The Protector Guild: Books 1-3

The Protector Guild

by Gray Holborn

They don't want to want her, but they do...

In the shadows of the human world, a secret society of demon hunters fights to keep humanity from the supernatural forces that threaten to tear it apart.

But for Max Bentley, a rookie hunter struggling to find her place amongst her kind, the biggest threat might just be the four brooding, enigmatic members of the most elite team of hunters - all of whom seem to have taken a special, antagonistic interest in her.

She quickly discovers that their past is as dark and complicated as her own. As she is drawn deeper into the mysterious world of demon hunting, she finds herself torn between her duty to her people and her growing attraction to her team.
It's more than her heart on the line, it's the very fabric of our world.


Devour this exciting new paranormal romance series now! The FMC will end up with multiple partners (one, another woman), no choosing!

This set includes the first THREE full
Academy of Protectors
Forging the Guild
Dreams of Hell


Also in this
Hell and Back (book 4)
Abyss of Ruins (book 5)
Fashioned by Flames (book 6)
Dark Before Dawn (book 7 coming soon)
The World Undone (Book 8 coming soon)
Saving the Protector (prequel standalone m/f novella)

◆◆◆ Max's story is a slow-burn urban fantasy series. Get ready for action, spice, and intrigue. The series is 8 novels long, so it book 3 does end on a cliffhanger ◆◆◆

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Why Choose, Fantasy Romance, Vampires, Paranormal

678 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 13, 2023

About the author

Hi! I'm Gray. I'm best known for my series, The Protector Guild - an 8-book completed series filled with all things angst and chaotic hijinks. I'm currently working on my second series, Order of Reapers, which is the follow up to The Protector Guild. At the moment, there are 10 books published in what I'm calling 'The Gray-verse.' Sounds ominous, right?

What can you expect from my stories?

First, you have to love a slow burn, angsty romance. I tend to get quite bored when my characters are happy and together, which is why I keep them in various stages of misery and yearning for as long as I can *que evil laugh.* Yes, my books are spicy, but they are far more focused on the plot of the story and character development (MUST LOVE INTERNAL CHARACTER MONOLOGUES OR I PROMISE YOU WILL HATE MY WRITING STYLE). Finally, both of my series focus on themes of and around the following: trauma, mental health, grief, community, found family, moral complexity, and dismantling oppressive systems (yes, yes, amongst the chaotic fun of a fantastical world and characters unabashedly pining for each other).

Sound like your jam? Great! Dive right in :D

As for me, when I'm not writing or reading or funneling entire seasons of TV into my brain in one night, I can be found hanging out with my cartoonish dog, staring at a wall for hours on end while I think through some tricky bit of character or plot arc, paddleboarding/kayaking alongside the local seals and sea lions (don't worry, I keep a respectful distance!), or pretending to enjoy camping. One day it will click for me. I hope.

Reviews

[°˖✧˚lindsay˚✧˖° · Rating 3 out of 5]

So slow burn that the why-choose becomes obsolete. Just choose somebody already pLEASE!
Good character and world building with all that time they spend keeping their hands to themselves though.

[Andrea Bush · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 30% felt like reading a 17 year old's first attempt at a Wattpad fanfic? Too much internal monologue commentary? Far too many characters introduced by the 5th chapter and none of them memorable because they were all described as hotties that made the FMC feel tingly. Sounded more like an excuse for a group romance plot

[Ali Alley EscapeThroughABook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay I was super surprised on how much I loved this! I will be continuing on with the entire series! Wow so flipping good!

This is an exciting Urban Fantasy Romance Series. The book offers the combination of books 1-3 in the Protector Guild Series. The romance in this book is a why choose that is slow burn. There is some very mild spice. There is still a lot of back, and forth happening between the couple’s so the intimacy is remaining mostly indirect. There is spicy language, thoughts, and innuendos. This is an adult book. The book moves at fast pace through the first 3 books as Max finds herself in a protector academy where she learns more about what a protector is, and what is expected of her as one. Along the way she meets new faces, and new challenges. Max beats to the beat of her own drum, and often finds herself facing trouble head on. This also lands those around her in trouble too, and she will face some serious heartache due to this. Just when Max thinks she has things figured out things turn against her. Leaving her and those she cares about once again faced with hard choices, and in dangerous situations. The contemporary feel mixed in with the fantasy makes for an intriguing read, while the consistent action has you all but unable to set this book down.

[Brooke]

DNF at 11%

I was just bored and had no interest in picking this up.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so confused... how are we 3 books in and still haven't revealed what the major conflict really is?

We started out with their being a clear good vs evil and slowly descended into shades of grey... which cool I like that kind of gradual shift, but theres also moments where the FMC goes from " not everyone is evil" to well that "creature is evil so all creatures are evil again" almost every chapter...
We are 3 books in and still have absolutely no idea at the FMCs mysterious past, other than its mysterious and her guardian is clearly hiding stuff from everyone.. I get the FMC is being kept in the dark but there hasnt even been any story telling hints to feed the reader into keeping up their curiosity.

With all that aside there is a general decent story being told and I am intrigued enough to continue which is why it got 4 stars instead of 3.

[Anto~mcbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Max, the FMC. She was a whirlwind of unfiltered questions, awkward comments, badassery and endearing naivete. Funny in her bluntness, exceptionally skilled at kicking ass and largely ignorant to the ways of the world. She was a nice collection of dichotomies. I kinda loved her.

I also loved how, despite this being a reverse harem series, the romance aspect really took a back seat and wasn't the priority of the story. It focused surprisingly little on it, which was awesome at first, but lost its shine eventually—I'm here for the romance dammit!

The attention was more centered on Max's exploration and discovery of this new world she knew very little about. On her journey from the hermit life she'd been living with Cyrus, her mentor and father figure, and Rowan, her beloved adopted brother, in a lost cabin in the middle of the woods, into entering the Guild academy, all the attacks by supernatural creatures, building new friendships, etc.

Some potential eventual love interests were introduced in the form of Alpha Team 6, including another girl—which I'd never come across before.

A bit of lore regarding artificial, aka magic-fabricated vs thought-to-be-extinct, natural occurring mate bonds was also fleetingly mentioned—we can all guess where that is going LOL. But the potential ability to awaken natural bonds in other protectors—and supernatural creatures—wasn't the only unusual thing about Max, there was something going on with her, something unique and different. Something that had people equally intrigued and wary about her.

The dialogues were awkward and forced sometimes, and the chapters were mainly from Max's POV although this balanced out a bit the deeper we got into the series, once we were more familiar with this fictional world and needed more insight into the thoughts of the other characters.

Towards the end of the last book of this omnibus it also got slightly annoying how long it took the characters to put pieces and clues together. Purposeful daftness for the sake of plot is never fun. Having to wait around for a character to finally have the epiphany I'd seen coming 20 chapters prior was torture.

All in all though, this omnibus was super fast paced, established interesting world building, raised some compelling mysteries—and drove me crazy with the lack of answers!—left us on cliffhanger after cliffhanger and was stingy as fuck with the delivery of romantic interactions. The last book wasn't as fun as the previous two, but I still flew through the whole thing and had a good time reading it, so I'll definitely be checking out more of this series.

[jlreadstoperpetuity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received my copy of the books 1 to 3 omnibus last month and I withheld posting my reviews as I want to invest some time to read through the first 3 books at least. I didn't even realized I finished the entire 8 books already!😅

𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 kicks off an 8-book series that blends demon-hunting action with slow-burn romance. Max Bentley, a rookie hunter, is thrown into a dangerous world where she must navigate her growing attraction to a mysterious elite team while uncovering the dark secrets they hide. With each book, the stakes rise, delving deeper into the complexities of duty, loyalty, and forbidden feelings.

Perfect for fans of romantasy, this series offers binge-worthy storytelling with intense action, captivating chemistry, and plenty of twists to keep you hooked from start to finish.

The last book on the series, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 which was just released last 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 is the perfect ending to the series. It's an emotional rollercoaster and I'm gonna miss all the characters.

[laura Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I did enjoy the overall story in these books. However, there is so many layers that it does get confusing about what is actually going on. This is a true slow burn why choose book but I’m not sure who all the MMCs are supposed to be. As the story has progressed more characters have been introduced and everyone seems obsessed with the FMC. The book does a good job with world building and character development. But I’m still not sure what the overall plot is and there are so many questions about the FMC that have remained unanswered. I really have liked the book so I will continue and hopefully puzzle pieces start falling into place soon.

[Moony Cash · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved loved loved loved loved this book. It was Action packed. It was enthralling. Max was such a fun, interesting main character. I never knew what was gonna happen. They kept it interesting with lots of twist and turns the drama oh my gosh the only reason I’m not gonna get five stars cause I think it took a little too long to get to the point there was a part in the middle there where I was like OK are they ever going to leave the school or is this just a constant cycle of going to the gym and almost getting killed let me tell you that last book of this trilogy was insane. Shit was happening I left and right I love it out of all the characters. Darius is my favorite by far. I love that guy. I love his different color eyes and his whimsical insane energy and how everyone keeps mentioning him. He’s just a bit off and how screwdrivers are his favorite drink. Especially when he escaped the second time and he just fell to his knees and started laughing like a maniac. I love that guy. He’s my guy that’s the first time you kissed her like my heart. anyway it was great. Great I love the book the book so much I saw a lot of people were upset that it was too slow of a romance, but I think it was exactly what it needed. This is the slow burn that is actually a slow burn and that makes it so much more rewarding. The plot is a pick up and I cannot wait to see where it goes.!!!!!

[Nicole Wiater · Rating 2 out of 5]

Talk about a sloooooowwww fizzle of nothing. Things don’t start picking up until book 3. I don’t think I will finish this series.

[Dreadyjen · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. 80% Im having one of those moments where I'm reading the other reviews and thinking, did they read the same thing as me? It was so so boring. I didn't think you could make vamps, were and slayers boring, but there ya go. And half the time I was rooting for the vamps and were to finish off the slayers so... 🤷 Ralph, Izzy, Ro and Max should start their own book without the others. I would finish that. Atlas makes me want to jump off a cliff to get away from him.

[GoodLynne · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF in the first chapter when I found out the FMC is 18 yrs old. I do not want to read a RH where the FMC is a teen. I am an adult and I want to read about other adults doing adult things like participating in reverse harems. Perhaps she turns 19 before the spice kicks in since it’s marketed as a “slow burn” but it still doesn’t change much for me. Honestly I’ll never understand why authors write spicy books with characters in their late teens. Maybe this series isn’t that spicy? Either way I’ll never find out and frankly am not interested in reading a not spicy book anyways. I wish there was an easy way to find out how old the characters are in a book. You hear spice and RH and assume you’re reading about an adult.

[Irena Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Protector Guild series is an addictive journey through a world teeming with supernatural threats, high-stakes missions, and slow-burn romance that will have you hooked from the first page.

**Book 1** introduces us to Max Bentley, a relatable and endearing rookie demon hunter navigating her place within a secret society dedicated to battling otherworldly dangers. As Max dives deeper into this perilous world, she's torn between her duty and the growing attraction she feels toward four elite hunters with dark pasts of their own. The world-building in this first installment is nothing short of immersive, pulling you into a universe filled with action, suspense, and tantalizing tension. Max’s character shines with strength and wit, making her journey an enthralling read. The romance is a slow burn, with tension so thick it’s almost unbearable—in the best way possible. If you love romantasy and a well-paced plot, this is the series starter you’ve been waiting for.

**Book 2,** *Forging the Guild,* ramps up the intensity as hellish creatures begin breaking into the human world with increasing frequency. Max finds herself in a high-stakes apprenticeship under the watchful eye of a powerful headmistress, where trust is scarce, and danger is everywhere. The once-clear lines between good and evil blur as Max uncovers suspicious activities within a creepy research lab, all while trying to navigate the complex relationships with her team—Atlas, Wade, Declan, and Eli. The action is relentless, the intrigue thick, and the romance slow-burning yet utterly addictive. Max’s resilience and sharp banter keep the story engaging, though her forgiving nature toward her team's hot-and-cold behavior might leave you yearning for her to stand her ground. The character development and escalating tension make this installment impossible to put down, even if it costs you sleep.

By the time you reach **Book 3,** *Dreams of Hell,* you’re fully invested in Max’s journey. Now a seasoned protector, she’s faced with even more daunting challenges—both external and internal. The guilt from a mission gone wrong haunts her, despite achieving everything she ever wanted: a spot on an elite team, thrilling (and deadly) missions, and the companionship of her loyal hellhound, Ralph. Yet, the fate of the world hangs in the balance, and Max must push through her fears and insecurities to face it. The tension is palpable, with plot twists that keep you guessing until the very end. The romance continues its agonizingly slow burn, but the chemistry between Max and Atlas, along with his team, only intensifies. It’s a wild, heart-pounding ride that leaves you desperate for the next installment.

In sum, the Protector Guild series is a must-read for fans of fantasy romance. With its compelling world-building, dynamic characters, and a slow-burn romance that will leave you breathless, it’s a series that demands your attention—and won’t let go until you’ve devoured every last page.

[Adriahna Arno · Rating 3 out of 5]

ADRI READS

I will not lie, i was not sure how to feel up until the third book.

Main FMC: Max (Maxine)
Her “family” is Cyrus and Ro (Rowan)
Her entire life Cy and Ro are all she’s known, she knows they are not normal humans and has trained basically everyday of her life to be a PROTECTOR.

One weekend Max and Ro go into the town close to their cabin in the mountains and retrieve supplies. Before the end of the night she got attacked, and upon getting back to the cabin Cy opens a letter addressed to him and announces they are leaving in the morning.

Their lives are about to change forever….

Upon arrival and the Guild, Max and Ro started their training and Cy basically just disappeared.
Max ends up meeting part of Six while training because she is further advanced than most the students her age, so they pair her with the team members of team six.

She feels a pull and is drawn to them all….🤨 Max doesn’t know almost anything from her past….
Upon a night out she gets attacked again and again she survives but with help from a mysterious creature…..

Max feels like she doesn’t belong and is getting hot and cold treatment from team six the whole time!!!!!
Team six: Atlas, Wade, Eli, Declan

Once we get further into the book, their is a scene that mentions that Cy might be holding a truth back from his brother about Max and “what” she is… she is a protector but also has a different mindset than anyone else in the guild.
Max is very stubborn and not a very good rule follower… she is in trouble ALOT!!!!

Once we got into the third book something’s started to come together.
THIS IS A SLLLLOOOOWWWWW BURN!!!!!!!

[Sadie · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I could describe this series in one word it would be: frustrating.

I also want to say that I have no problem with the slow burn and enjoy getting to know the characters instead. However, I did not like most of the characters for a few over-arching problems. The biggest issue for me in this series is that a lot of the characters just kinda suck as people. Max is great, Ro is great, and Izzy is amazing. My issue lies with the 'love interests' which they really aren't. They're just there to cause angst to literally only Max. Only Max's brother and friend treat her like a person.

The lies and the deception and the overall attitude and treatment of Max, is just horrible. They treat her like the scum of the earth, but also can't make up their minds on how to treat her. And Max just takes it because their treatment feels justified to her and it's infuriating. There is not a single quality in the love interests that I found 1) redeemable and 2) enjoyable- like at all. They have no reason to treat her so hatefully, but they do.

It was a really trusting read and I definitely can't read the rest of the series knowing that the "slow burn" is just them realizing their feelings and finally treating her like a person instead of the black plague. None of them deserve her and I am not rooting for any of them.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

RATING: 2 Stars

I made it 33% is the way (to the start of book 2) before I stopped. It wasn’t that the story was bad, I just couldn’t get into it. I think it had more to do with the writing. There was something just so juvenile about it, something bland to me. Like I said, the story itself isn’t bad but hearing Max call everyone “pretty” and “beautiful” all the time got old, and all the while letting herself down and everyone seeming to be obsessed with her (except Atlas, that we know of), it got boring.

Then there are the weird scene jumps.

There were times the book didn’t flow right to me, where the characters are in one place going to another but we aren’t shown this, just told. So, in one moment they could be going to someone then the next paragraph they are suddenly where they need to be. I felt the book didn’t show those necessary in betweens which made each place feel like they were next to each other and not hours away.

I don’t think I’ll continue this series. The writing just isn’t it for me.

[Queen B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was like crack to me. I read the entire first three books in less than 24 hours. Including sleep!

I don’t know what it is about this series, but I am totally hooked. A snarky but still likable FMC, different magical beings, academy setting, a super kick-ass pet, angsty folks in the harem (both female and male!), etc. I love that we get multiple points-of-view, but that the primary voice is our FMC, Max. Seeing everything through her eyes, and watching her learn and grow is so intriguing.

The sense of found family is so present here, and the relationship between Max and her adopted brother Ro is seriously heartwarming and #goals.

I can’t wait to see where the romance leads. I have high hopes and I’ll be so bummed if a certain someone isn’t in the harem. And now…time to download the next in the series!

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because the author posted about it on Instagram. I liked a lot of it but I disliked most of it. I felt like nothing happened and I was bored most of the time. I know romances don’t always happen in the first book but like this was the first three and romance has happened except for when it’s used as a weapon. I really wanted to like this but everyone except Eli and Ralph annoyed me. Everyone seemed to have a stick up their butt and treat each other like trash. Like they are supposed to be adults. Max is only 18/19 so I can’t blame for her some childish behavior because she’s young and doesn’t have much social interaction under her belt but everyone else is 21+ and they are so annoying. That being said I liked it enough for a 3 star so yay.

[Tim Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give this a 3.75 rating. That's not a glowing number, but the series really gets going as it progresses through books 4-8. I think this compilation of books 1-3 could use another editing with about 100 pages removed. The characters and the glimpses of the plot are good, but nothing much happens until the end of book 3. If you make it to the end of book 3, just know that the series gets better and better. The characters are pretty well developed, but I wanted more. Darius, the vampire, is a star; equal parts terrible and entertaining. The spice is like very spicy and covers about 4 categories from your preferred p*rn site. This is a solid series, especially if you want a break from Fae. Not a Fae in sight.

[Bryn Clark · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF’d after the first book. This was one of the stupidest books I’ve ever read. Instead of plot, we get a whole chapter of people watching Vampire Diaries. The FMC is a Mary Sue and there’s actually no spice at all for the FMC in this book. In an RH book.

Most of the 1 ⭐️ reviews are mad about an FF in the harem, I don’t care if there’s a chick, but there was no romance, no connection, we’re told the FMC is an introvert but all of her actions prove otherwise. I can’t tell any of the bondmates apart and have to keep reminding myself that Declan is a chick.

Omg, just no. This should’ve stayed on Wattpad.

[Dayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story and concept

Max is an orphan taken in along with another later, her brother Ro. To be raised in the forest by Cy and trained to fight to be protectors. Now, when Max and Ro are attacked in town and a mysterious letter arrives, Cy up and moves them to a guild. That's where this all gets interesting. They are learning their history and how to fight hell monsters, but they are also learning to socialize for the first time outside of each other. There is lots that happens in these three books, but there is fighting, teenage angst, and lots of secrets discovered too.

[Rishhh · Rating 2 out of 5]

The slowest burn book I have ever read. This is a 22 hour book. 12 hours into the book and no memorable plot twist, no excitement, no spice. Just run around writing. Feels like I’m reading scooby doo without any mysteries being solved

19 hours into the book and finally some spice. Surprise surprise it’s just a dream. Talk about slow burn. I thought I was reading a kids book at this point. It gets better at the end but that is 20 hours into a 22 hour book. I commend you if you get this far, I almost DNF.

The main character literally wants to hook up with everyone it’s pretty annoying and desperate.

[SadiesShelves · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a strong start in the beginning but slowly devolved into something that was confusion and felt a bit like fluff for the most part. I love the characters and the world but the plot just didn’t do it for me. It was a VERY VERY slow burn and very little spice. I was expecting a bit more spice since it’s advertised as a bi why choose/reverse harem.

There were a lot of twists and turns and I adored the supernatural abilities and creatures here. I just didn’t totally understand the overall premise or point of the book at some spots.

[Diamy Acosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT DID I JUST READ. ITS SOOO GOOD!!

I don’t even have words for what I just read. I thought I was going to end up quitting this book halfway but instead it got more and more juicer. So many times I was like WHAT!!!! IT CANT BE. Lots of questions I have. Who is max? Where did she come from? the cliffhangers are VERY CLIFFY. So I can’t wait until I start the next book!! Max is def a quirky character but you def learn to love her. And the potential love interest 👀👀 yummy is all I can say. Now off to the next book I go 🫡

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Protector Guild, the first three books of a boxset, is an ebook I borrowed through Kindle Unlimited (KU). The trio includes: Academy of Protectors (1), Forging the Guild (2), and Dreams of Hell (3). Much of the story plot (and sub-plots) seemed too coincidental, which ruined a opportunities for some dynamic tension and conflict, but I found myself caught up in the story and the characters--and I'm happy to report, with some patience the majority of the thin plot issues were answered.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caught me early on and I ready 3 books in a week! Max is a naive badass! Who’s hiding a dark secret that she doesn’t even know. Her friends are drawn to her and they don’t know why. They get into trouble and out of trouble at every turn. The unheard of always happens to one of them. It has a Harry Potter meets Buffy the vampire slayer meets gossip girl! I am downloading book 4 as I write this I can’t wait to read more!!

[K V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love

Great FMC. Don't take this the wrong way - but she is intelligent, well (physically) trained and not simpering. Too many books now are too sweary too quick to love and too well just too much too soon with no story or character development. It's a slow burn (I have high hopes for #4) but if there is nothing more than heated glances and a bit of snogging, well i'm ok with that! Well done TikTok - you did me proud!

[Marsha Rafalski · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 rounded to 4.0).

Max Bentley is a rookie demon hunter who is trying to join a society of demon hunters who try to keep humanity from supernatural forces who want to tear it apart. Four of the members of the same team of hunters seem to have taken a special, antagonistic interest. As Max is drawn deeper into the world of demon hunting she is torn between the team and her duty to her people. Max finds that her heart is as troubled as the members of the Protector Guild.

This is a paranormal romance series and the set up appears to promise more in. The future. I usually don’t enjoy the fantasy romance trope but this group of characters has proven intriguing and I am looking forward to more as a change of pace.

[Jacquie Stolz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Okay, I FLOVED this story. I couldn't put it down. The action, mystery, budding romance, and made family were absolutely perfection. If you want a strong FMC with unknown roots and a bit of rambling. Add in action, mean girl drama, all with a slow burn. This is the series for you.

[Helen Larkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Protector Guild: books 1 to 3

So I forgot that I was reading the first three books and thought it was all one book which makes me happy cause this is slooow burn. Also I feel like the story only really picked up in the last book. I will be finishing this series though cause I need to know what happens.