Summoned to Thirteenth Grave: A Novel

Her writing is beyond words! The world of Charley Davidson created by Ms Jones captures more than the imagination...it captures the heart. My head was spinning in breathless circles as Charleys world became almost as real as my own. Layer by layer Ms Jones invites you into a place where love, heart break and magic come together to enchant the mind and elevate the mood. 11 out of 10 stars from me!

I’m in a wonderfully awful place right now. I’ve loved every moment of this series and reaching its conclusion is bittersweet on its own. (I can’t even imagine what this feels like for the author.) So much takes place in this final installment. It still has the wonderful Charley Davidson humor as well as the steam of her relationship with Reyes. But there is so much more this time around. Even as the ending drew nearer, I could feel it in every word written as well as their tone that we were entering a new place that this series hasn’t taken us to before. I found myself absolutely sobbing through all the bad, the good and the in between. I have a love hate relationship with this author for making me fall in love with every single one of these characters, not just Charley and Reyes, and then bringing it all to an end. I’m not reviewing the actual storyline here in any real sense of the word because if you’ve reached this point in the series, then I encourage you not to read anything that’s going to spoiler it for you. And really, no matter the actions these characters take, you’re going to be an emotional mess like myself simply because their story has reached its end. If your checking out reviews to learn if this series is “safe”, then pull up book one as quickly as you can and dig in. You can’t find a better time and any delay will only having you kicking yourself later.

4.5 stars--SUMMONED TO THE THIRTEENTH GRAVE is the thirteenth and final instalment in Darynda Jones’ contemporary, adult CHARLEY DAVIDSON urban fantasy series focusing on part time private investigator, full-time grim reaper, and omnipotent god Charley Davidson. SUMMONED TO THE THIRTEENTH GRAVE should be not read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events of book twelve – THE TROUBLE WITH TWELFTH GRAVE. NOTE: If you have not read the previous instalments there may be some spoilers in my review. SOME BACKGROUND: The Charley Davidson series is the continuing story of Charley Davidson’s life as the Grim Reaper and private investigator; the corporeal spirits who have yet to pass; and the man to whom she has pledged her undying love-the son of Satan-Reyes Alexander Farrow. Charley has recently discovered she and her hunky husband Reyes Farrow aka the Son of Satan, are gods-powerful, omnipotent beings whose futures, along with their infant daughter Elwyn Alexandra (aka Little Beep) are destined to either destroy the world, or bring peace to the heavens and earth. Told from first person point of view (Charley Davidson) SUMMONED TO THE THIRTEENTH GRAVE follows Charley and her husband Reyes as they try to stop the end of the world. At the end of THE TROUBLE WITH TWELFTH GRAVE Charley was sent to one of the ‘Hell dimensions’ for disobeying the Almighty’s directives, after Reyes accidentally opened a portal to Hell allowing Lucifer’s minions access to this world. Upon her return to Earth’s dimension, Charley and Reyes must uncover the source of the illness and demonic possession of a number of people in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as Charley is pursued by a not-so-otherworldly spirit. As Charley’s group of intrepid friends are brought together in preparation to ‘bug out’ of Albuquerque, they begin to establish a timeline, and commence their own investigation into the who, how and why including the appearance of a young boy who may or may not have already departed to the great beyond. What ensues are Charley and Reyes’ attempts to destroy that which cannot be destroyed, and the realization that our leading couple may have to sacrifice themselves to save the people they love. All of the major plotline, secondary and supporting characters from the previous twelve books make an appearance or say goodbye: Cookie and Ubie, Amber and Quentin, Garrett Swopes, Charley’s sister Gemma, former slave demon Osh, Rocket and his sister Blue, gang-banger Angel, Strawberry Shortcake, Mr. Wong, Officer David Taft, FBI Special Agent Kit Carson, Artemis the dog, and three members of the Bandits MC: Donovan, Michael and Eric. I am going to miss these colorful and charismatic friends but the author has plans for a spin-off, and I am hoping for the reappearance of many of the aforementioned characters although some of their stories have come to a close. As per Darynda’s style of writing, the back and forth interaction between characters is energetic and playful. The author’s use of euphemisms, sarcasm and sass are fun are blindingly entertaining and, on their own, are worth the price of admission. SUMMONED TO THE THIRTEENTH GRAVE answers some of Charley’s most heart breaking questions including the circumstances surrounding her mother’s death, and the birth of a god. SUMMONED TO THE THIRTEENTH GRAVE is an exciting but bittersweet conclusion to Charley and Reyes’ story. Most of our questions have been answered but there remain a number of open –ended pathways that continue to meander in different directions: Osh and Beep, Quentin and Amber, and my favorite MC member Donovan and the Bandits. Beep’s army remains behind to protect their charge as Charley and Reyes come to an understanding as to what must be done. SUMMONED TO THE THIRTEENTH GRAVE is a dramatic and entertaining ensemble storyline.