ASHES By Ilsa J. Bick

ASHES
Author: Ilsa J. Bick
Publisher: Egmont (September 6, 2011)
Source: Library
Rating: 5/5

IT COULD HAPPEN TOMORROW. . .

An Electromagnetic Pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions.

Alex hiked into the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out what happened after the pulse crushed her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom-a young soldier- and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP.

For this improvised family and the others who are spared, it's now a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human.

Author Ilsa J. Bick crafts a terrifying and thrilling novel about a world that could be ours at any moment, where those left standing must learn what it means not just to survive, but to live amidst the devastation.

Review: I would not survive this. I'd be eaten by a zombie, they wouldn't even have to chase me down because out of fear I would never sleep and pass out right in front of one.

But the zombies have to eat someone right?

The other possibility is because I've read so many books about survival, my inner heroin would come out and knowing exactly what to do, save everyone. That's what I hope for anyway. Well actually I hope we never have to deal with this kind of stuff, but if we did...

ASHES is one of the darker YA novels I've read that really makes me think: What if that happened? Ilsa J. Bick created a beautiful book, with so many emotions in it. My heart was pounding at some parts, I could not put it down. There's a few really chilling parts in the book, but it actually wasn't that scary, sometimes I did think Eww. But Bick jumped right to the next action scene and I had to continue on.

When the EMP goes off Alex is hiking in Michigan (Bick gets bonus points for setting it in Michigan). Trying to decide what to do with her life, what to do with her brain tumor ('the monster'). She sets off to find help with eight year old Ellie, and along the way teams up with a guy named Tom who saves them from the cannibals. As it goes on a slow, sweet relationship develops between Alex and Tom, and Alex now fights to live, no longer going against her tumor but the horrors of the world.

In the middle of ASHES everything changes dramatically, almost making it seem like a different book.

At the end Ilsa does what all great authors do with great edge-of-your-seat books, she makes the end a cliffhanger. I can't wait to see what happens to Alex and her friends next in SHADOWS. So. Far. Away...



NEXT REVIEW: Forever by Maggie Stiefvater.

Cleopatra's Moon

Cleopatra's Moon
Author: Vicky Alvear Shecter
Young Adult, Scholastic
368 pages
Source: Library
Rating: 5/5









Summary: 
Selene has grown up in a palace on the Nile with her parents, Cleopatra & Mark Antony—the most brilliant, powerful rulers on earth. But the jealous Roman Emperor Octavianus wants Egypt for himself, & when war finally comes, Selene faces the loss of all she's ever loved. Forced to build a new life in Octavianus's household in Rome, she finds herself torn between two young men and two possible destinies—until she reaches out to claim her own.
This stunning novel brings to life the personalities & passions of one of the greatest dramas in history, & offers a wonderful new heroine in Selene.


Review: This book is why I love historical fiction. An amazingly written book that flies by much to fast, but keeps you interested from beginning to end. Of course you also know what happens so there aren't are many surprises.

Selene was amazing. I think I would have loved to have known here. She was strong thorough everything, honestly I didn't know she went though that much, from their parents deaths to how the Romans treated them. And the book is pretty historically correct, so I'm sure it was all true.
I know some of you probably read the summary and though 'Another love triangle? Ugh, no thanks'. But it's not a big one, its not even a true love triangle. The story mostly focuses on Selene, the love for her family, her determination to become queen, and how she separates herself from her mother. Romance is just a plus.

I really enjoyed this book, it leaves you wanting more. Which is the only bad thing about historical fiction based on true events, there isn't more.

ASHES, ASHES By Jo Treggiari

ASHES, ASHES
Author: Jo Treggiari
Publisher: Scholastic (June, 2011)
Pages: 344
Source: Library
Rating: 3/5







Summary: A thrilling tale of adventure, romance, and one girl's unyielding courage through the darkest of nightmares.

Epidemics, floods, droughts--for sixteen-year-old Lucy, the end of the world came and went, taking 99% of the population with it. As the weather continues to rage out of control, and Sweepers clean the streets of plague victims, Lucy survives alone in the wilds of Central Park. But when she's rescued from a pack of hunting dogs by a mysterious boy named Aidan, she reluctantly realizes she can't continue on her own. She joins his band of survivors, yet, a new danger awaits her: the Sweepers are looking for her. There's something special about Lucy, and they will stop at nothing to have her.

My Thoughts:

I think dystopian is the new vampire. Hopefully, because vampires are becoming a bit too much, you know? Anyway, I really loved the idea of this book, very interesting. But, while it was a good book it lacked something.

Lucy is a great character, a strong heroine focused on surviving. And she doesn't get any special powers or anything, she's just Lucy. Which is nice, there's too many stereotype heroines and wimpy girls (Cough-Bella-Cough) in YA books. Aidan was okay, but we never really learned that much about him. But other then that he's a pretty cool guy. Henry and Del were just eh.

When Lucy goes to live in the community things sometimes would drag on, it becomes more about avoiding the sweepers, and why she's special. Then there's a crazy love pentagon, while many YA books have love triangles, I don't think pentagons are the new thing. Points to Treggiari for trying though.

I really did like the book, but like I said, it dragged sometimes, and was a tad over detailed. But if you like YA dystopian books, you should love this. A fun short read, with a exciting story.

P.S. RIP Steve Jobs, I'm sure he's in a better place, a place where even he is awed.