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amym84's review
3.0
I have loved the Charley Davidson series from the beginning. I have been along on the ride for whatever Darynda Jones decided to throw at our grim reaper and her son of Satan love. So it's with great sadness that while reading Ninth Grave I found myself not entirely on board with the direction Ms. Jones took in this installment.
After the events of [b:Eighth Grave After Dark|22922356|Eighth Grave After Dark (Charley Davidson, #8)|Darynda Jones|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413161725s/22922356.jpg|42490126] the Charley we know wakes up without her memories in Sleepy Hollow. Not knowing what else to do, Janey Doerr, becomes a waitress and bides her time until something triggers her memory. While working she meets and becomes good friends with fellow waitress Cookie and Cookie's husband Robert. She also gets to know some of the regular customers that come in every day, some times multiple times per day.
It's in this way that she meets the mysterious Reyes Farrow. There's just something about the man that Janey can't help but be attracted to, but there's also an air of danger and darkness to him. But with so much missing from her past, can she really take such a risk on her future?
It was kind of strange to read this story about "Janey" all the while knowing it's Charley. The things that are unknown to Janey are already known to Charley (therefore already known to readers) so I guess I didn't understand the redundancy in having us go through things again. Learning to trust Reyes, learning about her powers, etc. We've been through it. Janey only showcased the things that we already know about Charley. I guess in a way you can say by having trouble follow Janey around and have Janey jump headlong into said trouble as Charley would do only proves the point that this is what Charley is supposed to be doing. That these things; helping people, solving mysteries, seeing the departed; makes up the sum of Charley no matter who she is or what life she inhabits. This would have been her life no matter what.
As always, I loved the chemistry between Charley and Reyes. I don't think that's something that can ever be off in these books. There were also some pretty sweet moments between Janey and Reyes as he insinuates himself in her life without outright saying who he is and what he means to her. We get a lovely glimpse of some real feelings. These moments are usually small and in passing, but I loved them all the more. The small moments are probably the best thing about this book for me. Not only is Reyes in Sleepy Hollow letting Charley work to getting back to herself, but everyone who cares about Charley that can be is there too: Garrett, Osh, Cookie, Uncle Robert, even Charley's father's spirit, plus others. Seeing the devotion these people have to their friend was wonderful.
I was very interested in the direction it appears the series is headed in the next book. However, as one of my fellow reviewers pointed out in the Vampire Book Club Review it doesn't really make sense until close to the end and by that time I'm wondering what the point was for the rest of the book. Because honestly, this book is full almost to the point of bursting with Janey getting into one scrape or another trying to help someone out or whatever. There were so many side storylines that they couldn't all be done justice and therefore they all came out a little on the weak side.
I don't want there to be any mistaking though, I thought this was an OK read. Not the best in the series, but nothing that will keep me from reading and enjoying future installments. I appreciate what Darynda Jones tried to do here, for me, it just didn't work out.
After the events of [b:Eighth Grave After Dark|22922356|Eighth Grave After Dark (Charley Davidson, #8)|Darynda Jones|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413161725s/22922356.jpg|42490126] the Charley we know wakes up without her memories in Sleepy Hollow. Not knowing what else to do, Janey Doerr, becomes a waitress and bides her time until something triggers her memory. While working she meets and becomes good friends with fellow waitress Cookie and Cookie's husband Robert. She also gets to know some of the regular customers that come in every day, some times multiple times per day.
It's in this way that she meets the mysterious Reyes Farrow. There's just something about the man that Janey can't help but be attracted to, but there's also an air of danger and darkness to him. But with so much missing from her past, can she really take such a risk on her future?
It was kind of strange to read this story about "Janey" all the while knowing it's Charley. The things that are unknown to Janey are already known to Charley (therefore already known to readers) so I guess I didn't understand the redundancy in having us go through things again. Learning to trust Reyes, learning about her powers, etc. We've been through it. Janey only showcased the things that we already know about Charley. I guess in a way you can say by having trouble follow Janey around and have Janey jump headlong into said trouble as Charley would do only proves the point that this is what Charley is supposed to be doing. That these things; helping people, solving mysteries, seeing the departed; makes up the sum of Charley no matter who she is or what life she inhabits. This would have been her life no matter what.
As always, I loved the chemistry between Charley and Reyes. I don't think that's something that can ever be off in these books. There were also some pretty sweet moments between Janey and Reyes as he insinuates himself in her life without outright saying who he is and what he means to her. We get a lovely glimpse of some real feelings. These moments are usually small and in passing, but I loved them all the more. The small moments are probably the best thing about this book for me. Not only is Reyes in Sleepy Hollow letting Charley work to getting back to herself, but everyone who cares about Charley that can be is there too: Garrett, Osh, Cookie, Uncle Robert, even Charley's father's spirit, plus others. Seeing the devotion these people have to their friend was wonderful.
I was very interested in the direction it appears the series is headed in the next book. However, as one of my fellow reviewers pointed out in the Vampire Book Club Review it doesn't really make sense until close to the end and by that time I'm wondering what the point was for the rest of the book. Because honestly, this book is full almost to the point of bursting with Janey getting into one scrape or another trying to help someone out or whatever. There were so many side storylines that they couldn't all be done justice and therefore they all came out a little on the weak side.
I don't want there to be any mistaking though, I thought this was an OK read. Not the best in the series, but nothing that will keep me from reading and enjoying future installments. I appreciate what Darynda Jones tried to do here, for me, it just didn't work out.
beastreader's review
3.0
It has been a long overdue while since I have read a book in this series. I can remember reading the first book and instantly falling in love with Charley. I thought this series was refreshing and I could not wait to read the next book in this series. A female reaper with an snarky attitude to boot...yes please.
Having not read several of the past books in this series, this book was fine but probably not the best showing of what makes this series so great. However I still enjoyed reading this book and revisiting with all of the characters like Cookie and the sexy, Reyes. Also, there was still humor and snarkiness to be found in this book. If anything reading this book has made me anxious to go back and read the other past books that I have missed.
Having not read several of the past books in this series, this book was fine but probably not the best showing of what makes this series so great. However I still enjoyed reading this book and revisiting with all of the characters like Cookie and the sexy, Reyes. Also, there was still humor and snarkiness to be found in this book. If anything reading this book has made me anxious to go back and read the other past books that I have missed.
divapitbull's review against another edition
4.0
3 1/2 stars
The Dirt on Ninth Grave picks up where Eighth Grave After Dark left off. After an epic confrontation with Lucifer, Osh was forced to tell Charley her celestial name - which caused her to come into her powers before her corporeal form expired. Add to that Charley having to hand Beep over into the safe keeping of the Loehrs since her light is now shining so brightly that she’s basically a beacon leading Satan’s minions straight towards her daughter – and Charley has the mother or all psychotic break meltdowns. Next thing you know she’s somehow “mojo-ed herself to Sleepy Hollow, New York; sans memories and identity.
For 95% of DoNG Charley is amnesiac Janey Doerr working as a waitress at the Firelight Grill. Unbeknownst to her, her friends and loved ones pinpointed her location within an hour of her disappearance – but in deference to her delicate mental state decide it’s best to keep an eye on her while revealing her past to her slowly so as not to do more damage.
I must have a love/hate relationship with Charley because I enjoy her books for the most part – but I always find something to complain about. In DoNG – I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and watching Charley try to put the pieces together and figure things out. I enjoyed her interactions with Reyes and even felt some of the chemistry I’ve always complained about not feeling between them. (Although I did get annoyed with Charley waxing ecstatic about Reyes’s physique. The man is attractive. Got it. ‘nough said). But a lot of (most of) DoNG felt like “filler”. Not very much at all happened to advance the main storyline – although we did get a few tidbits at the very end. Other than that it was lots of mysteries of the week: the Vandenbergs – who somehow got mixed up with a Russian Arms dealer and Al Qaeda in a story so convoluted I still don’t really know what the fuck was going on; the ghostly baby killer, the headless horseman and Ian the psycho cop. And of course the lives and loves of the Firelight Grill crew.
DoNG felt like spending time with old friends - it was pleasant and comfortable. But I'd really like to get on with things!
.
The Dirt on Ninth Grave picks up where Eighth Grave After Dark left off. After an epic confrontation with Lucifer, Osh was forced to tell Charley her celestial name - which caused her to come into her powers before her corporeal form expired. Add to that Charley having to hand Beep over into the safe keeping of the Loehrs since her light is now shining so brightly that she’s basically a beacon leading Satan’s minions straight towards her daughter – and Charley has the mother or all psychotic break meltdowns. Next thing you know she’s somehow “mojo-ed herself to Sleepy Hollow, New York; sans memories and identity.
For 95% of DoNG Charley is amnesiac Janey Doerr working as a waitress at the Firelight Grill. Unbeknownst to her, her friends and loved ones pinpointed her location within an hour of her disappearance – but in deference to her delicate mental state decide it’s best to keep an eye on her while revealing her past to her slowly so as not to do more damage.
I must have a love/hate relationship with Charley because I enjoy her books for the most part – but I always find something to complain about. In DoNG – I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and watching Charley try to put the pieces together and figure things out. I enjoyed her interactions with Reyes and even felt some of the chemistry I’ve always complained about not feeling between them. (Although I did get annoyed with Charley waxing ecstatic about Reyes’s physique. The man is attractive. Got it. ‘nough said). But a lot of (most of) DoNG felt like “filler”. Not very much at all happened to advance the main storyline – although we did get a few tidbits at the very end. Other than that it was lots of mysteries of the week: the Vandenbergs – who somehow got mixed up with a Russian Arms dealer and Al Qaeda in a story so convoluted I still don’t really know what the fuck was going on; the ghostly baby killer, the headless horseman and Ian the psycho cop. And of course the lives and loves of the Firelight Grill crew.
DoNG felt like spending time with old friends - it was pleasant and comfortable. But I'd really like to get on with things!
.
gretaswags's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cellassis's review against another edition
5.0
Un tome super agréable, très léger et fun. On est assez clairement sur un tome filler, de transition, qui annonce du lourd mais reste plus axé sur la comédie et la romance. Certains ont pu ne pas aimer, mais je lirais n'importe quoi par Darynda Jones, donc je suis plus que satisfaite !
mlcreads's review against another edition
2.0
I don't think this book is the best in the series. I found it very hard to get into. The last 100 pages or so are probably the best. But it is a continuing series and I guess it sets up the coming storylines.
paperbacksandpines's review
4.0
This series keeps getting better and better. No recycled plot lines here! Every time you think there couldn't possibly be any more scrapes Charley gets into but novel ones keep coming. I love this laugh out loud series.
bmg20's review
3.0
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
*BOOKS 1-8 TO BE DISCUSSED. DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED*
Picking up where Eighth Grave After Dark leaves off, Charley has finally given birth to Beep, has already had to part with her, and has learned her true name. As feared, learning her true name causes Charley to lose control of her powers and she loses her memory completely and ends up in an alley in Sleepy Hollow, New York with no idea who she is. Now responding to the name of Jane, Jane Doe, she works as a waitress at a local diner. Fortunately though she’s not alone, as she has a new best friend named Cookie and a raging attraction to the new cook named Reyes.
Well, I guess it was probable that I’d find a Charley Davidson story to be sort of ‘meh’ no matter how much I adore this series. After that brutal cliffhanger from Eighth Grave After Dark, I was dying to get my hands on this next installment. At first, I relished the change of pace and getting reacquainted in a new way to the characters we’ve already grown to know and love. We also got to see Charley, or Jane rather, fall in love again with Reyes with a new set of eyes seeing him for truly what he is. I loved that even though Jane has no idea about who or what she is, she still found herself embroiled in the mysteries of the town, often failing to think of her own safety out of the desire to protect the innocents.
I enjoyed those aspects of the story, but when it all boils down, there wasn’t nearly enough advancement of the fundamental storyline. I find the mythology and the foretold battle all extremely fascinating and previous installments have really been amping up the intensity. The Dirt on Ninth Grave was a vast change of pace and while I liked it at first, I wasn’t anticipating that it would last the entirety of the book. As I feared, the change of pace finally switched back to what I’ve come to expect in the final 30 pages or so. Honestly though, the turmoil that takes place and the shocking revelations made it all worthwhile in the end. Darynda Jones once again left me thrilled with anticipation for the next book where the stakes have never been higher.
I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
*BOOKS 1-8 TO BE DISCUSSED. DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED*
Picking up where Eighth Grave After Dark leaves off, Charley has finally given birth to Beep, has already had to part with her, and has learned her true name. As feared, learning her true name causes Charley to lose control of her powers and she loses her memory completely and ends up in an alley in Sleepy Hollow, New York with no idea who she is. Now responding to the name of Jane, Jane Doe, she works as a waitress at a local diner. Fortunately though she’s not alone, as she has a new best friend named Cookie and a raging attraction to the new cook named Reyes.
Well, I guess it was probable that I’d find a Charley Davidson story to be sort of ‘meh’ no matter how much I adore this series. After that brutal cliffhanger from Eighth Grave After Dark, I was dying to get my hands on this next installment. At first, I relished the change of pace and getting reacquainted in a new way to the characters we’ve already grown to know and love. We also got to see Charley, or Jane rather, fall in love again with Reyes with a new set of eyes seeing him for truly what he is. I loved that even though Jane has no idea about who or what she is, she still found herself embroiled in the mysteries of the town, often failing to think of her own safety out of the desire to protect the innocents.
I enjoyed those aspects of the story, but when it all boils down, there wasn’t nearly enough advancement of the fundamental storyline. I find the mythology and the foretold battle all extremely fascinating and previous installments have really been amping up the intensity. The Dirt on Ninth Grave was a vast change of pace and while I liked it at first, I wasn’t anticipating that it would last the entirety of the book. As I feared, the change of pace finally switched back to what I’ve come to expect in the final 30 pages or so. Honestly though, the turmoil that takes place and the shocking revelations made it all worthwhile in the end. Darynda Jones once again left me thrilled with anticipation for the next book where the stakes have never been higher.
I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.