Ashes Buddy Read

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

Yay David! So another buddy read soon? lol

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

Yes!!!!!

[Cindee]

alright David, I will wait and see, you and I have similar thoughts when reading these buddy reads, now I'm really curious.

[Karen’s Library]

David wrote: "I finished!! Omg what an ending! Convinced me to buy the second one :)

Cindee, I think you'll love the ending too, some fantastic twists!"

Yaaaayyyyy!!! :)

[Karen’s Library]

David wrote: "Yes!!!!!"

Awesome!! I'm in! :)

[Cindee]

Alright I finished it. and yes I do want to keep reading...what the???? yeah good ending.
couple things bothered me tho. first was, Rule was very organized and planned out for something that had only occurred two months prior, of course over her time there its longer, but even Alex had said in a comment about it only being two months. Given the character herself made note of it, I could let it go.
However remember that book we all read Enclave. Well at the end they make it to Outpost going onto book two, which I read and loved. Outpost reminded of the last parts in Ashes. Anyway, it was believable that in Outpost over years they created their little society with rules. In Ashes I just had a real hard time not thinking, the world is in chaos, changing, eating each other or dropping dead, but this little town survives it all and with senior citizens pulling the reigns. Now I live in a strata so I get that seniors can be feisty, but come on.
the other thing that thru me off was the conversations. I'm not sure how many times I actually had to go back and reread what was going and still felt lost at the conversations. Again this was when Alex made it to Rule. lots of random conversations going on with characters we just got introduced to, so trying to know what was going on was sometimes confusing for me.
Other then that tho, I am anxious to find out more of what really happened. do I like Chris more then Tom, will Elly ever be found? And what is up with Alex's sniffer, is she part wolf now?
Bring on Shadows!

PS. did I do the spoilers right?

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

Cindee wrote: "Alright I finished it. and yes I do want to keep reading...what the???? yeah good ending.
couple things bothered me tho. first was, Rule was very organized and planned out for something that had on..."

LOL spoilers didn't work :)

I agree with a lot of what you said. Did seem a little unrealistic how quickly all this type of stuff had been organized, and something like a breeding program where men get to select women seemed to happen a bit fast--most women these days wouldn't jump on board with that unless there was a major cultural change that occurred over years.

But that being said, it's definitely an interesting plot and it really made me wonder what else is out there in the new world. Like are there many places like Rule, or is it one of a kind?

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

I got the impression that Rule's rules (lol) had existed for quite awhile, that they were this religious community for years with this set up, but that they had adjusted things after the EMP.

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

Yeah, I sort of got that too, but I'm not sure I really understood it or that it was fleshed out that much. If I were Alex, I would have had a lot of questions about the way the city was run in the past. Like how were they able to operate that way within the laws and rules of the U.S. Were they a cult? Or more like an Amish community? Both vibes sort of applied in this case...

But that's a good point, Jenny, I'd forgotten that there was more to the history of Rule than just post-ZAP!

[Cindee]

I got the same impression Jenny, but like David, I ruled out that that community could exist in the USA. they even said that its been like that in the town for years, however with people dying and changing and eating people, and then you have the men that awakened on council, just seemed awfully quick and organized. you would think they would've just been cleaning up the chaos that happened after two months in a town like that. its like that town was spared all that chaos. just something was just off on the town of Rule. but, perhaps its part of the plot and maybe it will be more clear in book 2? I don't know, all I know is I want to read it lol.

[Jen]

(clears throat) Um, hello everyone. I'd just like to say that although this series is a bit gruesome for my taste, I'd love to join you when you read Shadows. I started it awhile ago but gave up - I would be less likely to do that if I were discussing said gruesomeness with people I thoroughly enjoy.

And yes, I think I did just make up a word there. Although I have to say it runs in my family - the other day Mia said she was going to "assassinize that fly!" : )

So I will be on the lookout for the Shadows read.

[Cindee]

you know David you can't go by the ratings. well I don't anyway, I loved the selection and I went back to see what others thought and I was horrified that real YA didn't like it and me being 38 loved it lol. its the same with movies, who are these people that get to paid to write those movie reviews!?
you never know we may be pleasantly surprised or or or yeah it could really stink, however with all these dollar stores I admit I've wasted a dollar a lot worse lol
however I would say its one of those book we should try to read sooner then later, its a book that could go on the back shelf if something better comes along.

[Karen’s Library]

The most common complaint was that there were so many characters, that a year was too long to wait in between books because you couldn't remember who was who a year later. We should read Shadows quicker rather than later while Ashes is still fresh. ;-)

And Jen, gruesomeness decribes the book perfectly! Yay, so glad you'll join in!

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

Both good points, David and Cindee, and I agree with both of you. I'm hoping we will learn more in the sequel. And there are religious communities that exist in the US, that was one of the points of immigrants who came here, to practice their own religion. I know there are some extreme types of groups of people living here!
I got the sequel as a library book, so no loss for me if it stinks! Other than my time, I guess, but I'm willing to risk it!

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

Jen wrote: "(clears throat) Um, hello everyone. I'd just like to say that although this series is a bit gruesome for my taste, I'd love to join you when you read Shadows. I started it awhile ago but gave up ..."

Woot! Now its a party!!!

[Cindee]

jenny will we ever see Bitter kingdom? lol but yeah I'm ready we can go right into shadows!

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

David's reading Ashfall at the moment, I don't know how it will be until he finishes. Is everyone okay with starting Shadows on Friday?

Then we can start the Bitter Kingdom now Cindee if everyone is agreeable!

[Cindee]

sure jenny let's start Bitter Kingdom and Friday would be great to start Shadows, I'm in.

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

Jen wrote: "(clears throat) Um, hello everyone. I'd just like to say that although this series is a bit gruesome for my taste, I'd love to join you when you read Shadows. I started it awhile ago but gave up ..."

LOL! yay! Join us in the gruesomeness :) She is VERY good at describing gore lol She should put that on her resume :)

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

Cindee wrote: "you know David you can't go by the ratings. well I don't anyway, I loved the selection and I went back to see what others thought and I was horrified that real YA didn't like it and me being 38 lov..."

Yeah, I usually don't give too much credit to the ratings unless there's a small population and a fair few of that small population didn't like the book. This one kinda sorta falls into that category. From reading some of them, I see Karen's point that some people might've needed to read the two books closer together. Others didn't like the gore. I guess we'll have to read it and find out who we agree with, but after that last 20% I'm itching to read it soon!

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

Jenny wrote: "David's reading Ashfall at the moment, I don't know how it will be until he finishes. Is everyone okay with starting Shadows on Friday?

Then we can start the Bitter Kingdom now Cindee if everyo..."

I'm up for reading Shadows whenever you all are ready! Friday would be perfect :) Ashfall is a quick read so I should finish tomorrow. It's a pretty good book, really enjoying it, although SO SAD :(

[Cindee]

after my embarresment with the selection David I never read reviews hahahaha but it was sooooooo good. maybe writing gruesome details is already part of her resume, hmmmmm lol

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

LOL fair enough! I've definitely had a few books that I really thought were underrated by reviewers but maybe I just have very different taste to the masses sometimes! One example was the Uglies, which I loved but got pretty low average ratings across the series :)

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

David wrote: "Jenny wrote: "David's reading Ashfall at the moment, I don't know how it will be until he finishes. Is everyone okay with starting Shadows on Friday?

Then we can start the Bitter Kingdom now Ci..."

I know, right? Its a very dark, realistic feeling kind of story. I'm happy you are liking it!

[Karen’s Library]

I'm in for Friday! (For David, Thursday...) ;-P Bwahahahahaa!!!!!!!

[Karen’s Library]

Fun fact on Ilsa. She started her writing career by writing Star Trek novels. :-D

I'm friends with her on Facebook so if anyone has any questions, I can put them to her and we can just ask her. She's very open and approachable! :)

[Cindee]

woot woot I have it already :-)

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

Karen wrote: "I'm in for Friday! (For David, Thursday...) ;-P Bwahahahahaa!!!!!!!"

Hahaha!

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

Karen wrote: "Fun fact on Ilsa. She started her writing career by writing Star Trek novels. :-D

I'm friends with her on Facebook so if anyone has any questions, I can put them to her and we can just ask her. ..."

Cool! Can you get her to come to the group for a Q&A? Lol I'm loving the one with Barry Lyga and I want to do more of them! (Hugh Howey hasn't responded to any of my messages after agreeing to do one!)

[Jen]

Karen wrote: "Fun fact on Ilsa. She started her writing career by writing Star Trek novels. :-D

I'm friends with her on Facebook so if anyone has any questions, I can put them to her and we can just ask her. ..."

THAT . . . would be awesome!

[Caitlin]

So I'm massively behind everyone but I just hit 63% (part four) and all I want to say is... I WILL NEVER LOOK AT ELDERLY PEOPLE THE SAME WAY AGAIN OH MY GOODNESS.

Also, I'm good with starting shadows on Friday :)

[Cindee]

hahahaha that's funny Caitlin today when I was out and saw seniors I was like bossy creatures lol. it's funny how sometimes after you read a book you carry it on into your life.

[Karen’s Library]

David wrote: "Karen wrote: "Fun fact on Ilsa. She started her writing career by writing Star Trek novels. :-D

I'm friends with her on Facebook so if anyone has any questions, I can put them to her and we can ..."

Hmmm... I know Hugh has been away again for some conventions. Try his regular email. He always responds eventually. I don't think he's on GR's too often.

I'll check with Ilsa. :-)

[Katelyn]

Holy crap I just finished it and it was intense! What a crazy ending! I wasn't sure about the sequel because of the ratings but now that I've finished the first book, how can I not read the second?

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

Katelyn wrote: "Holy crap I just finished it and it was intense! What a crazy ending! I wasn't sure about the sequel because of the ratings but now that I've finished the first book, how can I not read the second?"

LOL yay!! That's exactly how I felt, Ilsa has major talent when it comes to shock value and creepiness :) So glad you'll be joining us again!

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

Karen wrote: "David wrote: "Karen wrote: "Fun fact on Ilsa. She started her writing career by writing Star Trek novels. :-D

I'm friends with her on Facebook so if anyone has any questions, I can put them to h..."

OK cool, thanks for letting me know. Would you mind sending me his e-mail? I don't have it :)

And thanks for checking with Ilsa! Karen, do you know EVERY author? LOL, you are so well connected to the literary community!

[Karen’s Library]

Just 3, you included! I started following (sort of stalking) Ilsa after I first read Ashes as it was my first YA dystopian after Hunger Games. She uses her personal Facebook page and always chit chats with her fans. I ended up winning most of her books and a survival kit in almost every giveaway her different publishers were doing. It was weird, so she got to know me from that. She comments on my personal photos. Ilsa actually commented about Goodreads which is how I discovered it.

Hugh also uses his personal Facebook page and also talks to everyone. He has so many fans now though, we're getting lost in the crowds.

I don't know them like I do you. :-)

Hugh's email is hughhowey@gmail.com. See if he responds by email. It may take him a few days because I know he gets tons of emails. He talks about it on FB.

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

Wow, that's still pretty cool though! I'll try Hugh on e-mail. Thanks for requesting Ilsa to do a Q&A in the group, that would be really awesome :)

[Karen’s Library]

Ilsa is IN!! :) Woot woot.


I'm STILL reading Ashes. At 80% right now. At least it's a reread so I was able to read everyone's spoilers. I might be finished by the time we start Shadows. ;-D Busy busy last couple of weeks for me. I've been putting in long days and weekends at work.

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

Yayyy!! Well done Karen! Thanks so much for getting her signed up and best of lucky with your busy days at work :)

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

Awesome!

[Caitlin]

Finished! My goodness what an ending! Good thing we are hitting up the next on tomorrow! I'd say a good 4 1/2 stars.

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

I know, right? Such a great ending!