Ice Like Fire is the sequel to Snow Like Ashes and picks up with Meira after the big plot twist of the first novel. If you have not read the first novel and are concerned about spoilers, stop reading now. 
 I read Snow like Ashes early this past year, but has honestly forgotten important things, like Theron. I was able to jump back in easily, but it made me wonder why I had forgotten so much. It obviously didn't resonate with me all that much. 
 There was just so much going on here. There was the magic, and Meira's dead mother who had been in her head, but then disappears early this go-round. They're dealing with Cordell which is still more threat than ally. They go to approximately a billion different countries. And they have to play politics, and search for some objects. Mather has stuff going on. There's a lot more as well obviously. All of this could be fine, but I realized I had very little stake in this world. I forced myself through the novel, but I didn't particularly care. So much happens, and yet it feels like nothing does. 
 Here's the thing though.The pieces were there. They just didn't click for me. Meira's internal dialogue became tiresome. We get it. You have responsibility now. Things are different. Your relationship with Theron is more complicated. I'm fine with you having some internal conflict, but it either needs to be done better, or at least not trying to make up for a lack of cohesive external conflict. Maybe it was we were given no time to relax into the world around us. Maybe it was that the diplomatic trip made it impossible for me to ignore the ridiculous names of these kingdoms and cities. It works for some, unfortunately it's distracting for me. Also, I still don't understand how this world works. 
 I will say this, amidst everything Ice Like Fire does handle its love triangle well. It never overshadows the main plot, although sometimes I wished it would. 
 I don't know if this was just middle book syndrome. I remember enjoying the first novel okay, but it didn't really blow me away. I guess we'll have to wait to see how it ends. 
 Review on Tea and Tomes