Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published May 2015
336 pages
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Publication Information
No boy knows what's beyond the forest. No Brother has ever come back. Until now…
Abandoned at birth, the Brothers of the Ikkuma Pit know no mothers. They fend for themselves, each training their Little Brother to survive until they turn sixteen, when it's their Leaving Day. No boy knows what's beyond the forest. But when Urgle's Little Brother, Cubby, is carried off by troll-like predators, Urgle and two of his Brothers embark on a quest to rescue him from a place from which no one has ever returned.
"[T]he novel is urgently gritty, with rich worldbuilding and plenty of action. McIsaac's debut is at its best when it focuses on Urgle, a misfit among the discarded, cleaving to his quest in a world so alien to him." - Publishers Weekly
"This is a great stepping stone for those tweens looking for a postapocalyptic novel without diving head first into the violence and social mores of similar YA titles. There is a hint of romance, appropriate for the intended audience ... This self-contained story is an entertaining read that will be enjoyed by many." - Library Journal
"While we have seen this thing before, it will appeal to those who enjoy the genre and have exhausted the works from the masters of this genre." - VOYA
"The prose is rife with densely written descriptions, and the overlong action sequences can be confusing, but the compelling mythology and dystopian setting will appeal to genre readers. Fans of James Dashner, Margaret Peterson Haddix, and Patrick Ness need look no further. Ages 10-15." - Kirkus Reviews
"Contemplative readers will be left with questions to ponder and ethical decisions to mull as well as a satisfying and tense read." - The Bulletin
This information about The Boys of Fire and Ash was first featured
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Meaghan McIsaac grew up in Canada. A sci-fi/fantasy nerd, she packed up all her movies and books and shipped off to the UK to complete an MA in writing for children. Meaghan eventually returned to Canada broke and worked at a series of unpaid internships at publishing houses, magazines, and gossip rags. Through it all, she was writing stories in the office, on the subway, and on her lunch breaks. The Boys of Fire and Ash is her debut novel.
Visit her at meaghanmcisaac.com and follow @MeaghanMcIsaac.
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