When I wrote the review for the first book in this series, “Columbus: Flight”, I said, “I am not a big sci-fi fan but when I reached the end? I didn't want it to be the end and kept tapping the side of my Kindle hoping another page would pop up.” So I was excited to finally get to read “Ashes”.

Once I settled myself back into this world/this time, I immediately bonded with the characters again. (Especially Darren. He is a very strong character who really grounds the piece.) I was sucked back in, needing to know the fate of these people, wanting to see how their incredible leap of faith worked out.

The first views the reader (and the characters) gets of their new home, this place that they’d travelled so far and so long to reach were very compelling. The scenes in which the ways in which this planet differs from Earth are fascinating and beautifully described.

“The tang of the sea was particularly pungent in the air this morning, and both Arion and Persephone hung well over the horizon. The former was a barely distinguishable shape, though it had moved in the last hour to a position in front of the brighter Persephone, causing a partial eclipse of the moon.”

The adventures/trials/struggles of these characters, of this group of courageous people as they adapt to their new planet were well written and well-paced. The action is easy to follow and the characters have distinct and authentic voices. Although I am still not a big sci-fi fan, but I am absolutely a fan of this series. And the fact that there are some serious cliff hangers means I will be even more eager to get the next book! ( )