Ashen Winter - Mike Mullin

Ashen Winter is the second book in Mike Mullin's Ashfall Trilogy. It picks up a few months after Alex and Darla have reached his uncle's farm. Life has become somewhat settled and bearable, but Alex cannot help but be concerned about his parents. He decides he must set back out and try to locate them. Darla is concerned about leaving the relative safety of the farm but joins him anyway. Together they must deal with bandits, almost drowning in the icy Mississippi, losing their supplies, cannibals and the dreaded Black Lake refugee/prisoner camps. Then Alex must figure out what to do when Darla gets shot and captured by the cannibals!

I enjoyed this book as much as the first one, Ashfall. Lots of action and survival against the elements. I really feel for Alex as he struggles with the responsibilities and the pressures of rescuing Darla and finding his parents. I think this is a great series for anyone who enjoys books with plenty of action.