Title: Ashfall
Series: Ashfall #1
Author: Mike Mullin | Website
Available: Now
Genre: Dystopian
Reading Level: YA
Description from Goodreads:
Under the bubbling hot springs and geysers of Yellowstone National Park is a supervolcano. Most people don't know it's there. The caldera is so large that it can only be seen from a plane or satellite. It just could be overdue for an eruption, which would change the landscape and climate of our planet.
Ashfall is the story of Alex, a teenage boy left alone for the weekend while his parents visit relatives. When the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts unexpectedly, Alex is determined to reach his parents. He must travel over a hundred miles in a landscape transformed by a foot of ash and the destruction of every modern convenience that he has ever known, and through a new world in which disaster has brought out both the best and worst in people desperate for food, water, and warmth. With a combination of nonstop action, a little romance, and very real science, this is a story that is difficult to stop reading and even more difficult to forget.
My thoughts:
Ashfall is a great read for older teens and adults. Action, romance, volcanoes, and kick ass Tae Kwon Do moves. Mike Mullin has brought something fresh and exiting to not only Young Adult , but the entire dystopian genre.
Ashfall is a frightening tale of survival. This is a book that will infiltrate your dreams and have you waking up in a cold sweat. Even though it managed to thoroughly scare the hell out of me, I couldn't bring myself to stop reading.
The story kicks off with Alex being left alone while his parents make a weekend trip to his uncle's home (approximately 3 hours away). Alex is planning to spend the weekend playing World of Warcraft with no nagging parents or annoying younger sister to deal with. Then a volcano in Yellowstone erupts and life as he knew it is over. He decides he needs to find a way to his uncle's home to make sure his family is ok (kudos to Alex for showing remorse for being a bit of a big fat jerk to his mom). Once on the road it seems evil is lurking around every corner. His path is far from easy and will have readers on the edge of their seats.
Ashfall was much darker than I had anticipated. I'll also admit to skimming any scenes involving animal butchering. I just couldn't stomach it. The plot moved at a rapid pace and some scenes were brutal. I was so stressed for Alex the entire time I read. I was also thoroughly impressed with his ability to survive as well as his compassion for others. Even after being put into several sticky situations because of the greed of others, he was still willing to help those who needed it. He is a really wonderful character. I also adored Darla. She is a very interesting character and great addition to the book.
I was also seriously digging how the gender roles for Alex and Darla were kind of reversed. Who says boys can't show emotion or be softhearted or that girls can't be brilliant when it comes to farming or mechanics? I loved the uniqueness of the characters and their relationship.
I also need to add because I'm a mom and age recs on books are becoming a huge pet peeve of mine. I'm a bit surprised to see a recommended age of 12+ for Ashfall. I have an almost 12 year and I can't imagine him being able to digest some of the situations in this book. There are references and scenes involving rape and cannibalism. There is also adult language, violence, and sex. Scary, scary stuff! It scared me, and I'm well beyond the recommended age ;) I'd be more likely to recommend this for 15+ depending on the child of course.
My Rating:
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Giveaway:
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1 copy also available to an international winner if The Book Depository ships to your country.
