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Book Review: Ashfall – Mike Mullin

Ashfall
Author: Mike Mullin
Series: Ashfall #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Dystopia, Science Fiction
Publisher: Tanglewood Press
My Rating:

Summary:

Many visitors to Yellowstone National Park don’t realize that the boiling hot springs and spraying geysers are caused by an underlying supervolcano, so large that the caldera can only be seen by plane or satellite. And by some scientific measurements, it could be overdue for an eruption.
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.

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-Kelly

Posted by Kelly on 1-14-13 · 23 Comments
Categories: 2011 book, book review Tagged: 3 star

« Book Review: Thief of Shadows – Elizabeth Hoyt
Top Ten 2013 Debuts I’m Looking Forward To »

Speak Your Mind

  1. Brandi Kosiner says

    1-14-13 at 12:45 PM

    Sorry you didn’t connect with Alex and it wasn’t all you’d hoped.
    Happy reading,
    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-28-13 at 8:32 PM

      Yeah, it was so disappointing that I couldn’t connect with the main character. :l
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Wallbanger – Alice ClaytonMy Profile

      Reply
  2. kimberly says

    1-14-13 at 6:44 PM

    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

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-28-13 at 8:33 PM

      He he, thanks Kimberly! (:
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Wallbanger – Alice ClaytonMy Profile

      Reply
  3. almendra says

    6-06-13 at 12:36 AM

    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

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-06-13 at 11:57 AM

      LOL, I love the way you put it Almendra and I totally agree. ;D
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Storm – Brigid KemmererMy Profile

      Reply
  4. jello says

    6-23-13 at 5:32 AM

    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!! :)

    Reply
  5. Maida @ Literary Love Affair says

    6-26-13 at 9:03 PM

    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 & GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-27-13 at 6:07 PM

      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 + UpdatesMy Profile

      Reply
  6. Vivien says

    7-02-13 at 11:31 AM

    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.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-02-13 at 12:43 PM

      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 BooksMy Profile

      Reply
  7. Jaime Lester says

    7-06-13 at 11:57 PM

    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!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-07-13 at 2:40 PM

      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 MaterMy Profile

      Reply
  8. HIllary R. says

    10-02-13 at 6:03 PM

    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

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      10-05-13 at 9:08 PM

      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]My Profile

      Reply
  9. sarah c. says

    10-18-13 at 2:20 PM

    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..

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      10-19-13 at 9:34 PM

      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]My Profile

      Reply
  10. Cali W. says

    10-23-13 at 5:22 PM

    Good review! I did read Life as We Knew it and this does sound a little similar. ;)

    Reply
  11. Ashleigh Swerdfeger says

    10-27-13 at 6:34 AM

    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 2013My Profile

    Reply
  12. Frannie Panglossa says

    12-13-13 at 12:32 PM

    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 AwardsMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Jennifer says

    12-21-13 at 9:30 AM

    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 MafiMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Jun says

    2-14-14 at 10:10 AM

    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]My Profile

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Monthly Wrap Up: January 2013 says:
    3-26-13 at 2:24 PM

    […] by Elizabeth Richards (Rating: 3.0/5.0) 8. Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt (Rating: 3.0/5.0) 9. Ashfall by Mike Mullin (Rating: 3.0/5.0) 10. Falling for Hamlet by Michelle Ray (Rating: 3.5/5.0) 11. […]

    Reply

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