Halfway to the Grave

Night Huntress, Book 1

De: Jeaniene Frost

Narrado por: Tavia Gilbert

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father - the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unlikely partnership.

In exchange for help finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner…are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon, Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side...and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.

©2007 Jeaniene Frost (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Take one half-human/half-vampire female with serious anger and parental issues, add in a sexy ancient vampire with his own agenda, and you have the makings for a truly combustible series. Sign me up for the sequel!” (Romantic Times)

Surprised! SPECTACULAR AND SEXY!

Halfway to the Grave is delicious! The Best of the Genre! 10 stars! A+
I am 30 and I write this review for anyone who might think this is young adult nonsense:

Personal Disclaimer: Im new to the genre. I snubbed my nose to it bc of the pop culture craze of Twilight, and a strict loyalty to the Vampire world of Ann Rice. Somehow, I stumbled into the paranormal/time travel genre with Karen 's Fever series, and then finally read Outlander. After dabbling in a few JD Ward books, "The Night Huntress" series was recommended to me and I downloaded this book. I was judgmental of the cover and the silly name, and it just sat in my audible library for months. After listening to a heavy depressing book, I needed a break and put this on...

I LOVE this book. I'm addicted and in love with these characters. Bones is surprisingly funny and charming but very different from the smoldering alpha males in every other romance novel I've read. Cat is my favorite heroine since Scarlet O'hara! This book is so different from any other "vampire" or paranormal book I've ever read. It's funny, sexy, and completely engaging.

But to my amazement, it also contains one of the hottest love scenes ever written, not because of any graphic sex, but because of the chemistry and tenderness of the two characters. I was surprised by how sexy this book was. And the author doesn't play the same old games of delaying the "good parts" till the end, which is frustrating and gets old pretty quick! (I waited 5 books for Moning's characters to finally hook up.. And still resent the frustration i felt) Instead Jeaniene Frost uses the integrity of her writing to create sizzling chemistry and true emotion between this unlikely couple.
The story itself is intriguing and unfolds as a suspense filled battle with the reader just as interested in the plot as in the characters love life. What a true gift of a book.

Finally, I must say a narrator makes or breaks an audio book. In this case, Tavia Gilbert is AMAZING! I want her to read every book I have. Her character voices are wonderful, and she brings this to life better than any actor could on a movie screen.

This book has it all! And I plan to devour every book by this author!

Solid Debut

Ok, so Cat is half vampire and half human. She hunts down vampires as revenge for what her vampire father did to her human mother. He basically date raped her and Cat was the result. She meets Bones, a vampire, who threatens her into a partnership to hunt down vamps together. I have to say, from reading the other reviews I was a little put off because of the Spike and Buffy comparisons. And Bones does remind of me Spike. However, once I got into the story I forgot about that - I can honestly say that this book did not have one boring moment. The action kept me hooked and the characters were interesting, although I really don't like Cat's mother. But that is part of the fun-it sets up some good character development potential for future books. Cat's initial attitude that all vampires are evil (even though it is part of who she is) was drilled into her head by her mother. Plus the fact that she was an outcast her entire life because she was different. The romance aspect was perfect-there are some sex scenes, but they don't drag on and they advance the plot. I am not sure if I liked the way the story ended, but it definitely leaves you hanging for the next book. I will try the next book in the series, which will decide the direction this series is going.

Girls, this is THE Vampire series to read

Usually, a series can tend to get dull after so many books, not this one....I've read them all and still waiting for another to come out. Cat and Bones are the ultimate supernatural couple and their "interactions" are some of the steamiest, hottest and best written scenes I've had the pleasure of reading so far. Most erotic scenes I've read in other books are just ridiculous or predictable....to the point where I'm rolling my eyes . Not the scenes between Cat and Bones...they are fantastically written and the imagery you get is best experienced in a dim room behind closed doors. It's just that good.

If you are a fan of this genre - THIS is the series to own. Worth every credit or penny you spend.

½ Romance + ½ Urban Fantasy = Narrator Vehicle

This is a loosely veiled Romance novel; a breathless love story cloaked in Urban Fantasy trappings. The protagonist Kat is motivated equally by (1) her need to fight the vampire bad guys and (2) her attraction to a man she is reluctantly falling in love with. This is an unfair gross oversimplification of the book, but does I believe accurately classify the genre in which this novel could be categorized. I acquired this first Night Huntress installment despite suspecting the above to be true because of the comments from other listeners on the performance of the narrator Tavia Gilbert. I am always on the lookout for narrators that put on a great act and this seemed like just such an offering. I was quite pleased. Tavia Gilbert has a wide range of character voices and emotional inflections that make this book a joy to listen to. With such a talent I wish she had more outlandish characters to work with. She even knows the correct pronunciation of the much maligned word “sentient.” (Go to hour 1:37 to hear the two syllable word “SEN-shunt”) This alone is enough to endear a narrator to me. She is one of the top audiobook performers I have heard.

Compelling read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely.

What does Tavia Gilbert bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Bones is voiced incredibly.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

After finishing this audio book in only 2 days, I listened to it again in nearly the same amount of time. The characters deep and well developed. The plot is strong and the reading is just incredible.

This book's got bite.

This series is a bit hardcore, like NC-17 hardcore (not for violence)-- I'm not complaining, but I think that should be noted in a review. That aside, I love it. A different twist on the genre. I wish she would elaborate peripheral characters a bit more, but that's ok. Narrator is good, she does a fine job with the accents I think. It has action, sex, drama-- what more could you want?? This is not your Twilight-- maybe angles more toward True Blood-- but it does it's own thang.

Cat and Bones are AWESOME!

What did you love best about Halfway to the Grave?

That Cat is a bad ass chick, she can fight and she also has a good heart!!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Halfway to the Grave?

The first love scene....aye yi yi yi yi!!!!!!!!!!! That was some good loving!!!!

Which character – as performed by Tavia Gilbert – was your favorite?

Bones....drfinitely...he is a riot!!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Vamps beware your about to meet your match!

Any additional comments?

Loved it!! Reading #2 now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE BONES & CAT!

I admit I was a little hesitant about starting this series...but I am so hooked, I haven't listened to anything else for weeks! I only gave four out of five stars because of how this first book ended. Not my ideal ending, without giving anything away...but the following books make up for it as the story continues!

I love Bones and Cat!!! Their relationship is so humorous in the beginning. And to see how thing grow and change between the two of them is great as they learn to accept each other! Their relationship is for sure one of a kind! :) There are so many laugh out loud parts in here!

And Bones!!!!....Bones is probably my favorite vampire ever!! With his great British accent and how charming he is...he is without a doubt the sexiest vampire!!

Tavia does a really great job narrating the series. At first I was nervous, having not heard her before...and she her tone took me aback at first. But she grows on you fast! Her accents (and there are a lot of them I might add!) and character changes from person to person don't miss a beat! Love how she does Bones's voice! I would highly recommend her!!

Worth the listen!! Like I said not the best ending...broke my heart. But one should really listen to them in order....warning that you will get sucked in!

MUST READ

I must say I am a Jeaniene Frost Fan for life... I love everything she has written... and will continue to buy and read what ever she produces. I am definitely addicted to Cat and Bones and their friends.

strong heroine, interesting story

Where does Halfway to the Grave rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I had already read this book. I liked it enough to want to listen to it and hear the story again. Even as a repeat, I'm captivated.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Halfway to the Grave?

I love the banter between Cat and Bones. Especially while he's teaching her to be more brazen and less modest.

What does Tavia Gilbert bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Gilbert does a good job with the accents and different voices. It was easy to fall in and feel part of this story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The feisty kitten.

Any additional comments?

This story is well written. The characters are likable, strong, and often witty. Frost keeps your attention from beginning to end and leaves the reader wanting more.