Four and a half stars: A fitting ending to a favorite series.

Charley is in exile for eternity. It has been a hundred years since she saw the faces of those she loved, and she is certain that her friends are likely deceased. Then a miracle happens, Charley finds herself back on earth in with Reyes. Only a short amount of time has passed, but in that time a hell dimension opened up in New Mexico and it is up to Charley and Reyes to fix it before it destroys the world. In order to do that, Charley must solve a few mysteries such as what happened to her mother? Will Charley be able to save the world and her friends?
What I Liked:
*After thirteen books in the Charley Davidson Series, I probably have run out of things to say about this delightful series, so I am going to keep this review brief. This is the final book in this series and it was wonderful. I loved all the surprises, catching up with all the characters and learning some earth shattering information. This one didn’t disappoint. Once again, if you haven’t read this series, what is wrong with you?
*I was flabbergasted at the startling secrets that came forth in this one. There were some totally jaw dropping moments regarding many of the characters. I gasped in surprise a time or two. Darynda really threw out some punches with this one, and I loved all the surprises. I wouldn’t have guessed some of them in a million years!
*I adore the characters in this series. I have loved watching them grow and evolve. This book revisited all of the favorites, and many of them revealed some new information. I couldn’t get enough of the gang. I am going to miss these characters.
*This one has lots of action, romance, danger and all that you love in a Charley book. You won’t be bored.
*The ending was interesting to say the last. I wish I could say more, but I won’t. Most of the questions are answered, it stops in a good spot, but it left me eager for the spin off series. I really hated to say goodbye!
And The Not So Much:
*I am not going to lie, I felt this one got a little scattered and messy. There was so much going on and so many revelations that it didn’t read neatly.
*The secondary mystery featuring a ghost boy looking to reunite with his mother and sister felt thrown in there. Then when that story line culminates it isn’t finished off, I was left wondering about why the boy and his mother ended up where they did. This part of the story missed the mark.
*There has been all this buildup over the last few books about Beep saving the world and an impending war. That is left unfinished to be continued in the next series, which is a disappointment considering all the time invested in that story line, still I have something to look forward to.

Summoned To Thirteenth Grave is a fitting end to a fantastic series. I loved the journey, the characters, the story and all the laughs. Big props to Darynda Jones for creating such enjoyable characters. Even though I am remiss to say goodbye, I am eager to see what happens in the next series. If you are looking for an entertaining UF series, this is one to read!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

As much as I hate to see the end of this series I have loved every twist and turn along the journey. Charley has always been a wonderful character to read and kept me drawn in through the whole book. The author does a wonderful job of sharing all the ups and downs that a journey with Charley can tend to be. As someone who has read the series from the first book to this last one I have loved the whole series. I will be encouraging my bookworm friends to give this series by Darynda Jones a shot.

Note: I received a free advanced copy of Summoned to Thirteenth Grave from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I actually managed to read my advanced copy of Summoned to Thirteenth Grave before the publication date but I am just now getting around to my review, nearly a month later. I seem to have a problem with timeliness when it comes to NetGalley and I apologize. Thanks for continuing to accept my request though!

I read the first book in the Charley Davidson series back in 2012 and I fell in love with the concept of the series even though it wasn't quite what I was used to reading. Sure, I'd read paranormal books before that and I'm not a prude when it comes to sexy scenes but I'd never really read anything quite like this series with the smooth talking Grim Reaper Charley and the entity she currently knows as Reyes Farrow. From that moment on the books were on my radar and I made sure to check them out from the library as soon as they were available. So when I saw that the last book was about to come back I needed it right away and NetGalley promptly accepted my request to read it. I managed to finish it the day before it was published.

Summoned to Thirteenth Grave was full of the wit and humor and sexiness that I have come to expect from the series. But it was also a little bit more sad and heartfelt than the rest of the series which I suppose makes sense because we've reached the end of our story. I loved how all of Charley's friends made appearances, at least via phone conversations, and that their distinctive personalities were all exactly how they should have been.

And most of the loose ends are tied up and there's a feeling of finality once you get to the last page. But at the same time, you can just tell that the whole story isn't complete. Charley and Reyes story might be, but Beep's story definitely is not.

Overall I really liked Summoned to Thirteenth Grave.

Well I haven’t read the twelve proceeding books but you can figure out what’s going on without too much difficulty. When Charlie (Charlotte) appears in the Sahara desert she is confused because she was sent to a hellish realm for restoring a life after they had passed. She swore it was 100 years not the 10 her husband Reyes claimed it to be, after he greets her he explains that Shade demons are taking over humans because we left a portal door open. As the demons spread Charlie, Reyes and their mismatched teams of friends put all that they have into saving the humans and protecting her infant daughter. This book has witches, demons, angels and the dark and white light who have the same characteristics as the humans they are trying to save. If you want a paranormal battle this story is perfect.

Darynda has done it again and effortlessly may I add! I seriously just want to go to lunch with Charley because I know it would be the best day ever. The author is able to make the reader fall in love every page of snark, action and mayhem!

Summoned to Thirteenth Grave has left me with all the feels. All of them. Because I can't exactly put all this emotional turmoil into words, I'm mostly using memes and gifs. These in particular summed up how I felt a not small portion of my morning.

*NOTE* Because the memes and gifs won't transfer here, I'm just including a link so you can see what I had to say in all my meme and gif glory. Thank you for giving me access to this book. It. Was. Amazing!!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2683165500?type=review#rating_201096011

Its sad to say that this one out of the entire series did I dislike the most. I listened to this book on audio, and the way how the story progressed to get to the end was somewhat boring. I was waiting for this huge penultimate battle scene, that was lack luster and I kept waiting for some people to show up. The ending left us hanging. I will continue to read some of Darynda's other works, but book 13th was a major downer for me.

Darynda Jones tied everything together in a neat, supernatural and shimmery bow with her end to this hilarious series.

One of the signs of a really good writer is her ability to connect with her readers. There was a moment in this book that felt so real to me that I could feel it in my body. Darynda's ability to imagine the otherworldly events and whip them into her stories is a gift.

I'll definitely miss Charlie's antics. But it looks like Beep's army will be marching into our hearts in the future. So, we have that to look forward to.

WOW!! What a finale for this series! I'm still going through a ton of emotions after finishing this book and I keep thinking... how do I write a review for the series finale? Well, I'll try!! I love the fact that the series ends on book 13... very fitting for Charley & Reyes. These characters have gone through so much during this series and it makes me sad and happy at the same time to see how the author 'ends things' for them.

The relationships that Charley builds with ALL of the different characters is what keeps the story moving ahead and really makes me want to keep reading! I can't get enough of her sense of humor (that in one moment she realizes she gets from her Mom...which, of course, made me cry). Charley is a spitfire with a heart of gold that she wears on her sleeves.

I really don't want to give away the plot of the story, I just want to say that as you read this... oh the feels you will feel!! I found myself crying, laughing out loud, screaming, elated, sad, shocked, and overall satisfied with the ending of the series. I also find myself wanting to read the entire series over again just to experience all of these amazing feelings again. I love knowing that Charley and Reyes are exactly where they should be at this time in their journey. (I truly hope that there will be a spin off series in the future and we may get a glimpse of the characters we all have grown to love!)

Finishing Summoned to Thirteenth Grave leaves me feeling a little bit emotional.

I flew through it so fast, not just this book but the entire series. It’s been years and years, so many years, since I read a series obsessively like this one. I forgot how cathartic it could be to just lose yourself into a world so completely. Maybe Charley Davidson won’t be my favorite Urban Fantasy ever, but for being that escape I’ve needed the last 2 months it will always be special to me.

Summoned to Thirteenth Grave ended up being the ending I was looking for. Over the course of the series I felt like there was no way everything, this extremely intricate plot that only seemed to grow, was going to be neatly wrapped up in the thirteenth installment. Yet, I was also concerned that in an effort to keep the story going, the story would take a turn for the worse. I needed a good ending, one that left room for more.

Thankfully I feel good about the future of this world.

Summoned to Thirteenth Grave was only the first act.
Now I’m just waiting for Darynda to admit it!

Charley has been my book bff since I first picked up book one of this series. She and I have been through a lot together. I can’t believe this is the end. The ending is always bittersweet when it’s something THIS GOOD. I will miss my book bff, but have hopes for a spin off series.

I knew this was to be the last book in the grave series, but I wasn't sure what to expect. It was darker in its appocolyptic events, but Charlie kept her flaky sense of humor to the end. The resolution gives Darynda Jones the option of writing a spin-off series later on. I'll miss the chapter headings and Charlie's quirky views on life.

This book is awesome of course!! I did not expect less! This is my favorite series! I am also Thankful you guys gave us all the books free to download. I was missing a few on digital due to the fact I own some physical copies. I am now excited to have my favorite series in digital!

Final books are so tough, especially when they’re part of a much beloved and long-running series, like the Charley Davidson series. From the first book to the last, Darynda has provided laughs, romance, unbreakable friendships with characters, both living and dead, that you can’t help but love. And while one door closes, another stands wide the heck open and I have a feeling that this isn’t goodbye for many of the characters. Or at least I hope it isn’t.

In this installment, Charley finally makes her way back to the mortal world after being sent to a hell dimension, courtesy of Gee Oh Dee. Time works quite differently in both the heavenly and hellish realms, and while Charley is aware of the exact number of years, days, minutes and seconds that have passed, she has no clue what that translates to in the mortal realm. Lucky for her, it’s not an exorbitant amount of time. Unluckily, demons and hell on earth wait for no one and before she knows it, she’s back solving cases and trying to get to the heart of a plague that has demonic ties.

Summoned to Thirteenth Grave was really a story of goodbye, and that was certainly a focal point throughout this book. Every single character of note was present in this book and while some appearances were as simple as a few words exchanged, others were told of their destiny in the battle between Satan and the Sentry. Because yes, that battle is still on the horizon, and yes, Beep is still at the center of it all. Along with everyone’s favorite Daeva, of course, and a few new and surprising additions to the Sentry.

There were plenty of surprises and twists thrown into this final book, almost like Darynda was holding out on us and saving the best for last. Not only that, but Charley has finally learned the history of her mother’s death — the history that everyone around her kept under a layer of secrecy, only divulging the basics. This was such an emotional book, not simply because it’s the final installment, but also because there’s loss, past and present, and every seemingly small thread tied to those losses were explored and given a bit of closure. Jones has never been afraid to put her characters (and readers!) through the emotional wringer, but she definitely outdid herself with this one.

I’ve heard word of a spin-off, and I’m certainly hoping that comes to fruition in the future. This story can’t be finished, and I’m not just saying that because I can’t let go. The biggest battle hasn’t yet happened, the prophecies haven’t yet been realized, and there are so many current characters who have been given a place in the Sentry, thanks to Charley’s ability to see parts of the future. So while Reyes’ and Charley’s arc may have come to a close, I have hope that it isn’t truly the end. Just a break while Beep grows up.

Bottom line — phenomenal series ender, with plenty of room left to revisit the world and (some) of the characters. Many series questions have found a conclusion, while many others have not, and I’m hopeful that a spinoff happens sooner rather than later. Highly recommend the entire series, and I’ll certainly be rereading the series in the future.

*eARC received via NetGalley.

An excellent conclusion to such a wonderful series. Our interview with Darynda about it is live on our website.

This is an interesting series ending... for now.

Charley expected to be exiled alone on an isolated plane for an eternity. She is surprised, and thrilled, when she finds herself returned to the earthly plane after only a hundred years. She is sad to think that 100 years has passed on earth. She would have missed her child, Beep, growing up but she is hoping that her darling girl brought peace to earth. But time doesn’t work quite like that.

Charley’s return to earth is only 10 days after she left b that shut she discovers that she and her half demon husband, Reyes, have opened a portal that has allowed shadow demons into earth. Their home community in New Mexico is being attacked from within and Charley and Reyes have only three days to save the planet. To accomplish that Charley must uncover a mystery connected to her own mother.

Meanwhile a five-year-old boy spirit has sought out Charley and she and her stellar staff are trying to locate his mother who was kidnapped years before. Charley’s assistant Cookie, her daughter Amber and Amber’s boyfriend, Quentin, all take part in the search. They get extra help from Garret, Osh, Artemis and Charley’s biker friends. Meanwhile, there are twists and surprises – one involving Uncle Bob and another involving Rocket.

If you haven’t read this series- you will want to go start at the beginning not at this final installment. There are plenty of fun chapter openings with snarky memes and quotes. As usual Darynda Jones includes a PI (private investigation) case for Charley to solve while facing a life challenge. I enjoyed that so many of the series characters were included in this ending story and I liked the good twist for several of the characters. I admire how Jones creates a depth of romantic love between Charley and Reyes but I felt she overdid the extra sex scenes during the madness of three days to save the world. I also didn’t appreciate the foul language; some deliberately crude in my opinion.

I imagine many fans of the series will be happy with this interim conclusion. I say interim as I am fairly sure there will be a future story(ies) for Beep and her army. I do recommend this to fans of detective, paranormal fantasy who like snarky humor and don’t mind a bit of crudeness and sex.

Source: 2018 NetGalley.

Summoned to Thirteenth Grave is the conclusion to the Charlie Davidson series...or is it? You'll have to wait and see. This is NOT a stand-alone book--it won't make very much sense if you don't read the rest of the series. I highly recommend you do just that! As for this book as an individual part of the series, it wasn't the best, but last books usually aren't. That does not mean I did not enjoy it! I especially liked that even though Charlie had some adjustments to make after being gone so long, and even though she had to save the world, she still managed to fit in a mystery to solve. I hate to say goodbye to these characters I've loved for so long, but it seems to have ended in the best way possible to save Beep and everyone. My opinion, as this is a review, is for you to go and read the whole series from beginning to end. Don't stop until you are done with this one!! I love the whole series and thank Daryna Jones for bringing it to life for me!

Charley has been exiled from the earthly plain for eternity. But, somehow she is back after a mere 100 years. And Reyes is waiting for her. Sexy times commence.

A hell dimension has opened up in their home city. There is something infecting people and driving them mad. And there are still a couple of more storylines causing Charley to multitask to get everything done that she wants to be accomplished before the possible end of the world as we know it.

So, is it a wrap? Kinda. It seems like this wraps up Charley and Reyes story. Lots of things come to logical conclusions. Some things are still a surprise. Lots of sarcasm and sexiness as we've come to expect. And the fate of at least 2 characters is up in the air. Which leads us to the question so often asked... Will Beep's story be told? And on her blog, Darynda Jones confirms that at some point in the future it will be. When is up in the air, but it will be told. We have that to look forward to.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars for being a pretty satisfying conclusion to the series. There were a few parts that seemed a little rushed or contrived, but overall, it is good and satisfying. All the things we've grown to love about the series are present. I would recommend the series to fans of urban fantasy with paranormal aspects and a little romance and sex going on. This is not a standalone novel and should not be read as one.

Summoned to Thirteenth Grave by Darynda Jones was released January 15th, 2019 by St. Martin's Press.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
I can’t quite believe this is the end. I think the series is ready to end but I’m not sure I’m ready to say goodbye. As a final story, this is one of the most exciting in the series. The farewells in this book made me cry but a few of the twists really didn’t sit well with me. I like the slightly ambiguous ending – though it might have been a bit more clear if I hadn’t blubbered through the last twenty pages.

Charley and Reyes finally feel like grownups in this book and they finally feel like a solid partnership. And there’s even a couple of scenes where they actually feel like parents. It probably shouldn’t have taken thirteen books to get to this point, but they are good together here. The goodbyes to the rest of the characters are a little bit easier because of all the prophecies about Beep and her army. I may have cried with each goodbye but I’m still holding out for Beep’s spinoff series.

The supernatural elements of this series have been getting stranger and stranger with each book. This time, I feel like things are a bit simpler. Charley and Reyes have to stop the demons who are taking over their city. Demons that Reyes created and Charley let loose when she freed Reyes from the god glass. There are still a few too many WTF moments that I refuse to analyse too closely, but this is a more streamlined story than the last few books.

There are a few elements of this story that still don’t sit well with me. But after binge reading the series over a couple of months, I will admit that I’m probably way too invested in this series and these characters. Charley’s banishment is a complete disappointment. It feels like a repeat of Reyes’ God Glass excursion in the previous book and aside from providing Charley with material for new jokes, it doesn’t add much to the series storyline. Just as disappointing are the revelations about Uncle Bob in this story. We learn things about him in this book that contradict everything we’ve know about him from the start of the series.

So, I have a few reservations about this final book but I still found it difficult to say goodbye to Charley and her allies. This feels more coherent and more carefully constructed than some of the most recent books in the series. I’ve enjoyed these characters and after thirteen books I’m still enjoying the author’s fresh take on Urban Fantasy writing. I can’t wait to read what Darynda Jones writes next.


Dawn – ☆☆☆☆☆
I'm super sad that this is the last book in the series. I have grown to love the gang and Charley’s wisecracking ways. I will truly miss them.

I think Summoned to the Thirteenth Grave has finished the series perfectly.

Of course in the series there is always a secret or two that needs revealed, and since Charley is a multitasker, she deals with all this while trying to save the world.

For me, I felt this book was an emotional rollercoaster, maybe because I was preparing myself to say goodbye to a bunch of characters I truly love.

I just loved this book, just as much as I have loved the rest of the series.


Shelby – ☆☆☆☆☆
It's always bittersweet to reach the end of a beloved series, it's difficult to say goodbye to characters that you've come to love. As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end! Book #13 (fitting!) in the Charley Davidson series was the perfect conclusion to an imperfect series.

While many questions were answered and surprises revealed, there were also little things that weren't fully resolved. I can only hope for a spin-off, as I need to see what happens with Beep in the future.

I found myself very emotional throughout the book: laughing at the interactions, crying at times, floored at others, nervous about the outcome, and truly upset this is over.

I don't want to say goodbye to everyone, but it's time for the story to end. I was satisfied with the ending, but always want more!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the thirteenth and (sob sob) final book in the series. I have read them all over the last couple of months and have no doubt that they will join my series-to-be-reread list, because sometimes rereading after knowing the ending can make subtle points clearer... not that Charley is renowned for subtle, to be fair!

I cannot spoil the story, so really just want to reassure the ardent fan that this most definitely needs reading, and the newcomer should scoot straight off and start at the beginning, or be endlessly confused (and miss out!). It was great to see how each character had developed and become someone of importance to the team and to us – and yes, there are a few punches still to be pulled, so be ready! There are both earthly and supernatural events for Charley and Co. to engage with, and her humour is somewhat tested as she has to stop some even more bad things from happening.

I kind of hope that there are spin-offs from this series, as I have hugely enjoyed the crazy – and all the chapter sayings – but at the same time, I will be happy with Darynda Jones bringing a whole new world to light.

This is a sad day.. the day the Darynda Jones closes the book on Charley Davidson's story. This book was amazing! I had to pick my jaw off the floor to many times to count. It was a wild ride with all the usual suspects, these characters feel like family. I love them all. Charley returns to earth after she has been exiled to another dimension, she was gone for 100 yrs. What will everything be like back on earth? Will Reyes still be there waiting on her? All I can say is this was a great series and thank you Mrs. Jones for the WILD EMOTIONAL RIDE!