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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
Overall rating: 3.5 / 5 stars
Lately I have really been into stories of survival in crazy situations and this is no exception. 'Ashfall' follows the story of Alex after a supervolcano erupts at Yellowstone National Park. As ash covers the ground and threatens to destroy everything, Alex travels through it all, hoping to reach his parents. He travels hundreds of miles, coming across situations he never thought he would have to deal with.
I really loved the concept of the this story, it was a great depiction of what people will do to survive. It brought out the real sides of the character and let the reader see who they really were. I really liked watching the progression of the main character Alex and seeing how he changed and adapted to an environment he wasn't ready for.
Another character I really enjoyed was Darla. I found it very refreshing that she was a strong person on her own and knew how to take care of herself. She took charge and stood up for herself, a great change of pace from many other teenage female characters.
I also really enjoyed the research Mullin pulled into my this as realistic as it was. I had never even heard of a supervolcano before and loved that he decided to dedicate a part of the book to giving some information on them. I had never even read a book about a eruption, so I was glad to have some background to help me understand things like the darkest and high pitch noise in the story.
One aspect that I wasn't in love with had to do with the rate of progression of the story. About half way through I started to feel that nothing had really changed and he may have been closer to where he was going, but the same things would continue to happen to him. He would travel on the ash and then right when he ran out of resources, he would come across a house or church that was willing to help him.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book, just wish a wider variety of things happened early on. The second half was very good though and I would recommend it to dystopian and post-apocalyptic stories. This definitely one to get your hands on soon.
[An ebook copy of this book was provided by the publisher via netgalley.com in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions, and overall review. I received no compensation for this review.]
Lately I have really been into stories of survival in crazy situations and this is no exception. 'Ashfall' follows the story of Alex after a supervolcano erupts at Yellowstone National Park. As ash covers the ground and threatens to destroy everything, Alex travels through it all, hoping to reach his parents. He travels hundreds of miles, coming across situations he never thought he would have to deal with.
I really loved the concept of the this story, it was a great depiction of what people will do to survive. It brought out the real sides of the character and let the reader see who they really were. I really liked watching the progression of the main character Alex and seeing how he changed and adapted to an environment he wasn't ready for.
Another character I really enjoyed was Darla. I found it very refreshing that she was a strong person on her own and knew how to take care of herself. She took charge and stood up for herself, a great change of pace from many other teenage female characters.
I also really enjoyed the research Mullin pulled into my this as realistic as it was. I had never even heard of a supervolcano before and loved that he decided to dedicate a part of the book to giving some information on them. I had never even read a book about a eruption, so I was glad to have some background to help me understand things like the darkest and high pitch noise in the story.
One aspect that I wasn't in love with had to do with the rate of progression of the story. About half way through I started to feel that nothing had really changed and he may have been closer to where he was going, but the same things would continue to happen to him. He would travel on the ash and then right when he ran out of resources, he would come across a house or church that was willing to help him.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book, just wish a wider variety of things happened early on. The second half was very good though and I would recommend it to dystopian and post-apocalyptic stories. This definitely one to get your hands on soon.
[An ebook copy of this book was provided by the publisher via netgalley.com in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions, and overall review. I received no compensation for this review.]
A little less triteness with the government sponsored bad guys and I would have upped it to 5 stars. I love a good survival drama and this definitely delivered.
It took me awhile to read the last 50 pages, reguardless I really liked this one. I love the growth everyone goes through but especially the main character. Its like this could be future end of the life as we know it thing and I think the author did a great job given that the only supervolcanoes happened before we kept records. read it!
I stopped reading at page 300 because it wasn't appropriate for my 7th graders, and I didn't think it was well-written enough to keep my interest anyway.
Not your typical dystopia.
Did you know there's a super-volcano under Yellowstone? That much is true. This book aims to deal with what might happen if it decided to blow its top one day.
Alex, a spoiled and somewhat snarky teenager, insisted on staying home while his parents and sister went to visit family for the weekend, and therefore was alone when the eruption hit. Ash fell like a snowstorm, inches of it, making it impossible to breathe, use machinery (the works got gummed up from the ash), or use electricity. With Alex's house in shambles (it was hit by falling debris), he decides to set out on the 100+ mile journey to his uncle's house, on cross-country skis.
Did you know there's a super-volcano under Yellowstone? That much is true. This book aims to deal with what might happen if it decided to blow its top one day.
Alex, a spoiled and somewhat snarky teenager, insisted on staying home while his parents and sister went to visit family for the weekend, and therefore was alone when the eruption hit. Ash fell like a snowstorm, inches of it, making it impossible to breathe, use machinery (the works got gummed up from the ash), or use electricity. With Alex's house in shambles (it was hit by falling debris), he decides to set out on the 100+ mile journey to his uncle's house, on cross-country skis.
Was this book entertaining? Yes. Did it explore an interesting concept? Yes. Was it written like a fanfic? Yes.
3.5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS
Ashfall starts out with an interesting premise about the erruption of the yellowstone supervolcano. While the are dark bits in it regarding violence and starvation, and sexual assault overal it is fitting for young adults. The best parts for me was how the noise, the ash changes the entire atmosphere and Darla. I also read Darla's story: the prequel short story and absolutely love Darla.
This was a fun quickish read and while it wasn't the best YA book I've ever read it was intriguing and worth it.
Ashfall starts out with an interesting premise about the erruption of the yellowstone supervolcano. While the are dark bits in it regarding violence and starvation, and sexual assault overal it is fitting for young adults. The best parts for me was how the noise, the ash changes the entire atmosphere and Darla. I also read Darla's story: the prequel short story and absolutely love Darla.
This was a fun quickish read and while it wasn't the best YA book I've ever read it was intriguing and worth it.
Read this based on a recommendation from a student of mine. Good apocalyptic YA, with the benefit of being scientifically accurate (as much as possible).
Okay maybe I didn't like this because it wasn't at all what I expected, but man. What a bummer. I read about 200 pages in and I just can't help but compare it to the much superior "The Road". It's so similar but this just doesn't pull off the whole "hardship after hardship in a dark world" nearly as well. Alex seems like such a weak character and Darla I just can't place too well. Then the scene with her mom just seemed too quick PLUS escaping Target again so easily. Seriously? I was so excited to read a book based on the Supervolcano explosion, but the writing was too quick and there is just not nearly enough detail or suspense.
Just not for me, no thanks.
Just not for me, no thanks.
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No