Darynda Jones Fans discussion

Did any parts of the books in the series make you feel uncomfortable? Which part and why?

I love this series and I think one of the reasons is that just about everyone can relate to something within its pages. I never felt uncomfortable, but could feel emotionally connected with the characters at different parts of the story that actually left me feeling ill. Definitively the most chord striking effect of the books has been the abuse Reyes endured. If I didn't think he was all kinds of wonderful before I did after reading how he was abused over and over again, just to protect his sister. Wow! I personally have never been abused sexually, but I have close friends whose lives have me molded by such traumatic events of abuse. I wonder how the book would have been if Reyes wasn't the victim of sexual abuse. Would it have changed my views on the character, more than likely, because this part of the book made me angry and left me with a overwhelming need to protect Reyes, therefore cheering Charley on at all times.
Another chord striker, was when Charley's dad throws her to the wolves, so to speak. As a parent, all you want is for your children to be safe and loved. Just knowing that he "knew she would survive" so he gave her up, sickens me. It left me chilled, I would never give up my child, never!
(Well, wasn't that an earful!)

Dana - you said it perfectly and I agree with my whole heart. Reyes is more enduring because of his past...readers are more likely to forgive his quick temper and preconceived notions that he is always right. All I can say about Daddy is the very wrongness of the act caused it to hurt so painfully.

Charlie's rocky relationship with her sister hits home with me. Your sister should be accepting and your best friend, but they struggled to be around one another until recently. Until Cookie, Charlie really had no one to go to for true comfort and conversation...when I think about how lonely Charlie possibly felt my chest feels tight with pressure. A child should feel love and acceptance, not denial, shame, and loneliness. :(.

Reyes and Charlie both would of had entirely different lives if he had not been kidnapped...both would have been entirely different people. Although Reyes's struggles were much more severe and horrendous, they both suffered in ways that shaped them.

Growing up together would have provided Charlie with the caring and loving support she missed throughout childhood and therefore she may not have become the strong independent women she is today and needs to be to keep the demons out of heaven.

If Reyes had grown up with Charlie, he would have been nurtured and loved. He probably would not have grown into the supreme Alpha hell bent on preventing any demon from getting near Charlie and therefore using her as a portal to heaven.

I am saddened by both Reyes and Charlie's suffering, but the saying is "everything happens for a reason.". Perhaps, Reyes understands this more than most because of his long life, his search for the portal, and his discovery of his connection to Charlie. Just some things to consider...

Mel wrote: "Dana - you said it perfectly and I agree with my whole heart. Reyes is more enduring because of his past...readers are more likely to forgive his quick temper and preconceived notions that he is a..."

Beautifully said Mel, I guess I choose the right question today, I didn't know it would inspire me as much as it did! XOXO

I can't say that I like the forces that injured, emotionally, our main characters, but we all have to agree that they would not have evolved without the influences that "bad" has had on them. Denise and Gemma made Charley our beloved, snarky girl. Reyes is, and will always be our tortured hero. He never stood a chance. I don't like to think of all that was done to him, with no consideration of justifiable homicide being part of the equation.
I think one of the points in the book that shocked me was Leland throwing Charley, knowingly, to the wolves. That's a betrayal that cut to the bone. I don't know if Charley can ever fully trust her Dad again. We trust our parents to have our backs. She never had the Mother to watch over her, so she had to rely on Daddy dearest...the rat. And he blew that!

I definitely agree with Reyes' abuse, even though it seems we're going to read the worst of it in the third book. But the one that hurt me more was, as Dana said:

Another chord striker, was when Charley's dad throws her to the wolves, so to speak. As a parent, all you want is for your children to be safe and loved. Just knowing that he "knew she would survive" so he gave her up, sickens me. It left me chilled, I would never give up my child, never!

I don't have kids but I'm very attached to my dad and that scene hurt. Charley grew up depending on her dad and he goes and gives her away like that just because "probably" she'll live. I feel even the greater need to protect her because of who she is, not the opposite! (I think Gemma says something like that and I'm glad they made up). It felt really wrong! I'm glad Cookie acts a bit like a loving mum would :)

Ines, as a daddy's girl myself, I agree whole heartily...I cried as I read that part. I hope Gemma and Charlie can become friends in the future.

Mel wrote: "Ines, as a daddy's girl myself, I agree whole heartily...I cried as I read that part. I hope Gemma and Charlie can become friends in the future."
So that makes two of us ;)

I'm right there with you guys. The abuse our main characters suffered is horrible and happens at the hands of those that are supposed to love and protect them from the evil in the world. It's their own strengths that allowed them to overcome. You would hope that now that they are adults it would end, as we've said with Charley's dad's betrayal it's still ongoing and we're going to learn more about Reyes' in book 3. Fortunately, they have each other and those people in their lives (Cookie and Amber, Amador and Bianca) that they have made family. It goes to show that family isn't always those you were born too but those that love you no matter what or how inconvient it may be.

Traci wrote: "I'm right there with you guys. The abuse our main characters suffered is horrible and happens at the hands of those that are supposed to love and protect them from the evil in the world. It's their..."

So true, Traci, so true!

Ines wrote: "I definitely agree with Reyes' abuse, even though it seems we're going to read the worst of it in the third book. But the one that hurt me more was, as Dana said:

Another chord striker, was when C..."

I completely agree!

You know it's weird how the parts that impact us the most are the "abuse" scenes. I think I adore the strength Charley has, even when she's betrayed. Her smart-ass mouth saves her from getting hurt any more than she has been....Reyes cloaks himself in anger. I KNOW he's strong...but I just want to hold him and stroke his hair and tell him it can be alright. Then KILL anything that bugs him...yeah, that's right....I'm your girl }:)

You could so do the avenging angel stint, Cindy! You are the complete package, kill all the bad nasties and keep our boy Reyes safe. You'd be Charley's secret weapon she keeps hidden. LOL

Dana wrote: "You could so do the avenging angel stint, Cindy! You are the complete package, kill all the bad nasties and keep our boy Reyes safe. You'd be Charley's secret weapon she keeps hidden. LOL"

I do NOT take any crap when it comes to justice. DON'T push the little guy or do an injustice within my sight or hearing...I will open a can of whoop-ass all OVER the stupid!

Cindy wrote: "Dana wrote: "You could so do the avenging angel stint, Cindy! You are the complete package, kill all the bad nasties and keep our boy Reyes safe. You'd be Charley's secret weapon she keeps hidden..."

Hey, there's another t-shirt slogan:


Don't make me open a can of whoop~ass!

Dana wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Dana wrote: "You could so do the avenging angel stint, Cindy! You are the complete package, kill all the bad nasties and keep our boy Reyes safe. You'd be Charley's secret weapon sh..."

I LIKE it!