Eleventh Grave in Moonlight: A Novel

The Charley Davidson series is one of my favorite must-read/must-listen to series available. I not only have to read the books as soon as they are released, but I have to listen to the audiobook as well. I honestly hear Lorelei King's voice in my head as I read the book, and don't feel as if my reading experience is complete until I've read and listened to the books. I enjoyed Eleventh Grave in Moonlight. It seemed to start off slower than past books, but once it got going, it was pretty much non-stop action. We get to spend time with Charley, Reyes, and their entire crew. The humor is present as always and the sexy times with Reyes and Charley are as hot as ever. I really liked that while there were a few new issues to come to light, we also got answers for what was going on with Ubie. We also discovered new rules that Charley has to live by as a God, and learned why so many angels were following Charley and Reyes. The case Charley works on is more personal than normal since it deals with the people who kidnapped Reyes. I wasn't sure where we were headed with The Diviners cult, but actually liked the part of the story way more than I anticipated. I usually want the focus to be so much on Charley, Reyes, and crew. I don't always love the PI portion of the story. I think because there was such a connection to Reyes and even BEP with this part of the story, I found myself pulled in so much more. I will say the cliffhanger type ending is not my favorite type of ending. However, it definitely isn't the first time Ms. Jones has done this, so it didn't really shock me when it happened. The ending of Eleventh Grave in Moonlight has me eagerly awaiting The Trouble with Twelfth Grave's release in October. Rating: 4 Stars (B) Review copy provided by publisher

We’ve come to the point in the story that spoiler-free is nearly impossible, while all of the competing and occasionally complimentary threads have crossed,, twisted, knotted and unwound in ways unexpected. Sure, Charley is still learning more about herself, and the struggles between she and Reyes dance between small flare ups into full-blown conflagrations. And when Cookie’s daughter Amber is threatened, and the people who kidnapped the infant Reyes before selling him to the man who would ‘raise’ him in a soup of manipulation, abuse and torture come into focus with yet another ‘son’ looking for answers, the tensions between Charley and Reyes hit an all-time high. Add in a threat to Ubie’s life, and his being marked for hell, and there is plenty to keep everyone busy. There is one god left on the plane, hunting for Beep and doing everything in his power to get access, after removing Reyes’ sister, Kim from the picture in the last book, the threats to her life haven’t diminished. Yet, despite Reyes being furious with Charley, and every man in her life trying to set ultimatums and rules for her to follow, all of which are taken with as much grace as one might expect (none), he’s decided to push her to discover more of her potential and see the world and her human, mortal being as just one grain of sand in the giant desert that is her being. From dematerializing her and taking her into the Sahara, to pushing her off a building, and making her learn how to ‘direct’ her travel, she’s getting in touch with her ‘god’ side, even as she struggles with the understanding. Oh – and arrogant (to say the least) angels are everywhere – she’s feeling very watched and frustrated by the control that the men in her life are trying to exert. Oh Charley is going to discover the true dichotomy of humanity, and just how very different she is in so many ways. But, underneath it all, that good heart and desire to keep things ‘fair’ and see that bad is punished and good survives is there, it’s just becoming far more clear to her that her choices, the information she doesn’t yet know, and the truths she has hidden from herself, as well as an experiment gone horribly wrong, at least for the short term….Let’s just say, our girl has had a ton of life lessons in a short time, and none of them are particularly palatable. Mixing her own palpable desires to do good (or at least mitigate harm) and the bone-deep love that she feels for those in her circle have your heart breaking for the choices, very difficult choices, and options that are left to her. I don’t think that her growth in terms of her powers or abilities have ever reached the level they have in this book, and the sheer number of edge of the seat moments kept me whipping through the pages, needing to make sure everyone came out unscathed, or at least breathing. Yep, it’s starting to feel like we are working to one epic climax, and it’s up to Charley and what she does with her back to the wall and the fate of humanity in her hands. I received an eBook copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

4.5 stars--ELEVENTH GRAVE IN MOONLIGHT is the eleventh installment in Darynda Jones’s contemporary, adult CHARLEY DAVIDSON urban fantasy series focusing on part time PI/ full time Grim Reaper/ omnipotent god Charley Davidson. NOTE: If you have not read the previous installments there may be some spoilers in my review. SOME BACKGROUND: This is the continuing story of Charley’s life as the Grim Reaper, the corporeal spirits who have yet to pass, and the man to whom she has pledged her undying love-the son of Satan-Reyes Farrow. Charley Davidson, and now their daughter, are the key to saving or destroying the world. Told from first person point of view (Charley Davidson) ELEVENTH GRAVE continues to focus on Charley’s growing powers and abilities, ones that have remained dormant throughout most of her human life. 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 the two month old daughter, are destined to either destroy the world, or bring peace to the heavens and earth. Meanwhile, our heroine is desperate to uncover the truth about the people who destroyed her husband’s human life-a life measured by a kidnapping, abuse, torture and death, but what Charley’s discovers is an evil worse than any she could have imagined. A new character is introduced-perhaps another member of Charley’s army as the gang heads towards a final showdown. Reyes and Charley’s relationship continues to have its ups and downs, mostly because our heroine is determined to make right all of the wrongs; to end the ongoing threats against the people she loves; and to avenge her husband for the abuse he has suffered-all at the expense of her own safety and possibly her life. Darynda Jones ongoing use of humor, wit, one-liners, t-shirt slogans, internet memes and hilarious banter draws the reader into a story and series that continues to evolve through a myriad of paths that will eventually intersect wherein we shall see the true meaning of the power of love. The premise is intriguing, intelligent and entertaining; the characters are energetic, inspiring and engaging. ELEVENTH GRAVE IN MOONLIGHT is a fantastic addition to Darynda’s CHARLEY DAVIDSON series-a series that will seduce you into a world from which you never want to return.