It's the End of the World As We Know It

I am going to continue the storm theme for a couple more reviews. This one however throws a great deal more destruction and disaster into the mix beyond just a storm.

“Ashes, Ashes”

By Jo Treggiari
For Ages 12 - 16
What happens if the storms really are the beginning of the end? Are disease and war next to come? "Ashes, Ashes" picks up the story with the survivors and the relationships they build as they try to withstand the harsh conditions and the mysterious bad guys. Rated 3.75 (danger, suspense, teen)

After the floods, earthquakes, and plague there isn’t much left of New York City. There are survivors. Sixteen-year-old Lucy lives by herself in an area near the marshes. It used to be part of Central Park. Now, it's just part of the devastated landscape. Most of the survivors band together and live in a commune in the crumbling city. They survive, but just. They hide from the doctors who kidnap and run tests on any people they can grab - looking for a cure to the plague.

Lucy is different than the rest of the survivors. She never had vaccinations. Her blood may carry a cure. When she joins the survivors in the commune, the doctors discover who she is and will do just about anything to get her blood. Even capture her friends and infect them with the plague. “Ashes, Ashes” is a fast-paced, action-paced tale of friendship.

Teen readers interested in tales of post-apocalyptic life and dystopian societies will enjoy "Ashes, Ashes," at least until they get to the end. It falls a little short and seems a little weak.