Jo Treggiari adds ASHES, ASHES to the flood of post- apocalyptic young adult fiction that has filled bookstore shelves of late. Lucy Holloway survived the floods and the plague and lives alone in the wilds of what's left of New York's Central Park. She's got courage and is resourceful and manages to keep food in her mouth, recognizing that each day may be her last. Then she meets Aidan, a boy who saved her from a pack of wild dogs. Lucy finally recognizes that she might be safer in a group and seeks out Aidan's band.

But Sweepers clean the streets of plague victims, and Aidan's band may not be able to protect Lucy. There's something special about her, and the Sweepers will stop at nothing until they have her.

Lucy is a fairly complex heroine: she's brave but afraid; likes to be alone, but is lonely; and trusts few. The plot moves forward at a reasonable pace, but, for me, there wasn't enough action or conflict. Also, while some of the supporting cast had potential, the author didn't get as much out of her characters as she could. Perhaps more dialogue between characters could have delved more deeply into what made them thick.

I also didn't understand the reason for some of the relationships: why certain people were drawn to others such as the love between Aidan and Lucy. I would have loved to see more about Grammalie Rose, one of my favorite characters, but the author left a lot unsaid about her. Perhaps, we will hear more of her if there is a sequel.

Treggiari has a flowing prose style, and her vivid descriptions brought the devastated former New York to life, so to speak. Rickety makeshift bridges and tumbled buildings like Lego structures smashed by a child in a fury are just two examples. The realities of their plight with such a lack of fresh food and medicine felt real. Fans of post-apocalyptic fiction will likely want to check it out.