SCBWI's Blueboard - A Message & Chat Board
Registered Members => Book Talk => Topic started by: TracyH on September 27, 2011, 06:48 PM
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I LOVED THIS BOOK. Totally couldn't put it down. Reminded me of Stephen King. I was a little iffy for the first twenty or so pages, but then BAM! It really was an oh-my-gosh-I-actually-have-to-WAIT-for-the-next-book book.
Anyone else?
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I loved it too! A great combination of suspense, horror and mystery. Very King-esque. Can't wait for the next one.
I wanted some news of her friends at the end, but I'm sure it's coming in Book 2!
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hey guys - I assume you are talking about ASHES by Ilsa J Bick -- but there are like five recent books called ASHES (or ASHES ASHES or ASHFALL or similar) - should we specify?
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The Ilsa Bick one is next up in my TBR pile! I can not wait... this is SO my type of book!
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Yes, ASHES by Ilsa Bick. Loved it from page 1! A good scary book to read while :tent:
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Loved Ashes, but was frustrated with the cliffhanger ending. I want more!
BTW, Ashfall by Mike Mullin is an excellent read too.
keep writing,
dave r
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Yes! The Ilsa Bick one. I haven't been able to find info on when the second book is coming out. Literaticat - is that info public? (Congratulations to you, too!)
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Book 2, SHADOWS comes out Sept 2012. Book 3, MONSTERS comes out Sept 2013.
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I adored Ashes. I reread the last few pages a zillion times trying to pull more info out of them. I can't wait for book 2!
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Book 2, SHADOWS comes out Sept 2012. Book 3, MONSTERS comes out Sept 2013.
:groan
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I am reading it right now. I can say it isn't exactly a happy book. In fact, it is probably the darkest and most depressing book I've ever read. Good, but really dark and depressing. I had to walk away for a little bit.
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I just bought ASHES today. I kept reading the beginning because of the voice and the setting and then I reached chapter four and BAM! Suspense! The oh-my-gosh-I-need-to-keep-reading suspense. But I had to close the book because I was in the car.
I want to read it now now now! But I know if I start reading it now I won't stop. I'll have to return to it in the morning with a nice cup of coffee.
I am reading it right now. I can say it isn't exactly a happy book. In fact, it is probably the darkest and most depressing book I've ever read. Good, but really dark and depressing. I had to walk away for a little bit.
Really? Uh-oh.
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I am reading it right now. I can say it isn't exactly a happy book. In fact, it is probably the darkest and most depressing book I've ever read. Good, but really dark and depressing. I had to walk away for a little bit.
Hmm. That's an interesting observation. It is bleak, but I see hope in the strength of the characters. I also see a revolution coming. And I'm a sucker for a revolution. This reminds me of The Stand in a way.
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Ohhh.... I read some horror - love Dean Koontz, but I had to put The Stand down halfway through. I wussed out! I'm hoping I can handle this one because it sounds so good!
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I'm so relieved to learn there's a sequel!!!! I read it in two gulps this weekend and finished it about three hours ago. Have been unanchored ever since. I hoped hoped HOPED the ending was a set-up for a sequel; otherwise it was waaaaaay too Cormieresque after everything that went before, and I counted at least three major plot threads that still had loose ends.
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If you all liked this, check out Divergent. That's another really good one.
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I'm approximately halfway through the book now. I need to go write first (because if I start reading it now I won't stop). After I write for a few hours, it's time to grab a steaming cup of coffee, sit down, and finish it.
Is it just me, or does the suspense in ASHES holds you as though you were reading THE HUNGER GAMES?
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Hmm. That's an interesting observation. It is bleak, but I see hope in the strength of the characters. I also see a revolution coming. And I'm a sucker for a revolution. This reminds me of The Stand in a way.
The Stand is probably one of my favorite books, ever. That is why I thought this book would be so up my alley. I wasn't as happy with the last third of ASHES as I was with the beginning... I was a little disappointed in the direction it turned. But I still think I will read the sequel, which says a lot, since I very rarely want to read sequels.
And I loved Divergent, too. I'll read the sequel for that one, for sure.
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The Stand is probably one of my favorite books, ever. That is why I thought this book would be so up my alley. I wasn't as happy with the last third of ASHES as I was with the beginning... I was a little disappointed in the direction it turned. But I still think I will read the sequel, which says a lot, since I very rarely want to read sequels.
And I loved Divergent, too. I'll read the sequel for that one, for sure.
I'm the same way about sequels! What turn didn't you like? Was it the town stuff?
I'm wondering if things will get even worse in the second book or if things will start to turn more hopeful.
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I loved it, but the ending had me screaming "noooooo." I need a book that doesn't end with such a cliffhanger!
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I read this yesterday and wow, yeah, a total page-turner that ended with more questions than answers about the whole situation! So that kind of bugged me since I wanted SOME resolution to at least ONE part of the book, BUT I will totally read the sequel! And I'm with Cyn, I rarely read sequels.
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I'm the same way about sequels! What turn didn't you like? Was it the town stuff?
I think it was the whole cult thing, without giving away too much about it... I just enjoyed it so much more when it was she and Tom and the little girl, trying to survive on their own. That's why I'll read the sequel... seems like it will be more of her trying to survive on her own, again.
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I think it was the whole cult thing, without giving away too much about it... I just enjoyed it so much more when it was she and Tom and the little girl, trying to survive on their own. That's why I'll read the sequel... seems like it will be more of her trying to survive on her own, again.
SPOILER! (sort of)
I agree. I did like all of that better than the town. But now there is a love triangle! Although, not an especially convincing one. But we'll see what happens next.
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SPOLER! (sort of)
But now there is a love triangle! Although, not an especially convincing one. But we'll see what happens next.
Ha! I would say the romantic aspect is not the strongest part of the book, but you know what? Doesn't really bother me. I kind of get annoyed with books where the world is ending, zombies are at the door, and the main character and her love interest are making googly eyes at each other. You are going to get eaten, people. Prioritize.
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I totally agree with Cyn's assessment of the love triangle. :)
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Yeah. I rolled my eyes when I realized there was another love triangle going on, at least from Alex's POV. I keep wondering about why Tom was fragged. I am not going to speculate here lest I spoil it for somebody else, but I have a strong, strong hunch.
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Cyn - That is hysterical. My friend is writing about zombies where the main guy is all - they're called zombies already! Not the Walking Dead! Not the Forsaken Ones! Zombies!
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OK, bumping this up again bc my colleague and I were discussing this book, and I cannot remember the details of the ending....
SPOILERS!!!!
Can someone refresh my memory? So are we to assume that the main character is tricked to go to the barn at the end to be killed/eaten? I wish I had the book on me!
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Not sure. DROVE ME CRAZY the way it ended. Even my rep wasn't sure, so we'll have to wait for the sequel.
keep writing and reading,
dave r
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I really enjoyed the book as a whole but couldn't get into the town part either. For me the suspense slowed right down at that point. And I agree with Cyn re. the love triangle too.
I just enjoyed it so much more when it was she and Tom and the little girl, trying to survive on their own
I thought those bits were fantastic and will read the second book hoping for more of that.
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Thanks, Dave R! I remember reading the last couple pages over and over again, but when my colleague asked for my take on it, I couldn't remember coming to any solid conclusion!
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SPOILERS
I thought she was tricked to go be food for the town's kids turned zombies- it appeared the townspeople were feeding/clothing and caring for them. Chris knew what was happening which is why he tried so hard to stop her from leaving. She was a sacrifice to motivate Chris to take a leadership role and stop the town from continuing to sacrifice people to the zombies. But now you have me wondering....
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Talia, that's exactly what I thought was going on too.
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"She was a sacrifice to motivate Chris to take a leadership role and stop the town from continuing to sacrifice people to the zombies."
Ah, that makes sense! I didn't think of that. So the woman who tricked Alex to go out to the zombie kids actually did it to motivate Chris to fulfill his role....that could work!
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Sequel comes out in September, I believe.
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Just finished the ARC of the sequel, Shadows. OMG!
There were times I had to put the book down, just to catch my breath. Definitely not a "transition" novel, as many #2 books of a trilogy are.
Won't give anything away, but yes, it does answer the question you're left with at the end.
Now the BIG WAIT for number 3 begins.
If anyone wants something to read in the meantime, try:
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Divergent by Veronica Roth
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Keep writing and reading,
dave r
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dave r! So jealous!!
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Wait a minute Dave! NOT FAIR! :) This librarian is feeling the reading jealousy burn, lol!
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Am 3/4ths through the book.
And last night, well, umm...I guess it got into my head. I had a dream that my grand kids turned into you know what! :reaction
That was creepy.
I've read a lot of books that stay with me, impact me, and find myself processing/digesting them, BUT NEVER DO I DREAM ABOUT THEM!
Now I'm wondering how often other folks dream about the books they're reading. Maybe another thread on that would be interesting, eh?
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Weird.
Have wanted to read Shadows, so went to my library to check it out. Librarian told me it's NOT been published yet. I'm like, "Huh?". So thought, hmmm, I must have misunderstood. Daver read an ARC and whatever made me think it's out, well I was wrong.
Just realized TODAY(!) it IS out! ( bad librarian, bad, bad) So excited and will download it asap.
My hubby also read Ashes, first YA book ever for him and he LOVED it. Next he read Hunger Games and said he liked Ashes better. So he's going to be happy when I download it, too.
This is the same librarian that never smiles, never "gets" my jokes, and seems to live in his own space. What's up with that?
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Weird.
Have wanted to read Shadows, so went to my library to check it out. Librarian told me it's NOT been published yet. I'm like, "Huh?". So thought, hmmm, I must have misunderstood. Daver read an ARC and whatever made me think it's out, well I was wrong.
Just realized TODAY(!) it IS out! ( bad librarian, bad, bad) So excited and will download it asap.
My hubby also read Ashes, first YA book ever for him and he LOVED it. Next he read Hunger Games and said he liked Ashes better. So he's going to be happy when I download it, too.
This is the same librarian that never smiles, never "gets" my jokes, and seems to live in his own space. What's up with that?
Uhhh... no, your librarian was quite correct. SHADOWS comes out in September, Dave read an arc.
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Oh.
Crud.
:ranting:
Read this and thought I could order it. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11320138-shadows
Got all excited for naught. My bad.
Well, he still doesn't seem like a happy librarian, but I stand corrected. :paperbag
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I generally don't do book promos on my blog, but Ashes stayed with me so long that I did a post about it a couple of weeks ago http://annebingham.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/book-i-wish-id-written/ (http://annebingham.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/book-i-wish-id-written/)
(FWIW: This post went up a few days before a thread with a similar title was started on the Blueboards..just so you know I'm not glomming other people's thread titles!)
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Nice post, AnneB, I'm gonna tweet about it! :-)