The Gray Prophecy

It’s like this book was made for me because it has everything I love: witches, prophecies, a super lovable found family and a small town!!! That’s perfection. The main character (Cori) was what I loved the most but the setting and the pace also did not disappointed me.

For me, the only flaw is that some things could’ve been better developed BUT I really think that in the next book this will be resolved.

The Gray Prophecy by Maria A. Eden


Title: The Gray Prophecy
Author: Maria A. Eden
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Suspense
Rating: ★★★★☆

As a child, Cori delivered a prophecy that foretold all witches practicing dark magic would lose their power on a future winter solstice. This prophecy marked her for death and set a ticking clock on her fate. After a decade of hiding and suppressing her magic, Cori moves to the picturesque town of Farley, Maine, with one goal: to keep her head down until the prophecy comes to pass.

However, Farley and its residents are not what Cori expected. She finds herself drawn to Adrian Huxley, a local Water Elemental witch, making it increasingly difficult to keep her secret. As she grows closer to Adrian, her suppressed magic begins to resurface. When a figure from her past reappears, Cori is forced to question the true reasons behind her hiding and the loyalty of the family she vowed to protect. The revelation threatens not only her life but also the lives of those she cares about.

What I Loved:

1. Compelling Characters: Cori is a well-developed protagonist with a rich backstory and a relatable struggle. Her journey from a frightened child to a determined young woman is inspiring. Adrian, with his charm and elemental powers, adds depth to the story, and their chemistry is undeniable.
2. Intriguing Plot: The prophecy and its implications create a constant sense of urgency and suspense. The twists and turns keep readers on their toes, making it hard to put the book down.
3. Magical World-Building: Farley, Maine, is vividly described, blending the mundane with the mystical. The portrayal of witchcraft and elemental magic is imaginative and well-integrated into the story.
4. Romantic Tension: The romance between Cori and Adrian is beautifully written, with just the right amount of tension and tenderness. Their relationship adds a layer of emotional depth to the narrative.
5. Themes of Loyalty and Trust: The novel explores important themes such as loyalty, trust, and the complexity of family ties. Cori’s struggle with these issues adds a relatable and human element to the fantasy setting.

"The Gray Prophecy" by Maria A. Eden is a captivating blend of fantasy, romance, and suspense. With its rich characters, intricate plot, and enchanting world, it offers a spellbinding read that kept me hooked beginning to end.

Whether you're a fan of witchy tales or simply enjoy a good story with a touch of magic, this book is a must-read. Prepare to be enchanted!

Thank you to The Publisher Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Maria Eden Books ,The Author Maria A. Eden & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I READ SO FAR THIS YEAR. THE CHARACTERS ARE SO WELL BUILT THAT SEEMS THAT WE KNOW THOSE CHARACTERS FOR SURE. SUCH A GOOD STORY.

This was an enjoyable read and I really enjoyed the development of the magic system and worldbuilding! I loved the settings the characters found themselves in (I've always wanted to visit a small coast town in Maine hehe) and the characters themselves were engaging and I genuinely cared about what was happening to them!

The Gray Prophecy made me gasp numerous times and shed quite a few tears. But in a good, cathartic way. I loved watching Cori grow as both a character and a witch throughout the book, and I love that we will see Enzo's story in the next book! I can't wait :)

This was pretty interesting. I had a good time getting a feel of the FMCs past and the twists that followed

The plot was captivating, blending romance and the paranormal in a way that kept me hooked from start to finish. The writing was beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and engaging dialogue that brought the characters and settings to life. The pacing was perfect, keeping me on the edge of my seat without feeling rushed. A must-read for any fan of contemporary paranormal romance. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait enough for the next book.

It’s getting harder to find the exact urban fantasy that’s my favorite, and I was excited that this one almost seemed a 100% fit. I’m glad to say it pretty much did. I felt so sad for Cori, and I’m glad she finally had a “found” family a little way into the book. There were a couple of twists and turns that made me a little confused, but I can’t really say since they are spoilers. However, that was my only real “beef” with the book, and that didn’t really keep me from enjoying this. This is a standalone, but the author’s not at the end says there’s another one coming with a minor character as the major character. I’ll definitely read that. Well—written, intriguing, romantic, and engaging. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Thank you to netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I started this book I didn't think I would be so enamored that I couldn't put it down until I was done. I went on an 8 hour journey that make me laugh cry and gasp with suprise because of things I didn't see coming. The world building and how the magic works was really great and the plot kept me hooked and the spice was tame compared to what I usually read. I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to get a physical copy so I can share it with my friends.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC! I had such a good time reading this and I was pleased to find that this will be a series.
Things to expect:
- elemental magic & prophecies
- fated romance/love
- found family
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys romantasy!

First, thank you Net Galley & Maria A. Eden for the ARC of The Gray Prophecy!

I really devoured this book! I am not typically a huge fan of urban fantasy books where phones and real world topics are a part of the story, but something about this really pulled me in! It was a great balance of prophecy and history, with a blend of the modern world in it. I loved the romance/fated aspect of the book as well as the found family and I wish it was developed more in the story. But honestly, I am glad it didn’t overshadow the plot and Cori’s journey. The plot is captivating and deserved the spotlight in this story. I didn’t love the pop culture references to Friends and such, but like I said before, I just don’t usually gravitate toward real world type fantasy books in general and it wasn’t overdone so it didn’t bother me much. Overall, it is a great witchy read and I would definitely recommend it! The main criticism of the book is that I just wish there was more.

SPOILERS BELOW

I would have loved a longer book with a deeper dive into her prophecy and that of the celestial witches. Learning more about the Mother, Giver, and the Other as well as the different types of witches that exist in this world. More background on Cori’s past and Calvin’s eventual villain arc. And more development on Cori and Adrian’s romance, of course. But I should have known going into it that it wouldn’t be incredibly detailed because it is a short book! Overall it was a great story and I will definitely be reading the next!

This was really good, and it's the first in a new series! I absolutely loved everything about this book! I love good witchey stories.

Fantastic book! The plot and world the author has created is done so well I love me a witchy book and this delivers

The character are done so well they seem like real people I loved it

I am enjoying this book so much! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author. All opinions are my own.

This is a great read! The Prophecy has defined Cori's life for a decade. Basically trapping her and limiting everything. Enzo's final betray was a shock. I enjoyed this book. It kept my attention and was filled with unexpected moments.

Adrian and Cori.
Whatever Maria put in this book was like crack to my soul - witches, beautiful prose, compelling story, it had everything.
Cori is a celestial witch running from a prophecy she delivered years ago which spells her death on a future winter solstice. Her San Fran coven believes that Cori's prophecy must come true to ensure those have used dark magic don't lose their magic. She and her family believe that by running and hiding until the date of the prophecy she can outrun her fate. What she doesn't plan on is hiding in a town with other witches who don't buy into the doom of gloom the prophecy supposedly spells. Cori also happens across a boy (as you do) and boy would he burn the world down for his woman.
I loved the world Maria built and enjoyed every second.

This was quite a fun witchy read. I genuinely enjoyed the writing style of the author and the small town vibes of the book as well as the dynamics and relationships between te=he characters. It was well constructed and very dynamic. I was hooked and this book was right up my alley.

I love a good witchy vibe, and this book delivered! I couldn’t put this book down, the plot was entertaining and well paced. The world building was easy to follow and not super complicated. I am always a little unsure how I will feel about a contemporary fantasy, but I loved it! Especially the little Gilmore girl reference (team Jess forever!). Cori was such a likable FMC, and I was quickly rooting for her. I ADORE Adrian, and loved the relationship between him and Cori. Honestly all the Huxley’s are top tier found family goals. I only wish the book was a longer so we could see Cori and Adrian’s relationship grow and some more world building. Can’t wait for book 2!!!

Must read for:
✨fated mates
✨small town
✨found family
✨touch her and die
✨witchy vibes
✨fall aesthetic
✨magic
✨dual pov

Very good book. Am excited for the next book in series. Would recommend to friends. Best book that I have read in a while. 10 /10!

The Gray Prophecy by Maria A. Eden is a captivating blend of fantasy and romance that kept me hooked from the start. Eden’s world-building is rich and immersive, and her characters are complex and relatable. The plot is filled with intrigue and suspense, and the romantic tension is palpable. Cori, the young witch at the heart of the story, is a strong and determined protagonist whose journey is both inspiring and heartbreaking. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in this promising series. Thank you to NetGalley and Maria A. Eden for the opportunity to read this ARC.

As a child, Cori a celestial witch, delivered a prophesy that would shake the world of witches. Since coming of age she has been in hiding as many of those witches believe that only in her death will the prophesy cease to exist.
When she arrives in the small costal town in Maine to take up a research position in marine Ecology, Cori encounters another witch, Adrian. With his control of the water element it soon become apparent to both of them that they are not just fated but destined to face the prophesy together.
This was an excellent read. I loved the interaction between the characters and am glad that there will be more books from this world. Good flowing plot that kept me engrossed throughout, such that I read it in one sitting.

Cori was 12 years old when she gave a prophecy that would change the world of witches forever. Other witches put her on their hit list to stop the prophecy from coming true. Fast forward ten years when Cori moves to Farley, Maine. As the date of her prophecy draws near, she is thrust back into the world she spent a decade hiding from – magic, friendship, and family. Cori might also find love in the local Water Elemental witch, Adrien.

I did not realize how much I missed witchy stories until reading “The Gray Prophecy”. This is the first ARC that I couldn’t put down! There was so much to love about “The Gray Prophecy.” The pacing was wonderful in that it wasn’t too slow or too fast. There were a couple of places where there were minor time jumps, but they helped move the story along instead of making readers slog through 100 days of monotony. Already, that makes the book easy to read. Add in the dual POV from Cori and Adrien in shorter chapters, and I just ate up each word. The dual POV was a great way to provide insight into differing perspectives on the same event. I also found that the dual POV helped add more depth to the side characters.

Another thing I loved about the book was Maria Eden’s writing. The story had a great flow that led readers seamlessly between world-building, thoughts, dialogue, and visions. This is a talent that Eden excels at, making “The Gray Prophecy” genuinely enjoyable! She also has a way of connecting traditional lore around witches/witchcraft in a cohesive way that many writers seem to struggle with when creating a paranormal story. Instead of trying to create a whole new world from scratch, Eden takes what most people already know about witches and added her own flair. She then took this traditional lore and explained differences in beliefs within the lore she had created. There was little room for questions due to plot holes. I was surprised at how frequently I found myself saying, “Oh, that makes so much sense,” while reading. The only request I have is more romance, but even that was solid in execution.

Get ready witchy readers! We have a new read that will have you ready for autumn as you dive into the first book in the new Elementals series!

***I received this book as an ARC on Netgalley in return for an honest review.***

Rating: 4.9 stars
WRITING STYLE: 1/1
CHARACTER LIKABILITY: 1/1
ENTERTAINMENT: 1/1
PLOT: 1/1
ROMANCE: 0.9/1

Thank you to NetGalley and to Maria A. Eden for providing me with an ARC copy of The Grey Prophecy.

I am extremely happy that this was the first ARC that I have been provided.

I loved this book so much that I found myself struggling to put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this book and the way that witchcraft was portrayed in this book was also amazing.

The plot was so well written that I was always excited to see what was going to happen next.

I absolutely loved The Gray Prophecy and I can't wait for the next book.

I feel very privileged to have been selected as an ARC reader for this book. This book has everything. Mystery, romance, intrigue, and a magical system I couldn't get enough of.

Small town vibes, autumnal charm, easy banter between characters that flows so naturally, and a love interest that sparks quickly but doesn't feel forced or rushed.

The characters feel realistic and relatable.
And the ending chapters had me on the edge of my seat.
It's one of my favourite reads this year 🖤
Congratulations, Maria. I anticipate amazing things from this series.

As a child, Cori, a celestial witch, foretold that on a winter solstice to come, all witches that practice dark magic would lose their magical abilities. In doing so, Cori put a target on her back. In order to stop a prophecy, a witch must be killed before it is fulfilled.

"There will be a fulfillment of something that has been long anticipated."

The Gray Prophecy was beyond anything I could have hoped for in a witchy fantasy book. As a person who celebrates autumn beginning in August, this was perfect read.

The writing was exquisite, to get that out of the way. 10 pages in and I was already hooked (you can check my Goodreads, I updated it 10 pages in!!) Maria A. Eden weaved together such a beautiful story with so much depth and detail. Even as early as 10 pages in, the setting was so beautifully described, I felt like I was in Farley and a part of this world.

The story as incredible, I loved the fantasy world. I loved the magical world and I appreciated all the depth that we got in regards to this world. But admittedly, I think Maria A. Eden has set this up beautifully in that we could have practically endless stories out of this series (and I can't wait for more from her!)

And of course, I would be remiss not to mention how much I absolutely adore Adrian. The love story here was stunning and wonderful without taking anything away from the main plot line. I loved loved loved it and I will now possibly be dreaming about Adrian too.

"But you can't run from the natural orbit of the Earth, or the convergence of the stars."

Thank you to Maria A. Eden, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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!

This book was such a delight to read! Cori was such a likable main character, and Adrian is what dreams are made of! I loved how all the magical elements were introduced, and the world building was so well done. I was kept on my toes and felt like I NEEDED to keep reading throughout the book! This is such a great read, and it should definitely be added to your list for this fall!

Thank you to @netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC. I will definitely start out by saying this was one of my favorite reads so far of 2024. I absolutely love this book right from the beginning because of the quote.~ “ For all those who have felt alone and found a friend in magic” I love this quote so much because I can totally relate to it. As a young girl, I was obsessed with books and sometimes felt alone and books always was a constant friend of mine. This book had an amazing setting. It was in a lobster village in Maine, and I felt like I was thrown right into the book along with amazing characters that I could relate to. The cover of the book was fabulous, and I loved the magic system because it was easy to follow and understand. I really enjoyed the dual POV’s in this book the romance the ending, and I love the characters, Cori and Adrian. I would highly recommend this book to everyone who loves witchy/fall aesthetic vibes!!!