Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Addicts discussion

Hey there! Here is where we'll be discussing our March Book of the Month, First Grave on the Right. We invite you to rate, review, dish, and post spoilers (as long as you use the spoiler HTML code)

Note: To post a spoiler, simply add the below HTML code WITHOUT the stars before and after the portion of your post that includes the spoiler.

ex: <*spoiler> Your text here <*/spoiler>
just be sure to remove the stars

Let's get started!

Oooh this is one of my all time favorite series! I wish I could read it for the first time again :D

Pretty good series looking forward to hearing everyone's opinions

Loved this book. I wasn't so sure when I first picked it up but I'm so very glad I did.
It was (and the series continues to be) very refreshing compared to the usual books in this genre. Each book is very unique and I love the interesting characters. Charley is hilarious and less than perfect. It continues to surprise me unlike some of the other books I've read where I find it's not difficult to work out how I
it will end.
How Darynda Jones Keeps up the good work. I look forward to other series' she may write too. :-)

I haven't read this one yet but I have it. When is this supposed to start?

This is a good series.

I read this a few months ago. I was initially wary because the cover is kind of cheesy, but I wound up liking it.

I found second grave on the left at the dollar store a few weeks back and really liked it. This gives me a good reason to go find the others in the series now!

I listened to the audiobook version of this around Christmastime and I really enjoyed it! I only used to listen to audiobooks in my car, but this made me want to drive around all day to listen!
(Since this book I've started listening to them in more than just the car)
Like Maria, I was wary of the amount of cheese, but I ended up really enjoying it! I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on the second in the series.

Malinda wrote: "I haven't read this one yet but I have it. When is this supposed to start?"

ASAP!
This is the book of the month for March, so if you have not yet read it, now is the time.

I can read this one next. I'm in the middle of another series but I could probably leave it to read this one. I'll probably start it tomorrow night. Is anyone else reading it right now?

Actually I just started this one. I work nights so I'll probably get part way through and finish it tonight at work.

So far it's pretty good. I like Charley but am only 10% in so far.

I'm listening to the audio so an exact % is hard to tell but I think I'm around 40%. Charley just met Rocket and asked him about Reyes. I'm really confused by what he is but it's interesting. I'm off to bed now. :-)

Ok, I finished the book. It was really good. I liked Charley, she's sort of sarcastic and humorous. I wasn't sure what to think of Reyes...I'm looking forward to seeing what happens betwene him and Charley in the future.

The one thing I don't get about the book is why Charley's dad let her stepmother treat her like that. He sounds kind of protective of Charley overall but yet he didn't seem to do anything to protect her from the woman he forced in her life. In general it seemed like she had more issues brought on her by her family than outsiders....

Just got this one, looking forward to starting it soon...should finish a couple of others first...

I actually liked it enough I'm going to continue with the series. I'll look forward to seeing what others thought of it. :D

Any ideas on how to pronounce Reyes? It interrupts the flow for me,trying to work out a pronunciation. About 10% in.. thanks.

In the audio book it's pronounced Ray-es

Thanks Malinda. That helps a lot.

I finished and am left with questions. In the end probably 3.5 *. Too much new info in the last few chapters. I guess that is to keep you reading the next book.

Hi there, I'm a bit late to the party. Just downloaded the book - the summary looks great!

Hi there, I'm a bit late to the party. Just downloaded the book - the summary looks great!

Question to you all who've read the book: my daughter would like to read it as well. Is it suitable for a 13-year-old? Thanks!

I don't have any kids, but I think some parts might be a lttle mature for a 13-year-old. I think some parts might be a little too sexual. In fact, if I remember correctly, the very first chapter opens up with a very sexual scene.

Yikes, thanks :) Might have to password-protect that one

Ella J. I agree definitely not for a 13 year old.

It depends if shes mature Im 16 and I read it at 14 Ive been reading adult since 12 so it all depends on level of maturity

Rachel - very true, I should have said not for a young and impressionable 13 year old

No its alright trust me at my high school to over half of them I would be like nope, if they even picked up a book that is, its just it really depends on how mature they are

Thanks guys, started to read it now, loving it! Thank god its Sunday, so will run a bath later and settle down for a good read :)

Ella J. wrote: "Thanks guys, started to read it now, loving it! Thank god its Sunday, so will run a bath later and settle down for a good read :)"

Enjoy. :D

I loved this series but felt after book 5 it was going on too long. I did love the first 4 books though. I also liked her other series. She's a great writer.

I really like the series. It actually was lagging a bit on the series story line but it seems to be picking up a bit now. :-)

So finished the book yesterday and had to get the next one right away. I feel a bit conflicted as to how well I liked it. On the one hand, it seemed to be shallow in parts where the author could have gone into more depth but on the other hand, it read really really fast because of it. I liked the level of excitement, I certainly didn't get bored at any stage.


Not sure if this is a spoiler so I'll use the tag just to be on the safe side :)

(view spoiler)[The point in the book, where Charley meets Reyes for the first time, didn't bother me at all. Some reviewers on Amazon got really upset but for me, Reyes shows how well he knows Charley and manipulates her really effectively. (hide spoiler)]

Thankfully the sex scenes were steamy rather than embarrassing. That's always a huge problem for me when sex scenes are so cliche that I feel like face-palming myself. Shudder. I don't like to fall out of my reading zone because the author screwed up a sex scene, I'd rather it weren't there at all :)

I loved Reyes. At times it felt like he was a bit of an excuse to get Charley out of a tight spot, but I have a soft spot for hot tall mysterious strangers.

The dead characters are fascinating. I always like having well fleshed-out secondary characters and some of them are hilarious.

So all in all, I really enjoyed the read. It was fast and furious, funny and sexy and so far, the second book is equally good.

I am definitely LATE to the party (to use Ella's line) but i am going to add my two cents anyway. This will be somewhat of a stream of consciousness so bear with me.
and to be safe: (view spoiler)[
* HOW did Angel tug on the Uncle's tie?
* the comment of "Have you ever been raped?" have to be in this story line? what a turn off - especially for a book, imo, marketed for women.
* the snippy attitude of Charley is a bit overwhelming. - imo
* I personally do not like the beginning of the book starting with a sex dream. Seemed a bit abrupt.
* the Uncle had to be told she wasn't 100% human? is he STUPID? you don't get hurt and heal that quick and that often without being noticed; i don't care how lucky you are.
* relying on a 13 year old gangbanger to get your out of danger when meeting with Benny Price.... seem somewhat far-fetched to anyone but me?
* WHY did the author feel compelled to have the abused wife be brutally killed...another needless edition. Granted, it opened the 'poor me' dissertation concerning how she messes things up; including the poor woman who lost her child and sat in the park; but it could have been done without that senseless death aka violence toward women.
So, wow - do i have anything good to say? Yes! i do!
* The personalities of the ghosts are top notch.
* the pace is fast - you want to keep reading to see what happens.
* I am liking her secretary (forget her name) i chuckled when she said that she lives vicariously through Charley.
* i like how the aunt of the accused shooter (Julio) helped Charley with the coercion tools to get her nephew out of trouble (hopefully for good)
* i liked that Father Federic was not a bad guy.
(hide spoiler)]

Despite my negativity - i will continue to read the next book - doesnt that sound hippocritical? Well, i love urban fantasy - and this fits the bill.

I think i have rattled on enough - thoughts? comments anyone? I realize i am late coming to the party :)

Holly, I think I've categorized this series in my "For A Fun Read" column. I listen to the audiobooks, so it's something I can do while driving or working out to keep entertained.
It's a fun series (so far...) but I don't think it will be bumped to my favorites any time soon.