Devon’s Review of One Foot in the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 2) by Jeaniene Frost
Paranormal Romance released by Avon 29 Apr 08

I really enjoyed the first book in the Night Huntress series, Halfway to the Grave, so I was keen to get my mitts on this one. I have a feeling this is one of those series that you will either adore or find ridiculous. After reading the first book, I ran across this review on Breezing Through, and I was genuinely startled that others didn’t like it as much as I. Then I was like, “Well, I see their point there, and, oh yeah, she’s got a point there….” I could see what they were talking about right away, but I hadn’t noticed those things while I was reading. Funny how that happens. Anyhow, One Foot in the Grave is just as hot, action-packed, romantic, and yes, slightly absurd as the first book.

One Foot in the Grave picks up four years after Halfway to the Grave. Cat Crawfield, half-vampire, half-human chick with issues, is kicking ass and taking names as the head of a special vampire-killing FBI Unit. Yes, this does require a bit of belief suspension, that this grumpy 27 year old would be commanding ex-cops, Special Forces guys, and various other fighting types with more experience of all kinds. But I go with it because it’s fun! Cat is also pining for Bones, the lover/mentor she left behind. Through a rather contrived series of events, Bones comes back into her life, just in time to help her when her life is targeted.

Aaaahhh, Bones. I love him so. Yes, an oddly named, bleached blonde, English accented vampire does seem a bit derivative, but he’s such a great character. The relationship between him and Cat is what makes everything work so well. He is all about Cat. We get to know him better here, and he’s kind of a scary guy. His personal moral code is pretty much “Whatever keeps Cat safe, whatever keeps Cat happy.” Kind of sociopathic, but also funny, charming and hot. Once he shows up, the book really takes off.

Cat is one of those characters that may annoy readers. She’s abrasive, and impulsive, sometimes TSTL. Thank goodness for vamp super-speed and super-strength. She has a vulnerability that comes from her isolation that keeps her vulnerable, and a little more likeable. She shows a bit more emotional maturity in this book, and it’s good that she’s making more connections, with her team members and her best girlfriend. She and Bones have great chemistry, but I still sometimes wondered what it is about her that inspires such devotion in him.

I enjoyed the plot, which went deeper into the world of vampires and the mystery of Cat’s father. Cat’s team was made up of interesting characters, and I liked the interplay between all of them, and Bones. And the romantic elements are very involving. Although I have quibbles with Cat, I am loving this series. It’s fast-paced blend of romance and urban fantasy. I would start with the first in the series, and I would definitely recommend One Foot in the Grave to readers who enjoy series that follow the course of a relationship, or those who don’t need an neatly wrapped HEA. I’m looking forward to number three.

Grade: B+

Read Bev’s review here.

From the Cover:

You can run from the grave, but you can’t hide . . .

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She’s still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.

Being around him awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline kick of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head—wanted: dead or half-alive—means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard she tries to keep things professional between them, she’ll find that desire lasts forever . . . and that Bones won’t let her get away again.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

BevQB’s review of One Foot in the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 2) by Jeaniene Frost
Paranormal romance/urban fantasy released by Avon Books 29 Apr 08

PHEW! If you thought Book 1 in the Night Huntress series, Halfway to the Grave (reviewed here), was a page turner, wait till you read this one!

Warning: mild spoilers ahead, but not much more than the book summary gives away.

It’s been four years since the half-human and half-vampire, Cat, left Bones, an old, very powerful vampire, to protect him from being hunted down and killed. During that time, Cat has assembled and trained a secret government sanctioned vampire hunting team.

Now Bones is back and he’s not leaving. He will do whatever it takes to stay with Cat. The problem right now is that the relationship is one-sided. Bones changes his life, sacrifices and risks much (and does so willingly), but with only a couple of concessions (fans will cheer at one of them), Cat is almost daring him to love her, to prove that he really does care that much for her (wait till you read his “proof” in the bedroom! WOWZER!).

Sooner or later, though, I have to wonder if Cat (or Bones) will realize that she’ll need to give more, to prove to HIM that SHE loves him. One incident near the end of the book would seem to be that declarative proof, but the almost offhand way she mentions it later makes me wonder if it really meant as much to her as it did to him.

We do see a few glimpses of the mature woman Cat may one day be, but for the most part she still wants everything HER way. She barrels into danger with a surprising lack of common sense. And she either possesses a sense of invincibility or possibly suicidal tendencies– I’m never quite sure which and I doubt SHE knows either. No, it doesn’t cross over the TSTL line, but Frost IS edging her toes up to the line where hero/ine crosses over to Superhero/ine and I sincerely hope she stays well away from it.

A LOT happens during the course of this book, the cast of characters is expanded, and… I’m not going to spoil it any further. Just trust me when I tell you that I have a feeling (and a hope), that some of it is going to come back and bite Cat and Bones in the butt. (hee… Vampire humor)

I will say, though, that unlike Halfway to the Grave, One Foot in the Grave ends quite happily for several people, including Cat and Bones. Now, who knows how Frost will end the next one in the series—remember she’s only promised an eventual HEA at the end of the ENTIRE series—but be prepared for an interesting HEA in this one.

Oh, here’s a question for you medical type duckies: Can a regular human (i.e. not Cat) drink a pint of blood without throwing it up? The humans in Cat’s team ramp up their power by drinking vampire blood and, unless there’s some yummy goodness in it that Frost doesn’t mention, I just can’t see how they could swallow it and keep it down.

That appetizing thought notwithstanding, Jeanine Frost has written another highly enjoyable, engrossing story and, while I strongly recommend you read Book 1, Halfway to the Grave, first, I believe One Foot in the Grave CAN be read as a standalone.

Grade: B+

Summary:

You can run from the grave, but you can’t hide…

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She’s still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.

Being around Bones awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline rush of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head – wanted: dead or half-alive – means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard Cat tries to keep things professional between them, she’ll find that desire lasts forever … and Bones won’t let her get away again.

Author’s summary and excerpt.

Other books in the series:

Read Bev’s review of Book 1.

Read more from Bev on her personal blog Cubie’s Confections.