Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, #1) in Crazy Challenge Connection

Jun 23, 2012 Kelly (Maybedog) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: what-modern-fantasy, what-vampires, where-grr-mine

I don't have a lot to say about this because there isn't anything to pick apart; this will be half a review. I was initially hesitant to even pick up the book because I am so tired of vampire stories. I heard good things about this one, but at one point I had it home from the library and it didn't look that interesting. I had too many books so I sent it back. It was only after seeing even more good things about it that I went back and looked at it again. I am so glad I did as the book was so goo I don't have a lot to say about this because there isn't anything to pick apart; this will be half a review. I was initially hesitant to even pick up the book because I am so tired of vampire stories. I heard good things about this one, but at one point I had it home from the library and it didn't look that interesting. I had too many books so I sent it back. It was only after seeing even more good things about it that I went back and looked at it again. I am so glad I did as the book was so good I couldn't put it down.

It has everything I look for in an urban fantasy: lots of action, lots of peril, a strong heroine who saves the day a lot, a gorgeous and kind leading man who is wonderful. He is dangerous to bad guys but not at all scary around her. He's protective, but she puts him in his place when he is being too much so. She doesn't allow him to baby her. He's not dark and brooding, he's easy going and in good humor most if the time! It's a believable world and the vampire mythos is interesting in that there is one. There's even a creation story versus an evolutionary one about how vampires came into existence.

The heroine is hot, but she dresses like a normal person most of the time and isn't lusting after spiked heels as she's running for her life. She is untrained to begin with, but before she is really taken seriously as a vampire hunter, she trains and trains and trains. That is so refreshing. She is believably capable of going after them. More than once I thought of Buffy. The vampires don't just fall into her lap either--there is a lot of sleuthing and trial and error before she and the hero get their vamp.

I like that the mom is neither good nor bad, that she is both. I also love that the heroine is blind to the bad in her mother as is sadly realistic for a daughter. I love that vampires aren't all black and white either. Relationships in general are great in the book, and the love story is perfect. I really like that although she's young and does stupid things, he is mature and doesn't play mind games back. And best of all, I can actually understand why an old vampire would fall in love with her.

So the story was perfect for me, and I am already requesting the next one from the library. I highly recommend this book even if you are sick of Twilight-esque vampire stories. It's that good.

Hunh. I did have a lot to say after all. ...more

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May 08, 2011 Juliana Philippa rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance-paranormal, 0-own, 4-stars, series-book-1, 0-own-in-dead-tree-form, 0-own-in-dead-tree-form-mass-market, 0-own-avg-rating-3-point-8-plus, library-book, 0-this-is-main-gr-edition, 2017-reads

Halfway to the Grave is my first full-on paranormal romance and I really, really enjoyed it! It was in first person POV, which is not something I usually like in romances, but here it works and didn't bother me too much. I feel like we're told enough about what Bones is feeling through her observations, that he's not closed off or inaccessible by any means. In fact, Bones is one of the most delicious heroes ever!! Though at first I was always torn between picturing Emily Deschanel or walking ske Halfway to the Grave is my first full-on paranormal romance and I really, really enjoyed it! It was in first person POV, which is not something I usually like in romances, but here it works and didn't bother me too much. I feel like we're told enough about what Bones is feeling through her observations, that he's not closed off or inaccessible by any means. In fact, Bones is one of the most delicious heroes ever!! Though at first I was always torn between picturing Emily Deschanel or walking skeleton - got over that quickly enough though ;-).

I'm always a fan of the loner / wallflower / unusual heroines, no matter the romance genre, so Cat delivered on that score. I found her honesty and insecurity refreshing, while also liking the fact that she was open and honest with Bones and that any issues that arose were not turned into Big Misunderstandings or Things Left Unsaid - plot ploys that I hate.

I will say that the ending was ... argh! So not satisfactory. I knew beforehand that this was a series and having read the summary of the next book to come out, knew how far their relationship will get. However I was not expecting the ending to be done as it was and to hear that the next book takes place 4 years later really brought down my excitement. (view spoiler) Honestly, I'm debating whether to change my rating from a 4.5 to 4 just because of this ending and my frustration with what Frost does with Bones and Cat leading up to - and at the beginning of - the next book. (Note: ended up lowering to 4 stars)

Overall the book was wonderful - romantic, funny, and an entertaining plot. I loved Bones and how he acted towards Cat, the things he said to her, etc. So, so sweet. The only thing marring this wonderful reading experience was how it ends and knowing what that leads to. Really put a damper on things, but still a great read and I am definitely buying my own copy of this book! ...more

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Oct 10, 2009 Gaijinmama rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, fiction

This book should come with a warning label: do not read while driving, operating heavy machinery, or on a ten minute break at work! Seriously. When our heroine and her gorgeous vampire beau finally have their big consummation, I was between classes and practically needed a defibrillator before I could face my second-period students.

In fact, that was a problem. Cat and Bones are very endearing, and their passion for each other is contagious. To be blunt (and I usually am!) I wanted a few more Goo ...more

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Oct 11, 2015 Nancy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: on-kindle, paranormal, romance

I loved it. That's almost all that I need to say really. Right from the first page of this book I loved it. Cat was brilliant, and even her hangups were realistic. And Bones was probably my favourite vampire character that I have come across in my reading so far. I think I loved the fact that he was British (or sort of 'Australian', having been turned when he was a convict. Although his British accent and mannerisms didn't always ring completely true (being British Australian myself), they were ...more

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Jan 01, 2010 Barbara ★ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: urban-fantasy, paranormal-warriors-guardians, read-2011, h-h-abused-tortured, paranormal-vampires, x-set-in-usa-ohio

I picked this up due to the many positive comments I read on GRs. I was only 12 pages in and already thinking Cat was a trip. I absolutely love Bones' dry sarcastic wit. It was very funny how it stopped Cat in her tracks.

As a vampire hunter, Cat is ruthless - all vampires are bad so just kill them even before they do anything overtly evil. Bones is one of her attempted takedowns and unfortunately for Cat, he is too quick for her and to sensual to resist. The push and pull between them is excitin ...more

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May 08, 2012 Carrie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: supernatural, vampire, humor, urban-fantasy, part-of-a-series, favorites, ghost, 1st-in-a-series, undercover, you-want-me-to-read-what

I can't not even begin to say about much I love this book. Amazing, fantastic. Bones and Cat are now one of my new favorite pairings. Sexy, kick ass duo. Love it. ...more

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Dec 13, 2016 Marla rated it really liked it

Shelves: adventure, recommended-to-me, adult, with-reservations, romance, challenged, serial-killers, paranormal, vampires, series

4.5 stars. This book is such great fun! Of course, from the start, you know that the centuries old deadly vampire is going to fall for the willful, stubborn, insecure half-vampire vampire-hunter. But I LOVE the characters and the way they interact.

Likes:
* Vampire hunter
(view spoiler) ...more

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Jan 30, 2014 April rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal, reviewed, audiobook, amazon-review-posted, ebook, sexy-naughty-books, vampires, chicks-who-kick-a, romance, blogged

Check out my other listens at Eargasms Audiobook Reviews

WooHoo!! I love it when I discover a series that is all out!!! I can not wait to dive into these. This is going to be delicious entertainment for the rest of the week.

Cat is a totally kick butt chick! She takes not crap from anybody! Love all her snark and sass. She is easily up there with all my favorite UF heroines. She has a hard road because of her family, but she does not let it get her down. It takes her a while to accept herself, tha ...more

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May 31, 2009 Charlotte (Buried in Books) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: urban-fantasy, vampires

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 21, 2009 Jane(Janelba) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-read-in-2009

You can't help but love Cat - half human, half vampire who has to make a deal to work alongside a 100% vampire Bones who is sexy as hell.
Great romance, characters and it's a real page turner. ...more

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