Ashes

Ashes Trilogy, Book 1

By: Ilsa J. Bick

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

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 crushes 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.

©2011 Ilsa J. Bick (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"For fans of postapocalyptic and horror fiction, Bick has created a story of equal parts intrigue and gore…Katherine Kellgren narrates the tension-filled action at a lightning pace…The author’s frenetic characterization of Alex is tempered by Kellgren’s ability to draw the listener into each scene." ( Audiofile)

2012 Audie Award Nominee, Female Solo Narration

Great idea

Where does Ashes rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Ashes is a good book--but something is missing. I did not become engrossed in the story and never lost track of time as I do with books that really grip me--that said, I will listen to this again and I dont feel as if I wasted a credit--I had a difficult time with the star rating system...it does not seem to make sense that I give story/performance a 4-star but overall a 3 star...I based that rating on many more factors than just Story/performance...its relationship to other books in the genre...my initial expectations...and my incomplete satisfaction at the end of the book...and the fact that I was not thinking about the story after it was over and was fine moving on to something else...I was not sad it was over...so it gets a 3 overall

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ashes?

One of the ideas or themes that I found memorable was the point/progression of Alex's realization of her gift...the dogs...the enhanced senses (trying not to give away too much)--

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

I was able to distinguish between characters...and I thought she did a fine job portraying all ages quite convincingly

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

no--not all engrossing

Any additional comments?

I do like Katherine Kellgren--but I did not like the scenes that were to be portrayed as intense in which she chose to get louder and speak faster...almost too fast...I kept wondering if she was ever going to breathe again...I understand the intent but the execution seemed forced. I have the feeling this, being the first of a trilogy, is meant to lay the foundation and the next will be more engrossing. I will try the next one and give this a chance as it is a genre I quite enjoy...

Cliff Hangers

What made the experience of listening to Ashes the most enjoyable?

Katherine Kellgren is one of the best audible has to offer, she brings each each person to life. IIsa is a very good writer and the two together makes the story come to life. The one thing that upset me was the clif hanger type ending, even though I NEVER suspected the twist comming.

Great mix of author and reader.

Ashes is reminiscent of Stephen King's - Stand. Not to imply that Ashes rips it off, only that is the story my mind kept comparing it to. The lead character finds herself in the woods burdened with a troubled child when a world changing event befalls mankind. Some people turn feral, some drop dead on the spot, others change in more subtle ways but none are left unchanged. This is a look into what would happen if scociety really did break.
Yes some brainfried people even start eating other people!
K. Kellgren reads this story the way I wish all readers would. She is a quick and emotional reader that puts you in the action. There were several times in the story I found myself gripping the steering wheel wide eyed with the excitment. (no telling what my fellow motorist thought)
I recomend this book to anyone who is bored with predictable.

Not what I expected!

Overall, I liked the story, but kept thinking about the book, The Twelve. Apocalypse and creatures that feed on humans. Not at all what I expected. I really liked how Kellgren got my blood pumping in the crucial moments of crazy activity. She read it as if she was narrating while she fended off the "Changed". I do like the implications of who is left to run things and it also reminded me somewhat of Under the Dome, where people put their trust in the wrong people out of fear and routine. Overall, I LOVED the ending, which left me NEEDING to get the second in the trilogy.

Slow...

Not sure if I'm interested enough to continue with the series. Needs a little pep.

Predictable

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not really worth the time. Was not the captivating. After reading the Passage books this one was boring and ordinary.

I will not be getting the last 2 books.

A book of two halves

What did you like best about Ashes? What did you like least?

Great premise, breathtaking pacing and a real page turner that keeps you on the edge of your seat...
Until the second half of the book when it all becomes tiresomely about the character worrying endlessly about which boys like her. A real disappointment and totally at odds with the first half of the book where she is a strong self-dependent survivor.

What was most disappointing about Ilsa J. Bick’s story?

A truly great setting in the forest, with a well thought through set of characters just decends into weak prepubescent tosh in the latter half of the book. Totally unbelievable given the set-up and frustratingly at odds with earlier promise.

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

A fantastic delivery and real passion for the prose - this actually works against the story when we become embroiled in the boyfriends scenario later on.

Did Ashes inspire you to do anything?

It inpsired me to seek out other Kellgren-voiced audiobooks, and to avoid the remaining books in the series from Bick.

Any additional comments?

Really worth listening to the first half of the book which is truly great - just never venture into part two.

Fantastic

Absolutely loved it! Kept me on pins and needles all the way through!
Can't wait to start book two!

Zombie Romance to be continued

modern Lord of the Flies zombie novel after electromagnetic pulse with the addition of a couple romance his throne in

good book

good book I will buy the second one when it comes out. It was worth the credit