What a fantastic read! I want to read the next book. NOW! And not because of an evil cliffy, but because the story is that enticing! I did not want to be torn out of this world so soon. 
 This book starts off with young Meira and her camp of Winterian refugees trying to save their kingdom but with so few of them left, what chance do they stand. The odds are severely against them; a pipe dream really. Collect their kingdoms 2 part magical conduit, free all their people and overthrow the entire Spring kingdom. they had an entire kingdom once but Spring's king slaughtered their queen and enslaved all but 25 that escaped. Baby Meira was one of them, an orphan girl saved by the man she simply calls Sir (which drove me batty!) along with Winterian's heir, Mather.. Over the past 16 years, their numbers have dwindled to a grand total of 8. Eight! How can 8 people possibly free a country? The are exiled and despised in just about all other countries. 
 I am not sure what I think of the way the countries are done. We have 4 countries that are each based off a season and are aptly named (Spring, Winter, Fall, Summer) and four countries that have all for seasons throughout the year. If you are from a country, you have a very distinct look that identifies your country (such as Winterians have very pale skin and white hair). They was it does seems like something I would expect more in a middle grade novel with the names. 
 Yet while we have simple kingdoms, we get a story filled with rich characters. Every single one has a very distinct personality. Even the smaller characters that barely have two lines. Each response, expression and reaction is very individualistic and realistic. 
 Meira was very well done. I read this book with a group of others and a few thought she was whiny but I thought her reactions to things were perfect for her age. She is 16 and teenagers are prone to hormonal outbursts at times and can think in a bit self-centered way at times. Most 16 year olds I know of have been a LOT worse. This occasional flaw in her just made her that more of a believable character. As an orphan she is constantly trying to prove herself to the only parental figure she has- Sir. Yet she feels she is always falling short. Plus I liked the Xena aspect with her chakram style and use. Always fun when someone uses a rare weapon of choice. 
 Sir's character is very well done. The gruff, caring father figure figure, trying so hard to not let that side show as he needs everyone to stay strong to save Winter. 
 Then there are the guys that compete for Meira's attention. Mather-Winter's future kind is compassionate, a good fighter and shows so much without meaning to it (and how Meira often misses it is amusing!). And then there is Theron. Theron is a prince who just wants to be free to be himself yet he is an amazing leader and warm person. While I loved them both, right now Theron is winning in my opinion. He just seems the stronger character and more likely to take risks to do what is right (just like Meira). While this is a love-triangle it does not overwhelm the story. It plays along nicely, especially with how it comes to be. 
 There is a lot of deciding of others fates in this book, and turn about is apparently fair play! One person's actions have consequences for others and Sara Raasch does a wonderful job showing how each interaction and choice plays out. 
 The magic is mostly subtle but gives it just enough enough to make this a beautiful fantasy. 
 The world is rich and the story has a near-perfect pace in my opinion. It just keeps moving along. It draws you in and keeps you involved with it's characters and world. I hated putting this book down for work or sleep. I just wanted to keep reading, to learn the endgame. 
 The ending is well done. Closing off the current arc enough to give us a breather and leaving a sense of fulfillment, with just enough room to leave me craving the next book. 
 This book earns ALMOST 4.5 stars from me. It has earned a permanent home on my shelves and I will be sure to get the next book when it comes out. 
 *I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair, honest review. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.*