Ashfall (Ashfall #1) by Mike Mullin

Title:  Ashfall (Ashfall #1)
Author:  Mike Mullin
Release date:  October 11, 2011
Publisher:  Tanglewood Press
Pages:  466
Source:  Author

Under the bubbling hot springs and geysers of Yellowstone National Park is a supervolcano. Most people don’t know it’s there. The caldera is so large that it can only be seen from a plane or satellite. It just could be overdue for an eruption, which would change the landscape and climate of our planet.

Ashfall is the story of Alex, a teenage boy left alone for the weekend while his parents visit relatives. When the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts unexpectedly, Alex is determined to reach his parents. He must travel over a hundred miles in a landscape transformed by a foot of ash and the destruction of every modern convenience that he has ever known, and through a new world in which disaster has brought out both the best and worst in people desperate for food, water, and warmth.

Ashfall is the most realistic apocalyptic novel I have ever read.  I couldn’t put it down even when it scared the crap out of me.  =)

Ashfall is about the eruption of the supervolcano beneath Yellowstone.  Everything about the apocalypse this causes is thoroughly researched and completely realistic.  This book is so scary because it could really happen.  There is an ashen winter, one that could last for years.  This causes a shortage of food and supplies and everyone is on their own.  People go crazy looking for food and some of them lose their humanity. It is a dark time for people and it brings out the nastier side of people.  I was shocked by some of the things that happened in Ashfall.

The only thing that I didn’t like about Ashfall was the characters.  I never felt connected to Alex or Darla.  They didn’t seem to have much personality and I couldn’t really get into their stories.  I’m hoping they develop more in the next book.

Overall, Ashfall is a great debut from Mike Mullin and I am very excited for the sequel.  Oh and this one, in my opinion, is a great book for guys and girls.

Disclaimer:  I would not recommend this for younger teens.  It is very gory and there is some sexual content.

First line:  I was home alone on that Friday evening.

Rating:  A-

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16 comments

  1. I’m about 100 pages away from finishing this one. The book opened up a little rough for me but I’m really enjoying it now. I agree about some of the goriness. I’m still shuddering over the image of a man roasting like a pig. Ugh!

  2. Bummer to hear you didn’t connect with the characters. I’ve only heard positive things about this book and the concept terrifies me because an eruption like that could actually happen and kill us all. But I do like strong characters in my dystopians so make me care about what’s happening. So, I’ll probably still read it, but I go in with your warning in my head. Thanks!

    Smiles!
    Lori

  3. As I began this book, I was just overwhelmed with the amazing writing in this book. Every single word is explicit, showing and letting the reader feel everything of Ashfall. Not only did Mr. Mullin created such a world that anyone can step into, he brought his writing to life like I have never seen before.

  4. I’ve seen so many documentaries about Yellowstone and they never get any less freaky!

    It’s awesome he used a natural disaster that is a possibility in reality to write this series.

    Too bad the characters weren’t awesome. Have you read the rest of the books in the series? Do you like the characters in the next ones?

    Lovely review 🙂