This Side of the Grave (Night Huntress, Bk 5)
Author:
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
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Helpful Score: 5
This Side of the Grave shows a more mature Cat who doesn't rush impulsively into dangerous situations by herself. I did miss that impetuosity of hers. I liked it when she would run half-cocked into situations that she shouldn't have, but it's good to see her think, plan and act. While she's more restrained as far as assessing dangerous situations, she isn't restrained about her feelings concerning Bones. She's not as guarded because she really has given him her heart and soul. Some of the best parts of this book are found in the sections that deal with their relationship.
Bones and Cat are together more often in this book than they have been in last two books. If you've read Book 2 (One Foot In the Grave), you should remember the infamous Chapter 32 with Bones doing all sorts of naughty things after Annette taunts Cat with Anette's past with Bones. You'll find a similar chapter in this book in Chapter 20 when Cat does some things, but in my opinion, it's not as steamy as Chapter 32 of the second book. This time it's Cat turn to show her skills in the bedroom. I'll just say it's hot and I use that word both literally and figuratively. There's also a scandalous love scene involving Bones, Cat, and Mencheres.
Kira, Mencheres, Spade, Denise, Don, Tate, and Justina all make appearances in the book, but it's Vlad with his trademark one-liners who steals the show. Justina has a new role that I completely didn't expect. While there is action in the book, but it's not as epic as the fights in the previous books. There isn't much tension, romantic or otherwise. I missed Annette and Tate and the romantic tension they brought with their lust for Cat and Bones. The villain isn't that much of a threat. There's also a scandalous section in the book where Cat needs to be "serviced" because she's ingested some supernatural blood that acts like a super aphrodisiac. Rather than showing those scenes, Frost has Bones give a summary after the deeds have been done. No, don't recap! We need details! A certain beloved secondary character dies. It was sad, but was written well. I still consider Book 1 and 2 to be the best of the group, but I enjoyed Book 5 enough to keep it on my bookshelf.
Frost has written some very funny quips. This one from Vlad after he burns a ghoul Cat wanted to keep alive is especially good.
"What the hell was that?" I gasped. "Premature inflamulation," he replied. "Happens sometimes. Very embarrassing. I don't like to talk about it."
Bones had a good one with "Ask me if I sparkle, and I'll kill you where you stand."
If you haven't read the Night Huntress series, this isn't the book to start the series. You need to see Cat's evolution starting from Halfway to the Grave (Book 1).
Bones and Cat are together more often in this book than they have been in last two books. If you've read Book 2 (One Foot In the Grave), you should remember the infamous Chapter 32 with Bones doing all sorts of naughty things after Annette taunts Cat with Anette's past with Bones. You'll find a similar chapter in this book in Chapter 20 when Cat does some things, but in my opinion, it's not as steamy as Chapter 32 of the second book. This time it's Cat turn to show her skills in the bedroom. I'll just say it's hot and I use that word both literally and figuratively. There's also a scandalous love scene involving Bones, Cat, and Mencheres.
Kira, Mencheres, Spade, Denise, Don, Tate, and Justina all make appearances in the book, but it's Vlad with his trademark one-liners who steals the show. Justina has a new role that I completely didn't expect. While there is action in the book, but it's not as epic as the fights in the previous books. There isn't much tension, romantic or otherwise. I missed Annette and Tate and the romantic tension they brought with their lust for Cat and Bones. The villain isn't that much of a threat. There's also a scandalous section in the book where Cat needs to be "serviced" because she's ingested some supernatural blood that acts like a super aphrodisiac. Rather than showing those scenes, Frost has Bones give a summary after the deeds have been done. No, don't recap! We need details! A certain beloved secondary character dies. It was sad, but was written well. I still consider Book 1 and 2 to be the best of the group, but I enjoyed Book 5 enough to keep it on my bookshelf.
Frost has written some very funny quips. This one from Vlad after he burns a ghoul Cat wanted to keep alive is especially good.
"What the hell was that?" I gasped. "Premature inflamulation," he replied. "Happens sometimes. Very embarrassing. I don't like to talk about it."
Bones had a good one with "Ask me if I sparkle, and I'll kill you where you stand."
If you haven't read the Night Huntress series, this isn't the book to start the series. You need to see Cat's evolution starting from Halfway to the Grave (Book 1).
