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idratherbereading542's review against another edition
5.0
Read Count: 2
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UPDATED REVIEW (1/17/2022):
UPDATED RATING (5 STARS)
Second time reading the book (11 years later) and I've upgraded my rating to 5 stars. Most books that I want to re-read are 5 stars in my book. And maybe the fact that I've read the entire series and knows where it goes makes a difference because its definitely 5 stars for me. Also I've read A LOT of other really crappy books in the past 11 years and I think that's given me some perspective. And this book is 100% a 5 star book, even if it's one of my least favorites in the series still.
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ORIGINAL REVIEW (3/6/2011):
ORIGINAL RATING (3.5 STARS)
I love Night Huntress, so I was really looking forward to this book. However, I was a bit disappointed in it, I must say. It wasn't bad, but it seemed a little bit more boring than the previous books. Despite the problem they're dealing with in this book, I still got the feeling of them being almost in a lull kind of state, because they were mostly just talking and planning, but not really acting until the very end. I'll explain below.
First off, in this book Cat and Bones are happy again! Can I get a woot woot! That was my absolutely favorite thing about this book. Cat and Bones are deliriously happy in their marriage again and that was so good to see after the last book where they were fighting continuously. This was a huge relief and I was really happy to see it.
So the story for this one is about a ghoul named Apollyon that is out to destroy Cat. He is recruiting ghoul followers that believe that Cat, being a half breed now turned full vampire, will start a war between the vampires and ghouls. I wasn't really understanding the reasoning behind that theory, but there you have it. So Cat and Bones need to gather their forces together and stop Apollyon from managing to kill Cat or use her as a reason to start an all out war between the races.
Good things about this book are that the whole gang is kind of together again. Old characters come back, familiar characters help out, and a few semi-new characters are more involved as well. This was really good to see. It was almost like a character reunion and it was good to see everyone together and happy for the most part. Another good thing is Vlad. I just love that vampire. How can you not? He's such a great character and I'm greatly looking forward to his series and how his HEA will come about. Another good thing, of course, is Bones. I love him no matter what. But I wasn't as impressed with the "new Chapter 32" -- Chapter 21 in this book -- as I was with the original. It was alright, but it wasn't as smokin' hot as Chapter 32, imho. In addition to those goodies, the humor we all know and love is still in these books, so that's good to see because it's one of the main reasons I love these books!
Bad things were, like I said above, it was a bit slow going. Things sort of seemed to move very slowly and there was hardly any action in this book. There was one action scene at the end, but other than that, there really wasn't nearly as much action as the previous books. This, in my opinion, is the biggest downfall of this book. I personally found the previous books to have a go-go-go kind of feeling and they were pretty fast paced for the most part. This was a lot more slow-paced. Even the end, and the "villain" in this one was a bit disappointing.
Overall though, I still love the series. I still love Cat and Bones and I think this kind of "lighter" book was a good contrast to the previous book, which was very heavy emotionally. So as a book coming after that one, it was necessary I think. However, the action could have been taken up a notch (or two) and the overall storyline could have probably been thought out a bit better. If I were not so in love with this series, I probably would give it three stars, but I'm biased, so what. :)
Favorite Quotes:
"You know, in addition to your mind-reading abilities, I may have absorbed some sluttiness from your blood."
"Before we go, I gotta know: If mind-reading abilities are real, there's something else I wonder if fiction got right about vampires--"
"Ask me if I sparkle and I'll kill you where you stand," Bones cut him off with utmost seriousness.
"What the hell was that?" I gasped.
"Premature inflamulation," he replied. "Happens sometimes. Very embarrassing, I don't like to talk about it."
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UPDATED REVIEW (1/17/2022):
UPDATED RATING (5 STARS)
Second time reading the book (11 years later) and I've upgraded my rating to 5 stars. Most books that I want to re-read are 5 stars in my book. And maybe the fact that I've read the entire series and knows where it goes makes a difference because its definitely 5 stars for me. Also I've read A LOT of other really crappy books in the past 11 years and I think that's given me some perspective. And this book is 100% a 5 star book, even if it's one of my least favorites in the series still.
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ORIGINAL REVIEW (3/6/2011):
ORIGINAL RATING (3.5 STARS)
I love Night Huntress, so I was really looking forward to this book. However, I was a bit disappointed in it, I must say. It wasn't bad, but it seemed a little bit more boring than the previous books. Despite the problem they're dealing with in this book, I still got the feeling of them being almost in a lull kind of state, because they were mostly just talking and planning, but not really acting until the very end. I'll explain below.
First off, in this book Cat and Bones are happy again! Can I get a woot woot! That was my absolutely favorite thing about this book. Cat and Bones are deliriously happy in their marriage again and that was so good to see after the last book where they were fighting continuously. This was a huge relief and I was really happy to see it.
So the story for this one is about a ghoul named Apollyon that is out to destroy Cat. He is recruiting ghoul followers that believe that Cat, being a half breed now turned full vampire, will start a war between the vampires and ghouls. I wasn't really understanding the reasoning behind that theory, but there you have it. So Cat and Bones need to gather their forces together and stop Apollyon from managing to kill Cat or use her as a reason to start an all out war between the races.
Good things about this book are that the whole gang is kind of together again. Old characters come back, familiar characters help out, and a few semi-new characters are more involved as well. This was really good to see. It was almost like a character reunion and it was good to see everyone together and happy for the most part. Another good thing is Vlad. I just love that vampire. How can you not? He's such a great character and I'm greatly looking forward to his series and how his HEA will come about. Another good thing, of course, is Bones. I love him no matter what. But I wasn't as impressed with the "new Chapter 32" -- Chapter 21 in this book -- as I was with the original. It was alright, but it wasn't as smokin' hot as Chapter 32, imho. In addition to those goodies, the humor we all know and love is still in these books, so that's good to see because it's one of the main reasons I love these books!
Bad things were, like I said above, it was a bit slow going. Things sort of seemed to move very slowly and there was hardly any action in this book. There was one action scene at the end, but other than that, there really wasn't nearly as much action as the previous books. This, in my opinion, is the biggest downfall of this book. I personally found the previous books to have a go-go-go kind of feeling and they were pretty fast paced for the most part. This was a lot more slow-paced. Even the end, and the "villain" in this one was a bit disappointing.
Overall though, I still love the series. I still love Cat and Bones and I think this kind of "lighter" book was a good contrast to the previous book, which was very heavy emotionally. So as a book coming after that one, it was necessary I think. However, the action could have been taken up a notch (or two) and the overall storyline could have probably been thought out a bit better. If I were not so in love with this series, I probably would give it three stars, but I'm biased, so what. :)
Favorite Quotes:
"You know, in addition to your mind-reading abilities, I may have absorbed some sluttiness from your blood."
"Before we go, I gotta know: If mind-reading abilities are real, there's something else I wonder if fiction got right about vampires--"
"Ask me if I sparkle and I'll kill you where you stand," Bones cut him off with utmost seriousness.
"What the hell was that?" I gasped.
"Premature inflamulation," he replied. "Happens sometimes. Very embarrassing, I don't like to talk about it."
lorilaws's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't kept up with a lot of the adult series that I used to read, but this one is the one I must keep up with! Now that the Fever series has ended the Night Huntress series will definitely take the number one spot on my favorite adult series list. And this much anticipated installment did not disappoint!
I have slacked on reading the Night Huntress World books so I was the teeniest bit lost when it came to some things, but it was nothing major. There was spoilers in this book about Last Drop of Crimson and Eternal Kiss of Darkness, but I will still read those for sure!
This Side of the Grave offers up what you have come to know and love about Bones (YUM!) and Cat. Wit, charm and sex appeal abound in this installment. I find myself giggling at Bones' sarcasm and Cats's inner dialogue every few pages!
I don't think the story line in this one way the best of the series, but the action and characters more than make up for that! I still, of course, loved it! If you are in the mood for a fantastic adult series pick this one up immediately!
I have slacked on reading the Night Huntress World books so I was the teeniest bit lost when it came to some things, but it was nothing major. There was spoilers in this book about Last Drop of Crimson and Eternal Kiss of Darkness, but I will still read those for sure!
This Side of the Grave offers up what you have come to know and love about Bones (YUM!) and Cat. Wit, charm and sex appeal abound in this installment. I find myself giggling at Bones' sarcasm and Cats's inner dialogue every few pages!
I don't think the story line in this one way the best of the series, but the action and characters more than make up for that! I still, of course, loved it! If you are in the mood for a fantastic adult series pick this one up immediately!
thebasicbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
ceena's review against another edition
5.0
Re-read~~
I love Cat & Bones! I like how they have developed and changed in their relationship as well as calmed down about fighting alone. Also glad not everyone becomes a vampire or ghoul because goodness after a while they would overwhelm the world.
Although this books are kinda turning into travel, travel, sex, travel, travel, fight. So much traveling and nothing is really happening until the last chapter :/ but then again, the fun character stuff and laughs happen in the middle, so worth?
I love Cat & Bones! I like how they have developed and changed in their relationship as well as calmed down about fighting alone. Also glad not everyone becomes a vampire or ghoul because goodness after a while they would overwhelm the world.
Although this books are kinda turning into travel, travel, sex, travel, travel, fight. So much traveling and nothing is really happening until the last chapter :/ but then again, the fun character stuff and laughs happen in the middle, so worth?
hixxup79's review against another edition
5.0
as usual Cat & bones relationship is just sizzling. It's really good to see that the characters from the Night huntress world books were actually heavily involved in this book. I mean Denise was in the previous books, but now she's spades wife and all. Very sad that Don died, but very nice cliffhanger at the end there definitely anticipating this fall.
lynseyisreading's review against another edition
5.0
Ooh, ooh, ooh finally one of my favourite series to review! I read non stop throughout the year, roughly a new book every two days, but there are some series that I follow and look forward to above all others and the Cat and Bones - Night Huntress World novels are one of them.
I was hovering over 4 stars, mainly because I thought the book ended rather abruptly and I wouldn't have minded if it were another 20 pages longer. Then I thought it seems a bit mean to mark it down under the reasoning of " I didn't want it to end" so 5 stars it is!
I laughed out loud quite a few times in the reading of this book. I'd forgotten how funny Cat and Bones are. There were a few "Awww" moments too. Now that Cat and Bones have worked out some of their main issues in Destined for an Early Grave, they are in a much, much better place. And in fact, they are now past their over protectiveness stage enough to notice it happening in others. Namely Mencheres and Kira, and Spade and Denise who we met in the spin offs ,as they are in much earlier stages of their own relationships.We see both of those other couples in this book as well as quite a few other blasts from the past which is nice.
There is a sad bit, and I did cry like a baby at one point. There are also some scenes that had me grinning like the village loon, and a great Twilight reference one-liner from Bones!
Oh! and Vlad.. I LOVE that guy! "Nummy, nummy"
I was hovering over 4 stars, mainly because I thought the book ended rather abruptly and I wouldn't have minded if it were another 20 pages longer. Then I thought it seems a bit mean to mark it down under the reasoning of " I didn't want it to end" so 5 stars it is!
I laughed out loud quite a few times in the reading of this book. I'd forgotten how funny Cat and Bones are. There were a few "Awww" moments too. Now that Cat and Bones have worked out some of their main issues in Destined for an Early Grave, they are in a much, much better place. And in fact, they are now past their over protectiveness stage enough to notice it happening in others. Namely Mencheres and Kira, and Spade and Denise who we met in the spin offs ,as they are in much earlier stages of their own relationships.We see both of those other couples in this book as well as quite a few other blasts from the past which is nice.
There is a sad bit, and I did cry like a baby at one point. There are also some scenes that had me grinning like the village loon, and a great Twilight reference one-liner from Bones!
Oh! and Vlad.. I LOVE that guy! "Nummy, nummy"
emleemay's review against another edition
5.0
If I'm honest, this book would have got 4 stars had I not read the other 4 installments in the Night Huntress series. The story, in my opinion, was quite weak and I can't find much to interest me in Marie's character. It's surprising actually because she's another quirky and unique member of Frost's creations, and I so adore all the others. Frost's true gift lies in creating wonderful and memorable characters, with no repetitions amongst them; by that I simply mean all of them are very different, unlike Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld, where I find that all of the Lords are different looking versions of the same character.
For one, Cat is a heroine that I can relate to in so many ways (even now she has become a vampire). She's awesomely quirky and sarcastic, ruthless when she needs to be but compassionate as well. But then all the characters have distinctive traits, complete with their own sense of humour and extremely quotable lines (that I completely abuse on my blog). Even in this book, which didn't quite grab me as much as the previous ones, I cared all the way through what would happen to each and every one of them. It had so many varied elements that make a novel an instant favourite: humour, sadness, mystery, smut...
I find it much more difficult writing reviews like this when I really enjoyed nearly every aspect of the book. I'm out of my comfort zone when I don't have whiny, so-called heroines to tear apart, or equally annoying brainless men who are used to try and sell a novel by repeatedly emphasising their looks and obvious lack of personality. Bones, on the other hand, is the most perfect and sexy kind of hero to have. I would start going on about his and Cat's awesome sex scenes again but people who read my reviews will start thinking that's all I talk about (hehe).
However, Ms Frost, that cliffhanger was hardly necessary, was it? I was always going to read book number 6 when it comes out in August(!) without you being cruel and giving me something to tear my hair out about until then. It reminds me of Karen Marie Moning's ending to Dreamfever, which was an even worse cliffhanger than this one. I nearly went crazy with the not knowing what the hell was happening until bloody Shadowfever was released. Some authors are sadists.
For one, Cat is a heroine that I can relate to in so many ways (even now she has become a vampire). She's awesomely quirky and sarcastic, ruthless when she needs to be but compassionate as well. But then all the characters have distinctive traits, complete with their own sense of humour and extremely quotable lines (that I completely abuse on my blog). Even in this book, which didn't quite grab me as much as the previous ones, I cared all the way through what would happen to each and every one of them. It had so many varied elements that make a novel an instant favourite: humour, sadness, mystery, smut...
I find it much more difficult writing reviews like this when I really enjoyed nearly every aspect of the book. I'm out of my comfort zone when I don't have whiny, so-called heroines to tear apart, or equally annoying brainless men who are used to try and sell a novel by repeatedly emphasising their looks and obvious lack of personality. Bones, on the other hand, is the most perfect and sexy kind of hero to have. I would start going on about his and Cat's awesome sex scenes again but people who read my reviews will start thinking that's all I talk about (hehe).
However, Ms Frost, that cliffhanger was hardly necessary, was it? I was always going to read book number 6 when it comes out in August(!) without you being cruel and giving me something to tear my hair out about until then. It reminds me of Karen Marie Moning's ending to Dreamfever, which was an even worse cliffhanger than this one. I nearly went crazy with the not knowing what the hell was happening until bloody Shadowfever was released. Some authors are sadists.
amberw1989's review against another edition
3.0
I wish I knew I had to start the spin off before reading this one I was thoroughly confused about a few things.
It was good though but not the best in the series. I will read Spade's book next even though I want to read Vlad's series but I am saving my fave character till last
It was good though but not the best in the series. I will read Spade's book next even though I want to read Vlad's series but I am saving my fave character till last