• Shades of Gray

  • A KGI Novel
  • By: Maya Banks
  • Narrated by: Adam Paul
  • Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (868 ratings)

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Shades of Gray  By  cover art

Shades of Gray

By: Maya Banks
Narrated by: Adam Paul
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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

What listeners say about Shades of Gray

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    545
  • 4 Stars
    220
  • 3 Stars
    70
  • 2 Stars
    17
  • 1 Stars
    16
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
    145
  • 3 Stars
    89
  • 2 Stars
    60
  • 1 Stars
    49
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    544
  • 4 Stars
    168
  • 3 Stars
    51
  • 2 Stars
    13
  • 1 Stars
    8

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Disappointed by the change of narrator.

I will never understand why the publisher changed the narrator on book seven of this successful and well-reviewed series, particularly when so many of the positive comments were directed towards the performance of the narrator for the first 6 books.

I have looked forward to PJ’s story for several books and as usual, the story was fantastic. Unfortunately, the new narrator didn’t provide a performance of the book but rather simply read it, fast, without much emotion. I didn’t care for the odd accent of Cole and the narrator failed to give justice to the intensity and emotion of PJ’s trauma as written by Maya Banks. I really wanted to like the new narrator, but it just didn’t work for me.

Maya Bank’s KGI novels are some of my favorites, in part, because you become invested in the characters, their missions and camaraderie, even more so with PJ and Cole. After listening to the audiobook, I read the book and it was even better the second time around.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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 !

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Emotional ride

Any additional comments?

Please bring back Harry. Hard to listen to because I loved Harry reading or Phil Gigante. Was not impressed with this narrator.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Why, why, why!

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This one really upset me. I wish I had known why the assignment when bad because I never would have purchased it.

Would you ever listen to anything by Maya Banks again?

Yes, but I will never listen to this one ever again!

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

All the characters were off, the males sounded the same and...well like assholes.

Was Shades of Gray worth the listening time?

No, this one makes me sick at my stomach every time I think of it. I wish I could erase it from my memory.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The story is excelent but...

I loved the story in its written form but I was very disappointed with the reading of this book! For myself, the biggest difference between a bad narrator and a good narrator is their ability to interject emotion in the reading. The difference between a good narrator and a great narrator is someone who can make all of the voices emotional and distinctive.

What disappointed me was that this new reader seemed to have no idea who or what the established characters were about! Rio is from RIO DE JANEIRO. He’d have a Portuguese accent and if that accent was a bit much, a Spanish accent would have worked. Something distinctive! Steel one of the biggest meanest looking men on the teams had a little wimpy voice with almost no distinction from anyone else. One of the team members is from Texas. Even a bad southern accent would have been preferable. What bothered me the most is there was no distinguishing between the male and female voices.

I think that if Harry was too busy to do this book in time for the coinciding release dates I would have preferred to wait until Harry was free to read this book. At least he has a grasp of all of the key players.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Worth my Credit!

Yep!! I loved me some PJ, she kicked some major butt! And Cole was just the right mix! He was hard core with a gooey middle :) Shoot!! I think my husband needs a make over lol But you are going to really like this book if you like action with some emotional depth. Beware: Their is a very emotional rape scene. But Ms. Banks tends to have some emotional trauma in most of her books. And if I may say this :) It was a kick-ass revenge scene!

I liked Adam Paul's reading of the story, I had to get used to the accents. My southern roots found it a little jarring to listen to the Yankee accent (?) ( Ya'll know everything that aint Southern is Yankee so sorry is that wasn't what it was lol)

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Narrator and Story are very entertaining

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

Yes, enjoy this series. Have been waiting a while for this character's story and it is a good one from the start. I am also enjoying this new narrator - he doesn't detract from the story and brings his own brand to it and makes it little different than the previous ones.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of them, finally getting a deeper look into Steele's team

Any additional comments?

Don't let the other reviewers comments on the narrator deter you from this story. While I enjoyed Harry Berkeley for the other ones, he can be a little bit over dramatic. This narrator gives this story a fresh voice and does the storyline proud. There won't be any confusion on who is speaking. Just jump in for a good Maya Banks adventure.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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!!!!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My favorite of the series

Cole and P.J. finally give in to their attention only to be parted when a mission goes wrong and P.J. disappears. I love how her team and KGI have her back. Such a awesome love story!!! Even better with Adam Paul as narrator.

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3 people found this helpful