Destined for an Early Grave

4.5

“Slumber party with Dracula, all things considered why not?”

And this is where the series finally stakes a deeper claim in me and starts improving. Other friends seemed to salivate over this series from the start but I found too much annoyed me to fall head over heels with it. With this fourth book it fares better - the things that annoyed me before aren't there anymore and the characters are driving the story without too many distracting sex scenes.

The biggest game changer is that Cat no longer annoyed me. I think the author tried too hard in the first three to make her so tough she felt unapproachable and too unsympathetic. While she's still tough as nails and impressive as hell, she's also more enjoyable as a main to follow show more around. Her heart exists besides where Bones is concerned and she's willing to listen and have a decent conversation instead of obnoxiously shrill over anyone trying to talk. Instead of meeting people with an attitude, she acts like a decent person unless they give her a choice otherwise.

Vlad was great too - the vampire is too funny and he rocked every scene he was in, which was several. My eyes were glued.

There's trouble in paradise with Bones and while sometimes it was a little too angsty, there was relief to see real emotion from Cat. With what he planned, they had to have some series regulars at play - mainly Slade and Vlad - and I found the two in the house and with different scenes to be fascinating.

We get to meet Marie the Voodoo queen and that was pretty epic as well. Really the characters made this one - the story was good on its own standing but it wouldn't have worked without some of the humor from Vlad, the enduring charm from Slade, and the sexy appeal of Bones. Oh, and Mencheres was awesome too.

There was a slight mystery as Cat has to figure out what Gregori means to her, even making me question what was right and what was wrong, until the author cleared that muddy picture up quickly when revealing new things about the vampire and Cat's history. Bones was in the dark, but not all friends were, which made an interesting reveal.

The book closes with a brilliant battle and some grim changes, making me an official fan of the series who finally wanted to read the next few books. show less

I dove from book 3 into book 4, literally purchasing it and starting it as soon as the other book was finished. So, yeah, it's addictive. Cat is still growing, maturing, changing (oh boy is she changing) and still screwing up big time with her core issues, being stubborn and occasionally stupid -- but in a way that, while exasperating and annoying, feels quite real to me. I'll say right now that good, proper, well done character development can carry even a mediocre story a long way, but the story doesn't fall down here either. It's nicely plotted, it picks up threads (even the poor plot device kitty from book 2 is settled), and it builds up the secondary and even tertiary characters nicely.

I'm heading into book 5 hoping the pace keeps show more up, because these are fun, lively, occasionally surprising, and very entertaining. I like 'em. show less

A lot of the time when I'm coming towards the end of a book, I start to think about what I want to say in my goodreads review and with this Night Huntress novel the first word that came to mind was 'rollercoaster'. I then skimmed other reviews and found I was far from the only one.

When I first read the plot description before beginning, I was unsure about the story. Books 1 and 2 had been more sex/relationship focused rather than putting emphasis on the story behind it and though this didn't stop me from enjoying them, I loved book 3 when Frost finally decided to develop a good story as well as detailing Cat and Bones' sex life. The plot is about an ancient vampire (shockingly) who claims to have both spent time with Cat and married show more her when she was sixteen, but her memory was later erased leaving him a stranger in her mind. Furthermore, this vampire (Gregor) has the ability to appear in people's dreams and steal them away if he can catch them, thereby earning him the nickname: Dreamsnatcher.

My first thought on this was: odd. But, as I said before, it made for one hell of a rollercoaster and a fantastic storyline. Frost did right bringing Gregor into the picture to see how Bones could cope with someone that Cat had been emotionally involved with before, especially seeing as a) He has exes by the thousands, and b) Danny the wimp doesn't count. Actually he didn't cope very well, but my god is he hot when he's jealous (haha, my issues are surfacing).

In my opinion, it was even sadder when he left than when we thought he'd died in the last book; and then when it looked like he was whoring it around the streets of New Orleans, I felt Cat's jealousy right there with her (those issues again). I was worried and upset because Bones is a wonderful character and the thought that the author might taint that had me going: Nooooooooo! Obviously not out loud.

And Frost's writing just gets better and better. Like the hilarious part where Mencheres attempts to speak the 21st century language and comes out with words like 'bugging' and 'yo'. I won't quote it again because I've already spazzed over it in my last review. Hehe.

Now I'm just getting to the point where I'm hoping the novels never stop. As if book 6 doesn't come out til August, though?! Argh. show less

I'm not entirely sure why I read this entire series. Certainly the writing sometimes left something to be desired and eventually the plot became so ridiculously beaten, abused and tormented that I briefly considered starting a home for it and marketing telethons help others like it.I think the only thing that saved this ENTIRE series for me was the relationship between Bones and Cat. Passionate, loving, flawed, sometimes almost breakable, realistic. I don't know and since I had to turn my brain off to read this last installment, it's hard to get it going again.So, read this series at your own risk. I don't necessarily endorse it but if you're looking for brainless sexy times then line up and at least give it a go.

Brace yourself for a little bit of some wonderfully disgusting giggling and gushing over the radiance that is Jeaniene Frost's writing. "Destined for an Early Grave" was blissful, dark and cunning. It is safe to say that I LOVE THIS BOOK. I will let no one borrow it (it is a keeper!), but I will be purchasing it for Christmas gifts!

My expectations of this book were ridiculously high because Cat & Bones is my #1 power couple and I am in love (lust?) with the previous three books... This is one of my favorite paranormal romance series. I wasn't worried though, Jeaniene Frost always comes through! I swear she pulls off some of the most entertaining dialogue ever, while keeping the relationship between Cat & Bones extremely realistic. Cat & show more Bones jump to conclusions, have trouble with communication- all the norms of an every day relationship.

This book literally had me wanting to cry, punch the wall, laugh... woo. The emotions! Not a bad thing, I love being that into a book- hopefully you do too ;] Alright- alright, on with the plot already.

The book starts off with Cat and *Bones* on a much needed vacation to Paris. But what made Cat choose Paris? Something sinister awaits... As they're just getting relaxed a vicious vamp named Gregor tries to stake claim on Cat by snatching her while she dreams. (Gregor's power involves invading dreams and transporting people while touching them as they dream. Creepy. So creepy.) Gregor isn't just trying to kidnap Cat- he is trying to prove Cat is his wife. Uh oh- this means Bones never had any right to marry her and he could be in the wrong. Will they fight to the death? Did Cat marry Gregor when she was merely 16?

Gregor is determined to prove Cat belongs to him and will do anything to win her back. How many lives will be lost due to his ruthless perseverance? Can Cat and Bones over come their issues with jealousy, trust and communication to win the battle against Gregor? Pft. I don't know, this is a close call. Seriously, I was pretty damn irritated with the decisions that Cat (and or) Bones made occasionally. I would find myself saying out loud, "What are you thinking?!" "Listen to her!" "JUST DO IT ALREADY!" Hehe. Really though, I think Cat & Bones demonstrate just how important communication within a relationship is in this novel ;o]

The supporting characters really played brilliance in this installment. We are introduced to a ghost- Fabian. I love him. I hope we find more out about Fabian later. Well, really, I want to find more out about everyone. Justina. Spade. Vlad. Especially Vlad! I hope he gets a spin off. He really showed some *fun* colors here. Oh, Ms. Frost, please tell me more!

The only thing that made me grieve a little bit was that there are only two Cat & Bones sex scenes. We need more Cat & Bones sex scenes. Lots more. More books too. Who wants to make a book that is compiled of ONLY Cat & Bones sex scenes? I'd buy it. I WOULD buy it. Is that sad? Ok, moving on. It is incredible how intense this book is- you can cut the tension between characters with a knife. But what makes this book so fantastic is that through all this bullshit, Cat & Bones have a delicious devotion to each other.

I highly recommend this book to any paranormal, paranormal romance and urban fantasy lover. Jeaniene Frost must know where she is taking us with this series because this is another FIVE ROBOTS book that kept me hooked even when the future looked bleak for our beloved power couple. show less

**Caution: this review may contain spoilers as it is part of a series and I really need to rant about it. Proceed at your own risk**

Any regular follow of this blog can tell you that I LOVED the first three books in Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. I devoured them all in as many days and enjoyed them so much that I hosted a contest to give the series away to one lucky reader. When people have asked for recommendations of a fun, non-sparkly vampire series to read I've happily offered up the story of Bones and Cat for them. So when Destined for an Early Grave was released in July you can assure yourself that I rushed right out to buy it. And then despite numerous attempts to start it I'd only read a few pages before losing interest show more and putting it down. This saddened me because I had such high hopes for it.

I recently picked it up again and while I managed to read it to the end a part of me almost wishes that I hadn't. This book had stilted dialogue, poor editing (as in it seems vital transition scenes were axed making some things flow badly), and a plot that was drawn out way to long. One example of the poor transition editing comes on page 212 when Cat is heading up a rescue mission to get Bones out of New Orleans the scene reads as follows:

"On-screen, I saw [Geri] nearing Bones. He was at Pat O'Brien's, in the outside area, drinking what I guessed was his usual whiskey. His arm was slung around a pretty brunette, who was almost glued to him. Even now, her hand ran along his hip. I clenched my fists. B***h, you and I are going to have a long, bloody chat after this. Canelle couldn't hear my mental warning..."

Now I use this scene because now where leading up to Cat naming Canelle does she give any indication that she recognized who the girl with Bones was (Canelle is someone from Cat's past). It just made me pause and go, huh? Where did she come from. It just seemed like there should have been something more. Not a lot, but something.

I also found Destined for an Early Grave to be highly repetitive with a lot of random scenes that had no point. Like in the beginning when Cat and Bones first travel to New Orleans. Cat mentions she has no clean clothes so changes into a robe with nothing underneath and sits an seethes because Bones left her for a meeting. When Bones returns their conversation starts off pleasantly but then out of nowhere the two just start having a knock down drag out fight. It was one of may WTF is going on here moments that populated this read. Anywho during the fight it is mentioned that Cat's robe starts to come undone her naked breasts spilling out for all in the room to see. Things continue a few paragraphs more and then Bones and Cat start to make up and Bones runs his hand up her thigh meeting little resistance as she is wearing nothing under her robe because she hadn't had time to change. Um....yeah....thank you Captain Obvious for making it known that Cat was pretty much naked the entire time. I didn't quite get it so I appreciated the constant reminder to her lack of dress.

I also got so annoyed at the double standards that both Cat and Bones had for the other. Bones would get all upset that Cat was 'trying to protect him and treating him like a weakling' when she'd try and stop Gregor from interfering with their lives. So much so that he got all huffy said they were done and stormed out cutting off all communication. THIS from the man who built an entire panic room/cell in a safe house and tossed Cat into it, locking her in - for her own safety because she could be hurt - when there was a ghoul attack. Cat isn't human, she is half vampire and filled with a whole lot of kick ass. It just didn't make sense. Nor did it ring true since the two had fought side by side in every previous book.

Another example of the poor transitioning also came from the end when all of a sudden it was just a fact that Cat would turn into a vampire. There were a couple of instances in which she'd be chatting to one of the other vampires in the story and then the topic would just switch to something like 'so when are you going to tell Bones that you decided to turn?' They dialogue in those scenes was just so stilted and didn't really ring true. There were so many conversions that occurred throughout the book that I just couldn't imagine taking place. That's just how awkward they were.

I don't know maybe I just expected too much from Destined for an Early Grave but it was just a struggle to get through. I persisted only because of my love for the previous books in the series that I was sure that it would get better. Only it didn't. Now I wonder if I'll even bother to check out the next Cat/Bones tale (because after what Frost did to Cat's mother you know there will be another book) or the spin-off series that Frost has recently started. I also can't in good faith recommend this book to any of my readers. If you like Jeaniene Frost, please, I beg you stop after book 3 - At Grave's End - do not read this book. And if you are new to Frost I do still highly recommend the first three in the series. Just know that you might want to skip this one.

As originally posted on my blog Ticket to Anywhere show less

I will admit it. I started this book looking for trouble. Yeah, while it is the fourth of the series, it is the sixth I have read since I read two tangential books involving this H/h. Yeah, I am not proud but I have been hurt before by series that have gone on too long and I need to protect my reader's soul.
I kept looking for that shark that was going to jump at some point. I was waiting for that bloated, unsatisfied feeling that certain cash cow series have given me (looking at you, Stephanie Plum).

But guess what? It didn't happen, and I am not sure why. Okay. So if you have read any of these, you know they are basically the same story. Cat and Bones get in trouble for various reasons and various undead start to think the undead world show more doesn't necessarily benefit from their dead/undead existence and mayhem ensues. The first three books are basically individuals being perturbed by Cat and Bones. But in the third book, immediately preceding this one, they become the target for a powerful female vampire who happens to be married to Bones's grandsire and she needs to be dealt with. Vampire Armageddon ensues. This book, welcome to Vampire Armageddon Part II. There are even more similarities than just the blanket of evil and war, but I don't want to do a spoiler here.

What kept the bloat away? Why isn't this series giving me déjà vu all over again? Honestly, I don't know. Ms. Frost teetered on the edge of the shark tank by introducing an alternative history for Cat. I was not the only one taken aback by this history. Cat, too, had no idea her memory had gaps, but here's the thing: it was handled well. The back history was delivered efficiently and thoroughly. It was not a "well, as you know, Bob" scenario, no info dump. So the history gave a new layer, a bit of depth to the whole series. Or not. I don't want to call it a revisionist history, but it did allow for some conflict in this story between Cat and Bones that added another twist.

Or could the bloat blaster be the fact that I have enjoyed Tavia Gilbert's performance for most of these novels. I sometimes think that if I were reading these that my internal voice would be wearying of the similarities inherent in these books. But having Tavia perform these books for me keeps them new and fresh. SPOILER: Cat is "turned" in this book. Tavia's narration of this process was phenomenal. Yeah, she read the words Ms. Frost wrote, the words Ms. Frost grouped together to convey a physical feeling, a melange of physical feelings. But my goodness, she performed the words, she read it aloud a way I never would have read to myself. I "felt" the words. No, I didn't feel the physical pain, but I felt the emotional pain. I "understood" what was happening. No, I don't believe I now know how it feels to be turned into a vampire. But what I know from real life is the whirl of breaching the unknown, entering a situation that is life changing, taking a leap into the unknown that is expected to be a positive but can so easily become a negative. This minute or two of dialogue that Ms. Frost wrote, that Ms. Gilbert performed took me back to those times. And it is moments like that that keep the bloat away. And I look forward to the next installment. show less