Shades of Gray

A KGI Novel

By: Maya Banks

Narrated by: Adam Paul

Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

The Kelly Group International (KGI): a super-elite, top secret, family-run business. Qualifications: high intelligence, rock-hard body, military background. Mission: hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering. Handling jobs the U.S. government can't...

P. J. and Cole were sharpshooting rivals on the same KGI team and enjoyed a spirited, uncomplicated camaraderie. Until the night they gave in to their desires and suddenly took their relationship one step further. In the aftermath of their one-night stand, they're called out on a mission that goes terribly wrong, and P. J. walks away from KGI, resolved not to drag her teammates into the murky shadows she’s poised to delve into.

Six months later, Cole hasn't given up his search for P. J., and he's determined to bring her back home where she belongs. Bent on vengeance, P. J. has plunged into a serpentine game of payback that will make her question everything she's ever believed in. But Cole - and the rest of their team - refuse to let her go it alone. Even if it means sacrificing their loyalty to KGI, and their lives...

©2012 Maya Banks (P)2012 Penguin Audio

The Narrator is Terrible!

What made the experience of listening to Shades of Gray the most enjoyable?

I still Love this Series, this has honestly been one of the Best Series I've Bought. But this Narrator ruins the Audible experience

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I have no idea why they would have stopped using Harry Berkeley, I wish with all that I have that they would have used him for all of the books, he was so amazing! This new Narrator is TERRIBLE his normal reading voice isn't terrible, but everytime he tries to speak as one of the men he Literally sounds Like Gomer Pyle. Having your lead alpha males sound Like an Aaron Neville song really kills the sex appeal, in fact it kills your ability to like the men in this book at all, I just want them to shut up, it takes away my love for all of these Characters.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried everytime the Narrator tried to talk for one of the Men

Any additional comments?

Please go Back to Harry Berkeley for any future Books!

Story is Amazing....Narrator Change Not So Much!!

This is a great book in the KGI series! It was refreshing to read about a heroine that didn't need to be protected! PJ is a tough girl and Cole loves that about her. The narration was not terrible it just was not the voice that we have associated these characters with. I can say that I never imagined Cole having such a southern accent, probably because of the previous narrator. Worth the credit for me !

MAYA - THANK YOU 'CAUSE YOU DID IT AGAIN

Another KGI hit and it's all been said before - it's a fast paced, action packed, thrilling, emotional, romantic, tragic yet humorous, so basically - a gritty story that has great characters getting involved in a new drama that was very enjoyable. Yes it's unbelievable but who cares - it's fiction.

Worth a credit? I haven't found a KGI book that I haven't enjoyed or regretted spending the credit on - so folks that's a YES and I'm counting the days til Forged In Steele (which is the next one) comes to Audible.

Can I get a "hell yeah" for Ms. Banks!!!

This series is so incredible and when I thought it couldn't get any better Ms. Banks just hit another one out of the park!!!

I'm NOT a fan of narrator changes in a series because you establish the characters in your mind. HOWEVER, this narrator was absolutely incredible and hope he continues in more of this series!!!! Speaking of which........hurry with the next book please Maya!!!!

Narrator gave my Alpha males a vagina!!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Shades of Gray to be better than the print version?

NO!!!! The narrator has ruined this book!!! He made the Alpha males all sound weak.

What did you like best about this story?

This story had the potential to be very powerful but because of the awful narration it lacks the emotion that this story contains. I will READ the book and NEVER listen to another book from this narrator. Watch for the name, if he narrates a children's book or maybe an Elmer Fudd book then he's your narrator but romance, mystery and suspense novel then NO do not listen. You will regret it.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Awful!! Makes fun of southern people! The accents are terrible and the alpha males sound like weak girl!!! Very hard to like a strong male when this idiot makes them sound like cartoon characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The traumatic scene with PJ could have been very moving but again narrator just killed this book.

Any additional comments?

Would like to get my money back since I will not listen to any books by this narrator again and even the ones that I have waiting to listen too. This was a extreme waste of money because I just can't listen to this jackass!!

Badass woman who kicks the ass of those against he

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! Most romance novels involve a girl having to be saved by her man... not this woman! She saves herself and her man while learning to lean on her team/friends/family.

What did you like best about this story?

As a rape survivor I LOVE that PJ goes after those who raped her. Am I a fan of vigilante justice? No... not necessarily but the idea is powerful!

Have you listened to any of Adam Paul’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've been listening to this series and he does well with it. He does a good job

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

After a few hours into this the narrator starts to drone... that's my only downside

Loved the book but...

I love Maya Banks and her writing and I throughly enjoy the KGI series. My issue with this book was the narrator. I just couldn't listen to him. Every character's voice sounded like they were whiny country bumkins. These men are suppose to be big strong intelligent alpha males and the narrator's choice for their voices made them sound like dim witted hicks who couldn't find their way out of a paperbag. I loved the story but was very disappointed in the chi u ce of narrator.

REDEMPTION! After Psycho-Bombs -KGI is BACK!

What did you like about this audiobook?

I had given up on the fantastic KGI series because Whispers in the Dark & Echos At Dawn went on to some weird psychic, healing storyline... I'm not into the 'changeling', half-man half-beast, paranormal, Sci-Fi stuff and was disappointed because that's not what I signed up for.

I like the manly men KGI team NOTE-this is a ROMANCE with stretches of THRILLER/ACTION. Anyway, Shades of Gray brings the series back to what I enjoyed so much in the first 3 installments. Strong men defending the weak and seducing a woman along the way!


The Kelly Group International (KGI): a super-elite, top secret, family-run business. Qualifications: high intelligence, rock-hard body, military background. Mission: hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering. Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t...

P. J. and Cole were sharpshooting rivals on the same KGI team and enjoyed a spirited, uncomplicated camaraderie. Until the night they gave in to their desires and suddenly took their relationship one step further. In the aftermath of their one-night stand, they’re called out on a mission that goes terribly wrong, and P. J. walks away from KGI, resolved not to drag her teammates into the murky shadows she’s poised to delve into.

Six months later, Cole hasn’t given up his search for P. J., and he’s determined to bring her back home where she belongs. Bent on vengeance, P. J. has plunged into a serpentine game of payback that will make her question everything she’s ever believed in. But Cole - and the rest of their team - refuse to let her go it alone. Even if it means sacrificing their loyalty to KGI, and their lives...

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

I enjoy Spec Ops books, however there are 2 categories. Those that are 'real' -Vince Flynn, Mark Greaney, Tom Clancy...

Then there are the Romantic Spec Ops books...Suzanne Brockman & Maya Banks.

I like both, but if you are a fan of the former you may be disappointed with the later.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Unlike many reviewers, I enjoyed Adam Paul's performance. Maybe I wasn't as attached to the previous narrator as I took a break between books. He was animated and differentiated between characters.

*I was not an Adam Paul fan prior to this book-he narrates for Maya Banks and his performance for her Breathless Series was lackluster.

Do you have any additional comments?

NOTE: Descriptions of sex, violence and strong language.

FUNNY

Would you listen to Shades of Gray again? Why?

Yes, this book was great. A little different from the other KGI stories, but the same concept.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Adam Paul?

I did not like him as much as the other man. But, I might listen to him with another book not this series

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes!

ENGROSSING!

Would you listen to Shades of Gray again? Why?

Yes, it's on my keeper shelf along with the rest of the KGI series. The characters are deep and engaging, strong and likeable.

What did you like best about this story?

The way PJ responded to the trauma she experienced. In typical PJ fashion she kicked major A$$! She didn't break, she did what most women wish they could do and got more than even. I'm a great PJ fan!

What about Adam Paul’s performance did you like?

He isn't Harry Berkeley, and at first I was put off by that. Harry even makes the women sound believable. Not so much Adam. But he didn't ruin the book, he did very well, though not as masculine sounding as Harry.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Oh yeah! I cried at the pain caused by the criminals to everyone who came into contact with them and laughed at the byplay between PJ and Cole and the rest of the Kelly clan.

Any additional comments?

Yes, listen to this book, but listen to them in order so you can get the whole story, then fall in love with these tough tender guys and strong loving women just like I did! Start with Ethan and Rachel's' story-The Darkest Hour- and continue until you reach the end, then start again!