The Devouring Gray

Violet is new to her mother’s hometown of Four Paths and soon meets the other founding families who hold secrets of their own about a dimension harboring a monster called the Gray. A string of deaths have shaken the town’s trust in the families and everyone is demanding answers. Justin Hawthorne has kept a secret from the town, and his mother plans to send him away, but Violet’s arrival in town has changed everything. Harper Carlisle hasn’t forgiven Justin for his betrayal, but when a monster is unleashed, she has to put aside her anger for the good of the town.

Christine Lynn Herman excels at creating complex characters with complicated dynamics, struggles, and tough decisions to make. Each character is facing their own coming-of-age journey with choices about the people they want to be. The fate of the town pushes them to find a way to work together and navigate how to rely on each other when they don’t trust each other. Loss factors into the story of every character with even side characters having their moments of struggle, humanity, and a breaking point. Herman fills the story with strong women who are powerful, terrifying, and incredible. The Devouring Gray explores facing demons of the past, friendship, loss, grief, and the trials of standing your ground.