Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading
Written on Dec 26, 2022
Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of those deadbeats is her father - the guy responsible for ruining her mother's life.
But when she's captured by Bones, a bounty hunter and a vampire, she finds herself forced into an unholy partnership.
In exchange for his help in finding her father, and still astonished she hasn't ended up as his dinner, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. But that's not all Bones has to show her - Cat's starting to believe maybe vampires aren't all evil after all, especially ones as cute as Bones. She's half-convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad.
But before she can enjoy her newfound status as confident kick-ass demon hunter Cat finds herself, and Bones, hotly pursued by a band of killers. She's is going to have to pick a side - and fast ...
- ISBN10 006154583X
- ISBN13 9780061545832
- Publish Date 30 October 2007
- Publish Status Active
- Imprint HarperCollins Publishers
- Format eBook
- Language English
Reviews
Why did I wait so long to read Halfway to the Grave? I have no idea, but I’m going to have to make time to read the rest of the series. I had a hard time putting down the first book to the Night Huntress series.
Female Protagonist: Catherine Crawford is half-vampire, and she’s had a rough life because of it. She’s been a loner her whole life and never has had any friends. Catherine, aka Cat, is one kick-butt heroine, and I adored her character. She put herself in danger a few times, but she handled herself very well in each situation. She also knows how to handle Bones. I can’t wait to read more about her character in the next book(s) in the series.
Male Protagonist: Bones is a vampire bounty hunter who hunts down evil vampires and other supernatural beings for a living. He’s one sexy vampire bounty hunter who has a British accent. He’s over 200+ years old, and he knows how to woo women too. I know some readers have already claimed him as their book-boyfriend, but he has been added to mine also.
Storyline: Cat is killing vampires to help rid the world of the evil creatures, and she feels she’s doing it for her mother. Her mother despises vampires, especially after being raped by one twenty-two years ago. Cat is hoping to come across her vampire father when she’s killing them. She ends up meeting Bones, who is a vampire bounty hunter, and they end up working together after a deal to not kill each other. Bones thought that Cat was hired to kill him at first. Their connection with each other, once Bones starts training Cat, is sizzling. There is tension between the two characters, primarily when they work together on missions. Bones is determined to find out who is behind killing young women in Ohio. These women are not ones that have police looking for them. The antagonists in the stories end up being some horrible people/creatures.
I enjoyed the first book in the series since it introduced Bones and Cat, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next with these two, especially with how everything ended.
Steaminess: YES!!! Very Steamy!
Cliffhanger: Yes. At least there is to me since I need to read the next book to find out what happens to Bones and Cat. Cat ends up working for a government agency and running away from Bones, so yes, I consider this a cliffhanger.
Standalone or Series? This is a series, so I recommend reading in order.
Do I recommend this book? Yes, definitely. If you are a fan of Urban Fantasy with Vampires and Ghouls, then this book is for you. I still cannot believe it took me this long to read the first book. Thank goodness for the #Romanceopoly2020 Challenge for having me read this book finally. It fulfilled the Burger Joint square on the Romanceopoly board.
celinenyx
Written on Oct 17, 2018
Catherine is a rare creature: a half-vampire, half-human twenty-two year old. She has sworn to kill all vampires after one of them abused her mother. She hunts on her own, until she meets Bones: a vampire bounty hunter who might be able to give her her revenge.
Halfway to the Grave sounds all right in principle, but it's highly problematic. On the level of the narrative, it has a ridiculously narrow focus. To call the book an urban fantasy requires a leap of the imagination. It is clearly a paranormal romance: the only two characters worth knowing about in the book are Cat and Bones. Although it might seem from the blurb that Cat's mom has a significant role to play, sadly, her only role is to be raped by a vampire. She pushes Cat to kill all vampires, because obviously, they all have to be evil. I would have accepted this incentive, if Cat's mom was actually a major character in the story. Instead Cat just does the thing, and her mom only shows up for two conversations during which she only reiterates that Cat has to do the vampire-killing-thing.
Nothing exists beyond Cat and Bones' banter, their training together, and just general boring 'let's kill this evil vamp dude' plot. The world-building is non-existent, and how this can grow into a decent series I have no idea.
Many reviewers call Bones swoon-worthy, a perfect gentleman, and other high praise. To me, Bones is merely fake-British. Despite throwing around some key British words (luv, bollocks, blimey) I have no idea what his accent is supposed to be. England contains dozens of highly distinct accents, and to me he sounded just like Ron Weasley. I mean, who else says blimey?!
Ladies, gentlemen, and other gentlepeople, behold this swooney guy harassing the shit out of Cat's only friend:
"Hi, Cathy!"
Timmie opened his door with a wide smile. He must have seen me through his window.
Bones gave Timmie a look that froze the smile on the younger man's face.
God, nothing makes me so hot as a ridiculously controlling and jealous man. How DARE Timmie say hi to Cat! Where is his propriety?
But wait, did you think he just glares? Oh no, he will also fucking threaten Timmie for no reason after Cat makes him apologize.
"Nice to meet you, mate, and here's some advice: Don't even think about it. You try anything with her and I'll neuter you with my bare hands."
"Leave!" I stamped my foot for emphasis.
He swept past me and then swiveled, kissing me hard on the mouth before jumping back to avoid my right hook.
"I'll see you later, Kitten."
I detest that this scene is played for laughs and is meant to be endearing. But I think this is merely emblematic of a deeper problem in the text, which is its slut-shaming. In order to seduce vampires into leaving bars to be killed, Cat dresses up in short dresses.
Didn't I look lovely? With this dress and my heavy makeup, Tara was probably thinking I must be ten shades of a slut.
This is not the only time she refers to herself in these clothes as a "slut", "easy", or other extremely problematic terms. Nor is she any better whenever Bones dares to come near a female person. This passage deserves to be quoted in full.
I just stared at her for a minute. Only in cartoons did women have such minuscule waists, big breasts, round bubble butts, and legs like that. It wasn't hard to notice her figure, either. Her dress could barely be called one, and it was so tight, it was a good thing she didn't need to breathe.
"Francesca," Bones said, going to her and giving her a kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad you've come."
And that was all I needed to see to decide right then and there that I hated her guts.
"Bones..."
She drew his name out like it was candy, and when she kissed his cheek, leaving a bright red lipstick imprint, her eyes met mine in open challenge.
I have no time for casual misogyny in my fiction. At 60% in, I'm abandoning this book.
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Trigger warnings: mention of rape, threat of rape, slut-shaming, abduction, violence, death.
Beth C.
Written on Oct 28, 2017
So...while I started reading it for the group, I will be continuing with the series on my own because I enjoyed it just that much.
funstm
Written on Jan 1, 2015
Angie
Written on Oct 19, 2014
Reread for Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon!
Cocktails and Books
Written on Jan 14, 2014
stacey_is_sassy
Written on Sep 19, 2013
I bought Halfway to the Grave on special the other week. I couldn't help myself to be honest. There is nothing better than revisiting an older series and STILL getting the original high. Cat and Bones are such a fun couple. Cat is snarky, gruff and is not afraid of anything that goes bump in the night. Bones has this charm and ability that makes you think he's all about the fun and frivolity BUT he's really bad in an oh so good way.
Again Cat's mum sends my brain to explosion level and Tim is still the sweet and goofy neighbour. The baddies are bad and the goodies are kind of good in an *I'll chop your head off if you annoy me* way.
The narrator does a great job. I think Bones accent was always going to be a tricky one. At first, it was a bit annoying, but as time wore on, I didn't even notice it. I had no problems telling when the characters changed and found her narrating easy to listen to.
I will definitely be going on in the series. My rating stays the same for the audio and the read.
Berls
Written on Apr 20, 2013
This book holds up really well over time. I wrote a much more thorough review the first time I read it... but a lot of my initial reactions still hold true and it is still a 4 star read for me.
First of all, I love the characters - Cat is fabulously naive and spunky at the same time. Bones is meltworthy - I still see/hear Bones as Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and the physical description matches up too!) - the way he is with Cat is just fantastic. Their banter is one of my favorite elements. Then there's Cat's mom. In my earlier review I mentioned she may take asshat of the year... and she's gets a nod for 2022 as well. Gah, she's just awful. Breaks my heart what she's done/does to Cat (all emotional/mental, but awful).
The story is equally strong. The world is built without leaving me confused or the first book info dump - it's a really great balance. I think because we're getting it from Cat's point of view and we're learning the world with her. It's a solid world and I love the mystery along with plot twists and intersections of the paranormal with the human world.
Because I'm a terribly slow reader, I listened to portions of the book this time and, well, Tavia Gilbert is just not my favorite narrator at all. She's fine for Cat, but her voice for Bones is just awful. I had to hold tight to my vision of Spike and try not to let her voice color my experience. I'm hoping that as I continue with the readalong, I'll get faster and not need to listen too often.
I buddy read this with Anne, Stephanie and Lillian. I know we all loved it, be sure to check out their reviews too!
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This book may be unsuitable for people under 17 years of age due to its use of sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence.
My Initial Reaction...
I really enjoyed Halfway to the Grave by Jeanine Frost - I'm glad I gave Frost a chance after being less than impressed by the novella prequel "Reckoning." I think the prequel doesn't work if you don't already know the characters and I wish I'd read it after reading Halfway to the Grave, since Frost weaves an incredible story with some truly addictive characters. I was hooked from start to end!
The Characters...
Cat, a 22 year old college student and dhampir, is an painfully endearing character - but don't let that fool you into thinking she is weak! As a dhampir - part human, part vampire - that would be pretty impossible physically, but she's also not weak emotionally. Cat has grown up in your stereotypical small town - you know, the one where everyone knows everyone's business and thinks it's their God given right to pass judgment on said business - and when you've been raised by a single mother, with no father ever in sight, that doesn't exactly put you off on the right foot. To add fire to the flame, her mother isn't exactly the endearing sort. In fact, I think Cat's mother may win one of my asshat of the year awards. She's taught Cat to hate vampires - her father most especially - and it's left Cat hating a very big part of who she is. Rather than sitting around moping about it, though, Cat has decided to single-handedly wipe out as many vamps as possible. And she's good at it. If you read Urban Fantasy for the kick ass female heroines (which I do) you won't be disappointed by Cat - she seriously holds her own.
Now, if you read Urban Fantasy for the sexy male alphas (which I also do) you won't be disappointed by Bones. Not even a little bit. If it's not yet clear - I ADORE Bones! So Bones is one of the older, and thus more powerful, vampires - and he has an English accent. Not to go Buffy Fan Girl on y'all but doesn't that sound just a little bit like Spike (James Marsters)? Well, honestly I can't remember how Bones was described to look because this was the image I had in my head the whole time...
You see why I loved Bones? He also happens to be a Vampire Bounty Hunter, who radically shakes up Cat's world. Suddenly she's struggling with the possibility that some vamps might actually be ok... and thus, who she is might be good too. I absolutely loved seeing Bones and Cat get to know each other - he even talks to her like Spike... he calls her Kitten, tell me that's not familiar?! Sorry, I digress again. The point is - Bones is awesome and their relationship is intense - in good and bad ways - adding an exciting dimension to the story.
The Story...
For me, Halfway to the Grave, has two stories: (1) Cat figuring out who she is and what that means - particularly through her relationship with Bones and (2) Cat and Bones hunting down a particularly nasty vamp. The first story line is great. Cat's so black and white about vampires because of years of brainwashing at the hands of her mother (who, to be fair, was raped and deserves a little slack I guess) that she can only see Bones as a vampire. Admittedly a stronger vampire that could have killed her easily and didn't, but still a vampire. So Bones had to win her over and that was no easy feat, despite his undeniable charms. So what you have is some incredible sexual tension as Cat denies her true feelings, followed by some pretty steamy sex. My one complaint is that I would have liked some more of that tension - I feel like we get the sex to fast and suddenly Cat and Bones are this couple, comfy and in love. Reeks of insta-love, even though it's definitely not - there was build-up, but it's settled to comfortably for my liking. However, I must say the sex is steamy - like dripping of the pages steamy - so I can't complain too much.
The second element of the plot really serves to setup the world - which seems to be one of just vampires and ghouls (as far as I understand it, ghouls are vampires gone wrong? We don't get much of them, so I'm a little fuzzy there). Bones decides that Cat would be the perfect weapon, since vamps won't see her coming - she'll seem human to them, but she's way stronger than any human - and he has the perfect target. There's some mystery, as Bones and Cat work to figure out whose behind what can only be described as human trafficking, vampire style. This leads them to some truly incredible action scenes. I think I held my breath a few too many times in this book because of the intensity of these scenes, which Frost writes amazingly vividly.
Concluding Sentiments...
Halfway to the Grave was a fast-paced, action-packed, heart-wrenching read and I highly recommend it. I will warn readers though, that the ending is like having the rug pulled out from under you and you will most definitely want the next book on hand to see what's coming next.
Get it on Amazon
littleread1
Written on Mar 7, 2013