Review: This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
My rating: 4.5 of 5 genies
Genre: Adult/Mature, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Vampires
Published: February 22, 2011
Pages: 357
Publisher: Avon
Source: Library Loan
Format: Paperback
Purchase At: TheBookDepository.com or Amazon.com

Goodreads Summary

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.

My Thoughts

What to say about 'This Side of the Grave'? Maybe I should start off with the simple statement: 'It didn't suck'. It was good, really good actually and I was going to give this a 4 until near-the end when Bones's interaction with a poltergeist had me laughing so hard I was sure my parents would pick up the phone and dial the mental asylum, RIGHT. THEN.

Lol, good times though! Worth spending time in a straight jacket against padded walls, that's for sure. Okay maybe not, but I considered it.

First off, I really love the covers of this series, they are so unique and edgy there isn't much else of an option BUT to pick one up. The title also rocks, and props to Frost for always incorporating the word 'Grave' in there, Big Ups! It's distinct to the series and I appreciate that. Personally though I found this the heaviest,(content-wise), and was crippled at parts like say, the death of a very important character. THAT had me in tears, so not pretty. It was incredibly painful to read through, and yet Frost just kept tempting and edging me forward until it was all read and I was feeling lower than dirt...Until I kept reading on and saw the end that made it truly worth while! Fabulous ending and gloriously written, a little bit of a cliff-hanger, but I am hanging on until August for the next one!

So now that you know of my definitive plans to catch the next book, let me plunge into the remainder of my review for this one. Why I felt it weird at parts was because they were character couples that I wasn't familiar and sharply bombarded with,(here is where I suggest you pick up the 'Night Huntress World' novels before reading this because you will be more familiar with the pairings of Kira and Mencheres as well as Spade and Denise that way.) Not to mention Denise's shape-shifting! That was a shocker, I was expecting that almost as much as the realization that my Main-Man Mencheres was nuzzling and grinding against some chick I did not know.

I didn't hate Kira, I just did not know her. It was like popping a helium balloon without informing anyone. One minute it's nice and serene and then the next? Boom! Where did that blast come from and WHY do you not have hair anymore? See, shocking. I raised an brow when she got all snarky about Cat pushing Mencheres to do better in his attempts to read the future because I love Cat, and I will not have some woman sass her. No. Way.

But I'd heard of her, I have the 'Eternal Kiss' in my to-read category so I know their story, I just wish someone would have pointed out the order in which to read them; then maybe I wouldn't have wanted to flog Kira. Possibly.

Next was Denise: I love Denise to death because of her alcoholic ways - so much like Cat - but again all of a sudden I see spouses formed out of the blue and then them being territorial. What is this, a snarling party? Bring your own 'tude and sass? Not cool. Spade has always been my gentleman and then to see him suddenly glare Cat down because she asked her best friend a favor for the good of their race as well as the ghouls? Not the guy I knew, that's for sure. What happened to the understanding Baron, did he die somewhere along the way from the previous book to here?

Not to mention Marie! While I'm reeling from weird character turns there goes Marie making me hate her for a good 10 chapters!

I was furious, thinking what was going on?! The only people that seemed constant were Vlad, Bones and Ian...Until the end. Thank God it worked out well in the end! Apollyon got what was coming to him and I officially want Ian and Veritas as a couple! They are my secret desire. Another desire is of course Tate and Cat. I know, what about Bones, right? Well if Bones were to die I'd want 'Cate' to happen (see the merging there!?) He loves her with this burning intensity that makes me weak, I love that! So God forbid Bones were to pass, Tate would be the man for the job. There, cast the first stone if you have never CONSIDERED the pair and I'll listen, but if not join the club!

I enjoyed the mystery of trying to defeat Apollyon, that was prime, man! The combover went down....Haha I am a little pleased okay, bite me! But you know what's better yet? Reading this novel. It is awesome and I urge you not to jump to conclusions like I did. Catch the 'Night Huntress World' books before this one though, it'll make a butt load more of sense regarding the supporting characters. Note: there are scenes of intercourse so watch out for that if you happen to be younger.

I rate this read 4.5 genies because I can't resist a good Exorcist threat when it comes along! Immature I know, and I love it.

One helluva a read, spectacular in the very most parts, tugging rightly at the heartstrings, this book will warm your heart as it did with mine.