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S.J. Barnett
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Commanding Flame And Shield (Grayshell Rising Book 1) Kindle Edition

by S.J. Barnett (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 225 ratings

*Professionally revised second edition published October, 2024.*

A reluctant, prophesied leader. A legendary warrior. An evasive enemy threatening everything they hold dear, and a star-crossed love they’d burn the world to save.

August Porter is a lucrative investor, admired for his ethics and respected for his success. Engaged to a beautiful businesswoman, his life looks like the American dream. But August has a secret. His nights are spent fighting for his life—trying to escape talons that drag him into darkness, fleeing monsters promising an end to his future. But they're just nightmares. At least, that's what he convinces himself...until he comes face to face with a fierce stranger promising salvation...if he leaves everything he's ever known behind.

The legendary Alvara of Grayshell has two missions in life: guard humanity from the demons freed from Hell, and steward half-Angel souls into their own dimension when their celestial powers arrive. For months, she’s been haunted daily by August’s face. By the constant pull to him. The mysterious man evades her power…when no mark ever has. Grayshell, Chicago...even Hell itself—she won't stop fighting until his soul is safe with her.

When an ancient prophecy brings forth an enemy threatening to sever everything he loves, August must confront his destiny.

Will he trust the light or succumb to the darkness?

Filled with deep world building, a tension-filled slow burn romance, action-packed pages and epic battles, this first book in the Grayshell Rising series is perfect for fans of Throne Of Glass and The Bridge Kingdom.

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  1. Book 1 of 2
    Grayshell Rising
  2. Print length
    524 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    January 25, 2023
  5. File size
    3.9 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

Debut Novel SJ Barnett brings you Grayshell Rising
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Customer Reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars 225
4.2 out of 5 stars 225
4.2 out of 5 stars 225
Price $6.99 $24.99 $0.99
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BK5M9BM3
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Flame And Fiction LLC (January 25, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 25, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.9 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 524 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 225 ratings

About the author

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S.J. Barnett

S.J. Barnett

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Sydne Barnett is a lover of spunky, badass heroines, and heroes that embrace their wild. She's an avid reader, never turns down a good cup of coffee, loves hiking with her hubby, and lives for finding their next adventure.

If she's not writing, you can probably find her behind her camera, swimming, or curled up with a homemade pastry, watching Friends, HYMYM, or Gilmore Girls.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
225 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book highly readable, with one mentioning it had them hooked from page one. The storyline is engaging, with one customer noting it's action-packed from the beginning and has several twists. The world-building receives praise for being utterly amazing, with one review highlighting the author's creative approach to science creation. Customers love the characters and appreciate the brilliant writing style.

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9 customers mention "Readability"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book amazing, with one mentioning it had them hooked from page one and another noting how it made them think deeply.

"...I absolutely recommend this book as it was such an enjoyable read...." Read more

"...This book had me hooked from page one...." Read more

"...Not just the main characters’ stories, but ALL of them. This book really made me think, and it’s not often that I find myself spinning theories..." Read more

"Good lord. The world building and story telling in this magical book is amazing...." Read more

9 customers mention "Storyline"7 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, with one mentioning it is action-packed from the beginning and has several twists along the way, while another notes it serves as a perfect end to book 1 of the series.

"...The world-building is creative and fresh. The plot is really interesting and has so much more to give (hello, series!)..." Read more

"...As a fantasy novel it was interesting but very focused on the main character's romance and I didn’t feel compelled enough by the plot to want to..." Read more

"...The story itself was interesting, different from other angels and demons fantasy books I've read, but it was hard to get into because it was so..." Read more

"...This story is low spicy (🌶️) and nothing happens til about 70-80% into the book FYI...." Read more

8 customers mention "World building"8 positive0 negative

Customers praise the world-building in the book, describing it as utterly amazing and incredibly interesting.

"...I love the detail! The world created here is very fascinating and I cannot wait to learn more about the hierarchy, political dynamics, and "magic..." Read more

"...Barnett does an amazing job with creating the sciences her sense of imagery in the situations is just enough to not feel like you’re losing the..." Read more

"...The worldbuilding and mechanics of that world are interesting. I liked the alternating perspectives between the two leads...." Read more

"...This book was SO well-written and thought out. The lore, magic system, and world building were amazing and incredibly interesting...." Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one mentioning that the side-characters are well-developed.

"...The main characters are lovable and complex...." Read more

"...Her fellow half angel, half human found family are a group of characters that are unique and quirky and utterly devoted to each other and their cause..." Read more

"...The characters were lovable, and the side-characters are all fleshed out. And THE VILLAIN 🫠 Oh my, I need to know more about him!..." Read more

"...Love a bad ass female lead-look no further, fated mates and kick butt characters-what more could a person ask for. Cannot wait for #2!!" Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one noting how well the author uses descriptive language.

"...It is BETTER! I really enjoyed S.J's writing style. Actually, I will admit I was IMPRESSED by the writing. The dialogue is developed...." Read more

"The writing quality is decent for a first novel. The pacing is a bit uneven...." Read more

"...This book was SO well-written and thought out. The lore, magic system, and world building were amazing and incredibly interesting...." Read more

"...Brilliant writing!! Keep ‘em’ coming!" Read more

Amazing
4 out of 5 stars
Amazing
I was so excited to read this book and it did not disappoint. Before I get into the review I think everyone needs to take a minute and just admire this gorgeous cover!! I will say this book was way bigger than I thought it was going to be and I loved that I had even more time to fall in love with all the characters. At the beginning of the book I will say I was very confused about what was going on and how the powers worked. After I got used to the characters everything started to be explained more and I fell in love with the story. Alvara is the bada$$ (who is 300+ years old) with some amazing powers trying to get to and protect August who is just human. I love that we get a switch in the sense that the guy isn’t the supernatural. We also get a world that’s different from a lot of the other fantasy books we’ve been seeing. In this we see nephelims, demons, fallen angels and warriors. There is also so much action in this book. I mean we are seeing battles happen throughout the whole book so there’s never a boring spot. We get fated mates who always make their way back to each other, touch him/her and you die, and I’ll watch the world burn for you. This is a SLOW burn but I really loved that the romance didn’t overpower the action in the book. I definitely will be recommending this book to everyone!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Jacquelyn Kirmse
    5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful debut...
    Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is not your typical indie-author debut novel!!! It is BETTER!

    I really enjoyed S.J's writing style. Actually, I will admit I was IMPRESSED by the writing. The dialogue is developed. The world-building is creative and fresh. The plot is really interesting and has so much more to give (hello, series!) The main characters are lovable and complex. Though, I wish I had more time with the side characters (found-family vibes) to really understand each personality. The pacing is quick but you still get breaks from the action to develop the MC relationships. Admittedly, sometimes it feels like the book moves on and you are missing info, but you're not! you're just not given every detail. Once you are about 100 pages in you get used to the pacing. The romance is a slow burn but inevitable. It is the major plot point but doesn't take away from the character-building or action. Overall, it is everything you need from a fantasy romance!

    The author does descriptors really well. It was probably on the edge of too many for some, but I have a super visual reading comprehension so I thrive when I can really visualize the scene. I love the detail! The world created here is very fascinating and I cannot wait to learn more about the hierarchy, political dynamics, and "magic system" (it's not really magic, but just powers). I have lots of questions but in a good way.

    Lastly, I LOVED THE ENDING. I get really frustrated by what authors try to pass off as cliffhangers. You know, the ones where it feels like they just wrote "the end" halfway through a book. I hate that!!! This was the perfect end to book 1 of a series. You get some closure, you get the end of the major action for this book's plot AND you get a glimpse of what is to come. You are left with some important info and questions in the last 2 chapters but nothing that will make you miserable or keep you up at night. It was the perfect touch of continuation.
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  • Sulley K V
    4.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful world building romantasy
    Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Fantastic Romance is not something that I read often as I’m picky about it. The balance between too much details and not enough can be tricky as well. How much description to put into the time and place of events, and with fantasy books - ANY - it can get over whelming.

    Barnett does an amazing job with creating the sciences her sense of imagery in the situations is just enough to not feel like you’re losing the scene or the moment. Completely enveloping my senses of smell and touch is my favorite. When I can imagine like I’m there OHHH and yes that includes the battle scenes - describing the metallic taste of blood 🤭.

    Many have commented on the whole “religion” portion and to each their own opinion but it did not strike me as heavily based in “religion”. I like the incorporation, the basis of this book is how there are souls who are stuck - in the middle in limbo - because of the past angels who were not allowed to be in heaven but not condemned to hell. The souls of these angels were so grand they were separated and born in certain human. They remember their previous lives who they were and they have SOULMATES 😍😍.

    Our main characters Alvara - badass second in command of Grayshell, and August her mate - the Great commander.

    Two souls that have been separated for years and finally reunited, but the reunion is not immediate or easy at first. The journey of them finding who they really are to each other the longing glances, the build of up desire the journey that was endured between both of them is not an easy one. This story is low spicy (🌶️) and nothing happens til about 70-80% into the book FYI.

    NOWWE this does end in a cliff hanger 😈 so be ready.

    I absolutely recommend this book as it was such an enjoyable read.
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  • G
    3.0 out of 5 stars Super Slow Burn
    Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The writing quality is decent for a first novel. The pacing is a bit uneven. It seemed a much better thought out plot than A Court of Thorns and Roses.

    The worldbuilding and mechanics of that world are interesting. I liked the alternating perspectives between the two leads.

    The book is the slowest of burns... like stranded in the woods rubbing two stick together to start a fire slow burn. It took about 1/2 to 2/3rd's into the book before they even kiss... this book is over 700 pages.

    As a fantasy novel it was interesting but very focused on the main character's romance and I didn’t feel compelled enough by the plot to want to keep reading it. As a romance it was a super slow burn and I didn't feel compelled to keep reading for the romance. I feel like if either or both elements had been a bit stronger I would have liked it more. I probably would have enjoyed an abridged version.

    Side Note/ Spoiler:

    One thing that bugged me was the female main character is supposed to be hundreds of years old. This is browbeaten into you on nearly every other page. The book is set in fairly modern times, possibly the future. But then at one pivotal scene she gives the the main male lead a photo of herself as a teenager with a pocket watch that belonged to her dad?? This math ain't mathing.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Justine
    5.0 out of 5 stars STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING AND READ THIS BOOK!
    Reviewed in Australia on January 27, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I am astonished by what S.J. Barnett gave us. This book is a solid 5 star for me: from the plot to the characters, the worldbuilding and the writing, this book has all you need to get you hooked from the first chapter and asking for more when you put it down.

    But want to know what the best thing was for me? THE VILLAIN. I didn’t realise I hadn’t read a book with a really good villain in a while until I met this one. The charisma, the questions he poses, the personality and attitude… I have not wanted to join a villain’s side this much since the Darkling in Shadow and Bone.

    Fear not, the FMC and MMC will keep you firmly rooted on their side. How could they not? This dynamic is EVERYTHING. The slow burn is so slow but so BURNING you’re on the edge of your seat yelling “JUST KISS ALREADY” most of the time. August is the ideal partner wrapped in a shiny package, he’s already my new book boyfriend.

    And the found family? I am a sucker for this trope and S.J. Barnett more than delivered. The characters are loveable and the relationships will leave you wanting even more. The interactions are beyond riveting and that is all thanks to her amazing writing.

    It is funny, witty, gives you descriptions without boring you. She doesn’t shy away from violence and leaves room for softer moments, keeping the right balance between the two. The pace is perfect and the plot keeps you on your toes without leaving you breathless. It is intriguing from the start and at no point whatsoever did I know where she was taking us. What a pleasant and thrilling ride from start to finish.

    From the unique magic concept to the incredible worldbuilding, reading CFAS is like entering Narnia. It’s diving into a whole other world you didn’t know existed right under your nose, and you don’t want to leave it.

    I was sceptical about any religious theme at first as I am not a religious person, and I was pleasantly surprised to be stimulated by the questions S.J. Barnett raised. The themes around choice, agency and freedom are thought-provoking and leave you wanting to see which side will prevail.

    I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book already!
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  • Ashley Kelley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Surprise!
    Reviewed in Canada on December 17, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I usually find books with Angels and Demons to potentially be a bit hit or miss for me personally, but I saw the book shared by another author I like and decided it give it a shot, and I couldn’t be happier that I did. The story line was wonderfully developed, the twists in it were perfect, my theories kept getting thrown off and I love when I think I can guess something and turn out to be wrong and completely surprised. The Romance between August and Alvara have you rooting for them through the whole book. I couldn’t be happier and I can not wait for the next book to come out!
    Report
  • Amiz
    3.0 out of 5 stars enjoyed
    Reviewed in Australia on October 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this read , very different from what I’m used to but much appreciated.
    I needed a change and loved the concept & originality of this story.
    It is pretty long so it took me awhile to finish it.
    But really can’t complain much because this is pretty good.
    These characters have work to do and that’s what they do in this book work hard and train
    I liked this too.
    Report
  • TMad
    5.0 out of 5 stars love this book
    Reviewed in Canada on October 13, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This book was literally legendary. I love the writing. I love how it’s kind of new and risky. I loved the characters love that nobody died, but I don’t know how long that’s gonna stay.
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  • Cathrin Lohstraeter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in Canada on August 9, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Could not put this book down , waiting for book 2 :)
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