Wednesday 26 October 2011

Ashes by Ilsa J Bick

For Review: Quercus
Published: 29 September 2011

From Goodreads: Alex has run away and is hiking through the wilderness with her dead parents' ashes, about to say goodbye to the life she no longer wants to live. But then the world suddenly changes. An electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the sky zapping every electronic device and killing the vast majority of adults. For those spared, it's a question of who can be trusted and who has changed... Everyone still alive has turned - some for the better (those who acquired a superhuman sense) while others for the worse (those who acquired a taste for human flesh). Desperate to find out what happened and to avoid the zombies that are on the hunt, Alex meets up with Tom - an Army veteran who escaped one war only to find something worse at home - and Ellie, a young girl whose grandfather was killed by the electromagnetic pulse. This improvised family will have to use every ounce of courage they have just to find food, shelter, while fighting off the 'Changed' and those desperate to stay alive. A tense and involving adventure with shocks and sudden plot twists that will keep teen and adult readers gripped.

I have been looking forward to this book since I first read the synopsis. YA horror, dystopian and Zombies? How could I possible resist?  And it's seriously, seriously awesome!

Alex is a fantastic lead - she has a lot to deal with and just seems to get on with in. She's very capable, comes across as someone you can really depend on and I really liked her. Ellie is annoying but in a lovable way and Tom is gorgeous! I really took to him. And I loved the scenes between the three of them - how they really seem to have a genuine connection.

The whole novel is terrifying and just completely gripping - I read the whole thing in one sitting because I couldn't pull myself away. Ilsa J Bick has an interesting style of writing - it's very matter of fact and it doesn't shy away from some of the rather gruesome details! And expect the unexpected! There were twist and turns galore - which I absolutely loved. There is also a bit of a shift about two thirds of the way in - changing the pace slightly by slowing things down and introducing some new (and very interesting) characters. It's just as suspenseful as the first part of the novel, just in a different way.

And, of course, there is the cliffhanger ending! Which, as usual,  made me want to throw the book across the room! But despite making this feel like part one of a larger story I did actually really like the ending. I like being excited to read the next one in the series - I just wish I didn't have such a long wait to find out how all the characters are doing.

Seriously good, addictive and compulsive reading for horror and dystopian fans. I can't wait for the next book to be released!

5 comments:

The Book Bug said...

Ooooh, nice review! I've been hearing nothing but good things about this book - methinks that I really ought to pick it up soon ...

Jill the OWL said...

Glad to see it's getting good reviews since I've been interested in it! Also - I love this cover compared to the one I've seen!

Cliona said...

I really want to read this and it's been getting rave reviews so I think I'll have to read it!!

So Many Books, So Little Time said...

Man, I loved this book! But that ending...

Jesse Owen (Reading to Life) said...

You had me with YA Horror, Dystopia and Zombies - can't really ask for more :D

Fantastic review - it's going on the ever growing wishlist :D

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