Review: As the Ash Fell

As the Ash Fell by A.J. Powers
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This was highly disappointing. I do not even know where to start. Do you want to tell me that a person in this kind of situation will really raise children as children? Giving them the opportunity to play and such? Are you kidding me! Why not make them learn new skills and allow them the time for graceful transformation for the new world, ensuring their survival? Yes, it is not applicable for smaller children, but from age about 7 or so (depending on the development) children can be trained in new and necessary skills. How exactly will they survive outside of the apartment?As well as not taking your sister on your excursions but choosing to let her be with the children? You have younger children (teenagers) who can take up this task, an you will be safer with a companion who can shield your back! But off course that will be a problem will it, because learning how to scavenge, trade, and protect herself will be "un-womanly"... I give up, and that is only several main points. No female character has any agency or usefulness here, they ever are carers, homemakers, or damsels in distress, its pathetic! I do understand that not every woman or young girl will be able to get used to the new realities and some will be a drain of resources and a waist of space, but come on, not ALL of them. I also want to point out blatant ageism. The main character is young and he can cope with the stress, but a 13 year old in his care is considered a "child"... really?
I do not mind the religious side of the story. When you read stories it is normal to see a bit of preaching here and there interwoven into it. As a Pagan I actually seek out books with Pagan plots all the time! What I do have a problem with is authors Christian faith spilling out into the story and the plot and ruining it's realism.
Writing here is another matter, that did stand out to me, it was in places very weird, shifting perspectives or merging omnipotent with other writing styles. This did distract me. As did the constant telling and lack of showing, as well as telling being stacked up on showing regarding the same subject. Readers can think you know, not everything needs to be double-spilled-out for us.
All in all it was an OK-ish read. I already have the second book so I will read it but do not think that it will get a higher rating, my homes are low now. But I would like to be surprised, that would be nice indeed!

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