The Grey Gates by Vanessa Nelson includes the following books: Outcast, Called, Hunted, Forged, Chosen
A gritty and engrossing tale…
The Grey Gates series by Vanessa Nelson is my favorite series by the talented British writer. Her series tend to feature a dystopian world and have a dark undercurrent. This series is the type I like to read after finishing something light and sweet. It’s perfect for those times when you want to really be engrossed in a story.
As a Marshall, Max works with the human police to solve cases. Some of these cases are very brutal and graphic. They are also demonic in nature. People are tortured, kidnapped and killed in a senseless way. These scenes add to the story but were difficult for me to get through.
This series follows Max, a Marshall who deals with dangerous supernatural creatures in a shrinking city. Her dystopian world is struggling to maintain its boundaries as the Wild pushes inward. Max is tough on herself and has a no-nonsense attitude. As you get to know her better, you become aware of her fears and perceived failings. While she remains strong, the reader comes to see there’s so much more beneath that rough exterior.
Max and Bryce have a slow-burn romance that is very much secondary to the action and danger of the plot. I love their relationship and that it develops naturally. I also appreciate that both these characters are not your typical heroes. I particularly enjoyed watching Max confront her past and step into her true power. Vanessa Nelson writes interesting characters that are reasonable and have depth. The story moves quickly and keeps your interest.
Lastly, the story involves deities and demons, which I love. It’s a fascinating take on these entities and how earth is the battleground between them. While this is a dark and gritty tale, I was completely engrossed in the story and invested in Max and Bryce. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
All Max wants is a quiet life…
Eight years ago, the world nearly ended, and Max lost everything—her home, her future, and her reputation. Branded a traitor, she’s spent years trying to rebuild, now working as a Marshal to keep the city safe from supernatural threats. She wants nothing more than to do her job and stay out of trouble.
But trouble finds her. A string of brutal murders pulls Max into a case that feels all too personal. When an attempted intervention goes catastrophically wrong, she’s left questioning whether she’s being hunted. And why Bryce—the Order warrior willing to give her a second chance—has suddenly disappeared.
As Max navigates the darkest corners of the city, she faces terrifying creatures, long-buried secrets, and the ghosts of a past she thought she’d left behind. When a friend is attacked and she’s dragged into a battle far beyond her control, Max is forced to confront the truth about her origins and the family she never knew.
But there’s precious little time to dwell on her previous life. A demon is loose, the dead are vanishing from the city morgue, and an apocalyptic force is rising. Max never wanted to be a hero, but she might be the prophesied one, which holds all the world’s hope. With Bryce at her side, maybe she can move out of the shadows and into the life she was meant for.
What I love about The Grey Gates series by Vanessa Nelson:
This series is very well written. The plot is well constructed and ends in a satisfying way. I especially love the supporting characters, who are completely fleshed-out without being distracting.
What I didn’t love about it:
The violence and darkness of this series are on the edge of what I can handle. I definitely need a light and fluffy read after finishing this story.
Spice level:
This series is mild. The relationship between Max and Bryce develops slowly and any real romance is towards the end of the story and is closed-door.
Language:
The language is fairly tame. There are some mild swear words throughout the series. The language is always appropriate to the character and scene.
Violence:
This series is quite violent. There is torture and senseless killing oftentimes connected with demonic rituals. All these elements are important to the story but the violence was on the very edge of what I can handle.
Length:
This series has 5 books. They are fairly short, around 250 pages each.
Where to get The Grey Gates series by Vanessa Nelson:
At the time I’m writing this review, this series is available for sale on Kindle or free with your Kindle Unlimited subscription. They are also available in paperback on Amazon or as an audiobook on Audible.
I hope you enjoy this riveting, dystopian series. Keep reading! -Eva
(Find it on Amazon)
Connect with the author: Vanessa Nelson
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