This one started off pretty strong - our heroine is stuck on a dying Earth where it's everyone for themselves. Most of the population is dead, and everywhere is simply a wasteland. And our heroine meets her alien love interest when he rescues her on his mission to find and take all human females for his dying species.

The first half of the book is spent developing the relationship between Nova and Kol, the shipmaster and prince of the Maji. The characters were okay - Nova was much more developed than Kol. She was decently fleshed out with a good backstory and a personality while Kol and the other Maji males were simply too defined by their traits. Yes, they're supposed to be super masculine alpha males that are ruled by their instincts on how they act, but I think a bit more character and personality would've done them well.

I'm really glad the author spent a decent amount of time with the story while Nova reached the Maji planet. I adore world building, and it's always so fun to see characters in completely new settings. True, there could've been so much more work done on developing the Maji planet and their unique ways of life and customs, but I still had fun reading this portion.

My only critique is on the later portion of the book when Nova, just out of nowhere, gets really emotional and irrational about Kols' love towards her, and she immediately decides to jump ship and hightail it off the planet. It was just so sudden and out of place, and quite frankly, unrealistic.

I'm excited for the rest of the series, and I really cannot wait to see where the author will take it.

Loved this book so much! Can't wait for more!

Merged review:

Loved this book so much! Can't wait for more!

My review has been posted on Shelly's Book Corner

www.goodreads.com/review/show/2063096823

WOW

My goodness. I never believed i would love this story so much as i do after i finished reading! I loved the characters & the storyline. The Maji are such an interesting species & I love how loyal & respectful they are to each other & women. I am thankful i read this book. & I definitely recommend this book!

WOW! So good!
I have been a massive LA Casey fan since she released Dominic back in 2014 and have eagerly awaited each new release. This Sci-Fi romance is a step away from the author's normal genre, but as it turns out (not surprisingly) a really good one. I have read a lot of books in this genre, and this one rates right up there with the best. I love the description used for the Aliens (Maji) and the added bonus of a post apocalyptic Earth makes the book all the more readable. The characters are fabulously well rounded and I loved the world building too. A wonderful read! I cannot wait for more!

4.5 STARS

This book certainly wasn't perfect but I DEVOURED it like I haven't devoured a book in quite some time.

I read other books by L. A. Casey but this is by FAR my favorite of hers.

I'm positively OBSESSED with this world and series and I want -- no NEED -- more more more more more. I WANT ALL THE STORIES.
ALL THE ROYALS.
THE GUARDS.
EVERYONE.
EVERYONE GETS A BOOK.
PLEASE!
AND THANK YOU.

I will be here for it!!!! Gaaaah! I need to know when the next book comes out *cries forever*.
I NEED THE NEXT STANDALONE IN THIS SERIES NOW.
GIVE.
IT.
TO.
ME.

3.5/5? I think? I'll get back to you on this one
Full review to come

4☆
Out of the Ashes is not something I would consider in my comfort zone. I really enjoy LA Casey so I was excited to give it a shot. I really enjoyed reading about Maji society and how much they look at things differently, especially relationships. I liked the first half more than the second. I loved the build up and the tension between Nova and Kol. It was a fun and sexy read and I enjoyed dipping my toe in the sci-fi romance pool!
*I received an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I have mixed feelings about this book.
There was a long description at the start which set the scene of earth's history of destroying the planet, then her family history and interactions and tragedy. This seemed very long, I wondered if it could have been done as a prologue and been less descriptive, it covers issues that come up later but I got bored and almost stopped reading the book.
As it's the first book in the series, I made allowances as sometimes the first book sets the scene for the rest of the series.
The story then moves to the heroine's interaction with an alien species called the Maji.
I liked that the heroine was strong and not afraid to stand up to them although she was scared but at times it seemed childish.
Her insubordination to the shipmaster is the provides some humour and highlights the cultural differences.
The heroine's whole life has been littered with distrustful interactions with other humans so she constantly reverts back to this with Kol, it got on my nerves a bit but at the same time it is what she has grown up with.
There is a lot of potential in this series. There is a mating bond which ensures fidelity so no cheating.
There are also some funny moments due to the difference in human/alien culture and language. Some were very clever.