Book #40 of 2016 (Wow, I definitely underestimated myself with my goal). 
 I really wanted to like "Snow Like Ashes," but I just never felt that spark. It probably started at a disadvantage since I recently finished Victoria Aveyard's "Red Queen" and "Glass Sword," and those might be the best fantasy series that I have read in a while. 
 The world in "Snow Like Ashes" is interesting, but I never quite found it believable. How does it make sense that there are four countries where the seasons are constantly the same while there are four with traditional seasons that are not far away? I know that the answer is 'magic,' but I feel like that is kind of a cop-out. Am I dumb for not understanding why the Rhythm countries are called Rhythm? And although the magic is explained for the readers in rather expository monologues, I never quite understand what it was capable of. The expository monologues also kept the pace of the story rather slow and prevented me from truly connecting with protagonist Meira. 
 There are some fairly well-developed characters in this story, and while there is a love triangle, I can see why it would be a difficult decision. Then again, perhaps that is part of the problem-- I liked both love interests, but never really loved either, so I never felt like I needed to root for one over the other. 
 It's a simple story, and it is not one that I would completely dismiss, but I was never sucked into this story.