Ashes: a book recommendation
5 out of 5 stars.
So, um…
There had BETTER BE A SEQUEL TO ASHES. Ms. Bick, how can you end your book on such a cliffhanger? YAARRGH!!
But it’s okay–I forgive you because you have crafted such an amazing story of survival, love, dystopia, and strength.
It could happen tomorrow…
A cataclysmic event. An army of “The Changed.”
Can one teen really survive on her own?
An electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the sky, destroying every electronic device and killing billions. For those spared, it’s a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human…
Desperate to find out what happened and to avoid the Changed, Alex meets up with Tom—a young army veteran—and Ellie, a young girl whose grandfather was killed by the electromagnetic pulse.
This improvised family will have to use every ounce of courage they have just to survive.
Ashes was literally un-put-downable, and I read the book in one day–almost one sitting. Alex is such a likable protagonist (not to mention, she is the epitome of kick-butt heroine! Boy is she hardcore!); Tom is just…well, he’s just plain amazing; and Ellie is both annoying (as she’s meant to be) and utterly endearing.
And the action–oh, the action! My stomach was in knots constantly as Alex narrowly escapes from one mess only to find herself even worse off. This is one of those books where you’re constantly thinking, “She is so dead. How the heck is she gonna get out of this–OH NO, ZOMBIES!? Now she’s really, really dead.”
This is also one of those books where you flip the last page and are stunned there isn’t another. (I’m pretty sure I screamed.) I literally don’t know how I’ll wait a year for the sequel, Shadows.
This book is The Hunger Games meets The Forest of Hands and Teeth, and I cannot recommend it enough. If you like survival, love, or page-turning action, then be sure to pick up Ilsa J. Bick’s Ashes.
You tell me: Have you read Ashes? Or anything else by Ms. Bick?
September 25, 2011 @ 3:53 pm
Oh, I’m so glad you liked it so much. I had the pleasure of hearing Ilsa Bick speak on a panel at a YA Lit Conference yesterday, she was great. I just started reading the book last night. I’m sure I’ll be reading all day and up all night.
September 25, 2011 @ 8:44 pm
!!! I am SO jealous at this moment! What did she talk about?? (And let me know what you think of the book!)
September 25, 2011 @ 9:03 pm
It was a panel on Broken Worlds and she spoke a lot about setting. How there are all these untapped places no one ever thinks of–like the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. Also about the reality of the science behind her story. About representing a community like soldiers in YA. A lot of great stuff. Pretty awesome to hear her speak, and to be in a room full of teachers and librarians. Book people are awesome :).
September 25, 2011 @ 9:37 pm
Wow, that sounds fascinating. I have to say one of my favorite aspects of the book was all the military stuff, and I adored the setting–it was an area I kind of knew, but not well.
Book people ARE awesome.
September 25, 2011 @ 4:01 pm
Well crap. Destroys all electronics? But my laptop is like my child! He even has a name! (It’s Morris.)
I would die if I lived in that book.
It’s going on my list now, teehee.
September 25, 2011 @ 8:45 pm
Seriously, though, you and I would probably be toast according to this book ANYWAY. Everyone who’s past puberty and under the age of, like, 60 turns into blood-thirsty zombies… The MC doesn’t, and we don’t know why that is (I WANT TO KNOW SO BAD!!!).
September 25, 2011 @ 4:26 pm
This sounds amazing!
I don’t know how I feel about the cliffhanger–waiting is not my strong suit. But I may just have to make an exception now lol
Thanks for the rec, Sooz! 😀
September 25, 2011 @ 8:46 pm
Um, how did that cliffhanger in DEMONGLASS make you feel? I was distraught…but now Ms. Hawkins AND Ms. Bick have me waiting on pins and needles for their next books. Seriously, ASHES is worth the cliffhanger!
September 25, 2011 @ 6:33 pm
I really, really liked Ashes. And it’s a trilogy! So excited. 🙂
September 25, 2011 @ 8:47 pm
!!YAY!! I love hearing someone else enjoyed it! And I am SO excited it’s a trilogy…though I don’t know how the heck I’ll wait a whole year for SHADOWS. Hmmm….::glances around for peeps who can get ARCs::
September 25, 2011 @ 6:52 pm
Sooooo I finished ASHES. And I sat there, staring at the last sentence, as if force of will would make the sequel appear in my hands.
It did not.
ASHES was incredible. Now, I’m going to go lock my doors. Not like that will help.
September 25, 2011 @ 8:48 pm
Incredible–that’s EXACTLY what this book is! I am sooooooo pleased to hear you loved it too. This book needs to be in everyone’s hands STAT.
(And yeah, locking doors won’t help people our ages, Taryn. We’re total zombie toast.)
September 25, 2011 @ 8:51 pm
It’s on my list! I seriously need to take a month off from life just to burn through my book queue. But yeah, you’re like the 4th person who’s said this book is nothing short of amazing. Can’t wait to read it.
September 25, 2011 @ 9:36 pm
No kidding–I’m in the same boat. I have SO many books I want to read and SO no time in which to do it. But seriously, bump this book to the top of your pile–it’s AMAZING.
September 25, 2011 @ 9:34 pm
I just bought it! Probably not smart considering it is 9:30 pm and I must work in the morning, but such is the joy of a good book 🙂
September 25, 2011 @ 9:38 pm
WIN! This makes me so happy. Let me know what you think!!! 😀
September 25, 2011 @ 11:56 pm
I haven’t read ASHES, but based on your review I must really pick up a copy! It sounds really fabulous.
September 27, 2011 @ 4:29 pm
Yes, YES, Emy! Let me know what you think. 😀
December 28, 2011 @ 9:25 pm
I one hundred percent agree with everything that you wrote! My reaction to the last page was pretty much identical to yours, and I wasn’t aware that there would be a sequel, so now I am SUPER thrilled.
December 30, 2011 @ 4:01 pm
Yes, there’s a sequel–but it’s not due out until fall 2012! ACK!! I want it NOW. 😀