REVIEW: Ashfall (Ashfall #1) by Mike Mullin

 

Author: Mike Mullin

Series: Ashfall

Publisher: Tanglewood Press

Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 466

Amazon: Ashfall

Synopsis: (Goodreads)

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 Yellowstone supervolcano erupts, plunging his hometown into a nightmare of darkness, ash, and violence. Alex begins a harrowing trek to seach for his family and finds help in Darla, a travel partner he meets along the way. Together they must find the strength and skills to survive and outlast an epic disaster.

Review: 4 ½ out of 5 stars

Ashfall is the first book in the Ashfall series by Mike Mullin and was such a thought provoking read that kept me absolutely riveted.

Alex is spending his first night ever home alone after refusing to go to his uncles farm with his family; on the first night, all hell breaks loose – the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts plunging his hometown into darkness, ash, and violence – there is no power, communication has been cut off and food supplies are dwindling.

Ashfall starts off full throttle and doesn’t let up until the very end, we follow Alex on his journey as he makes the trek to find his family, on skies mind you with many obstacles thrust in his way – what he had to witness at times was horrific and his faith in mankind was certainly tested, he was literally having to fight for his survival and had to witness the most terrible acts of humanity through their desperation.

Alex to me started off weak but as the story progressed his will to survive and his belief in himself and his traveling companion Darla was strengthened and for someone so young, I appreciated his willpower.

Darla was kick-butt, determined and resourceful and I really liked her as a character, probably more so than Alex and appreciated how she stood by him; she was a survivalist with knowledge that kept them going.

Mr. Mullin gives us such vivid imagery with his detailed explanations that you couldn’t help but picture what was happening through Alex’s eyes – it was scary times and the world-building was brilliant. His writing is exceptional and kept me wanting more from the first to the very last page, we are taken on such a whirlwind ride that leaves you yearning for more.

Overall, if you are a fan of post-apocalyptic, suspenseful reads than Ashfall is definitely for you. 

 

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