Ashes, Ashes

In this lovingly detailed adventure, Treggiari (The Curious Misadventures of Feltus Ovalton) hits a postapocalyptic trifecta: environmental disasters, plague, and amoral scientists. After five years of floods, weather gone mad, and a mutated smallpox epidemic, the vast majority of humanity has been wiped out, leaving tiny bands of survivors to roam the devastated remnants of civilization. With everyone she knew dead, 16-year-old Lucy has been living in what's left of New York City's Central Park, foraging off the land. After a tsunami wipes out her camp, she seeks refuge with the handsome Aidan and his ragtag group of scavengers, who are routinely plagued by ruthless Sweepers, who kidnap the healthy for experimentation. No sooner has Lucy started to settle in with her new friends then the Sweepers strike again. The tense plot, cinematic moments, and highly capable protagonists make this a fast, gripping read. And although it's long on descriptive passages regarding the nuts and bolts of existing in this nightmarish world, and short on resolution, this thriller reads like a love letter to wilderness survival guides and disaster movies. Ages 12%E2%80%93up. (June)