laurenjodi's review against another edition
5.0
Ashes
5 Stars
Seeking the peace and solitude of the Waucamaw Wilderness, Alex’s life is suddenly turned upside down when an electromagnetic pulse results in the destruction of all technological devices and the deaths of the majority of adults on the planet. Stranded in the woods with only her wits, tenacity and indomitable spirit, Alex must survive the dangers approaching from all directions whether animal, human or supernatural.
As someone who is not very familiar with the post-apocalyptic genre, the various elements come across to me as original and compelling. The story is well-written with a simple narrative structure and solid pacing; the characterization is believable and the world building engrossing with exceptional description and attention to detail that does not become tedious and/or overwhelming. That said, there are some graphic and gruesome depictions that might not appeal to all readers.
Alex is an engaging heroine. Fiercely independent and mature for her years, which is understandable given her life experience. She deals with the day to day difficulties of surviving the end of the world with strength and resilience.
The secondary cast is quite large and it takes time to become familiar with the different people and their relation to Alex and to each other. Nevertheless, they are all portrayed realistically and Bick shows tremendous insight into all facets of human nature.
The scientific explanations for the apocalyptic disaster are both original and logical. Too often authors in this genre fail to provide a credible account, but this is not the case here. Although the zombies are of the usual cannibalistic type, Bick adds an interesting twist in terms of both their age and the possibility that external forces might be in play.
In sum, a captivating read and I look forward to discovering the answers to the numerous questions evoked in the book.
5 Stars
Seeking the peace and solitude of the Waucamaw Wilderness, Alex’s life is suddenly turned upside down when an electromagnetic pulse results in the destruction of all technological devices and the deaths of the majority of adults on the planet. Stranded in the woods with only her wits, tenacity and indomitable spirit, Alex must survive the dangers approaching from all directions whether animal, human or supernatural.
As someone who is not very familiar with the post-apocalyptic genre, the various elements come across to me as original and compelling. The story is well-written with a simple narrative structure and solid pacing; the characterization is believable and the world building engrossing with exceptional description and attention to detail that does not become tedious and/or overwhelming. That said, there are some graphic and gruesome depictions that might not appeal to all readers.
Alex is an engaging heroine. Fiercely independent and mature for her years, which is understandable given her life experience. She deals with the day to day difficulties of surviving the end of the world with strength and resilience.
The secondary cast is quite large and it takes time to become familiar with the different people and their relation to Alex and to each other. Nevertheless, they are all portrayed realistically and Bick shows tremendous insight into all facets of human nature.
The scientific explanations for the apocalyptic disaster are both original and logical. Too often authors in this genre fail to provide a credible account, but this is not the case here. Although the zombies are of the usual cannibalistic type, Bick adds an interesting twist in terms of both their age and the possibility that external forces might be in play.
In sum, a captivating read and I look forward to discovering the answers to the numerous questions evoked in the book.
koalathebear's review against another edition
3.0
A young girl named Alex is hiking through the wilderness in a vain attempt to forget that she has a brain tumour which has imposed a death sentence upon her. While she is in the woods, an earth-shattering electromagnetic pulse occurs which changes her world forever. Many of those who have survived the pulse have turned into horrific, zombie-like creatures who kill and devour mercilessly. Unlike zombies though, they are clever ...
For Alex, the pulse takes away her old life while at the same time presenting her with a new one. She's an interesting character and I rather liked her self-sufficient resourcefulness. Ellie is incredibly annoying and her dog is far more likeable and useful than Ellie herself.
It's remarkably gruesome but gripping for a young adult novel. Astmospherically - it reminded me a lot of "The Walking Dead" crossed with creepy towns from the tv show Supernatural. As with many of these novels, it's the first part of a trilogy. I'll be reading the rest.
For Alex, the pulse takes away her old life while at the same time presenting her with a new one. She's an interesting character and I rather liked her self-sufficient resourcefulness. Ellie is incredibly annoying and her dog is far more likeable and useful than Ellie herself.
It's remarkably gruesome but gripping for a young adult novel. Astmospherically - it reminded me a lot of "The Walking Dead" crossed with creepy towns from the tv show Supernatural. As with many of these novels, it's the first part of a trilogy. I'll be reading the rest.
egbella's review against another edition
2.0
I picked up this novel thinking it looked like an intriguing dystoptian-esque survival story, but I should have done better research beforehand. Essentially, it's a zombie book with a few admittedly clever twists. But between the sporadic but severe swears, HUGE amount of gore, and the jarring plotline changes in the second half of the book, I didn't enjoy it much.
To her credit, Bick's writing style and characters are engaging, and I didn't want to put the book down for the first half of it because I was so sucked into the chilling storyline. So it's not that her writing was necessarily poor (although it went downhill fast around 50%), just that it's definitely not the kind of content I want to fill my head with. I won't be continuing the series, especially as I've heard that the amount of gore skyrockets.
To her credit, Bick's writing style and characters are engaging, and I didn't want to put the book down for the first half of it because I was so sucked into the chilling storyline. So it's not that her writing was necessarily poor (although it went downhill fast around 50%), just that it's definitely not the kind of content I want to fill my head with. I won't be continuing the series, especially as I've heard that the amount of gore skyrockets.
marpesea's review against another edition
3.0
Alex is hiking in the wilderness when an electromagnetic pulse goes off destroying most modern technology and life as we know it. Zombies, wilderness, handsome strangers, and ornery teens make this an interesting read. Be warned it is book 1 of a trilogy (isn't everything?) and it ends with a cliffhanger.
I really enjoyed this book up until about chapter 34. There's a climactic moment and then... the next chapter picks up 3 days later. I'm not sure why the author chose to do this. It removed me from the story and I spent some time checking page numbers attempting to make sure I hadn't actually missed a chunk.
Another review I felt went into a bit more detail and was really spot on: Wendy Darling's review (follow her on GoodReads-- she's really quite excellent)
I really enjoyed this book up until about chapter 34. There's a climactic moment and then... the next chapter picks up 3 days later. I'm not sure why the author chose to do this. It removed me from the story and I spent some time checking page numbers attempting to make sure I hadn't actually missed a chunk.
Another review I felt went into a bit more detail and was really spot on: Wendy Darling's review (follow her on GoodReads-- she's really quite excellent)
anxietee9's review against another edition
4.0
The book as a whole was good but not great... BUT THEN THAT ENDING. Can't wait to pick up the second one!
lizzy_22's review against another edition
5.0
There are cliff hangers and then there are CLIFF hangers. Getting towards the end of this book I was wondering when and how the author was going to fit these maddening puzzle pieces together for me and Alex, the main character. Well you know how they say be careful what you wish for?!
This book reminded me of The Walking Dead crossed with those creepy horror films where the person who rescues the hero ends up behind them at the end with a bloody mask clutching a chainsaw....*scream*!! There is a reason I don't watch those movies and it's because they scare the hell out of me! This book kept me on the edge of my seat, ratcheting up the tension until it's explosive end. Now I only have to wait a year for book 2, sigh.
This book reminded me of The Walking Dead crossed with those creepy horror films where the person who rescues the hero ends up behind them at the end with a bloody mask clutching a chainsaw....*scream*!! There is a reason I don't watch those movies and it's because they scare the hell out of me! This book kept me on the edge of my seat, ratcheting up the tension until it's explosive end. Now I only have to wait a year for book 2, sigh.
sadiecass's review against another edition
2.0
What in the bloody hell was that?
I'm going to keep this short because many other people said the same thing I am thinking. First half of the book? GREAT! 5*. Love the growth of the relationships, love the connections formed...but then BOOM.
What the hell?
~sigh~ Well I liked half a book...but the let down was too great to justify a third star. :(
I'm going to keep this short because many other people said the same thing I am thinking. First half of the book? GREAT! 5*. Love the growth of the relationships, love the connections formed...but then BOOM.
What the hell?
~sigh~ Well I liked half a book...but the let down was too great to justify a third star. :(
sjj169's review against another edition
4.0
This book started out with me just wanting to kick an 8 year old's whiney butt. She did get better once the story got rolling so I gave in and didn't run her down.
This book was really good read for me. Had some survival skills going on and of course the kids in the story that have been "changed". Not really zombies because they are still alive but yes alive and eating other peoples is still pretty gross. But what do I do? Read every thing I can get my greedy little hands on that have to do with them.
Poor Alex's character in this book just couldn't win for losing. You would think that she was going to catch a break and bam! it would go against her every stinking time. The whole thing with the dogs though. That was pretty cool that they could sense who was about to turn or "change."
Alright; I hate giving things away in my reviews but I just put in at the library for the rest of this series and most series books just tick me off. So that's says something about how much I liked this one.
This book was really good read for me. Had some survival skills going on and of course the kids in the story that have been "changed". Not really zombies because they are still alive but yes alive and eating other peoples is still pretty gross. But what do I do? Read every thing I can get my greedy little hands on that have to do with them.
Poor Alex's character in this book just couldn't win for losing. You would think that she was going to catch a break and bam! it would go against her every stinking time. The whole thing with the dogs though. That was pretty cool that they could sense who was about to turn or "change."
Alright; I hate giving things away in my reviews but I just put in at the library for the rest of this series and most series books just tick me off. So that's says something about how much I liked this one.