{ Ashes by Ilsa J Bick }

Ashes by Ilsa J Bick

Sept 6, 2011 by Edgemont USA

Source: NetGalley ARC

Format: ebook

From Goodreads:

It could happen tomorrow...

A cataclysmic event. An army of 'The Changed'.

Can one teen really survive on her own?

An electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the sky, destroying every electronic device and killing billions. For those spared, it's a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human...

Desperate to find out what happened and to avoid the Changed, Alex meets up with Tom - a young army veteran - 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 survive.

My Review:

I love, love, love this book! Many times I was left breathless and filled with so much emotion. The tears were overflowing and the stomach was over-turning! Ashes is definitely one of my top reads of 2011!

The connection to this story began instantly with Alex, the main character. Here is this girl, who at the age of seventeen, has already been through more heartbreak and obstacles than most adults will see their entire lives. And then, the unthinkable happens.

The world building within this book is why I love post-apocalyptic dystopian so much. There is just enough truthful fact to make this story so terrifyingly believable. And throughout the story you keep asking yourself, 'What would I do'? 'Would I survive'?

Ilsa J Bick's characters, despite the horrific situations they are forced to with stand, are so full of life, strength and love. And because of this, it was easy to connect and fall in love with Alex, Tom and Ellie. I whole heartily felt every victory and heartbreak along with them. But then Alex's life is turned upside down yet again as she is thrown into the town of Rule and separated from Tom and Ellie.

The dynamics within Rule are very cult-like as Alex quickly learns. Rule is very mysterious and creepy as is the council that oversees all. I love it! The town is also filled with more dynamic characters like Jess, Kincaid, the Reverend and Chris. Each of these characters has a pivotal role in Alex's life within Rule. And then a few play a crucial role as Alex is forced to learn the truth about Rule in the heart stopping final pages.

In the end, I recommend this book to all! If you are already a lover of post-apocalyptic dystopian you will devour Ashes. If you are new to the genre and the mention of 'zombies' makes you cringe? Take a chance. I promise you will love it. It is so worth the read and getting to know Alex, Tom, Ellie, Jess, Kincaid, Chris and the town of Rule. I will be reserving a spot on my bookshelf for Ashes and counting down for the next book. I will also be looking for every book ever written by Ilsa J Bick!!

Rating: 5 Stars!