Shadows by Ilsa J. Bick Review

Fri, October 12, 2012

Shadows by Ilsa J. Bick Review

Shadows
By Ilsa J. Bick
Publication date: Sept. 25, 2012
Egmont USA, 528 pages
Source: Publisher

The Apocalypse does not end. The Changed will grow in numbers. The Spared may not survive.

Even before the EMPs brought down the world, Alex was on the run from the demons of her past and the monster living in her head. After the world was gone, she believed Rule could be a sanctuary for her and those she’d come to love.
But she was wrong.

Now Alex is in the fight of her life against the adults, who would use her, the survivors, who don’t trust her, and the Changed, who would eat her alive.

Welcome to Shadows, the second book in the haunting apocalyptic Ashes Trilogy: where no one is safe and humans may be the worst of the monsters.

— Goodreads.com description

Dear Past Anna,

Hi, Anna! I know you think it will be fun to read a book about the zombie apocalypse deep in the woods of Wisconsin while you are actually sitting outside in DEEP IN THE WOODS OF WISCONSIN. In reality, though, Anna, it’s not really the brightest idea. Rethink your plan here, dear.

You’re welcome,
Present Anna

Lord, I can be ridiculous sometimes. Truly, what was I thinking reading a book like this while in a remarkably similar setting? I mean, I read Ashes. I knew it was creepy as all get out. Soooo, why did I think Shadows would be any different?

Well, it wasn’t. And I freaked myself out. Every breaking branch I heard made me think someone was going to come cannibalize me. AHHHH!

You guys, this is probably the goriest book I’ve ever read. If you have problems with people eating other people’s faces off in graphic detail, you know…maybe this isn’t the book for you.

Aaaand now that I’ve warned you of that, what are you going to think of me when I tell you I enjoyed it? Well, I did.

I can’t get enough of survivalist stories, and this one’s the ultimate. Lord, it is brutal. There’s something about following characters at their most desperate moments that just straight-up appeals to me. Seriously, I’m a little worried about myself as I write this. I really need to meet Ilsa J. Bick. She sounds like a tough cookie, and I need to high-five her.

If you remember, I had a few problems with the second half of Ashes. Yeah, that carried on to Shadows. The characters I’ll call “Second-Half Characters” just never won me over, and I found myself wanting to skip through any part where they were mentioned. And it’s a looooooooooong book, so it was a bit of a struggle. That being said, I’m so thankful I plowed through. It took 500+ pages for me to get to the part I wanted, but when it finally happened…that ending…ahhh! If you’re brave and strong and fight through, you’ll see what I mean.

Anna Reads young adult book blog

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Posted by: Anna • In: apocalypse, creepy things, ilsa j. bick, zombies

9 Comments

Cynthia said:

I loved Ashes!! I felt the same way about the second half of it too but I still loved it, can’t wait to read this one!
Cynthia recently posted..Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

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Posted on: Fri, October 12, 2012
Jamie said:

I still need to read Ashes! Bahaha and I so would have been freaking out too if reading in the woods. If I watch Criminal Minds or something and I’m alone…I can convince myself that someone has entered myself and is waiting for me just because of one little noise (which most of the time was the dumb cat!)
Jamie recently posted..Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down — Book Trailers!

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Posted on: Fri, October 12, 2012
Carla said:

so when I read ashes I was just like ‘yeah no biggie so this is a little scary it’s not li-AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MY EYES MY EYES’ and I almost wimped out. how disgusting gory are her descriptions? so i’m actually scared to read this one but excited too!!

excellent review as always….can past anna please also tell past carla that ashes will give her nightmares and to maybe prepare herself? thanks.
Carla recently posted..Retro Friday: The Road Home by Ellen Emerson White

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Posted on: Fri, October 12, 2012
anna said:

lol such a funny post as always, I really fancy your blog and your writing style!
(yep, I read the whole post even though I’m not the least bit interested in books as shadows seem to be one)
Thats being said- regards from Anna in Germany!

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Posted on: Fri, October 12, 2012
Magan @ Rather Be Reading said:

I don’t know if I’m brave enough for this, Anna. I’m really not sure. I’ve not read ANYTHING super gory. I’ve had lots of people recommend Ashes to me and since I have Shadows, maybe I should give it a go. :-/ If I’m scared, I am emailing you.
Magan @ Rather Be Reading recently posted..Estelle: Send Me a Sign by Tiffany Schmidt

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Posted on: Fri, October 12, 2012
Annette said:

I rarely have a problems, but this book made me sick to my stomach much of the time. The gore just never ended. I found myself reading really fast just to get finished with this book. But, I really liked it! Great review!
Annette recently posted..Follow Friday – Halloween Books to Movies

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Posted on: Fri, October 12, 2012
Kyle @ A Reader’s Pensieve said:

You know, I started reading this last week but had such a hard time remembering the characters from Ashes (other than Alex) that I decided to put it down. I need to reread Ashes and then immediately try Shadows again. I also feel the same way about the “second half” characters. More Alex and Tom, please!!
Kyle @ A Reader’s Pensieve recently posted..Readathon October 2012

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Posted on: Fri, October 12, 2012
Lori said:

I felt the same way! I OMG LOVED the first half of Ashes but the second half was meh…I was hoping that Shadows would redeem the story me, but I didn’t even finish it. I might try again since the ending is worth it.
Lori recently posted..Saturday Situation! Link up your reviews & giveaways

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Posted on: Fri, October 12, 2012
Lauren said:

I thought ashes was great!!! It was a bit blood and gore and creeped me out about but i still thought it was fantastic and cant wait to read shadows!!! Good job Ilsa

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Posted on: Fri, October 12, 2012