Ashes

A book you will stay up late to read

Really 4.5 stars

Ashes is, without a doubt, unlike anything that I've ever read. With an interesting cast of characters, imagined situations that became all too real, and constant surprises, Ashes is an edge-of-your-seat read the entire way through.

Alex is tired of living with a brain tumor, tired of the constant treatment attempts, tired of having other people not know how to react to her. She decides to go on a final wilderness hike and spend some time in the seclusion of nature. And then an electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the world, killing a vast majority of people, rendering electronic devices useless, and changing the world as Alex knew it. She soon finds herself with an unwanted traveling companion and trying to survive with just what was in her pack. And then Alex meets Tom, a former soldier who is also trying to survive in this world. They work together to make a life in the wake of all the destruction, all the while worrying that they may end up changing into little more than animals, as other humans have. But they eventually realize that they can't stay hidden in the woods forever, and then the real adventure begins...

Because of the nature of this book, it's hard to say much without giving something away. The suspense, the constant obstacles, and the emotional journey are what make this book riveting; the characters were just as compelling as the action. Ashes is post-apocalyptic rather than dystopian, and both Alex and Tom have some basic survival skills; this allows the story to focus on deeper issues, including learning who to trust in a world with people gone mad and what to live for when it seems there are no reasons left. Everything was so vividly described (including the behavior of the "changed" people) that I felt like I was right beside Alex and Tom, both in the woods and out of it. In Ashes, elements of science fiction, dystopian, and coming-of-age books merge into something new and exciting.

I will say that this book left me with some unanswered questions. Because of all the hardships that Alex and Tom face, this book is not exactly an easy read. There were a few times that I was frustrated because I just wanted something to go right for them. But despite the sadness, and despite all of the loose threads left at the end, the intensity of this book left me wanting more.

Ashes is a book that you will stay up late into the night to read - I know that I did. I am already counting down the days until the next book. I cannot wait to see what else Ilsa has in store for this trilogy!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Good book. Well written. Bad ending.

First, let me say that this is the first book review I have ever written.

The book was really good. It captures your interest and develops the characters well.
There are some inconsisties with the plot. The bit about all the dogs suddenly loving Alex conflicts with the pack of dogs that initially attacked her in the forest. This is never resolved.

However it is the ending or really the lack there of that really prompted me to write this review. I don't want to give away the ending so I will keep my comment somewhat general in nature. The ending does not resolve the fate of the heroine and there are other characters whose fate is left hanging as well. I can see this as a technique to set up for a sequel, but it feels like the author needed to keep the book at a certain number of words and chose to end it as quickly as possible.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic

Great book. Could not put it down. Looking forward to the next.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Epic Post Apocolyptic Story

For some reason, this book has taken me some time to wrap my head around and review, maybe it is because if I had to describe it in one word it would be "epic". I read it, or shall I say, tore right through it, but then had to think about it for a bit. I loved the book, even if it was very different from what I expected - it is definitely a story of survival and horror. Even with its love triangle, Ashes is definitly different from the other YA romance dystopian books out there.

The beginning is really good and fast paced - we learn about Alex and her condition in a concise and intriguing way. Bick has me turning the pages to see what will happen next and how the scenario plays out. It is a book where everything goes from bad to worse, then worse again, then even worse again.

The writing is vivid and imaginataive with some interesting phrasing (though there is the odd bit of distracting grammar), and this definitely applies to the gory bits - this book is quite brutal and has a great deal of graphic violence. However, Bick's writing really drew me in and I loved how she was able to create tension, even when there wasn't much action. She also used omnicient narrator quips that set reader up for tension, because we then know things that the characters don't.

The story is told from Alex's point of view (but not first person present as so many books are right now), and I really felt for her. Alex is a strong heroine, capable, intelligent and likable, but in a horrible situation. I absolutely loved Ellie, the young girl that Alex finds herself looking after. She has some great, honest reactions that feel authentic to her age. I liked Tom as well, the army veteran and love interest for Alex, but I also felt a bit reserved about him, though I am not positive why. Maybe he just felt a little more stereotypical. Then there are the dogs, I love the addition of all of the dogs and how they add to the book.

Probably my favorite part of this book, and something I have found with other zombie type books lately, is the exploration of human nature and how people act in stressful or lawless situations. I love how Bick delves into what is a monster - is it cancer? is it zombies? is it people who have free will and act in ways they never would under normal circumstances? She also gets into the roles of hope and fate and freedom.

Ashes ends with a great cliffanger and I can hardly wait to read the next book in this series. I would highly recommend this book to those who like zombie books or who don't mind graphically brutal scenes, but who like a good post-apocolyptic story.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Absolutely riveting!

This novel blew me away. With the proliferation of post-apocalyptic and dystopian fiction, I always start a novel like this is the slightest bit of apprehension because surely this one can't be as good as "X." As is the case so often, there was absolutely nothing to be worried about with this book--it was probably one of the most riveting novels that I have read this year. When the novel opens, we are introduced to Alex, who has set off on a hiking/camping journey to Lake Superior. Although we're not privy to her reasons for the trip, there is the distinct feeling of running away from something and an attitude of finality and closure to her journey (which makes more and more sense as you learn about her history and reasons for the trip later). Alex is immediately an intriguing character who captures your imagination with her slightly brash personality. She has a slight air of self-pitying at the beginning but that is quickly overshadowed by her fiercely independent nature coupled with her deeply caring spirit. There's no denying that she's been through a lot and that may have caused her to be slightly wary of and abrasive toward people, but as you see her interact with the other characters, you quickly learn that she has a compassionate side that can't be shut away or overlooked. The characters are a major factor in what made me fall in love with this book. Alex was obviously well-developed and incredibly realistic in her strengths and flaws. However, each and every character that we meet has a complex, fascinating nature. First, there is Ellie. Ellie has all the signs of being a bratty, spoiled child unaccustomed to not getting her way, but she is slowly revealed as simply a truly scared child with a rough past and also as a fiercely loyal child as we watch her become attached to Alex. Tom is just as mysterious with his uncertain past in Afghanistan and guarded personality. As Alex becomes attached to Tom and we slowly learn more about him, he becomes more complex and appealing. Even the character we don't get to know quite as well later in the novel, including Jess, Chris, and the Reverend, are all engaging characters that you easily find yourself drawn to. I definitely look forward to the second book so that I can learn more about these characters. Now, the characters are fabulous, but no story could truly be as spellbinding as this one without fabulous storytelling and writing. Ms. Bick's writing is so fantastically realistic that it is absolutely terrifying at times to be reading this novel. The ideas that she brings forth about mutually assured destruction and the true weapon capabilities that we have in our world are terrifying, and that makes the story that much more engaging. The ending to this novel will leaving you gasping for breath and begging for more! I seriously kept attempting to turn to the next page on my Nook because I could NOT believe that was the end of the book. I will definitely be waiting on pins and needles for the next book in 2012.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

simply amazing book

Alex has lost her parents and has a tumor in her head. She feels like life was not worth living what's the point. Then while out hiking an electromagnetic pulse sweeps across the sky and the whole world is turned on its head. Alex finds that most the human still alive have changed into something crazy they will kill anything that moves. Alex need to find out what's happening with no electronics and nearly everyone dead what well Alex have to do to stay alive and find out what's going on?

I have been finding it hard to write up a review on this book is was so...amazing just my sort of book there was so much going on and the book never got slow it was always on the fast track. Alex was an interesting and strong character that not only looked after herself but also looked after a very stubborn child. You follow Alex journey not only does she want to know what's going on but she also wants to find out what's happening to herself. The world has changed so much that she fears what might happen now and in the future. Each day is a struggle that they have to pull through and I loved every word of the book.

I really loved the horror element most of all in the book but I also love the fight to survive and the secrets and lies. It's a journey that will leave you hungry for more.
I would happily recommend this book to others it's a most read book.
5/5

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book is sooooo good! I cannot wait for the sequel to come o

This book is sooooo good! I cannot wait for the sequel to come out. This book was so good, my grandfather read and loved the book too. If you like apocalyptic books, then you'll definetely like this one :)

I couldn't put it down fast enoigh.

I was drawn in after reading the back, but the graphic descriptions about made me throw up.

I really liked this book. My wife badgered me for months to rea

I really liked this book. My wife badgered me for months to read Hunger Games, and I finally broke down and read it. Boy was I glad that I did. After that trilogy, I was hooked on dystopian focused stories. Ashes was such a page turner and I cannot wait for the next book. I really like the way Ilsa writes, allowing the reader to get deep into the feeling of the story. You won't be disappointed.

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book was so amazing! So many twist and turns. I never wanted the book to end! Such an incredible read! I just can't shake the goosebumps running up and down my spine when i got through every chapter. But when i got through the whole book i was speechless and stunned! Quite an amazing perspective of a point of view and brain of Ilsa Bick. The amazing author of ashes. Soon i hope to be an award winning truman award book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So my final words for this book is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay 6.3

The first half of the story was better to me. It did have the usual annoying character that you wish would be killed off as well as the forced "relationship" that teen books are famous for. ( by that I mean no real chemistry to be found on the pages) the second half just kind of stalled out for me. I guess it was the lack of progress that drove me nuts. The dialog was fairly weak a lot of what I imagine adults would think teenagers sound like. But I've read worse. It did have some twists which was nice but I was very unhappy to realize There was going to be another. Can't anyone just write a book and let it end?!?!? If you have some time say summer and have nothing to read you might think of giving this a try. I'd give it a solid 6 but I'm very picky.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Really cool

Awesome book need to read the next

I wish I would have written a review earlier

I read this book in late Novemeber, early December and immediately wished the second was out.
Ashes is a terrible, vile, and lovingly cruel book that delights anyone with a passion to read.
With so much left in the open, I am eagerly awaiting the second book--as will you when you read it.

Good book

This was a very good book but its a bit strange. Im going to try and find a secual now. Deffently up there with my top10

Amazing

I couldnt put this book down!! Its amazing! I dont even know what to say! When doea the next one come out?!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Reply

I said it is not out yet. It will come out September 11, 2012. The review was for Ashes, not the second book. The author is still working on the second.

What do u mean?

Same guy u replyd to and im trying to figure out how theres not a 2nd book u told me there was

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

No!

I can't believe it ended like this! Well, I guess i'll find out in book 2 of 3!

Twists and turns with popplng actionl

This book is a great read for adults and young adults alike Strong male and female characters . Every chapter has action where it is a fight to survive to the next day. Guys will love the army connection while girls will love the female who often has to take the lead.

Wow!!!!

Could not put the book down