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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.