Commanding Flame and Shield

Grayshell Rising, Book One

By: S.J. Barnett

Narrated by: Connor Brannigan, Nikki Grey

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, and epic battles, this first book in the Grayshell Rising series is perfect for fans of Throne of Glass and The Bridge Kingdom.

©2022 Flame & Fiction LLC (P)2023 Flame & Fiction LLC

Not what I expected

Definitely wasn't ready for the religious fighter plot. I should've looked more into it first. It was an amazing audio performance, though!!

The BEST audiobook I've ever listened to.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️
1 🌶 - Slow Burn 🔥

I purchased the audio of this after hearing a snippet on tiktok, and I have zero regrets. Before I even get into the review, let me just say that this was by far the most amazing narration I have ever heard. SUPERB. Highly recommend.

The writing was absolutely beautiful. I was utterly captivated by the story telling, the world building, and the characters. This story had a full cast, yet it didn't feel "crowded" or overdone. I fell in love with so many of them.

I'd argue that the romance was a subplot in this one, and it was an EXTREMELY slow burn that finally blazed in the end.

Could it have been two hundred pages shorter and still done the job? Absolutely. Just another reason that I'm happy I opted for the audio. It probably would have earned that elusive fifth star if it weren't for that point alone.

There was one moment that just didn't sit well with me, however. August asks Alvara why all of the nephilim are so pale. She answers him by saying that a tan is considered "damage" to the skin, and thus their healing powers keep them from tanning. This implies that there are no POC nephilim, and none are mentioned at any point during the story. They are all described as having pale skin. To suggest that anything other than pale skin was "damaged" skin just rubbed me the wrong way. As a baby author, I'm hoping Barnett learns and includes diversity as she grows because she is incredibly talented.

The plot is unique, and the world was expertly crafted. The slight cliffhanger that we were left with is driving me crazy, and I can't wait for the next book.

I'm hooked!

This story is amazing! I was hooked at every turn and I can't wait for the next one. I especially loved the duel narration, it really brought the story ALIVE!

Check it out!

The action, passion, charismatic friendships, and detail throughout the whole book gave a great insight to the fantasy world. The character development made it feel like you were friends with every single character. The slow burn left you itching for more and more. I highly recommend this book to all the fantasy lovers and it is well worth the read!

So well done!

I love a fantasy romance with multiple POV. These two voice actors did such a good job bringing the characters to life. I really feel like the author was able to take a genre that is well known and loved and add interesting differences to set herself apart from the rest of the mix. I like that audio book so much that I ended up buying a physical copy that I'm planning to add to my TBR. if you're thinking about trying this book I highly recommend doing so.

AMAZING! CAPTIVATING! Fast paced!

I received an ARC and I will continue recommending this book to everyone! I couldn’t wait to share!

The audiobook at x1.2 speed was so well done! I loved it. I read the physical book, ebook, and audio book, depending on what I was doing. The recording quality of the voice actors was clear and the Connor (the male narrator) had so many great unique character voices.

Sydne captured my attention from the first page, I am not even exaggerating. Her writing style is effortless to read. The imagery so detailed and vivid that I can picture everything in my head. I love the “family” unit, and their banter. I also love that there are high stakes and action in the first few chapters. It starts off strong and just keeps on going.

The action and plot start developing strongly at the beginning, and they just do not stop! The slow burn is immaculate. There’s tension, and I loved it. I understood the characters reasoning behind the decision to take it slow, and enjoyed the ride.

I absolutely love when I can pick up on the subtle hints and clues authors leave along the way before a grand reveal. I was very excited to have gotten this one right. The cherry on top was that while I got one right, I was also surprised by something else I didn’t see coming at all.

Alvara is a character I resonate with, and look up to. She’s relatable but also way more badass than I could ever be.

The book moved along, and didn’t spend an unnecessary amount of time on frivolous details. I’ll repeat that it was still very detailed. Especially the imagery. But it wasn’t drawn out. This one book had a compete plot, beginning, middle, and an end. There are hints at the next story and some unknowns are teased, but it didn’t end on a cliffhanger.

I am So Very excited for book two and I can’t begin to explain how amazing Sydne is as a human being. I’m grateful to have received an arc, and will wait patiently for book two because I know the wait will be worth it!

⭐️ found/fated family
⭐️ fated mates
⭐️ angels and demons
⭐️ action action and more action
⭐️ magic and spells
⭐️ high stakes
⭐️ fast paced
⭐️ reincarnation
⭐️ strong badass fmc

Debut fantasy novel

This a great debut novel. The story is compelling and feels like it comes so far thru the course of the book. Only reason for 4 and not 5 is that I would have preferred more character building instead of hopping from trope to trope.

Holy wow

This book is beyond good I couldn’t stop listening to it / reading it definitely one of my FAVORITE reads of 2023 so far !!!

Fantastic

Such a great story. Loved the build up between characters and LOVED the found family theme in this book. The FMC is amazing. So strong, but also annoying at times with her secrets. The dual narration is one of the best parts of this book. Can’t wait for books two.

Not the best

I DNF this audible book. The beginning had such potential but the voices for some of the characters were grating at times. This was a book I saw as a review on Tok Tok but I regret the purchase.