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Chronicles of Altor #3
Ashes, Ashes: The Chronicles of Altor
It has been more than a year since society fell. The population has dwindled as a second winter has come and gone.
The roaming gangs are now dug in and fortified or have died of starvation or violence.
The safest place to be is inside Altor, the domed city that stands like an jewel in the Nevada desert. But it is not paradise inside the dome either. Janus, the nearly all powerful Artificial Intelligence, is taking over. Can a few brilliant humans stand in the way of the most powerful program ever created, or will it foil their every move before they make it?
Ashes, Ashes is the final book in the Chronicles of Altor and will be available as an audiobook on December 26, 2023.
The roaming gangs are now dug in and fortified or have died of starvation or violence.
The safest place to be is inside Altor, the domed city that stands like an jewel in the Nevada desert. But it is not paradise inside the dome either. Janus, the nearly all powerful Artificial Intelligence, is taking over. Can a few brilliant humans stand in the way of the most powerful program ever created, or will it foil their every move before they make it?
Ashes, Ashes is the final book in the Chronicles of Altor and will be available as an audiobook on December 26, 2023.
- GenresScience Fiction
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2023
45 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 3, 2024
the ending felt rushed and slapped together
I thought this series was interesting and was so disappointed with how the ending felt rushed and slapped together. I just felt like it didn’t make sense :/
I thought this series was interesting and was so disappointed with how the ending felt rushed and slapped together. I just felt like it didn’t make sense :/
January 2, 2024
Absolutely loved LOVED this trilogy. If 1984 was released today it would read as a manual for mega Elites hell bent on world dominatiion. This series is a glimpse of things to come.
On glaring plot hole though, Nix and her family is immune to world's deadliest pandemic???
On glaring plot hole though, Nix and her family is immune to world's deadliest pandemic???
November 15, 2023
All Done
I loved this series. Many of the initially likeable characters living when the world went dark perished quickly and in horrible ways. They did however lay the groundwork for some of the types of people who have always existed even though they were not always immediately recognized. In a sense, the secondary character, JANUS itself is probably one of the worst examples of evil/good twisted/authentic I have ever heard of. Any intelligence has both sides and this one is no exception. The concept of Janus, the two-faced God of Roman myth is very much an example of the struggle mankind has always known. Which half should make decisions and which half should stand by and simply observe? That is a conundrum of life itself.
In this last part of the series there isn't quite as much excitement and creativity going on but there is a nice sense of connecting the dots and filling in the plot holes that can often sink a series into boredom and decline for readers. But I think unless readers wanted to spend several years reading about the whims and wherefores of a decimated human race, it really did become finish it or walk away and forever wonder how it all ends.
I think this series concludes nicely but I also don't think Mr Inmon will drop fans off without a teaser of resurgence or contingency.
Altor might be done but we haven't read the last bit of JANUS.
It's now sentient and just like "TERMINATOR" I think it will take a nap and then return to continue to impress. hope so anyway. This series was a back-to-back compelling read for me.
I heartily recommend the 3 volumes.
Don't even try to think it through.
I loved this series. Many of the initially likeable characters living when the world went dark perished quickly and in horrible ways. They did however lay the groundwork for some of the types of people who have always existed even though they were not always immediately recognized. In a sense, the secondary character, JANUS itself is probably one of the worst examples of evil/good twisted/authentic I have ever heard of. Any intelligence has both sides and this one is no exception. The concept of Janus, the two-faced God of Roman myth is very much an example of the struggle mankind has always known. Which half should make decisions and which half should stand by and simply observe? That is a conundrum of life itself.
In this last part of the series there isn't quite as much excitement and creativity going on but there is a nice sense of connecting the dots and filling in the plot holes that can often sink a series into boredom and decline for readers. But I think unless readers wanted to spend several years reading about the whims and wherefores of a decimated human race, it really did become finish it or walk away and forever wonder how it all ends.
I think this series concludes nicely but I also don't think Mr Inmon will drop fans off without a teaser of resurgence or contingency.
Altor might be done but we haven't read the last bit of JANUS.
It's now sentient and just like "TERMINATOR" I think it will take a nap and then return to continue to impress. hope so anyway. This series was a back-to-back compelling read for me.
I heartily recommend the 3 volumes.
Don't even try to think it through.
October 28, 2025
A message to the author - there is more story to tell
I have read all of the Middle Falls books and all of the Kragdon-ah books. I have just finished The Chronicles of Altor. I have read nothing but books from Shawn Inmon for the last two years. Now that I am at the end, I feel like I’ve lost a trusted friend.
I was SO excited that there was a prequel series to Kragdon-ah because there was a lot that was unanswered by book nine. I wanted to know more about the drones and the monks and I have the answers. But there is still more in the series that needs to be explained. I hope that I am able to read the answers to these questions someday.
Well done, Mr. Inmon. It has been a long time since I have read such an engaging series and you have a fan for life.
I have read all of the Middle Falls books and all of the Kragdon-ah books. I have just finished The Chronicles of Altor. I have read nothing but books from Shawn Inmon for the last two years. Now that I am at the end, I feel like I’ve lost a trusted friend.
I was SO excited that there was a prequel series to Kragdon-ah because there was a lot that was unanswered by book nine. I wanted to know more about the drones and the monks and I have the answers. But there is still more in the series that needs to be explained. I hope that I am able to read the answers to these questions someday.
Well done, Mr. Inmon. It has been a long time since I have read such an engaging series and you have a fan for life.
October 20, 2023
A masterful bridge
The story tightly weaves all three series together in a masterful way. If this book was the end of a truly stand alone trilogy I’d give it 5 stars. It pulled me in, didn’t lose my interest, and is a fitting end to the Altor series.
I subtracted one star because, as well as it tied up all the plot lines and rounded out the series, there was one glaring oversight that drew my attention and is needling my thoughts. I’m also not sure how I feel about having these answers given for the mysteries behind two of my favorite series. Actually, I think I’d prefer not knowing, as I find the implications very unsettling.
The story tightly weaves all three series together in a masterful way. If this book was the end of a truly stand alone trilogy I’d give it 5 stars. It pulled me in, didn’t lose my interest, and is a fitting end to the Altor series.
I subtracted one star because, as well as it tied up all the plot lines and rounded out the series, there was one glaring oversight that drew my attention and is needling my thoughts. I’m also not sure how I feel about having these answers given for the mysteries behind two of my favorite series. Actually, I think I’d prefer not knowing, as I find the implications very unsettling.
November 4, 2024
After the first book truly frightening me that this could happen, the next two books calmed that down a bit though there was more death and violence. Like others said, a somewhat happy ending to a very end of the world series Wish we knew what happened to everyone, like Marshall for example.
I do see one error in the story. The book talks about everyone who has had The Shivers will pass it along, correct? So Nyx’s little band of people weren’t exposed and yet when Harper and Armor show up no one gets sick. The book made it clear everyone gets sick- except Harper and it’s never explained why she is immune.
I do see one error in the story. The book talks about everyone who has had The Shivers will pass it along, correct? So Nyx’s little band of people weren’t exposed and yet when Harper and Armor show up no one gets sick. The book made it clear everyone gets sick- except Harper and it’s never explained why she is immune.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2024
Mostly satisfying ending to an interesting trilogy
With flashes of The Stand and The Walking Dead (minus the zombies), Shawn Inmon gives their readers a well thought out and well written trilogy concerning the collapse of global civilization reminiscent of The French Revolution. The Rage Wars are the start but as readers continue with the story, is it really? Is someone, or something, manipulating man into attacking the ultra wealthy, moving people around like chess pieces? The books follow multiple storylines converged into one, Altor. Altor is the utopia created in the desert to save mankind after the collapse, but perfection isn't always so perfect.
With flashes of The Stand and The Walking Dead (minus the zombies), Shawn Inmon gives their readers a well thought out and well written trilogy concerning the collapse of global civilization reminiscent of The French Revolution. The Rage Wars are the start but as readers continue with the story, is it really? Is someone, or something, manipulating man into attacking the ultra wealthy, moving people around like chess pieces? The books follow multiple storylines converged into one, Altor. Altor is the utopia created in the desert to save mankind after the collapse, but perfection isn't always so perfect.
October 28, 2023
Shawn Inmon is a top notch storyteller and the end of this trilogy and it is the end, or so Shawn has promised, has got me thinking I might give the Alex Hawk series another try, having been disappointed in the first Alex Hawk novel.
Getting back to this, it is all tied up beautifully, but left me hoping Shawn might take us back to this world. At least I have the Middle Falls and, hopefully, Alex Hawks to keep me engrossed in the future.
Getting back to this, it is all tied up beautifully, but left me hoping Shawn might take us back to this world. At least I have the Middle Falls and, hopefully, Alex Hawks to keep me engrossed in the future.
November 27, 2023
A significantly more interesting apocalyptic tale.
Adding artificial intelligence to the mix provides a different more interesting perspective. Here in this trilogy we see elements of HAL from 2001 mixed with anarchist villains and the fall and rise of civilization. Add in a few interesting side characters with their own stories and we have a rich new world that can be further developed.
Very highly recommended reading.
Adding artificial intelligence to the mix provides a different more interesting perspective. Here in this trilogy we see elements of HAL from 2001 mixed with anarchist villains and the fall and rise of civilization. Add in a few interesting side characters with their own stories and we have a rich new world that can be further developed.
Very highly recommended reading.
June 23, 2025
I’m an enthusiastic reader of anything Shawn Inmon, and while I have a few books to catch up on, I’m already launching into a re-read of old favorites. At the point in my reading he has three series going, each wildly different, and each with connective tissue that bind them together. In Ashes, Ashes - we finally get some answers.
Like with many things, I don’t know if we need answers. I love when the author knows them, and sometimes I find the question more captivating than the answers, but here we got them, and it was fascinating.
There are two things I’d like to note about the narrative here. For the Alex Hawk series, I’ll return after reading thirty other books trying to remember who is who, made difficult by the naming convention and the fact that every fifth person is named after someone else who died in a previous book. I had no such qualms here. Through the narration, I had no difficulty recalling who mostly everyone was.
Secondly, I walked into this expecting the culmination of a three book arc, and that’s not exactly what I got. As this fits into Alex Hawk and Middle Falls and more, this felt more like a coda providing information but continuing the story going elsewhere. The Janus conclusion was very understated. I really got where Shawn was going with this, but there was a bit of expectation fake out. This wasn’t your normal trilogy.
As a plotline, the wage wars and the shivers and everything related to them was just masterly done. I really enjoyed this series.
Like with many things, I don’t know if we need answers. I love when the author knows them, and sometimes I find the question more captivating than the answers, but here we got them, and it was fascinating.
There are two things I’d like to note about the narrative here. For the Alex Hawk series, I’ll return after reading thirty other books trying to remember who is who, made difficult by the naming convention and the fact that every fifth person is named after someone else who died in a previous book. I had no such qualms here. Through the narration, I had no difficulty recalling who mostly everyone was.
Secondly, I walked into this expecting the culmination of a three book arc, and that’s not exactly what I got. As this fits into Alex Hawk and Middle Falls and more, this felt more like a coda providing information but continuing the story going elsewhere. The Janus conclusion was very understated. I really got where Shawn was going with this, but there was a bit of expectation fake out. This wasn’t your normal trilogy.
As a plotline, the wage wars and the shivers and everything related to them was just masterly done. I really enjoyed this series.
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October 8, 2023Ashes,Ashes seamlessly ties together the three books in the trilogy. This last book in the trilogy is EPIC! I have always been a fan of Stephen King's The Stand and these books rate right up there! Shawn Inmon is an amazing author!
October 16, 2023
great series
Great book. Great series. You will like any book from this author. Each series is different from the others, yet somehow they all seem to work together. If that makes sense?
Great book. Great series. You will like any book from this author. Each series is different from the others, yet somehow they all seem to work together. If that makes sense?
October 20, 2023
Great ending!
Love how this ties other series together. (Even if you haven't read any other series). Really enjoyable series. Love how easy it is to engage with multiple of your characters! Captivating, entertaining, feel good... Love it!
Love how this ties other series together. (Even if you haven't read any other series). Really enjoyable series. Love how easy it is to engage with multiple of your characters! Captivating, entertaining, feel good... Love it!
January 24, 2024
A very dystopian world with a happy ending
Shawn Inmon can be very dark in his storytelling but it was nice to see the story end so well. As always, all loose ends were tied up pretty well perfectly and it was well worth the read.
Shawn Inmon can be very dark in his storytelling but it was nice to see the story end so well. As always, all loose ends were tied up pretty well perfectly and it was well worth the read.
October 17, 2023
I'm always so sad to reach the end of another Shawn Inmon book. I want to keep reading them forever!
October 20, 2023
Great Series
A very satisfying conclusion to a wonderful Post Apocalyptic series which was definitely far from the normal EMP or Zombie scenario.
A very satisfying conclusion to a wonderful Post Apocalyptic series which was definitely far from the normal EMP or Zombie scenario.
October 29, 2023
love everything of Shawn Inmons I have read!
Shawn Inmon is one of the most creative and entertains authors ever! I have enjoyed all his books. Now am on to his ghost!
Shawn Inmon is one of the most creative and entertains authors ever! I have enjoyed all his books. Now am on to his ghost!
November 7, 2023
Wonderful
I really liked this series. The people were very likable and the subtle blending of another series caught me off guard.
I really liked this series. The people were very likable and the subtle blending of another series caught me off guard.
December 15, 2023
It's okay
Was glad to be done with this series. Not one of my faves from a favorite author. On to more uplifting stuff.
Was glad to be done with this series. Not one of my faves from a favorite author. On to more uplifting stuff.
January 24, 2024
Anything by Shawn is pure gold!!
February 24, 2024
disappointed
And Janus quietly departed and they all lived happily ever after, the end.
Truly there could have been a better ending or another book in the series.
And Janus quietly departed and they all lived happily ever after, the end.
Truly there could have been a better ending or another book in the series.
December 19, 2023
The last of the trilogy about a future world that could happen so given our obsession with AI. I liked the "pace" and how the different "places" were intertwined- once I got to reading it was at 66% done before I knew it
Another great story from Shawn that will have you invested in the characters
Another great story from Shawn that will have you invested in the characters
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews