At Grave's End

This third installment in the Night Huntress series just completely eradicated any 'buts' I had about the last two novels. I'd gone on and on about my love for the characters (especially Bones) and the fun, witty dialogue; but I still acknowledged that there was something lacking in Frost's plots that kept me from awarding the full 5 stars that I wanted to.

This book changed that. The plot was developed, fast-paced and sucked you in from the beginning. The other books were a lot more laid back and 'nice', even though the characters came up against troubles you always knew that they would come out on top and everyone you cared about would live to see another chapter. But this time, the author got nasty. The one really big shocking thing show more that happens right in the middle of the story nearly had me in tears - oh my god, could it be real? Is it true? How will the protagonist cope if it is? I won't say anything more.

One of the greatest developments in this book that I never saw coming was that of Cat's mother. Justina started off as an annoying and bigoted character that you could maybe forgive because the poor woman was raped by a vampire... and then we find out she made it all up and just kind of hate her. But not anymore. Frost has turned an annoying throwaway character into one of the most hilarious in the book, giving her wonderfully witty sarcasm and some of the best scenes (like the whole thing at Rodney's house - will not spoil it). My opinion of her has escalated beyond my previous imagining, I only hope she has more hilarity to offer.

Ah, and Bones, jealousy actually looks great on you. Yes, after poor Cat having to run into countless old flames from Bones' past, the tables have finally turned for a change. When Cat and Tate are forced to make out when on a job, Bones gets more green-eyed than usual... this apparently serves to make him even better in bed, if that is actually possible (look, I for one am still recovering from the whole blindfold thing in the last book). This book teaches women that if they make their boyfriends jealous they will go down on them repeatedly - awesome. I honestly can't believe that Frost manages to create hotter and hotter scenes as the series goes on... god knows what we can expect from #4.

Also, zombies?? Didn't see that one coming and to be honest it was a refreshing change from finding out that it was just another big powerful vampire with a century more of maiming and killing than the last big powerful vampire. This series really is so good, I can't wait to see what will happen next, but thanks to ebay I should be finding out shortly. show less

I find it funny that with all of the vampire books I have read over the years, I still have not tired of the theme. In this third book in the Night Huntress series, Jeaniene Frost continues to make life interesting for Cat and Bones and friends by adding a little magic to the mix, specifically from the legendary Cleopatra's daughter-turned-vampire, Patra, who also happens to be Bones's grandsire-turned-partner, Mancheres's wife. Life as a vampire only becomes more convoluted for Cat as Bones gains a few new abilities, and Cat learns why vamps are not allowed to practice magic. When they learn that Patra has sent "the grave" after Bones, I had visions of horror movies dancing in my head - and I was not that far off in my guesses. Since I show more am not a fan of this particular fad in fantasy fiction, I was glad that Frost depicted these paranormal creatures so horrifically.
One of the elements that I also like about this series is the humor - which Frost delivers in the form of Cat's mother, who embraces the circumstances of Cat and friends' protection with surprising relish. Without spoiling this juicy tidbit, I will say I laughed out loud when I read about the change in Cat's mother.
On the flip side, when anguish hits Cat hard, I felt her pain more than I expected to, even though I harbored doubts about what had really occurred. The emotion that Frost conveys in this section of the plot feels as real as if I felt the same loss as Cat.
There are many other interesting tidbits in the book, such as what almost occurs with Tate - and the result, Juan's decision, as well as the truce that develops between Annette and Cat. This is why I love series - side characters get more plot time, subplots can continue to mature, and I don't have to leave the imagined world behind just because I closed the book! I can't wait for the next book, Destined for an Early Grave (Night Huntress, Book 4). show less

No doubt some ppl may think I blaspheme in this brief review. Whilst I loved the action and was well-involved in that aspect, I find Cat's 'job' contrived and stale thanks heavens she resigns toward the end of this book and the romance between Cat and Bones just isn't grabbing me. Cat is amazingly rude and obnoxious to nearly everyone (as are most of the vampires in return) - it's amusing, but not really believable as an overall relationship trait - regardless as to with whom she builds the trust/friendship... :)

Something so many have a problem with in this book, I actually find refreshing. We've established that Cat and Bones are a power-couple, so I'm completely fine with [a:Jeaniene Frost|669810|Jeaniene Frost|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1310062695p2/669810.jpg] leaving out extended scenes just to display Bones' sexual prowess (but, let's be real, after the-chapter-that-must-always-be-named in [b:One Foot in the Grave|2168860|One Foot in the Grave (Night Huntress, #2)|Jeaniene Frost|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1373857981s/2168860.jpg|2174436], I'm not convinced there will be one that could top it). To be honest, I don't read books for the sex scenes anyway (I actually usually just skim over those parts to show more get to the rest of the story), so that could be why I have a different opinion than most of the readers.

I loved the introduction of interesting characters - i.e. a certain well-known vampire first introduced by [a:Bram Stoker|6988|Bram Stoker|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1202438456p2/6988.jpg] - and the character development of the badass Egyptian Mencheres.

There are some convenient plot devices that, in the interest of keeping this review spoiler-free, I won't outline. However, because the overall story is interesting and unexpected enough to counteract that, I don't consider it enough of a detriment to reduce the 4-star rating. show less

Terzo scoppiettante capitolo di questa coinvolgete e avvincente saga urban - con un deciso tocco di romance - fantasy firmata Jeaniene Frost. L'autrice non solo conferma e sottoscrive la sua incredibile bravura ma il romanzo, se possibile, risulta perfino superiore ai precedenti sotto tutti i punti di vista. Senza contare che, per i fan, aver la possibilità di continuare a seguire le (dis)avventure di Cat e Bones, i protagonisti e star indiscusse della saga, è un piacere incredibile.

I nostri beniamini sono alle prese con una nuova situazione incresciosa che sembra minacciare la loro tranquilla - si fa per dire! - vita. Bones continua a coprire le spalle a Cat durante le "cacce" e Cat... Beh, Cat finisce per essere sgamata un po' show more troppo spesso visto che la sua popolarità di Mietitrice Rossa è ormai l'equivalente del "l'uomo nero" dei vampiri. Non c'è da sorprendersi se il povero vampiro, benchè centenario, inizi ad accusare lo stess visto il grado di preoccupazioni che gli causa la moglie (ricordiamo che Cat&Bones, nel mondo vampiresco, sono legalmente sposati).

E, come se non bastasse, sembra proprio che Max, il padre della mezzosangue, abbia deciso di fare la sua mossa, mossa che prevede lo stupro, turtura e morte della figlia. Un piano che non va a genio a nessuno dei due protagonisti e che, per pura fortuna, riescono a sventare evitando una fine, piuttosto dolorosa, per la giovane Cat.

I siparietti fra Bones e Justina, madre antivampiro - sotto tutti i punti di vista - di Cat, sono sempre assolutamente esilaranti, impossibile non scoppiare a ridere immaginando la scena.

- Credevidi essere finalmente risucita a sbarazzarti di me, non è vero?

Mia madre aprì la bocca, si bloccò, e poi la richiuse. Quindi mi sorprese ulteriormente togliendosi di mezzo senza dover essere spinta da parte. Per lei, quello era l'equivalente di un espansivo bentornato.

- Lurido maiale - disse a voce alta quando fummo quasi fuori dal suo campo visivo. Bones sbuffò divertito, senza rallentare: - Anche per me è bello rivederti, Justina.

Come se non bastasse e non ci fossero già abbastanza problemi, con il padre psicopatico di Cat e tutte le volte che lei e la sua squadra vengono sgamati prima del tempo mandando a l'aria le missioni, si aggiunge anche una misteriosa donna che cerca in tutti i modi di uccidere Cat e, successivamente, Bones, il suo vero bersaglio.

Cat, però, deciderà di abbracciare completamente la sua metà "vampiresca" e farà di tutto per proteggere la sua gente e l'uomo della sua vita dalle grinfie di questa nuova avversaria che minaccia di distruggere tutto il suo mondo.

Un altro personaggio che conosceremo in questo romanzo, un personaggio dall'incredibile potenziale, che speriamo di incontrare nuovamente nei prossimi volumi della saga, è Vlad. Sì, avete capito bene, proprio quel Vlad. E' praticamente l'antitesi di Bones ma sembra essere piuttosto amichevole con Cat, cosa che fa letteralmente andare fuori di testa Bones. Fortunatamente non avermo nessun triangolo amoroso, ma solo un nuovo amico per la nostra mezzozangue.

Altra sorpresa ci verrà riservata da Tate, innamoratissimo di Cat da anni e ben deciso a far saltare i cinque miniuti a Bones con battutine e palpeggiamenti che poco hanno a che vedere con "l'amicizia". Lo scontro fra i due sembra destinato a verificarsi, se non fosse per l'incredibile eleganza con la quale Bones rivendica, di volta in volta, sua moglie. Sono degli inframezzi assolutamente squisiti, soprattutto la scena dell'esplosione della gelosia di Bones!

Il rapporto fra Cat e Bones è, come sempre, una girandola di passione pura. Fra loro l'attrazione e il bisogno reciproco di appartenersi è assolutamente ineluttabile ed è magnifico leggere come questo aspetto "romance" del romanzo di amalgami perfettamente con la parte "urban" d'azione. Una storia d'amore assolutamente matura, coinvolgente e avvincente ma, in questo terzo capitoli, anche tragica e disperatamente dolorosa. Ci sarà, infatti, un avvenimento che porterà la nostra Cat a rivalutare tutto il mondo e la sua esistenza, al punto da spingerla a voler abbandonare il suo lavoro con lo zio Don.

Le scene d'azione sono numerose, ben costruite e dai torni apocalittici che trascinano il lettore verso un finale sperato, anche se inaspettato. Infatti, come tutti i romanzi della Frost, la velocità d'azione del romanzo sembra non scarseggiare e non rallentare mai. Il lettore viene catturato immediatamente e trascinato in un calendoscopio di situazioni che corrono, una di seguito all'altra, verso un finale assolutamente perfetto.

In definitiva un romanzo assolutamente avvincente in grado di far ridere, piangere e sognare in perfetto stile Frost, un'autrice che rappresenta ormai una certezza. Non ci resta che attendere il prossimo romanzo di questa straordinaria saga per scoprire, se finalmente, la nostra Cat riuscirà a sposare Bones. show less

Ah!! The third installment, At Grave's End, of Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series is BRILLIANT! I loved it. Loved it. I'm sorry, I should have warned you to brace yourself for all the excitement that probably just smacked you in the face. I will try to calm myself from here on out- and remind myself that I'm not talking about a new lover (because that is what it sounds like!) Whoo, ok- getting serious now.

At Grave's End was an intense, thrilling read that made my toes curl. They curled whilst I blushed and giggled... and when I was made nervous for our heroine's life. Talk about an emotional (and gruesome) rollar coaster. I have to start describing the book for you now or I will get carried away with how enamored I am with it... I show more think the book had a more Urban Fantasy feel to it with Cat and Bones jumping from one issue to the next with their special ops team. Lots of fantastic gore and chaos- wonderful, witty, sarcastic dialoge... tons of humor! There is a good bit of blood in this one- so you blood thirsty readers out there will be pleased. Cat and Bones encounter the extremely powerful, dangerous enemy (ha, and wife!) of Bone's grandsire. She wants to see Cat and Bones dead. Bones declares a vampire war and all must choose sides. Thankfully, Bones has chosen to allie himself with his grandsire and gains some sweet new powers.

There is a moment in this book that made me tear up. Cat and Bones are slapped in the face with the possibility that one may have to live without the other... again. This scene is completely heartbreaking- imagine your worst fear being realized and then coming true. (Don't worry, we get some delicious *intimate* bedroom scenes. Should I have mentioned that earlier?) Nothing can come between this power couple... Not even Tate. Yea, you, Tate! Even though some characters become boring when they find their happily ever after- this devoted couple didn't disappoint me. I was hooked until the end. I really enjoyed their occasional spats- Even the most perfect couple isn't in constant bliss. It made them seem like a normal couple... I love realistic, logical fights.

You have to read this book. The banter between Bone's and Justina is hilarious! Justina gets a lover... oh, and so many other things happen that will just make you pump your arm and say 'yessss.' I wish I could spill more beans, but I'm not into spoilers. ;]

It is really late and I haven't eaten all day, so let me apologize for what I've written above. I will be too lazy to go back and change it tomorrow. FIVE stars for Ms. Cat Crawfield! And GOODnight!! show less

Oh. Dear. God. Am I reading Anita Blake? Oh. Im not.

Do I want to read book four? No. Will I? Probably in hopes that it gets better.

What started off in the first book as a read that was fantastic, interesting and had great character building has become a train wreck. Each book gets worse, with more garbage plots, loopholes and more awkward exclamations of love from the books' romantic leads.

First off, this whole book reads like a fan fiction, and people have abilities..like flying..that make me want to just stop reading. Honestly? Bones can fly? Bloody hell. I mean, the whole sex thing between them is old. They spend so little time getting to know one another, Bones has bumped uglies with every female character in the books thus far, show more and Cat flounces around the whole time throwing tempertantrums about how things arent going her way.

Speaking of Cat: I hate her. As a main character shes selfish and needy. She whines when she doesnt get her way, she ignores her best friend most of the time, gets everyone's lives fucked up, and even has the military base moved TWICE. Wait, THREE times. *head desk* She doesnt even seem to feel guilty about this.

And her ablities at the beginning? They're multiplying and now shes stronger than most vampires while still being a half-breed. She can take down a whole gang of vampires now, when in the first book she had issues with one on one? Okay, so shes more skilled and pumped up on vamp blood, but STILL. No real sense of cohesion here.

Bones and Cat are way too much into one another, speaking lovely words to one another in pretty much the most ridiculous times. "Oh Cat, I love you and blah blah..so lets kill some zombies!" Really? REALLY?! And their constant boning while people are within hearing distance? If I were a character in this book, Id have already staked/dismembered/buried Cat because shes annoying and I would get sick of their boinking noises.

Bones miraculously comes back from the dead..because he was just faking it..sorta..due to his newly aquired abilities..well..wtf? Just wtf. Sorry ladies and gents but Frost needs a new editor because this shouldnt have been added to the book. CUT!

Ill read the next one..but the book must lack:
1) Anal sex
2) Cat being selfish, confrontational or arrogant
3) Cat being cool and accepting of Bones' sexual history - love or not, if a guy still kisses an ex on the lips and you're okay with it? HAHA. Unrealistic.

It must have:
1) More secondary character development
2) Decluttering of characters - we have about 50 characters who pop up to say something witty but do nothing for the plot.
3) Bones' next abilities must be not only realistic, but possible within the realm of PHYSICS
4) If there is sex, make it less pornish. What happened to the loving, sensual Bones? No anal, biting or freakly S&M. show less