A dense black cloud boiled up in the southeastern sky. It rose high and fast, like a time-lapse movie of the birth of a thunderhead. But it was no rain cloud. Wholly black, it reached up and loomed over her, blocking out the sun. Somehow she knew it was Death coming at her.
Pre-med student Coral is on a vacation in Idaho when something terrible happens. The black cloud is followed by a wildfire … is followed by a wildfire and searing heat that lasts for days. She survives deep in a cave but emerges days later to find the world transformed, a world of blackened trees, an ash-filled sky, and no living creatures except her.
So begins her desperate journey: to find water, and food, and other survivors…and the answer to the mystery of what happened.
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The action started right out of the gate. I like that in a book. Sometimes the backstory can be slow and boring, but not this one. Read all three parts and loved it. I thought it quite plausible.
A little long but a good read.
Rand through all three books in this series in a weekend! Great read albeit scary with the way things in our world are going
Very gritty realistic portrayal of condition after an asteroid strike. Realistic and sympathetic characters
I read all three in the series and was impressed with everything about the stories. It is very thought provoking and made me wonder if I could survive such an event.
Interesting plot. Decent but not great
Did get the second book in this series so it can’t be all that mediocre, right? Pretty strong characters and an interesting plot.
I enjoyed it
Enjoyed this series enough to pursue other books by this author.
This post-apocalypse story is different. The people who survive the opening event are random. Almost no one is alive because they did something to prepare. However, after the event, the only goal is to survive. There are no zombies, aliens or government conspiracy to blame. Everyone is on their own.
The two main characters are strong and determined and do what is necessary to stay alive. Coral is a college student who likes outdoors. Benjamin is a 30ish ex-soldier trying to stay away from people. Together, their skills combine to improve their chances to make. They do not take time for romance. They learn that the best way to survive is to depend on each other and no one else.
By the time I was half way through this book, I purchased the rest of the trilogy.
Note: While there is little sex or even sexual tension, there is serious, violence. Enjoy!
Post Apocalyptic story, with young woman as main character who survives in the outdoors in a wintry environment–fairly unusual for this genre. Her transition from somewhat girlie girl with some outdoors experience to gritty survivor (including (spoiler alert!) slitting a somewhat aggressive male’s throat) is somewhat unbelievably abrupt. Enjoyed her can-do/don’t quit attitude which always makes this kind of story enjoyable to me whatever the gender of the leading character
Couldn’t put it down. So glad I bought the set. Couldn’t sleep the nightI finshed the booksl IT kept me awake thinking about the story.
Wow. I loved reading this series.
What would happen if…….
Read all three in two days
I was hooked from the beginning and had to read all 3 books and was glad I did. It made me realize how many things I need to learn about survival and appreciate all the most basic things we take for granted every day. I really liked the 2 main characters development and their eventual symbiotic communication. I will read more from this author.
It’s a great read for surviving during a disaster. She was smart to find and use resources. I enjoyed reading the series
This would probably be best for someone who loves survivalist stories—the writing is so-so, and it sure is grey, as the title warns us. I did finish it, but more slogging through the ash I think I’ll pass on.
Slow, plodding, I kept thinking it would pick up, more characters showing up, some ray of hope, but no…….
Thought provoking
I am reading this now and so far I am really into it. well written, well rounded characters….very hard to put down!