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Wonderful character development. Realistic dialogue. The story takes an interesting unexpected twist about 2/3rds through and you won’t be able to put this book down. Kudos for the matter-of-fact inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters.

Fantastic read!! I was drawn in immediately and struggled to put it down - more and more addicting with each chapter!! Can’t wait to see what’s next!

I was engrossed from the outset. The author grabs you with her words and keeps you by introducing current affairs and values (plus some killer action scenes). Don't miss this one!

Grief can be a catalyst for so many things (violence, love, extraordinary actions, the list goes on...). One thing remains true: grief is best handled when you have a village of people to walk alongside you. Every character is equally inspiring and equally flawed. I loved that there were so many twists and turns in this book. From the very beginning to the very end, there was lots to keep me hooked. It was full of suspense, humor, sadness, and joy, BJ keeps you on your toes all the way through. You can tell that there is personal investment in each of the character's successes. Very well done.

BJ Cyprian is an incredibly gifted storyteller. Some authors can tell a gripping story, but leave you feeling uneasy. The Gray Line tells a completely gripping story from the first few pages, and you immediately want to know these characters. Not many authors can write about grief with humor. BJC does it expertly. I laughed out loud, cried, and had a few jaw drops at some of the plot twists. The group feels so real and at times I thought: "I'd really like to know these people." Read this book and get to know these people. It's a story that will stay with you. In a good way.

The Gray Line by B.J. Cyprian follows Angel Lamb as she tries to reconcile with the death of her wife. But when individuals from her support group go missing or wind up dead, Angel, Alex (the support group leader) and the rest of the support group must survive the onslaught from a mystery source as they uncover the truth about the deaths, and the internal truths they all must face to recover from their emotional scars. Can Angel learn how to find the moral middle ground in her actions before its costs another life? Cyprian has crafted a unique set of characters that are refreshing and frustrating. I only use that word because each character takes actions that make sense, logically, but also add to the complexity that can only be found in a group of people leaning on each other for support. Seeing how they grow and deal with their pasts felt therapeutic as a reader, although the underlying tension did not always serve as a very realistic setting for some of the emotional breakthroughs. The action scenes were also a bit farfetched, but the tension remained despite these stretched scenarios. The book really excels through the wisdom that each of the characters deliver to each other. Pretty much every chapter has a great piece of advice or a thoughtful observation, and it really demonstrates the author’s understanding of grief and emotional pain. If you are reading this review and have dealt with loss of some kind or another, then you will feel challenged by the conversations in these pages, but you’ll also feel that there is hope moving forward. Angel and her friends deal with the mystery and tension of a classic murder story, but they also heal and learn to live another day. 4.5 stars.

Nothing connects you and bonds you like grief and survival. Follow Angel, the protagonist, through pages of action, excellent dialogue, and a reminder of how much we all need love as she finds the support and friendships she needs to survive. Definitely a page turner with unexpected turns and twists!

The gray line by B. J. Cyprian is a suspenseful and thrilling read that takes the reader on a mysterious ride. We follow Angel Lamb who has survived growing up in an abusive environment. After losing her wife in an accident, she seeks help through a local support group. Forced to face her past, Angel must find her inner strength to keep herself safe. The irreplaceable value of relationships in one's life is beautifully depicted by the author. Cyprian published this novel in the loving memory of Serine Renee James Calvert, and that itself makes this special. The author’s writing style is conversational making it easy for the reader to relate and put themselves in the protagonist’s shoes. The suspenseful scenes that the author created really captivated me and made it hard for me to put the book down. Angel is such a strong character but I liked that she was not perfect. You see her ups and downs and root for her to find her strength in order to save herself. The author has definitely written an unpredictable story, one that I didn’t expect to turn out the way it did. Cyprian’s writing makes the readers question themselves and their values especially when it comes to relationships with others. I look forward to reading more books by this author. The Gray Line is a complicated and beautiful story that I highly recommend to those who are looking for a relatable read.

There are many pivotal moments in life. In The Grey Line, we experience many of them vicariously as the author finds a unique balance between loss and the search for light at the end of grief’s dark and painful tunnel. And along the way there are many micro and macro decisions that Grey Line’s rich, well-developed characters must explore. Over and over, our characters are faced with existential questions about who we are, who we want to be, and how we perceive others who are making decisions that differ from, or resonate with, our own. In this richly dialogued piece of inclusive fiction, readers will be forced to question their core values, the darkness of grief, and the love and levity of friendship and companionship. The genius of this story is that the grey lines are many, but subtle. The shades of grey never overwhelm us with platitudes or preferences, they simply allow us space to watch life unfold in all of its miraculous, painful, loving, sad, tragic, and unforgettable imperfection. As we read about their lives and their experiences, it forces us to ask ourselves many questions about who we are and who we want to be—particularly when we encounter the unpredictable realities of life in spaces where we don’t always get to make the rules, nor control the choices made by our peers and friends. Ultimately, The Grey Line challenges us to think about what it means to understand people who don’t live by the same rules that we value and the difficulty of reconciling our beliefs in the face of change and uncertainty. I hope this book is the beginning of a series, as there is so much this book ignites in my mind and heart about the difficult choices we make daily, and how they change us…even when we don’t want to change.

I loved this book. There were no used-up tropes, all the twists & turns were fresh! I'd highly recommend this to mystery book lovers.

This book is so well written! You fall in love with the characters and their lives! A great book to remind us that at the end of the day - relationships grown out of life’s challenges can be some of the most meaningful!

Shadow Resistance has become one of my top favorite books we've read to date in our Book Club. It's a great fiction with the perfect combination of genres. It is full of well developed characters that are weaved into an intriguing story that includes murder mystery, science fiction, social justice, suspense thriller, humor, and a bit of romance. B. J. Cyprian blends all this with a unique writing style that will have you devouring her pages. I guarantee you will thoroughly enjoy this read; and afterwards, you'll most certainly be hungry for the next one. What a Masterpiece!

Crisp dialog, suspenseful story that pulls the reader forward, well-drawn characters (both human and digital) that make me want do more to make the world a better place. Such a joy to read. Can't wait to read the next in the series! I think it would make a great film/TV series. Very satisfying.

The book is interesting, Full of intense Drama and current. Oh to have a “SARA”!! Should be a movie or a sequel or both. Great read. 5 stars!

*****I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.**** It may be the user but the formatting of this book was so tiny and scrunched together, it was tortuous reading for me. Once I was able to figure out how to pinch and expand it as much as possible to keep within the borders of my Kindle App, I just suffered and got through it. It is a relevant story in that it depicts current events in a prolific story-telling manner. Great read but set the format so you can enlarge without running off the page.

Shadow Resistance by B.J. Cyprian was a beautiful read. I really appreciated the author’s note sharing what made her write this book and the struggles she faced and the lessons learned through them. The topic of social injustice really resonated in me even though the book is fiction. I really liked how ideas were explained to the reader through the conversations between the characters in a way that is informative and light. I was able to connect with all the characters, especially Dom and SARA, her own AI creation, and how their relationship together progresses. The references made to worlds and ideas of music, video games, comics and history were so delightful as I am a fan of all. The plot twists were really good! Reading the book felt like the first time I read Deception Point by Dan Brown when I was 13, except the difference was much more. It was so much more connected and rounded and rich! I would definitely recommend this book to a friend <3

Shadow Resistance is a page turning novel about social injustice that flawlessly guides you through every emotion and has you cheering for the good guys to right societies wrongs. Dom, an unlikely heroine and true minority in every sense of the word, is approached by a mystery man who “gifts” her the opportunity to form a team and fight against the prejudice that is happening across America. Cyprian does a fabulous job of developing her characters, making you feel as though you too are part of this team. You are immersed in the intricate background of each character leaving you feeling like you are connected, wanting to give Dom a needed hug or SARA’s avatar a high five for her many smart ass comments. My take away from this novel is this: even if you don’t have the tech genius like Dom, the no fear attitude like Vasquez, the made gun skills like Ryan, the unique profiling ability like Rose or you have all of the above; EVERYONE has the ability to show compassion, love, acceptance, understanding and respect to ALL fellow humans. Yes I recommend this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 Stars)

This is a fantastic techno-thriller! It is an exciting, action-packed mystery based on interesting technology, Artificial Intelligence, current events, and current and past cultural issues. The mystery and investigation were very well planned out. The characters were clearly defined, interesting, likeable (except for the bad guys!) and realistic. I really enjoy reading books about strong, intelligent and independent women. The door was left open for future books and I am looking forward to continuing the journey with such interesting characters!

As Political & Suspense thriller Shadow Resistance fires on all cylinders with author BJ Cyprian raising intrigue to the level of moral provocation. Highly readable but unsettling at times she creates a sense of injustice that burgeons from page to page and gets you thinking about racism on another level.

This story had me intrigued from the start. The build up is wholesome and fulfilling, the climax was very exciting! But that cliff hanger, though!!!

Shadow Resistance tells the story of a group of unlikely heroes working together to uncover a heinous plot against some of our country’s most vulnerable communities. This thriller is THICK but the pacing is excellent and the author tells the story in such a compelling way. The author brought to life characters that are so vividly described, I felt emotional invested in their wellbeing and their success. These are characters with integrity and goodness that you can’t help but want to keep exploring their lives and minds. I finished the book feeling a renewed sense of hope in this book’s message: it only takes a small group of big-hearted, strong people to take on the ills of this world (and maybe an A.I. super computer too). Perfect book for a vacation read or to enjoy during a lazy weekend with a big glass of wine.

Whilst there is plenty of action and suspense, these are not the primary drivers for Shadow Resistance with its energy comes from its vividly realized characters, how they relate to and ultimately perceive one another and poignant issues of racism. This was a hugely enjoyable read for me. The calibre of the writing is top notch with an exemplary plot which made it a hard book to put down. I also loved the AI who is an integral part of the story and very human! There is a cliffhanger ending but not before all the plot threads have been tied up. Hopefully an equally exciting sequel is on the way!

I love novels that not only combine great characters but are underpinned by a well researched and intelligent plot and Shadow Resistance ticks both boxes! As a thriller it works really well with faultless narrative and great pacing, the characters all stand on their own and are all memorable with something special to add to the story. There are no fillers here with some really moving backstories as well and authentic dialogue really brings each one to life. BUT what makes Shadow Resistance an easy five star read is its depth of social commentary. Well done B J Cyprian. Simply excellent!

As an avid reader, I have never been able to connect with multiple characters like I have with this book. The author really delves into the characters and give them a backstory that is relatable, I found myself seeing different characteristics in each and every one of them. I could not put the book down. I am looking forward to the second.

Debut novel or not...Shadow Resistance is just a terrific book. Each of the characters is clearly established but more nuances are revealed as the story develops - exactly what I most enjoy about good writing. While the context clearly has its roots in the US social turmoil of 2016, the themes of injustice, personal growth through adversity, and "a family of friends" reach much more broadly. Definitely worth a read.

Where do I begin? This is a reader's book. If you like to read-read you're going to eat up the pages and the story like nobody's business! The characters (Rose is my fave, but everyone else is a close 2nd), the lessons (you think you know, but you have no idea), the victories & the defeats, the "hell yeahs" & "hell nos" ... this book covers it all in such a way that a reader doesn't even consider the length; the story grips you. You find yourself identifying with one or more of the main characters, you root for them aloud, you experience their joys & sorrows. To find a "stopping point", even at 2am, is a task. It's THAT good! There's a little bit of something for everyone: technology, strategy, intimacy, hilarity, mystery, history, present day ...and it's blended so well, like exceptional gumbo. Pick this one up, you'll be shocked that it's BJ's freshman novel. It's screenplay ready in my most humble opinion.

I was so impressed with the way the writer captures the essence of each character making you feel their pain and their need to make this world a better place to live in. You find yourself rooting for these people who have been mistreated and who are in need of each other to make a difference. I just love it.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! The characters, the message, the voice, the topics that are woven through the storyline that highlight and deal with real life issues going on presently (and that have been going on for so long). There is a seriousness in some of the topics, which I loved, but also a mystery and suspense of who did what, how will they figure things out, how will this romance progress, oh that was an interesting plot twist, gosh I love the way she (main character Dom) talks and interacts with her Artificial Intelligence “SARA” kinda book. I found myself breezing through multiple chapters at a time, smiling, giggling, hurting, holding my breath, empathizing, and tearing up... this book made me think about so many situations that arise for minorities in this country each and every day. I kept eagerly looking forward to what was going to happen and develop with the plot. I really could feel the heart and soul of so many characters, and even though I’m not a person to have many favorites, I have decided that my favorite is Vasquez. She brings humor and some romance into the story and I found myself looking forward to her next interactions and loving how she responded to people. I love that this story seems to not have any limitations for what can be done as a group. For what can be done when you have support from those around you who are passionate and care about the world around them. There are many different experience and viewpoints that come together, and each character develops and comes to life by the end. I also especially like what happens with young Willie Price. It brought me hope and faith for the future, and had me in tears. I’m really looking forward to book two, and believe that whomever reads this book, if you are a reader who enjoys stories with humor, discussion of social and racial justice and bettering the community, you will be looking forward to book two along with me once you are done.

At the risk of sounding much younger than I am-OMG!!! I absolutely loved reading Shadow Resistance!!! In her debut novel BJ Cyprian weaves a tale that not only has you cheering for the good guys...out loud...at 2 a.m....next to your sleeping partner (ssssshhhh go back to sleep babe)...but then crying in the next minute because of a poignant moment between characters. Overall, it’s a book that had me questioning my ready acceptance of the status quo. Written in an easy to read style, the pages seem to turn themselves, Shadow Resistance digs deep into societal issues without being preachy nor pretentious and definitely not halting the story. Looking forward to reading the next book!!!!

One of my most recently created quotes is “Randomly meeting ordinary people makes for an extraordinary life.”, and B.J. Cyprian is a fine example of this. We initially engaged through social media and found some common ground. When she asked if I would read a review copy of her book I said “sure”, thinking I’d see a 400-pager and hoping for a good story. What I received in the mail was a 665-page book and I thought geez what did I get myself into. Turns out I got myself into a free copy of a really good book. It’s not often I give a 5-star review and Shadow Resistance gets it. B.J.’s impetus for writing the story was the outcome of the 2016 elections “…when she was compelled to search for a new perspective on complex matters in America’s cultural and political arena.” Her main character, Dominique, is an introverted wealthy black lesbian technology geek of high intelligence who has created an AI system to keep her company. As a recluse Dom has ensconced herself in a nicely fitting cocoon of her own making and never leaves the house. This shelter is shattered when a stranger that Dom can’t trace with technology shows up at her house and makes her an offer to establish a team of experts to fight back against the racism, bigotry, & misogyny faced by minorities. Ultimately, the primary cast of characters turns out to be almost all minority. It would have been easy for B.J. to slip into a rant or tirade on perceived injustice, but this isn’t a diatribe from Al Sharpton or Ann Coulter. Rather, she rips her dialog from current headlines, presents compelling context and descriptions, then smartly wraps this into a well-written tale of conspiracy. B.J. has created believable and likable characters, even the bad guys have the right flavor. She weaves these folks into Dom’s world while giving each their own life and supports the story with sadness and humor. I liked all the characters and the team B.J. builds around Dom seems natural. However, my favorite character is the AI system S.A.R.A. because it explores the conflicts and frailty of humans and civilization while it attempts to acquire some human traits based on its code of logic. It will not surprise me to see this book become an award winner. B.J. has an easily understood writing style and the book moves along at a good pace – there is no down time. The story encompasses topics of sexuality, technology, medical, video games, music, race and history. It contains some interesting twists and turns. My favorite quote is “The idea of removing the emotional component of racism had never occurred to her.” For me, this was a great read and I’ve already asked when is the next one coming out. See if you can figure out who shattered Dom’s world and who the bad actor is that keeps knocking off potential witnesses as the team seeks to close a murder case. Good luck.

Overall, I was left with a very positive impression. Shadow Resistance is clearly superior to your average novel out there and the fact that it is a debut novel only makes me feel even more optimistic about the author’s potential. Indeed, there is a certain “peculiarity” in B.J. Cyprian’s writing, and I mean that in a good way. Though it’s virtually impossible to speak of a personal style when there is only one novel to examine, I dare to speculate that the author displays a (probably still only subconscious) ownership of authorial voice; in other words, of developing a way of writing that is quite unique. Perhaps it’s the dedication to offering a holistic perspective on the chosen topic, that makes Shadow Resistance come off almost as a cross between fiction and narrative nonfiction. Or maybe it’s the sense of humor pervading the story – though slightly stereotypical, it also reveals crucial components of the human experience, as the dialogues between Dom and SARA indicate. The language deployed is top-class, the descriptions are detailed and patient yet not overwhelming, and the topic is dealt with head-on, without any attempt at amelioration. Indeed, I often see writers attempting to take on a topic, only to end up filtering out unwanted details. In this context, “unwanted” implies unwanted by their audiences. Attempting to please others is an awful way to write a book. Not B.J. Cyprian. The novel is relentlessly critical of social injustice, of all forms. Furthermore, there is a crucial detail in this. Not only is the narrative critical of injustice, but it also portrays a remarkable maturity about causes, factors, distractions, and hypocrisy. An author should not be afraid to disturb, and B.J. Cyprian isn’t. Characteristic is the scene where Ryan, the retired soldier, speaks of US foreign policy. “The US is making it seem like we are needed [in the Middle East] to keep the peace when us being there is making the situation worse”. Self-obvious this though it may be outside the US, it’s not a part of the official narrative inside them. Ryan makes it explicit, in fact, affirming that “[p]eople stateside generally get the press package”. Ultimately, I enjoyed reading Shadow Resistance. Despite its extensive length, I finished it in only two days. This is a testament to its overall readability as well as its suspenseful plot. There are a few rough edges here and there, but for a debut novel you really can’t ask much more than this.