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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
3 stars for being technically good - interesting story, characters are decent, and a good mix of hope and despair at the same time.
But I honestly didn't enjoy it and have no desire to continue on in the series.
But I honestly didn't enjoy it and have no desire to continue on in the series.
I found this to be an interesting read looking to what would happen to humanity after a near-apocalyptic event. As you would guess you are in for a bumpy ride as we follow Alex from Cedar Falls Iowa to Illinois. I'm kinda on the fence with a 3 or 3.5 star rating, but because of the cliffhanger-ish ending that didn't really feel quite like an ending.
Now I'm hooked enough to read the other 2 books. But not enough to put an amount of urgency to it. It was an ok read, haven ran across too many decent post/near apocalyptic books (especially in YA) and this is a good one.
Now I'm hooked enough to read the other 2 books. But not enough to put an amount of urgency to it. It was an ok read, haven ran across too many decent post/near apocalyptic books (especially in YA) and this is a good one.
See, YA authors? You can write exciting stories with decently-developed characters in dystopic settings that don't involve stupid high-concept crap.
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow! Absolutely worth the read. If you are a fan of apocalyptic/post apocalyptic fiction, then this is one for you.
Set in the United States, this story follows the perspective of 15 year old Alex who lives in Iowa, after refusing to travel with his family to visit his uncle in Warren, Illinois, Alex is left home alone for a weekend. However, this is also the time when the super volcano under Yellowstone decides its time to erupt.
Alex's world, as well as the rest of the United States, is suddenly upended. Ash falls from the sky; eruptions shake and shatter the earth; mankind becomes cruel and scary. After encountering some frightening and gruesome scenes in his hometown, Alex makes the nerve-wracking choice to set out to meet up with his family-alone.
Alex must traverse across the state of Iowa in deep ash, and he must navigate a landscape that has allowed unkind individuals to rise up. Not all hope is lost, however, as he does encounter a friend in a girl named Darla. Together, they face the ashen wasteland in hopes of being connected with Alex's family.
For a YA novel, this book makes you seriously think. I found myself wondering how I would respond if my family was suddenly thrust into a nightmare such as this. I also found that this story did a great job of highlighting just how great humans can be when we work together. But, in the same vein, I also found it showcased quite well just how horrible we can be when we are pushed to our limits and utilize power for our own good. I am really glad a coworker recommended this novel. I think it's one that is impactful regardless of the person's age!
Set in the United States, this story follows the perspective of 15 year old Alex who lives in Iowa, after refusing to travel with his family to visit his uncle in Warren, Illinois, Alex is left home alone for a weekend. However, this is also the time when the super volcano under Yellowstone decides its time to erupt.
Alex's world, as well as the rest of the United States, is suddenly upended. Ash falls from the sky; eruptions shake and shatter the earth; mankind becomes cruel and scary. After encountering some frightening and gruesome scenes in his hometown, Alex makes the nerve-wracking choice to set out to meet up with his family-alone.
Alex must traverse across the state of Iowa in deep ash, and he must navigate a landscape that has allowed unkind individuals to rise up. Not all hope is lost, however, as he does encounter a friend in a girl named Darla. Together, they face the ashen wasteland in hopes of being connected with Alex's family.
For a YA novel, this book makes you seriously think. I found myself wondering how I would respond if my family was suddenly thrust into a nightmare such as this. I also found that this story did a great job of highlighting just how great humans can be when we work together. But, in the same vein, I also found it showcased quite well just how horrible we can be when we are pushed to our limits and utilize power for our own good. I am really glad a coworker recommended this novel. I think it's one that is impactful regardless of the person's age!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Cannibalism
This book was a great surprise. Great hook that pulled me instantly into the action. I didn't want to put it down. It was a nice change of pace for a post-apocalyptic novel--good old old Mother Nature and horrible human nature being the cause of the conflict instead of war, disease, or zombies.
I could not put this one down and just found out there's another. Others have reviewed it better than I could. I must go prepare my stockpile of food & weapons now and learn taekwondo.
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fun story, and pretty grounded as apocalyptic stories go. The main character doesn’t have much of a personality, besides “determined”.
I really didn't think this book would grab me quite as quickly as it did. Part of it was the setting. The book is set in eastern Iowa. Alex lives in Cedar Falls when the volcano erupts. What volcano you ask? The very real, very massive volcano that lies beneath Yellowstone National Park. He's home alone when it hits.
The world is catipulted into darkness drown out in overwhelming noise. And what's worse, food and water become scarce just as fast. Alex sets out to Warren, IL (just east of where I live). Along the way he sees the best and worst humanity has to offer in Eastern Iowa.
The world is catipulted into darkness drown out in overwhelming noise. And what's worse, food and water become scarce just as fast. Alex sets out to Warren, IL (just east of where I live). Along the way he sees the best and worst humanity has to offer in Eastern Iowa.
There are gay people, autistic people, and disabled people. And yet EVERYONE is white. Except one guy at Walmart who managed to get a "black" descriptor.
Still read the full trilogy over the weekend though. Interesting and well-researched. The pacing in the final book was wild and crazy, but still enjoyable.
Still read the full trilogy over the weekend though. Interesting and well-researched. The pacing in the final book was wild and crazy, but still enjoyable.