Review: "Ashes" by Ilsa J Bick

When I first picked up this book I did so because I'd seen a few good reviews of it around and about and I was enjoying the fab little trend of dystopian fiction that is still running its course in YA at the moment. However, my hopes weren't huge because I'm one of those despicable human beings who judges books by their covers. This cover was just a bit...is “80s” the right term?...for me.

Well give me a sturdy slap on the wrist, I must learn to obey old clichés as this was a book that I should not have judged by its cover. And I should not have expected it to fit into the sometimes (though not always) sanguine niche that YA can be. Don't bite, I said it can be!

For me, Ashes was a book that provided plenty of the darkness and grit that its title suggested. When an EMP causes all electronics to faulter and also interferes with the teeny tiny electrical pulses in the brains of humans, a whole heap of...poop...hits the fan! Only the very young and very old survive intact...save for a few exceptions such as Alex, the protagonist. Others survive, but as maddened inhumane creatures, similar to the "sickos" in Charlie Higson's The Enemy series, or the raging "infected" in 28 Days Later.

The idea of the masses succumbing to a force that leaves them insane and blood thirsty is not new. The dystopian premise of technology falling down around our ears is not new either. So what about this book made me love it as much as I did? It was a combination of things really. I loved Alex as the protagonist. She goes to the mountains to bury her past and to admit that, due to a brain tumor, she has no future. Instead it is her tumor and the treatments she's had for it that saves her from the EMP and allows her to begin her story. These are things you find out in the first pages so I don't think I'm spoiling anything for you.

I'm thoroughly looking forward to the sequel to this (already on my Goodreads Wishlist) and finding out how Bick tortures her protagonist further.

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6 people found this helpful

You Never Know... This Might Just Happen !!

Would you listen to Ashes again? Why?

Yes, I really enjoyed listening to this book, it has a good sense of reality throughout the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ashes?

When they found the rangers cabin, and what went on there... (don't want to give too much away)

Have you listened to any of Katherine Kellgren’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No, This is the first book I have listened to by Katherine Kellgren

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device in the world

Any additional comments?

Have added "Shadows", the second book in the Ashes Trilogy: where no one is safe and humans may be the worst of the monsters. to my wish list..

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Too many unanswered questions.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

It was enjoyable, but I am frustrated by this idea that a lot of new writers have, that book one of a trilogy means you don't have to actually complete a story.
I understand wanting people to be intrigued enough to buy the next book, but this has so many unanswered questions it basically felt like a prologue and not a complete book and that leaves me feeling cheated.

Would you be willing to try another book from Ilsa J. Bick? Why or why not?

Possibly. I did want to know what happens next, but I also did not want to be given no answers and 26 more questions by the end of book two, so it has put me off continuing. The overall idea of something sending an electro-magnetic pulse that changes the planet was intriguing enough, it didn't need to end almost part way through a scene. That feeling of being cheated by the author has put me off.

Which character – as performed by Katherine Kellgren – was your favourite?

Alex or Tom.

Did Ashes inspire you to do anything?

It inspired me to be warier of buying the first book in a series without checking reviews.

Any additional comments?

Well written, but does not feel like book one of a trilogy, more like a piece of one book.

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Beware. Something like this could really happen

What did you like about this audiobook?

Very possible plot

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

Next book added to my wish list

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Very imaginative description

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Why would there be anything wrong.

Do you have any additional comments?

This is described as young adults. I would say that any adult who likes fantasy would like this.

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1 person found this helpful

hooked

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, great story, great characters and had me wanting more.expertly read by katherine.

What other book might you compare Ashes to, and why?

the twelve trilogy by justin cronin, ilsa's books come close second. same kind of theme

What does Katherine Kellgren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

excitement, suspense,

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes, but sadly i had to work....but couldnt wait to hear more at the first oppertunity

Any additional comments?

this book was read superbly, i cant wait for the next one. i need to know what happens to the characters as they are amazing

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Good story spoilt by narrator

The semi-hysterical, high-pitched tones of the narrator at any moment in the book where the action picks up makes this an uncomfortable listen.

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6 people found this helpful

Fast paced action that is quite gory

Would you consider the audio edition of Ashes to be better than the print version?

Havent read the print version

Who was your favorite character and why?

Alex a feisty female seemed to lead the way and the story followed her actions and thoughts.

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

I don't often read this type of genre but was interested in the thoughts and ideas she put forward. Never certain about why the zombie concept is created. However the scenario around why the end of the world as we know it evolved through discussion between Alex and Tom was well managed

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were some great relationship developing moments between the main characters

Any additional comments?

Not a book for the faint hearted. It is very gory in places. however I like the pace and I kept listening

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Interesting start but...

Would you try another book written by Ilsa J. Bick or narrated by Katherine Kellgren?

I'm not sure I would try a different book. This one seemed to start well, but somewhere around the middle I had completely lost the plot. There is only so many times i want to rewind a story before I give up.

Would you ever listen to anything by Ilsa J. Bick again?

Depends on the narrator.

How could the performance have been better?

The performance was frantic to say the least. Someone needs to calm the lady down!

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment considering all the good reviews.

Any additional comments?

The are plenty of much better end of the world / zombie teen stories.

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Poorly performed

I read and really enjoyed this book a couple of years back, and thought I'd buy the audiobook to refresh my memory of the story before reading the next in the series. I was really disappointed with the reading of the story however, the reader really over acted some of the scenes and was virtually shrieking and babbling some of the scenes where the lead character was panicked or upset which just forced me to switch off. I will be returning this title

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awful

sorry but the narrator's voice really grated on me and I had to turn the volume down. however I did preserve, but it became too gruesome for me and I had to abandon it. it wasn't my genre as all these science fiction stories bore me.

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