Helpful Score: 14
The spine calls it "paranormal romance" and it was shelved in the romance section, but after reading it I have decided that my best description of it would be an urban fantasy for romance readers. This book is the first of what looks to be a series, so there is an open ended feeling to it that die-hard romance readers who need a conclusion may not appreciate, but I personally liked it and it made me want to read more of this series. I liked the gorgeous cover, great fight scenes, an unusual heroine, and great banter and humor. I wondered about Bones being VERY similar to Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Cat being a little immature sometimes. Overall - fun read. I'd recommend it.
Karen E. (thebakerswife) - , reviewed Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 12
An urban fantasy about a half human/half vampire heroine who teams up with a vampire bounty hunter to hunt down evil vampires. First book in the series with lots of fast paced action and fight scenes and a steamy romance.
However the main character comes across as juvenile and the rest of the characters are more caricatures than three dimesional people, defined by their ethnicity. So the English characters use words like bloody and bollocks and bleedin' with an absurd frequency; the African-American female can't have a conversation without using the word "child" to puntuate what she is saying; the Latina vampire uses, "nina" and "si" instead of yes. These characters don't talk like real people. They talk like ethnic stereotypes. Which is a shame because the story itself is entertaining and suspenseful.
However the main character comes across as juvenile and the rest of the characters are more caricatures than three dimesional people, defined by their ethnicity. So the English characters use words like bloody and bollocks and bleedin' with an absurd frequency; the African-American female can't have a conversation without using the word "child" to puntuate what she is saying; the Latina vampire uses, "nina" and "si" instead of yes. These characters don't talk like real people. They talk like ethnic stereotypes. Which is a shame because the story itself is entertaining and suspenseful.
Danielle D. (Love2Read212) reviewed Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
WOW! This was the best book I've read in awhile. Well written, excellent characters and a kick butt heroine. Can't wait to read number 2 (comes out April 08) A must read!
Jeanetta S. (zophine) reviewed Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, Bk 1) on + 59 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
A half-vampire heroine borne from a rape...a full-vamp bounty hunter...and a whole flock of bad vamps that need to be taken out. I loved this book. It was fast-paced and engrossing, even if the diaglogue could use a little help. This is one of the only books in my recent reading history that left a little lump in my throat at the emotional scenes. I'm looking forward to the next installments of the series.
Leslie Q. (keepsbooks) -
Helpful Score: 8
Halfway to the Grave features a half-vampire heroine named Cat who kills vampires in revenge for certain *injuries* her mother suffered -- Cat is the result. Shes quite a young heroine (16-years old when she starts killing and is only 22 or so in this book) and it sometimes shows in her choices. Through dumb-luck & sheer rage she manages to kill at dozen or so vamps over the years, but meets her match in a Master Vampire/Bounty Hunter nicknamed Bones. Cat ends up partnering with him to go after bad vampires and it takes much of this first book in the series for her to accept that there are any good vampires.
After Bones trains her in the skills necessary to keep herself alive against older, stronger vampires, Cat is as tough as they come and has a smart mouth, but she is still insecure and hates herself for what she is (with a lot of help from her mother, who needs a lot of counseling in child rearing, IMO). She is strong and talented in fighting and throwing knives, but its through hard work and training (with some genetic help, of course).
Initially, I couldn't imagine that Bones was going to be the hero. He was physically & verbally rough on our heroine, and his Englishness seemed almost like a caricature (Blimey!) and was grating. I came to see that this was an act, a part of a personna he uses to carry out his chosen profession. He evolves into a yummy hero who respects Cat and her abilities, is tolerant of her foibles and best of all, their growing love isnt Written! Destiny! Or Fate! Its genuine & the obstacles to their relationship seem real and open-ended.
I found some of the action scenes a bit hard to follow, but many others were exciting and visually appealing. There is not a lot of mythology to learn in this first book and it comes in small, agreeable doses. This book isnt a Romance, of course, but romantic elements are there and whether obvious or only hinted at, satisfying. It also isnt a boink-fest, so if you want multiple, steamy sexual encounters youll have to read book 2 (One Foot in the Grave) ;) Grade A-
After Bones trains her in the skills necessary to keep herself alive against older, stronger vampires, Cat is as tough as they come and has a smart mouth, but she is still insecure and hates herself for what she is (with a lot of help from her mother, who needs a lot of counseling in child rearing, IMO). She is strong and talented in fighting and throwing knives, but its through hard work and training (with some genetic help, of course).
Initially, I couldn't imagine that Bones was going to be the hero. He was physically & verbally rough on our heroine, and his Englishness seemed almost like a caricature (Blimey!) and was grating. I came to see that this was an act, a part of a personna he uses to carry out his chosen profession. He evolves into a yummy hero who respects Cat and her abilities, is tolerant of her foibles and best of all, their growing love isnt Written! Destiny! Or Fate! Its genuine & the obstacles to their relationship seem real and open-ended.
I found some of the action scenes a bit hard to follow, but many others were exciting and visually appealing. There is not a lot of mythology to learn in this first book and it comes in small, agreeable doses. This book isnt a Romance, of course, but romantic elements are there and whether obvious or only hinted at, satisfying. It also isnt a boink-fest, so if you want multiple, steamy sexual encounters youll have to read book 2 (One Foot in the Grave) ;) Grade A-
