Destined for an Early Grave

Another, most awesome instalment from Jeaniene Frost's , `Night Huntress' series.

Oh the quotes that I can't put up, hehe!

Ms. Frost certainly had me feeling a tad upset whilst reading this book with Bones getting so upset with his Kitten. Be still my heart. I was looking over Cat's shoulder when she was looking at the Satellite footage and I was holding my breath, inwardly crying, `noooOOoo'.

There was a bit of corker biffo going on between Cat and Bones and the verbals....I thought it was very clever of Jeaniene to show us a deeper side to Bones and to show Cat that she needed to wake up to a few things. It made for a real page turner this book.

Gregor, the Dream Snatcher in a way gave Bones a run for his money because Cat has a running list longer than me of all Bones' conquests and this tipped the scales a bit to show that Bones really had a deep fear of losing Cat. Even though she didn't remember Gregor and her past with him, no fault of her own * gives Mencheres a dirty look* , she did have a past.

Their passion for each other and their fear of losing each other, made for some fiery Cat and Bones scenes.

Bones has such an incredible fear of his wife being taken away from him due to Vampire Law, first dibs and all.

Oh , the wonderful Marie Laveau, Majestic, most powerful ghoul, Queen of New Orleans. Isn't she a corker? I love Cat's way of handling her.

"Oracle?"

"Bingo!"

Ode to `The Matrix'.

Ha! Creepy Jacques leading Cat through the Indiana Jones style booby trapped way to meet Marie. Be hard pressed to get out of there alive if you didn't know the ropes or have a creepy tour guide.

I love the introduction of new characters. Fabian du Brac 1877 -1922 , you just want to hug him, if you could. He just needs to be needed, noticed. What a softie, Bones.

There is action, loads of jealousy, biffo, some attempted dream snatching, ex wife and a wife ( depends on who you are speaking to), some hot smexi ( like duh!) , ghouls, Vlad needing a bit of a platonic snuggle ( aw[...] tempers flare, rescue attempts that aren't really needed, a past memory erased, trust issues, may the best man win issues, Juan is still Juan. Tate thinks all his Christmas' have come at once. Justina is still...well Justina.

As the book blurb states, it is intense and emotional, but it's also that wonderful rollercoaster ride you take with Cat and Bones like no other Urban Fantasy couple I have read.

Bones is just .......just........one of a kind.

FAVE QUOTES THAT I CAN WRITE IN MY REVIEW:

Bones gave a low chuckle. "I can't stop wondering how I'm going to take you whilst you're in it. Right now I've decided on from behind, although that may change by the end of the opera."
"Why did we go to this if you'll just be mentally molesting me and not watching the performance?"

"Because that's right fun in itself," he responded with a wicked grin.

"I was trying to wake you," Bones answered crisply. "I cut you, threw water on you, slapped you, and set a lighter to your legs. For future reference, which one of those do you think worked?"

"Hey, Walks Like An Egyptian, how about for once you drop the formal stuff and talk like you live in the twenty-first century?"

"The shit's gonna splatter, start buggin', yo," Mencheres responded instantly.

"Querida, no kiss for your hombre?"

"Juan?" I laughed. " Don's got you on chauffeur duty?"

"I'd drive a tractor to see you." He grinned, turning around. " I missed your smile, your face, your round luscious---"

"Bloody hell, Kitten. Never thought to be flogged by my own furniture. Do you know I saw stars when that cracked over my nog?"

"Damn you for being a conscienceless whore."

Bones didn't take his eyes off me, nor was his response any louder.

"That's what you married, Kitten. A conscienceless whore. But if you recall, I never pretended to be anything else."

"Did you really think I'd ceased to care? Kitten, I care so much it wrecks me."

"Oh . Well." A slumber party with Dracula? All things considered , why not? "Okay , but I snore."

He grinned. "I have been under the same roof with you for a week, so I already know that."

Michelle

~Reviewed by SUZANNE & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

What Cat needs is a holiday with her vampire husband Bones, away from the violence and power struggles of the undead world. But, even in her sleep she can't relax as long repressed memories start to surface and a vampire escapes imprisonment to publicly claim Cat as his wife.

This book is my personal favourite in the series, maybe because I am a sucker for punishment as Destined for an Early Grave puts Cat and Bones relationship to the ultimate test. We watch Cat struggling with her feelings about vampires, reading as her love for Bones get battered and trampled, and wondering if it will survive the beating all this combined had my eyes glued to the page.

This is the fourth book in the series now, and I am not sure there is much more I can add that I haven't mentioned in my previous reviews. I love this series for the smoking hot romance between Cat and Bones, the funny and interesting secondary characters and the pulse pounding action that Frost injects into every book, and Destined for an Early Grave was no different.

Like I said, this book is my favourite book in the Night Huntress series, I highly recommend you start it (if you haven't already) for this book alone!

Cat and Bones have more than earned a vacation. Away from their tough jobs, away from the politics, away from danger. But while Paris starts off as the perfect getaway, peculiar dreams (or are they memories?) have been haunting Cat night after night. It turns out she may be married to Gregor, a powerful vampire, and has been since long before she met Bones. Hubby #1 wants his wife back. Needless to say, that doesn't go over well with Cat or Bones, but Gregor's power is greater than theirs combined.

The title says it all. This book felt like filler to me. The premise didn't really lend itself well to future plot development, at least not in a sense that rings true. It technically does because there is a huge change, but I feel like practically anything could have spurred that major change along. I never felt like Cat and Bones's' relationship was truly threatened so there was no tension or suspense, just contrived melodrama. Just about everything is forgettable about this story save for the final 25%, which saved it from getting 2 stars.

There is one plus, I think Vlad has emerged as my favorite character of this series. He's witty, fun, badass, and overall a well-done interpretation of Dracula. It's a difficult character to really harness and make unique, but I think Jeaniene Frost does a great job with him. It's just never enough. But knowing he has his own spinoff, makes me feel much better.

Reviewed at Another Look Book Reviews

I. Just. Loved. This. Book. OMG it was amazing. Well deserving of a 5 heart rating.

Destined for an Early Grave was so good that during a family Easter dinner I found myself sneaking away to read on the deck outside because I NEEDED to know what was happening next. What a page turner. I think Destined for an Early Grave is my favourite one of the series so far. So good.

Destined for an Early Grave had me on a tidal wave of of emotion. No wait, make that a tsunami of emotion. I was sad, mad, happy, jealous, furious, miserable, nervous and about a hundred others that turned my tummy inside and out.

I feel by now I am totally invested in Cat and Bones's relationship. Jeaniene Frost has me wound so tight that I finished this paperback in one day. Yes I have to apologise to my relatives during our annual Easter family dinner so I could get right back to the book. Good thing I have great in laws. (or they just think I'm crazy)

When Cat and Bones argue, I take sides. However I love them both so much that I am like a tennis ball bouncing over the net over and over again. One minute I'm all on Bones's side and then next I am 100% committed to Cat. They both have such great point of views and I am nothing more that a 1970's Pong Game.

The side characters that Jeaniene Frost created are just as valuable to the story. I think that Destined for an Early Grave was a perfect time to branch out on the spin off Night Huntress World series. In fact, I'm off to read Mencheres's Eternal Kiss of Darkness book next. I'm still mad at myself for reading First Drop of Crimson out of order but at least I'm all caught up and I now understand some major bombs that were exposed when I read it.

If you haven't started to read this series as of yet, please start at book 1 Halfway to the Grave. I try in my reviews not to give too much specifically about the books because I don't want to cause a spoiler. But if you haven't tried the series, see if your library has it, see if you can book borrow or take the plung and purchase all you can in one stop. I tried for a few months to pick up the series from used books stores but it seems like whoever buys these books, hangs on to them because there were none to be found.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. After book 3, I'd pretty much decided I was done with this series. Cat was too much of a Mary Sue for my taste, and too much of the books seemed poorly planned, poorly executed, or too much wish fulfillment. The only reason I'd made it so far? Bones. I love Bones. But I was also frustrated because it seems like the author created this wonderful character in the first book, and then neutered him and made him nothing but a lackey sidekick in subsequent books. I vowed to try one more time, and if the first couple of chapters didn't make me feel any better, I was going to bid a sad "Adieu" to Bones.

This 4th book, however, addressed those concerns. I know that a lot of readers don't care for the amount of discord between Cat and Bones in this book but I really loved it. I love that Bones finally grew a pair and called Cat out on her attitude and her antics. And even though I was still a little put off by the extreme Mary Sue-ness of the Cat character, the central conflict of this story together with the conflict between Bones and Cat kept me riveted. I read it straight through and couldn't put it down.

I think the author finally hit her stride with this book and I'm now considering continuing on with the series.

This is the fourth book in the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost. The sixth book, One Grave at a Time: A Night Huntress Novel, will be out on August 30th of 2011. I enjoyed this book a lot more than the third one. A lot happens, a lot of the characters go through some drastic changes. The majority of the book had me on the edge of my seat and I can't wait to find out what happens next! I listened to this on audio book, as with the previous books on audio, this audio book is extremely well done. I think listening to these is even more fun than reading them!

This takes place about a year after, At Grave's End (Night Huntress, Book 3). Cat and Bones are finally trying to take a vacation when they find out Cat is being hunted by a vampire called the Dreamsnatcher who says he is her husband; Cat has no idea who he is. Of course this ticks Bones off to no end. Things are very dangerous for Cat because the Dreamsnatcher can kidnap humans in their sleep. Add to this rumors that Cat wants to be turned into some sort of uber-ghoul and it makes the vampire politics in this book very tense.

Cat and Bones are really put through the ringer in this book. The first part of the book is very dark. Bones is angry at Cat, Cat is upset about her lost memories and can't even sleep because of fear of being snatched. Both Cat and Bones do a number of stupid things that could have been avoided had they communicated better.

The good thing that sets off all of the bad in the first half of the book is Vlad. Vlad is present in a big way in this book and proves his steadfast friendship to Cat over and over again. It was fun to learn Vlad's history and to watch him interact with Cat; he is one of my favorite characters in this series.

The other good thing about all the bad that happens in the beginning of the book is that we get to see Cat and Bones work through all these issues and become a stronger couple after it all. Lots of interesting things happen to Cat's powers later in the book, this was fun and exciting to read about. I was a bit confused with how the whole deal about Bones gaining a bunch of power from Mencheres was dropped in this book, but whatever, hopefully it will come up again in the next book.

As with previous books this is more of an urban fantasy than a paranormal romance. The plot moves quickly, there is never a dull moment. Parts of this book will break your heart, but fear not it gets better! The book ends well and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book with Cat and her new abilities.

Overall a very strong addition to this series. I enjoyed this book a lot and have no complaints. I loved that we get our witty Cat and Bones banter back. The beginning of the book is very dark and parts of it will break your heart, but that just makes the second half of the book even more awesome. It was great to spend so much time with Vlad in this book. Some really interesting things happen with Cat and her powers too, so I am very excited to see where Frost goes with all this in the fifth book, This Side of the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 5).

Where do I start with this book? I will start off by saying that I am a huge fan of this series so far, but this has to be my least favorite book. I say this not because of the writing, dialogue or the plot. All of those things were exceptional and done great. The problem I had with this book was the characters themselves.

Usually Cat is strong and fierce which is what I loved so much about her. In Destined For An Early Grave, it seemed the author wanted to show the human side of Cat which would have been great--- but it is not true to the character of Cat. I have grown to love how Cat rolls with the punches and brushes her self off after each drama filled confrontation. In this book she seemed to absorb the punches and wallow in the grief of each one. I kept waiting for the strong and fierce Cat to rise up and stab anything that moved.

Bones changed in this book as well and it was not for the better. Usually Bones is carefree and deeply loyal to Cat. He has the Alpha thing going on with each book yet it was balanced just enough to make Cat equal to his personality. In this book, I loathed the way Bones acted. I hated his better-than-thou attitude and how he became such an overbearing abuser of his words and ways. I literally screamed and threw my book up against the wall when I read chapter 17. I was pissed and hurt that the author went down this path for the couple. I almost didn't finish reading the book because of it.

Yet, I picked my book up, brushed it off, and did what Cat should have done. I got angry and determined to see where the author was going to take us next. Did I relax and enjoy the rest of the book? No. I flipped through those pages with the fury of a woman scorned and devoured it! Yes, I started to enjoy it again, but I had a new outlook on each character. Then when the author tried to reverse this downfall I felt confused. I couldn't believe how Cat just accepted it and continued on in the relationship with Bones! I wanted Cat to beat the crap out of the "sod" and put her foot down!

Overall, while I didn't enjoy the way things were handled between the characters, the book was great as a whole. We lost beloved characters again in the fight, we mourned their loss, and the writer even did some drastic changes to some characters that you don't expect. So even though I wasn't a fan of the choices Bones and Cat made, I was a fan of the story by the end.

I have finished the last of the Night Huntress series, and there is no other way to put this, but I am devastated! I know some series get over-anxious readers and creepy fans, but I just can't help but understand how they feel when it comes to this series. I know many people scoff at PNR (paranormal romance), but it is because they are either too embarrassed to read it, or they don't appreciate the world and character building that some of these authors go through, and honestly succeed in creating.

Perhaps it is because I am a vampire fan or because I enjoy a love story, but this series delivers on both ends. It is fast-paced, kick-ass, sexy, thrilling, sad, heart-wrenching, and just plain fun. Yes, I said it, FUN.

Back to my review; this book had me on my toes, let me tell you. It also had me peeking ahead to make sure things turned out how I wanted them to because the tension build was excruciating. Cat and Bones are one of my favorite couples of all time. They are a power couple to the extreme and I love their chemistry and dynamic. I love everything about how Frost writes them together, their witty banter, and sexual tension. What I don't like is when they fight, and wow, did this book have them at each other's throats (pun intended). There was a large chunk of the book that has them fighting and essentially broken up, and like I said earlier, I had to look ahead to make sure things turned out because I was so upset by this. I realize why Frost did it, how it plays into the story, but I couldn't help but be upset.

After things are resolved, a change happens that I'm sure not many of us thought to happen (if you know anything of Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse), yet I am glad it did. It will add an entirely new dimension and plot capabilities to the continued novels in the NH series.

On a more encompassing note, this book is again about how Cat is being targeted. But unlike the other three books, her pursuer doesn't want her dead, well at least not undead. His name is Gregor--he is a tall, attractive, and brooding vampire from Cat's past that she doesn't remember. He visits her in her dreams, enticing her to come to him and leave Bones behind. This may not seem very threatening, but after reading, this dream entrapment has led to some of Cat's most dangerous escape adventures and all-out brawls as Bones fights Cat's former...(I'll let you fill in the blank after you read for fear of revealing too much).

If you have read the first three books then you will know that this (of course!) is not the only plotline. There is another war brewing, disturbances within the ghoul community and how Cat plays or presumably plays into that as well. How will Cat and Bones get out of some of their messiest debacles? Read and find out! I sure enjoyed every word and every page!

Overall, this book was wonderful and I enjoyed every minute of it. I absolutely love this series and that is saying something. You will NOT be disappointed. And if you are, I would love to have a conversation about it!

Have you ever found something out, that makes you question your entire life and the people around you? Cat is dreaming being chased by a sexy, dark, unknown man. Who is he? Does she know him? Why is she dreaming of him? And will he cause her to lose everything?

Cat, what can I say about her. She's physically strong, she's intelligent, and she's one lucky women to have Bones. Her biggest downfall, is the fact that she needs to fully trust in Bones. She keeps hiding things from him, and it keeps getting people hurt. She also doesn't seem to truly believe in how much Bones loves her, and she almost lost him because of it. I understand that she needs to know the truth about the dark strangers, but she needs to trust that both Bones and Mencheres have her best interests at heart.

Bones is one of my favorite literary love interests in ever. He sexy, British, protective, and a total bad-ass. He's the total package in the Urban Fantasy world. He doesn't have an annoying bone (yes, pun intended) in is body. The words `un-dying devotion' is thrown around a lot in literature, but I truly believe that sums up how Bones cares for Cat. He is willing to do anything to keep her, and he proves it in this book.

I really enjoyed the love, tension, fight, and passion that these two characters have for each other. It was also great to get to see Vlad again. Vlad's interactions with Cat always amaze me. He's a totally different person when she's around. I'm hoping to see more of him in future books.

This series has quickly become one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series. It had been on my TBR pile for several months. After some urging of a good friends, I picked it up. Boy am I glad I did! The series is smart, funny, and seaming hot!!! Jeaniene writes the most amazing dialogue, that is full of one-liners that make me actually laugh out loud. It's a definite must read, if you haven't already.

My Ratings

Plot: 5/5
Setting: 4.5/5
Writing: 5/5
Originality of Plot: 5/5
Characters Development: 4.5/5
Ending: 4.5 /5
Cover Art: 5/5
Likelihood to Recommend: 5/5

Overall: 38.5/40 = 96%

This is the game changer book. It’s also my least favorite of the series because Cat and Bones have so many problems and they fight A LOT. Many disturbing things are revealed and a vampire ally has been keeping a HUGE secret from Cat and Bones. You won't freakin' believe it!

We also lose a beloved secondary character in the book. Yes, I was totally balling. Cat and Bones's relationship is put to the test in these pages. It's heart-wrenching and there are a few WTF moments that totally threw me. So many milestones happen in this book as well; some good, some bad, but necessary all the same.

This is not a sunshine and rainbows kind of book. Jeaniene really keeps us holding our breath in this one. I am reminded by the saying, "It's always darkest before the dawn." This is one of those dark times. I hope I haven't deterred you from picking up the book. The story is vital to the series.

Things do get better though, I promise!

This is one of the most intense books in the series so far. Cat and Bones decide to go on a little vacation and when they do Cat is almost "dream snatched" by her husband. No no, not Bones... her first vampire husband... Gregor. Whom, she doesn't even remember knowing, let along the fact that she would marry a vampire at the age of 16 when at the time she despised vampires. Gregor will do anything to get Cat back, including but not limited to, cheap shots and low blows. This book kept me on my toes the entire time. Who knew so much could go down in only a few hundred pages. My one and only complaint... there was no Tate! :'(

Where do I begin, Cat is the typical Cat. She is still just as stubborn as Bones. She still feels like she needs to protect everyone from danger, which still lands her in a heap of trouble. Which leads to Bones getting the most upset I have seen so far. Emotions run high throughout the entire book. Vlad steps up and becomes a good friend to Cat and comforts her through a tough spot, which of course Bones misinterprets. More huge battles, more huge losses and some new developments to give the story a twist.

I think that pretty much sums up the book without giving too much away. With all the action that is going on, Frost has still found time for some amazing one on one time with Bones and Cat. I could barely put this book down and stayed up until the early morning trying to finish it.

When her romantic get-away with Bones turns sour, Cat discovers through Mencheres that an entire month of her life was wiped from her memory, supposedly to protect her from the vampire currently chasing her. Fighting for her life against a vampire more powerful than Bones, Cat might loose something even more precious in the process.

Frost does it again, Destined for an Early Grave was amazing, intense, breath-taking, heart-breaking and I could keep going, but I think you got the point! I'm in love head over heels with this series and I think this installment put the stakes (pun intended) higher. I came close to tears multiple time reading this book, but chapter 17 killed me, I was literally stunned and I couldn't believe what I just read, but this wasn't the only surprise. The plot took twist and turns I never imagined in a thousand years and I was taken by this urgent need to keep on reading and reading until the end came. And geez do I want more? Yes, Please!

Cat & Bones relationship was an insane rollercoaster ride during that book, and thanks to Jeaniene's fabulous writing, I shared every single feeling along with Cat, I was sad, broken-hearted, stunned, pissed-off and sometimes all of the above at once. Their relationship reached a point of no return in that book and I truly can't wait to see how both of them are gonna deal with the consequences.

I was really please to see Vlad again in that book, I love the guy so much. He is so mysterious, and even though you know he could literally burn you, you still trust him. He has an insane charisma and I was glad he was there to support Cat. I don't think Cat would've grown has much if it wasn't for him. I really hope he will get his own spin-off book sometimes, He would be one amazing character to discover.

The end was like the rest of the book aka amazing. So much tension and emotion in so few pages, I got to the last page and my reaction was: "NOOO! It's already over!". February can't get around the corner soon enough if you ask me.

If you haven't started this series yet, please run to the nearest bookstore and buy the first book. I was hooked from page one and kept on craving for more. Frost build a fantastic world full of danger, passion and adventure. Virgin eyes beware though, this is no young adult novel.

One reviewer said it well, with the 1st 3rd of the book gets a 3.5*, the middle of the book gets 2*'s, and the end goes back to a 3.5-4*'s if you can just make it past the middle of the book.

The angst between the hero, Bones and the heroine Cat(which is a word I would not use for her in this book, " was dreadful. They loved each other on one page, hated each other the next, made up the next after that. Next Page enter another stupid misunderstanding and repeat. After 6 years together, they were acting like they just got together and their was absolutely no growth at all in the relationship.

She kept doing, not protectice, but incredibly stupid things in order to save Bones, who proved he didnt need it over and over. Bones at one point reemed her out (rightly so) and said "I am a MASTER VAMPIRE" (2nd strongest known Master Vampire at that) why cant you have a little faith in me. She never gave him the oppurtunity even after he had proved he knew what he was doing. In order to "save" everyone she kept putting them in more danger, when they had to come get her out of her latest stupid stunt.

I liked Bones, and though the author tried to make him take equal blame the fault for evetything was mostly Cat's and the other male characters falling out and fighting over Cat was just annoying after awhile, as long as Cat and Bones had been together (and they were actually married) that should have been mostly over, and Cat's mother should be killed off, everyone would be better off for it, including the reader of the book. She is just a character you feel no simpathy for and hope someone eats her or bites her or sets her afire or something like that.....

This was my 1st book in the series, I will try another just one more time and hope the issues with this book were a fluke.

The Night Huntress series has been up and down for me so far. Each book is very different, and there have been things I've liked and things I didn't like. Destined for an Early Grave follows the same pattern. I liked learning about Cat's time with Gregor, and I enjoyed the action in the early part of the book. Also, I enjoy the realism of Cat and Bones' relationship. Just like in real life, everything is not always daisies and sunshine. Cat and Bones fight almost constantly in this book. On one hand it's irritating to see them so obviously hurting each other, on the other hand they both have valid points in their arguments. I have to say though, that the parts in the book where they were fighting were the most enjoyable to me. Not because of the fighting, but because of the events that were occurring in general. What I didn't like, however was the end. The relationship issues were temporarily resolved about 3/4 of the way into the book and I got a bit bored after that. There was plenty of action, but I didn't enjoy it. By that point I was so exhausted with all of the fighting and the ups and downs that I couldn't take much more. I wanted to know the outcome only, so I skimmed a bit of the ending. I also felt that there were parts that should have been explained and explored in more detail that got skimmed over (won't go into detail for fear of spoilers). There were also parts that that were explained in too much detail like long periods of time locked in rooms and introspection from Cat. The positives and the negatives made this book just ok for me overall, and I have yet to be wowed by the series.

Another installment down in the Night Huntress series :) Of course, we are back with the lovely Cat and Bones. I just adore their relationship, but in this book they both pissed me off for awhile. Those two really no how to go at it. Cat with her insecurities and Bones with his nonchalant attitude when he's hiding something. And definitely knows how to keep you guessing. I really enjoyed this installment. There was a lot of different elements and twists happening that kept my mind in a frenzy.

I don't know what it is about these books, but I always devour them about about a day or so! Once again, I enjoyed seeing the rest of the vampire crew around: Vlad, Ian, Spade :) I love those guys! I really liked the whole idea of the Dreamsnatcher. It was amazing to see how it came into play in the story, even though the guy was quite an annoying maniac. The thing I love most is Jeaniene Frost's writing style. It really draws you into the book and the characters and leave you wanting more and more. I can't wait to start the next book in the series!

As the fourth book in a series with a tight story arc, *Destined for an Early Grave* devotes a high percentage of text to explanations of events, characters and relationships established in the previous three volumes. Frost does a bit too much explaining, slowing her narrative down and making me impatient. But this isn't the only reason that I feel the current book lacks substance. The entire plot of *Destined for an Early Grave* revolves around only one real conflict: the crisis in Cat's and Bones' relationship precipitated by an aggressive element from her past. Cat bounces around from ally to ally and hiding place to hiding place, but very little actually *happens* beyond Cat's unraveling the convoluted truth about Gregor's claim on her, and repairing her strained relationship with Bones. In order to care enough about Cat's personal issues to stay involved with the story, a reader has to care a lot about Cat as a character, and I found that difficult. As is often the case with these series, Cat is too much of a "Mary Sue" character. She's stunningly beautiful, unique, gifted with special powers and abilities, maneuvers skillfully in a world of ancient immortals and god-like supernatural beings, and everyone who sees her loves and desires her (even ghosts). Her falling out with Bones leaves her with a number of alternative friends and would-be lovers with whom to take refuge, and her chief worry is that Bones will be jealous, driving them further apart.

On a more serious note, several aspects of the characters and their relationships disturbed me. If *Twilight's* Edward Cullen is "controlling," he has nothing on Bones, Vlad, Gregor and the other male antagonists in the Night Huntress world. Cat is locked up, bodily carried around, abducted, refused information, lied to, manipulated, and threatened with death, and for the most part, forgives all of it without a qualm. The only thing that distinguishes her from a ravished heroine in a bodice-ripper romance is that she's tough, has powers and is capable of killing and beating up nasty critters, but she's still pushed around and controlled by the men in her life (there are almost no women, besides her embittered mother). In personality, Bones constantly reminded me of Rhett Butler in Margaret Mitchell's *Gone With the Wind.*

Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series is easily digestible entertainment that doesn't demand much from its readers. Fans of *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* and *Vampire: the Masquerade* will find Frost's universe comfortably familiar, and will probably enjoy her series.

I have deeply enjoyed this series! Cat and Bones have been one of my favorite supernatural couples. Cat is a strong adult who has dedicated much of her life to hunting vampires. With her speed, because she's a half-breed, and skill she can do it and it pretty much gets her the nickname Reaper among the undead, because of the amount of supernatural beings she's helped taken out. Her character amazes me because she's so tough and will put herself into grave danger in order to protect the ones she cares about. Bones is the perfect mate. I mean he has the sexy accent, needless to say the explicit bedroom scenes. **blushes** but the way the author describes his actions, it really shows his genuine love for Cat. Ok so this is the fourth book in the Night Huntress series and it follows Cat's journey as her powers are revealed and coming to terms with her decisions about her future. The author's vivid details give readers that edge and sense that you simply can not put down the book. You're really not sure of what's going to happen. She doesn't give it away until it needs to happen, which is something I greatly admire and liked about the book. Although this one wasn't one of my favorites out of all the other books, it still kept me up all night until I finished it. This book has many changes and surprises for many fans and you will be very surprised! They are needless to say, very creative. It'll leave you hungry for more! First Drop of Crimson, a spin-off to the Night Huntress series, is scheduled to drop in January of 2010. I definitely will be looking forward to that. Overall I give this book 4.5 out of 5 paws.

This is the 4th book in the Night Huntress series. I both liked it and hated it more than I did the last one. I usually really like Cat and Bones, but they both ticked me off in this one. They both did a lot of really stupid things to each other and themselves; and several of those things didn't make a lot of sense. Neither of them would communicate with the other, leaving them to each spend a lot of the book jumping to (usually incorrect) conclusions about what the other was doing and why. Then they would each use the incorrect assumptions as their own basis for doing something completely stupid and reckless.

There were several events in this book that really surprised me, but I don't want to give too much away. I also though the actual story of this book was a lot better than the story in At Grave's End. The whole thing with Gregor and Cat's reaction was great. I didn't like or understand a lot of the decisions she made, but the story itself was fantastic. All in all, this was a solid addition to the series, and I'm looking forward to moving on to the first spin-off novel, First Drop of Crimson.

Cat's dreams are being invaded and twisted by Gregor, a Dreamsnatcher, who is trying to reach out to Cat and explain that she is his wife, and not Bones'!

While Cat tries to deal with the tension - they decide on a needed "vacation" and head to Paris - the home of Gregor! Coincidence? I highly doubt it!

As Cat and Bones' relationship feels the strain of everything going on - and essentially Bones dumps her! We watch a new side of Vlad emerge. But overall Cat seems to have lost her confidence and what seems to be having a battle with low self-esteem - which is frustrating since prior to becoming a full vampire - she has been seen as typically strong although at times a bit whiney.

Justina is still just as annoying as usual, but, with a delicious twist!

Fabian - their adopted ghost makes you wish you could have one too!

Although I wanted more from this book - it's still a great read that will keep you turning pages while you laugh and even curse your favorite characters.
4stars

I have never been motivated enough to write a review on any book until I read this series. After finishing the Sookie Stackhouse series I was searching for something that would keep me occupied until the next book in the series came out. On the advise of book forum I found this series. After reading the first few pages of the first chapter online I was already hooked. The writing style and dialogue Frost uses is neither repetitive or pulpy, as I've noticed other writers from this genre use. Her use of description is also quite impressive. After reading the first book I found myself desperate to find out what happens next, and I quickly tracked down the remaining 3 books. The whole series is fast passed, romantic, action filled, and has a refreshing new take on vampires. The only bad thing I can say is that the author decided to write a few spin-offs from this series instead of writing the 5th book. Keep'em coming please.

The last book in the series, started a bit slower and very melancholy. I couldn't help but feel sad and pulling for the characters for half the book. But more than half way through things seem to really change gear and introduce exciting turn of events. Finishing the last page I couldn't help but think did I miss something, this can't be the end. It really leaves you wanting more. With all the extra sample reading at the end of the book you can't help but get tricked into believing that their is more when there is in fact not.

Must read before you die! Major love triangle going on here. And seemed totally legit to me how Cat and Bones handled this in their own way (i.e. the relationship problems that came out of this made sense.) The 4th book was emotional because Cat just wants to know what the heck was going on when she was a teenager and was supposedly with… another vampire! And Bones just wants to keep her by his side.

And what a fresh way to do it. Once again, Jeaniene did not disappoint! Our villain Gregor has a really cool power of being able to kidnap you once you start dreaming! You can just imagine how this would drive Bones crazy. But never fear, this is Cat and Bones we’re talking about. As if you were worried :)

Don't know how to hide spoilers on an the store review, so see my profile's website link for spoilers.

So I am going to start out with I was a bit disappointed in the last book. This one, however, was NOT a disappointment! I laughed, I cried, I raged. I experienced every emotion that should be experienced in a book. Normally I am just happy with using a book to entertain me and pass the time, but this one was awesome.

I have enjoyed this series since the beginning and was starting to wonder, after the last book, whether the author was going to be able to keep the series going and make it entertaining. This book starts off with Cat and Bones on vacation. She then finds out that there is a chunk of time that was lost when she was 16. Some stuff happens, and then 'the event' that broke my heart! I don't want to go into too much detail cause some people don't like too much information (ruins the ride). Anyway, by the time everything shook out, I was so amped up and happy. I also discovered a character that I really liked, Vlad, in this book. They mentioned something about him being in the last book, but I really did block the entire thing out like it didn't exist. For some odd reason, one of my favorite parts of the book was when they were at the party and Bones get a bit angry when she hugs Vlad. I don't know why, it was such a weird part to like, but I am not exactly normal on most days!

I recommend this book, and this series. Great heat, great main characters, and its one I will read over and over again!

This is an amazingly powerful book. The plot is masterful with lots of unexpected twists, the relationship between Cat and Bones is very emotional, and the combination makes it impossible to put down. But, I had a hard time buying that Cat would have gone off with the vamp in the first place, let alone with her mother's blessing. Other than that, it was one of the best book's I've read.

I didn't like this one as much as the earlier in the series. There was just way to much bickering and just hurting each other. The constant lack of communications and assumptions were wearing me out. I mean just talk to each other, don't act like TSTL. Cat turned whiny and Bones just acted like an ass. And I think it also hurt that its in first person. So the whining is magnified and I couldn't get a good enough sense of Bones head.

There was so much of this negative vibe, that it never really was repaired for me in the end. So now I like Bones less, and Cat less and them as a couple less.

There was other stuff I didn't like and found really disappointing, but its hard to say so without spoilers.

This book killed a bit of the like I had for the characters and the series. :(

** read August 2012

***SPOILERS***
***SPOILERS***
***SPOILERS***

Spoilers be everywhere in this one.

I have had some irritation with this series in the previous books, but nothing even close to how pissed off this book made me. Was there even a point to this mess? Because I didn't really see one.

The missing memories courtesy of Mencheres seemed to come out of nowhere. When previously unknown events, that are a secret to all but one, pop up it doesn't seem clever, it just seems like the author pulled it out of her ass. Also, the fact that these events centered around another vampire who just happened to have a previous husband claim which conveniently led to tension between Cat and Bones... You see what I mean? Where did that come from?

The relationship between Cat and Bones hit the skids big time here. I read this book with a huge knot in my stomach. It wasn't a nervous-but-excited-to-see-where-this-is-going knot. It was the kind of knot you get when you hear your parents having fight. You feel sick and wish it would just stop.

Unfortunately, it doesn't stop. For about 3/4 of the book they snipe at each other and say horrible things. Cat also continues to fix any of her problems with a Gin and Tonic. It really seemed like they weren't the same characters anymore. If I didn't know it was the same series I wouldn't even recognize them. All the caring and love that characterized their relationship before seemed to morph into a weapon to club each other into misery with. It wasn't fun to read about. I don't enjoy watching characters treat each other this way and spew out these things they can never take back. For Gods sake, Bones had the nerve to question her commitment to their marriage because she wanted to know the truth of her marriage! (total jerk move by the way) Does that seem like the Bones from the last book? It sure doesn't to me!

Vlad was the shining star of this story. When is he getting his own book? He is a great friend to Cat. I love that he pushes her about her feelings about Bones. That's what real friends do. They push you until you finally admit the truth. I felt so bad for him when he admitted that he missed sleeping with someone. Sleeping alone is one of the hardest things to get used to.

Mencheres also played a part in this one, obviously. He didn't stand out much, but one thing did catch my attention. When and why did he lose his ability to see the future?

Regarding Bones and Cat: There was no "right" person in their fights and separation. I felt more sympathy for Bones, but mostly because Cat burned through any sympathy I had for her in the last book with her handling of the Tate situation. That doesn't mean Bones was justified though. I do think the rant he blasts her with before he leaves is completely justified. I've been dying to say that to her for a few books now. But, Bones shouldn't have deliberately let Cat be hurt by her false assumptions. He knew exactly what she would think and he just let it happen.

The whole point of the book seems to be to provide an extremely complicated set up to compel Cat to finally become a vampire. I can't help but think there was an easier (and more likable) way for the author to go about this. I find Cat's differences as a vampire intriguing, although I feel bad that she still can't be just one of the masses.

As of this moment I do not plan to read anymore of the books following Cat and Bones. I do still plan to read the spin offs, but I just can't handle the mess they have made of their relationship anymore. I should have stopped reading at book 2.

One last thing: How lame to be stuck with Justina for all eternity.

***END SPOILERS***
***END SPOILERS***
***END SPOILERS***

This book throws some new twists into the series with the introduction of Gregor, Cat's almost-first husband, whom has been conveniently erased from her memory by Mencheres. Mind-boggling, I know. This book kind of revived the series for me, as it answered a few questions and finally forced Cat to make a monumental decision about her future. It's hard for me not to say that I loved everything about this book, but it comes pretty darn close. I especially liked Vlad's role in this as Cat's platonic support system, despite how it ticks off Bones. Of course, the big lesson for the book is how important communication is - if Cat and Bones had just bothered to talk to each other, much of the conflict could have been avoided. I'm all ready to read the next book, This Side of the Grave.

Cat and Bones are back in book four of Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. In "Destined for an Early Grave" the two lovers will face their greatest fears and find out just how strong their bond, and their love, can be. This is an action-packed romp with secrets revealed from the past and ends with a new twist on the future. If you're a Cat and Bones fan, you will want to drop everything and RUN to get this one.

Cat and Bones are ready to enjoy a leisurely honeymoon filled with sex and well, more sex. And they get that--almost, with the exception of Cat's dreams. Her dreams are of a blond vamp who 'feels' just as powerful as Bones and he keeps saying she's HIS. When they arrive to Paris, Cat and Bones are unhappy to learn that her dreams have more than a passing resemblance to reality. The blond vamp is the one called the Dreamsnatcher and he has the power to literally kidnap people while they dream. He is also adamant that Cat is his wife! Now Cat and Bones and their allies will have to step carefully between minion attacks and vampire politics to straighten out this mess. And with BOTH Cat and Bones trying to protect the other...well, it's gonna be a rocky ride.

I don't want to give too much of the plot away cause this one's a doozy. The previous book was mostly action and there's a lot of action in this book too, but there's also quite a bit revealed of Cat's past and her emotions and how both of these affect her relationship with Bones. Bones too, suffers from things in his past that impact Cat's ability to trust which drives Bones nearly insane. Their story is better than any soap opera (and way hotter too) and I can hardly wait for the next installment to feed my fix.

As usual, Frost's plot and writing are smooth as silk and the interactions between Cat and Bones sizzle the pages. For me, at its heart this book is about trust. Cat and Bones struggle with the balance of power and trust issues throughout this book. I think more of their inner selves are revealed in "Destined for an Early Grave" than any of Jeaniene Frost's earlier books in this series. I can't get enough of these two and I'm ready and willing to follow the fork in their path destined by the book's ending.

Destined for an Early Grave is the fourth installment of Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. My favorite still is the first one, Halfway to the Grave, but this book is a great addition for Cat.

Cat is once again being `collected' (I actually find myself thinking... again who is it now?) But I suppose her half-breed status does make her more inclined to be more sought over than the average girl. This time it's a vamp named Gregor, who we later find out knew her for a month when she was 16. He claims she's his husband and of course this incites Bones as nothing else does.

Cat finds herself making hard decisions. Does she trust Bones (he's once again acting weird)? Is she really married to Gregor (Mencheres buried her memories deep)? and does she actually want to leave her humanity behind? Interesting questions for someone who never really was human to begin with. This book has tons of action but I find myself just a tad bit tired of every book detailing Cat and Bones making love, fighting, one going off to do something the other doesn't want to, someone trying to collect her, then ultimately her and Bones reconnecting. I feel like each book is slightly predictable and I found myself already knowing the outcome, though there were some curve balls (like what happened to her mother.... Wow).

For the same ole same ole I give this book 3 stars. For the action and Cat growing more on her own 4 stars. So 3 ½ and hopes that her next Night Huntress novel is a little more spicy and less predictable.

Jeaniene Frost will be moving in a slightly different direction with her new book called First Drop of Crimson which involves Denise and Spade... oooohhh that one I will be looking forward too.

**Caution: this review may contain spoilers as it is part of a series and I really need to rant about it. Proceed at your own risk**

Any regular follow of this blog can tell you that I LOVED the first three books in Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. I devoured them all in as many days and enjoyed them so much that I hosted a contest to give the series away to one lucky reader. When people have asked for recommendations of a fun, non-sparkly vampire series to read I've happily offered up the story of Bones and Cat for them. So when Destined for an Early Grave was released in July you can assure yourself that I rushed right out to buy it. And then despite numerous attempts to start it I'd only read a few pages before losing interest and putting it down. This saddened me because I had such high hopes for it.

I recently picked it up again and while I managed to read it to the end a part of me almost wishes that I hadn't. This book had stilted dialogue, poor editing (as in it seems vital transition scenes were axed making some things flow badly), and a plot that was drawn out way to long. One example of the poor transition editing comes on page 212 when Cat is heading up a rescue mission to get Bones out of New Orleans the scene reads as follows:

"On-screen, I saw [Geri] nearing Bones. He was at Pat O'Brien's, in the outside area, drinking what I guessed was his usual whiskey. His arm was slung around a pretty brunette, who was almost glued to him. Even now, her hand ran along his hip. I clenched my fists. B***h, you and I are going to have a long, bloody chat after this. Canelle couldn't hear my mental warning..."

Now I use this scene because now where leading up to Cat naming Canelle does she give any indication that she recognized who the girl with Bones was (Canelle is someone from Cat's past). It just made me pause and go, huh? Where did she come from. It just seemed like there should have been something more. Not a lot, but something.

I also found Destined for an Early Grave to be highly repetitive with a lot of random scenes that had no point. Like in the beginning when Cat and Bones first travel to New Orleans. Cat mentions she has no clean clothes so changes into a robe with nothing underneath and sits an seethes because Bones left her for a meeting. When Bones returns their conversation starts off pleasantly but then out of nowhere the two just start having a knock down drag out fight. It was one of may WTF is going on here moments that populated this read. Anywho during the fight it is mentioned that Cat's robe starts to come undone her naked breasts spilling out for all in the room to see. Things continue a few paragraphs more and then Bones and Cat start to make up and Bones runs his hand up her thigh meeting little resistance as she is wearing nothing under her robe because she hadn't had time to change. Um....yeah....thank you Captain Obvious for making it known that Cat was pretty much naked the entire time. I didn't quite get it so I appreciated the constant reminder to her lack of dress.

I also got so annoyed at the double standards that both Cat and Bones had for the other. Bones would get all upset that Cat was 'trying to protect him and treating him like a weakling' when she'd try and stop Gregor from interfering with their lives. So much so that he got all huffy said they were done and stormed out cutting off all communication. THIS from the man who built an entire panic room/cell in a safe house and tossed Cat into it, locking her in - for her own safety because she could be hurt - when there was a ghoul attack. Cat isn't human, she is half vampire and filled with a whole lot of kick ass. It just didn't make sense. Nor did it ring true since the two had fought side by side in every previous book.

Another example of the poor transitioning also came from the end when all of a sudden it was just a fact that Cat would turn into a vampire. There were a couple of instances in which she'd be chatting to one of the other vampires in the story and then the topic would just switch to something like 'so when are you going to tell Bones that you decided to turn?' They dialogue in those scenes was just so stilted and didn't really ring true. There were so many conversions that occurred throughout the book that I just couldn't imagine taking place. That's just how awkward they were.

I don't know maybe I just expected too much from Destined for an Early Grave but it was just a struggle to get through. I persisted only because of my love for the previous books in the series that I was sure that it would get better. Only it didn't. Now I wonder if I'll even bother to check out the next Cat/Bones tale (because after what Frost did to Cat's mother you know there will be another book) or the spin-off series that Frost has recently started. I also can't in good faith recommend this book to any of my readers. If you like Jeaniene Frost, please, I beg you stop after book 3 - At Grave's End - do not read this book. And if you are new to Frost I do still highly recommend the first three in the series. Just know that you might want to skip this one.

As originally posted on my blog Ticket to Anywhere

It all started with the dreams... dreams in which another vampire claims Cat is married to him rather than Bones. This couldn't be true, could it? After all, Cat hated vampires till she met Bones! Mencheres, the grandsire of Bones, has been hiding secrets, secrets that could destroy everything they hold dear. Cat and Bones must face their greatest challenge yet... will they survive it intact?

If you haven't read the three previous books in this series, stop what you are doing immediately and read them now! Jeaniene Frost has written some of the best books in the urban fantasy genre but DESTINED FOR AN EARLY GRAVE tops even her earlier books. However, the relationship between Cat and Bones is best appreciated through the context of the series and thus this is a book best enjoyed and savored when read in order.

DESTINED FOR AN EARLY GRAVE is tough to review without giving away spoilers. Suffice to say, it is an emotional, gut-wrenching book that had me in tears on more than one occasion. Jeaniene Frost does a beautiful job at conveying the emotions of her characters, almost too good of a job at times! She doesn't shirk at showing the good, the bad, and the ugly of relationships as she captures the very heart of love, compromise, and ultimately emotional growth.

DESTINED FOR AN EARLY GRAVE is an incredible book, the sort of book you devour in a sitting and are then sorry you're done with it. From the world building to the character development, every element is well-done. I can't recommend this book or series highly enough!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

OK, let me say at the start that I keep wanting this series to be Urban Fantasy instead of Supernatural/Paranormal Romance even though I *know* intellectually that its not. That means that I have to accept the conventions of the genre like the neglect of secondary characters and the obsessing over the "relationship", so I'll try not to carp about that here.

My problem with this book even within the parameters of SR is that I could not believe in the main hinge of the plot: Cat's time with Gregor in Paris. That came out of nowhere, and was one of those "everything you know is wrong" moments that just did *not* gel for me. I felt as well that by playing around with events in Cat's past to generate a plot, Frost was signalling that the natural progression of the series was in doubt, and that she had written herself into a corner as to where to take Cat & Bones next.

I also felt that having Cat & Bones at odds with each other so often did not serve the book well. Cat & Bones as a team is the core of the series, and messing with that hurts it.

**SOME SPOILERS BELOW*****

I also could not believe, even within the confines of SR conventions that Cat still had enough pull with the government to get lives risked for Bones and I *totally* failed to believe that Don would let her kill a human in his facility, especially for purely personal reasons. And I didn't like how we were hit over the head with the fact that Don is dying (and refusing to be turned) while Cat totally failed to pick up on it.

I did like the Cat/Vlad relationship, and wish that some of the other supporting characters would be fleshed out as well.

I have come to adore Cat and Bones - one of the best couples I've read in supernatural romance by far. This book was good but not great for me. It was action packed, don't get me wrong, which is always what you can expect when reading this series; however, I feel that some stuff was a little hokey (the dream snatcher), while sometimes there was almost too much stuff crammed in and it felt a little bit like I needed to take a deep breath.

But after saying that there are parts that were deeply gut-wrenching, since I have come to love the characters (even Cat's mom) and when something happens to any of them it makes me feel like its happening to a friend.

I love Spade and I'm glad that he's getting a spin-off book of his own. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series and any spin-offs that happen from it!!

Can't wait for the next one!

So, Cat has been having dreams of some vampire who claims he's her real husband, NOT Bones. Drama ensues. This was my favortie book in the series! The second and third books sucked so bad (pun intended) I didn't even want to read this one. But I did just to pass time before Spade's book comes out. (love him sooo much!) So I was pleasantly surprised when this book turned out to be AWESOME!!! I fell even more in love with all the characters, most especially Bones and Vlad. Cat even annoyed me less this time around. It was action packed, shocking and fun. All the things I love from a good book. This book payed off a lot of things from the earlier books, but I wish in some ways I would've read this one first. Anyway, this book is a must for paranormal romance fans, and like I said, can't wait for Spade and Denise's tale! (ps:why would Tate be so absent from this book if he was one of the main problems from other books? Not that I mind, I hate Tate, just curious.)

4 stars. I did enjoy Destined for an Early Grave, just not as much as the previous 3 books in the series. Most of the book had the same great action as the other Night Huntress, but there were a few slow parts about 1/3 of the way into the book where Cat is not acting or driving the story, just being moved around blindly (literally) and being moody. Other than that, the book was really fun, and the reunion between Cat and Bones was nice and steamy.

The fourth book in the Night Huntress series definitely does not disappoint! From the beginning, this book grabs the reader by the heart and doesn't let it go for anything. While Cat and Bones are on a much needed vacation from At Graves End, a mysterious Master Vampire calls to Cat in her dreams with promises of fulfillment and love, not to mention a little snafu that she not only does NOT belong to Bones, but to him instead! If that doesn't grab you by the horns... Anyone who knows Bones can only imagine what this claim stirs up, not to mention the lengths he will go to keep his Kitten safe. Ahh, but getting there is half the fun, right? Wrong. What I mainly love about these books is the dynamic of this atypical couple's relationship and how it evolves with every endangerment they come across. Their love, explained as grand and vast, does and will not save them from themselves, as is the truth to any relationship. It takes so much for these two to swallow their pride and stubbornness to be able to see the big picture and trust each other wholeheartedly. And Frost takes us through this Battle of Wills on a roller coaster from Hell. My stomach was in knots so badly I could not put the book down until it was resolved. If you thought One Foot In the Grave was emotional turmoil well then strap yourselves in tight! I will say as much as I like Cat, I await the day she wakes up levelheaded to be on equal grounds with her lover. Right when I think she's got it, her temper infuriatingly jumps the gun. Perhaps it helps the story but I'd rather aspire to my heroines than be put off by them. Perhaps one day... As long as Bones is around, I will endure. Keep em coming Ms Frost! I'll be waiting...

All in all, this was definitely a worthwhile novel to the series. You gotta give props to when an author can keep up a series going even after the first book, yet still be able to make the plots of each and every book thereafter BELIEVABLE. And keep the same tone throughout the books while still bending the atmosphere to match perfectly with the plot? Check and Check for Frost. She will not disappoint die-hard fans with her continued use of witty, dark humor combined with just how ridiculously well she writes each book after the other. (I wish I could give her a hug and a kiss for creating such a fascinating, dark, twisted world with lively undead, half-dead, alive and still kicking characters.)

First things first: the bad. You remember that CHAPTER-long love scene two books back?? Well, I didn't think I craved for too much if I wanted to see the ever sexy, bad-ass pair Bones and Cat get down to do it again in this installment. ESPECIALLY with the circumstances that arise for Bones and Cat that such a chapter would be more than well-deserved. But alas, it did not come to pass. But boy, was I hoping. However, with the love scenes we did get, WOW :D Particularly the last one. Another shortcoming for me was the fact that I think given if more sentences were added to those most pertinent scenes; they could have turned out more profound. If only more feelings were expressed and examined, more words said and more details. I was certainly hoping for more from Frost.

Now onto the good:

I liked how in this book, polar opposite events take such a grand center stage. You see our beloved heroine Cat having to be repressed back from what we're used to seeing in earlier books; she has to take more precautions now, less she be captured by Gregor the Dreamcatcher. We see her having to close her eyes and ears when going to God knows where, having her dreams be infiltrated by Gregor, have her be rumored to be becoming some sort of hybrid. Worst of all is the strain we see place between her and Bones that reaches such a magnitude it will sure to leave you teary-eyed and bereft of when times were much simpler between them. Basically, her frustrations become our frustrations.

Then we see Cat truly accept herself and see her at her strongest. Likewise with how we see her at her weakest and being emotionally unsound; we see her later take chances and become remarkably powerful that it is unheard of in their world.

The same polar effect can be seen with Bones and Cat, as well. We cringe and see them at their most fragile state with doubts, accusations, this building tension that is written quite well when it finally overwhelms the two. Then we see them reign in unity and understanding. I didn't think it was possible since I thought that for a moment we were lead to believe that Bones had actually died in the past book; and then when they got reunited and how very Right that felt...Well, in this book, you will believe even more in what Bones and Cat have going on. So you can only imagine how far they really fell out of sync in this book because this time the conflict is also internal rather than be fully external. And also, it will rev you up even more to see where this stronger, closer bond takes the two in future installments.

As always, when reading Frost the crazy, sarcastic one-liners are present. In this book, they cause even more hilarity. Keep an eye out for when Mencheres drops the formal dialect ;) We also delve in deeper with vampire laws and customs. We meet another supernatural historical figure, too. We graciously get hints of what will take place in future novels so that you feel assured that our Ms. Frost will yet to ever lose her steam at writing this darkly enchanting series :)

Happy reading!

**Spoilers** I said about the previous book that it was easy to go through like candy. Well, reading 3 books in this series in a row is making me sick like I've eaten too much candy. Once again Frost feels the need to place her protagonists in contrived situations where they get all hot and bothered over each other in the most eye-rolling places, and it's really getting old. Worse, she manufactures an estrangement built on misunderstanding that is an overused ploy in mediocre romances, which forces the reader to endure both our hero and heroine's broken-hearted suffering and martyrdom (more eye-rolling there). Then she backfills Cat's history by the cheesy ploy of memory-wiping to introduce an new vampire villain who insists that he is Cat's husband as he got to her before Bones did, when she was 16, and now he wants her back. It was getting boring enough for me to rate the book 2 stars, but amazingly enough, she redeems herself by introducing an interesting twist in the story when Cat decides to become a vampire, and then ups the ante by an even more intriguing twist in the end involving her vampire-hating mother. That earns her 2.5 stars, but I may just wait awhile before returning to this series, as I need more substantial fare to sustain me.

Jeaniene Frost hit a paranormal high note with the fourth book in her Night Huntress series, "Destined For An Early Grave". This story finds Cat and her vampire husband Bones facing a new threat to their relationship. An vampire, older and more powerful than Bones, claims Bones can't possibly be married to Cat, because Cat is married to HIM! Gregor can find Cat when she dreams and if she touches him in her dream he can physically "kidnap" her right from her bed! While the action in this story definitely focuses on Gregor and freeing themselves from his and his claims, the heart of the story is about the character's relationship. Cat and Bones have a fight and words that may well be the end of them. Other reviews have complained over Cat and Bone's behaviour. I think that their fight felt real and believeable. This is the hurt, anger, and jelousy born of a real couple. These two characters are special to the genre, no doubt about it. The action scenes were still plentiful and fun. Frost also planted a few tidbits for careful readers which may lead to the next bend in Cat's road. The story was both fresh and refreshing. My only (small_) complaints: Cat was unable to fight as we are used to seeing her and I really missed that. Also I wish that the book would have expanded on Cat's big change. Hopefully we will learn more when book five (finally) hits shelves.

It occurred to me as I finished the last Cat & Bones book, with a love like theirs, how can Jeaniene Frost create any measurable tension between our beloved main characters? I mean, we've already had our "Bones is dead" grief --and we've established Cat would never stray. So what could possibly come between them? The answer: Cat's first husband.

It seems that a vamp named Gregor has a little bit of Mencheres' ability to see in the future. He caught a glimpse of the power Cat will wield and decided to take her for himself, before she ever met Bones. She was only 16 and she has no memory of their time together, because Mencheres erased it from her mind. The only reason she knows Gregor even exists now, is because he has been using his powers at the "Dreamsnatcher" to come to her in dreams. Now, Gregor is demanding Cat to return to him.

This story is full of twists and turns that take us from New Orleans (to visit Marie Laveau) to Bavaria to wherever the heck Vlad lives. We get more angst in the relationship between Cat and Bones than we have had in any other book. And for the first time, i questioned whether they really could be driven apart. We see a major change in Cat; one with serious, unexpected fallout. And we lose a beloved character.

It was another great installment in the Night Huntress series. And I'm again left wondering, what the heck will happen next? 5 stars.

P.S. I love Vlad and his relationship with Cat. I can't wait for his spinoff story!

As soon as I turned the last page of Destined for an Early Grave, I felt a stab of anxiety. I had officially burned through all the published Night Huntress novels to date, and in an instant, had joined the throngs of fans anxiously waiting for book five -- due out in February 2011.

In this fourth installment, Cat Crawfield is enjoying her time off with Bones and is bound for Paris on a trip that is all pleasure, and no business. Unfortunately, although her waking hours are peaceful, danger is creeping into Cat's dreams. An ominous Master Vampire called the Dreamsnatcher is after Cat and claims she is rightly bound to him -- not Bones. Cat unexpectedly becomes embroiled in a political conflict between the ghouls and the vampires, encounters more historic figures (with hilarious results) and is forced to recreate events long banished from her memory to protect what she loves most.

Unsurprisingly, Destined for an Early Grave does not disappoint. I love how the series expertly maintains an overarching story thread while also engaging readers in episodic conflicts to keep things interesting. The Dreamsnatcher concept was suitably creepy and fresh, and while I wouldn't say I enjoyed the problems that faced Cat and Bones in this novel, it did keep me glued to the pages.

I liked the unexpected "solution" provided for Cat's mother and will look forward to seeing that storyline play out further in future books.

Thanks again, Ms. Frost, for the last in a string of books I couldn't put down. Now I have to go catch up on all the laundry I put off while reading this awesome series.

I loved this series. I am seriously disappointed in this book. The last few chapters were the best in the book but what the hell happened to Cat and Bones? They seemed to have lost their chemistry and love for one another that made the first three books great. I could not believe it when I read this book. In fact the chemistry for all the characters were missing, except for Cat and Vlad. The sex was bland and even after the afterglow, Cat and Bones just seemed like they no longer had the chemistry that made their relationship balance these books out. I miss the comedy, the ass-kicking huntress and the caring Bones who would die for his love. Where did it all go? The storyline had a fantastic plot, however, Jeaniene should have added in more vampire hunting and fighting, some comedy, and overall chemistry between the characters. The other characters were hardly in this book at all. We hardly heard anything from Annette and her scenes with Cat were hilarious in previous books. I felt the whole book had Cat and Bones wandering around in a fog trying figuring out where to go next. It seems like Jeaniene ran out of ideas on this one but she forgot the most important part of her books, WHERE WAS THE RED REAPER AND HER ASS-KICKING COMPANION? All Cat did was whine and drink and Bones looked like he was a uncaring man whore. Jeez bring back the good stuff. I hope First Drop of Crimson is better.

Halfway to the Grave, Book 1 and One Foot in the Grave, Book 2 were action-packed and wonderfully engaging. Though I wasn't crazy about At Grave's End, Book 3, this installment begins a tad slower (through the first dozen or so chapters), the story quickly develops and you won't want to put it down. Great characters introduced (Fabian, Gregor, Knell, Geri) while Frost further develops the secondary characters (Vlad, Mencheres, Spade, Ian) from the earlier editions. Again, the audio narrator, Tavia Gilbert, has no trouble distinguishing between these well developed characters in her performance.

Many elements of the story are worthy of mentioning... the relationship between Vlad & Cat progresses, friction between Cat & Bones, major drama with Cat's mother and Rodney, discovery of Cat's hidden power --- no spoiler here :-) and the culmination of a final battle between the master vampires.

You'll easily get hooked!

This refers to the audio version.

Admittedly, one of the problems of listening to the audio version of a book is that you can't read ahead to see if the book is worth any more of your time and attention.

I stuck it out with the audio book, hoping for improvement.

Then sometimes I had to rewind and listen again to verify what I had just heard.

What happened to Cat? What happened to Bones? What happened to the plot?

Slurping down numerous gin and tonics costs money and is unattractive, at best.

Using the politically correct scene of White men trying to bully a Black man and rape White women may be satisfying for the author's ego. A search for F.B.I. crime statistics may provide a reality check on who usually rapes White women.

Did I hear a reference to Hitler? Propaganda button pushing. WWII, for those who have studied more than the propaganda, was extremely complex and disastrous. References are best avoided by those who have not done due diligence.

Ejecting various humans from their cars with vampiric instructions to think the car was theirs was sure to create havoc for the humans who would probably be charged with car theft.

Using tax slave supported military personnel and helicopters to save Bones when he could jump/fly away was stupid.

As the scenes became more tense, the narrator's voice made Bones' voice go into high-pitched faux Cockney mode. Did Bones get castrated in a scene I missed?

By the end, it was difficult to care about the characters any more.

Not a good use of my precious time.

Destined for an Early Grave is the fourth novel in the Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost. In my opinion, this is the best book of the series thus far. A dastardly villainous vampire is trying to snatch Cat right out of her dreams. Bones must go to extreme lengths to save her, and the lack of sleep and stress drives a wedge between them. All of their friends jump in to help, but that puts them in danger as well. The action doesn't stop in this book, neither does the roller coaster of emotion. Hang on tight, but do read it!

*grabs tissue from tissue-box and blows nose* 4th installment and the first book of the Night Huntress series that made me cry so much! Like 4 times! Unbelievable!

Lets begin shall we! Destined for An Early Grave was an epic installment to the series and each book seemed to be even better than the last and I'm not exaggerating. It was all as witty and amazing as the first 3 books but with its unique engrossing and captivating bits that seems to blow you away and in my case make you tear up like a baby. Cat is kind of more hormonal in this one and I can't blame her because of the kind of stuff she's taking and Bones was no different. At one point I thought everything would never get back to normal in the book but then again its a paranormal romance theres no such thing as normal with the genre.

This is the first book in a very long time that actually grabbed me by either side of my face and pulled me into the pages. I literally did not realize 2 hours has past when I began reading through the middle part of the book. It was simply amazing like straight out unbelievable awesomeness right there. Not to mention unbelievably impossible to put down. (Yes, I'm overusing unbelievable. Don't hate me now) Because I'm happy with the outcomes of the plot and how awesomingly everything is moving, I can't help but give this 5 out of 5 stars!

First, I would like to say that this is a mixed review. The first 3/4 of the book was fairly monotonous and lost the book it's star. The ending however, brought it back from the brink of disaster. I will start out explaining how the book failed and then move into how it worked to redeem itself.

This book started off well, but quickly grew into the part I did not care for. I have read the first 3 books in this series and have never been so disappointed. It quickly evolved into a set theme:

1: Bones do something overprotective or just plain insensitive and refuse to even talk about it to the one he supposedly loves, causing Cat to be unhappy.
2: Cat gets really unhappy and makes the reader really feel bad for her and wait expectantly for her and Bones to have some sort of talk about the problem.
3: Bones seduces Cat and they have sex (despite her wanting to somehow get thru the problem, he just makes her horney and no discussion happens)
4: Cat is no longer mad at Bones, but instead wants to do everything she can to make the relationship work.

Rinse and repeat over and over again. Let me tell you, sex does not fix everything, especially from a girl's end. and it really is just like this over and over and over again. It got so monotonous that I wasn't sure I could finish the book. When they finally do 'work through' their problems, guess what solves it? Yep, sex. I wanted to bash my head against the wall. I now actually dislike Bones as a character, and unless Frost does something in the next book to redeem him, will probably continue to do so. The last book led up to this problem, and Frost never solved it. Just bypassed an argument or discussion with sex over and over again. There was no closure or resolution for Bones and Cat's problems.

However, once they got back together, (if you tried to forget the annoyances of Bones and Cat's 'sex fixes everything' relationship), the book got amazing. This is the reason for the 4 stars because the last quarter of the book was amazingly well written. The plot unfolded in a great way and I am very glad that I stuck it out for the end. It was WELL worth it.

I didn't expect how things turned out, but am very pleased with the end results. I hope that Frost uses the next book to fix things between Bones and Cat without resorting to sex as a fix-all, because believe me, it isn't. I want to like Bones again, so please Frost, please make me like him again.

Didn't particularly care for this book at all.

(Review contains spoilers)

I do wish this series had more diversity in it, I will say that. I like books that show equality. Moving on.

Cat is increasingly annoying with each book and this one topped the charts. She picks fights with Bones in various pissing contest throughout the book and makes me wonder why any man would want to be bothered with such a shrew. A lot of their fights are based solely on hypocrisy. I don't know what it is with some authors who think that by having the woman compete with the men in the books is the only way to show strength. Why is it such a bad thing to be "taken care of" or "be protected". Doesn't make you less of a woman and it doesn't mean you can't take care of yourself. Sometimes it's just best to keep your butt out of harms way. I will give credit to JF for addressing that issue later, having Bones point it out. But it's still a very annoying character trait that's vastly overused.

Also, Bones is annoying as well in this one. Both he and Cat are some seriously flawed so-called "hereos". They only want to cling to the Laws of their kind when it benefits their interest. ALso the fights he started with Cat seemed very childish. No, I didn't care for the hypocrisy in that.

Not only that, but Cat's gotten increasingly stupid in this book. I don't know if this is how the author wanted her to be, or if it's a mistake in the writing process. At one point, Gregor tells Cat that retrieving her memories lies in Gregor's blood, which is common sense that she'd have to drink his blood to get her memories back. But still, in the car, Bones has to break it down for her like she's some beginner to vampire practices. It's always about blood with vampires.

Moving on.... New characters introduced. Jeanine Frost has a bad habit of introducing new characters and not giving them much of a personality. Most of her characters barely speak two words before they are killed in her novels. And the ones who are supposed to be more indispensable are still one dimensional like Cooper and Juan and even Tate. Spade and Ian were fleshed out more and that was nice. I'm liking Mencheres more in this book than the others. Unfortunately, Denise seems to mumble nonsense for dialog throughout this book as she did in the other ones, not giving her much of a personality either. I still saw no reason for her to be there, since Cat really didn't pay her much attention.

The most annoying is how the plot was maneuvered so that Cat would be the one to gain the most power and save the day. I don't see any reason why Bones couldn't have been the victor of the final fight. I was warned that Cat gets stronger and yeah, that's annoying to me. Also, this plot seemed to drag on and on and on and it really wasn't that entertaining. I only got through this book because I'm so invested in the characters I do like.

Well, I'm happy the other books in this series are focusing more on other characters than her. I've had about all I can take. Thank you.

Looking forward to Mencheres book in July, though. He's a scoundrel too and I find that interesting. He and Ian are my favorite characters thus far.

I was both amazed and a bit confused by this book. The amazement, I wholly attribute to Jeaniene Frost's amazing and imaginative storytelling. The confusion was mostly my fault.

Destined for an Early Grave was given to me by a friend. I knew it was a part of a series, but failed to heed my own "never start a series in the middle" rule. This is book 4 in the NIGHT HUNTRESS series. While it is a stand-alone book, the NIGHT HUNTRESS world, and the characters within it, are so rich and fully developed through the previous three books that it makes it difficult sometimes to keep up, know who is who, and understand all of the references.

I only have one warning: if the idea of rough sex, even when it is wholly consensual, you may want to reconsider this book. The relationship between half-vampire Cat and her vampire husband, Bones, is complicated, to say the least. They are a rough, thrilling couple that live a life of danger and violence. It spills over into their love/sex life. There is at least one scene that starts out with name calling, evolves into a downright throw-down, and culminates in hot, sweaty, melt your skin off sex.

As for me, I loved it. But it is not for the faint of heart.

I will be putting the first three NIGHT HUNTRESS books at the top of my "must read or die" list so that I can read those, then move on to Book 5. I suggest everyone else do the same. I have no doubt I will love the beginning of the series, and I will likely re-read this fourth installment again so that I better understand what is going on.

This one is my least favorite entry in the series so far, though I still liked it. The whole Dreamsnatcher (or whatever he was called) storyline just didn't really click for me and I didn't really get completely engrossed until at least half way through the book. When I was first starting the book and checked into Get Glue, another member who had just finished it made a comment about wanting to kill Bones for most of the book. But I had more empathy for him than for Cat, I thought she was a little unreasonable at times.

I still love the series though, and can't wait to continue it.

This series gets better and better, i know a lot of people complain about lack of sex scenes or not enough sexy stuff, but the ones we have are explosive to say the least and it's amazing how the author can still make want to read more about this story after so many books and the characters haven't lost being interesting, in fact, they are more interesting.
I hated what Gregor did to their marriage, but at the end it helped it be stronger than ever. Also it was so hillarious Cat's new awakening...
On to the next book

SPOILER ALERT!!! This is the fourth installment in the Cat and Bones series. I liked the different twist that it took on the Vampire world. Here is the cut from the back of the book. Her deadly dreams leave her in grave danger

Since half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her undead lover Bones met six years ago, they've fought against the rogue undead, battled a vengeful Master vampire, and pledged their devotion with a blood bond. Now its time for a vacation. But their hopes for a perfect Paris holiday are dashed when Cat awakes one night in terror. She's having visions of a vampire named Gregor who's more powerful than Bones and has ties to her past that even Cat herself didn't know about. Gregor believes Cat is his and he won't stop until he has her. As the battle begins between the vamp who haunts her nightmares and the one who holds her heart, only Cat can break Gregor's hold over her. She'll need all the power she can summon in order to bring down the baddest bloodsucker she's ever faced . . . even if getting that power will result in an early grave.

Here is the real skinny. You start the book on a nice vacation with Cat and Bones and then things get really strange as they always do in the paranormal world. Cat is having dreams of a vampire she has never met but he claims her as his own. This vampire Gregor, is known as the Dreamsnatcher because he can steal people out of their dreams.

It is revealed that he has met Cat years go and apparently they are married and bound to each other. Cat has no memories of this because Mencheres has erased them and then imprisoned Gregor for his own benefit (He wanted Cat to bond with Bones to strengthen his own line). Gregor escapes and states that he and Cat are married and wants to reclaim her but no one can confirm one way or the other if their bond is true (Mencheres hid Cats memories so deep that he cannot even replenish them) If Cat is truly bound to Gregor then her bond to Bones is void. Gregor needs to die but he is a powerful vampire and Bones is concerned of his strength. Many vampires will not side with Bones if Cat is bond to Gregor because by vampire law Cat then belongs to Gregor.

They seek out the partnership of Marie Laveau to gain her on their side incase a battle erupts with Gregor. They fail in gaining her partnership but Cat learns from her that Gregor has the power to return Cat's memories of their time together. This puts a great strain on Cat and Bones relationship because she wants to go to Gregor and get her memories restored so she can know if there was a marriage. Gregor snatches Cat from her dreams and she ends up getting her memories restored by him and it is revealed that they were bound to each other by vampire marriage. Cat stabs Gregor with a silver knife and he allows her to call Vlad to come and get her and bring her back to Bones. This angers Bones to know that she had her memories restored and she does in fact belong to Gregor. Cat and Bones are constantly arguing and they eventually split up, Bones returns to New Orleans and Cat goes to stay with Vlad.

Cat is taking sleeping pills that were supplied from her Uncle that would allow her to have dreamless sleep. When it was revealed that the pills side effects included a short temper and were the result of a majority of her and Bones fights she stops taking the pills. This makes her susceptible to Gregor snatching her from her dreams again. The only way he cannot invade them is if she a full vampire. Vlad offers to make the change but she only wants Bones to change her. After a series of misunderstandings Bones agrees to change her into a full vampire and their bond is as strong as ever.

When Cat transforms into a vampire there is an odd twist, she only drinks dead blood from vampires, and she does form Bones and Vlad. When Gregor finds out she has become a vampire he is angry because he cant get to Cat in her dreams so he kidnaps her mother and transforms her into a vampire against her will. Cat, Bones and the crew break into Gregors place to take back her mother. In the ambush things were not going as planed and Cat managed to burn the house down with pyrokinetics that she did not know she possessed. They retrieved her mother but Rodney the Ghoul was killed in the process.

Bones challenges Gregor to a fight to the death. Law Guardians along with several Master Vampires are there to observe and make sure rules are followed. Each vampire only had 3 knives to aid in the fight. They fought down to their last knives and Gregor used his last knife in Bones back, it was not a killing strike but Bones was dying from the injury and Cat could sense this but did not understand why. When Gregor went in for the killing he turned to smile at Cat and his almost victory over Bones. All of a sudden Gregor burst into flames and instantly was killed by Cats anger. The Law Guardian states that Cat dies for interfering with the fight. Bones then recover enough to reveal that hidden in Gregors weapons was an injection device that pumped liquid silver into him for a faster kill. This meant that Gregor was guilty of cheating and Cat was free. It is revealed that when Cat drinks from another vampire she acquires and special powers that they may posses like Vlad and his pyrokinetics. Cat and Bones are finally able to get back to their vacation. The End!

Frost's next book is a spin off about Cat's Friend Denise, First Drop of Crimson due out in Feb 2010.

[...]

This was one tough and brutal. Frost doesn't spare the good guys grizzly deaths. Cat, haunted by dreams of a blonde vampire is drawn to Paris only to realize that he is the Dreamsnatcher...hell bent on stealing her from Bones with a claim that she is HIS wife instead. But Gregor isn't crazy even though Cat has no memory of him. As Bones and Gregor fight over dominance and ownership, of the situation and Cat, Cat is rent in two. And at her core, Cat will always sacrifice everything to save the ones she loves...even recklessly. Will this be the last straw for Bones? And how will the fallout affect those around them: Justina, Rodney, Don, etc.?

So, I just finished "Destined for an Early Grave" by Jeaniene Frost, and all I can say is.. Oh my gosh! I wish I had more friends who read this series so I would have someone to talk to about this book. Man.. just.. whoa! When I finished the last page, I squeaked. I kid you not, it's that kind of story. This would have to be the best book I've read all year, but then Jeaniene Frost hasn't disappointed me yet!

So! In this book - Cat, Bones, and the crew are back, and this time the bad guy is stronger than they could have imagined, with a claim that has Cat and Bones worried. The vampire Gregor, called the Dreamsnatcher, is claiming to be married to Cat under vampire law, since she was sixteen. Mencheres arrives to explain to Cat that the memories of her month spent with Gregor have been blocked, and only if she agrees to go to Gregor and have him bring her memories back will she know the truth of their supposed marriage. Cat and Bones aren't taking the situation well, and tempers are rising. Are Cat and Gregor really married? And if she gets her memories back, will she choose Bones or Gregor?

As I said, I loved this book. Cat is such a great heroine, stubborn but strong. And Bones.. whew, I'd take him any day! And of course I love their friends- Mencheres, Spade, Rodney, Vlad, and the new addition - Fabian. In the beginning, part of me wanted Gregor to be somewhat of a good guy, maybe to make the decision just a little harder, give him some redeeming qualities, maybe. But as the book wore on, no more. I wanted Cat and Bones, and all their people, to survive. I wish I could get into the ending, the amazing twists, the heart wrenching moves.. Oh, dear. All I can do is suggest that everyone read this, and of course the books before it. Frost already has a few books planned out, Cat and Bones will have at least three more, and Spade and Mencheres will each have their own book. I can't wait!
I give this book a five out of five. I couldn't put it down, and I know I will keep going back to it over and over. It has everything I wanted and needed, romance, drama, emotional ties to amazing characters, and the thrill of seeing the characters fight for their lives, and their love. Make sure you all check out "Destined for an Early Grave" by Jeaniene Frost!

I grew a bit tired with Cat & Bones, their senseless arguing is grating on my nerves. Still, their stories are written intriguingly, so I am always hooked. I hope the next installment will be better.

I am a humongous fan of this series.

Hu-mon-gous.

In a world where there's so much to read and so little time, I've reread "Halfway to the Grave" at least three times since I got my kindle 2 back in March of 09. It's the characters! They're so compelling.

Bones is my favorite male lead of any romance series I've ever read. He's beautiful, he's badass, he's got a great sense of humor, and he's emotionally balanced.

Cat is also a compelling heroine. In the first three books, she's hard-nosed, courageous, and vulnerable, but she's also afraid of her feelings and judgmental. I liked that, misguided as she is sometimes, she loves Bones so much that she's willing to sacrifice her own happiness for his safety.

The plots of the first three books are great, but it's this dynamic between Kat and Bones that keeps me coming back over and over.

...

Which, of course, is why I was horribly disappointed to find it missing entirely from this book until the very end. Cat spent the entire book guzzling gin and stuffing her face full of ice cream. She was wenchy and whiny and stupidly headstrong. Where was my stubborn and courageous heroine? Why did she spend nearly no time kicking vampire booty? Why did she turn from the Reaper into a rumpled house frau, sucking down gin while suspecting her hubby of humping around on her? (I solemnly promise never to use the word hump ever again.)

And Bones? Why did he turn from a lovely, emotionally-centered vampire into a neanderthal? He spent the entire book keeping Cat at a distance, either emotionally or physically or both.

The final nail in the coffin (har) was that this book had several instances of "Easily Preventable Angst." You know, the kind where all bad feelings could be resolved if they, you know, acted like a couple and TALKED to each other?

I enjoyed the final quarter of this book which is why I gave it 3/5 stars. I still love the Night Huntress books, and I still firmly believe that Jeaniene Frost has massive talent. But I think this is just a weak entry in the series. I have every confidence that she'll come roaring back with a kickass fifth book. And I'll admit here and now that I'm pee-my-pants excited for the spinoff she's got planned.

So, Jeaniene! Sorry for the less than stellar review, but you're still one of my faves! You keep writing, I'll keep buying and reading.

3/5

I felt like I was missing a few things in this book. I enjoyed the lost past plot but not the break-up with cat and bones. Vlad is amazing and I can't wait to learn more about him! I felt like I was missing something from not reading her other side-series' and I was kinda frustrated. I was also disappointed that Cat's pyrokinetic abilities were borrowed and not her own, but could be interesting for the future of the series. Still a page-turner and a wonderful book!

Half-breed Cat Crawfield looks forward to some Parisian R&R (romance and relationship enhancement) with her purebred vampire husband Bones. However, the best laid plans of mice, men and half vamp Cats often go astray. The master vampire Gregor arrives to claim her as his wife; he insists he had a prior claim to her as her spouse making her a bigamist.

When Cat was a teen, Gregor abducted her with a goal for later the future. However, Mencheres the master vampire took her away from Gregor, locked the master vampire in a special prison, and erased Cat's memory of the incident and this master vampire. Cat is outraged for several reasons but also somewhat fascinated while Bones is reeling as he fears Gregor has a stronger claim and not just with vampire law and Gregor seems obsessed over his assertion.

The fourth Night Huntress urban fantasy is an exhilarating thriller driven by the paranormal triangle (though told through a confused Cat's perspective). The overarching story of Cat and Bones spins brilliantly into a darker drama as the heroine must make several complex decisions with convoluted choices to select from. Another winner from Jeanine Frost, fans of this strong saga will appreciate aptly titled DESTINED FOR AN EARLY GRAVE.

Harriet Klausner

I am a BIG fan of this author and love the series! Destined for an Early Grave was full of twists and turns that you don't see coming. It was intense and full of suspense. I would highly recommend reading this one and be ready for jaw dropping suprises. I could not put it down and was wrapped up in the world of Cat and Bones. I LOVED this book to say the least.

The only negative thing I would have to say about it is that they don't really talk about the wedding ceremony and engagement much. I was looking forward to that in this book, but maybe next time...

This is a great read and an intense page turning ride. Can't wait for the next one about Cat and the new upcoming book about Spade. :)

This series just keeps getting better and better! More details about the characters we know, plus the addition of new characters keeps me glued to the page! I just wrote the review for the previous book yesterday.... and I am downloading the next book in the series now! I can't wait to read it!

Next in the series and Cat Crawfield and her undead lover Bones are on vacation when she starts having dreams of a vampire named Gregor who's more powerful than Bones and has ties to her. In trying to discover more about Gregor Cat and Bones find out that Gregor has ties to Cat that her or Cat never knew about. Gregor believes Cat is his and he won't stop until she is his. It's up to Bones and Cat to find away to break his hold over her and his claim on her. This is another series that should be read in order.

Originally I stayed away from this 4th book in the Cat and Bones series because of all the poor reviews. But I did decide to finally read it and I am so glad that I did! It was very good! Yes, Cat and Bones fought a lot (cuz everything in their lives was falling apart...) but they do make up and conquer the evil and there is a good ending. So, if you love Cat and Bones...read this book! You will enjoy it.

If your looking for a quick, entertaining read with a bigger than life, kick-ass heroine then this is a series you will like. This book is part of a series(and a spin off series) and it's helpful to have read the previous titles but not absolutely necessary.The genre could be described as urban fantasy-vampires, ghouls and ghosts, DUH!-with a healthy dose of romance...uh SEXY romance! Although the main characters seem to become more invincible with each new book, making one wonder how they could possibly be in any danger, for me, the characters likability allow me to suspend my disbelief and get caught up in the story. The night huntress may not solve world hunger but it provided me with a satisfying afternoon of reading.

This installment in the Cat and Bones series was hard for me to read, because I dislike conflict. But one cannot expect two strong-willed characters to fuse together within a couple of short years, and conflict is a necessary part of that. This book explores the final hurdle in Cat and Bones' relationship, and resolves it deftly and satisfyingly. Cat and Bones are an enduring dynamic that deserve more than casual appraisal and commitment.

This installment of Cat and Bone had a lot more angst than usual. Let me just say, Cat and Bones know how to fight. They don't do anything halfway. Besides dealing with Bones, Cat is also having to deal with someone from her past, and he sure knows how to make an entrance.

My favorite part of this book - Vlad! We got to see quite a bit more of him in this book. I see now why he has his own series!

**NO SPOILERS INCLUDED** Since there's already an abundance of thorough reviews, my review will be brief. I strongly recommend the previous books in this series be read in order (Halfway to the Grave, One Foot in the Grave and At Grave's End) before tacking this book.

It's been six years since Bones and Cat first met. Together they've had their ups and downs but this book proves to be one of the most important installments in the series so far.

If you are a Bones and Cat fan, this installment is not to be missed. There are several significant events that take place throughout this installment that will have lasting effects on future installments.

The plot was exciting, action-packed, creative and twistedly-humorous. Most of the times, I couldn't put this book down, I literally lost sleep over it. I'm so eager to read the next Cat and Bones book I can't even stand it! I highly recommend this series to dark urban fantasy readers, and also look forward to reading the spinoff book from the new Night World series, First Drop of Crimson due out 2/9/2010.

I also recommend:
Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane)
Awaken Me Darkly (Alien Huntress, Book 1)
They Call Me Death
Servant: The Kindred
Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, Book 3)

The fourth book in this wonderful series was such a disappointment! I'm stunned! Why would the author turn against her characters so? In the previous three books, Cat and Bones were fascinating, well-developed characters - I felt confident in their values, their love, their level of maturity... Suddenly in book four all the real drama was replaced with drama queen! It was like reading about completely different (and unappealing) characters who happened to share the same names and world as the Cat and Bones I'd come to know and love. All of the caring, humor, excitement, tension,*fabulous* love scenes, and unique plotline was gone. Replaced with tedius screeching, formulaic problems,and characters who acted out of character and never noticed. Up until now, I loved the series and Jeaniene Frost! She's obviously a wonderful writer. I'll cross my fingers and hope if she writes another book in the series, Cat and Bones will be back and I can pretend #4 never happened!

I just finished reading this last book of the series- Destined for an Early Grave-
I highly recommend the entire 5 book series - if you include the Last Drop of Crimson which I read first and also thoroughly enjoyed. I think Jeaniene Frost keeps the books moving with her introduction of new characters and the story line. I read the complete book with no skipping over parts.
This series Night Huntress is tied for first place in the books I have read along side with the Black Dagger Brotherhood. I do skip over the Omega parts.

I would like to see Simon Baker portray Bones in the movie to come. He is in the Mentalist.

***No Real Spoiler Review***

After At Grave's End I was a little slow in purchasing book 4. I was afraid it would be redundant. Boy was I wrong! This is probably one of the best books in the series thus far. Jeaniene Frost delivered a fast pace full action novel. Romance seekers will not be disappointed because Jeaniene reignites the passion between Bones and Cat. My attention to this story was renewed. Jeaniene packs this novel with a few suprises that her fans will not be disappointed in. It was also great having a new villain with some unique powers and we get a more in depth look into how Vampire society and powers operate. There was one section which any true fan of the series would think is transparent (trust issues between Bones and Cat are again explored as is Bones' questionable behavior with a few women). The end justifies the means and overall this was a great contribution to the series.

I really liked this installation of the series.

***spoiler***

Bones finally grows a backbone and kicks Cat to the curb. Of course temporarily...but enough for her to get over herself and treat him with some respect. I loved her friendship with Vlad and look forward to Spade's own book. I thought this book had a lot of action and angst and the romance was rekindled between the 2 of them in time. I can't see where the series is going and how long the story of these 2 can remain interesting. But I thought for book 4 in the series a breakup was inevitable and glad that it came from Bones this time.

I really like this series. I really do, but this installment left me feeling a bit...meh. Cat and Bones kind of didn't sparkle as much as they usually do. I think the arguments where a bit forced and didn't really make sense to me. Now don't get me wrong, the PLOT was still really good. I just afraid that the main characters didn't do it for me this time. I hate to say that, because I usually love the CRAP out of Cat, but there was something missing.

I do wonder how the events that take place in this book are going to effect the next few books! Some really interesting shizz goes down in Destined for an Early Grave, but all in all I think this one is not my favorite of the series. I'm hoping it's just a hiccup in what has been up until now a delicious treat of a book series!

How often in a romance book are you really excited by the plot, laughing at the smart aleck comments, and shedding the odd tear when no one is looking?

Books 1 to 3 lead up to a wild ride in book 4. Make sure to read the series in order.

Bones is second only to that other very delightful dark hero - Jericho Z Barrons.

Once again Jeaniene Frost got me reading into the late hours, hell!! I got Destined For An Early Grave on thursday and finished it in 2 day's ( keep in mind I work ). I really enjoyed this book, it was Intense, Emotional, And Flat-Out Fantastic like the cover say's. My only regreat is that I have to wait for the 5th book of this series and I don't know how I'm going to do it. Jeaniene please... HOW FAST CAN YOU TYPE ???.

LOVED IT.

I read all of the Night Huntress series and this latest one did not disappoint! After Graves' End, you think Cat and Bones are finally married and skipping their way into the sunset but that isn't what happens. Another vampire claims to have married Cat first and insists that she was in love with him and had her memory erased by Mencheres. Having escaped from Menchere's imprisonment, Gregor demands that she be returned to him, causing Bones to declare war on him and all of his allies. In the midst of all of this Cat and Bones' relationship is tested like never before and Cat finds herself at a cross-roads as she tries to sort the truth from the lies and fights to keep everyone she loves alive.

The book tugs at your heartstrings on so many levels, from the anguish that Cat feels towards Bones and vice versa, to her unique connection with Vlad, Justina, Mencheres, Gregor, and even Marie Latveau. Usually series books drag alittle by the 3rd or 4th book and you feel like the author is using the same theme, just re-hashed a little and re-packaged but with this series you definitely get a progression of the issues facing the characters and their growth. All of this character development happens during several action-packed conflict points, none of which threaten to take over the book, unlike other similar series (like Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series) where the action tends to dominate over the relationships.

It's a fast read with lots of sick humor, emotional dialogue, and action that kept me reading way past my bedtime. I can't wait for book 5, which sadly comes out 2011.

I know I won't love every book, but this book I barely liked. I absolutely loved the three previous books and bought copies for friends. Other reviewers mentioned they thought the plot device to drive the main characters apart seemed contrived and I have to agree. The whole time I kept thinking are these the same characters I loved in the previous books? Also, I felt that a big decision by Cat was not well done. If the majority of the books would have been about that decision instead of the plot device, then I would have been more accepting that the characters did not ring true since it was such a big decision made in what seemed to be a short amount of time.

Tavia Gilbert's narration Is Great!! Love listening to her!! LOVE this installment,the more I read the more I get Hooked.The Storylines are Great,Amazing Characters! I'm in the Fourth book I've laughed and Cried each book has kept my interest Peaked I can't put them down! Finished this book last night and am reading the fifth installment and am LOVING it!!

This was probably my least favorite book in the series, nevertheless, it is still a great read and the last quarter makes up for the mess in the middle! I stayed up all night and lost much needed sleep reading this one just to see what was going to happen between Cat and Bones! You know it's a good book if you care that much!!! Can't wait till Book 5 is released in a couple of days!

First, let me preface this by saying I loved the first three books (Halfway to the Grave, One Foot in the Grave, and At Grave's End). My friends loved the books too as evidenced by my extremely well worn copies. That being said, this is by far the worst book in the series. One of my least favorite plot contrivances is the "great misunderstanding" that drives a hero and heroine apart. That happens here in spades. Since Cat was willing to commit suicide in the last book when she thought her true love was dead, I find it hard to believe that she would just turn around and ditch him over a bad case of PMS. This is compounded by another horrible plot cliché - the repressed memory. It turns out that Cat had a secret past that was conveniently wiped from her memory. Now this long forgotten relationship will drive another wedge between Cat and Bones.

Luckily for fans of the series, the book gets better. Trust me on this. If you can make it to Chapter 20, you will be rewarded with quick-paced action, unexpected surprises, and valiant fights against insurmountable odds. There is even a little make-up sex (although it doesn't compare to previous efforts). Cat develops as a character and sets the stage for - I hope - a much better follow-up book.

I would rate the first third of the book a 3 ½, the middle a 2, and the end a 4 ½. Stick with the book and the series. I am confident Cat and Bones still have a few good adventures left in them.

All I can say is WOW!

***SPOILERS***
Once you find out that Gregor got to Cat years ago your in complete shock. Your wondering how, what, when etc.... Then you find out that her love for him when she was sooo very young was genuine but he also brainwashed her to thinking he was the good one and the vamp she would meet in the future was the bad one. Cat battles furiously to keep herself awake and away from the dream steeler. Bones is put to the test and he comes through for his true love more than ever.

I love the entire series! This book took me on an emotional roller coaster, which is what I expected, and Ms. Frost definately delivered. At turns I was angry, scared, and sick to my stomach. That is how well Ms. Frost writes. I can actually feel what's happening. My only complaint is how she chose to address the after math of Cat and Bones' melt down. That particular chapter just kind of fell flat for me. Cat was so devastated and I know Bones was as well, not because of what was expressed by Bones, but because I believe I know these characters so well. None of what I felt should have been expressed emotionally by these characters after it had all been worked out was in the writing, which was disappointing. They explained where they were coming from and how and what contributed to the melt down, the emotion just didn't come through in the writing (Most especially from Bones). Bones apology or lack of apology and how he conveyed his feelings when they reconciled just lacked something. Additionally, I really hope the next book contains a bit more spice. Of course, I'm not sure anything could beat the scene in book 2, but I keep hoping! Regardless, this is the best series I've read in years and I cannot wait until the next book! Highly recommend the series!

This book was a difficult read. I know...impossible right?
Jeaniene Frost is a wonderfully imaginative writer and Cat and Bones have the kind of chemistry that could melt the polar ice caps. So really what could go wrong?
::head desk::

Destined for the Grave took a wrong turn or three. And I just cannot for the life of fathom why Jeanine's editor didn't find a politely loud way of saying "Yeah....not loving this so much"

It is like Ms. Frost decided to see how many ridiculous plot points from "Beyond Heaving Bosoms" she could throw into one book. Conflict!(check) Forgotten lover from the past!(check check) Stupid misunderstanding that could easily have been avoided by acting like adults and talking! (check, check, check) and we can't forget the "super speshul - one of a kind in the whole world, no one else is quite like me heroine" oy' check please.

Cat is just so unlikable in this book. She's petty, spiteful, indecisive, petulant and most unforgivable of all stupid. And you actually end up disliking Bones a bit for not telling her to just sod off.

I wont include any spoilers, but man, Gregor was a bad character development, and Cat's history with him was a big clunker that for me took a lot of shine off the special.

The only things that salvaged this book were the supporting characters. Highlights being Spade and Vlad suprisingly.

I don't recall how many Night Huntress books are in the works, but oh dear heavens please, let Bones and Cat act like intelligent adults in the next book..

This book showed the insecurities of both Cat and Bones, and I think for once you see vulnerability in Cat.I loved how the bond of friendship between Cat and Vlad was explored.This had lots of action and many surprising twist and turns.I enjoyed it and I can't wait to read the next book.Too bad it seems I will have a long wait to get another dose of my Cat and Bones,however I am excited about the book on Spade sounds interesting....
Must Read Series..

Jeaniene Frost's books have always found a way to bring me into Cat and Bones' world. Her books to me are so much more than just words on a page! I am completely invested in her characters!!! I have enjoyed all of Ms. Frost's books and must say that for me, they just keep getting better and better! DFAEG made me laugh, cry, and smile... it was a remarkable read and I recommend it to EVERYONE! I would say to make sure you've read the other three books first though because then the turmoil the characters go through is more real (because you care about them!). I'm extremely excited about the next book in the series with Spade and Denise: First Drop of Crimson.
A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In my opinion this is the best in this series! I was wondering how Ms. Frost was going to mix it up and create new conflict after the last book. She succeeded brilliantly! I devoured the whole book in less than 8 hours. I simply couldn't put it down!

I adore her witty banter which never fails to drag an audible laugh from me. The romantic aspect is addictive. You can't help but fall in love with Cat and Bones. And Cat is among my favorite heroines. She's tough and scarcastic yet still vulnerable enough to pull your heart strings.

All in all, Ms.Frost's writing will grab you by the front of your shirt and drag into the world she builds and not let you go until the end....and still leave you wishing for more. I'll be sure to reserve my copy of THE FIRST DROP OF CRIMSON in January! Horay for the first of the NIGHT HUNTRESS WORLD books!

This is the best one in the series. The characters are more developed from the previous books, love those as well. Cat and Bones delve deeper into their relationship and while it gets rocky for awhile they come out stronger for it. Can't wait to see how Cat develops futher as a vampire, her abilites and strengths.

This series is one of my all time faves. Cat is a badass, but she's so relateable it's easy for me to love her. Bones is the perfect brooding guy-with-a-past, though I must admit my heart belongs to Ian. That said, this book was my least favorite of them all. Cat is way too bitchy, and Bones is just way outside of character for my taste. Too much drama and not enough kick ass-ery that I've come to expect. I hate to do it, but 3.5 out of 5 stars.

With so many reviews already, I'll just add to the overall rating and add a few comments.

Thus far, this series has been the best in the genre. I think the reason is that, finally, we have a heroine that can even come close to competing with the big boys as a hard hitter.

Oh my God!!! After biting my nails for months waiting for this book it finally has arrived and three hours later I have had cried, laughed, wanted to beat the crud out of someone and be scared to death, in other words this book was wonderful and is everything a good book should be. I never once set the book down once I started reading it. Cat finally has the emotional growth spurt that I have been personally waiting on for the last 3 books, and Bones (sigh) I love him!! This book will make you crazy but it is the best yet.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK, THIS SERIES AND THIS AUTHOR. She is my inspiration for my writing. I love her love her love her! I have re read this series over and over and over and over! If I could I would give it more than 5 stars rating!

I love these books and had to tie them in a bundle to keep from reading them a third time!! I'm totally cool with the occasional conflict between lovers in books as long as there is plenty of romance to balance it out and the main characters don't quarrel too long. That balance was wonderfully achieved in this book, and I can't wait for the fifth to hit the shelves! Cat and Bones are at the top of my favorites list!!

After reading the Sookie Stackhouse series, I did not think I would find another series I loved as much, but Jeaniene Frost proved me wrong. I finished the series within a few days, I just couldn't put them down. Now I'm sad I have read them all and I can NOT wait to have more Cat and Bones. The characters are easy to fall in love with. You can't go wrong with the Night Huntress series.

This series is fantastic, and Tavia Gilbert's narration is always a delight to listen to. I'll give this book in the series a 3.5 because I think Cat should have ringed Bones's balls through a grinder!

That is all.

I really wanted to like this one but the constant immaturity of Cat and Bones acting like whining teens really got on my nerves. I love the dynamic that Cat and Bones had in the previous books, and hopefully they will return to best buds and lovers spats but not the drama queen crap that was in this one.
I was also highly disappointed that Rodney died. He was one of my favs..
The new Ghost friend is awesome though.. look foward to the next installment with trepidation.

I happen to read some of the reviews before reading the book. Yes I know I shouldn't have but I did anyway. This book was more talking than fighting like the other books were. I really enjoyed it, it was different from the others and I think that is why I liked it. Learning about Cat's past was interesting, new, and there were so many hidden secrets throughout the story that I just could not put the book down. But I will say that reading the books in order does make a difference; even though Mrs. Frost does recap from time to time. I would give this book 4 stars, I don't plan on reading it again; once was good enough for me, I will say that this book is not like the others, but that is in a good way.

I've read each book of this series. With this one, Frost has outdone herself. I literally could not put this one down. The characterizations are really in depth. The book really focuses on the relationship between Cat and Bones, which is what I liked best. I hated to see this one end. I'm a huge fan of Ilona Andrews; but Frost may have just jumped ahead of her on my list, if she keeps writing books as good as this one.

This series is by far the best vampires series to say the least and this book tops it all off. I read this book in one day because I could not put it down (there goes one sunny day for me). If I gave the other three books a five star, this book should get a 10 star. There is so much excitement and suspense the emotions just keep running. If there was ever to be movie or TV series, this series should be it. Sign me up for CAT!!!

The latest chapter in the series is excellent. The story moves forward, the characters continue to evolve.

I was sorry to see the loss of a very secondary character, but it made sense. The twist with her mother promises to be interesting. I look forward to next book already.

getting more of the fabulous cat and bones, as well as watching the other wonderful characters develop and a story i enjoyed ... you can't beat that! now, i'm thrilled denise is getting her own series, but where will the big m come into play? you just know there is a reason he isn't sensing more of the future. about time he finds a lady to turn his life upside down. =) thanks for another fun installment jeaniene. cheers!

The night huntress series is Awesome!. It's always great to read a book that has the perfect mixture of action, drama, comedy, and most of love. Jeaniene Frost brings it all in this series. I had the hardest time putting the books down.

Nothing and nobody were able to tear me from this book -- it was sooooo soooo good... I love how addictive it all was. Bones and Cat are such amazing charaters; I know there's supposed to be a spin-off series from this, but I just want more Bones and Cat -- PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.....

I found this book to be amazing! I couldn't put it down once I started it! Frost is an amazing writer and i love every one of her books! If you love vampires and love this is the book for you. The love between cat and bones is just amazing! I can feel the passion buring inside me when i read it! Its all in all a wonderful book!

Good read, expected more. It felt rushed...no clues or hints about new character (mr jingle ). Why was he hard pressed on blaming Kat? Did psychic & Ian hook up? Ending was I don't know where were we...

I am absolutely enthralled with Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. This book was the best one of the entire series. I am absolutely love with her characters, her writing style and the adjectives she uses to describe her plot and story line. She is a very talented author and I HIGHLY suggest ANYTHING she writes!!!

I for one, can't wait for the next book to come out!!

Blessed Be,

Melissa

I always hate when I finish a good book. This was one of those books. I love the characters, and the stories just keep getting better. It's never dull, and it's a great read! I can't wait for the Denise and Spade's story.

I used to be a fan of Jeaniene Frost, I really enjoyed the first two books in the night-huntress series, but after this piece of garbage I will never touch another one. I can't believe any serious author would publish something this ridiculous. And I can't believe all of the positive reviews! The story is nothing but an endless series of teen-soap-like plots and twists. It's worse than daytime television! Don't waste your time or money on this one!