Summoned

by Aella C Grey

"Religion is a war, Oriana, and love will be the only way we reach salvation."

Oriana Sharpe is your average student at the esteemed Divine Covenant College, but her journey to become a trauma counselor takes a turn when what she thought was an innocent and fake spell cast by her best friend Rae leaves her haunted by a mysterious voice.

As she grapples with her sudden onset of psychosis, she's attacked by her religious studies professor Mr. Merrick, but what she doesn't expect is for this mysterious voice to help her. Her world takes another unexpected turn when she learns that the voice that helped her has a name, and maybe even a body.

With Mr. Merrick still alive and her safety in jeopardy, Oriana must navigate a path where allies are few and trust is elusive, in a world where the boundaries of good and evil blur. She must decide whether her aspirations are worth the cost of her life, and maybe even her soul.

Will Oriana succumb to demons, or will love conquer?

Find out in this standalone paranormal romance novel, and the first book in the Prince of Hell series.

Genres: Fantasy

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2025

About the author

Aella C Grey is an author hailing from Winnipeg, MB, Canada, currently residing in the sunny state of Florida. When she's not immersed in the world of writing, Aella indulges in her other passions, such as playing video games, diving into captivating books, and cherishing quality time with her beloved dog and supportive husband.

With a vivid imagination and a deep appreciation for storytelling, Aella brings her unique perspective to the realm of fiction. Her love for literature and interactive entertainment has fueled her creative endeavors, inspiring her to craft compelling narratives that transport readers to captivating worlds.

Aella's writing draws readers in with dynamic characters, intriguing plots, and a touch of magic. Whether she's exploring mystical realms or delving into the complexities of the human experience, her stories are infused with emotion, suspense, and a dash of the unexpected.

Stay connected with Aella C. Grey through her website to discover more about her upcoming works, behind-the-scenes insights, and to join her on thrilling literary adventures.

Reviews

[Aella Grey]

Happy reading, my loves! 🫶🏼

[megzlibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

I must say, there is a reason I added Aella C. Grey to my “immediate read/buy list.”

I was never one to follow religion or thoroughly research anything regarding religion, but Summoned did such a great job at explaining certain aspects while allowing a modern interpretation in respect to the authors own experiences.

I love the two main characters. They’re completely different from Aella’s previous biology. Ori is such a relatable character and I kept rooting for her the entire time.

The flow is a little fast paced, but knowing this will be a series, excited to see how Aella will explore and grow Ori’s story!

Such a fantastic read. Definitely read the content warnings and trigger warnings.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Laura Jowett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the amazing opportunity to be a beta reader, and this book blew me away.

I have been a fan of Aellas' work for a while now, and she quickly became an auto buy author for me. I have so much love for Aellas previous books, but I have to say Summoned really caught me off guard with how much Ioved it.

It's a very fast-paced book which makes for a quick read. I loved Ori so much. She's such a great female main character. I loved the concept of this book so much. I was intrigued right away when I heard it would be a paranormal read that has suspense, religion, demons, and so much more.

I don't want to give away too much, but I can't wait to see where the rest of the series goes! I need to do a re read asap because I love this book so much.

[Payton Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not normally a paranormal reader, but let me tell you my mind has been changed! Aella is an auto buy author for me. Has been since her other two books. But this one hit me in a whole new way. Ori reminds me so much of myself with her trama and how reclusive she is. So I was able to just truly feel for her towards the end of the book. Seir, the MMC, cracks me up at how smart ellic he is. His sense of humor is just hilarious.

The book is set in our world. And if you are someone who is bothered by religion being discussed in books I wouldn't recommend reading this. But for those who doesn't mind it and wants romance with some spice. This is your book.

The only thing that would have made this book a 5* for me would have been a little more detail as to why the MMC and FMC had the connection they had. Hopefully, that will be answered in book 2.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Please give this book a try. It's worth it!!!

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

*i received an advance review copy for free, and i am leaving this review voluntarily*
gosh where do i start? this book was amazing! i genuinely loved it and devoured it so fast, i didnt want it to end 😭 i love the storytelling and how attached the author gets you to characters. The bond between Seir and Ori is just beautiful and I love their story. it was an interesting read and i was actually able to relate to the FMC, Oriana, bc of the religious trauma. i love being able to connect with characters! it was a slow burn but the burn was sooo worth it; i also appreciate how it wasn’t spice with some plot, it was plot with a dash of spice! i will definitely be adding this author to my list of favs and be on the lookout for more books by her!

[Inanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Seir, the MMC, starts out as the voice of reason and common sense we could all use in our head, and turns into a hot demon daddy we all wish we could use :D

Ori, the FMC, is very likeable even though she makes some pretty stupid decisions sometimes, bordering on the edge of too-stupid-to-live. Thankfully she has a guardian (uh, fallen) angel on her shoulder.

I enjoyed the theme of religious trauma and healing from it. I'm looking forward to the next book hopefully expanding on the lore and goings-on in Hell.

[S.M. McCoy]

I enjoyed the book and preordered it on Amazon to support the author! I can't wait for book two to come out, so Aella better be writing quickly. What a fun interpretation of demons and the war between "good" and "evil" all wrapped up in a delicious romance. Look forward to reading more from this new author!

[Marceline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had me hooked from the beginning. I loved the building tension between Ori and Seir, the unspoken conversations were just great. The build up to the end was unexpected, i wasn't expecting the antagonists to be the antagonists. Cannot wait for the rest of this series.

Forever thankful for you trusting me with an ARC

[Katie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it ! I can't wait to see if there is a second!

I loved the magic

[Allyse Reinauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s tricky to talk about this book without giving anything away but please know that I ATE this book up. An academic, religious cult like environment with elements of the paranormal it just had everything going for it, but Sier was a next level mind guest and he could move into my thoughts anytime. Does it count as banter when the voice is coming from inside your head? Either way their dialogue (internal and external) was the definition of sexual tension.
How many brothers does he have because I can’t wait to meet them all in the rest of this series!

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[bookishpadawan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5⭐️

▸Paranormal romance
▸Demons
▸Secret society
▸Slow burn
▸Forced proximity
▸Hidden identity
▸Religious trauma

Oriana Sharpe is your average student at the esteemed Divine Covenant College, someday a fake spell cast by her best friend Rae leaves her haunted by a mysterious voice in her head, Ori almost thought she was delusional due to depression from losing both of her parents, until the voice in her head showed its true form in her class, as her new lecturer.

it was fun, fast paced, and quick read. I enjoyed this book immensely, this getting more interesting at every turn. I think Oriana's character is very relatable in this real world, she experienced childhood trauma from her strict and "religious" parents, but when her parents died she still felt the loss of them. Seir is a great mmc, his presence makes Oriana's development better, but I don't like the miscommunication that occurs between them which causes Ori to run away instead of facing the problems in front of her. I don't know if missed it but it has not been explained how they are connected to each other and did the telepathy, hopefully it can be explained in the next book. looking forward for the next book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. huge thanks to the author and Booksirens for giving me an advanced copy of this book! ♥️♥️

[Dionne Muller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summoned, the first book in the Prince of Hell series by Aella C Grey, is a fantasy novel that follows the journey of Oriana Sharpe, a college student struggling to come to terms with her traumatic past and the recent loss of her parents.

The inclusion of a glossary at the beginning is a thoughtful touch, helping readers navigate the pronunciation of unfamiliar terms peppered throughout the story.

As Oriana delves into the world of magic alongside her best friend, she begins to hear a mysterious voice in her head. This voice, which she later discovers has a name and perhaps even a physical form, marks a pivotal turning point in her life. Just as Oriana starts to explore this new reality, she finds herself under attack by her own religious studies professor.

While the writing itself is solid, the story ultimately feels superficial, lacking the depth and substance to truly captivate readers.

The erotic scenes stand out as a defining feature, but beyond that, the book might be more appropriately categorized as young adult fiction. As a reader who had high hopes for this novel, I found myself considerably let down by the overall experience.

[Amy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The religious trauma! I enjoyed this book, but it did leave A LOT of loose threads. Oriana and her friend Rae decided to do a spell they found online, and the next morning, Ori hears a voice in her head. She soon finds out that the voice belongs to the body of her new religious studies professor, Seir. She knows immediately that he isn't human, but that doesn't stop her from falling for him quickly.

There isn't really an introduction into this story, it just jumps right into the trauma. For me, Seir was the best part of this book. I love a sassy demon, and his sarcastic commentary was amusing. I didn't love Ori, but I think it's just because we don't get introduced to her, we just get thrown into her spiral. I still have so many questions, but I'm hoping some will be answered in the next book. I was hoping the cult-y vibes would be stronger instead of just focusing on a group of middle-aged men, but that is also its own social commentary.

Thank you to BookSirens and Aella C Grey for the free eARC.

[C. Jacoby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ugh where do I start?! First, I'll be honest and say I received this book for free from a giveaway, BUT I will be looking into Aella C Grey's Unbroken Series and impatiently waiting the nextbook in The Prince of Hell series!

I fell in love with Seir from his first ominous chuckle! I do so LOVE a witty and sarcastic man being in the female lead's mind (Tairn/Xaden & Violet, The Nightmare & Elspeth, Rhysand & Feyre... and now Seir & Orianna 😍)

Overall, I loved the storyline and pace of this book! The banter was great, and the spice was spicing! It's a quick read (First book in a while that I binged in about 6hrs because I couldn't put it down!) Seir had me giggling and kicking my feet and turning pages!
🖤😈🕯💜

[Emily Bellas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down! I had to find out what was going on with Oriana. The mysterious (and sexy) voice in her head?? And Seir was an absolutely swoon-worthy MMC. The way he protected Ori and was patient with her every step of the way. I loved their dynamic the most. The spice was just perfect enough that it didn't overwhelm the plot and the mystery of the whole thing was tied by very nicely in the end.

"I would die a million painful and torturous deaths if it meant hearing the sounds you make when I bring you pleasure."

This was my first by Aella C Grey but it certainly won't be my last! Especially since there's a second book in this series!

[Emilia (mbooksv) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars (ARC read)
I really enjoyed this book. I was reading other book aside this one and i was only thinking of this one.

I think the main characters did it for me, they're very enjoyable to read about. I liked the way of writing, i didn't noticed and i read 100 pages, hello??

There's some things i didn't get an explanation for, but it's the minimum, I still liked this a lot.
I think this is a very light read and a good book if you're on a reader's block.

I will read the other books of the series because I ate this one up.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emz sirenreadssmut · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book I would have been done within 24 hours if responsibilities didn’t get in the way lol ! The spice in this book was perfectly balanced with plot , the connection I had to the characters started strong from the beginning & I love that ! The MMC is just hot hot hot & I couldn’t get enough. I loved the relationship between the FMC & MMC it was delicious & adorable all in one !! So glad I bought the physical copy of this book because I would definitely want to read again !!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging mix of sharp, sarcastic banter and darker, more intense themes. While some moments lean a bit cheesy, the character dynamics, especially the protective “touch her and you die” energy, are genuinely enjoyable. The plot pacing is on the slower side, but the tension and emotional stakes keep the story moving. It strikes a balance between fun interactions and heavier, more harrowing moments, making for an interesting read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I haven’t devoured a book this quick in a long while. It had me thoroughly ensnared in its grip. The characters were wonderfully written. Although it had moments of sad and other emotional moments, it was phenomenal. Aella is one of my top favorite authors and I would never turn down an opportunity to read and support her work.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Leesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lucky to ARC read Summoned by Aella C. Grey presents an intriguing premise with a blend of fantasy and adventure. The world-building shows promise, and the characters are interesting, though some felt underdeveloped. The plot maintains a steady pace but occasionally lacks depth, making it hard to fully engage with the story. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read with moments of excitement, but it leaves room for further development.

[Robyn Tetreault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oriana’s religious trauma is all to real and slightly relatable. She ends up having one traumatic event after the other, and her best friend tries to help her out. In the end she finds out demons are real, and Seir is not as evil as one thinks.

A lot of feelings and events happen within a short amount of time, but things end up working out for the better in the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Thank you for the ARC in exchange for a voluntary review.

Overall, I liked this book. The spicy scenes were spicy, the story was a nice twist on the good vs. evil theme, and it was an easy read. I did have a hard time with the fact that for a good portion of the book it felt as if the main character was in high school not college, which made it a tad bit uncomfortable, and there were some gaping plot holes- not enough that I didn't finish it though.

[Sammyreadsdarkthings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good read. This is a dark, paranormal romance with so much suspense that you want to keep reading. Summoned is a fast paced book full of spice, banter, and chaos. And the heartache that you are put through! There is a happy ending, do not worry, but the author makes you feel the emotions! Definitely recommend, but please check those trigger warnings!

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book, but I feel like the main plot was in the last 20% of the book. I definitely cried. The first part of the book was great showing the relationship growth and I loved it!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for paranormal romance lovers and all I can say is than I only have anything positive to say about Aella’s writing and books all 3 are worth every second spent on them and are worth checking out 💜

[Jaime Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, this book was written so well and absolutely beautifully! The author has written well developed main and side characters and the prose is descriptive without being too much. The plot is good, somewhat predictable, yet enjoyable. There is spice simmering throughout. Overall, this was a great book. I loved everything about it and I’m so so excited to see what happens next! I would definitely recommend it.