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

So much for the "two-shoe covenant"

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

The natural growth of each character into their roles. Hero/ heroes are engaging. Story is very plausible.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Aaaaaaargh!

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

Good range of voice/cast members; clearly defined.

Really Interesting premise

Would you consider the audio edition of Ashes to be better than the print version?

Yes, the characters came off a little less shallow in the audiobook.

What other book might you compare Ashes to and why?

The first in the Mark Tufo series without the humor? The book reminded me a lot of a fast read harlequin novel just without the romance.

Which character – as performed by Katherine Kellgren – was your favorite?

The soldier that the protagonist meets and then travels with. The female protagonist was a bit too - whiny? - for my taste.

Overacting Narrator doesn't diminish from good sto

Did Katherine Kellgren do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

No

Any additional comments?

If I would have known it was a zombie type book, I proably wouldn't have bought it, but all in all it was a good story for the younger crowd. Of course the 17 year old heroine was possessed of way too many attributes for any 17 year old I've ever seen, but if I were 17, I'd probably like to see this empowered young lady. Like I said, I'm not into these types of books, but I did enjoy this story and it would have been better if it was narrated by someone who wasn't continually screaming and out of breath.

Hated the ending but enjoyed the journey.

Would you consider the audio edition of Ashes to be better than the print version?

Katherine Kellgren seemed to be yelling at times, and it was a bit distracting. I had to keep turning the audio up and down because my ears got tired.

What other book might you compare Ashes to and why?

I enjoyed Gone by Michael Grant more than Ashes.

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

This is the first time I have heard Katherine Kellgren read and at tmes she seemed very aggitated and that was distracting.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book is fast moving and hard to put down. Wish the ending lived up to the build up.

I love this narrator

I truly enjoyed this story. It's original and fresh. It was a good find. It's worth a credit.

Ruined by the narrator

I have not made it even an hour into the book, and I am ready to rip my ears off. I have listened to this narrator before, and she constantly raises her voice to a whiny, ear splitting shrill that absolutely ruins whatever story you were attempting to listen to, no matter what the quality of the writing had been.

Engrosing, epic...you'll never want to hit pause!!

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

This is one of the best audiobooks I have listened to on Audible. I haven't been captivated by a story like this since the Hunger Games.

Was there a moment in the book that particular moved you?

There's a point in book when the Ilsa J. Bick makes this statement "that was the last time we laughed", a statement which forshadows so much.

Any additional comments?

Katherine Kellgren is the best, she helps the story come alive.

good book not so good narrator

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

Would recommend book but not audio version.

Any additional comments?

This is my first review, I'm not writing so much to review the book because the book is actually good. This particular narrator is just generally not enjoyable to listen too. She makes the characters sound whiny and stupid. This is the first audiobook I've ever purchased that I have had to buy the paper version instead. So If you haven't listened to it do not waste your credit. Just get it on your kindle or nook, or buy the book outright. I am looking forward to the author's next book, but I will not get it from here.

Excellent! Well Worth It!

Any additional comments?

Wonderful book. It was a little slow getting into some things but for the most part I couldn't stop listening. Some moments had me so tense I couldn't stand it. Great new story and I can't wait for the next book. The ending had me scrambling to see if the next book was available.Great job Ilsa!

Love the book, can't stand the narrator

I have no complaints about the author's work. The book is interesting, gritty, and entertaining. However, the narrator almost ruins this. She talks in this haughty, pretentious tone that is very jarring. Her voice is strange and does not fit with the book at all. I couldn't stand it when she read Ellie's parts in the book-her version of the little girl's voice was like nails on a chalkboard. I will avoid all books read by this woman again.