Title: Ashes (Ashes #1)
Author: Ilsa J. Bick
Release date: September 6, 2011
Publisher: Egmont USA
Pages: 480
Source: Boulder Book Store
It could happen tomorrow . . .
An electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions.
Alex hiked into the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out what happened after the pulse crushes her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom—a young soldier—and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP.
For this improvised family and the others who are spared, it’s now a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human.
Ashes is a dark and gritty tale of a world gone mad. Ilsa J. Bick does not shy away from anything and while at times it seems overwhelming, in the end it all adds up to a fabulous book.
Ashes packs a punch from the very beginning. It is full of action, suspense, and tons of terrifying revelations about what happens when there aren’t enough resources for everyone. It is full of death, destruction, and a quite a few gory surprises. The scariest thing about Ashes is how realistic it is. It is startling to think that this could happen sometime in the very near future.
Every character, even the ones with the smallest roles, are three-dimensional and wonderfully well-rounded. Alex, the main character, is full of spunk, fight, and quite a few snarky comments. Ellie, one of the first characters you meet after Alex, is a breath of fresh air in the gloomy atmosphere of post-EMP United States. Even through the toughest times she lightens the moods and brings out Alex’s sweeter side. Tom is my favorite character because I think everyone can relate to him in some way. He is very real and steady. No matter what, I think everyone can find someone to relate to in Ashes.
Overall, Ashes is one of the most gripping stories that I have read in a long time. This trilogy is one to watch out for. It holds a lot of potential. If the following books are anything like this one, Ilsa J. Bick can expect to have a lot of engrossed fans.
Rating: A
I’m intrigued by the premise of the book; sounds like it’s going to be an intense read!
I definitely agree that Ellie really lightened the mood at points. Actually, she really reminded me of me sister when she was younger. 🙂 Great review!
Nice review. I can not wait for the next book. Definitely one of my favourites of 2011.
I loved this one too! I got it as an ARC, and it become one of my favorite dystopians.
Willa
http://www.willasramblings.blogspot.com
I have heard so many great things about this book and your review makes me even more excited to read it!
I LOVED this book. It went in a direction I wasn’t expecting, which I really enjoyed. The detail, the plot, the characters… sigh.
Great review!
Definitely sounds like an intense read. Great review!
Nerd Girls at Books to the Sky
Oh awesome! Great review, I got this for Christmas and can’t wait to dive into it!
-shellie
Creative Reads
Thanks for the awesome review 🙂 !! I’ve had my eyes on this book for quite a long time now .. I didn’t know that it will be a trilogy, thanks for the info 😉 !!
Happy reading 🙂
Ditto that this was one haunting book that stayed with me long after I turned the last page. It was made creepier because several elements could actually come to pass. Which just makes me want to move to Antarctica and hunker down in their sub-ice bunkers.
Here’s hoping 2012 brings you health, happiness, and a whole load of excellent reads!
Smiles!
Lori
Great review Katie I’ve had this on my wishlist for a while it sounds really great and it’s gotten awesome reviews! I love creepy intense reads so I’m def.. going to give this one a try!
Hmmm…I didn’t like it as much, but I love reading reviews of people who had different opinions than mine! This is a comment for for May comment giveaway, Thanks! 🙂
Never read a book about an EMP – it’s so interesting to have a world without power.
Glad all the characters were fully developed.
Lovely review 🙂