A cataclysmic event. A dramatically changed world. A zombie army. Can three kids really survive... and who can they trust?

Alex has run away and is hiking through the wilderness with her dead parents' ashes, about to say goodbye to the life she no longer wants to live. But then the world suddenly changes. An electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the sky zapping every electronic device and killing the vast majority of adults. For those spared, it's a question of who can be trusted and who has changed...

Everyone still alive has turned - some for the better (those who acquired a superhuman sense) while others for the worse (those who acquired a taste for human flesh). Desperate to find out what happened and to avoid the zombies that are on the hunt, Alex meets up with Tom - an Army veteran who escaped one war only to find something worse at home - and Ellie, a young girl whose grandfather was killed by the electromagnetic pulse.

This improvised family will have to use every ounce of courage they have just to find food, shelter, while fighting off the 'Changed' and those desperate to stay alive.

A tense and involving adventure with shocks and sudden plot twists that will keep teen and adult readers gripped.

'I pulled an all-nighter to read it and my eyes were starting to protest by the end. I really liked the characters, they were very human ... the book was really awesome and I loved it and I will cry if there is not a sequel' Bloggers Heart Books. * Bloggers Heart Books *
'totally thrilling' Books For Keeps. * Books For Keeps *
'I can't even begin to describe how much I loved reading this book. I never wanted it to end! It literally had everything I personally love in books. It had loads of twists and turns, great characters, horror that isn't for the fainthearted ... I really can't wait for more from Ilsa Bick because Ashes was a truly glorious read that gave me goosebumps! One of my top favourites of the year so far!' Books Glorious Books. * Books Glorious Books *
'The vicissitudes of surviving in a post-apocalyptic world are skilfully, and sometimes graphically, drawn ... This novel is slickly and effectively written. It has a page turning, anxiety-riddled quality that makes it a very compelling read' Carousel magazine. * Carousel Magazine *
'Bick's apocalyptic thriller is packed with action and gore. The book is fast pace and gripping ... Overall this is a thrilling read with a huge cliff-hanger of an ending' Jenny Duffy, Kim Harte.com. * Jenny Duffy, Kim Harte.com *
'Ashes is a must read' Michael Grant, bestselling author of Gone. * Michael Grant *
'What sets Ashes above many other post-apocalyptic offerings is the standard of debut author Bick's writing. Sometimes stark, often extremely frightening it is also strangely beautiful' The Mountains of Instead. * Mountains of Instead *
'Unputdownable! Full to the brim with tension and stomach-churning fear' We Love This Book. * We Love This Book *
This book was really, really good! ... I would classify it as a 'gory-romance' ... a must-read' Teen Titles. * Teen Titles *
''This is the first of a trilogy and I can't wait for the rest of the series to be released' Inis. * Inis *

Ilsa J. Bick is a child psychiatrist, a film scholar, surgeon wannabe, former Air Force major, and an award-winning, best-selling author of short stories, e-books, and novels. Ilsa currently lives with her family and other furry creatures in rural Wisconsin One thing she loves about the neighbours is that they're very quiet and come around for sugar only once in a blue moon. You can visit her online at www.ilsajbick.com.