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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
This is a very inspirational, adventure book about the world after the Yellowstone super-volcano explodes and "the world goes boom." I enjoyed reading this book and I am very excited to finish reading this series. I enjoyed how the novel starts off with an exciting pace and you don't have to drag along to get to the meat of the novel. The characters are very thought-out and the backstories are not pointless and have a lot of meaning and worth to them. This novel was thought-out just as wonderfully as J. K. Rowing's novels and I just wish there was some symbolism. There were several meaningful quotes and I would tell anyone looking to read a fast-pace, exciting, good book to read this novel.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault
Started out good...got increasingly more ridiculous as time went on.
A riveting story of hope and loss tales place after the eruption of Yellowstone's super volcano. I absolutely loved the book. From beginning to end i was quickly turning the pages and when it was over i was thrilled to see there were more. The book kept me on my toes and is a definite read for anyone who loves adventure, and post apocalyptic futures. The scariest thing about the book? It could really happen.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Review originally posted on my blog: http://killie-booktalk.blogspot.com/
Ashfall is the first book that I received via Netgalley and as I have always enjoyed dystopian stories I was excited to see that I could get this ARC through the site. Now that I have actually finished the book I really have to thank Netgalley, Tangelwood Press & Mike Mullin for enabling me to read this enjoyable page turner.
The story itself follows Alex, a regular 15 year old boy who is left alone for the weekend at his home in Cedar Falls, Iowa when his parents and sister go away to visit his Uncle. His life is changed forever however as the super volcano in Yellowstone Park erupts in a huge explosion spewing debris & ash across the entire country. With his home badly damaged, communications cut off and chaos beginning to descend Alex decides to set out alone to find his parents. Alex then travels on a dangerous, long and fearsome journey across a bleak and dystopian landscape.
I have to admit that I do enjoy post-apocalyptic and disaster related fiction, so Ashfall was probably always going to appeal to me. However, I do think that even if this hadn’t been a favourite genre of mine I would have enjoyed it anyway. The descriptions of the volcanic explosion’s aftermath are superb and Mullin has created some really intense scenes that came across with a feeling of genuine realism. I could easily imagine the social breakdown evident in the story coming to pass in the face of such a cataclysm.
I would add that there are some rather mature topics covered in the story due to the setting. This includes references to cannibalism, rape and murder, but these events are not dwelt upon and are all relevant to the story that is being told. Mullin’s does try and temper these sections though with the odd bit of humour and a mild romantic side plot. In fact, I was happy to see that the romantic plot wasn’t some example of instant love at first sight. The two characters actually develop a relationship through the hardships they face together.
My only small criticism is that at times the story would slow down quite notably and some bits felt a little bit repetitive. Of course, when you consider that a lot of the story relates around people trying to struggle through deep ash and snow it is probably understandable. It didn’t really detract from the overall story though as around these slower sections, the plot flew by with action and thrills aplenty.
In regards to the characters, Ashfall is mainly built around two major characters and the author has worked hard to develop them. They both have their own flaws but are also intelligent people who are incredibly likeable. Alex has an internal strength and nobility that he at times seems blind to and his determination to find his family is admirable. Then there is Darla who is smart and witty, with a knowledge of machines that I would love to possess. These two characters really suffer throughout the journey but their core personalities and beliefs keep them going.
In conclusion, I found Ashfall to be a great page turner. It is a superb dystopian post-apocalyptic story full of intensity, despair and yet a little bit of hope. I think anyone who enjoys this genre should pick this book up and give it a read. For myself, I am looking forward to the second book in the trilogy, Ashen Winter which is due out in 2012.
Ashfall is the first book that I received via Netgalley and as I have always enjoyed dystopian stories I was excited to see that I could get this ARC through the site. Now that I have actually finished the book I really have to thank Netgalley, Tangelwood Press & Mike Mullin for enabling me to read this enjoyable page turner.
The story itself follows Alex, a regular 15 year old boy who is left alone for the weekend at his home in Cedar Falls, Iowa when his parents and sister go away to visit his Uncle. His life is changed forever however as the super volcano in Yellowstone Park erupts in a huge explosion spewing debris & ash across the entire country. With his home badly damaged, communications cut off and chaos beginning to descend Alex decides to set out alone to find his parents. Alex then travels on a dangerous, long and fearsome journey across a bleak and dystopian landscape.
I have to admit that I do enjoy post-apocalyptic and disaster related fiction, so Ashfall was probably always going to appeal to me. However, I do think that even if this hadn’t been a favourite genre of mine I would have enjoyed it anyway. The descriptions of the volcanic explosion’s aftermath are superb and Mullin has created some really intense scenes that came across with a feeling of genuine realism. I could easily imagine the social breakdown evident in the story coming to pass in the face of such a cataclysm.
I would add that there are some rather mature topics covered in the story due to the setting. This includes references to cannibalism, rape and murder, but these events are not dwelt upon and are all relevant to the story that is being told. Mullin’s does try and temper these sections though with the odd bit of humour and a mild romantic side plot. In fact, I was happy to see that the romantic plot wasn’t some example of instant love at first sight. The two characters actually develop a relationship through the hardships they face together.
My only small criticism is that at times the story would slow down quite notably and some bits felt a little bit repetitive. Of course, when you consider that a lot of the story relates around people trying to struggle through deep ash and snow it is probably understandable. It didn’t really detract from the overall story though as around these slower sections, the plot flew by with action and thrills aplenty.
In regards to the characters, Ashfall is mainly built around two major characters and the author has worked hard to develop them. They both have their own flaws but are also intelligent people who are incredibly likeable. Alex has an internal strength and nobility that he at times seems blind to and his determination to find his family is admirable. Then there is Darla who is smart and witty, with a knowledge of machines that I would love to possess. These two characters really suffer throughout the journey but their core personalities and beliefs keep them going.
In conclusion, I found Ashfall to be a great page turner. It is a superb dystopian post-apocalyptic story full of intensity, despair and yet a little bit of hope. I think anyone who enjoys this genre should pick this book up and give it a read. For myself, I am looking forward to the second book in the trilogy, Ashen Winter which is due out in 2012.
I am pleasantly surprised with Ashfall. When I got it on my Kindle (yes, I read digital books. I still like traditional books better, though), I figured that it was just a generic apocalypse about a volcanic eruption or something. And it took me awhile to actually open it up once it was on my Kindle. But when I did, eventually read it, I was...well surprised. Like I said.
This story is about a boy named Alex. He lives in a small town in Iowa and is a typical teen boy. His parents decide to go on a little road trip to visit family in Illinois without him. Alex expects to just spend the weekend as a semi-lonely teenage boy. That is, until a rock crashes into his house. Alex is forced to fight his way out the collapsed house and seek refuge with neighbors. An incessant, loud, sound follows for three days while Alex hides out in a house. Meanwhile, the Earth is coated with ash from what they later find out is a super volcano. Eventually, Alex promises himself that he will find his family. So, he treks out of his town, his destination: a small town in Illinois where he hopes his family is. On the way, he faces many obstacles and he also meets Darla, a tough, hardcore girl who fixes Alex up when he collapses in her and her mom's barn. And eventually, they both make their way toward Illinois, still facing problems.
I liked the concept. I've seen things on TV about the possibility of a supervolcano at Yellowstone to erupt at any moment. I live in Chicago, and although that's a bit farther from Alex's home in Iowa, a situation similar to Alex could happen to me. I also liked the relationship between Alex and Darla. I liked how Alex wasn't some macho guy who always felt the need to save his girl. Actually, half the time, Darla saved him. Darla had some grit, which is sometimes lacking from female characters (especially when there's a guy narrating). They were a very strong, realistic couple and that's what most stories like this need.
Overall, good story and I am awaiting the sequel.
This story is about a boy named Alex. He lives in a small town in Iowa and is a typical teen boy. His parents decide to go on a little road trip to visit family in Illinois without him. Alex expects to just spend the weekend as a semi-lonely teenage boy. That is, until a rock crashes into his house. Alex is forced to fight his way out the collapsed house and seek refuge with neighbors. An incessant, loud, sound follows for three days while Alex hides out in a house. Meanwhile, the Earth is coated with ash from what they later find out is a super volcano. Eventually, Alex promises himself that he will find his family. So, he treks out of his town, his destination: a small town in Illinois where he hopes his family is. On the way, he faces many obstacles and he also meets Darla, a tough, hardcore girl who fixes Alex up when he collapses in her and her mom's barn. And eventually, they both make their way toward Illinois, still facing problems.
I liked the concept. I've seen things on TV about the possibility of a supervolcano at Yellowstone to erupt at any moment. I live in Chicago, and although that's a bit farther from Alex's home in Iowa, a situation similar to Alex could happen to me. I also liked the relationship between Alex and Darla. I liked how Alex wasn't some macho guy who always felt the need to save his girl. Actually, half the time, Darla saved him. Darla had some grit, which is sometimes lacking from female characters (especially when there's a guy narrating). They were a very strong, realistic couple and that's what most stories like this need.
Overall, good story and I am awaiting the sequel.
adventurous
medium-paced
medium-paced