Monsters (The Ashes Trilogy) Paperback – September 9, 2014

So, here's the thing. I think the Ashes Trilogy is one of the best written collections available in this genre. As a voracious reader, I've worked my way through dozens of trilogies (series) and found the most are not worthy of the three books, let alone six, seven, eight books. Usually, the second book in a trilogy is the weakest, it being the book in which the author drags out long,long, long scenes where the character(s) waffle back and forth about things that appear on the surface to be critical to the world they live in, but which are actually only relevant to the tiny world that revolves around themselves.That is not the case with this trilogy. Book 2 (Shadows) is excellent, sustains the pace and contain vivd description and excellent fight scenes. It also breaks from the monotony of the first person pov, allowing other characters to play a more intimate part in the story. Do I like Alex? I love that heroine, but I also like the opportunity to get into the heads of Ellie, Tom, Chris and the rest. My only regret is that we never got a chance to get into Wolf's head.Book 3,Monsters, has a different feel from book 1 & 2. It seems to fall into the more popular format of screen-play writing or dramatic art. {see: Something Startling Happens by by Todd Klick} This is a very popular movement that has been surfacing in literature for a while. (Not saying it's bad, just saying that it relies heavily on pacing and high drama. It is basically the format of a movie translated into the written word.} Scene cuts are abrupt, action is the focus, lots of explosions, gore, drama. The pace is fast and the impressions very visceral.The technique has it's strengths and weakness. (A weakness being those hard cuts from one scene to another scene happening simultaneously somewhere else in that world. In addition, the dramatic art requires moving into a moment and spending more time describing the action occurring. This could feel like a slow in the pacing of the story though it is actually true to the method of slowing down and narrowing the focus on a moment that is filled with tension.)In Monsters, the characters are revolving around familiar locations, creating more tension as they converge for the big moment. I agree that the ending is somewhat ambiguous, offering the possibility for either another book or a second trilogy. Questions still need to be answered. Outcomes ( or resolutions) with regard to specific plot elements are vague, but there is an inner character resolution present at the end of the book.This said, I rate Monsters at five stars because I feel the series, overall, is outstanding. Ms. Bick creates vivid visuals and her ability to write a fight scene is something I enjoy as a female who love martial arts and strong confrontations. Gore? Yes. I expected that as things escalated to the final confrontation with the villain. The Changed are pretty much like high tech zombies, though I wince at using that generic term because The Changed are quite fascinating and have much greater depth than the old shufflers that populate the zombie genre.Is this a series for YA? I think that's up to the parents to decide. It's a hybrid horror with a bit of technology thrown in for some realism. The first book sets the theme and reveals there's going to be some ugly stuff and kids are involved in it. Adults are shown equally in a good light and bad light. I really appreciate the title "Monsters" because there are a heck of a lot of those running around and not all of them are The Changed.I'd like to thank Ilsa Bick for great ride. I hope to see more of Alex or Wolf and hope she considers returning to this series to reveal more about this world and the characters that live in it.LAW

Well this was very different from any zombies I've read. Had me on the edge of my seat. My emotions were every where for sure. I am amazed at how the story went. It was effing amazing. Pouted and cried when the ending came. Shhh don't tell anyone but I rooted for wolf.

I absolutely devoured and adored and loved this series so freaking much but the ending is like literally the worst thing ever, massive huge cliffhanger

I just finishes the third book of the Ashes trilogy, Monsters, during my lunch break today. Absolutely could not put these books down! Really intense post apocalyptic substance. Quite graphic and well written. I originally purchased the books because three of my favorite authors, James Dashner, Michael Grant and Justin Cronin, gave them good reviews. I am so glad I did! It has been quite the journey for me to take with these characters.

I really liked Ashes (the first book in the series). Shadows (the second book in the series) was okay but bounced around to so many characters I could not really get into all of them. I had hoped that the third book in this series (Monsters) would go back to it's roots and give the readers back it's main characters, but it bounced around more than the second book.I found myself rushing/skimming quickly through the book to get to the characters I wanted to know about which meant I didn't slow down much.Why invest so much time into specific characters in the first book and get the readers caring about the main characters only to faze them out as the story continues?This is just my opinion though. Others may love this whole series. I was disappointed.

This book series keeps you at the edge of your seat, you are always wanting more and screaming at the never ending excitement. I couldn't put the book down and I'm hoping there will be more. (I literally jumped out of my seat many times while reading these books.) I love these kind of books where the author know how to describe in detail, and how they can make you love or hate characters. It's the perfect book.

Can't stop thinking about this series, I absolutely loved it. So wonderfully creepy and the writing was perfectly timed for maximum excitement!! Such a rollercoaster ride and impossible to put down.

I fully recommend this trilogy to people who do not mind vivid descriptions of bodies being ripped apart and eaten by other people. Including but not limited to Julie Kagawa's Blood of Eden trilogy, this is absolutely the goriest young adult series I have ever read.The premise the story needs to work is pretty unrealistic but it still works: Something happens (probably involving nukes) that kills off most people in the USA, leaves some kids who were suffering from terminal illnesses or psychological problems as they were before (plus in a few cases some mild manifestations of superpowers), and turns everyone else under eighteen into zombie-like creatures who prey on those regular humans that are left. Also, the old survive.The result is a situation in which the few surviving teenagers are confronted with crazy people their age trying to kill and eat them (or store and eat them later) and crazy people (particularly survivors from 'Nam and Amish) who could be their grandparents trying to either turn them into child soldiers (old people are pretty good with giving orders, but someone has to do the heavy lifting) or church-going teenage parents who are supposed to keep the village going under the watchful eye of the elders.As a person who falls into the wide age group who got killed off on page one of this book, the scenario has given me a thorough dislike for old people, who in the story make the zombie-like teenage majority (who eat their food raw and love eyes and intestines) look harmless in comparison.All of the protagonists are well-written, even though the amount of injuries they suffer in real life should have killed them somewhere around the first few chapters. Still, you never quite get the feeling that they are super-heroes who will survive anything.What I liked most, I think, is the unlikely mix of elements. There is no logical explanation for teenagers suddenly developing a taste for raw meat and for them losing the ability to speak, but the story is an excellent exploration of what if it did happen. Also, the story takes up likely groups to be well prepared in case of a nationwide catastrophe that obliterates government structures and weaves them into the story in a way that seems realistic, as well as making sure that each group is led by individuals with credible personal motivation for their actions.Overall, extremely well done! Do not consume while eating, though.

A great action book start to end. Good for adults young and old. Great characters. Long but riveting story. Read it.

I was a bit worried about this last book as the middle book seemed to wander and go nowhere. It was a surprisingly good read and brought the whole story together along with some interesting twists and turns. I was on the edge of my seat at times and could not put it down.

I, from the very beginning, loved this series quite passionately as I enjoy teen fiction, fantasy and survival style novels (especially ones with Zombies !). I waited and waited for the second book, and then, in turn, the third, completely stumped as to how Alex was going to get out of this one.The third book was difficult to follow in quite a few places. I understand that endings, especially of such high-action novels, are difficult to write in such a way that satisfies fans, but I don't think the ending suited the themes of love, loss and desperation ever-present within the series; it simply didn't do it justice.This won't stop be from re-reading it many times, I just think as a reader I would have preferred something a little bit different(but then again, I never wanted the series to end!!!)

Very good series, had me hooked wanting to know what happened next. It gets a bit sqeamish in places, too much gory detail, but really enjoyed the storyline and the characters