Reviews with content warning for Trafficking - Au bord de la tombe

This is one of my favorite PNRs of all time and I’ve reread this book multiple times since I first read this in 2015. This book kickstarted my love for paranormal romance!

I’ve reviewed this book before so I am focusing my review on the Graphic Audio format.

I absolutely LOVE this format! The different voices and additional sound effects were perfect! Since I’ve already read this book, the sound effects were not distracting at all! I found myself smiling and laughing along as the plot unfolded. This type of format is immersive and 1000 times more enjoyable! Yasmin Tuazon and Chris Davenport brought Cat and Bones to life! This format reminds me of the very first audiobook I listened to that hooked me to audiobooks years ago.

The Graphic Audio has additional sound effects and music in between scenes and during the actual scene, which adds to the listening experience. This Graphic audio is very similar to radio shows or old. I grew up in the Philippines so we had afternoon radio shows featuring stories – sort of like a Telenovela – with dual voices and background sounds.

One of the changes that I am on the fence about in this narration is Bones’ accent. In my review of Tavia Gilbert’s narration, I loved the Cockney accent she used for Bones’ voice. In the Graphic Audio/Dramatized Narration, Bones is read by Chris Davenport and he uses the standard British accent.

I honestly miss Bones’ Cockney accent, but Suzanne of The Fangover Podcast has said that she’s never heard of Tavia’s Cockney accent in real life before. As someone who hasn’t been to England, and one who has only heard British accents on TV, I enjoyed Tavia’s accent! Maybe because I don’t know any better! I feel like it made Bones more endearing. With that said, I also love Chris Davenport’s Bones accent. This one is more decadent and sensual and also perfect for Bones!

One negative to the graphic audio is that some of the effects – like the club music effect – are a little bit loud. However, I also feel that this was intentional to immerse you into the story. It just bothered me a bit.

Abridged or Unabridged?

I’m not entirely sure if this is an abridged version since the original audiobook is 11 hours and 18 minutes in length while the Graphic Audio is 9 hours and 30 minutes in length. Since I have reread this book multiple times, I did get a feeling that there were a few minor parts that were missing but I can’t say that this has been abridged for sure.

Overall, this did not alter the plot or my total enjoyment of the audiobook.

I am stoked to find out that they are releasing On Foot in the Grave, book 2 in the Night Huntress Novels o January 27, 2023! I am so excited to listen to it! Book 2 is one of the spiciest books in this series!

Content Warnings

nieva098's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

Content Warnings

leazzz's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Pro's: I liked the use of vampire lore, not my favourite iteration but solid
Con's: From page one it felt like rough Spike and Buffy fanfic.
The plot and the characters all felt underdeveloped
The romance didn't build believably, and the dialogue was painful at times, especially the awful British slang from Bones
Catherine irritated me so much with her hypocritical slut shaming, and the relationship with her mother was just infuriating

The plot had potential, but I really don't like the incorporation of the government and working for the FBI, with so much weird American frothing for the military thrown in. Then the choice to leave Bones to protect him, it felt like the first 75% of the book was going in one direction, then a 180.

I won't be continuing, disappointing since I wanted to like this

Content Warnings

amylynn44's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

mswarning's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

Not sure when I bought this book, probably 2009 at a sci-fi writing convention. I don't recall if I ever read it. Not sure what I would've rated it back then during my urban fantasy heyday.

Obviously based on Buffy and Spike. Sex was just ok. Story was predictable. Some of the banter was entertaining.

Did not finish during Shiftathon. I keep picking books for readathons that I'm not very excited to read.

Content Warnings

More...