


there are still dangers (SO many dangers), but the primary concerns are the necessary measures that must be taken to establish a home base, and creating a sustainable future for the survivors. in this book, the focus is on rebuilding creating a homestead. even in his own internal monologues, he admits when he doesn't know something, and defers to the expertise of others. he is hard-working and intelligent, and is willing to listen to people's advice. although he is young, he has already proven himself to others as a level-headed, capable, and compassionate person.

survival of the fittest and all.Īlex is great in this book. yes, sometimes alex seems a little too good to be true, yes sometimes it seems awfully convenient to have an electrical engineer, a brilliant military strategist, and darla - the handiest girl to ever have around in a post-apocalyptic situation all at the ready, but it never seems forced. it is one of the most well-conceived, well-researched set of books heavy on both the practical survivalist/scientific detail and the action sequences, and it never sacrifices the human elements. and for those of you who are still all weirdly snobby about reading YA (i was one of you - get over it) this does not read like what you are probably thinking of when you think of YA lit.

i loved it like i have rarely loved a trilogy before. Let's take a moment of silence to reflect on this trilogy. This epic finale has the heart of Ashfall, the action of Ashen Winter, and a depth all its own, examining questions of responsibility and bravery, civilization and society, illuminated by the story of an unshakable love that transcends a post-apocalyptic world and even life itself. they, their loved ones, and the few remaining survivors will perish. When it becomes apparent that their home is no longer safe and adults are not facing the stark realities, Alex and Darla must create a community that can survive the ongoing disaster, an almost impossible task requiring even more guts and more smarts than ever - and unthinkable sacrifice. Sickness, cold, and starvation are the survivors' constant companions. Communities wage war on each other, gangs of cannibals roam the countryside, and what little government survived the eruption has collapsed completely. Now, almost a year after the eruption, the survivors seem determined to finish the job. The Yellowstone supervolcano nearly wiped out the human race.
