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Ella Grey #1-4

The Complete Ella Grey Series

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My name is Ella Grey, and I died recently.I flat-lined for eighteen minutes after a freak accident during my Demon Patrol shift. But I somehow survived—good, right?Except ever since, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m no longer quite me. I’m having nightmares about flying with demons and strange visions of my brother who disappeared five years ago.My search for answers has come up empty, until one night I stumble across a boy trapped in a genetically-modified gargoyle, a creature that escaped from the nearby labs of Jacob Gregori. While trying to save the boy, the thing that hitched a ride with me from beyond the grave shows itself.It’s a reaper, and it’s eating my soul.And once the reaper consumes my soul, it will take over my body and mind and I’ll be gone for real this time.I could have the reaper exorcised, but it knows where my brother is. And the reaper’s abilities are my best weapon in the fight against Jacob Gregori, who’s bent on unleashing a worldwide wave of evil. But I can only utilize the reaper’s abilities if I can stop it from killing me first.I’ll need all the help I can get from the soul-eating reaper, a sexy magic technologist named Johnny, my best friend Deb and her coven of witches, and my hellhound-Labradoodle sidekick Loki. But will it be enough?This is an urban/contemporary fantasy series with a fresh take on the genre, cool supernatural people and creatures, a detailed magic system, vivid world-building, action and danger, and just a hint of romance -- perfect for fans of Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs, early Anita Blake, Jim Butcher, Keri Arthur, Ella Summers, and Shannon Mayer. This box set contains the complete Ella Grey Series!What Readers Are "I haven't been so engrossed in a book series in years!" ★★★★★"I think if you like the early Anita Blake or The Hallows series, you will love this one!!!" ★★★★★"I was hooked from the first few pages. Finished it in one day!" ★★★★★"Great storyline and the characters are realistic, creative, and fascinating. Readers will love the unique flavours of this book. I can't wait to see more." ★★★★★"This book is kickass and had me second guessing through the whole thing. I cannot wait for the next one!" ★★★★★"If you like demons, vampires and witches (to name a few) then you are going to love this book." ★★★★★"Jam packed with amazing supernaturals!" ★★★★★"This book takes you to a world of danger and magic. The story is phenomenal and keeps you enthralled to the last page. I can't wait to read more by this author. " ★★★★★"A new name to me in urban fantasy and what a fresh idea. . . . I’m looking forward to reading more in this series and recommend this book to those seeking something a little different in urban fantasy." ★★★★★

835 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2018

479 people are currently reading
179 people want to read

About the author

Jayne Faith

37 books227 followers
Hi there! I'm Jayne Faith, author of the urban fantasy Ella Grey Series and paranormal romance Sapient Salvation Series. When I'm not tapping away at my keyboard while swilling coffee and tea, I'm playing with my dog; eating, flipping through recipes online, fantasizing about food, dreaming up my next meal (you get the idea); doing yoga or Pilates; or watching TV. Connect with me on Facebook, just search "Jayne Faith" or go to facebook.com/AuthorJayneFaith

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5 stars
184 (50%)
4 stars
105 (29%)
3 stars
60 (16%)
2 stars
9 (2%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Dominique.
285 reviews5 followers
March 3, 2021
3.5 stars - $0.99 Kindle and Kobo sale, March 3, 2021.
Profile Image for Claire.
159 reviews1 follower
October 20, 2018
Wow this series was way better than I expected. The characters were intriguing and the story was fast paced and action packed! Ella the main character is very relatable, especially with her dating history. I definitely recommend giving this series a read.
8 reviews
July 31, 2019

The only good thing I can really say about these books is that at least the author can actually construct somewhat acceptable sentences - which, in an era when people can self publish without having any editing done, is an attribute I do appreciate. However, I was only able to force myself to read the 1st and 2nd book in the series, so that is what my review is based on.

A major issue that I have with this book is the...shortsightedness of the main character, Ella. She is a personification of the saying, "God" - in this case, the author - "favors fools and small children." Early in the first book, Ella is reliably informed that she has a supernatural parasite called a "reaper" eating her "soul", and that she should have it removed as soon as possible because it's rate of consumption cannot be predicted - it could consume her entirely at any time. However, since being afflicted with this parasite Ella has had a vision of her missing brother (whom she supposedly very much wants to find), and she assumes that the vision is truthful, although she cannot verify it. So she decides to keep the reaper in the hopes that it will reveal further information regarding her brother's location. Meanwhile, the reaper has taken over control of her body on a couple of occasions, attempted to consume a healer, successfully assaulted one of Ella's allies, and has not been the least bit forthcoming on her brothers whereabouts. And why would it be forthcoming? Because if she had any sense, she'd have it exorcized once she no longer needs its help finding her brother, and so she should realize that the reaper is not going to help her find her brother - that would be contrary to the reaper's best interests. Ella also discovers that although the reaper is supposed to be an "angel of death", freeing the souls of the dead from their bodies or their location of death, it has instead been collecting them for its personal gratification. Luckily for Ella, one of her friends has a device that allows him to read the precise volume of her soul - in percentages, no less. At the end of the second book, he informs her that she is down to 2%. Despite all this, she still will not have the reaper exorcized. (Also, I don't find it believable that someone could have the majority of one of their discrete parts consumed without having any symptoms, yet Ella seems to suffer no symptoms from the slow loss of her soul. For example, if you lost half a liter of blood, or an ounce of your liver, maybe you'd barely notice. But if you lost half of your blood or liver, you would suffer for it and be weakened. The more that's consumed, the more acute the symptoms would be, until you die.) Another point of evidence indicating her shortsightedness: in the 1st book, Ella has an encounter with a unethical witch who uses "verbal magic" to coerce Ella into agreeing to an open-ended favor, and despite having later realized that she's been coerced AND having received a warning about this particular witch from a friend, Ella takes no precautions against this "verbal magic" the next time she arranges to meet with this same witch. Another point: anyone who's not living under a rock knows entering a crime scene without proper preparation to prevent contaminating it can make the crime harder to solve. And if you're already under suspicion by the law, you're only digging yourself deeper by doing so. Yet Ella does indeed do this twice - once at the scene of a theft and once at the scene of a connected murder. Another point: after the first murder, (for which Ella is under suspicion) Ella somehow(?) draws the conclusion that the next victim will be her friend Deb. So, knowing nothing about the murderer's abilities or what kind of creature it is (in this world, the killer is not necessarily a human and can therefore not be assumed to likely fall within a certain range for strength and speed and intelligence and susceptibility) and having seemingly no physical combat training and, per previous statements in the books, no significant magical combat training or magical power, she disguises herself as her friend, takes a couple of generic magical defensive items, and waits, alone, at her friends house for the killer. AND she feels confident enough of her ability to capture and restrain this creature that she intends to to hold and question it for a while before she turns it in. Speaking of, how does she intend to prove that the killer is indeed the guilty party when she turns him in? Does she think they'll take her word for it? Also, as a result of her arrest as the murder suspect, she's wearing a magical tracking device, which she's had circumvented (presumably illegally) for her little undercover mission. How does she intend to account for the fact that while the tracker was showing that she was taking a nap at home, she was actually at her friend's house capturing a alleged killer?
I could go on and on, but I ran out of space. Do not buy! Needs improvement & many beta readers.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,371 reviews
October 11, 2018
Book 1:
This was a fun read. A lot of characters and supernatural species to keep up with, but a good intro to the series. Ella is a lower level demon hunter who died in the line of duty, but comes back changed. She doesn't know how exactly, but she is definitely different and not necessarily in a good way. When she gets a glimpse of the brother who disappeared five years ago, during a fugue state, she decides that regardless of how bad her new "gifts" are affecting her, she is going to use them to find her brother. In the meantime, she gets caught up in another situation involving a gargoyle, human, and demon that sidelines her search, but connects her with others willing to help her and essentially develops her core support team.

Book 2:
I re-read the first book given I got the box set, and have to admit, glad I'm did as it refreshed my memory on what was going on. This book picked up where book 1 left off. They rescued Nathan and Roxanne is back home. And just as Ella and her friends are settling back into everyday life, several of the witches are attacked, by someone or something unknown and Ella becomes a suspect.

I like how in this one, Ella learns quite a bit more about what is happening to her and that she is not the first. Interestingly enough, there is less Johnny, but the introduction of a couple of new characters. I have to admit that I like Atriul and think he should become a regular part of the team. I was a little disappointed in Deb and her reaction to Lynette's manipulation of Ella, but think that by the end, things are just going to get worse and having all the support she can get will benefit Ella. The ending of this book ended on a cliffhanger, but shows that although Ella may not be high on the magical scale, she has definitely inherited some new "gifts". Still waiting to see how she got the latest and when she'll be able to look for Evan, but figure the next book will lead us closer.

Book 3:
Well hell. I really liked Rogan and loved where this was going. Just when things look they were finally going Ella's way, all hell breaks lose again. And the people she thought she could count on let her down.

Things definitely keep on moving, and Ella's decisions aren't always the best, but she tries and that includes letting in people. Something she normally isn't good at. But, things just don't seem to want to play out for her. At least the coven hasn't completely let her down and neither has her best friend and canine companion.

Finding Evan was the easier part, but freeing him to lose him again and again, just didn't seem fair. Learning her family's secret, and aligning herself with someone she never thought she would just to free him led her to losing even more than just Evan. Strangely, half of her alliances since book one are no longer available, and the new ones that have cropped up are not always the best thing for her.

Book 4 hopefully finds Ella's luck improving. New abilities and stronger magic are nice, but not if she keeps losing the people she cares about.

Book 4:
Well, things went about as well as can be expected. Having lost Damien to the Mages, Rogan to the in between, and Evan to Damien, Ella turns to the coven to help her save her brother. When the Mages plan a coup that really feels like Ella has no way to win, she is lucky to still have some friends on her side, and finally learns that she can't actually do it all by herself.

She is so impetus that half the time, some of the things that befall her are of her own doing. On the one hand, I can understand sacrificing the one for the many. On the other hand, it is her family and there is an alternative. Things may not turn out perfect, but then they aren't now nor were they before the rips. Ella just needs to work on those people skills and a little planning if she wants to succeed.

Things do actually work out, but I do still miss Rogan and Damien and wish things could have worked out with them still around.
Profile Image for Sonya Feher.
167 reviews12 followers
April 7, 2020
This series was disappointing. The premise was great and characters were interesting, but the untended to details overshadowed what was good about the books. In every single book, a character who had played a major role in the previous book was dropped with very little reason or explanation. The character just didn't serve the new narrative so went away. Throughout the stories, I kept asking "What about...?" whether it was a plot point that wasn't fleshed out, a character whose motivation was hardly believable, or a detail that just got dropped. Calling the character "impulsive" and continuing to point out her lack of impatience doesn't justify reckless actions that run absolutely counter to her professed motivation. I can only say I read the whole series because I was sheltering in place and most library books had holds for many weeks, so I decided to try this from Kindle Unlimited. I can never get those 10 hours of my life back.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
1,117 reviews
June 7, 2019
As I started this series there was a point where I got bored in the first book. I took a break and read another book but went back to finish the entire series. There is plenty of action, bits and pieces of romance, lots of plot twists and Loki.
Ella goes through a lot with friends and being betrayed by a few people. In her search to get her brother Evan back she will learn through the dragon oracle that she must have help especially from someone who betrayed her. Have the Kleenex ready because you will she a few tears for those with unhappy endings and those individuals with happy endings.
Deb will have her baby who will become the eye of many who love her and Loki will still be my favorite in all the books!
Profile Image for Sheila Barbee.
131 reviews
Read
July 26, 2022
Outstanding urban fantasy

I've just finished the Ella Grey series.It was amazing how the author included so many paranormal beings in a way that made sense for the stories. As Ella works to find her brother, who has been missing for years, she establishes connections with Damien, Lynnette, and Rogan. Ella engages all of them to help her, as well as her best friend Deb. Ella's magical powers increase, and she wields magic that most know little about. In the quest to find her brother, she is forced to work with a reaper who is trying to consume her soul, an Uncle that should be in prison, and a necromancer who has escaped from prison. The twists and turns in the plot will keep you reading straight through this series.
Profile Image for Sheryl Steines.
Author 18 books227 followers
November 28, 2018
As much as I love Urban Fantasy, I very rarely read it. I've tried. I've found that the authors are trying very hard to be clever, unusual and different and I usually get to a point in the story where I go "WTF?"

I was pleasantly surprised when I read the Ella Grey series. It was an easy read which as an author myself, I really need. The magic made sense in a way that I could suspend my disbelief, sink into the story, the relationships, and simply enjoy the adventure.

I think I found myself a new author!
Profile Image for Yarelis Martínez.
230 reviews
May 17, 2020
It took me a while, but I end up liking the series. Admittedly, I wasn't quite into the 1st book and half of the 2nd one. But 3 and 4 I really liked. I wasn't very comfortable with the silent presence inside her, so maybe that's part of my not 100% love of the series. But overall, it was a good read.
Profile Image for Alexandra Dresel.
375 reviews
November 30, 2021
Great series!

I highly recommend reading this series. Fantastic new world of paranormals that was refreshingly different than most I've read. Intriguing and mysterious supporting cast that has you on the edge of your seat. Main character that rocks, well written vulnerability in this character that doesn't hold her back from becoming the bad ass she is.
Profile Image for Donna.
874 reviews4 followers
May 22, 2019
Paranormal Thriller

This was Great read! A fun storyline with interesting characters and fantastic descriptions. A fascinating story with many emotional ups and downs. I'm glad I was able to get it as a series because I had a hard time putting it down.
Profile Image for Amy.
400 reviews1 follower
September 25, 2019
This is a good urban fantasy. I feel like Ella Grey is a bit like the harry dresden of the Dresden files. So some of the stories get a bit crazy and I feel a bit like each one she gets pushed beyond her limits but is somehow able to manage it. I like how the magic is and the family intrigue.
Profile Image for Angela Cairns.
33 reviews
April 25, 2021
Really great set of books

I thoroughly enjoyed this series of books, brilliant story telling, plenty of twists, turns and action, good characters. I can highly recommend if magic and a bit of demon action is your thing
12.6k reviews189 followers
October 26, 2018
Wow what a series of books. Ella is dead but doesn’t wake up alone. These stories are enough to keep you up at night reading until you’re finished. Magnificent writing.
248 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2020
Wonderful

I liked the story of this Ella Grey series. My rating is a beyond 5🌟. I recommend this series. Great job to the author Jayne F.
30 reviews
July 27, 2021
First time I've read any book by this author and wasn't sure what to expect, really enjoyed. The characters were very good. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books.
Profile Image for Rosemary Hughes.
4,192 reviews23 followers
April 28, 2024
I have submitted individual reviews after listening to the audiobook of each title within the series set box.
230 reviews
January 31, 2024
Was a really good series. Lots of action and Ella's character really developed as the stories went on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Maryann.
487 reviews10 followers
August 7, 2021
Still at the start of this, but you had me at Hella-doodle.
2 reviews
January 11, 2021
Fun and very easy to read great characters That you learn to like And can relate too even though it's magical and fantasy!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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