I really like the book too. Reading the blurb it sounded kinda bori..."

TRAITOR!! Turn in your April baby badge immediately!! (/jk lol)

No!! Um I mean I totally love clear skies and freshly mown bright green grass too!! Yesterday was really nice actually, it was gorgeous day with a completely clear bright blue sky but with the air was sharp and cold; prefect mix.

Oh and I got to the

Whoops***

Oh and I got to the part about the “The Winterians are sending girls to do their dirty work now?” he sneers.” That's so stupid, the other guys where all freaking out about a Winterian. They didn't care that it was a girl. But now these guys see a her /with/ a weapon and they're all 'omg they send a girl lololol'. I didn't really expect it

I love it! I think it is important where they talk about not having her fight because she is a girl, and I know it is a cliche but her wanting to be more than a housewife is cool to me

Oh yeah I love it when she says “I just meant that you shouldn’t be forced to fight when you don’t want to, and I shouldn’t be forced to not fight when I want to.” I just hate that the guard isn't that open minded. Like an opponent is just that, gender shouldn't matter. Age maybe lol

Haji wrote: "Oh yeah I love it when she says “I just meant that you shouldn’t be forced to fight when you don’t want to, and I shouldn’t be forced to not fight when I want to.” I just hate that the guard isn't ..."

Well by the end of chapter ten it becomes obvious why they don't want her to fight.

Helen wrote: "I love it! I think it is important where they talk about not having her fight because she is a girl, and I know it is a cliche but her wanting to be more than a housewife is cool to me"

YES! That was fantastic!!

However the only reason they do fight is because they have no other choice - they don't have enough men. If they did have more men, I'm pretty sure the women wouldn't be allowed to fight. Which I think is an important distinction.

Okay am I the only one who doesnt really like Mathus though?

Nah I don't know much about him yet. Still it was a little weird to let her go on he mission when she hadn't conquered hand to hand combat or whatever they were practising

Haji wrote: "Nah I don't know much about him yet. Still it was a little weird to let her go on he mission when she hadn't conquered hand to hand combat or whatever they were practising"

Helen wrote: "Okay am I the only one who doesnt really like Mathus though?"

I DON"T LIKE HIM EITHER!! I"m so glad we agree!!

How much have you guys read? Why don't you like him? You're making me paranoid now lol

Haji wrote: "How much have you guys read? Why don't you like him? You're making me paranoid now lol"

This thread is for the first 10 chapters only.

But I don't know, he just kind of rubs me the wrong way. I'm just not a fan of his character.

Also: "Should we hug now or something?"

Haji wrote: "How much have you guys read? Why don't you like him? You're making me paranoid now lol"

um no comment

Omg I was going to ply the sims but nvm now

Quick question do you guys listen to music as you read a book?

Nope. I need silence, music distracts me ... Unless I'm on the subway, then it's just white noise.

Alrighty! Just finished the other (two) books that I had been reading, and now I'm ready to crack open "Snow Like Ashes". Excited to read this, very first impressions are that it reminds me a bit of Tamora Pierce, especially the Lioness Quartet. Can't wait to really get in on the discussions!

Haji wrote: "Quick question do you guys listen to music as you read a book?"

nope (:

ALRIGHT so i just got up to chapter ten and i'm kind of just like what is going on???

i feel like so much happened in ten (relatively) small chapters that its basically just left me as a confused mess. i honestly still don't understand the whole world building fully yet (spring is evil winter is good idk what happened to the other two season kingdoms and the rhythm kingdoms are named weird???) but the locket retrieving scene was super cool and i appreciated it a lot because some bamf female warrior action was happening

the little romance was cute in the beginning but when they got to court and (view spoiler)[she found out she was engaged i basically screamed in horror because if this is a love triangle, i will commit murder (hide spoiler)]

FUN WARRIOR GIRLS DON'T NEED BOYS TO VALIDATE THEM

Mae wrote: "ALRIGHT so i just got up to chapter ten and i'm kind of just like what is going on???

i feel like so much happened in ten (relatively) small chapters that its basically just left me as a confused ..."

Yeah that was exactly my feeling!!

The world building is a bit flimsy and I was super confused. But I think it's mostly because it's such an intricate system and Sarah is not doing a good job explaining it.

Spring is evil. Winter is gone. But I do believe that Autumn is basically being taken over at the moment, but there is resistance. I don't think we know anything about Summer yet? Do we? I think that whatever chasm they keep taking about is what created the season kingdoms.

The Rhythm kingdom are subject to all four seasons and they hate the Season kingdoms because they lost the magic chasm and they don't have the same amount of magic that seasons do.

At least that's how I understand it.

Also do not worry, I do not think this is going to be a Love Triangle. THank god!!


AMEN TO THAT SISTA!!

I just finished the tenth chapter and all I can think is oh crap, lol

Also I can't shake this feeling like Meira is Mather's secret sister but that doesn't make sense.

Also I don't hate Mather now but I don't like him as much as I did at the beginning of the book. I think it's more like I don't feel anything

Does Noam's Magic affect Meira? All that in the bedroom reminds me of compulsion

Marina wrote: "The world building is a bit flimsy and I was super confused. But I think it's mostly because it's such an intricate system and Sarah is not doing a good job explaining it.

Spring is evil. Winter is gone. But I do believe that Autumn is basically being taken over at the moment, but there is resistance. I don't think we know anything about Summer yet? Do we? I think that whatever chasm they keep taking about is what created the season kingdoms."

I 100% agree with all of this. I simply do not understand how a country can devastate another while the others literally sit idle and watch. Since I started feeling that way she explained Autumn was on its own verge of collapse and doesn't have magic right now anyway, and she excused Cordell as being cowards and I accept both of those. But the other three Rhythym Kingdoms just sit up there and are totally cool with Spring massacring Winter? Summer's over there just like "I'm too hot for all ya'll anyway" ???

Also, never loved Mather. I like to think the only reason that Meira even though she did was because he was the only guy/person close to her own age. I don't really hate him either, though I hope this little episode in the 10th Chapter is enough to make Meira say "well, if he can do that..."

Marina wrote: "Also I can't shake this feeling like Meira is Mather's secret sister but that doesn't make sense."
Actually I was thinking something rather similar. I was thinking that if I had two infants close in age, and the kingdom had just fallen, I would protect the heir (and oh-so-important bloodline) to the throne by having the infants switch places.

The dreams? Sir's protectiveness over her? It even makes sense to have her good and secure in another kingdom before revealing...

Kathryn wrote: "Marina wrote: "The world building is a bit flimsy and I was super confused. But I think it's mostly because it's such an intricate system and Sarah is not doing a good job explaining it.

Spring is..."

Well, actually, the other kingdoms have no reason to get involved unless they personally feel threatened or they are obligated by an alliance. Why should they waste their resources, people, time, and money if they get nothing out of it? It's cold and cruel, but that's how things are. I mean, the only reason the U.S. got involved in WWI was Lusitania, WWII it was Pearl Harbor. Until then they staid the hell out even though Europe was collapsing in on itself, and the only Americans who got involved were volunteers.

I think I agree with the fact that Mather and Meira are only attracted to each other because they were the only ones of similar age.

I'm not gonna say anything about the last part about your statement because I'm at chp 20 and lets just say it's too early for theories because there is so much we don't know yet.

Marina wrote: "Well, actually, the other kingdoms have no reason to get involved unless they personally feel threatened or they are obligated by an alliance. Why should they waste their resources, people, time, and money if they get nothing out of it? It's cold and cruel, but that's how things are. I mean, the only reason the U.S. got involved in WWI was Lusitania, WWII it was Pearl Harbor. Until then they staid the hell out even though Europe was collapsing in on itself, and the only Americans who got involved were volunteers."

Yes and no. We were not actively involved in physical fighting, but we gave our resources and support over to the Allies all the same. Unless you count that Autumn let them pass through/reside there, there doesn't seem to be much help from the others even the form of spare food. I accept Autumn's excuse as well as Cordell's...I might even accept that the rest of the Rhythyms wouldn't on basis of prejudice against Seasons. But I should think that Summer would look at what happened and say, "the hell bro?"

But the fact is the conduits are a big deal for everyone from what I understand, and I cannot imagine that anyone would take the breaking of one--any one, even if it's not theirs--lightly. I understand not necessarily wanting to go all out and fight Spring, (after all how long did it take for someone to finally take a stand against Hitler instead of trying to appease him?) but not even when we were staying out of the war did we refuse to help the Allies with our resources. Not openly, true, but we did. No one has said that they have gotten anything from other countries even in secret.

Marina wrote: "I'm not gonna say anything about the last part about your statement because I'm at chp 20 and lets just say it's too early for theories because there is so much we don't know yet."

I understand not saying anything but it's never too early for theories/hypothesis. They're fun, and can keep one engaged with the story.

Just starting chapter 5 and so far it's interesting but I've also been a little bit confused by some of the descriptions of the world and world history. Is this just me? Also, the world reminds me of A Court of Thorns and Roses.

I was thinking that getting the locket would be the plot for the whole book but apparently not haha

I also have a theory similar to Marina's. I'm thinking Meira is a Spring Princess and her eyes are actually green but she doesn't know because all these years she's been thinking she's Winter and so assumes they are blue but she's never actually seen her eyes because they don't have mirrors at their camp. Maybe that's a bit far fetched? It might also explain why Mather does this sneaking up on Meira and putting a finger on her necking and saying "you're dead."

Ifrah wrote: "Just starting chapter 5 and so far it's interesting but I've also been a little bit confused by some of the descriptions of the world and world history. Is this just me? Also, the world reminds me ..."

I guess we have to disagree on that. But I was wrong to compare it to WWII, because that's more modern warfare. I should have referenced older imperial warfare like Genghis Han who conquered by slaughter. While I don't claim to be an expert, I don't really find it surprising no one helped them. Also we don't know whether or not Autumn and Summer tried to help with resources. After all, most of the citizens were massacred and the rest are enslaved. I do believe slavery exists in other kingdoms too, so they see them as rightful conquest of war.

That was simply my way of avoiding spoiling anything ... I think I worded it incorrectly... because I didn't mean to say you shouldn't be guessing at all... I should have left that without comment.

Ifrah wrote: "Just starting chapter 5 and so far it's interesting but I've also been a little bit confused by some of the descriptions of the world and world history. Is this just me? Also, the world reminds me ..."

A couple of us are also unhappy with the world building. It doesn't seem to getting better either.

And really? I don't find it at all like ACOTAR, no fairies in this one.. .at least not yet. lol

Marina wrote: "Ifrah wrote: "Just starting chapter 5 and so far it's interesting but I've also been a little bit confused by some of the descriptions of the world and world history. Is this just me? Also, the wor..."

Not because of the fairies but in the way the world is set up with season and rhythm courts. ACOTAR has season and time of day courts.

I finished chapter 10 and I'm eager to find out what the deal with Meira is. So far the writing isn't the greatest and I'll admit to skimming a little but the story is intriguing.

Ifrah wrote: "Marina wrote: "Ifrah wrote: "Just starting chapter 5 and so far it's interesting but I've also been a little bit confused by some of the descriptions of the world and world history. Is this just me..."

Ahh, yes, the everlasting winter. Except in most stories its a curse, these guys miss it, lol

Oh just you wait, things get exciting and crazy! So many twists!

Oookay, did not see the whole "linked with Cordell through marriage"-thing coming. But it fits my initial impression that Meira is more important.

I support the theory that Mather and Meira have been swapped as infants or are actually siblings/twins.
I also quite like the first impression we get of Theron. He seems polite, considerate and nice. I like how he is obviously sorry to tell Meira of the plans the others have for them. It will be interesting to see how he turns out.

Stefanie wrote: "Oookay, did not see the whole "linked with Cordell through marriage"-thing coming. But it fits my initial impression that Meira is more important.

I support the theory that Mather and Meira have ..."

And that's not even the most shocking thing yet to happen. Hold on to your britches.

*zips mouth shut*

So I finally made it through the first 10 chapters and not needless to say from page 5 I am under the impression that she is waaaay important and that sir isn't telling her anything. Like when they thought she had been lost. Why would they risk the life of the others to go back for her, what is her significance? Personally I think we have some star wars stuff happening where Mather and Meira are related but I'm not 100%.
So now their going to link the kingdoms but doesn't that only work with someone from the royal bloodline? Curious...
All in all I really like it so far. The beginning was a tad slow but I am totally into the Mulan vibe!

Kaira wrote: "So I finally made it through the first 10 chapters and not needless to say from page 5 I am under the impression that she is waaaay important and that sir isn't telling her anything. Like when they..."


I don't think you need to a royal to link kingdoms necessarily, since they both only have male heirs. The person simply needs to be important enough to trade, and once Winter is reestablished, Mather can give Meira basically any title like Duchess or Countess, and simply have her as potential successor to the throne. It doesn't matter if she's like fifth or sixth in line.

Great theories, keep them coming, lol

Marina wrote: "Okay, I've only read the first five chapters, here are my thoughts:

-Slightly confusing beginning because of all the exposition and world building.
-Very offended that Spring is the country of ev..."

I don't want to spoil anything but you're onto something with your theory. *wink wink*

Faith wrote: "Marina wrote: "Okay, I've only read the first five chapters, here are my thoughts:

-Slightly confusing beginning because of all the exposition and world building.
-Very offended that Spring is th..."

HAHA! I know, I finished the book. NOW HUSH. Lets not spoil it.

I feel that Meira has an important position- yet to be revealed. I thought maybe Mather's sister or that the two were swapped to keep Meira safe as the true heir. Not so sure now that she has been betrothed to Prince Theorn.

I am also disappointed in Mather's quick turn around from telling Meria he will find a way to change the lack of balance and all that statement insinuated to then promising her marriage to another Prince and in her absence.

I just got to chapter 13, but I wanted to chime in a few thoughts here! I like Meira, she has a fun, feisty personality, and the story is getting really good, but I feel like it is super repatative and angsty with the whole Mather relationship. Every time anything about them is brought up its all about how they can never be together in way too much detail... every time! Other than that though I am enjoying most of the story. I'm really glad Winter isn't the evil Kingdom too!

Just finished chapter 10 and thought I'd stop and check this thread before I read more and forget where the split is!
I'm glad everyone is getting the 'Meira is more important than they let on' vibe because I totally agree but was wondering whether I'd just read too many other books with that 'twist'

Helen wrote: "I feel that Meira has an important position- yet to be revealed. I thought maybe Mather's sister or that the two were swapped to keep Meira safe as the true heir. Not so sure now that she has been ..."

I feel like in that scene, he may have already been promising to fix the arranged marriage. Like, he was lying to her face because he couldn't say anything else. Which in my book, is kind of a dick move.

Michella wrote: "I just got to chapter 13, but I wanted to chime in a few thoughts here! I like Meira, she has a fun, feisty personality, and the story is getting really good, but I feel like it is super repatative..."

Oh good, the angst drove me nuts, I'm so glad it goes away after Meira realizes what a jerk he is

Rhiannon wrote: "Just finished chapter 10 and thought I'd stop and check this thread before I read more and forget where the split is!
I'm glad everyone is getting the 'Meira is more important than they let on' vi..."

All I can say is, wait and see :P

WOOOOOW. That's really all I have to say.

I think the sibling theory is going to play out. It makes a heck of a lot of sense. But does Mather know? I mean, he has to right? To make a deal like that? But then he never acted like she was more important than he was or that she could use the magic of the conduit...

I have to keep reading!

Up to chapter 12, but I'll comment on the first ten chapters. This was a good side btw Marina.

As an avid fantasy reader, this world building is definitely flimsy. Way too many holes but I'll reserve judgement since I'm not finished this book yet. But, this world sounds interesting on the surface but the details make no sense yet. Which unfortunately is not making this believable for me. Also the characters outside if Meira are kind of flat. Well maybe not Sir, since she feels the most about him. I honestly cannot take her feelings for Mathis seriously since he's the only guy her age she's ever met. Also, she feels a tingle for him but then a tingle for Theron. ...*rolls eyes* This is all going too quickly and yet too slowly at the same time.

My theory is that both Meira and Mather have been lied to and their positions in life are opposite of what they've been told. Sir has overdone his job in this and has made them both feel useless and now distrustful of him and each other by the end of chapter ten.