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

interesting take on the "zombie" genre

the narrator did a great job and had a clear voice.

the story at times is predictable, but still kept you interested. many things were realistic feeling. It's a slightly different take on the "zombie" genre.

loved the book since middle school but sheesh

Ashes has been one of my favorite books since I was in like 7th grade, and trust me when I say I've read it a bajillion times. I literally read it so much that my original copy fell apart and I had to replace it. so I love this story. I hate the narrator, her voice sounds like a robot at times, probably should've been a younger girl reading it, for authenticity

Good story rather poorly read.

I'm hoping the producers heed the many negative comments made about the narration. With better direction this would have been a really enjoyable story. Instead I was rooting for the bad guys most of the book.

REALLY Graphic

I liked the book initially but as I listened further it became increasingly graphic, dark and disturbing. There were several themes/topics that actually led to me to decide not to finish the book-they were descriptive violence, cannibalism and several other dark themes. I'm disappointed that the book is over the top with such gratuitous details.

A great story-appealing even if you don't like Z's

Any additional comments?

I was surprised at how wonderful this book is. I sure hope that it is indeed just book one....eagerly awaiting the next in the series. Narration was good too.

Good firtst book in this series

I enjoyed this book, good story line, a little different setting than I am used to in my zombie books so that was enjoyable. I will be listening to book 2 next

Great Book!!! I finished it in two days.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend this audio-book to many of my friends and I have. I am writing this review after listen to the book two. I do love apocalyptic fiction and Ashes took me on a great horrible adventure.I loved ever minute of it, surviving the wilderness and zombies? Boy I need step up my fitness routine. I didn't feel like the book was split in two halves or written by two different authors, as other reviewers stated. I hate to say this and I am only comparing this book to the TV show, but this is waaaaaay better that Walking Dead (I am a die hard Walking Dead fan). I mean zombies who haven't completely lost all of their senses.

What did you like best about this story?

There were several twists, revelations, and an unrelenting assortment of obstacles, lots of blood & gore as well as fight-for-your-life action. I could not get enough.

Have you listened to any of Katherine Kellgren’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

It turns out that I have listened to her before, but this series is by far the best. I loved Katherine Kellgren's performance, I felt as those I was not only listening to the story unfold, but I was in the thick of it as well. There is nothing worse than listening to an audio-book and feeling like I could have done better job than the narrator.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Hold on to your lunch and try not to look away.

Any additional comments?

Don't let the negative reviews stop you from buying this book, if you like action you don't want to miss out on this one. Don't wait to buy book 2.

Good book, Awful to listen to

This book is good. Maybe even really good. But the performance of the narrator is TRAGIC. I thought maybe the sample was bad because of a tense moment, but pretty much the whole book was read in that super loud/screamy voice.

Too far fetched, even for fiction.

I was disappointed in this one, zombies from an EMP a stretch, but the pace of the supposed societal regrouping was even harder to " buy into". The story line was raced and never built my loyalty to the characters, and the ending was even worst, it felt like the author just got tired of the effort.

I like the Narrator, she keeps me awake.

I saw some criticism of the Narrator. Well, Katherine Kelgrin certainly isn't monotone. I like to listen to books while I do other things. Monotone authors don't grab me into the stories unless I stop working and pay close attention.It isn't a bedtime story. I have also heard the narrator in other books.

Ashes kept my interest enough that I'm am already listening to the next in the series.
I don't usually like dystopian novels but I like this one.