Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost Series: Night Huntress #1
Published by HarperCollins on October 1st 2007
Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy
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Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, aiming for the father who ruined her mother. Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, captures Cat, and agrees to train her until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. But a group of killers pursue them. Bones is as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.
-This novel was listened to via audiobook-
This is one series I have been meaning to try out for so long! Like usual, it will likely take me 2 or 3 books to fall in love with it. As far as urban fantasies go it’s a really decent read. Great action, an awesome protagonist, a steamy romance. Overall it’s your average story: A protagonist with a unique power and/or advantage, gets trained to be better at what she does, and starts on an action-packed journey that’s meant to have a lot of life or death moments and risky situations.
Even though I’ve read plenty of Urban Fantasies, my list still doesn’t trump dedicated fans of the genre. Still, I’ve read my fair share, and while this one might not have brought something immensely original, it’s an entertaining first installment. Our protagonist, Cat, has this need for revenge for what vampires did to her mother, going out night after night to stake as many as she can. Being a half vampire herself gives her both the ability to blend in with the humans, and the strength to kill… just about anything. I loved this girl’s confidence and strength. Her wit also brings a great dose of humor to the novel. I do wish we would have delved deeper in her back story and personal/family life which really fascinated me. Being the child born from a rape cannot be easy to swallow. Not to mention being raised by a mother who thinks you’re part evil – and keeps reminding you of this fact.
Cat develops an unexpected partnership with Bones, the first vampire to outsmart her. The romance between them has no lack of steamy chemistry, although I did find it was a tad quick. Maybe not insta-love exactly as there is a good build up, but it still felt like all of a sudden they were declaring love for each other. While I did enjoy the direction Frost is taking with the romance because it’s bound to become pretty intense, that was the only part of the ending I liked. Otherwise I found it typical and I’m hoping it’s not the start of a cliché double agent type of story. We’ll see.
I’m not gonna write very much else about this one. There are so many reviews on it that I’m sure most of you have already decided if it will be a go or not. If you’re debating an audio version, the narrator does Bones’ accent brilliantly and I loved it! I also have heard that this started as a Buffy/Spike fan fic. I can definitely see that (even though it’s been forever since I watched Buffy and don’t even remember most of it). If you enjoy urban fantasy or paranormal romance (I would consider it more the latter, actually) then this is a promising start to a sexy, guilty pleasure series.
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Mary @ BookSwarm
While I enjoyed this series, it’s not my favorite. I’m not sure why and, because of that I haven’t read many in the series. But there are some seriously dedicated Cat and Bones fans out there…so maybe I need to go back and give this series another go. Sometimes, you’re just not in the right mindset, you know?
Eileen @ Singing and Reading in the Rain
Cat’s character seems really interesting because of how she was a child born from rape and her mom thinks of her as an evil person. That definitely is a tough childhood, so I’m glad she still had confidence and a nice sense of humor, even if the romance may not have been a little too quick. And Bones is British?? That’s awesome.
Fantastic review, Giselle! <33
Emily
Haha, it’s great that the narrator nailed the accent for the characters!! 😀 I think that would definitely be important (though I’ve never really listened to an audiobook before… :P)
I’m glad you enjoyed this one Giselle! It’s an adult title, so I won’t be picking it up haha xD Fantastic review as always!! <33
Pili
Hmmm, I do enjoy a good urban fantasy series now and then, so maybe I’ll give this one a try at least to see what feeling I get from the first book.
Great review Giselle.
Charlotte
Never heard of this series nor of the author. Though I don’t hate vampire stories, I don’t think I am gonna try this one out because the instaloveish romance bothered me. Add the fact that you mentioned, it really didn’t bring something new to the table is enough to make me hesitate to pick this one.
I am however curious about how Cat handles the stigma of being emotionally abused by her mother and of knowing that she’s not only a child of an unspeakable deed but also an abomination.
Thanks for the great review, Giselle!
Jenea @ Books Live Forever
I haven’t read any of this series, or anything from Frost, it does sounds like a pretty good series though. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Melliane
I loved this series but I was disappointed bu book 6 and I need to read more. I’m curious about the last one. I hope the others will be better for you.
Bonnie
This is definitely a guilty pleasure type series for me as I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as many other people. I think I read up to book 3 or 4 and haven’t really intended on continuing but I may have to give it a shot on audio. 🙂 Great review!
Nereyda @Mostly YA Book Obsessed
I’ve gotten really into audiobooks lately and I have this one on my wish list. UF is one of my favorite type of books! The best UF series (or just series in general) is the Georgina Kincaid series by Richelle Mead. Fucking brilliant! I’m doing a reread of the series right now.
I still want to read this one because I’ve heard this series (and Bones) are really good 🙂
SweetMarie83
I hadn’t heard about this starting as Buffy/Spike fan fic but that wouldn’t surprise me at all…Frost’s descriptions of Bones are so close to Spike that I actually picture him when I’m reading lol. I didn’t love this first book – I think I gave it three stars too – but I LOVED the second book. I almost didn’t carry on with the series but I was SO glad I did. Now I’m hooked. I hope you end up loving it too!
Melissas Eclectic Bookshelf
I’ve heard good things about this series but it feels sort of middle of the road to me and I don’t know that I want to commit to another long series!
Wendy Darling
How come with almost all urban fantasies, everyone tells you that the first book is the least strong and they get better?! That’s the case with this series from what I hear. I still haven’t gotten around to starting this yet, but it’s good to hear you found it promising, even if you weren’t crazy about it. It has a huge number of fans and I’m curious what the fuss is all about.
Erin W
This is one of my favourite book series ever. Honestly, the author can’t do anything wrong with her writing. She’s always writing something awesome and I’m a little sad that this series is going to end next month. I’m definitely going to miss these characters, especially the main ones! Anyway, I’m glad you still enjoyed this book. Great review!
Vi
I actually haven’t read a lot of UF books, but I do wanna give it more of a try. It sparked Buffy fanfic?! Might have to check it out, haha. Great review!
Megan
I haven’t read a ton of UF (including this one), but I do like it. I’ll consider this one if I have some time and am in a UF mood.
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
Witty and humorous main characters are the best! It does seem like a typical fantasy book but I’m glad you still enjooyed it 🙂
Fab review, Giselle! <33
Kristin@Blood,Sweat and Books
Hmm I’m not exactly a fan of stories started as Fan Fiction. I just can never help but compare them to the original characters. Does sound interesting but I don’t know if I’ll read it.
Savannah
When I saw that you reviewed this book, I squealed! And then I saw you gave it a 3. 🙁 I love BONES! Bones is my man, Love him soo much!!! But I’m glad that you gave the book a try.
Giselle
Haha. For me a 3 is not a negative rating. I did like it, and yes Bones is awesome! 🙂
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence
YES I am glad you finally joined the world of Cat and Bones! The two are such a fun couple, I thoroughly enjoyed them both kicking ass and the hot bedroom action between them. I hope you enjoy the series Giselle and continue on.
manda-rae
I’m so happy to see you finally read this one. I love this series; Jeaniene Frost is a favorite of mine. But then again, I’m a sucker for paranormal romance. And the series does get better :p
Candace
I like the books later in the series more as it becomes more urban fantasy and less paranormal romance (I don’t particularly like paranormal romance but love urban fantasy) and like when there’s less romantic drama, which it is heavy with in the beginning. The books definitely get better and better so I hope you continue them! I need to listen on audio, I bet I’d like the accent!
Jennifer @ Some Like It Paranormal
I love this series! I felt like the series stays strong but I admit I have lost interest and haven’t read the newest one or possibly two. Must get back to the series.
Micheline @ Lunar Rainbows
Eeeep,I got really excited when I saw you’d read/reviewed this one – I actually got a copy earlier this year but I haven’t gotten into it yet. There seems to be SO much love for this series as people continue on with the books that I’m curious how you’ll do with the rest of the books! It took me awhile to warm up to the Fever series AND Charlie Davidson so I can see that being the case here. Lovely review Giselle ^^
Jaime
I actually am just finishing book 6 in this series on Audio – I read the books ages ago, but with the last book coming up I figured I’d give it a go. I really enjoy this one, and truly the narrator has grown on my throughout – I just wish the voice for bones was a bit more manly LOL
Great review and looking forward to see what you think of the rest!!
xo
jaime @ Fic Fare
Stella Telleria
I’ve read most of this series but had to stop because of how certain things were dealt with. I don’t want to throw out any spoilers so I’ll leave it at that.
A paranormal series I found really refreshing was the Dante Valentine series by Lilith Saint Crow. So different and so good!
Taco
Definitely didn’t start as a Buffy/Spike fanfic, it came to the author in a dream. I think she actually said recently that if she could go back, she wouldn’t make Bones a blond in the first book because of those comparisons.