(Hot cover, I want those boots)
Destined for an Early Grave – Jeaniene Frost
Fourth in Night Huntress Series
July 28th, 2009
400 pages, paperback
Avon
Half human, half vampire Catherine (but you better call her Cat) and her vampire husband Crispin (he would liked to be called Bones – long story) are having a nice relaxing vacation when Cat starts to have weird dreams. During the dreams the same man keeps visiting and talking to her and she recognizes him, but when she wakes up, she can’t remember who he is. Not wanting to scare Bones into cutting their vacation short, she keeps this information from him, but it doesn’t last long.
They arrive in Paris and are greeted by Mencheres, Bones’ Grandsire and warns them Gregor, aka the dreamsnatcher has escaped prison and out to reclaim Cat. As the dreamsnatcher, Gregor can invade Cat’s dreams and physically kidnap her if the dream progresses enough. Gregor can see the future similar to Mencheres. When Cat was 16, Gregor had a vision that Cat would become a great vampire hunter alongside Bones and he wanted that stopped, so he altered Cat’s mother’s mind and to make her think big bad vamps were out to get her family and he was the only one that could rescue Cat. Cat leaves and lives with him as his girlfriend for months. Mencheres eventually comes to rescue Cat and erases all of her memories of the time she spent with Gregor. He imprisons Gregor so he can not harm her again.
Now Gregor is out, and wants Cat back as his. He claims they had a binding ceremony all those years ago, legally (in vampire rules) making Cat his and not Bones’. How do you think Bones takes this information? Not so well. Bones is possessive to put it mildly.
This series is one of my absolute favorites for many reasons:
1. Bones is an alpha, but physically, not your typical alpha. He is not 6’6 300 pounds, but more slender and British and for some reason that makes him different to me. Don’t get me wrong, he is an extremely powerful vampire that will do anything to protect Cat. But he doesn’t get mushy or goo goo eyed around her – his eyes do turn green when he wants to do the dirty dance, which is mighty sexy. If she is out of line, he lets her know. I love his cockney British accent and the fact that he was a gigolo in human life hundreds of years ago and didn’t stop once he became a vampire. He doesn’t apologize for it either. He has a take him or leave him type of attitude.
2. Cat is blunt. There is no other word for her. She struggles every day with Bones and his hovering. She thinks she can take care of herself and can’t stand it when she has to sit on the sidelines and watch everyone else do the work. She is a half-vampire, and has never really comes to terms with that side of her, even though she is “married” to one of the most powerful vampires in the world.
3. Cat and Bones are married (at least in vampire rules) and that is something you don’t always get in these books. Do they fight – sure and in this book a lot. Are there some points where you are a little afraid for their future – yes. But this is different than so many other UF series I have read. The question of will the hero/heroine end up with each other has already been answered. It is refreshing to have them at this point in their lives.
4. Jeaniene Frost writes almost shockingly. She keeps nothing back, and I love it. When you don’t think she will go there, she goes there. Her sex scenes are hot, she doesn’t have a problem killing off people, her characters do things that I can’t believe, they say things that make my mouth fall open. Example – Cat is in line for the restroom in Paris and many of the women are ogling Bones as he walks by:
The low exhalation came from a brunette farther up the line. I gave her an arched brow and tapped my engagement ring for effect.“Taken Honey”She was human or I’d have thrown down at the second lingering look she gave Bones before shrugging at me.[…]”He fucks even better than he looks,” I settled on saying. Several heads turned. I didn’t care; I was pissed.”And that beautiful face is going to be clamped between my legs as soon as we get ooome, don’t you worry.”From the crowd at the bar, I heard Bones laugh.
5. She has great supporting characters. The pyro Vlad, Bones’ best friend Spade, Cat’s mother who hates vampire with a passion but is dating a Ghoul, and Tate! I’m a Tate fan – there I said it. I know no one likes him, so he can be all mine! He is a total ass, but he is hurting inside. He needs someone!! I hope he gets a book and then we will be able to see all of his goodness come out. I was so happy when he finally appeared in this book.
Also have to mention Mencheres – he is Bones’ Gransire, described as having an Egyptian heritage. He is extremely old, and therefore when he speaks he doesn’t always use present day dialogue. This proper way of speaking drives Cat nuts:
“Hey Walks Like An Egyptian, how about for once you drop the formal stuff and talk like you live in the twenty-first century?”“The shit’s gonna splatter, start buggin’ yo,” Mencheres replied instantly.
6. There have been two chapters now that I will always remember. In book two, One Foot in the Grave, chapter 32. For those of you that have read, you know which one that is. One of the best romance scenes I have ever read. And in this book, chapter seventeen, this chapter made me tear up and I never cry when I read. I think I held my breath the entire chapter. I’m not going into specifics, but it was written with such emotion and depth, it killed me.
Up next for Jeaniene Frost is a spin-off of this series, A Drop of Crimson, Spade’s book and it is due out February 9, 2010.
Night Huntress series includes:
Halfway to the Grave – October 30, 2007
One Foot in the Grave – April 29, 2008
At Grave’s End – December 30, 2008
Destined for an Early Grave – July 28, 2009
This book has so many shocking dialogue and I loved it! The two sections you mentioned had me laughing and gasping at the same time.
And the scene where Bones turns away from Cat was very intense.
Katie – I love it too. I can always count on her books to make me laugh.
I don't read UF, but this one gets great reviews. Maybe I should give this one a go? Open up to a few of them?
Hi Mandi,
I couldn't have said it better myself. Awesome description of the series. I also loved ch32 :-) Can't wait to read ch17. I have been distracted away from this book for Suzanne Brockmann's Hot Pursuit!
Amy – Although this is UF, there is a lot of romance. Especially in the second book:)
Randi – That is a good distraction;)
AAAhhh! I haven't finished it yet – actually, I'm not even halfway through yet :( But I like it so far.
And oh, Chapter 32 ;) yummy! I do love me some Bones!
Mandi,
I love this series and can't wait for this installment. :) I'm also looking forward to the spin off book. Thanks for the wonderful review.
M
Hi Mandi…this is a great review, and has me totally jonesing for this book! I have never read anything by this author before. Is it OK to start with this book, or are there earlier ones I should read first? I love shocking dialogue, but not really gross-out violence. Are these books really violent or disturbing? Thanks!
Patti – :) Looking forward to your thoughts!
Michelle – Spade's book should be gooooood!
Penelope – In my opinion there is not really gross out violence. I mean, people die…but not in bloody detail. Definitely bad language and sex. I would definitely start with book one. There are many things that happen in this series that would be lost if you started with this one.
OK I want this book!! This sounds right up my alley, thanks for the great review Mandi
I love this series! Bones *sigh* Chapter 32!!!
Hi Mandi,
With one of the best romantic scenes you have ever read…now that sounds promising.
I will be sure to keep that in mind
I've not read anything by Jeaniene Frost…..I'm adding this one to my list!! :)
Amanda – I think you will love it:)
Lori – lol..chp 32. There is so much more to this series than chp 32 but I can't help myself :)
Blodeuedd – If you read it, you will remember that chp:)
Blanche – Yay:)
I just ordered Halfway to the Grave from Amazon. Can't wait to get it…thanks Mandi for the recommendation!- Penelope
Hey Mandi!
I've heard such amazing things about this series and as of yesterday, I now own the first three in the series. YAY!! Hopefully I can start them soon.
;) VFG
Penelope – YAY!! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!!
VFG – Triple Yay ;) I think you will really like these!
I just HAD to stop back by and let you know that I bought the first two books this afternoon! I'm actually quite excited to give this series a try!
Amy – Yay!! So excited for all this Jeaniene Frost love :) I can't wait to hear your thoughts!
Hi Mandi!
Wonderful review!!
I the first three of this series on my shelf and am determined to get to them before the end of the year. She sounds like just my sort of read!!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
Thanks for your note at my blog Mandi! It's always so nice to see you stop by.
Best
L
OMG loved your description, I have the first 2 on my bookshelf and every week I mean to start. I am SO going to next week!!! I mean it lol
Lea – I love your blog:)
Tedyree – Uh huh..we will see..LOL ;)
I am with the gang that have the books, but either time or other obligation, I have not started them yet…
I may have to do a challenge to get to them..
Love the round up – sound like my kinda series…
E.H>
Argh! Okay, so my copy finally arrived and I read 'Destined for an Early Grave' in about 4 hours :)
LOVED it!
I especially love the fact that even though we know that Cat + Bones are the series focus, in this book I still had moments when I held my breath and expected the worst. Jeaniene Frost definitely holds nothing back and I love her for it.
I would have liked more sexy scenes (totally agree about chapter 32 – I blush reading that!… I would have appreciated another chapter 32 in 'Destined'). And you are not alone with the Tate-crush. I wanted more of him too.
Cannot wait for 'First Drop of Crimson' – it's already pre-ordered on my amazon account :)