Ashes, Ashes Review

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Title: Ashes, Ashes
Author: Jo Treggiari
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: June 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher

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.
Lucy has seen in all in her sixteen years. After the climate changes and the natural disasters, the plagues wiped out nearly the rest of the population, and she's part of a small portion of the world that managed to survive. That, however, is what her life has become - survival. The last living member of her family, she happens upon a boy named Aidan who offers her the chance to be a part of a group again, and she has to make the choice to find new ways to survive. But in a world as chaotic as hers, Lucy finds that nature isn't the only thing she has to fear...the Sweepers want to get her, and they're as merciless as the weather.

I've read quite a broad spectrum of dystopian fiction in the last year, and I have to say that they've ranged from incredible to downright awful. That, unfortunately, means that I hold dystopian to a very high standard and it's often a straight yes or no for me. Ashes, Ashes, I'm pleased to say, didn't disappoint at all. Jo Treggiari has created a world in Ashes, Ashes that is terrifying and foreign, but somehow tangible and familiar, making one think that this might just be what's in store for us. Weaving a great plot, strong characters and a perfectly balanced writing voice, Ashes, Ashes spins a story that is the perfect blend of terror, romance, and reality for the reader.

Lucy, thought just sixteen, is a survivor. She's lived through enough and seen enough to know what has to be done to make it through. Aiden is the same way, and though he's her masculine counterpart in every sense of the word, the author managed to show his weaknesses and vulnerabilities, too, without hitting us over the head with them. The Sweepers were a character in and of themselves, sort of creeping along in the sidelines and waiting for the right time to pounce and set the action in Ashes, Ashes off on a fever pitch. And, while I royally detest cliffhangers, Ashes, Ashes features a simple ending that leaves room for more and certainly left me wanting more, though I still felt the story was well-rounded and complete, if that makes sense.

All in all, Ashes, Ashes was a fabulous read, and I'm so glad to see another great dystopian ready to take on the market. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I'm hoping against hope for a sequel (pretty please?!) I'd highly recommend this book to all fans of YA, both boys and girls, especially those who enjoy dystopian fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

29 comments:

  1. Yay! *happy dance* I'm so glad to see you loved Ashes, Ashes Melissa! I've been so excited to read it for awhile now and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of the novel! It sounds so exciting and suspenseful... and a little romance wouldn't harm anyone, right? I admit I do have a weakness for literary boys named Aidan, tehehe. :)

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  2. You had me a bit worried there when you were talking about your high standards because I feel the same. You make perfect sense, and I'm so glad to hear the book delivers! Great review, Melissa. Thanks!

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  3. This year there has been an avalanche of dystopian YA novels - I am afraid to try most of them because of the mixed reviews. I am glad to know that Ashes, Ashes doesn't disappoint at all. The premise sounds different to the other dystopias.

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  4. I recently got this for review, but haven't read it yet. I am so excited about it though! I too have high standards for dystopian now so I am glad to hear that this one doesn't disappoint!

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  5. I am excited about all the dystopian novels out or coming out, but like you have high expectations for them. Good to know Ashes Ashes is one I can count on for an excellent read. Cannot wait to read this one.

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  6. I've really been looking forward to Ashes,Ashes so I'm super glad to hear that you liked it so much. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy so I can read it for myself now!

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  7. I just reviewed this today to and I totally agree with the 5/5. I loved how nothing made this book not sound interesting and I love the cover:) Great review!
    -Danna

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  8. SWEET! Thanks for the review! I am so looking forward to this one.

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  9. Many dystopians are a no or yes for me! Sometimes I'm scared to read them because I hate not liking a book! Great review, I'll make sure to give this one a shot!

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  10. Nice! I have really high standards for dystopians too, so it's good to hear this one makes the grade. Thanks for your review!

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  11. I just finished this one too Melissa! I really liked it as well though I had a little trouble with the doctor at the end, it seemed like she almost gave up going after Lucy too easily for how important she was. Now, there may be more to come, things were hinted at with the plague and things, so maybe she will come back into play:)

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  12. Wow! Five stars? I've GOT to read this book! I like the fact that Ashes, Ashes is set in a destroyed world, rather than a corrupt utopian society, like most dystopian books. Thanks for the review! :)

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  13. I'm picky about my dystopians too so if you loved this one, I'm sure I will too. I have this one on my wishlist already :)

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  14. Sounds very interesting. I like how you described the world as both awful but familiar and tangible. I'm not a huge dystopia fan, but I'll pick out books that sound interesting.

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  15. This is my next book I plan to read and will hopefully get to it today. I'm SO glad it lived up to your expectations! I love dystopian (or post apocalyptic) books but it's become popular enough that I think at some point we're going to start feeling like it's the same ol' thing. I'm so glad that this one stood out and was amazing, now I'm even more excited to pick it up!

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  16. Aweosome! I can't get enough of dystopians, good to know there's been lots of great releases too!

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  17. Great review! I'm really glad you enjoyed this one. I was on the fence about it and now I'm definitely going to have to pick it up!

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  18. Me me me! The book for me :D I sure like dystopia and this one sounds good, and you make it sound even better

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  19. Thanks for the review! Ashes, Ashes sounds like an interesting read. I usually enjoy dystopian books so I think this will be a yes for me as well. I love that its narrated by a girl and a boy.

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  20. Awesome! I have this book in my TBR pile. Can't wait to read it. Like you, I hold dystopian to high stands. Although, Ms. Treggari considers this more of a apocalyptic novel. I put those in the same category. I'm happy to hear it has great characters, plot and writing!

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  21. It sounds very interesting indeed, adding it to my tbr pile!

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  22. I love this review and am very excited about reading this one. I tried leaving a comment the day it was posted but Blogger was having some difficulties.

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  23. Yay! I can't wait to get a copy of Ashes Ashes. It will have to wait a while though as I really can't buy anymore books at the moment. It will be first on my order list later this year though :-D

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  24. Eeeek I might just get this book on your rating alone, it sounds so good!

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  25. I love the cover for this one! I'm so glad it's a good read. I'm really interested in reading more post-apocalyptic stories, so I definitely might have to pick this one up.

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  26. The characters in this one sound incredible...I'll definitely add this to my TBR list. Amazing review, Melissa! :)

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  27. I am so happy that Ashes, Ashes did not disappoint you in the slightest! It's been on my wishlist since I first heard about it and I had high hopes for it. Like you, I love dystopians, but many of them can fall short. Now, I'm even more excited to read this one. Great review!

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  28. Oh, this one sounds really good! So likely (I don't know what the Sweepers are so I can't speak for them) but the climate, definitely. I might have to read this one. This one sounds so different from the others out there.

    Heather
    You come back and my book dollars start disappearing even faster!

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  29. Great review! So glad you loved this one! I’ve had it on my wish list for months :) It sounds super cool!

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