Ashes, by Ilsa J. Bick

"Ashes," written by Ilsa J. Bick, is the definition of suspense. Bick’s main character, Alex, hates being pitied, and she doesn’t want people to treat her differently, or protecting her, based on the fact that she has a brain tumor. She believes that if the doctors couldn’t do anything by this time to help or cure her, then she should let nature take its course and try to be carefree. Alex’s nervous Aunt Hannah wishes that Alex would come home safe and sound; however, Alex doesn’t want to be bothered anymore, so she runs away to the mountains. On her journey, she meets a young girl, who is very stubborn, just like her. They are having a campfire when suddenly; all of the wildlife in the area seems to be facing death in the most terrifying ways. These are such horrific sights for young two girls to endure; however, what they don’t realize is that this catastrophic event was just the beginning of a scarring journey. You will be at the mercy of each page, if you daringly pick up Bick’s eerie Ashes.

Dana, 15