You have to appreciate the depth of research and thought that went into the making of this book.  This wasn't an easy read.  It was gritty, dark and didn't leave a lot of room for optimism.  That being said, it was also engrossing and fascinating.  As brutal as the world had become, there were still vestiges of hope for a better life, for purpose and redemption.

I was fascinated by the backstory of how the Grey Winter stared, I've heard snippets of information on what would happen if Yellowstone actually blew. The after effects made sense, which doesn't always happen in this type of story.  Usually it isn't a natural disaster that destroys civilization, it's a man made disaster.  Even so, as the character Andrei says, "make no mistake, it was not the volcano that brought about our downfall.  We did it to ourselves."   Human nature being what it is, the world became a dark place to be.  Literally and figuratively.  It's hard for me to say I'd recommend this book, it would take the right kind of reader to appreciate it.  Just because someone read The Road, doesn't mean they would understand all the geopolitical machinations, the historical hatred and distrust behind the dividing lines of the remaining survivors.  There is so much depth here, some people may drown in the details.