This Side of the Grave: A Night Huntress Novel [MP3 CD]

Cat and Bones never seem to have any downtime. Now they head to Cat's old home state, Ohio, where there are rumors of Masterless vampires disappearing and ghouls are beginning to cause problems.

Apollyon is a ghoul who has lived for several centuries. He has waited six hundred years for a half-breed, such as Cat, to appear. He intends to use Cat's oddities as kindling to bring about war between the ghouls and the vampires. This is not for any benefit to his species, but for his own personal power gain.

Cat and Bones will need the aid of their friends (and not just from the vampire variety) if they are to stop a civil war.

*** THREE STARS! History fans will enjoy the fact that Marie Laveau plays a vital role in this episode, as does Vlad. However much of this story is simply Cat traveling to meet numerous powerful beings, somehow explaining to the reader who s/he is, and also of any special abilities the inhuman may have. There are even a few lulls in the story while Cat learns to fly and other skills, but the author has made Cat's training sections extremely interesting.

Cat's mother and uncle are in the story this time around too. Her mother has only a brief cameo or two. Looks as though Cat will be interacting with her mother and old team members in future titles. But Cat's uncle, Don, has been sick in the previous stories and readers finally find out what is wrong with the man. I will not say more for fear of revealing spoilers. All-in-all, I enjoyed this story; however, there is not as much suspense as in Cat's prior stories and readers that have not read the previous titles will be lost. ***

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Ok, so anyone who loves this series won't be dissappointed here. Cat and Bones have a solid relationship, one that is only stronger after the previous installment. Also, having read the spinoffs, it was nice to see all key players together again. I actually laughed out loud when Bones and Cat first go to visit Mencheres. Decent plot, although it seems that Jeaniene played it a tad safe. All her previous books were just so, extreme, and this one fell just a tad short of extreme.
Also, was hoping to learn more about Cat's vampiric abilities. She just kind of skimmed the surface. Hopefully we will learn more in the next installment. Already have it on my Kindle, it's next on my reading list!

Cat might now be a full vampire but with her sporadic heartbeat rumors of her becoming half-ghoul/half-vampire haven't died down. Apollyon, ghoul leader, is busy stirring up a war between the two species and Cat has to put important family business on the back burner to avoid the tragedy. A visit to the Voodoo Queen will be a necessary stop and will prove rather surprising.

This Side of the Grave was another amazing chapter in Cat & Bones' story. Grave, dramatic, yet witty and funny, every novel is as entertaining as ever. But fun isn't everything and Cat will have to face some very strong emotions, having me shed a few tears along her side. Her relationship with Bones will also reach another level as Cat opens herself to truths she's been trying to run away from.

The secondary characters are always a big part in Jeaniene's books and I was really happy to see Vlad and Mencheres having such a huge part in the plot. I appreciate the latter a lot more now that we've met him in Eternal Kiss of Darkness and I'm so anxious to read Vlad's books. Ian also made a cameo appearance at the end, but I wished he'd have been around more. But hey, can't have it all!

The events happening in this installment might have great consequences upon upcoming novels and I can't wait to see where it will lead us. Cat borrowed four of the most powerful undead abilities so far, I really wonder what she's going to pickup next, and if she will develop an ability of her own.

For those who have read the book, I can't wait to see what will happen to a particular ghost...

The Night Huntress series is full of action, emotions, epic battles and some quite smoldering sex encounters, but it wouldn't be as great without it's fabulous characters. You will love them, or love hating them, but none will leave you indifferent. If you love your Urban Fantasy mixed with some great romance and a grandiose humor, then you must pick up this series and its spinoff. Cat & Bones is one of the best couples Paranormal literature has to offer, trust me, you don't wanna miss out.

Here are some of my favorite quotes (they are spoilers free):

I shifted in my seat. Put me in a straight-up fight and I had no qualms about getting lethal, but when it came to the sort of interrogation Bones was talking about, I wished there was a better way. There wasn't one of course. Not when it came to the undead, and if things had to get messy to stop a potential ghoul uprising... Well, just call me Hannibal Lecter. With cleavage.

" "Don't even think about it," I warned him.
A brow arched. "That a dare, Kitten?" "

" "Feeling more talkative now?" Vlad asked, barely discernable above the ghoul's shrieks. "You continue to stay silent and I'll cook your frank and beans next." "

"No matter which side of the grave we're on. I'll hunt you, chase you all around eternity, whatever it takes, but it's you and me until the stars burn out."

And my absolute favorite:

"Your arrogance deserves it's own zip code, Drac"