This novella is a companion piece to the Ashfall series, in which the eruption of a massive volcano plunges the country into an ash-covered wintry nightmare. The Ashfall series focuses on teen Alex, who transforms from somewhat bratty son to heroic leader over the course of the series -- thanks in large part to the remarkable Darla. Darla is the girl who stitches up Alex's wounds when he stumbles upon her family farm. She's tough, resilient, incredibly inventive, and absolutely loyal. In Darla's Story, we get her side of the beginning of the disaster, and hear about the immediate aftermath of the eruption from her point of view.As with the Ashfall books, Darla's Story is fast-paced and full of action, and it's always a pleasure to see Darla getting a chance to shine. She's a terrific character, and anyone who enjoys the series should absolutely check out this novella. I really like Darla because she's a very strong girl and the opposite of a 'girlie'. I liked her story because it was a nice addition to the story of Ashfall. Her character is very well painted: 'I will not give up, I will find a solution, I am there for my mother and I say what I think.' (that's not a quote from the book ^^). But again she also has flaws and is no superhero. That makes her so likeable.The book describes how Darla (and her mother) experience the eruption of the Yellowstone Supervulcano at her farm 1000 miles away from the eruption. The events are assumedly realistic (the noise, the ash, the light). I really like that.I do not like short stories very much (and bought the book because I wanted to know her story) and I think one or two things could have been described in more detail. But it was a good story.
