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fairyjackie's review
4.0
"Gregg breaks into sobs. Coils of pain rise through me as I listen to one of the strongest, bravest men I know weep. Mather shifts beside me and his hand cups my shoulder. I can’t move beneath the blanket and Gregg’s words, beneath the knowledge that I know more people dead than alive"
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This is an interesting glimpse into what could have been the prologue of Snow. Some of this was included in the book in other places (in slightly different ways). My favorite part was seeing what happened when Gregg returned back after being tortured by Herod (instead of just hearing about it later in the book). It had way more impact this way - but I can see why the whole prologue wasn't used.
optomkg423's review against another edition
5.0
I really wish I read this before I started the series. It does it a bit if insight to the main character.
neverstopreading's review against another edition
4.0
“And if being a soldier means my fate will be the same as Gregg’s, or Crystalla’s, or any of the countless others who have died…
I have to do this. I have to be a soldier.
For myself, for Crystalla, for Winter.”
I have to do this. I have to be a soldier.
For myself, for Crystalla, for Winter.”
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
4.0
This was wonderful. It was sad but a great peak into the world again. I can't wait for book 2!
sophilozophy's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable prequel where we get a glimpse at the characters. I'm looking forward to reading [b:Snow Like Ashes|17399160|Snow Like Ashes (Snow Like Ashes, #1)|Sara Raasch|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392224823s/17399160.jpg|24221752].
caszriel's review against another edition
5.0
A great short story that really does delve into Meira. I love that the short stories can be found online and read for free :)
mirpanda277's review against another edition
4.0
Why the hell wasn't this in Snow like Ashes?!?! Whether a prologue or beginning proper (which it should have been) this is all necessary information! It would have made Meira's scene in Herod's chamber more poignant. We needed that echo! Sure we're told that it happened to Crystalla, but it was told through Meira's brief memory of this missing scene. A watered down version compared with this striking, harrowing scene of Gregg's return.
And this would have served as a much better introduction to Meira as a character! Her first few thoughts in the version of Snow Like Ashes I read were about Mather and her attraction to him, with a dash of her other central concerns. I felt like I knew more about Mather than of Meira the first dozen pages, which I felt did a disservice to Meira as a character. How we meet a character, those first few pages, matters.
Seriously, Icicles like Kindling, had it appeared as a prologue or beginning would have effectively established Meira as a fighter and an obstinate, headstrong girl through and through whose central concerns are fighting for Winter and earning recognition from Sir!
P.S. We would have gotten an explanation of what a chakram is too! Why an explanation wasn't added into the bigger story once this part was cut I don't know.
And this would have served as a much better introduction to Meira as a character! Her first few thoughts in the version of Snow Like Ashes I read were about Mather and her attraction to him, with a dash of her other central concerns. I felt like I knew more about Mather than of Meira the first dozen pages, which I felt did a disservice to Meira as a character. How we meet a character, those first few pages, matters.
Seriously, Icicles like Kindling, had it appeared as a prologue or beginning would have effectively established Meira as a fighter and an obstinate, headstrong girl through and through whose central concerns are fighting for Winter and earning recognition from Sir!
P.S. We would have gotten an explanation of what a chakram is too! Why an explanation wasn't added into the bigger story once this part was cut I don't know.
theconquerorbookworm's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0