BOOK REVIEW ~ SHADES OF GRAY BY MAYA BANKS

Title: Shades of Gray (KGI Series, Book Six )

Author: Maya Banks

Release Date: December 31, 2012

Reviewer bought own copy of paperback for review 

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 up on a mission that goes terribly wrong, and P.J. walks away from KGI, determined 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. is on a mission that will plunge her into a serpentine game of payback and make her question everything she’s ever believed in. 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 very lives…

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Book Review

First off--this book has a rape scene. So if this is not your thing, you may want to skip over that part. It is brutally real and plays a vital role to P.J's characterization, and the story itself. 

Maya Banks has written a compelling and emotional series with her KGI men. I am a huge fan of this series and love the way she has expanded outside of the Kelly men and onto the other Alpha warriors of the different teams. 

P.J and Cole are members of Steele's elite warriors--each with their own specialties and kick-ass attitudes. P.J. and Cole are the sharp shooters, with P.J. being the best, natch. *wink*

Both have been fighting a growing attraction with neither of them aware how the other has been feeling. Acting on such sexual feelings could upset the team dynamics and neither have been willing to risk it.

Until now. 

After an intense mission, P.J. returns to Colorado and holes herself up in a bar for a bit of R&R. While there, an ex shows up and shows his asshat ways. They share a past as co-workers (S.W.A.T.)-- one that P.J.left when she discovered said ex was illegally taking drugs and money from busts. When he refuses to turn himself in, P.J. leaves disillusioned after her other teammates refuse to have her back. 

Cole has been fighting his attraction for P.J. since the beginning and when he shows up at the bar where P.J. is, things change in their relationship. One night of hot, explosive passion is then put on the back burner, however, when both are called to report to Tennessee to go undercover to nab a man responsible for selling children as sex slaves. 

P.J. becomes the "bait"--used to attract the scum bag and get information on where the next deal will be taking place. But things quickly go bad and P.J. is left alone--and the unthinkable happens. She is raped by two men whose perverse tastes leave P.J. helpless and utterly battered. 

The men on her team are left just as helpless as they fight their way to find her--all while listening to the brutal attack via radio communication. 

What I loved so much about this book was P.J. She was a great character to read as she went from being vulnerable to fighting her way back from her despair. She struggles to overcome her rape and her fears. And more importantly, she comes to realize her team has her back, 100%. -- something that she thought she could never count on again. 

Cole was also great as a character--he refuses to give up on P.J. and is determined to show her that he will always be there for her. The climax of the story was a nail-biter, as Cole was tied to a chair and had to watch P.J. fight off the men who had raped her. 

Again, parts of Shades of Gray are difficult to read-the subject matter heavy. But Banks does it brilliantly.