What do you think?
Rate this book
Project Eden #4
Ashes
The hammer has fallen. The deadly Sage Flu has been unleashed. The scramble for survival is in full force.
Martina Gable and her family escaped to a secluded mountain cabin in hopes of avoiding the death sweeping the desert valley below, but have they gone far enough?
Dominic Ray, manager of a tropical, private island resort, has a dream job. The weather, the food, the drinks, the people—life couldn't be better. What he didn’t expect—what no one could have expected—was that his good life was about to disappear.
In a sea of the sick and dying, Sanjay and Kusum desperately search for a place beyond Mumbai where they and the group they are leading can be safe, and where they can prepare for what the future may bring.
Brandon Ash wants nothing more than to be with his father and sister, but there is something waiting for him on a deserted, snow-covered highway. Something that may mean the reunion will never happen.
As Daniel Ash, Brandon's father, lies unconscious from the serious wounds he suffered while hunting for his son, his daughter Josie realizes it's up to her to find her brother and bring him home. But the search will be a dangerous one, that will take her far from home.
And then there is Project Eden, watching the plague kill as they had planned, even as they prepare to activate the next phase.
What will you do to survive?
Ashes is best read after completing volumes 1-3 (Sick, Exit 9, and Pale Horse)
Martina Gable and her family escaped to a secluded mountain cabin in hopes of avoiding the death sweeping the desert valley below, but have they gone far enough?
Dominic Ray, manager of a tropical, private island resort, has a dream job. The weather, the food, the drinks, the people—life couldn't be better. What he didn’t expect—what no one could have expected—was that his good life was about to disappear.
In a sea of the sick and dying, Sanjay and Kusum desperately search for a place beyond Mumbai where they and the group they are leading can be safe, and where they can prepare for what the future may bring.
Brandon Ash wants nothing more than to be with his father and sister, but there is something waiting for him on a deserted, snow-covered highway. Something that may mean the reunion will never happen.
As Daniel Ash, Brandon's father, lies unconscious from the serious wounds he suffered while hunting for his son, his daughter Josie realizes it's up to her to find her brother and bring him home. But the search will be a dangerous one, that will take her far from home.
And then there is Project Eden, watching the plague kill as they had planned, even as they prepare to activate the next phase.
What will you do to survive?
Ashes is best read after completing volumes 1-3 (Sick, Exit 9, and Pale Horse)
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2012
120 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Brett Battles
90 books1,053 followersBrett Battles is a NEW YORK TIMES bestselling and Barry Award-winning author of forty novels, including the Jonathan Quinn series and its Excoms spinoff, the Project Eden series, and the time bending Rewinder series. He’s also the coauthor, with Robert Gregory Browne, of the Alexandra Poe series. He is one of the founding members of Killer Year, and is a member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. He lives and writes in Ventura County, California.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 22, 2018
As The World Burns. Here, Battles adjusts the style of the tale slightly again. We still get a sense of a global Apocalypse through the reports from India, a new island in Costa Rica not in the prior books, California, Wisconsin, and Colorado, but here the countdown - fairly ineffective in PALE HORSE - really drives the point home. Meanwhile, instead of the shotgun "let's go to all kinds of places" approach that seemed to drive PALE HORSE, we get just a few threads to follow here. Most of the tale winds up focusing on efforts to locate Brandon Ash, and the other two dominant threads are the Costa Rican island and the Ridgecrest survivors in California. All told, the story is yet again done superbly, and yet again I'm glad I waited to read them so that I can read all of them at once without having to wait for the next one to be written.
December 5, 2018
This could be the best book in the series so far, and yes you need to be these books in order. This book is a great read but does pull at the Heartstrings so many people have to deal with so much tragedy.
March 24, 2013
So, I've just become a big fan of Brett Battles. There are very few authors I'm obsessed with reading everything they write, but I can sense that Battles has just become one of those authors.
This a great 4th installment in the Project Eden series. Like the previous books, it goes at a break-neck pace with tons of action as the world moves toward a new normal after a humanity-killing pathogen is released into the earth. I love the personal stories woven together as people try and figure out what the world is like when nothing is the same. I could feel myself in the world, wrestling with the problems that the characters wrestled with.
I love this book series. I began book one just 6 days ago. I've ripped through all four books since then. Now I have to wait until late spring to get the next installment AAAAAHHHHHHH!
This a great 4th installment in the Project Eden series. Like the previous books, it goes at a break-neck pace with tons of action as the world moves toward a new normal after a humanity-killing pathogen is released into the earth. I love the personal stories woven together as people try and figure out what the world is like when nothing is the same. I could feel myself in the world, wrestling with the problems that the characters wrestled with.
I love this book series. I began book one just 6 days ago. I've ripped through all four books since then. Now I have to wait until late spring to get the next installment AAAAAHHHHHHH!
January 21, 2013
A fantastic continuation of Project Eden. This is one of the best books in the series. In the first few pages it gives a brief recount of the saga thus far which I really appreciate as a reader.
The story starts back up where it ended. We get a great feel for what is happening with all the characters we have come to know and care about as well as some new folks. The action only takes place over a few days but those are action packed days. Great ending with more to come.
My other favorite thing about this series is that I don't have to wait years for the next book to come out. And even though thankfulky Mr. Battles churns them out quickly they are still great quality!
The story starts back up where it ended. We get a great feel for what is happening with all the characters we have come to know and care about as well as some new folks. The action only takes place over a few days but those are action packed days. Great ending with more to come.
My other favorite thing about this series is that I don't have to wait years for the next book to come out. And even though thankfulky Mr. Battles churns them out quickly they are still great quality!
April 7, 2013
Fun, easy read. More like a screenplay with a lot of action. Ended with less of a "cliff hanger" than the other books which I appreciated.
October 27, 2016
As the crisis in the world progresses, this series just keeps getting better. Am jumping straight into the next book.
May 31, 2024
Even though the author provides a summary of characters and events at the beginning of each book, you would do well to read the first three books in this series before tackling this one. Essentially, the series looks at what happens when a rogue environmentalist radical organization determines to right the world’s ills by reducing its population by 99 percent. Naturally, they, the elites, will live; the rest of us won’t.
As this opens, teenager Brandon Ash is making his painstakingly slow way back to the ranch a small group resistant to the radical environmentalists set up. They’ve developed a vaccine against the killing Sage Flu that has an almost-100 percent kill rate. In previous books, they failed to stop Project Eden from succeeding. Now, they must simply survive. Brandon’s dad is in the bunker recovering from a plane crash, and Brandon’s sister, Josie, has gone out with a cadre of resistance fighters to find her brother.
If you read this, follow closely the adventures of Martina Gable. She’s a teen home from college for Christmas. Her family heads to a cabin in the mountains near their home to escape the flu onslaught. Her story is an excellent one.
The plots and subplots that make up this book are intricate, but not confusingly complex. If you read this, you’ll heavily invest in the storylines such that it will be a real pleasure. This flu makes COVID-19 look like a joke fest replete with clowns. It’s a sobering, scary story because of the realism in the book. Between Christmas Eve and the end of the year, the population declines by billions.
Battles has immense talent as a writer, and the audio narration is outstanding. This review is a pale shadow compared to the strength of the plots in the book. You need to immerse yourself wholly in the series and this book to experience its excellence in full.
As this opens, teenager Brandon Ash is making his painstakingly slow way back to the ranch a small group resistant to the radical environmentalists set up. They’ve developed a vaccine against the killing Sage Flu that has an almost-100 percent kill rate. In previous books, they failed to stop Project Eden from succeeding. Now, they must simply survive. Brandon’s dad is in the bunker recovering from a plane crash, and Brandon’s sister, Josie, has gone out with a cadre of resistance fighters to find her brother.
If you read this, follow closely the adventures of Martina Gable. She’s a teen home from college for Christmas. Her family heads to a cabin in the mountains near their home to escape the flu onslaught. Her story is an excellent one.
The plots and subplots that make up this book are intricate, but not confusingly complex. If you read this, you’ll heavily invest in the storylines such that it will be a real pleasure. This flu makes COVID-19 look like a joke fest replete with clowns. It’s a sobering, scary story because of the realism in the book. Between Christmas Eve and the end of the year, the population declines by billions.
Battles has immense talent as a writer, and the audio narration is outstanding. This review is a pale shadow compared to the strength of the plots in the book. You need to immerse yourself wholly in the series and this book to experience its excellence in full.
June 15, 2019
Outstanding.
Book 4 of this fantastic series and it just keeps getting better how Mr Battle finds the time to write and push out so much quality is beyond me.
We pick up right where book 3 (Pale Horse My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) left off and gets straight into the meat of the story.
This time round some of the minor characters take centre stage and this is a refreshing change and the book takes on a new freshness.
The virus is in full effect and the world is at the mercy of the Eden project, we follow many different groups all of which have there own tale of survival to tell.
The chapters are quick and punchy and you never outstay your welcome with one of the groups.
Look fwd to book 5.
Well worth your time and money.
Book 4 of this fantastic series and it just keeps getting better how Mr Battle finds the time to write and push out so much quality is beyond me.
We pick up right where book 3 (Pale Horse My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) left off and gets straight into the meat of the story.
This time round some of the minor characters take centre stage and this is a refreshing change and the book takes on a new freshness.
The virus is in full effect and the world is at the mercy of the Eden project, we follow many different groups all of which have there own tale of survival to tell.
The chapters are quick and punchy and you never outstay your welcome with one of the groups.
Look fwd to book 5.
Well worth your time and money.
October 27, 2016
Much more interesting than the last two books! And Ash was barely in it, so I guess we know now who brings the story down...
Chloe, Josie, Martina and Belinda are the most interesting characters on the story. I like Brandon too, but he's starting to get a little too much like his very dull father.
The plot continues to be fascinating and scary, making you want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next.
Awesome!
Chloe, Josie, Martina and Belinda are the most interesting characters on the story. I like Brandon too, but he's starting to get a little too much like his very dull father.
The plot continues to be fascinating and scary, making you want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next.
Awesome!
March 11, 2019
Read this one somewhere there are other people.
This book starts where the last one ended. Duh - really, DUH. The Resistance is trying to get their stuff together and the Project Even folks look forward to the time when they can start doing more bad stuff.
The pace of the book picks up and ....... Really don't read this without a good grounding, knowing this is just a book.
The author is very good and the story keeps getting better.
This book starts where the last one ended. Duh - really, DUH. The Resistance is trying to get their stuff together and the Project Even folks look forward to the time when they can start doing more bad stuff.
The pace of the book picks up and ....... Really don't read this without a good grounding, knowing this is just a book.
The author is very good and the story keeps getting better.
December 9, 2018
I'm glad I stuck with the series. This book helped me connect with the characters better as each story jump seemed to happen less frequently. Getting more time with the characters that matter made me care and feel more connected to them and so I ended up enjoying the overall story so much more also. Really looking forward to reading the last few books in the series and see how it all ends.
April 18, 2023
an enjoyable thriller
While I wish the series wasn’t broken into as many parts as it is I find each one enjoyable and hard to put down. Through the lens post COVID it seems almost prophetic that events that Battles has created
While I wish the series wasn’t broken into as many parts as it is I find each one enjoyable and hard to put down. Through the lens post COVID it seems almost prophetic that events that Battles has created
December 31, 2018
As usual in the series, there is a lot of action, suspense, and things start to come to an end... just one more book to read.
May 9, 2019
Slow
Getting paid by the word. The world is collapsing and all resources are devoted to finding one boy? Not very wise. Churning on to see how it ends. At least it's free.
Getting paid by the word. The world is collapsing and all resources are devoted to finding one boy? Not very wise. Churning on to see how it ends. At least it's free.
April 5, 2020
This book is about the activation day of Project Eden.
The writing is good and easy to read.
Nice 7 books series for reading during covid 19 lockdown period
The writing is good and easy to read.
Nice 7 books series for reading during covid 19 lockdown period
October 9, 2020
Still going! Can't wait for the next!
March 24, 2021
4th book in this series.. continues to be great lines.. especially in the days of the current pandemic.. just carries it much further.
October 16, 2021
Excellent apocalyptic read
Battles' writing is intricate, engaging and thrilling. He is not afraid to kill off beloved characters to make it real.
Battles' writing is intricate, engaging and thrilling. He is not afraid to kill off beloved characters to make it real.
December 17, 2021
WOW
With covid still active, this story hits home.
Read it and remember some of the actions that saved lives as well as those that took lives.
With covid still active, this story hits home.
Read it and remember some of the actions that saved lives as well as those that took lives.
March 17, 2017
Couldn't put it down! Had to squeeze in listening time when ever I could, especially towards the end as it flipped between different locations just as I thought I'd find out what was going to happen with someone. On to book 5!
February 4, 2013
ASHES is the fourth installment of the Project Eden series. I am one of many fans of Brett Battles. I purchased this as soon as it was released, although I have been remiss in getting around to reading it (sorry Brett. I owe you yet once again). This was a mistake since I ended up reading it in one night (and after being up for 24 hours already).
ASHES starts the aftermath of the release of the KV-27a virus by Project Eden. As with the other books in this series, I found this to be another fast paced, paged turner. I never seem to be able to read fast enough to find out what happens. There were a few more story lines within ASHES then previous books since these stories follow the paths of some of the survivors, as well as some who were not so lucky. I did appreciate the fact that Brett chose to put some of those stories in since it helps explains how the human race (or at least a portion of it) survives this deadly outbreak, that it is not limited to adults or children or a particular race. I didn’t feel that any of these story lines were incomplete (well, except we won’t know what happened until book five comes out) and they did have their place in the story. The one thing I was a little disappointed in was that the characters Sanjay & Kusum played a very small role this time. I only say this because they had, in my opinion, a larger role in PALE HORSE. I hope to hear more about them in the next installment.
I am definitely looking forward to book five.
ASHES starts the aftermath of the release of the KV-27a virus by Project Eden. As with the other books in this series, I found this to be another fast paced, paged turner. I never seem to be able to read fast enough to find out what happens. There were a few more story lines within ASHES then previous books since these stories follow the paths of some of the survivors, as well as some who were not so lucky. I did appreciate the fact that Brett chose to put some of those stories in since it helps explains how the human race (or at least a portion of it) survives this deadly outbreak, that it is not limited to adults or children or a particular race. I didn’t feel that any of these story lines were incomplete (well, except we won’t know what happened until book five comes out) and they did have their place in the story. The one thing I was a little disappointed in was that the characters Sanjay & Kusum played a very small role this time. I only say this because they had, in my opinion, a larger role in PALE HORSE. I hope to hear more about them in the next installment.
I am definitely looking forward to book five.
February 15, 2017
Best one so far, captivating. Decent read.
November 6, 2013
Ashes is the 4th book in this incredible series and slightly slower paced than the other four but no less exciting and its nice to have a very slight slow down to find out more about the fantastic characters. Im sooo addicted to this series I simply cannot stop reading and devoured book four in another one night sitting.
The subplots have become stronger and more developed and Im enjoying the introduction of another group.
I missed Captian Ash as he is recovering from book 3 and taken a back seat in book 4. Brandon his son however has taken over in this book and is growing up as tough and intuitive as his Dad a clever move from Brett.
What I love about this series is the fact that even one of the sick often doesnt realise how dangerous they are by doing something so simple they risk thousands of lives.
This is definitely a gripping and engaging read through every chapter. Brett has created yet another brilliant cliffhanger and this one is genius; it will throw the resistance into mayhem trying to sort this one. Ive already downloaded Eden rising book 5 and its glowing nicely on my paperwhite ready to read.
I highly recommend this series but read them in order to get the best out of this incredible plot.
The subplots have become stronger and more developed and Im enjoying the introduction of another group.
I missed Captian Ash as he is recovering from book 3 and taken a back seat in book 4. Brandon his son however has taken over in this book and is growing up as tough and intuitive as his Dad a clever move from Brett.
What I love about this series is the fact that even one of the sick often doesnt realise how dangerous they are by doing something so simple they risk thousands of lives.
This is definitely a gripping and engaging read through every chapter. Brett has created yet another brilliant cliffhanger and this one is genius; it will throw the resistance into mayhem trying to sort this one. Ive already downloaded Eden rising book 5 and its glowing nicely on my paperwhite ready to read.
I highly recommend this series but read them in order to get the best out of this incredible plot.
August 13, 2016
4.5 stars
Ashes begins after the release of the virus by Project Eden. Ash is badly hurt while trying to find Brandon and Chloe races against time to get him the medical help he desperately needs. The doctor Chloe kidnaps is a good surgeon but it’s touch and go for a while.
Brandon Ash is on his own in the wilderness until he’s picked up b the army and taken to a facility for children left on their own. He doesn’t know when or if he is ever going to be reunited with his dad and sister. Chloe, Miller and Josie are on his trail but will they reach him before the Project Eden people.
Thoughts
This continues to be an enthralling series. Again, the characters’ stories are told with a poignancy that can really be felt. Martina Gable and her family thought they would be safe in a cabin in the mountains. Dominic Ray runs a luxury holiday complex on a private island and hopes he can keep everyone safe by keeping all boats away. Sanjay and Kusum, whose little group has grown considerably. And Ellie, the little girl found with her dead parents.
The supporting characters are all wonderfully developed and show the utter horror and sadness in the aftermath of the release of the virus.
Ashes begins after the release of the virus by Project Eden. Ash is badly hurt while trying to find Brandon and Chloe races against time to get him the medical help he desperately needs. The doctor Chloe kidnaps is a good surgeon but it’s touch and go for a while.
Brandon Ash is on his own in the wilderness until he’s picked up b the army and taken to a facility for children left on their own. He doesn’t know when or if he is ever going to be reunited with his dad and sister. Chloe, Miller and Josie are on his trail but will they reach him before the Project Eden people.
Thoughts
This continues to be an enthralling series. Again, the characters’ stories are told with a poignancy that can really be felt. Martina Gable and her family thought they would be safe in a cabin in the mountains. Dominic Ray runs a luxury holiday complex on a private island and hopes he can keep everyone safe by keeping all boats away. Sanjay and Kusum, whose little group has grown considerably. And Ellie, the little girl found with her dead parents.
The supporting characters are all wonderfully developed and show the utter horror and sadness in the aftermath of the release of the virus.
September 22, 2013
Amazingly, I finished the last two of this series in record time. This should be a series of films, or a television series, or something like that. This is so believable, I began to feel the effects of SF-B, primarily as someone who had A and survived. My stomach still hurts and so does my head. Could this be because of the series or because of something I ate? Who knows? If I remember correctly, the next one comes out in October. This will stick in my head kuntil I get to read that one. Thank you, Brett Battles, for such a good series!
April 17, 2016
I have an established list of authors whose books I devour and I haven't added to that list for a couple of years, until now. I started Ashes last night and finished at 4:16 this morning and we just purchased the next 3. I'm so glad Sick was a free Kindle book, it hooked me, I raved about it to my husband, and now he's just about caught up with me.
I've read a few reviews that say the story has slowed down, I disagree. It's still a nail biting, edge of your seat, freak out when you hear a cough, kind of read for me.
I've read a few reviews that say the story has slowed down, I disagree. It's still a nail biting, edge of your seat, freak out when you hear a cough, kind of read for me.
February 17, 2013
Loved the Cleaner series, even the novellas. So, I read the first one and liked it. Skipped the next two, thinking you can only do the end of mankind once. Picked up this one (the fourth) and just finished it. I either did not realize that the first one was a young adult thriller, or maybe this series has redirected itself toward that direction. Anyway, it was ok, but really for teens, in my view. Not poorly written or edited, but most likely my last in this series.
May 6, 2014
This book continues the story from the previous books. It didn't really captivate me like Sick did, but it didn't bore me either. It was a good read to pass the time and very easy to follow. Writing style is not complex at all, which makes putting it down for a week and picking it back up such an ease. I will continue to read the rest of the books just to finish the series.
May 23, 2016
This is the fourth installment of The Project Eden series. This one did seem to be a little drawn out in the middle but then picked up again and moved right along to the end. This is a terrific series.
December 5, 2012
what an excellent book hated to finish it . I couldnt put it down for any amount of time. addicting! cant wait for the next book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews