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Ashfall (Ashfall #1)

by Mike Mullin (Goodreads Author)

3.94 of 5 stars 3.94 · rating details · 5,944 ratings · 1,321 reviews

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 ga...more

Hardcover, 466 pages

Published October 11th 2011 by Tanglewood Press (first published September 27th 2011)

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YA Dystopia Novels

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Jul 29, 2011 Maja rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, netgalley, male-pov, all-the-right-choices, favorites, post-apocalyptic, reviewed-in-2011

For the first time ever, I felt ashamed of my species. The volcano had taken our homes, our food, our automobiles, and our airplanes, but it hadn’t taken our humanity. No, we’d given that up on our own.

Being a teenager in a world covered with ashes is not easy at all. Alex discovered that after the eruption of a volcano in Yellowstone National Park. His parents and his little sister had left town just before the earth started to shake and Alex was left all alone in a burning house with no one b...more For the first time ever, I felt ashamed of my species. The volcano had taken our homes, our food, our automobiles, and our airplanes, but it hadn’t taken our humanity. No, we’d given that up on our own.

Being a teenager in a world covered with ashes is not easy at all. Alex discovered that after the eruption of a volcano in Yellowstone National Park. His parents and his little sister had left town just before the earth started to shake and Alex was left all alone in a burning house with no one but himself and two friendly neighbors to rely on. Pretty soon he decided to go on a journey with the hope of finding his family. Since walking was obviously not an option, he found his father’s old skis and prayed that he’ll be able to travel a hundred miles to his uncle’s house on them.

Even if I’d somehow failed to notice the name of the author, it would be very clear to me that Ashfall was written by a man, and I mean that in the best possible way. Details of taekwondo moves, very realistic interpersonal relationships and descriptions of natural physical urges were just a few telling signs.
The love between Alex and Darla was beautiful and refreshing, especially when compared to all the exaggerated and unconvincing romances we came to expect in postapocalyptic YA literature. I loved the way Mullin reversed their roles and removed them from all stereotypes. Darla is a mechanic and an innovator, she is interested in tools and she is, without a doubt, the tough one in their relationship. That’s not to say that Alex is weak or that there’s anything remotely epicene about him. He is resourceful, mature and strong. Sure, sometimes he lets his temper get the best of him, but mostly he is calm and more level-headed than any 15-year-old I’ve ever met.(view spoiler)

My biggest problem with Ashfall was the pacing. It was really fast at the beginning which was great and it helped me with getting into the story. However, it remained the same throughout the novel – it never slowed down or sped up and after a while, I got lulled into the rhythm and the initial excitement was gone. The pacing really needs to oscillate in order to keep things interesting.
Unfortunately, this led to a highly anticlimactic ending. I understand there will be a second book next year, but I still needed to have some sense of closure to be happy, and I definitely did not get it. That’s why my rating is closer to 3.5 stars with high hopes for future installments.
(less)

41 likes · like · see review

Feb 25, 2012 Cara rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People who love survival books

Recommended to Cara by: Laura

Shelves: male-protagonist, series, 2012, science-fiction, whoa-that-s-heavy

When I looked at this title I kept thinking of that childhood chant, "...ashes, ashes we all fall down!" Well what you know that may not be so far from the truth.

Alex is your normal teenage guy living in the suburbs in Iowa. He fights with his mom, and on his free time plays games and practices taekwondo. From what you can tell he doesn't particularly seem like a special teenager. He's kind of bratty and has a good life. Well Alex's parents and sister decide to visit family, and he fights to sta...more When I looked at this title I kept thinking of that childhood chant, "...ashes, ashes we all fall down!" Well what you know that may not be so far from the truth.

Alex is your normal teenage guy living in the suburbs in Iowa. He fights with his mom, and on his free time plays games and practices taekwondo. From what you can tell he doesn't particularly seem like a special teenager. He's kind of bratty and has a good life. Well Alex's parents and sister decide to visit family, and he fights to stay behind. This is one fight he should have lost because once his family leaves a super volcano erupts and the country will never be the same again.

There is so much that makes this one of the best dystopia novels I've read. It feels completely believable and the explanation of how this could happen is plausible. I was even tempted to categorize this as realistic-fiction because it flows and told like something that has happened already. The story doesn't hold back on every brutal detail. I probably shivered more than once while reading this. I'd be wasting your time even trying to explain how much thought was put into this book. I even tried to nitpick at the story, but I just couldn't. It is just that honest.

Best part of the book was the characters. Alex's arc as a person is striking and masterful. Within several weeks you see Alex grow from being a teenage boy to a young man. He just never failed to impress and surprise me. He is not perfect and no saint. Everything has changed since the volcano, and survival is on the top of the list. With that in mind though you see humanity peek through and Alex still has some of that. Then there is Darla. Oh wow this girl is almost more impressive than Alex. She would be on the list of people I would want in any emergency. This girl is made of the strongest stuff people can be made of, but again she is vulnerable just like everyone else in this situation. I liked them both as separate characters and I loved them together too. Together they are a powerhouse, and it shows how much strength and ingenuity people can pull out when the challenge arises. What makes them both such powerful characters is how they could be people that exist.

Though this hits the end of the world feel right on, it is a strangely a life-affirming book. I could feel myself being proud and disgusted all at the same time about situations that would arise. It strips away all the unnecessary things we live with, and shows life in its barest and probably most beautiful form.

I can't wait to experience what Alex and Darla do next in Ashen Winter.(less)

19 likes · like · see review

May 02, 2012 Reynje rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: held-me-captive, read-2012, unexpectedly-liked, welcome-to-the-apocalypse, young-adult

4.5 stars

Well, colour me surprised: I kind of love this book.

Let me clarify that statement. I didn’t expect to dislike it. I wouldn’t have gone to the effort of procuring it (Ashfall is not available in Australia) if I didn’t have a desire to read it. But my physical TBR pile is literally (view spoiler) big enough to do me an injury (albeit a minor one) if it fell on me, and somehow Ashfall repeatedly ended up on the bottom of that...more

41 likes · like · see review

Oct 10, 2011 Giselle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, ebook, favorites, dystopia-or-post-apocalyptic

The first night after I started reading this book, I dreamt about being stuck in a house and hiding from some people while trying to survive/escape. All night. THAT, is a sign of a good book!

This story is told in Alex's point of view. A huge volcano has erupted and they're now seeing and living the after effects. Which means a LOT of ash falling, incredible climate changes, and desperate food situations. I love that the book started right before the eruption. We got to live through it with Alex...more The first night after I started reading this book, I dreamt about being stuck in a house and hiding from some people while trying to survive/escape. All night. THAT, is a sign of a good book!

This story is told in Alex's point of view. A huge volcano has erupted and they're now seeing and living the after effects. Which means a LOT of ash falling, incredible climate changes, and desperate food situations. I love that the book started right before the eruption. We got to live through it with Alex while he was unaware of what was happening or why his house was basically falling down on him.

I hate to compare books, especially with big hits like the Hunger Games. But I seriously have NOT read a book since the Hunger Games that has given me such a rush of pulse pounding excitement; not knowing if they were going to survive from one page to the next. Once the ash started falling and Alex figured it wasn't going to stop any time soon, he left to go find his family who were away at his uncle's house. It's a 2 hour drive from there. So imagine slugging through cement-like wet ash, on foot. All food has been scavenged, nothing naturally growing is salvageable, the heavy ash is making houses collapse, no more electricity or phones. Breathing is even a problem. It was exhilarating; every single minute of this book had my adrenaline pumping.

The protagonist, Alex, was extremely strong willed and his character was deeply realistic. I could connect with him and really worry about him to the core. He got into dire situations that were very intense, but still realistic under the circumstances. I could imagine this all happening for real; the human reaction and violence that would occur is how I would expect it. Everyone is out for their own and trying to survive. I'm sure we can all imagine what desperate people will do in these circumstances.

There is nothing paranormal in this book. It's a natural disaster happening in the present. The story itself is nothing like I've ever read, it's certainly original with a strong apocalyptic feel. Following Alex on his alarming and scary journey was thrilling and thoroughly addicting. I would give it 10 stars if I could! (less)

32 likes · like · see review

Nov 05, 2011 oliviasbooks rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to oliviasbooks by: Nomes

Shelves: young-adult-fiction, scifi-dystopian-apocalyptic, high-expectations, e-version, favorites-of-2011, favorites, love-story-romance, read-2011, male-point-of-view, hug-them-lick-them-favorites, not-afraid-of-sex-in-ya, stays-with-me, debut

”Everything would be better tomorrow, I thought: a new day, a new dawn. It would have to be better than this. I was wrong. There was no new dawn the next day.”

Cedar Falls, Iowa. Almost 16-years-old Alex has just experienced a major break-through on his way to adulthood: His parents stopped arguing with him and have taken off to uncle Paul's goat farm in Illinois with only his sister Rebecca in tow. Alex luxuriates in his freedom of choice between doing his homework and collecting gold-nuggets i...more

21 likes · like · see review

May 07, 2011 karen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: welcome-author, why-yes-i-ya

all those people who are afraid that the legalization of gay marriage will lead to people wanting to marry their pets have every reason to be afraid.

as soon as it becomes legal to marry a book, i am going to marry this one. and i assume at some point i will cheat on this book and divorce it and marry another book, but for a little while, we will have a storybook relationship and a joint checking account.

and it will be wonderful.

so - okay - for those of you who have not had the opportunity to rea...more

146 likes · like · see review

Nov 23, 2011 Kat Kennedy rated it 3 of 5 stars

*This ARC was provided to me by the publishers. No money or gifts were exchanged for this review.

I seem to be one of the very few that found this book a little on the average side. It really probably wasn’t the book’s fault. In fact, if you’re looking for some good reviews of this book, try out Phoebe North’s Review.

There are several different reasons why people enjoy apocalypse stories. Some people enjoy watching the break down of society and making commentary on that. Some people enjoy the st...more

24 likes · like · see review

May 26, 2011 Steph Sinclair rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People who enjoy Dystopian books

Shelves: netgalley, ebook, realistic-fiction, i-really-enjoyed-it, original-and-creative, 2011-reads, male-pov, young-adult, e-arc, post-apocalyptic, tanglewood

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

I was really, really excited to read Ashfall. I've been devouring dystopian novels left and right recently. I'm always itching for my next fix. Seriously, I think I have a problem ~~at this rate, I might just have to check myself into some sort of program~~. Ashfall is a bit different from the current slew of dystopian novels. For one thing, it is written from a male PoV. These seem to be in slow supply these days, sadly.

Ashfall tells the story of 15 year-old Alex traveling f...more

20 likes · like · see review

Jul 01, 2012 Jim rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Those who can handle a grim, realistic survival story

Recommended to Jim by: karen

Shelves: dystopia, horror, nature-wildlife, romance, strong-smart-female-protagonist, young-adult, suspense-thriller

June 27, 2012

SUPERVOLCANO!!!

I strongly recommend a visit to karen's fabulous review, which (along with her encouragement) got me interested in this gripping and realistic tale.

AND! A SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE BY karen IS FEATURED IN THIS JOINT REVIEW!! YAY!!

So here is what we are talking about. We will start with some science.

Pic #1: Ashfall zones from known eruptions of the Yellowstone Supervolcano:

'Age=' : millions of years ago for the specific eruption.

How likely is an eruption during our l ...more

35 likes · like · see review

Nov 05, 2011 Phoebe rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: loved-it, post-apocalyptic, sci-fi, intergalactic-academy-reviews

Full review (and an alternate perspective!) at the Intergalactic Academy.

Until I picked up Ashfall, I’d forgotten how much I loved survival stories.

The genre is an odd match for me. In many ways, even for a sci-fi lover, my tastes run toward the stereotypically “girly.” I don’t like war stories. I don’t like action sequences. Soft sci-fi is usually the rule of the day, and while a few post-apocalyptic tales–Meg Rosoff’s romance-and-psychic-incest touched How I Live Now comes to mind–have stood o...more Full review (and an alternate perspective!) at the Intergalactic Academy.

Until I picked up Ashfall, I’d forgotten how much I loved survival stories.

The genre is an odd match for me. In many ways, even for a sci-fi lover, my tastes run toward the stereotypically “girly.” I don’t like war stories. I don’t like action sequences. Soft sci-fi is usually the rule of the day, and while a few post-apocalyptic tales–Meg Rosoff’s romance-and-psychic-incest touched How I Live Now comes to mind–have stood out among recent reads as pretty nifty, I’d forgotten how much a gritty survival story can really resonate with me. After all, I didn’t even particularly love Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. I found the lack of worldbuilding frustrating; the core emotional conceits, mawkish and unearned. I thought maybe Ashfall wouldn’t be for me, not because of any flaws inherent in it, but because it’s just not my type.

But the first few pages of Ashfall raised long-forgotten memories. In seventh grade, I was assigned Harry Mazer’s Snow Bound in English class. Though now I’m sure I’d find the novel slight, I was captivated. It was the story of a pair of grumpy teens holed up together in a broken-down truck during a blizzard. So many details have stayed with me–small, realistic touches that gave the novel much more texture than even the classics we read that year–like how they melt snow and chewing gum together over the cigarette lighter to make a very-poor-man’s tea. It wasn’t a romance, not quite, but it was about how harsh situations can change people, and it dealt with those situations and feelings honestly. I loved that book.

Snow Bound was part of a grand tradition of kid’s novels in that era that were hyper-realistic. Messy families and working class kids abounded, and so when Mazer wrote about a disaster situation, it seemed natural to approach it with such a strong attention to detail. In Ashfall, Mike Mullin does the same thing, but he takes it a step further–expanding the length and subject matter to something fitting with modern YA. But the honesty, the precise details, and the accuracy feel like they’re from another era, and I can’t help but fear that we’ve lost something as we’ve moved away from that time.

Sean feels that Ashfall was hampered by narrative distance. I don’t agree. This is the type of novel where everything is rendered so deliberately that aspects like narrative distance feel as if they’re simply the natural result of the characters’ actual identities. Alex isn’t a particularly special or flashy boy–that’s because he’s a normal kid, one who plays World of Warcraft (described accurately), does martial arts (described accurately), and has obnoxious friends (described accurately). If there’s distance between Alex and the reader, that’s because Alex is a normal kid dealing with absolutely abnormal events. As he’s separated from his family, he must confront death alone in a hundred different iterations, from the animals he skins and eats (described in unflinching detail), to the murder of those who he loves (described in . . . well, you get the idea).

Mullin never shies away from the truth, not once, in this book. As Sean says, there’s the admirable presence of a gay couple early in the novel’s pages (they’re allowed heroism rarely seen in media portrayals of QUILTBAG individuals). There are also the hard realities of everyday life: eating, using the bathroom, sex, disease. If you think this sounds like a grim book, then you’d be right.

It’s also transcendent.

Ashfall, through its precision and honesty, moved me in a way The Road never did. The romance that grows between Alex and Darla is one of the best ones I’ve ever seen in YA, and one that’s certainly earned after the trials the pair endures over the course of the book. Mullin manages to use these teenagers–sixteen and seventeen years old–to say something really affecting about romance, something true to the characters’ ages but unspeakably deep nevertheless.

“The most important part of seeing Darla every night wasn’t the fooling around. It was the few minutes we talked while holding each other, the feeling of security I got with her, the feeling of being understood and loved. Before the eruption, I wouldn’t have believed that I could cuddle up every night with the girl who starred in my dreams and not be totally preoccupied with sex. But the trek across Iowa had changed something. I wanted, needed to see her so badly that it woke me up at night. But making out was incidental to my need–nice when it happened, but secondary to the simple pleasure of sleeping beside her." (440)

Sigh.

I loved this book, and I hope you do, too.(less)

29 likes · like · see review

Jul 04, 2011 Elle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read, dystopia-and-sci-fi, first-of-series, made-me-think, made-of-awesome, arc, elles-reviews

My mates over at Tanglewood Press have asked me not to review this book until a month prior to its release.

So. Instead, I give you:

Elle's Top Ten List of Things Learnt From Reading Ashfall

1. Mike Mullin is a genius

2. Bald chicks are hot

3. Bunnies are delicious

4. Toilet water is also delicious

5. I should really get around to planting that corn field...

6. Mike Mullin is who I will befriend during the next apocalypse

7. Darla: a name no longer reserved for 1930's boobalicious southern damsels

8. Des...more

61 likes · like · see review

Sep 13, 2011 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

One of my many book addictions is the “End of the World As We Know It” stories or otherwise known as “Oh-My-Good-Golly-What–Do-We-Do-Now?” books! :) Over the years, these tales have begun to possess similar plots, events, scares, and attitudes. But Mike Mullin’s Ashfall felt like a brand new bag in many ways! It held such inspiration, morality, and hope in the pages. This story felt more like a journey towards a new way of living in a new world rather than the beginning of the end.

After a superv...more One of my many book addictions is the “End of the World As We Know It” stories or otherwise known as “Oh-My-Good-Golly-What–Do-We-Do-Now?” books! :) Over the years, these tales have begun to possess similar plots, events, scares, and attitudes. But Mike Mullin’s Ashfall felt like a brand new bag in many ways! It held such inspiration, morality, and hope in the pages. This story felt more like a journey towards a new way of living in a new world rather than the beginning of the end.

After a supervolcano erupts in Yellowstone National Park, Alex’s weekend of freedom away from his family turns into a struggle and journey to survive in a world now covered in ash, darkness, unpredictable weather, violence, pain, loss, hunger, and fear. Alex sets off on foot and skis on a trek across Iowa to find his family and discovers so much more along the way. Alex’s battle to survive brings him face to face with friends, foes, and Darla!

Alex and Darla are flat out amazing! This book does not shy away from the harshness in a battle to survive, but love is a big part of this story. They were adorable, smart, strong, and caring towards each other and the people they came across on the road. It was a joy to watch these two conquer a problem with patience, strength, smarts, and grace. They encouraged, leaned on each other, and were not afraid to let the other one lead at times. It was just so refreshing to see intelligent young adults with a “we-should-try-it-how-hard-can-it-be” attitude. I fell in love with both of them! But I’ll just say it, Darla was my hero! The girl kicked ass! :)

Some of my favorite parts of Ashfall were the detailed lessons of the different techniques Alex and Darla used to help them survive. They incorporated skills they practiced in their “old” lives, skills they had read about, and theories that they now had to try to battle the elements and starvation. I truly admired their attitudes through out the highs and lows of their travels. I would have wanted to curl up and die at points, but they constantly pushed each other to keep learning and trying. Much of the science and skills, such as pig farming, greenhouses, smoking meat, and grinding corn, were well explained point by point, but at the same time piqued the reader’s interest to perhaps follow up on a topic. I found myself asking—is that true? I enjoyed all the survival lessons—even the gross ones! :)

This story showed the ugly side of a society struggling to survive, but it encouraged the best. My hat goes off to you, Mr. Mullin! You have written an end of the world as we know it story, but infused it with hope. Hope in love. Hope in humanity. Survival is key, but who we choose to surround ourselves with and how and what we do to survive should be the most important parts of the journey.

It was a very refreshing take on the genre and I look forward to the next book!

(less)

11 likes · like · see review

Sep 18, 2011 Ariana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-galley, series

“For the first time ever, I felt ashamed of my species. The volcano had taken our homes, our food, our automobiles, and our airplanes, but it hadn’t taken our humanity. No, we’d given that up on our own.”

Define Humanity: hu·man·i·ty, noun, plural -ties.
1. all human beings collectively; the human race; humankind.
2. the quality or condition of being human; human nature.
3. the quality of being humane; kindness; benevolence.

Define survival: sur·viv·al, noun
1. the act or fact of surviving, especiall...more

10 likes · like · see review

Oct 11, 2012 D.G. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, post-apocalyptic, reviewed

We have Mike Mullin at Badass today! www.badassbookreviews.com

**4.5 stars**

I'm not much for survivalist kind of books but I loved this one. It scared the hell out me though - I'm really not ready for a situation like this. Thankfully, it's not bound to happen in my lifetime. :)

This is the story of Alex, a typical teenager who has to grow up fast when he finds himself alone in the midst of the biggest natural disaster of his lifetime. He's separated from his family (by his own choice) and now tha...more We have Mike Mullin at Badass today! www.badassbookreviews.com

**4.5 stars**

I'm not much for survivalist kind of books but I loved this one. It scared the hell out me though - I'm really not ready for a situation like this. Thankfully, it's not bound to happen in my lifetime. :)

This is the story of Alex, a typical teenager who has to grow up fast when he finds himself alone in the midst of the biggest natural disaster of his lifetime. He's separated from his family (by his own choice) and now that he doesn't have them, he finds that he misses them terribly. He then decides to trek 150 miles to find them and is confronted with the best and worst of humanity.

Although Alex is just 16, this is a really mature sort of YA. The horror of their situation is not glossed over so we know when they are hungry, dirty and even how they manage their bodily functions. There's a lot of fear and the realization that the world as they knew it has ended and that they must be wary of strangers in a way they never were before.

It really touched me how Alex decided to follow his heart and not let himself be swept away by fear. It would have been really easy for him to just look out for himself but he realizes that he's alive because of the kindness of others and he pays it forward when he can even when that's the hard thing to do.

This is not a romance but it has one of the most tender and romantic relationships I've seen in a long time (both in YA and adult fiction.) Physical attraction is not even the first thing for them because really, they are not looking their best. Their relationship is about sharing the good and the bad and just being happy of every minute together, knowing that someone they love has their back and always will. However, they are teenagers in love so of course sex is part of the equation and I loved, simply LOVED, how sex is addressed as something natural and normal. Alex is not the type of asexual teen that can kill a person but never feels anything below the belt like we see in a lot of YA. Instead he's a normal young man who reacts at the proximity of a pretty young woman even in dire situations. :)

I'm really excited to read the sequel...I don't know how much I'll be able to wait before I learn what happens next.

(Provided for review by Tanglewood via netGalley.)(less)

9 likes · like · see review

Apr 03, 2013 JennyJen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: gritty, gore-galore, harry-sue, healthy-teen-romance, hero-doesnt-do-it-for-me, read-2013, reviewed, riveting, romance-sans-the-cheese, she-is-not-just-a-pretty-face, solid-series-start, somebody-slap-that-protagonist-pls, what-a-heroine-should-be, young-adult, dystopia

*No spoilers.

Somewhere between 3.5 and 3.75.

What sets Ashfall apart from the many dystopian novels that have hit the market in recent years, is that this is no fantasy. Sure, this story is a figment of Mullin’s imagination, but the reality is that Yellowstone is a supervolcano and while eruption during our lifetime is improbable, it isn’t impossible. The devastation that happens in Ashfall could happen to us tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed that it doesn’t. Keep them tightly crossed.

The book...more

7 likes · like · see review

Oct 19, 2011 Sam rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-or-galley, science-fiction

This review will contain mild spoilers

I have some mixed feelings about this novel, but, generally, it was an enjoyable read.

A summary:

Ashfall begins with Alex, our 16-year-old protagonist, recounting the events of a Friday - a Friday no one is able to forget in a hurry. Having had another one of his frequent arguments with his mother, Alex is allowed to stay home alone for the weekend while the rest of his family visit his uncle in Warren, Illinois. A weekend alone, what could go wrong, right?

Un...more

13 likes · like · see review

Dec 08, 2011 Regina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, first-in-series, arc-publisher-netgalley, post-apocalyptic, favorites, natural-disasters

End of the world story? I am THERE regardless if the book is about zombies, nuclear fall out, or mass pandemic. But, if the end of the world story happens to be about a natural disaster – say like a massive volcano eruption – then I am in heaven. For me, this book is the best of everything in one of my favorite genres. It is a young adult book with a male main character, set in a location I know intimately well because I grew up there, and involving a super volcano eruption and its aftermath. So...more End of the world story? I am THERE regardless if the book is about zombies, nuclear fall out, or mass pandemic. But, if the end of the world story happens to be about a natural disaster – say like a massive volcano eruption – then I am in heaven. For me, this book is the best of everything in one of my favorite genres. It is a young adult book with a male main character, set in a location I know intimately well because I grew up there, and involving a super volcano eruption and its aftermath. Some survival stories detail the day in and day out of how to survive and some focus on how ugly the world has gotten due to the devolution of human nature – Ashfall incorporates both.

The story begins as many young adult books do, the hero of the story is alone because his parents are gone for the weekend and well, the world ends. The hero is forced to try and survive on his own and he begins a quest to locate his parents. I loved that this story is a rural setting. So many end of the world and survival stories take place in urban settings. The placement of this story in a rural location was not only unique and refreshing but it allowed for the feeling and atmosphere to grow that the characters were alone, stranded and nobody was coming to help them.

The hero is not perfect and he is not able to do everything well; in fact he is pretty much a normal teenage kid. The setting is rural eastern Iowa and north western Illinois and the super volcano erupts in Colorado, spewing ash and emitting horribly loud booming noises 900 miles away to where this story takes place. The entire Midwest appears to be effected by gray skies, extremely cold weather, demolished infrastructure, lack of government and authority and a complete lack of incoming food shipments. The people there are forced to survive. What happens next is the hero’s attempt to make his way through a wasteland, his interactions with people he meets (very bad and some very good) – he has nothing to aid in his survival, except for his basic level of knowledge, his hope that his parents are alive and ….. (drumroll) …. his expertise practical knowledge of tae kwon do. A second character is introduced at some point through the story and she is absolutely amazing, she is truly a heroine. For me, she made the story.

One of the interesting aspects of the book is how the author incorporated issues of corporate greed and deference of government power and authority to private corporations. A third of the way through the story, the characters arrive at a refugee camp, I am not going to post any spoilers, the camp is not run by the United States government, but instead by a private corporation that has been given power and authority to act as a government and is paid with federal money; thus, the outsourcing of federal and military duties to private corporations. And the clear motive of the company receiving the outsourced job was not to help or support society, but instead to profit. This storyline is very subtle, but it is written in a way that draws out emotion and shock. The theme could have been easily over done, but instead it was treaded over lightly enough to provide readers with a visceral reaction and wonder what would happen right now as the result of a natural disaster? Would the scenario Mike Mullin sets up be the one to happen?

So why 4 stars if I loved this book and I have marked it as a favorite? Well, I found the beginning difficult to access as a reader; I was not invested until the crisis began. But once the event happened, this book quickly became one that I could not put down.

The story ends without concluding the characters’ tale, but it does end with hope and it ends without a cliffhanger. I will definitely be reading the next in the series. And note to Mike Mullin if you happen to be reading this, since I am from the area in which you set your book I am more than happy to consult with you. Additionally, one thing you might want to consider is the geographic area for the setting of Ashfall has several nuclear power plants (several!) – how are these plants affected by the eruption of the super volcano?
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15 likes · like · see review

Oct 17, 2011 Heidi rated it 4 of 5 stars

A copy of this novel was kindly provided by Tanglewood Press via NetGalley for review.

Four stars: This is a nail biting, anxiety laden adventure that will leave you hungry for more.

Sixteen year old Alex is planning on an epic weekend. After a hard fought battle with his mother over a family weekend trip to his Uncle's goat farm, he has won the ultimate prize of a weekend home alone. Two days of freedom from his mother's constant nagging and his irritating, bratty, pest of a sister. He shoves his...more

5 likes · like · see review

Aug 01, 2011 Cassi aka Snow White Haggard rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: dystopian, read-in-2011, galleys

I'm adjusting my review to reflect that the author of this book was very rude to me on a social network. I ranked it 3/3.5 & rounded it up to 4 to be generous to a debut author. I'm not going to hash out all the details of my encounter with him BUT he was rude, judgmental and did not apologize. For me that is enough for me to not be as generous and no recommend his book. So I'm lowering my rating to 3 stars for bad manners and moving on with my life.

(view spoiler)...more I'm adjusting my review to reflect that the author of this book was very rude to me on a social network. I ranked it 3/3.5 & rounded it up to 4 to be generous to a debut author. I'm not going to hash out all the details of my encounter with him BUT he was rude, judgmental and did not apologize. For me that is enough for me to not be as generous and no recommend his book. So I'm lowering my rating to 3 stars for bad manners and moving on with my life.

(view spoiler)
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Sep 27, 2011 Alba rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: to-review, netgalley

Expected publication: October 11th 2011(Arc review)

...I found myself yawning and sleepy only a few hours later. There was no point in fighting it-the nightmares that haunted my dreams would beat the waking nightmare my life had become-so I let myself drift back to sleep.

Mike Mullin= Genious!
Really!
It's one of the most amazing reads of this year and one you simply cannot miss!

There's no cake before the hit, no preamble as to what you'll witness-not see- but seriously witness in the next sentence...more

5 likes · like · see review

Sep 26, 2011 Bookish♥Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: series-read, favorites, read-in-2011

♥ Find my reviews on Blogger ~ Reviews by Bookish Sarah

- - -

Ah, I love a good apocalypse in the morning!

Alex, just your average teenage guy, is home alone for the weekend. He's just chillin' in his bedroom playing WoW when, all of a sudden he hears a massive crashing sound and the house practically caves in on itself. This is within the FIRST CHAPTER. To pretense here! Mike Mullin does not mess around!

A supervolcano in Yellowstone National Park has erupted, spiraling the world into darkness and...more

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Jan 21, 2012 Evie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, favorites, miya-event

***Originally posted to: Bookish Blog as a part of the MEN in YA event.

I first heard about Ashfall around the time when my hubby and I were planning our Trans-America trip and we've been spending hours after hours searching through the depths of Uncle Google for interesting places, landmarks and other must-see things along the way. I remember my husband showing me pictures of Yellowstone National Park, and how out-of-this-world beautiful it looked like, with all its unique vegetation, geysers a...more

6 likes · like · see review

Dec 12, 2011 Ceridwen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: america-and-environs, omg-were-all-going-to-die, reviewed, young-adult

A perfectly wonderful little disaster read I undertook on a Sunday while cooking too much food and then eating it. Gotta put on the fat for the long nuclear winter! (Or Christmas, but same dif.) Sixteen year old Alex is left home for the weekend, his parents and sister driving off to visit family a couple of hours away. Then blammo! The super volcano under Yellowstone erupts. Although about a thousand miles away from eastern Iowa, where this mostly takes place, the volcano belches enough ash to...more A perfectly wonderful little disaster read I undertook on a Sunday while cooking too much food and then eating it. Gotta put on the fat for the long nuclear winter! (Or Christmas, but same dif.) Sixteen year old Alex is left home for the weekend, his parents and sister driving off to visit family a couple of hours away. Then blammo! The super volcano under Yellowstone erupts. Although about a thousand miles away from eastern Iowa, where this mostly takes place, the volcano belches enough ash to blot out the sun and rain down in inches. Alex strikes out into the wasteland to reunite with this family. Post-apocalyptic troubles ensue.

Although this book kinda looks like one of those landscape pictures, like The Road, where the principles move through a landscape that is (on some level) metaphysical, it's not. This is more akin to hard science fictions, and its concerns tend to be physical. The homework has been done, and everything about the descriptions of the volcano, its aftereffects, and even the effects on technology, animals, the body are well-researched; not just plausible but likely. Mullin knows how to skin a rabbit, and he's not afraid to tell you how it's done. But, and this is just me, I have some personal boredoms with certain aspects of hard science fiction - there is often a whole lot of concrete detail that doesn't do anything but sit there concretely. I'm not complaining - this is a great antidote to a lot of shitty, fanciful world-building that goes on, the kind of stuff that sets up a world to conform to the fantasies of the readership. (I'm not going to name names, but you probably know what I'm talking about.) This is more documentary than horror film, even while it documents horror. More books, even fictional ones, would do better to have bibliographies; nice.

The characters are competent and not prone to arm-wheeling, even in often dire situations. For the most part I liked the voice of Alex, though I think he sometimes slipped into sounding older and more measured than his years. And sometimes I think his affect was a little flat - or possibly it was just the unornamented prose. Alex doesn't pause much for flowery descriptions, which has both benefits and disappointments. I am a huge fan of the post-apocalyptic landscape, and that desolate beauty is what has made me forgive books like Blood Red Road for other narrative foolishness. I think this ashy Iowa could have been better evoked, but that is mostly personal preference, and the attention to realistic detail is well done.

The best parts of this book occur in small, claustrophobic environments, like the sequence when Alex falls into a river and nearly freezes to death. The building of the ersatz igloo, the breaking of his travelling partner's grief taking place in the mundanity of hour-by-hour survival - this was very well-done. When the lens widens and we start seeing more of the post-volcanic world - like everything about the FEMA camp - this worked less well for me. It's not that I don't think what happens there is impossible - and again, the part where Alex pulls a guard duty has a bleak everyday quality which is sketched well - it just felt more pointedly...what?...like some kind of commentary, a smash at corporatization that felt out of place in an otherwise suffocatingly personal narrative. Sort of oh noes, teh governments, when the opposite has been vividly shown to be no good either. (Oh noes, teh cannibals!) I guess there's something to be said for balance, just, I don't know, that camp didn't make any sense to me. Governments are often stupid and cruel in crisis situations, just in a more casual, haphazard way.

Anyway, this was super fun to read, and I liked it, but several things about it - mostly personal preference stuff - keep me from raving. Enjoyable end of the world, and tons of points for the physical realities here.

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Oct 27, 2011 Joy (joyous reads) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, net-galley, favourites, cant-put-these-down, own, signed

Alex is your typical teenager; full of rebellious angst and tendencies. His days were filled with on-line video games and arguments for the sake of arguments with his parents, broken up with tae-kwon-do lessons. On a weekend where his wish to be left alone was granted, a catastrophe changed him for good.

A super volcano erupted, followed by a bitter winter that was forecasted to last for a decade. Hunger and violence escalated, wiping civility and spurring events so desperate and helpless that i...more

7 likes · like · see review

Sep 13, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews, trt-gold-star-award-winner, apocalyptic-dystopian, net-galley-cant-lend, series-bk-1, teen

Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com

Alex, a typical teenage boy, is left alone for the weekend because he refused to go away with his parents to his Uncle's farm. He quickly regrets his decision after the unthinkable happens. A volcano in Yellowstone National Park erupts, sending ash across the entire country. Forced to leave after the destruction of his home, Alex decides to try and make it to his family the only way he can - on foot. Taking only what he can carry, he sets out on a...more Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com

Alex, a typical teenage boy, is left alone for the weekend because he refused to go away with his parents to his Uncle's farm. He quickly regrets his decision after the unthinkable happens. A volcano in Yellowstone National Park erupts, sending ash across the entire country. Forced to leave after the destruction of his home, Alex decides to try and make it to his family the only way he can - on foot. Taking only what he can carry, he sets out on a dangerous journey, hoping for the best.

Alex encounters many obstacles along the way - many extremely dangerous. When he can't go any further he is lucky enough to come across a farmhouse with people willing to help. Darla, a girl a couple of years older than he is, and her mother seem to be making it so far. Darla's mechanical abilities have allowed her to rig things up to help them stay fed.

But, after disaster strikes, Darla is left with no choice but to leave with Alex as he continues his journey toward his family. Will their food and water last? Can they stay away from the desperate people willing to do anything to survive? Will his family even be there when he gets to the farm?

ASHFALL is a true page-turner. The fact that a scenario like this could really happen makes you stop and think. How long could you make it on the food and water you have at home? Could you protect yourself from people willing to do anything to take what you have? Author Mike Mullin does a great job putting Alex in situations that I feel would be very likely to happen. He doesn't allow Alex to get through the story unscathed and I appreciated it. Realistically, what teen could make it hundreds of miles on foot through dangerous conditions without running into some MAJOR trouble?

I also enjoyed how the author handled the relationship between Alex and Darla. He created two intelligent, responsible characters, and it was a pleasure to take this journey with them. Something else I liked is that Darla is a strong and smart girl and Alex isn't intimidated by that at all. He realizes she is smarter than he is in many aspects of survival and allows her to lead the way when it is necessary.

I really can't wait for the sequel, ASHEN WINTER, which is set to come out in October 2012. (less)

4 likes · like · see review

May 15, 2011 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: dystopian, teen

Borrowed the ARC of this from a friend and really ended up enjoying it. Can't wait for the sequel, Ashen Winter, to come out.

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 23, 2012 Dichotomy Girl rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, dystopia-apocolyptic, ya, kindle, 5-stars, favorites-2012, recommend-to-mom

Halfway through reading this, I felt the need to inform my husband how woefully unprepared we are for the coming apocalypse.

We don't own a shotgun.

I don't know how to slaughter my own meat, or cook over an open fire.

And I am completely ill equipped to deal with the inevitable downfall of society.

Once I accepted my inadequacy and accepted that I would most likely be one of the first casualties, I could sit back and enjoy the story of Alex's battle for survival on his journey to find his parents a...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jan 28, 2013 Micheline rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: dystopia-utopia-future, young-adult, hero-worship

Ashfall is a book I've been wanting to read for a while now... but with books like this, I'm a little weird and I have to be in the right mood/vibe to read like realistic apocalyptic type stuff. The reason being (and I've mentioned this before) is that I'm a chicken sh!t, scaredy cat. Same reason I don't read horror, even gore or things like zombie books. Thankfully, Ashfall has neither zombies or gratuitous gore, but things do get pretty horrific on the terrifying scale. In this addictive and p...more Ashfall is a book I've been wanting to read for a while now... but with books like this, I'm a little weird and I have to be in the right mood/vibe to read like realistic apocalyptic type stuff. The reason being (and I've mentioned this before) is that I'm a chicken sh!t, scaredy cat. Same reason I don't read horror, even gore or things like zombie books. Thankfully, Ashfall has neither zombies or gratuitous gore, but things do get pretty horrific on the terrifying scale. In this addictive and plausible read, a Super-Volcano erupts in Yellowstone and in the blink of an eye, the world is transformed - permanently altered.

The story begins with Alex, as his parents leave him alone for the first time for a whole week end as they make their way further south. Everything seems normal as Alex watches them drive away but it's not soon after that things go horribly wrong. I loved that the story starts a little before the actual erruption so we can be with Alex as everything starts happening. It's terrifying but I was thoroughly rivited as everything descends into chaos. At first Alex has no clue whatsoever what is going on. He later learns, while taking refuge with his neighbors that the Super-Volcano in Yellowstone has errupted. After a shocking first initial few days, Alex takes refuge and sees his home town transformed as people descend into despair...and worse. In desperation & fear Alex embarks on a perilous journey to reunite with his family, against all odds.

Alex is a very relatable & endearing protagonist. His voice as he comes to terms with what has happened, and how quickly the rules of socity that we all take for granted begin to crumble around him is both gripping & moving. It was SO refreshing to read a book with a male POV - especially one as complex and wholly likeable as Alex. He is well rounded, level headed and an all around fun character to get to know. The way he deals with such life-altering events made him all the more real for me. He really is forced to grow up in virtually an instant...and he finds himself up to the task. You can't help rooting for him & hoping he finds what he's looking for. I can really see young/teen boys LOVING this book, simply because of Alex and how real he feels throughout Ashfall. Being a girl, I can safely say that I couldn't get enough of him myself - he's definitely a memorable protagonist.

The world as we know it undergoes drastic changes after the erruption. Firstly, there is the ash - it's not called Ashfall without reason. Ash falls from the sky long after the eruption is over. And I mean a butt-load of ash: enough to completely cover the sun, the moon, the stars...and wreck havoc on the climate, weather patterns and ever the seasons. It feels like reading a story based on a completely different planet -everything is grey & ashen. Breathing becomes a hazard to your health and even that isn't the worst of Alex's problems. I was amazed by how author Mike Mullin injected all the elements one could imagine coming into play in a situation like this. It was never excessive or difficult for me to imagine. This all felt SO real!

There is never a dull moment - Alex is always facing adversity as he brave the unforgiving & unpredictable elements. It was chilling (and realistic I think) to see how quickly most people lost their humanity. People became savage, animals. With everyone consumed with fear & uncertainty, most of the rules we live by and take for granted on a daily basis were quickly replaced by madness, savagery & violence. Within all of that new-found primitiveness, Mike Mullin was able to weave in kindness & love in the most unexpected places. Not everyone becomes horrible. There are still good people...trying to survive.

Ashfall is a book that stays in your head. Even when you put it down, or try to sleep, or go about your daily life. And yes, even when it's over - I find myself thinking about it...remembering & above all wondering; what will happen next to Alex & Darla?? It's scary, but it a good way because it makes you think. It was fully absorbing & stirring from start to finish. If you're a fan of dystopian or post-apocalyptic reads and you haven't read Ashfall yet, what are you waiting for?! 5-stars!

For all my reviews, features, news & giveaways - visit my blog:

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Apr 29, 2012 Krista (CubicleBlindness Reviews) rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was absolutely amazing. Highly recommended that you buy this for yourself and your friends. The characters and the plot were so well written, I had to pry my eyes away from this book, never wanting to put it down. I experienced several different emotions while reading ranging from, anger, to disgust, to thirst and relief. I'm not kidding that I had to keep a glass of water by my side I became very thirsty during this one.

The author did a great amount of reasearch and it comes through...more

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 02, 2011 Tracy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks, july-2011

Ashfall was one of my first books from Net Galley and I was very excited it give it a read. Dystopian/ Post-Apocalyptic are fast becoming my first choice. I know, I know. A lot of people are devouring these too. I know a lot of people out there are saying, but why? They are so dark and depressing. Okay yes, there are certainly dark moments, but you know what? There is so much good and light within these dark tales. The one thing that I love about Dystopian is that there are always those characte...more Ashfall was one of my first books from Net Galley and I was very excited it give it a read. Dystopian/ Post-Apocalyptic are fast becoming my first choice. I know, I know. A lot of people are devouring these too. I know a lot of people out there are saying, but why? They are so dark and depressing. Okay yes, there are certainly dark moments, but you know what? There is so much good and light within these dark tales. The one thing that I love about Dystopian is that there are always those characters that rise above and show that even when times are dark, at the core of humanity we are mostly good. These characters bring to light the true testament of the human nature and our willingness to fight for what is right and our strength to survive. And this is what I loved so much about Ashfall.

At it's core, this is a book based on characters and what those characters will do in order to survive and to keep those they love alive. Yes, this is about a Super Volcano. Yes, there is a whole science aspect to this story and no it is not really dealt with in great detail, but that is not what this book was about for me. I don't know if the scientific stuff is believable. Quite frankly, I don't care. The basic premise was good enough for me. What I loved about this book was Alex. Alex's story begins with a BANG! Quite literally. And it does not stop. We see Alex grow from beginning to end and I for one enjoyed every step of the way. I connected right away to this character. He is this normal teenage boy when we first meet him...about to be left alone for the weekend while his family is off visiting other family in another state. Cool? Not! Alex's life comes crashing down on him in a matter of a few pages and so his journey to find his family begins. Right from the start, Alex is forced to grow up quickly due to the situations he is forced to be apart of and witness. Many are terrifying and heartbreaking to say the least. Along the way he meets up with many characters. Some are good but some are the true definition of evil. I don't like to put too many spoilers into my reviews, but I will say that the author, Mike Mullin, did a fantastic job of throwing enough at Alex to keep the readers wanting more and worrying constantly for Alex's wellbeing.

Halfway through Alex's journey, he meets, Darla. Darla, Darla, Darla. I love Darla. She is this amazing 18yr old girl who has grown up on a farm and learning absolutely everything from her father and then after his death, on her own. Darla is amazing. She is beautiful, smart, snarky and just plain cool. The relationship that develops between Alex and Darla is perfect. It is not over done and just feels natural considering everything that they go through together.

The ending of this one was also perfect - for me anyway. There was no big huge cliff hanger. Which is too often the norm in YA as of late. It ended leaving you with the knowledge that there is more to Alex and Darla's story. I for one will be anxiously waiting the next instalment, Ashen Winter.

Rating: 5 Stars!
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About Mike Mullin

Mike Mullin’s first job was scraping the gum off the undersides of desks at his high school. From there, things went steadily downhill. He almost got fired by the owner of a bookstore due to his poor taste in earrings. He worked at a place that showed slides of poopy diapers during lunch (it did cut down on the cafeteria budget). The hazing process at the next company included eating live termites...more

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“A librarian can’t live by books alone, and I wouldn’t eat them if I could. Feel too much like cannibalism.” — 76 people liked it

“For the first time ever, I felt ashamed of my species. The volcano had taken our homes, our food, our automobiles, and our airplanes, but it hadn't taken our humanity. No, we'd given that up on our own.” — 74 people liked it

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