First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, #1) in Buddy Read Zone

Jun 03, 2011 new_user rated it liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Where was the laugh track, Jones? Darynda Jones litters First Grave on the Right with her sometime witty, sometime corny humor.

"You're about as inconspicuous as a monster truck at an exotic car show."

Wince. I don't mind bad analogies in lieu of clichés. At least she didn't say "a sheep among wolves." Jones owns her narrative; the formula doesn't own her. Put that on a plaque. But she really needs some restraint. Jokes continue as she's fleeing a murderer or dying from blood loss until you just Where was the laugh track, Jones? Darynda Jones litters First Grave on the Right with her sometime witty, sometime corny humor.

"You're about as inconspicuous as a monster truck at an exotic car show."

Wince. I don't mind bad analogies in lieu of clichés. At least she didn't say "a sheep among wolves." Jones owns her narrative; the formula doesn't own her. Put that on a plaque. But she really needs some restraint. Jokes continue as she's fleeing a murderer or dying from blood loss until you just want to take her aside and say, "Darynda. Give it a rest."

That killed the mood a little, but I probably wouldn't have rated Grave three stars if the narrative didn't focus so much on heroine Charley's fixation on a boy she met in high school. She pines after her one crummy memory of him threatening her with rape (for a good cause!). I don't get it; I remember high school boys. Years later, this boy grown up is fantasy fodder. He protects her faithfully, he invades her dreams, he wordlessly saves the day and conveniently poofs out of existence again when he isn't needed. Dude doesn't speak until the last chapter- excuse me, second to last chapter. He is just a fantasy. I was embarrassed for him.

Since the "romance" was a focus of Grave, that meant that I was not convinced of one of the novel's key claims. I could see Jones exploiting this and saving the series if Charley decided in the sequel, Second Grave on the Left , that hey, I don't really know this guy, and endured all the trials of a relationship as whatshisface and Charley learned about each other. Or if she realized hey, I actually know this other guy Garrett beside me and he's cool and he's into me too, forget the ghost. Since, however, Charley ends the book madly in love, I doubt it.

Grave also includes a carefully seeded plumbing of Charley's history throughout the novel for those of you who like full immersion, so that we are discovering her -kudos- and a complete murder mystery (despite rumors to the contrary). However, these take a distinct backseat to Charley and her prop- er, fantasy- er, man. It's not a mystery novel.

His poofing in and out is pretty cool though. And his killing with the smoke and the blades. Like something out of Mortal Kombat. (I have Mortal Kombat on the mind.) ...more

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Aug 18, 2011 Duchess Nicole rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2013, library, z-audiobooks, e-pcs, genre-urban-fantasy, romantic-elements

No time to be thorough with my review, so this will be a quickie:

-- I knew I'd love this because I had it recommended to me by no less than five of my reader friends. It's official: they know me well!!

-- Charley is freaking awesome! Despite the fact that she's the grim reaper...it doesn't get much more awesome than that...she's also such a fun person. Her battle with morningtime routine and the whole getting out of bed process was worth reading the whole book

-- Ummm...Reyes?!?! Yes, please! He's ...more

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Jan 25, 2012 Steph rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle-read, favorites-2015-and-before

I read this amazing book in one day, I would have severe separation anxiety if my kindle left my hand for more than a minute. It was incredible.
From the very first page I was laughing and immediately warmed to her character. I can really relate to her hatred of being woken during the night or god forbid before atleast 7am. LOL.
Charley is a wonderful heroine, she is really snarky and exteremly quick whitted. She is also incredibly brave, and let's not forget her hilarious sense of humour and s I read this amazing book in one day, I would have severe separation anxiety if my kindle left my hand for more than a minute. It was incredible.
From the very first page I was laughing and immediately warmed to her character. I can really relate to her hatred of being woken during the night or god forbid before atleast 7am. LOL.
Charley is a wonderful heroine, she is really snarky and exteremly quick whitted. She is also incredibly brave, and let's not forget her hilarious sense of humour and she also happens to be the Grim Reaper. Alongside that job she is a Private Investigator and a consultant for her Uncle Bob and the local police department. Sounds like a shit load of work right? Holy crap is it! I honestly don't know how she functions from day to day. I admire her in so many ways and that's what I loved about her. She is trying to solve the murders of three lawyers who were killed on the same night, trying to get an innocent man who was convicted of murder off of those charges and dealing with a serious case of human trafficking... Christ, I want to sleep for three days just thinking about it all. She is constantly being attacked, beaten, pushed off of rooftops and shot at, but she just get's up brushes it all off and carries on, she's amazing.

Now, besides learning all about Charley there is a fantastic story about a man she has been having wicked hot dreams about. As this book goes on we learn more and more about those dreams and a guy Charley met many years ago who she hasn't been able to forget sinse, Reyes. He was a very dark character who she only met once. But there seems to be a very strong conection between the two men. Could they be the same person? Charley hopes with every bone in her body that her dream guy is in fact Reyes so she sets out to find him. But once she does, things get a lot darker and more sinnister.
There is so much more to this story and some truly brilliant characters that will have you laughing and then five minutes later close to tears.
If you haven't yet read this book go and get it now, you won't regret it. I cannot wait to pick up the second book. ...more

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Jun 23, 2011 Ms. Nikki rated it liked it

Shelves: paranormal-romance, on-kindle-fire-nook-samsung, borrowed, audiobook

I enjoyed the Grim Reaper and all the snark she threw out.
Reyes has the potential to be a love interest.
The ghosties were entertaining. I like it that they help out or are in denial.
I'm not gonna get too excited. This is the 1st read in the series. I'll try the second one before I commit. ...more

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Apr 04, 2012 Jessica rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal-smut-urban-fantasy

WHY did I take so long to jump into this series?! SO GOOD!

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Sep 13, 2012 Stacey rated it liked it

I enjoyed this book. I would have rated it way higher if they gave me more Reyes. Definitely lacked those "Reyes" moments. Kinda left you with a cliffhanger. Keeps you interested in reading the next once cause you will have that itch to read more about Charley and Reyes. Lets hope the next installment fills that void. ...more

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