It’s a doubleheader with two books from different sides of the tracks. Swerve is an adult thriller, and Snow Like Ashes is a YA fantasy. I had high expectations for both, but neither one quite lived up to them.
SwerveAuthor: Vicki Pettersson
Published by: Gallery Books
Publication Date: July 7th 2015
Format: eARC
Pages: 352
It’s high summer in the Mojave Desert, and Kristine Rush and her fiancé, Daniel, are en route from Las Vegas to Lake Arrowhead, California, for the July Fourth holiday weekend. But when Daniel is abducted from a desolate rest stop, Kristine is forced to choose: return home unharmed, but never to see her fiancé again, or plunge forward into the searing desert to find him…where a killer lies in wait.
I was excite for Swerve for three reason: 1) I’m familiar with the setting; 2) I’ve wanted to read something by this author for a while; and 3) it sounded creepy. I did like it, but I wasn’t blown away by it.
The psycho who put Kristine in this predicament is a serious creep with major issues. Those are always fun, right? I think so. The person put her through some effed up stuff and takes her on one crazy ride, that’s for sure. While I found some of her actions annoying, the woman had moxie.
I did figure “it” out very early on, so a big part of me lost interest. However, I kept reading and found myself wanting to know exactly what she would have to endure next. There are also certain points that irritated me, because you know, logic. When I pulled away from that and tried to just enjoy it for what it was, I liked it more.
Listen, I like Swerve and its creepy vibe, I do. It’s just that it’s the type of thing I would enjoy watching on the Chiller channel, but would be a disappointment on the big screen.
Snow Like AshesAuthor: Sara Raasch
Series: Snow Like Ashes #1
Published by: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: October 14, 2014
Format: eBook
Pages: 432
Source: Purchased
Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. The Winterians' only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been searching for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild their kingdom ever since.
Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, Winter’s future king—she would do anything to help Winter rise to power again. So when scouts discover the location of half of the ancient locket that can restore their magic, Meira decides to go after it herself—only to find herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics, and to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.
Dammit, I should’ve loved Snow Like Ashes, but I didn’t. I liked it, but not a lot. I‘ve been craving more fantasy lately and try to squeeze it in as often as possible. So many people adore this book, so I figured it would be a sure thing. *sigh* It wasn’t.
I mean, there isn’t really anything that I dislike about it; it doesn’t make me want to rant and rave. What it mainly comes down to is: I found it boring. The characters, the predictable storyline, the pacing, everything. I seriously kept nodding off while reading it.
Theron and Mather are the bright points in this book, but I wish they were utilized more. Especially when it came to witty dialogue with Meria, because those are the times I actually felt a real personality from her.
I’m hoping this will be one of those instances where distance makes the heart grow fonder. Sometimes I may not totally love a book at first, but I might feel different a week, a month, or whenever later. Let it marinate. At this point I don’t have a strong urge to pick up the next book, despite already having it. So we’ll see.
I want to read Snow Like Ashes, but from the sample I’ve read I can tell it’s going to be sort of ‘meh’ for me. Is it weird I want to try it anyway? I might try and prod my library to add it to the audiobook collection, lol.
Nope, not weird. Try it! A lot of people love it. I’m just glad I bought it while it was on sale.
I know how much you like phscho reads, so it’s a shame you figured out Swerve and didn’t enjoy it as much as you hoped.
Snow like Ashes sounded promising too, a shame you found it bland.
Fingers crossed for your next reads!
I definitely don’t think the first book would be for me, way too dark I’m thinking. As for Snow Like Ashes, crap on a stick, I was hoping you would like it! Oh well, you win some you lose some right?
After reading your reviews I think that the 1st book would be more of my type of read despite your “issues”. I’ve read and watched a lot of thrillers, so just like you I usually figure out early on what’s happening, but I don’t have problem with it if the story is good. Hope the next installment of Snow Like Ashes is better if you decide to read it.
That stinks that you were able to guess who the psycho was early on. That happens frequently to me as well. I do still really like the sound of the book, so I’ll be giving it a shot.
And I really liked Snow Like Ashes, so it makes sad that you didn’t love it, but I definitely understand where you are coming from.
Great reviews, Christy!
Aw, sorry Snow Like Ashes wasn’t quite the read you hoped for Christy! I loved that one, but it of course isn’t for everyone. I’m like you though, sometimes I read something and I feel sort of meh about it, and then after some time has passed I realize I liked it more than I initially thought. Maybe that will be the case here 😉
Snow Like Ashes was okay for me while I was actually reading it, but I must admit I forgot everything about it since then, and it wasn’t even that long ago. That says more than enough about a book as far as I’m concerned. Entertaining but not memorable isn’t the best one can hope for.
Well…. you should have liked Swerve more. I’ll have my review later this week, which probably be in direct contrast to yours. Luckily it’s written and I just have to get around to formatting. I haven’t heard of the other one, but it sounds interesting. It might go well in line with my “ugh, more romance?!?” feeling lately.
I’m going to read Swerve soon just because I want to read a thriller with crazy characters. I haven’t read something with a creepy plot in a while.
I hope you’re not having a bad reading streak. Sorry these two were underwhelming. I hope your next book is better and more exciting.
Nah, I’ve actually been on a good streak lately. Snow Like Ashes was the most ‘meh’ book I’ve read out of the last 10, so it’s going well. 😀
I loved Snow Like Ashes, but we shared similar feelings about Swerve. I’ve read too many horror/suspense/thrillers and solve things way to early..well she was overly dumb..lol
Ahh bummer. I was hoping you would like Swerve more. That one has been getting good reviews. I know what you mean about Ashes, after all the high reviews, I was expecting so much more I liked it, but wasn’t over the moon over it.
You should still read Swerve, though, Heidi. I know you like that kind of disturbing stuff too.
I haven’t read Swerve but i’m all for creepy stuff so you’ve got me intrigued but I did read Snow Like Ashes when it first came out and thoroughly enjoyed it. That being said, I can see why you didn’t ‘love’ it. I liked the story, and the characters, but I felt like the book didn’t add anything new into the genre, you know?
I agree with your review of Swerve. She was dumb in how she handled some things. Part of what I enjoyed about the book was seeing if she’d be triumphant over the villain. I would have been happy either way tbh, because I didn’t find the protagonist that likeable. Great review!
Wow, I heard great things about Swerve so now I am hesitant. Happy it was okay though.
No, now I want you to to read it. It’s pretty disturbing, which I liked.
I didn’t quite enjoy Snow Like Ashes either. So you’re not alone. 🙂 Ah predictable mystery is a total killer, isn’t it? Pun intended.
You’re just so pun-ny, Joy.
I am still interested in Swerve because I had to admit that I never figure “it” out in those kinds of books! SO awful but makes for a good reading experience I guess – Gret reviews!
Ooooo, I’m reading Snow like Ashes soon… I’ll remember not to read it at night, in bed, etc… wish me luck! Oh, and Swerve sounds just like that one movie, ugh, I can’t think of it, the one with the guy from “24” who does tequila commercials now. Crap! Useless knowledge FAIL!!
Liz says it reminds her of that movie Joyride, but I don’t fully remember it.
The lack of logic, and figuring out the plot would bother me about Swerve too. It’s always a bad sign when I keep nodding off reading a book. Boring books take me extra long to finish, and feel like torture when I read them. Sorry Snow Like Ashes was one of them for you. Thanks for the fair warning for both of these books 🙂
I’m really curious about Swerve now!!
Oh I liked Snow better than you did. I also had to laugh at Swerve’s review. You know logic isn’t a part of a lot of lit. LOL Only way I get though some of these books. 🙂
Dammit, such a shame about Snow Like Ashes! I’ve heard mixed reviews about this one, it seems to be either a love it or hate it book. Swerve sounds creepy, too bad you figured it out quickly!