Book Review: Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari
Author: Jo Treggiari
Release Date: June 1st 2011
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Age: Young Adult
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.
Thanks to the Random Reads meme, I picked Ashes, Ashes from my to-be-read shelf. I'm glad I did, it has been there for a few months and I didn't know what I was missing!
Lucy is surviving. It's the best way to describe it. She's young and absolutely alone. She has to hunt, to cook, to sleep, all by herself. The world she knew is totally destroyed because of natural disasters and also the epidemic disease. Lately, she has been feeling like someone is watching her. But who? Isn't almost everyone dead or worse, sick?
Aidan is not sick, he's a survivor too. He has been watching Lucy, and when she needs help, she rescue hers and invites her to live with the survivors. But it's difficult to be again with people when you are so scared.
The description of the world where Lucy lives is very scary and realistic. The author did a great job in making you understand that it was a total disaster, and maybe it was worse if you survived. No food, water. Anything. I wonder how people manage to have the strength to survive.
I don't know how to describe what I felt with this book. Fear? Desperation? Disgust? When I feel all of that in a book, I like it. (I know, masochistic) But really, I got into the story and actually wanted to know more.Why the disease started? No one could stop it? And why are people looking for Lucy?
Even when Lucy and Aidan are barely surviving, they are attracted to each other. Their romance was a bonus, it was realistic. They liked each other, but it was not the most important aspect of the story.
I don't want to say more because I'll be giving you spoilers, but if you are into post-apocalyptic (or just apocalyptic?) stories, you have to read this one.
Lucy is surviving. It's the best way to describe it. She's young and absolutely alone. She has to hunt, to cook, to sleep, all by herself. The world she knew is totally destroyed because of natural disasters and also the epidemic disease. Lately, she has been feeling like someone is watching her. But who? Isn't almost everyone dead or worse, sick?
Aidan is not sick, he's a survivor too. He has been watching Lucy, and when she needs help, she rescue hers and invites her to live with the survivors. But it's difficult to be again with people when you are so scared.
The description of the world where Lucy lives is very scary and realistic. The author did a great job in making you understand that it was a total disaster, and maybe it was worse if you survived. No food, water. Anything. I wonder how people manage to have the strength to survive.
I don't know how to describe what I felt with this book. Fear? Desperation? Disgust? When I feel all of that in a book, I like it. (I know, masochistic) But really, I got into the story and actually wanted to know more.Why the disease started? No one could stop it? And why are people looking for Lucy?
Even when Lucy and Aidan are barely surviving, they are attracted to each other. Their romance was a bonus, it was realistic. They liked each other, but it was not the most important aspect of the story.
I don't want to say more because I'll be giving you spoilers, but if you are into post-apocalyptic (or just apocalyptic?) stories, you have to read this one.
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I agree, any book that makes you FEEL that much is a winner. I really enjoyed this book as well. It wasn't always easy to read but it definitely a good read that makes you think.
ReplyDeleteWow - heaps happening in this one.
ReplyDeleteOoo sounds excellent. I've been wanting to read this one.
ReplyDeleteThis has been on my to-read list since it came out. Don't know why I haven't picked it up yet, looks very good.
ReplyDeletei want to read this one.. i love post-apocalyptic and this one sound so good.
ReplyDeleteWell, before i really wanted to have this book but now i wish that i have it right in my hands!I've been lookin for this book for a while...
ReplyDeleteMy daughter just read this book and told me it was really good and that even an old lady like me would like it. Ya Love that girl. Nice review and so I am now going to her Kindle list and sharing it to me LOL
ReplyDeleteI love this review, a book with a lot of adventure after the destruction of world.A very interesting script that call my atention for how the people will get survive in this new world.
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of this book before coming to your blog. I'm really into dystopia right now and it sounds like this could be right up my alley. I'll have to look into it! Thanks! ^^
ReplyDeleteI like the cover and this one seems way more up my alley then alot of the other straight romance books that you seem to favor. Adding this one now to my must find a copy list!
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