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The long awaited story of the Novai race of dragon-shifter aliens has arrived...
 
In exile after the cataclysmic destruction of their home planet, the Novai have now found a new home...but they are not alone.

Led by two warrior commanders, Balor and Hett, the Novai species have landed on a new planet. The journey has caused many of them to evolve. 

Hett finally gets to spread his wings and explore the new planet, but soon discovers a subterranean tribe that will change the tragectory of his life forever. 

Evelyn is the headstrong princess of her tribe. She longs to reach the surface she has grown up hearing about, but she doesn't expect to find alpha-dragon explorers...


Evelyn's strong-will and Hett's sense of duty might save them from all-out war between their peoples. Can they survive the clash of civilizations? Or will they be torn apart in strife?


Hett's dragon-evolution fascinates Evelyn in every way. Can he control his new strength to satisfy her and keep her safe?


 


_______________________________


Ashley L. Hunt masterfully crafts immersive worlds that her characters can explore. The twists and turns in this story will keep you engaged and excited to see what happens next. As the heat between the characters build, you will find yourself waiting to see what their relationships grow into.


 

Kindle Edition

Published July 10, 2018

33 people are currently reading
34 people want to read

About the author

Ashley L. Hunt

58 books133 followers
Ashley Hunt gained her Philosophy degree in Denver, Colorado at The University of Colorado.

She made Denver her permanent home when she married her college sweetheart. Married six years the couple has a five-year-old daughter and a yellow Labrador named Oodles.

Living in the shadow of Gray's Peak proves to be inspirational to Ashley as she sits at her desk in her home office where she writes her Romance stories and can merely look out the window to renew her creativity.

She strives to make stories with beautiful scenery and intriguing plots. Heroes with great strengths, physical and mental, she pairs with strong heroines who test their limits. In the end, finding deep, passionate love. The way she thinks every relationship should be.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews361 followers
July 18, 2018
Captain Argutte Hett, the leader of the Novai Dragons, proudly looked around at their new home on the planet they named Sarus II. He had worried they might never find somewhere to live after a cataclysmic event destroyed their world, and he was greatly relieved that the search was over, thanks to the help of the A'li-uud. Now they had to learn all they could to truly make this a home for themselves and their future generations. They had traveled the stars for many centuries, relying on the advanced technology of their starship. And now, finally on their new home world, they would need to live by their own instincts. It would be challenging.

Search parties found an abandoned city. A scan of the planet had shown no other lifeforms, but they did find energy readings they could not yet explain. They explored the planet for wildlife and edible fruits. They would be building shelters as well.

In the caverns, Evelyn awoke in the morning and stretched. Her father, the chief of the tribe surviving underground for generations, was already gone for the day but had left her food. These caves had been Evelyn’s home for her entire life. But she dreamed of returning to the surface one day, remembering the stories her mother told about the sky and trees. Nothing here underground excited her anymore. She limped on her injured ankle to her special place, the Crystal Lake with its black sand and glowing crystals in the walls. It was a place of peace for her. She stripped and went into the water, but a group of boys arrived. She tried to get to her clothes before Shaine snatched them up to tease her, but her ankle slowed her. He tossed them into the air and her tunic snagged on one of the crystals, out of reach. She tried to climb the wall, but the walls began to shake violently and she was thrown to the ground unconscious.

As Evelyn’s new injury healed, her father told her the horror of others who had gone to the surface. The skin melted off their bones, they had sores all over. But Evelyn knew in her heart that at least some of her mother’s stories were true. When she was healed, she would go to Overworld and discover something wonderful that would change the future and their world.

Evelyn and Hett actually had much in common since both shared a genuine love for the things of nature and belief that they could all share the planet’s resources in harmony. Would their dreams be realized? Could they all live together on the surface and re-establish the city? Or was it all an impossible dream? This story raised hope in new beginnings and in the adaptability of the creatures who fill the worlds. It was well-written and the world-building did much to help the reader imagine the pristine environment they had to start creating a new world again. Grab a copy and see what possibilities are out there!
Profile Image for Mandy.
4,914 reviews46 followers
July 19, 2018
After their planet was destroyed the Novai have finally found a new home on an empty planet - however they are not alone. Led by Balor and Hett they arrive on the new planet having had many of their members evolve or die in a transformation, but when Hett stretches his wings and explores the planet more he finds something that will change his people's and in particular his own life forever. Evelyn is headstrong and as the tribe princess she is determined to reach the surface that she only knows of from her late mother's stories however when she finally reaches it she meets an alpha-dragon and suddenly the two races have a dilemma. Can Hett and Evelyn work together and can they all learn to co-exist or will they all die in war?

This was a sweet story about how two people can meet and fall in love and then need to somehow get their people to walk away from war and work together. Some of the explanation of the background felt a bit long but it helped to understand the events as the book developed into the events after their meeting. I liked the detailed explanations of the scenery and the situations they found themselves in and the writing was clear enough that there could be no mistake in understanding the events and the effects of the meeting of the two races. A good start to the series and I am looking forward to find out what happens next.
508 reviews8 followers
September 18, 2018
Dragons of Novai

I was so excited to finally get to read the first in this new series centered around the Dragons of Novai. The Novai were first introduced the readers in the Albaterra Mates series but you don't need to have read any of those books to enjoy this new series. If you have read that series, or the prequel to this series, you may notice a small timeline inconsistency in that the only Novai to make it to this new planet they've named Sarus II is that only those who have survived the sun-sickness are present. This series lets the reader enter a brave new world along with the Novai as they discover it and set out to finally have a home on the ground instead of the stars. There is vivid imagery of the planet and it's creatures but many obstacles must be faced, they least of which is that they are not the only inhabitants of this planet. There is much mystery surrounding the humans that call the planet home that have lived for generations deep inside the mountains. Hett and Evelyn are two strong characters and the leaders of their respective races that have set out to seize a future of peace and not war. But not everyone wants peace and there is plenty of action and emotion as the tribes clash. I'm excited to see what new places and discoveries are made throughout this series and can't wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Raven61.
1,135 reviews8 followers
December 13, 2020
Great start to a series

This story contains violence between humans and the dragons of Novai as both sides find themselves at a crossroads. Either embrace the opportunity and the potential future of humans and Novai working side by side, or live in and follow tradition.

There are great messages of hope, love and what could be possible if we only open our hearts and fight against the fear that comes to almost all of us when it comes to the unknown.

The new world of Sarus II really came alive throughout the story and set the basis for an immersive story universe moving forward. Also the characters, whether they were PNR dragons of Novai or human, are written in such a way that they became alive for me when reading the story.

There are still a few grammatical issues, but nothing that would cause me to hesitate recommending this story and series in the future. Most are most likely typos that were automatically changed with spellcheck (by vs be, extra “the” and a sentence that had a couple of the words transposed).

Not sure why there haven’t been more stories released by Ashley L. Hunt, whether part of this series or not, but hopefully things are fine and we can find one soon.
Profile Image for kookyquinn.
486 reviews49 followers
August 12, 2018
The first book in a good series is always slow. The author needs you to bear with them while they build the world for you and introduce the skeleton that will hold up the story and characters they create. I get it I do.

BUT - yeah you knew there was one lol - the main characters didn't meet until the 50% mark and I struggled. I was impatient. There was also a lot of filler and not enough dialogue. Again I get it, world building, but I think there's a way to make things go smoothly. Both set the stage and keep you engrossed while it happens.

I also felt that the heroine kinda blew off her people for the hero a little to eagerly/fast. It was like later ya'll I'm out! Then, when she should be upset with what had happened to people she's known all her life, she's comforting and pledging her loyalty to the hero - she'd known all of a day. It felt weird, it was weird.

Bitching aside I liked it. I think it's the start of a great spin off and I hope Ashley continues to write and that she's really "back" because I missed her words <3
Profile Image for Miriam.
928 reviews
July 15, 2018
Rating 3.5 stars

This is the first book in the series, and so there is a lot of world-building and character set-up in this book. I don't consider this to be a bad thing, but it did get to be a bit much (almost felt like too much, but at the same time still far too many questions). The MCs don't even meet until about half-way through the book, and then it was very much insta-lust to insta-love. While I do think Hett and Evelyn will make a good couple, I wish we saw more of them really getting to know each other (especially given the disparity in their backgrounds) to really buy into an HEA for them.

I also felt that the Novai took too many unnecessary risks on their new planet. They knew there were strange energy readings, but seem reluctant to fully investigate. They start eating food that hasn't been tested or investigated by a science/medical team. I just found it incredibly stupid on the part of the Novai.

I got this book while it was free on Kindle.
Profile Image for Melanie S.
1,841 reviews35 followers
July 16, 2018
Love isn't a battlefield, it's a polemic

I love alien SF/romance. I wanted to love Ashley Hunt's new series about the Dragons of Novai. However, having read the first novel, Hett, I'm declaring myself over it already. This isn't so much a love story as it is a declamation. The ever-present moral posturing and motivational speeches that pass for dialogue escalate quickly into what almost seems like propaganda - I feel as though I'm reading Chairman Mao's famous little red book rather than a love story. These characters even spechify and philosophize in the middle of sex. And speaking of the sex, it's awful. Multi-page love scenes that have no more heat than an ice cube fail to convey the insta-lust that Hett and Evelyn supposedly experience. There is no chemistry, no emotion, and no sensory appeal at all. There's nothing to make these people real and likable. If you also factor in the stuffy and stilted language, there's no reason to read this book at all.
Profile Image for Mom2three.
2,029 reviews16 followers
July 18, 2018
I'm a long-time-fan of Ashley L. Hunt, so when I saw this one I was very excited to dive right in. I feel like I've been waiting forever for this story, and I'm happy to say that it was everything I was hoping for. The story starts out a little slow, with all the world building, but that is something I love about this author. I need to be able to see myself in the setting or I start to lose interest, so having a clear picture of the world keeps me grounded to the story. I also loved the explanations about who the characters are and what made them tick. It made it easy for me to relate to them, especially Evelyn and her desire to see the surface. The romance was a little bit quick, almost instant, but if worked with the whole shifter/alien thing and didn't feel too rushed. That's all I'm going to say about the story-line because I think you should pick it up and read it yourself. I know you won't be disappointed.
8 reviews
August 13, 2018
Great story

I loved it and can't wait to find out next what happens in the future for the Dragons of Novai and their human neighbors. This was an intriguing and interesting story full of love, betrayal, changing views and lives, and hope. Hett and Evelyn are both wonderful people and leaders who only want the best for both of their people - The Dragons of Novai and the Humans of Saris II. I'm looking forward to discovering the Humans history and the future of both species of Sarus II. Ms. Hunt you have done it again. What a great story with many wonderful lessons to be learned about love, changes for the greater good, peace, and having the courage to grow into who you are meant to be. Thank for another awesome series!
Profile Image for Christina Luberts.
2,771 reviews7 followers
July 19, 2018
Wow, we have adventure, suspense, war, betrayal, hate, love and more. By the time you hit the middle of the book you can not put it down. We have the Dragons of Novai who is lead by Hett. They have been searching for a home. They finally find a planet that they think is uninhibited. Evelyn, daughter to the leader of this tribe that lives underground. She has always dreamed of living above ground. She finds away out, but Hett sees her and she takes off running. What will happen when her tribe finds out? What will Hett's people do? What is this attraction from first sight? Will they go to war? Will they live in peace? What are all the mysteries above ground?
Profile Image for Leslie Sanchez.
1,774 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2018
I have been waiting on this story for a while now and it was worth the wait. The Dragons of Novai have finally found a planet to call home. After generations in space, things are going to change A LOT. Hett, the Captain of the Novai, has been considering the changes that will need to be made. Thinking the planet uninhabited, he is surprised when he sees a woman running into the mountain rocks. Evelyn has lived in the caverns her whole life and nobody has ever even seen the surface. She is so excited to tell her people about the Overworld and the people that live there. This story has action and love between two species. I look forward to the future of the Novai and Evelyn's tribe.
Profile Image for S Allred.
183 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2018
When the Novai find and settle a planet they think is uninhabited Hett the captain/leader of the Novai wanted was to live in peace and make the Novai people prosper and become strong again. Evelyn has always dreamed of going to the surface and will do anything to prove that life and returned to the planet, that her people didn't need to live underground any longer. When Hett and Evelyn met they knew that their people could coexist in peace together, all they has to do was face off with those who wanted war.
Profile Image for D. Messing.
381 reviews5 followers
July 14, 2018
This was a promising start to a new series, definitely outside of the box, but entirely well done. I loved the worldbuilding, and the characters, but the entire story seemed rushed, and lacking details that made it fall a bit on the flat side. There were also quite a few spelling and grammatical errors, but you were still able to get a sense of what was being conveyed. Overall a solid work, just needs a bit more polish then it will knock your socks off! Thank you for the oppportunity to review this work!
Profile Image for Karen Nastasio.
2,661 reviews19 followers
July 20, 2018
What a thrilling story it had it all and I was kept spellbound from start to finish, Hett and Evelyn story is quite unique neither knew each one lived on the planet that the Dragons of Novai have just arrived on to call it there new home Sarus11 and because there was no life forms registered on it but someone must of lived here long ago there it still a city standing but empty of life. But under the surface in deep caverns lives a human race that has never returned to the over world as they call it in centuries but one young woman wants to see the sun again but her father will not allow it but Evelyn goes anyway and that’s where the problems start for both races. Whats happens when theses two races meet, can they live together or is there to be a war. Read this amazing book to find out.
496 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2018
Quite haunting

Argutte Hett and Evelyn could not be more alike, even though they come from two different species and two different ways of life. I found their story to be haunting and strife with difficulties. They both had to be so strong in the face of such adversity. They way they fought for what they believed was right was just inspiring! The way the story flowed was so real, so intrinsic to a new world that I could not believe it at times.
767 reviews3 followers
July 14, 2018
Hett is the leader of the Novai who have wings and are descendants of dragons. Evelyn is a human whose father is the leader of a group of people who have survived underground for generations. Even though these two are from two different world's they share the belief that both their species can coexist in peace. This was a interesting and engaging story. The book was well written with great worldbuilding and wonderful characters. A fantastic start to a new series. Can't wait for the next book.
609 reviews1 follower
July 17, 2018
Hett and Evelyn had more in common than first met the eye and were perfect for each other. Both were trying to do the very best for their people but were misunderstood and criticized for their choices. Things could have been so much worse if Balor and Ashlon had actually gotten what they wanted. I enjoyed Evelyn's dogged determination in trying to reach the Overworld even if it killed her.

'I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.'
855 reviews
July 14, 2018
Freedom to Believe

Beautiful adventure of two different groups of characters who live with outdated beliefs who think answers are found in war! Fighting among themselves which leads to taking another look at what matters in life! Thanks received as a ARC and voluntarily reviewed this book I highly recommend as a incredible read ❤️❤️
688 reviews
September 22, 2018
Voyage of discovery

The Novai finally found an uninhabited planet that they could call home.
But there was a city with fine buildings, all abandoned.
What happen to the people?
Then they discover they are not alone.
Love , adventure and bloodshed , it's all in this exciting tale.

167 reviews4 followers
July 16, 2018
This futuristic love story of Hett and Evelyn just flowed. I loved the imagination and detail. Hett and Evelyn are both powerful leaders of their people. I wonder what the book discovered in the city reveals about Evelyn’s past. I can’t wait for the next book. Great job!
Profile Image for Tera Comer.
2,136 reviews48 followers
July 19, 2018
This is the first book in a new series by this author and the world-building and characters are a perfect match, as always with this authors books. There is plenty of action, suspense, betrayal, love, hate and more to keep you captivated.
3,169 reviews
July 21, 2018
A good start in a new series.

I enjoyed the character development of this new world that this author bring us through her well written story that brings them to life. A good and interesting start to a series that will definitely be one to read. Can’t wait for the next story.
Profile Image for Ola Adamska.
2,881 reviews26 followers
July 26, 2018
This one is more about setting place for The New Series - New planet, New circumstances and New obstacles.
With That being The most important romance faded to The blurr in The background and was a sudden thing That well was unf0rtunately unbeliveable...
Profile Image for Maritza Knox.
392 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2018
Future untold

Wonderfully written opening in this series. Adventure, wonder, pain, excitement, loss, war, and love. You are open to the future of the characters, all of the characters and that's a great thing.
116 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2018
Hett and Evelyn

What a great new series this is...I admit I have re read the book..someone said I read to fast...but I found Hetts story very believeble..and their search for new home,and meeting Evelyn..bringing together 2 races of people...looking forward to the next book..
11 reviews
October 27, 2018
Awesome!!!!

I read all of the Alberterra Series and I fell in love. They are such great and well written stories and it is so easy to fall in love with the characters like Evelyn and Hett. I can't wait to read the next in the series.
Profile Image for Rachel Ritter.
3 reviews
April 8, 2020
Missing series

This is an interesting start to a series with plenty to look forward to but only one book from 2018. I really wanted to read about the rest of the characters. Disappointed ☹️
1,122 reviews
July 17, 2018
She’s back! The longley (for me anyway) awaited new book from Ashley does not disappoint. Good characters and storyline make for an exciting read.
2,812 reviews13 followers
July 18, 2018
Once again I have found a good book in this story. I found it hard to put it down until the end. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy.
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