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 zombie stories

I like the whole idea of the mixture of types of stories to tell this story with new light.

the end

doesn't end right
leave you wondering what happens next...
story is not bad at all

Unbearable Narrator

Would you try another book from Ilsa J. Bick and/or Katherine Kellgren?

I am only two hours into this book, and I almost can't listen anymore. There is a fine line between drama and melodrama, and Katherine Kellgren crosses it at absolutely every opportunity. I'm astonished she has been nominated for so many Audies. Her shrieking affects me like fingernails on a chalk board, which is a shame because I am particularly intrigued by postapocalyptic fiction. If Kellgren narrates the sequel, I'll have to remember to just get the book from my library.

Great Book but the Narrator...

The book was well written and I can't wait for the second one but I am hoping the Narrator will take the hint not to be so shrill when the action picks up. Ilsa Bick did a wonderful job with the story line. As a fan of apocalypse books this one has great twist on the theme.

To much like Hunger Games

It's the end of the world and another beautiful teenage girl makes it through
( with a lot of gory stuff to get past) only to fall in love with two different guys... Heard it before. The narrater read in a perpetual state of panic.

got Xanax?!?

The Narrator needs to take a chill pill...I agree with wanting to add some drama but you don't need to SKREEEEEEEECH at people...UGH!! The only thing that got me through was when she softened her voice for other characters.
That being said (by many people!) I really liked the story! She did a great job with the "ending"...as soon as it was over i ran to my pc to download the next book...I couldn't wait! I was SO bummed when i found out it wasn't out yet!! However...now that i've calmed down i know i will wait until other people listen to it first to find out if she stopped SKREECHING...if not i will read the book.

Gripping!!!!

I loved this book!!! Now I'm going crazy waiting for the sequels. Ilsa J. Bick grabbed me from the very beginning and carried me through to the last page. She's a fine writer who knows how to craft an exciting, deeply engaging story. The narrater of "Ashes," Katherine Kellgren, gave an exceptional performance and I hope to hear lots more from her in the future. My only complaint is that the next two books aren't available yet!

THE ENDING MADE ME WANT TO STRANGLE SOMEONE!!!!!!

The first half of this book was so great I wanted it to never end, but about half way thru it kinda died out. Its still great, I listened to it more then once, but the ending sucked so bad. Its one of the worse cliff hangers I have ever come across, and really made me want to strangle someone. I will buy the second book when it comes out, because this one really leaves you unsatisfied. I would suggest waiting until the second book is out before reading this. Put it in your wishlist tho, because its worth a read!!!

Very different and somewhat disturbing.

What did you love best about Ashes?

It is a good story, I felt for the characters

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Less shouting, I do like a narrator that gets into the performance and this is done very well by Katherine Kellgren but there was times I had to turn down the volume or take the headphones from the ears as the shouting/acting was just too loud.

Any additional comments?

This is a very different view of an apocalyptic event and aftermath and one that seemed possible yet left me a little wanting. I will listen to book 2 and see what develops. Which in many ways is what a author should do.

Not for the faint of heart.

If you could sum up Ashes in three words, what would they be?

Brutal, intriguing, and exhausting. You don't realized that you ran a marathon until you take a breath, then you seen how long you been on this book.

What did you like best about this story?

The suspense keeps me hooked. I find myself reacting physically to the action in the story.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

She was fine. I forgot she was reading through most of it.

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

I had a hard time not listening to this in one sitting.