I’ve been reading these books back-to-back, so cue my utter confusion when there were references to things I didn’t remember reading in the first 4 books. I was convinced I’d accidentally skipped an installment and needed to go back. But no, apparently a lot happened in the first 2 “spinoff” books set in a time period between books 4 and 5 of the Night Huntress series. I have not read those books but I’ve had a ton of details revealed to me about what happened in those books through dialogue and references in This Side of the Grave.

This was annoying to me for a multitude of reasons — mainly, there are these new characters and relationships that feel really foreign to me but are written in such a way that it seems the reader is expected to already have a connection with them. I kind of felt like I was robbed. I waffled with the idea of going to read those first two books of the spin-off because they actually sound like they’d be pretty interesting, however, I was so underwhelmed with how this book played out that I think I’m going to take a break from the series for a while (as long as the description of the next book isn’t too tantalizing). I was pretty bored with the plot of This Side of the Grave. The saving grace for my rating is that I like the characters that I’ve gotten to know over the course of the series.

Getting emotional? Check.
Lauging? Check.
Smirking? Check.
Feeling warm, fuzzy feelings? Check.
Feeling the heat? Check.

The further I get into this series, the more I'm loving it!

I didn't look up reading order, so I rolled right into Book 5 after Book 4. There are a few mild spoilers for First Drop of Crimson and Eternal Kiss of Darkness in this and Book 6, so if you prefer to avoid spoilers entirely then do go read those two before moving on to this one. I had no problem with them, as while the end situation between the characters described in those two books is present in this one, the details are left to their own novels and I enjoyed reading them later.

So. Apparently pissing off Cleopatra's daughter wasn't enough, nor was turning into the world's weirdest vampire after being the world's only vampire-human halfbreed, but now there's a ghoul determined to use Cat as the spark to ignite an interspecies war. Because, y'know, reasons. If Cat didn't end up broken and bloody half the time, as well as have significant problems of her own, this would be one hell of a Mary Sue series, but thankfully the author manages to avoid that (at least in my opinion). Anyway, moving right along, we're now dealing with a ghoul riling up the rest of the ghouls as he apparently did once before, so it's time to destroy him.

As a side note, I've really enjoyed how Ms. Frost has brought in historical characters in surprisingly plausible ways throughout this series. Joan of Arc, Vlad Tepesh (aka Dracula), various Egyptian pharaohs, and Marie Laveau all make appearances from historical mentions to long-standing characters (helLO Vlad), and they're all great. Each of them has some historical relevance from the person/legend they're based from, but they're also interesting and have their own motivations and personalities that fit into the larger story. Definitely a high point of this series, IMO.

Anyway, back to the story, we have one ass of a ghoul who's decided to use fear, us vs them, and "omg what could Cat do to us?" to try to start an interspecies war. Little bit of current political situation reflection there, I think, though it's not unwarranted. Cat and Bones have to work with Marie Laveau, the ghoul voodoo queen of New Orleans again, and then figure out how to use her cryptic remarks and actions to get the upper hand and defeat Apollyon before he starts his war. Lots of action, lots of planning, some sex, and overall another good story that was very enjoyable.

This is one of my favorites so far, especially with Marie as a strong supporting character and what that leads to with regards to Cat and her abilities. Definitely pick it up if you're liking the rest of the series, although do note my comment earlier about recommended reading order and spoilers.

I hadn't read a night huntress book for at least six months, and I read a LOT of books since then, so I wasn't sure it would hold the same appeal as the last time, but let me tell you Jeanniene Frost does a terrific job of reminding you what made you fall in love with her storytelling and characters in the first place.
This book made me laugh out loud, cry, and blush all within a few pages of each other. The characters are developing in an organic and thoughtful way as well as the story.
I can't wait to see what's next for Cat, Bones, and the whole crew, but I'm hoping Tate gets his own Night Huntress World book soon ;0)

I feel like the author and her characters have finally found their stride in this 5th book of the Night Huntress series. Don't get me wrong, I've loved all the books so far, but this one was well-written, had a tight plot, and just the right amount of snarky of humor to make the horror and devastation a little easier to swallow.

Also, I LOVE the narrator of these audiobooks! She's amazing!

On to book 6!

Cat gets the ability to raise the dead, literally out of their graves! Really good addition to the series, I'm lost because of Kira and car man(Mencheres) I haven't read their book yet so I didn't know about them. I'd suggest reading [b:Eternal Kiss of Darkness|6871616|Eternal Kiss of Darkness (Night Huntress World, #2)|Jeaniene Frost|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1308972560s/6871616.jpg|7096800] before you read this book. Don't have to I think but it gives the story of Kira and Car Man. Yes Car Man is probably a bad name for him but until I think of another one, that will be his nickname :) -evil laugh-

Fun!

My first read of the year and I rushed to finish, I liked the story but the end was a little to easy, the bad was a little soft and didn’t put much of a challenge. We could see the changing from the previous books and it was predictable to see those ghouls were up to something bad pretty soon. In this book we can see Cat and Bones trying to stop the murder of vampires. Those ghouls are following some stories that Cat could kill them all.

I liked two things from this story, we have more Vlad and all those friends decided to help. Mencheres has changed a lot since Kira became his new boo and we could see a different and more soft side of him in this book. Spade also changed, but only because now life is really dangerous for Denise and he’s always worried. For me the friends and all those funny moments made this book so much fun.

Mhmm I cant get chapter 21 outta my head:)
Im going crazy now tho because I wanna know whats next and I have to wait till August:(
Book was awesome tho I LOVED it:)