The Curse of Tenth Grave: A Novel

Grab your hat, a comfy chair and be prepared: secrets kept and shared, sacrifices, choices and moments of true love are all contained within, along with the humor, the snark and Charley heading off half-cocked and full of misguided assumptions. Yes. Charley and the gang are back in Albuquerque, and those who’ve not seen her for a month are thrilled to see her. Well, if thrilled equates to pushing her to solve a case for a DA who is also compiling a file against her, the constant whispers between Garrett, Osh and Reyes, and not one, but two minivans tailing her. With every day Charley is learning more about her powers, the talisman she got in New York, and the constant worry about Beep and her safety have her wondering – and the three big secrets she’s keeping from Reyes, all of which she’s certain he’ll be more than furious about, have her wondering. When you add in the monumental task of locating and obtaining safe houses for Beep and her new parents, a job left to Reyes’ sister Kim in conjunction with Osh and Reyes, and the sudden realization that Charley and Reyes have accountants (plural), a business manager and bank accounts (also plural) with wealth that most small countries would envy, things are going swimmingly. Until they aren’t. Fortunately with all the action there is also plenty of answers, and a new threat to one Charley loves dearly, a loss of control and a choice made that pits Charley against the Angels as they plan to collect on Reyes’ agreement, and her determination that while she may have been ‘sent’ and ‘manipulated’ into the gig of Reaper, she’s not only so much more that just that -but she’s never been one who colors inside the lines. Yep, while some things are settled, and the moments with Beep – happy, chubby and utterly loved are balm to her very troubled soul, there are battles to come, and answers still yet to present themselves. Perhaps Reyes is right, and that Charley’s powers are infinite and bound only by her ability to exert her will -but he’s been her touchstone, and she won’t let him forget that – even as he won’t forgive himself, or feel worthy. They’ve got some work to do – but with the gang of human, not quite human and supernaturals, along with the sheer determination and a dash of dumb luck – the answers will come in a ride that is engaging, funny and utterly addictive. 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.

Holy Hades!!! Every single one of these books ends in spectacular fashion and I think, it can’t get any more explosive. And I am wrong every single time. This one absolutely blew my mind away! Throughout the whole book we have Charley struggling to figure out what’s gone wrong between her and Reyes. Why he’s locking her out. She spreads her humor, loves her friends and family, is sarcastic and smart and solves cases no one else can. But when things start getting wrapped up in a nice pretty bow, everything we thought we knew is blown to smithereens. There are so many astounding revelations I can’t even wrap my mind around it. Or the fact that this author had the forethought to plan this series out to such vivid and precise detail. And let me also say here for all the times I might not have mentioned it in previous reviews, these books always have at least one scene, one moment where I am fighting back the lump in my throat. This author, in an instant, is able to move me from smiles and intrigue into an emotional mess, sometimes beautiful sometimes devastating but always deeply moving. I’m already grieving the loss of this series as there are three more and yet I’m craving what further astronomical surprises I will find as Charley and Reyes’ story comes to a close.

4.25 stars---THE CURSE OF TENTH GRAVE is the tenth installment in Darynda Jones’s contemporary, adult CHARLEY DAVIDSON urban fantasy series focusing on part time PI/ full time Grim Reaper Charley Davidson. Told from first person point of view (Charley) THE CURSE OF TENTH GRAVE follows PI Charley Davidson as she investigates not one but two cases: a missing woman presumed murdered by her boyfriend, and the case of a young runaway who believes she, and a number of other children, have been cursed at the youth home in which they are staying. Charley is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, PI, Grim Reaper and a god. Our heroine is a woman whose life is made up of supernatural entities, demons, restless ghosts, murder, and a friendship with her assistant that beats all other friendships. Charley is a wife and mother whose infant daughter, said to be the savior of the world, has been hidden in the hopes of keeping the three gods of Uzan at bay. Charley is also a god, whose powers have yet to be completely established, but a god who could very well be living with her immortal enemy. Some backstory and history is revealed about Charley and Reyes’s relationship throughout time. THE CURSE OF TENTH GRAVE has a large ensemble cast of passionate and intense characters including many, if not most, of the significant entities we have met throughout the series. Rocket’s purpose becomes a little more clearer; Strawberry Shortcake reveals some cryptic information; Charley’s dad reveals many secrets he uncovered in H*ll when he passed through; the army guarding Reyes and Charley’s daughter is available with a flick of the wrist; and Ubie’s future looks grim. I am still hoping Darynda has plans to write a series about Donovan and the gang. As per Darynda’s style of writing the story line is packed with humor, snark, sarcasm, funny one liners and plenty of innuendo. Each chapter begins with a meme, t-shirt slogan or bumper sticker line. Reyes and Charley’s relationship is struggling in the face of what the future might hold; there are secrets between the couple that fester and burn. The $ex scenes contain a little more graphic text and sexual language than in previous installments but like most UF story lines, the romance is secondary to the story although it is Reyes and Charley’s relationship that may be triggering the ultimate war between Heaven and H*ll. The slow build to the final show down is gradually unfolding. THE CURSE OF TENTH GRAVE is a revealing story line; a provocative look at two people destined to destroy one another; an addicting series where the next installment cannot come fast enough. The premise is dramatic; the characters are dynamic; the romance is sexy and heartbreaking. Darynda Jones writes an amazing series about a kick-ass heroine who struggles with every day life and the supernatural.