Review: This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

This Side of the Grave (Night Huntress #5) by Jeaniene Frost
Publication Date: February 22, 2011
Publisher: Avon
Number of Pages: 357
Format: Paperback
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Danger waits on both sides of the grave.
Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance . . .
With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally"; the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war . . . to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

Cat just can't seem to catch a break. You would think turning into a full vampire would stop those rumors about her becoming some kind of a vampire/ghoul hybrid. Not a chance. Apollyon has been rallying ghouls to his side to start a species war. The ghouls are convinced that the vampires wants complete control over them. And he has them all convinced that Cat is the reason for the war. The only problem is Cat and Bones can't outright attack the ghouls or they will jump start the war.

They seek out Marie, the ghoul queen of New Orleans. With her vampire sire dead, she has no ties to the vampires anymore. She confirms that she will stand with her people, but she doesn't back Apollyon. Sneaking a way to help them, she forces Cat to drink her blood. Even with her new abilities, Cat isn't sure if she can or knows how to control them. Losing the war means losing her life.

I would recommend reading the two spin off books first before reading this. I didn't read them and there were a few details I was confused about. It's not a necessary but it would make more sense. I think this is the only book that made me cry. Cat loses somebody very close to her, and at the time I just wanted to bitch sleep Ms. Frost for it. *sigh* But I trust her in what she is doing and the ending gave me a little bit of hope. We see a character from the first book that I had almost forgotten about, and honestly vaguely remember him.

Mencheres has really grown on me. I couldn't get enough of him in this book. I especially love his and Cat's interactions. And then we have Vlad. Don't get me wrong, I love Bones BUT Vlad has stolen my heart. And just like Mencheres he wasn't in the book enough. I need more of Vlad, especially his interactions with Mencheres, Bones, and Cat. The scenes where it was just Vlad, Cat, and Mencheres were some of my favorites. They could be the new three musketeers.

A few of my favorite quotes:

"Before we go, I gotta know; If mind-reading abilities are real, there's something else I wondered if fiction got right about vampires-"
"Ask me if I sparkle and I'll kill you where you stand," Bones cut him off with utmost seriousness.

“You’re not going to let her do this, are you?” Bones snorted. “Let her? Mate, if you think you can control a woman, you must be single—-and a thousand pounds says she beats your arse.”

 “See?” I’d whispered to Bones, nudging him with a grin. “He never argues with her. Isn’t that sweet?”
A snort preceded his response. “Keep dreaming, pet.”

 Much slower, I turned around to see Vlad examining his fingernails, as if his hands weren't still ablaze in the flames that had blasted the ghoul's head off moments before."What the hell was that?" I gasped."Premature inflammation," He replied. "Happens sometimes. Very embarrassing, I don't like to talk about it."

 “Are you having performance issues?” I asked in surprise. “Bite your tongue,” Vlad said, with a snort. “I was seeing if Dermot understood sign language, but from the look on his face, it seems not.”

"No Matter which side of the grave we're on. I'll hunt you, chase you all around eternity, whatever it takes, but it's you and me until the stars burn out." 

This series is becoming one of my favorites. You can't help but fall in love with Cat and Bones. It has a little bit of everything in it.

Rating: 4/5