Ashfall
Author: Mike Mullin
Series: Ashfall #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Dystopia, Science Fiction
Publisher: Tanglewood Press
My Rating:
Summary:
For Alex, being left alone for the weekend means having the freedom to play computer games and hang out with his friends without hassle from his mother. Then the supervolcano erupts, plunging his hometown into a nightmare of darkness, ash, and violence. Alex begins a harrowing trek, searching for his family and finding help in Darla, his travel partner. Together they must find the strength and skills to survive and outlast an epic disaster.
First Sentence: I was home alone on that Friday evening.
My Review:
Ashfall was one of those books that I’ve been meaning to read for the longest time, but couldn’t find time to. Now that I finally made the time to read Ashfall, all I can say is “meh.” Sure, Ashfall was climatic and suspenseful, but it reminded me a lot of Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer, except with a different realistic situation and not as good writing.
One problem I had with Ashfall was Alex’s character in general. We don’t really see Alex as a real person until he meets Darla. There were also some parts in the book where Alex, who is sixteen, acts too mature for his age. I’m eighteen, and if I was in Alex’s position, I won’t be wondering how the world would change due to the ashfall, I’ll be thinking will I be alive? How will I survive? (Please keep in mind that this was in the beginning of the ashfall, before Alex started out on his journey looking for his parents and became old and wise and philosophical.) Also, I doubt most sixteen year old boys would know what materials his house is made out of. Hell, I don’t know what materials the house I am living in for eighteen years is made out of. If you asked me, I’ll just give you a dumb look.
However, I like Darla. No. Wait. I love that girl. Ashfall brightened up a lot when we met her. I love her attitude and how she constantly was thinking of ways for Alex and her to survive. She’s the logical one of them two and I like her for it. Darla isn’t afraid to tell it as it is and think of brilliant plans to save both their lives. If I had my say, I think she can do better than Alex.
The writing style in Ashfall seemed a bit dull to me. Maybe it’s because I’ve read so many dystopia novels lately that basically had similar results happening like Ashfall did: people eating other people to survive, raids in stores, camps, etc., that nothing really surprised me. Ashfall also didn’t really engage me completely; it will capture my attention for five pages, bore me again for several pages, then recapture my attention again.
I have to give Mike Mullin credit though, for making me wonder what will happen if the Yellowstone volcano (if that’s is the volcano’s name name) really does explode, what will happen to all the people there that are effected? It’s kind of like the effect Susan Beth Pfeffer’s book had on me when I finished reading it in eighth grade. Ashfall and Life As We Knew It makes me want to stock up on canned foods and batteries now while I still have the chance to. After reading Mike Mullin’s Ashfall, I may as well add skis and a staff to the list.
One thing Mike Mullin’s Ashfall did better than Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Life As We Knew It is the fact that peeing was mentioned many times in the book. Don’t make that disgusted face at me! Everyone needs to pee, it’s life. However, in Life As We Knew It, peeing was hardly ever mentioned unlike Mike Mullin’s Ashfall, who actually realizes that people need to pee to survive. It wasn’t awkward reading those scenes, it was realistic.
Don’t look at my rating and decide not give Ashfall the time of your day. Read it; try it out. It may suit you. The only reason it got such a low-ish rating from me is because I was expecting most events in Ashfall to happen and they did indeed happen. Only a very few things in Ashfall caught me by surprise. You may not be expecting the same, so really, give Ashfall a shot.
Sorry you didn’t connect with Alex and it wasn’t all you’d hoped.
Happy reading,
Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
Yeah, it was so disappointing that I couldn’t connect with the main character. :l
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Wallbanger – Alice Clayton
Hello, I nominated you for the One Lovely blog award.
to see my post go here http://kimberlysnovelnotes.blogspot.com/2013/01/one-lovely-blog-award.html
He he, thanks Kimberly! (:
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Wallbanger – Alice Clayton
i really like the book … alex was in the in the beginning a little too annoying but .. when he met darla he became a man .. jiji
LOL, I love the way you put it Almendra and I totally agree. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Storm – Brigid Kemmerer
I just bought a copy of that book and I can’t wait to read it!! I heard it was good but I guess you don’t like it, eh? But anyway it’s based on our own opinion. Thanks for the review!! :)
I haven’t heard of this before now, and I’m not sure I’ll read after the misgivings you pointed out. Sorry this wasn’t your cup of tea.
Great review! :)
~ Maida
Literary Love Affair
Maida @ Literary Love Affair recently posted…Blog Tour: Tragic by J.A. Huss – Excerpt & Giveaway
I don’t know Maida, plenty of other people LOVED Ashfall, so maybe it’s only just me. Who knows, you may like Ashfall once you give it a try. -shrugs-
Thanks! :D
Kelly recently posted…Debut-a-Thon: Goals + Updates
I was one of those who loved this one. Something about it really appealed to me. I’ve always been fascinated by the Super Volcano. Too bad it wasn’t really for you.
I’m glad you liked this one Vivien! :D
Ashfall wasn’t bad, it was just not my type of book. :l
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Most Intimidating Books
I have not read this yet, and I am still not sure if I ever will. It sounds decent and a lot of people like it, but there are people who are pretty “meh” about it, too. Like you. I think I would be okay if I passed this one up. Thank you for your review!
I wouldn’t have read Ashfall either if it wasn’t for some of the raving reviews. Honestly, in my opinion, you’ll not really missing anything good.
Kelly recently posted…Summer Lovin’ Readathon: Day 7 – Alma Mater
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Ashfall before. But the cover is sure intriguing. I think I might wan to read this one. If you sense the hesitancy it’s because I’m scared of making my TBR longer than it already is :p
Really, you’ve never heard of it? Ashfall was EVERYWHERE when I read it and it had a little bit of hype.
Ha ha, I totally get you. I have the same huge TBR pile that you have. :P
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [52]
great review!!! I have this book wish listed to get and it sounds good!!! i never thought about in books about peeing.. now that i think about it -the Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne mentioned it too..
Thanks! (:
According to most authors, we humans don’t need to pee. :P
And hmm, I think Monument 14 had peeing covered too.
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [54]
Good review! I did read Life as We Knew it and this does sound a little similar. ;)
The plot does seem interesting, but there is nothing worse than not connecting with a character. SOunds like another book that missed its potential :) But everyone does like different styles.
Ashleigh Swerdfeger recently posted…GMO Mini Summit 2013
I’ve just seen this book in a book haul and it seems interesting! I’m really into dystopian novels lately, so… wishlist!! =D
Frannie Panglossa recently posted…“Un Mondo in Una Pagina – The Virtual Book Club”: Sondaggio per Gennaio 2014 + Blogger Choice Awards
This book sounded sooo good. I;m not sure how much I’d enjoy it though after reading your review. It might be one of those library borrows just to test the waters.
Jennifer recently posted…REVIEW: Fracture Me by Tahereh Mafi
This book still in my to-read list. And after read yor review… well, I think, I’ll postpone (again) to read this book. But perhaps, cause curiosty why you didn’t like it, I’ll give it a try.
Jun recently posted…Friday’s Recommendation [11]