One Foot in the Grave

EDIT: I'm adding a honorary star to the first two books in this series, just because Frost has been consistently awesome throughout.

I really really enjoyed this book but I just can't quite bring myself to award it 5 stars when you compare it to, say, Margaret Atwood's genius in The Handmaid's Tale or the deeply entwined mystery/romance/mythology of Darkfever and the rest of the Fever series. This is an easy-to-read addictive series with a heroine who is likeable, brave (without being unrealistically so), and pretty much always horny. That last point being awesome when you have a sexy character like Bones as the love interest.

People may say Bones is a complete rip-off of Spike from Buffy, and they're right - he is. But since when did show more that become a bad thing? Spike is the one true love of my media-saturated heart and Bones does everything he did, says most words and phrases that he said (sodding, shagging, bloody hell) and has a lot of hot, kinky sex like Spike also did with Buffy :D Not to mention the fact that he is a very selfless bed partner. Still, I don't feel right giving 5 stars to a novel that is, when all things are said and done, just a really good and really smutty Buffy fanfic.

But I do also like the way Bones can be caring without having to play the over-protective male. It happens all the time in paranormal romance that the girl's weaknesses are played upon and in swoops Mr gorgeous-and-usually-dead to save the day. But in this series, Cat and Bones are a team, working to watch out for one another without it being one-sided; and Bones never underestimates Cat's ability or judgement. You may be guessing by now that I sort of really love Bones.

What this book claims to be and just isn't that much is Urban Fantasy - the lines tend to blend between UF and paranomal romance sometimes but this series is definitely the latter of the two, regardless of what the library sections try to say it is. It is heavily focused on character relationships and sex, not that this is a bad thing in my opinion but the bad guy (or girl) of the moment often gets put on the back burner in favour of the protagonist's sex life. Like I said before - smutty fanfic.

So this book, in fact this series, is not perfect. I could complain on and on about the story not being particularly great because Frost focuses her energy on what Bones can do with chains and blindfolds (the answer - a lot), but what would really be the point when I enjoyed reading this so much. Goodreads' rating system doesn't offer opinion on quality of plot or writing in particular, just "liked it", "really liked it" and so on... well, yeah, I really liked it. show less

I love the cast of characters assembled in this book. Bones and cat both have so much going on, but they still laugh and jump in head first at times with clever sarcasm and witty banter. There's a great balance of content with action, drama, and romance. There a few tiny continuity issues with details set up early on, or even from the first book, mostly insignificant to me; so four ~ four and a half stars.

Very worth while reading, as long as you love paranormal/action/romance/drama, all served up with a copious doses of sarcasm and wit.

The only truly frustrating aspect is her familial relationships with her mom and uncle, I'd like to see growth there. Either finally push for a real relationship built on love and honesty or break the show more cycle of emotional abuse and manipulation. Sadly, her uncle is well ahead of her mother in both areas.

Also, I've got to say from the very first conversation between the mother and daughter I knew her story of cat's origin was at least partially false if not entirely fabricated. That woman is caring a tremendous amount of shame, and subsequently shaming her daughter for existing. However, the tone of her shame, derision, and bitterness didn't feel like it matched the trauma she claimed to have suffered. I felt the hostility of her character read more like a person who'd been duped, scammed in a way that shattered her trust and her self image. So she punishes herself and her daughter for the shame and stupidity she feels for allowing herself to be in that situation. The toxic cycle has festered and grown and is choking the life out of her. I'm not saying she wasn't violated, but it was her trust and her perception of the world that actually was violated, and she's never allowed herself to heal because she's too ashamed to even admit that at first she was a willing participant in cat's creation, carrying that burden silently means she can't face it and she can't be helped. I'm hoping as I read book three that the real story will be revealed. show less

Ottima anche questa prova di Jeaniene Frost! Il secondo volume della saga Night Huntress non delude e, anzi, se possibile risulta perfino migliore del primo.

Dalla separazione da Bones, avvenuta cinque anni prima, Cat è cresciuta e maturata riuscendo a conquistarsi una sorta di tranquilla routine giornaliera. Combatte per il distaccamento speciale dell'FBI, ha degli amici, frequenta perfino un uomo, fra una missione suicida e l'altra. La sua vita è regolare e si impegna costantemente per dare il massimo in quella che ormai è diventata una missione: cacciare vampiri che hanno ucciso degli umani; il fatto che sia lei stessa vampiro, per metà, non la sconvolge più di tanto.

E' rapida, spietata e ad assolutamente letale: è la Mietitrice show more Rossa.

Purtroppo però, la sua falsa tranquillità non è destinata a durare e alla fine il suo amore per Bones la spinge a compiere un errore che metterà in moto una serie d'eventi che la porteranno allo scoperto, o meglio fra le braccia di Bones che questa volta non avrà nessuna intenzione di lasciarsi sfuggire la sua Micetta.

Cat cercherà in ogni modo di resistere alla forza che inevitabilmente la trascinerà verso il suo vampiro ma nulla varrà la sua resistenza, nemmeno l'arrivo di una ex fiamma del passato di Bones, nonchè sua "figlia di sangue", riuscirà a tenerli separati...

La storia coinvolge immediatamente e cattura l'attenzione del lettore che si ritrova a vorticare assieme a Cat mentre abbatte un vampiro che la voleva rapire, o volare da una vetrata con Bones mentre cerca di sfuggire da un cecchino.

Bones è un personaggio assolutamente favoloso, per niente servile ma decisamente disposto a prendersi quello che vuole alla sua maniera senza, però, violare la libertà della sua donna, non si tira indietro facendo lo zerbino ma non si mette neanche a fare il super macho della situazione che deve "proteggere" Cat ad ogni costo da ogni minimo problema, sa perfettamente che la sua donna è capace di difendersi, l'ha addestrata lui dopotutto, ma è sempre pronto a sorreggerla e aiutarla quando serve... Nonchè a darle una bella lavata di testa quando si comporta da ragazzina immatura. Non dimentichiamo che la differenza d'età fra i due si conta in secoli, mica brucolini.

Cat è un personaggio femminile veramente azzeccato: piace perchè non è piagnucolosa nè patetica ma, anzi, è divertente, impulsiva, schietta e a volte tremendamente imbarazzante. C'è di bello che, alla fine, per quanto testarda, non è una specie di Terminetor in gonnella, ricorda in un certo senso l'Anita Blake dei primi tempi, quando ancora non si era trasformata in Dio.Io.Posso.Tutto.

I personaggi secondari sono tutti molto ben curati e si amalgamano benissimo con la storia "d'amore" fra i due protagonisti, non a caso stiamo parlando di un Urban Fantasy: azione e amore si completano in egual misura.

Traduzione ben fatta, copertina niente male (anche se da un Adult Fantasy ci si aspetterebbe qualcosa di più "maturo") e prezzo equilibrato e coerente. C'è da dire, inoltre, che la saga principale è comporta da soli 4 libri, il che è un altro punto a suo favore visto che attualmente vanno tremendamente di moda le saghe infinite... Ma visto che i nostri portafogli infiniti non sono, Jeaniene Frost ha tutto il nostro rispetto! show less

I love that Cat Crawfield works for the government with a "Special Forces" team, instead of the usual rogue behavior that I read in many Urban Fantasy series. It's interesting that it takes Bones this long to find Cat, and by a seeming coincidence at that. It occurred to me while reading that if Bones really was as good at what he does as he says he is, then he would have found her within the first year easily.
Skipping ahead to the best part about this series, in my personal opinion, is the sexual chemistry between Cat and Bones. I confess, my curiosity about chapter 32 of this book, after reading a book review that made vague hints about it, is what propelled me to start this series. I actually read that chapter first once I got my show more hands on this book to satisfy my curiosity, and words can not describe how hot this chapter is! So often, I find that sex scenes in novels abuse cliches or do not use the details adequately for my personal tastes, but this chapter throws conventional decorum out the window without disgusting me or making me too uncomfortable to read. Plus, the more fantastical aspects of the two characters made for some unique and handy details that Jeaniene Frost used quite well to create such heat between Cat and Bones. Yes, I read that chapter several more times before I turned the book back into the library.
Cat Crawfield has really grown into a character of strength and determination from the first book, Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 1). She knows how to use her abilities to their maximum potential and her self-confidence is strong enough to stand up to even her mother. No longer is she like a pupil to Bones' instruction, but an equal to him in every way that matters. Bones is just as cocky and alluring as he ever was - I wouldn't change a thing about him. It is obvious that he has more than a few secrets up his sleeve, but I don't mind the wait.
I find it intriguing how Cat can alter perceptions and prejudices of the people around her as easily as she does, as is shown with the men on her team. This shows just how much potential she carries to change her world on a larger scale. I can't wait to pick up the next book in the series, At Grave's End (Night Huntress, Book 3). show less

I think this is as good as the first book in the series, though it doesn't leave you hanging at the end so the urge to go out and buy book 3 immediately isn't completely overwhelming (of course, I DID go out and buy book 3 immediately... it just wasn't an *overwhelming* urge that made me do so.)

The main female character is strong and determined and independent and yet is loyal and honest and does the "right thing" without the author devolving into preaching about what the "right thing" should be. Oh, and there's some great sex in here too. Not some flowery "and then he took her" but some good ol' fashioned shagging (and if you find that offensive, you might want to skip the main sex scene entirely 'cause there wasn't much ol' fashioned show more about it).

Great characters, great drama, great sex... oh, and some laugh-out-loud funny parts too - a great story and now I'm off to read book 3. show less

One Foot in the Grave
4 Stars

Four years have passed since Halfway to the Grave and Cat is still doing her vampire slayer thing only now she works for the government. While she is dedicated to her job and her team, she has never gotten over the love of her life, Bones, and when the opportunity arises to show mercy to his maker, Cat makes a life altering decision. This sets off a chain of events that puts her loyalties to the test and may even result in the loss of her freedom.

The plot is exciting and action packed with new information on the structure of the vampire world and some compelling twists and turns in Cat's personal life. Unfortunately, the romance is somewhat of a letdown as I was expecting more for Cat and Bones's reunion show more considering the way she left him and the build up in the first few chapters. The way it plays out is far too easy and oversimplified with anger, angst and hurt feelings glossed over very quickly.

Another irritating element is the fact that virtually every man in the book, with or without a pulse, has the hots for Cat. Don't get me wrong, Cat is a very likable kick-ass heroine but she's not ALL that! As for the infamous chapter 32, maybe my expectations were too high. Yes, it is exceedingly steamy with some very original positions but it lacks the intensity of emotion that characterizes a truly excellent love scene (see Kate and Curran in Magic Strikes and Magic Bleeds for references).

In terms of the supporting cast, Frost is particularly skilled at incorporating each and every secondary character, both major and minor, into the story without making them seem superfluous. From Cat's enigmatic boss and loyal teammates (Juan is a definite favorite) to her obnoxious mother (someone should slap that woman), not to mention Bones's mates in the vampire world (Mencheres and Ian have definite potential), each and every one contributes to the overall Night Huntress world.

Overall, the solid world building, exciting story and engaging characters make this a worthwhile series and I look forward to getting to the next installment. show less

OHEMGEE I LOVE THESE BOOKS SO MUCH!!! So full of awesome girl power, supernatural goodness, BONES (the character, not actual bones), and some sexy times!

The unfortunate part about reviewing these books is there isn’t a ton to say about them in a review, which stinks because I love them so!!

Cat and Bones are an amazing duo. Both are such strong characters, and instead of that being an obstacle between them, it totally works. Cat’s mother is crazy, which I also kind of love. I enjoyed Cat’s group of soldiers, too. Normally, military-type plots don’t work for me, but this one totally did.

The plot of this novel was very well crafted. Lots of ass-kicking action, lots of tension between Cat and Bones, throw in Cat’s crazy mother and show more her troupe of soldiers, and someone trying to assassinate Cat, and what is not to love about the plot?!?!

These books read very quickly, are tons of fun to read, are very entertaining, and I highly recommend them! If you like Urban Fantasy and you are not reading this series, get on it! show less