This Side Of The Grave by Jeaniene Frost

 

Product description form Goodreads

 Danger waits on both sides of the grave.

 

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance . . .
With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally"—the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war . . . to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

Mass Market Paperback, 357 pages

Published February 22nd 2011 by Avon 

Genre: Paranormal-Romance

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 Well what can I say, I am never disappointed reading about Cat and Bones and their explosive life together. Cat and Bones are definitely one of my favourite fictional couples. Jeaniene Frost never fails to bring something fresh and exciting every time. Not my favourite in the series but a must read all the same. There is a whirlwind of emotions in this book, I was crying at one part and laughing at others.

This side of the grave picks up where Destined for an early grave leaves off. For new FULL vampire Cat Crawfield and her master vampire husband Bones, things never run smoothly. The ghoul Apollyon claims Cat is a danger to ghouls everywhere, he claims she could change into a vampire/ghoul hybrid and start an undead war.

Cat is trying to keep her new drinking requirements on the down low for the time being, to try and not add fuel to the claims Apollyon has made about her being dangerous.

Cat and Bones are forced to seek the aid of the very dangerous ghoul queen, Marie. They pay Marie a visit, but she seems to already know about Cat's unusual feeding requirements. She forces Cat to drink from her, but at what cost? and what is in it for her? Cat does not know.

With Cat's new abilities that she absorbed from Marie, ghosts flock to her like a moth to a flame. Cat spends her time trying to repel them, in-case it draws attention to her.

Meanwhile Cat discovers her uncle Don is very ill and rushes to his side. He is dying of cancer and she is furious no-one told her sooner. Cat takes the news very hard, Don is the only father like figure she has ever had in her life.

Cat and bones split up with the help of Denise, Cat's best-friend. Denise has the ability to shape-shift into Cat. They are trying to lead the ghouls into thinking she is somewhere else. While Bones and Cat are apart, she practices with some of her new abilities she absorbed from Marie, with nearly disastrous results for Vlad.

Cat is called urgently to her uncles side, he is deteriorating quickly. Cat asks him would he give her away to Bones, because there was no-one to do it the first time they got married. He agrees and dies straight after. It was very heartfelt and my heart went out to Cat.

The showdown at the end is amazing, lots of fast paced action. We finally find out why Marie made Cat drink her blood. There is an unexpected spectral visitor at the very end, which I am very excited about.

Some of my favourite highlights of the book are:

Cat letting down her barriers and declaring her love and baring her soul to Bones. It was quite beautiful.

Vlad and Cat in the graveyard, trying to activate Cat's new ability, it was laugh out loud funny. Vlad is one of my favourite characters and I love reading about him.

Marie queen of the ghouls, I am so intrigued by her dark nature.

Cat's great sense of humour is always a big plus to read. Not forgetting Bones who is simply swoon worthy.

The Night Huntress series is a must read series, if you haven't read them you are seriously missing out.




A five star read and I cannot wait to read the next.

Carly :)