Review: This Side of the Grave by J. Frost

Title: This Side of the Grave
{Night Huntress # 5}
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Publish Date: February 22, 2011 by Avon
Pages: 384, paperback
Reviewed by: ISALYS
Reason for reading: Read the ARC for The Season for Romance

This Side of the Grave is the fifth installment in the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost and I hardly know where to begin. I started this series a few months ago at the recommendation of a friend and was immediately and completely enchanted with this series. I had never read a series back to back, until Night Huntress. I simply could not get enough of infamous Cat & Bones.

In the course of the first four books, we meet and fall in love with the Cat’s feminine strength and sharp wit as well as the charming, protective and terrifyingly sexy Bones. As a reader, we wonder how long can Frost keep up the momentum of such a beloved & powerful literary couple. I’m so glad to say that even five books into the series, Frost has managed to still keep us enthralled.

I would like to offer a warning that as the fifth book in the series, I must reveal events that occurred in previous novels. If you have not yet read the first four books, I would encourage you to proceed with caution.

In This Side of the Grave, Cat has now transitioned into a full vampire and is learning to cope with her new abilities, powers and cravings. She was no ordinary human and now she’s no ordinary vampire. One of the oldest and most powerful ghoul leaders in the nation is attempting to use her as a rallying point to incite a war between the vampires and ghouls. In the meantime, this ghoul leader is attempting to weaken the vampires by killing the young, master-less ones. Cat is forced to turn to Marie, the ghoul queen of New Orleans for assistance. Marie tricks Cat into drinking some of her blood which gives her a very strong connection, albeit temporarily, to ghosts and spiritual forces. While all this is happening, Cat learns of some bad news involving her uncle. She worries for him but must stay focused on the potential war that is quickly brewing.

On a positive note, Cat and Bones’ relationship is on the mend after the events of the fourth book (Destined for An Early Grave). They are as happy and in love as ever. Cat has really grown and evolved over the course of the series. She is no longer the immature, irrational and prejudicial character we first met. She’s as snarky as ever, but she’s also now a smart-thinking, ass-kicking, emotionally mature full vampire! There was a really tender scene in which Cat opens up to Bones about her love for him. She was emotionally vulnerable in a way she’s never been before and this moment endeared me to her more than ever.

In addition to all this, we also get to spend some time with some of the secondary characters in this series and are even briefly reunited with a character from one of the earlier books. Frost has such a talent for creating a dynamic and interesting cast of characters that just work well together.

I would say this novel is nearly perfect with the exception of one thing. The villain in this piece was not as strong or frightening as his predecessors and his downfall was rather anti-climatic. For a character that is ancient and hell bent on world domination, he was a bit of a scaredy-cat.

This Side of the Grave is a thrill-ride with everything that I would expect of a Night Huntress novel: action, drama, suspense, humor, steamy love scenes and even a bit of tenderness. I enjoy every moment that I get to spend with Cat & Bones and am glad to say that this book is a great addition to an excellent series.

I highly recommend this series and its spin-off, “Night Huntress World” to all lovers of paranormal romance!

RATING: 4 hearts (nearly perfect!)
HEAT LEVEL: 5 - Scorching