Maria Eden creates a warm and exciting magical world in this first installment of her Elemental Realm series, one in which I will happily be returning to. This novel was equal parts cozy, romantic, and nostalgic. Think: Practical Magic, Charmed, the CW when they actually had scripted shows. Sure, it didn’t blow my mind, nor did it shock me with intense plot twists, but that didn’t seem to be the intention. Instead, Eden developed interesting characters that were charming and kept the pacing consistent which ultimately resulted in a fun read!

Without giving spoilers, I will say that some of the motivation for the climax of this story was hard to follow. The logic wasn’t quite logicing. However, the love story held up well and just as I thought the book was going to nose-dive into clichéd miscommunication/secret keeping, Eden pulled up. I absolutely recommend The Gray Prophecy.

Favorite Characters: Pru & Seth – both characters ground the MCs so that things don’t get too cheesy or overly dramatic which I so very much appreciate.
Favorite Dynamic: Huxley Family – I’m a sucker for family banter.
Favorite Scene: The cabin on the cliff – just enough spice and romance to make it a little dreamy.

This title, the first of a series had likeable characters and an interesting premise. Cori was a witch in hiding. After prophesying the end of power for witches on a certain date in the future, if she lives Cori has a target on her back. Because of this she has changed her name and moved away from everyone she knows and loves. Now the prophecy will be fulfilled in 100 days and she ends up in a town in Maine working with a friend and professor and an ecology project. Little did she realize she would find other witches in town and discover the man she is fated to love forever. As they work together to keep her safe they learn important facts about the community of witches throughout the world and the truths she never knew.

4.25 stars

The Gray Prophecy has a really cool magic system!
It was a lot going on, but that kept things interesting and quick. This book has it all, witches, prophecies, magical realism, ghosts, astrology, fated mates, spice, and more! I loved this cozy feel but complicated story line. I’m excited for book 2!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an advanced release copy in exchange for an honest review

Thanks to NetGalley and Maria A. Eden for this arc! I really enjoyed it, and definitely recommend checking it out when it releases on 8/29.

3.5 stars (rounded up to 4!)
1.5 spice level (there is quite a bit of spice, but the scenes are not particularly long or graphic)
I would consider this a New Adult Romantasy. From my understanding this is the first book in a series of standalones, with the second book focusing on one of the side characters we meet in this book.
If you are a contemporary romance girlie looking to dip your toes into romantasy, I think this would be a great book for you!

Cori's life changed forever when she was just 12 years old. She foretold a prophecy declaring that any witch practicing and abusing dark magic would lose their powers forever on a future winter solstice. She quickly realizes how much danger she is in when she learns that it is believed if you kill a witch who has delivered a prophecy, then it won't come true. With a giant target on her back, Cori goes into hiding; counting down the days until the winter solstice passes, and she can return to her family. Everything is going to plan until she finds herself in the picturesque small town of Farley, Maine, and she meets Adrian Huxley - a water elemental witch who changes everything. All of a sudden she is having a hard time controlling her magic, and the more she gets to know him, the more she wants to open up. When Cori is visited by a spirit from the past, she begins to question why she was pressured to go into hiding in the first place. As she grapples with opening up to Adrian and his family which would risk putting them in danger, she realizes there is only one way to handle the situation she has found herself in: head on.

I thought this was such a cozy, enjoyable read! Cori is an excellent protagonist. We LOVE a woman in STEM, and her backstory is heart wrenching. I will say, I did struggle with her a little bit at the beginning (she had some ~not like other girls~ energy), but I really enjoyed her character development and seeing her come into her own. Adrian is a dreamboat. Golden retriever boy who is fiercely loyal and would do anything to protect his friends and family. I really thought they brought out the best in each other, and their romance was so sweet (and a little spicy (; ) and added a lot of depth to both the character development and the plot.

I thought the plot was really interesting! It was easy to stay engaged as the nature of the prophecy countdown kept things feeling high stakes. There were a bunch of twists along the way, but there was one big one about halfway through that really got me invested. I always love when we as readers get to discover things in time with the characters, it keeps me engaged and makes everything feel more suspenseful. The magic system was pretty cool, and the differences between the four different types of witches was a unique take.

I love a found family trope, and the side characters were wonderful. Each character had a fun and distinct personality, that all came together and complemented each other perfectly. I do wish we got to see a bit more of some of the side characters, but overall watching Cori become part of a family after being on her own for so long was so sweet. Also have your tissues ready for the epilogue. It destroyed me in the best way.

A couple things that kept this from being 4/5 stars for me:
-I wish there was more in depth discovery of the types of witches and magic system. Maybe this will happen as the books progress, but I wanted more world building.
-A couple things just felt a little too convenient. It's a short book, and I appreciate that the plot kept moving, but I wouldn't have minded a bit more conflict.
-I'm going to be 100% honest, there was a line at the beginning that was like "she was black coffee in a world of caramel macchiatos," and I almost stopped reading then and there lol. (I'm very glad I didn't stop, but that still irks me days later)
-I am definitely interested in reading the second book, but I probably wouldn't reread this one. I could absolutely see this being someone's comfort read, but just not mine.

Overall, I really enjoyed this and would recommend! It is a great cozy/easy read that is perfect for the fall. It has some Gilmore Girls vibes (small town, so much coffee), and was a beautiful testament to how much trusting others (and yourself) can really change your life.

The Gray Prophecy was absolutely a five star read. It starts out as a cozy witch read that develops in to some high stakes events that keep you glued to the book.

I appreciate how the romance in the book didn’t take over the main female character, Cori’s, life. The romance was important to her but she was still independent and able to stand on her own. Too often a main female character is suddenly helpless and is totally reliant on her partner once she becomes romantically involved and this was thankfully not the case.

There was also excellent character development and world building in the book. The author did an excellent job explaining the rules of the magical world without being overbearing in detail. You were also truly invested in the characters at the end thanks to how the author wrote them. Even with the visions when we would travel back in time, everything was very clear and easy to follow. Honestly it was like I could almost hear Nonna’s voice!

I also have to say I appreciate the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters in the book as well as representation of my community in literature truly does matter.

I want more in this series!

3.5 Stars


This book had all the elements I typically love in a fantasy: found family, fated mates, rescues, magic, witches, and elemental powers. Cori's journey, alongside Adrian, a Water Elemental witch, unfolds in a way that explores these themes beautifully.

The connection between the FMC, Cori and Adrian (fated mates) was a highlight and added depth to the story. However, the explanations about the magic system felt a bit too complicated. While I'm usually game for suspending disbelief, I found myself nitpicking at minor details here and there, which disrupted the flow of the story for me.

Despite this, I was drawn to the found family that was built around Cori.
Overall, I think The Gray Prophecy would be a good read for those who enjoy a fantasy tale with magic, witches and a little adventure.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found The Gray Prophecy to be a charming and cozy read, perfect for fans of witchy romances. I really enjoyed the dual perspectives and the small-town vibe.
That said, I did have a few issues with the book. The pacing sometimes felt a bit rushed, and some plot points seemed to come out of nowhere, leaving me wanting more background and detail. While I liked the romance between Cori and Adrian, I felt it could have used a bit more depth(or 100 more pages) to make it truly memorable. Also, the modern-day references and pop culture nods occasionally pulled me out of the magical atmosphere, though they weren’t overwhelming.
I think it would have benefited from more world-building and character development. However it does get brownie points for being a quick read, If you’re looking for a fun, light-hearted read, The Gray Prophecy fits the bill. It’s perfect for a cozy afternoon with a cup of tea, especially if you enjoy a good witchy romance with a touch of prophecy.

This was a quick but super enjoyable read. It's the perfect mix of fantasy and romance. I loved the characters and would definitely recommend this book to my friends! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review!

"We can choose to be illuminated by the light, or we can choose to be swallowed by the darkness."

Rating: 4.5/5

This book is about a young witch named Cori. As a child she proclaimed a prophecy that will change the world of magic as everyone knows it. Due to this prophecy, her life is now in danger because other witches want her dead. To protect herself and her family, she changes her identity and moves somewhere no one will know her. When she goes to a small port town in Maine, she meets Adrian, a local witch in the area. Adrian and his family are a known family in the town of Farley. She finds family in the most unexpected people, but fears that they are all now in danger. Will she be able to change the prophecy or will she die trying?

I recommend this book to anyone who loves a fun, witchy story. The author breaks down the different types of witches which include Celestial, Elemental, Charms, and Gray witches. There are also witches who use dark magic. The tropes are fated mates, found family, touch her and die, and witchy vibes. There are a few spicy scenes. They are not super graphic but still fun to read.
This book kept me on edge and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to be able to be an ARC reader.

I feel like there is definitely an audience for this book, I just was not one of its members. This is a story about a witch harboring a dark and dangerous secret. It has fated mates, interesting magic systems, and a fair amount of lore to get into. It's a very fast read, id venture to say could be a one sit read it you have the time. The plot moves fairly quickly. I did enjoy the spirit element and the whole aura reading was fun. I enjoyed the Maine/coastal setting. I would recommend this book to someone who wants a very easy, cozy, fast romance book with a little bit of magic.

I wanted so badly to love this book. The premise was right up my alley. Something about this (several things) just didn't work well for me. The female main character, for starters, was painfully weak. I don't mean weak as in powers, I mean she had next to no personality whatsoever. She fidgets and shifts and is constantly thinking of running away from anyone who looks her direction. Her constant denying of help/love drove me up the wall. While I can understand (given her situation) by the end of the book I was so tired of this trope. I feel like Adrian's sister had more personality than any of the main characters combined. I feel like an anxious FMC CAN be done well (think Effie from Study in Drowning), she wasn't overly powerful or outgoing but she was still a great character. I had to keep reminding myself that Cori was supposed to be a PhD/scientist because she very much acted like a small child.

I think the author was going for a found family vibe, but it just doesn't connect. Prudence and Alfie appear out of nowhere and are generally accepted right away. And even then, Cori still doesn't come out of her shell (or attain any semblance of a personality). Even once the romance is in full swing, Cori remains the same as she did at the beginning of the book.

I never really felt like the stakes were very high, despite impending prophecy/the countdown. Everything came together almost too conveniently at the end, so the build up felt for nothing. It just kind of.....ended. I have no interest in following up with Enzo's story because I feel no connection to him or any other character in this book. I felt like Adrian was a decent character, until the instalove, where his entire personality became the very stereotypical protective male character. It felt very textbook.

The final gripe I have with this book and something that I think brought it down several stars for me was the modern setting. We are talking about witches, prophecies, covens and dark magic. the characters call their parents "mama" and "papa" which felt very dated. I would have enjoyed this a lot more if it had been more consistent. Every modern day reference majorly pulled me out of the story. For instance, Yoda, Elsa, modern day musicians, laptops - it all felt very random and out of place. I think if this had been not set in our world I would have felt a lot more immersed and would have enjoyed it quite a bit more. It just didn't work for me.

This was a fun, cozy, witchy book, a perfect chill romantasy that I had a hard time putting down. I just needed a nice storm outside so I could curl up in a massive blanket. The characters are compelling and the magic is fun. The story is creative and interesting. It was a really nice end-of-summer beach read.

Can you imagine having to go into hiding, and leave your family and all that you know, because as a child you predicted the demise of a group of people?

This was a cozy witchy read with plenty of action, witches, fated love, found family, and detailed world-building! I enjoyed this book... I don't want to give away the story..there is so much to say! This was well written, the storyline was well thought out, and the supporting characters did what needed to be done and assisted in carrying the plot.

Thank you NetGalley and Maria A.Eden!!

Cori is a rare type of witch who sees visions, auras and spirits. As a child, she spoke a prophecy that foretold witches who practiced dark magic would lose their power on a specific winter solstice. This made her a target, and forced her into hiding. For most of her life she has been hiding the type of witch she is, and moved to the opposite side of the country as soon as she turned 18.

Now, Cori finds herself in a small lobster town in Maine. She runs into a family of elemental witches, and discovers a lot of the beliefs she learned growing up may not be true. As the solstice comes closer, more things come to light. People might now be who she thought they were. Even her prophecy might not be what she thought.

I adored the characters and the fierce protection Adrian felt for Cori from the start. The imagery was so vivid I actually felt like I was in the story with everyone. Cori had some really good character development. From a scared girl running from a prophecy, to confident she’s doing the right thing. The use of powers was creative and fun. I loooooved the found family trope. The banter between all of our side characters was chefs kiss. I’m really excited for the second book and I can’t wait to see where we are taken next!

Who doesn’t love a witchy book full of magic and secrets? Also, the beloved PNR trope of fated mates. Whoo boy!

Cori has been in hiding for a decade due to a prophecy she made when she was twelve years old. Now, she’s just taken a research job in the middle-of-nowhere Maine when she immediately senses another witch, Adrian. She does her best to avoid him, but fated mates aren’t allowed to avoid. 😉 Adrian is from a family of elemental witches who, as you may have guessed, pull their powers from the elements.

There is a witchy mystery and some high stakes since people want to murder Cori, but there’s also cozy vibes and magical sex. Talk about steamy! You’ll get it when you read it.

All in all, good story. Love the characters and atmosphere. This world being built is intriguing. Excited to see what comes next for this @maria_a.eden_author!

Thanks to #netgalley and #victoryediting for the ARC. All thoughts are mine alone.

#romance #contemporaryromance #paranormalromance #pnr #witchyromance #arc #booksbooksbooks #bookrecs #bookreview #bookstagram

Story had a great premise that intrigued me right away. I started reading, intending on a couple of chapters and found myself drawn in. I don't think I was familiar with the author before but I enjoyed the story.

The Grey Prophecy is marketed as a romance and fantasy/sci-fi novel, but it reads more like a young adult fantasy—and even in that category, it feels underwhelming.

Character introductions were often confusing and lacked clarity. For instance, Adrian’s dad is introduced by his first name with little context, while Cori's dad's name is randomly mentioned much later, leaving the reader to piece together who they are. Even descriptions of characters were delayed—you might interact with a character several times before finally learning what they look like. Cori’s PhD felt like a random plot device, used solely to place her at the coast for the story. It didn’t seem to serve any real purpose in the narrative and was only briefly acknowledged.

The characters lack depth, making it difficult to connect with them. The dialogue felt unnatural, with pop culture references that seemed out of place and forced. The explicit scenes also felt jarring and disconnected from the rest of the story. After all the buildup for the solstice, the "twist" was disappointing and underwhelming.

On the positive side, the description of the town was vivid and immersive, making it easy to picture the setting. I also appreciated the idea of the different kinds of witches and how they each viewed magic differently—it was an intriguing concept. However, I wish there had been more detail and exploration into the magic itself. Overall, the book needs additional TLC to truly bring the story the author is trying to tell to life.

This book was honestly a struggle to get through. It read more like a fanfiction or a YA wattpad story and less like the adult novel it was supposed to be, and it just wasn't for me. The only thing that is bumbing it up to two stars for me, is that the concept seemed pretty unique and I was very interested in it - it just unfortunately didn't seem to be written to it's potential.
The characters couldn't keep me engaged for more than two pages - the all felt very flat and lacked a lot of depth. And the relationships in this novel (especially the main one) were so forced and rushed. I understand that the main characters were "fated", but this was used as an excuse to throw the characters together after 1-2 meetings with very little effort. The dialogue also read very (again) flat - I felt they any emotions that were trying to be conveyed, didn't land at all.
I know there will be other books in this series, however, I unfortunately don't think I will be reading anyone them. And that shower scene? *cringe*

“The Gray Prophecy” is a captivating witchy paranormal romance book by Maria A. Eden and the first in her The Elemental Realm series.

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Plot: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Characters: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Suspense: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Romance/spice: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

What you’ll find in this book:
⭐️Paranormal Romance
⭐️Suspence
⭐️Family bonds
⭐️Strong Female main character
⭐️Amazing scenery & world-building

My Review:
One of the best witchy books of this year! Couldn’t put it down! I loved the magic, the romance the bond between the main characters but also the family bonds and loyalty that unfolds with the story. Initially, it reminded me of “A Discovery of Witches” but it obviously goes down a different path. I recommend it to anyone who loves witches and romance.

Description:
As a child, Cori delivered a prophecy that foretold all witches practising dark magic would lose their power on a future winter solstice. When she spoke the words aloud, it put a target on her back—and tied her fate to a ticking clock.
After a decade of hiding and pushing away her magic, Cori moves to the idyllic town of Farley, Maine. She has one goal—keep her head down while counting down the days until the prophecy comes to pass. But the town—and the people that live there—are not what she expected.
When Cori meets Adrian Huxley, a local Water Elemental witch, her secret is no longer safe. The closer she gets to him, the harder it is to suppress her magic. When a visitor from the past makes her question the real reason she was sent into hiding—and the loyalty of the family she swore to protect—she realises her life is not the only one in danger.

Writing style:
To the point! So flawless! Very good scenery and world-building! Nicely divided chapters that won’t let you stop!

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for my early copy. All opinions are mine and sincere.

I read this in one sitting, the book wasnt too fast but it just felt like it was 150 pages long the way I breezed through it.

I’ve fallen in love with the magic system and the unique differences in this community/world the author has built. Cori and Adrian were sweet to read about and I liked their family dynamics despite all the trouble family may have caused in this book.

I look forward to the next one following a new POV.

Review of The Gray Prophecy by Maria A. Eden

The Gray Prophecy by Maria A. Eden is a captivating journey into a world where fate, magic, and destiny intertwine in the most unexpected ways. Eden’s storytelling shines with its innovation, offering readers a unique experience by weaving together glimpses of the past, present, and future through the eyes of Cori, the novel’s smart and determined main character. Cori’s special abilities create a narrative that is both puzzling and engaging, keeping you constantly on your toes as you piece together the bigger picture. Each revelation deepens the mystery, making the story all the more compelling.

If you enjoy stories that explore the intricate threads of fate, the allure of witches, and the irresistible pull of instant attraction, The Gray Prophecy is the perfect read. The novel doesn’t just stop at magical intrigue; it also delves deeply into themes of found family, loyalty, and the lengths one will go to protect those they love. Cori’s character shines brightly as a fiercely intelligent woman who embodies the strength and resilience that makes for a truly memorable heroine.

Maria A. Eden has crafted a tale that is not only thrilling and full of twists but also deeply emotional, with characters who resonate long after the story ends. The Gray Prophecy is a must-read for fans of fantasy, rich storytelling, and strong female leads who defy the odds to forge their own destiny.